Helena Talbot’s blog – Getting Your Landscaping Ready For The Fall

It's that time of year again when you must start preparing your landscaping for the fall.  There are several annual maintenance chores that need to be performed about six to eight weeks before the first hard freeze if you want your home to look as beautiful in the spring as it does now.  Here are a few tips to help get you started.

1.  Purchase your winter grass, Fescue and winter rye are the preferred grasses for most homeowners.  However, you shouldn't plant your winter grass until the temperatures will consistently remain below 80 degrees.  

2.  You'ill need to apply a slow release fertilizer to your lawn.  This will help your lawn look better once spring rolls around. 

3.  You will also need to apply a pre-emergent treatment to your lawn to help prevent those tough to get rid of weeds in the spring.  

4.  Additionally, you should also apply a post emergent treatment to your lawn towards the end of the year for an extra layer of protection against those pesky spring weeds.  

5.  It's a good idea to educate yourself about the different types of herbicides on the market before you begin applying anything to your lawn.  There are some herbicides that only treat particular types of weeds and they won't hurt your lawn in the process.  However, there are other types of herbicides that will kill anything and everything in their path.  Therefore, if you want to just kill the weeds and preserve your grass, you will need to read the bottle carefully before treating your lawn.  If you need some assistance, don't hesitate to talk to someone at your local home improvement store for advice.  

6.  Trim and thin out your trees and the underbrush of all your bushes.  Keeping your trees and bushes trimmed and clean will help to keep them to continue growing strong and healthy, as well as, help them resist disease.

7.  While you're getting your lawn ready for the winter, you may want to take a few minutes to check the exterior of your house.  Look for holes and cracks that need to be patched in order to keep out any unwanted critters.  

We hope you have found this information helpful.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, contact your realtor for a complementary comparative market analysis of your neighborhood and a list of available homes in the location of your choice.  Your realtor would be more than happy to assist you every step of the way.  

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.

Helena Talbot’s blog – Housing Strategies for Seniors

People are living longer today. The century-long expansion in the world’s population that is 65 and older is the product of dramatic advances in medical science and healthy lifestyles. Currently, 13 percent of the U.S. population is 65 and older, up from 4 percent in 1900. As baby boomers turn 65 in higher and higher annual numbers, it is estimated that one in five Americans will be over age 65 and about 5 percent over 85. All this calls for growing care and services for the elderly population and pre-planning for lifestyles in the future.

The senior housing industry has been growing dramatically over the last 15 years as adult children look for smart solutions to their parents’ needs, whether physical or social. Alternatives for Seniors offers a number of things to consider when choosing lifestyle options for the older generation:

• Location. Keeping your parents close to home should not be the number one consideration. Although it is important that the community be convenient for family and friends to visit, being close to amenities they need and trust will make their senior living experience rewarding and more fulfilling.

• Type of community. Visiting to make sure the current residents have similar interests, backgrounds and values will allow for a more enriching life in the golden years. Many communities invite prospective residents to tour their community and enjoy lunch with the community, which is a wonderful way to ascertain if the culture is a fit. Many communities offer a weekend stay to experience more fully what the community has to offer.

• Staff. Is the staff appropriately dressed, personable and outgoing? Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner? Does the staff call residents by name and interact warmly? The answers to these questions will determine quite a bit toward whether the community is right for your loved one.

• Medical needs. Does the community have on-site medical supervision? If not, is there an agency that is associated with the community that can help when needed?

Finding and choosing a housing option for an aging loved one can be a difficult process. Be sure to keep seniors' needs as your top priority in order to find a community that properly suits them.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.

Helena Talbot’s blog - How an Appraisal Can Help Sell Your Home

While it’s standard practice for real estate professionals to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help price your home correctly for sale, you may also want to discuss with your agent the possibility of investing in an appraisal before you put your home on the market. 

Appraisals have long been a part of the transaction process for home buyers, however, pre-sale appraisals for home sellers have risen in popularity as a way to help confirm that your home is listed at the best possible price. 

A home appraiser will compare the condition of your house in relation to the comparable properties and will give you a reasonably good idea where your house fits in relation to recently sold properties. 

An appraisal can range in length from two pages to more than 100 and will include details about the house, a description of the neighborhood and side-by-side comparisons of similar properties. 

The appraisal report will also contain an evaluation of the area’s real estate market, notations of major problems with the property that will affect its value, and an estimate of the expected time it will take to sell the property. This also gives you a chance to correct problems before officially putting your house on the market—a sure-fire way to ensure a quicker sale.

Choosing the right appraiser is critical, however—whether you are selling or buying a home. Work with your agent to select an appraiser who understands the nuances of your particular neighborhood, as prices can vary significantly based on school district and street location.

The Appraisal Institute offers the following tips for consumers, providing important guidance for homeowners and buyers seeking to ensure their sales are completed in a timely manner:

• Make sure a qualified appraiser is hired (such as a designated SRA, SRPA or MAI member of the Appraisal Institute). The lowest priced appraiser does not necessarily equate with the most qualified.
• Accompany the appraiser during the inspection of the property, if possible. The more active of a participant you are in the process, the more you will understand it and be able to catch any errors.
• Request a copy of the appraisal report. Federal law requires that you receive a copy of the appraisal within 30 days.
• Appeal the appraisal if appropriate. Market conditions do change, especially in these economic times. If you feel that new information may change the appraisal, be sure to contact them.
• Have your agent ask the lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified and designated appraiser.
• File legitimate complaints with appropriate state board or professional appraisal organizations.

Remember, one doesn’t need to agree with the outcome of an appraisal. A home appraisal, no matter how scientific, still ends up being the opinion of the appraiser and, to some degree, a judgment call. However, the appraisal, when combined with your agent’s expertise on market conditions, will be a powerful way to determine the very best price for your home.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. 

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.

Helena Talbot's blog - Top 5 Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful

Moving into your brand new home is one of the happiest, most exciting moments of your life. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most stressful. The perils and pitfalls of packing up your possessions and safely moving them to another location -- whether around the corner or across state lines -- can turn this momentous occasion into a nightmare.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have helped many clients over the years not just find the home of their dreams, but smoothly move into it as well. There are several important steps to take to ensure a successful move, such as these suggestions from Mayflower Transit:

1. Have the right supplies - Gather up cartons, bubble wrap, packing tape and newspapers before you pack your first box. That includes marking pens, so you can label each box with its contents and intended location in your new home.
2. Get a head start - The sooner you begin, the more stress-free you will be. Aim to fill and mark at least two or three boxes each day. While you are packing is the best time to de-clutter. Throw out or give away items you will likely not want in your new home.
3. Pack your own valuables - As you pack, set aside valuables or irreplaceable items such as jewelry, heirlooms or pieces of artwork that you'd feel more comfortable moving yourself. This should include important paperwork and photos.
4. Notify important contacts - Make a list of utilities at both locations that need to be notified of your moving date. Check off each as you make arrangements for shut-off and turn-on dates. List and contact creditors, Internet providers, and anyone else who will need your new address, including magazine and book or movie subscriptions. Don't forget to file your change of address with the post office at least a week before you move.
5. Prescriptions and pets - Be sure you have enough prescription medications to see you through your moving period - and be sure to transfer existing prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new area. If you have pets, make plans well ahead of time as to where to keep them during the move - and how you'll transport them to your new home.

Helena Talbot's Free iPhone/Android App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App: Text "Exit9" to 87778 or enterhttp://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. 

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800   www.facebook.com/LoudounCountyConnect  www.twitter.com/ExitAshburn  www.Linkedin.com/in/HelenaTalbot

Helena Talbot's blog - What You Must Know About Disclosures Before Selling Your Home

I don’t just mean the big purchases, but every single penny?  In order to succeed, you must!  In reality, you should need to vicious.  Try looking at this case in another way.  Let’s say that you receive a paycheck every week for $1000.  You open the envelope each week and there you find the $1000 check.  But one week, when you open the envelope, you find only $900.

What would you do?  I suspect that you would be on the phone and finding out where the missing money went.  I want you to become as attentive to your outflow as you are to your inflow!

The first thing you will need to do is take the time to list out your fixed and flexible expenses.  Fixed expenses are items such as rent, mortgage, car payment and other regular installment payments that basically stay the same each month and for which you are committed for a period of time. Flexible expenses are the expenses that change from month to month such as food, clothing, and utilities. You have a bit more control over some of these items.

In order to create residual income, you are going to have to create an asset base, and to do so, you will have to consider reallocating your expenses.  You will need to pay yourself first and NEVER dip into your asset money.  Never, ever spend the principle.  Don’t say you don’t have enough money. If you do, shame on you!  Do something about it.  Make more or spend less.  This needs to be a zero sum game to some extent.

This means that you are going to have to take a look at how you are spending your money.  Yes, every penny.  As a people, Americans over consume.  I am not suggesting that you should take draconian measures and live like a pauper for the rest of your life, but it may be necessary to make some adjustments.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. 

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800   www.facebook.com/LoudounCountyConnect  www.twitter.com/ExitAshburn  www.Linkedin.com/in/HelenaTalbot

Helena Talbot's blog - What You Must Know About Disclosures Before Selling Your Home

Selling your home can be a very exciting time.  You have enjoyed the time you have spent in your home and you will probably be somewhat sad when moving day comes.  But don't make things worse by not knowing everything there is to know about giving a full disclosure about your home.

     

Your realtor will probably pound this in like a prosecutor; but there is a very good reason for giving full disclosure about your home.  So what does "full disclosure" mean and why does my realtor keep warning me about this?  Well, that is because your realtor is trying to keep you out of legal trouble.

What!  Legal Trouble?  How can my telling a little white lie get me into legal trouble?   Well the fact of the matter is -  it is the law -  you must give full disclosure when selling your home.  You must disclose anything and everything that might be wrong  with your home before you sell it.  

You have probably lived in your home for years and you know that is has some "quirks".  No home is perfect, they all have something wrong with them; maybe just a few small things or maybe some really big things.  It doesn't matter how big or small the issues are they must be disclosed before the sale. 

So what exactly do you mean "everything"?  Well, you know that little drip in the bathroom faucet, and the little fact that your dishwasher stops up from time to time, or perhaps the fact that your basement floods or your roof leaks but only when you get a heavy rain.  Yep, that's the stuff I am talking about.  When I say everything must be disclosed, I mean everything!

When it comes time to sell your home you have some options.  You can make the repairs at your expense  or you can let the buyers know up front what the problems are and let the buyers decide if they want them fixed.  Just remember, if you don't get these items fixed before putting your home on the market, your buyers will probably come back with an offer on your home minus the cost of the repairs.

Most buyers will have a home inspection done; however, even if they don't, it is your responsibility to disclose any defects that you know about.  A concealed problem may come back to haunt you after your closing.  There have been many lawsuits that involve undisclosed defects.  So it is in your best interest to disclose, disclose, disclose.  Otherwise, the settlement of a lawsuit will make the cost of those repairs or price concession look like a real bargain!

Talk to your realtor and they will be able to assist you with the disclosure agreement.  Your realtor will be your best friend throughout this entire process and beyond and is the best person to help keep you out of legal trouble.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. 

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800   www.facebook.com/LoudounCountyConnect  www.twitter.com/ExitAshburn  www.Linkedin.com/in/HelenaTalbot