Loudoun County VA real estate

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - How To Present A Winning Back Up Offer

Have you found your dream home but just learned that it already has a pending offer in place? This is a very common occurrence, especially if the home is in perfect condition and worth every penny they are asking for it. So what should you do? Should you give up? No! You should submit a back up offer. However, there are a few things you should learn before submitting your offer.

Here are a few things that will help you submit a winning back up offer.

1. It is not necessary to offer significantly more than the asking price. You don't want to overpay for the home. Remember, it will still have to have an appraisal and be approved for that appraised amount. However, it is recommended that you offer the seller what they are asking for the home or just slightly more if the current offer is already at the asking price.

2. You should always get pre-approved before attempting to buy any home. This could mean the difference between having the seller accept your offer or someone else's offer. If you submit a back up offer, and the other deal falters in any way, you will more than likely get the backup offer over someone else that has not been pre-approved. In addition, you should include in your offer that your credit and your financials have already been reviewed by your lender. This just puts you one more step ahead of everyone else.

3. You should show the seller that you are flexible. Sometimes sellers need to close quickly and others need a longer period of time close. The more flexible you are the more likely you are to have your back up offer accepted over another offer.

4. Try to write your offer without contingencies or as few contingencies as possible. If your offer has no contingencies and with the other offer the seller will have to wait for the buyer to sell their home, you will more often than not get the deal.

5. Try to appeal to the seller on an emotional level. Ask your realtor to give the seller a personal letter from you introducing yourself and letting them know what you love about their home and why you feel you are the perfect buyer.

Generally, a seller has an emotional attachment to the home and wants to see it go to someone who loves it as much as they do and will care for it as they do. Also, by doing this, you will put a "face" to your offer whereas all of the other offers are all going to come across as impersonal, anonymous offers. It's worth a try. You never know what might get through to a seller.

Talk to your realtor about any other tactics they have successfully used to secure a winning back up offer. Your realtor deals with these types of things every day and will be able to guide you through to the purchase of your next perfect 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.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - Don't Forget This Room.....

Do you know what room most home sellers overlook? If you haven't guessed it yet, don't feel bad. Most homeowners do not even give it a second thought.

The garage is the most overlooked room in the house. The garage is a very important space for most buyers. They are envisioning themselves working in their "shop", building shelves, trying to picture how their vehicles will fit or how much extra storage it provides them.

It is extremely important for your garage to look clean and uncluttered. You took the time to clean and organize every other room in your house. So why wouldn't you do the same for your garage? Your buyers will not be able to picture themselves using your garage if it is cluttered and full of your personal belongings.

You are going to have to pack anyway so why not start with the garage. Go through everything and throw away anything that you don't use. Then pack the rest. Get a short term storage space if you need to.

Cleaning and organizing your garage so that your buyers can visualize themselves using it could make or break the sale. Additionally, an orderly garage could add value to the price of your home. If your buyers can't see the full potential of the space, they can't visualize themselves using it!

Here are a few tips to help clean and organize your garage:
• Go through everything and throw away anything you don't use
• Pack and put into a storage anything that you don't use that distracts from the organized look of the garage
• Dust all of the walls and don't forget to sweep the cobwebs out of the corners and off of the ceiling
• If the garage has cabinets or shelves, make sure they are clean, uncluttered and organized
• Remove everything from the floor that doesn't need to be there
• Remove all chemicals and flammable items. Not all buyers keep a close eye on their children
• Make sure your garage door opener is functioning correctly, including a working light bulb
• Clean your garage floors and if your garage floor has oil spills or any other type of spills, clean them thoroughly
• After you clean your garage floors, paint them with cement paint to add a "like new" fresh and clean look to them
• If your garage walls have any sheetrock damage, have them repaired
• A fresh coat of paint in your garage will also help make your home seem newer, well kept and shows pride of ownership. This gives the buyer a sense that if you took such good care of the garage, you must have taken equal care with your homes maintenance and this will add value in the mind of the buyer
• Don't forget to paint the garage door as well. Because often times this is the first thing the buyer sees

Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression! Be sure to tell your realtor if your garage has any special features so they can point them out to perspective buyers. Ask your realtor for any other tips and tricks you can use to sell your home more quickly and for more money. They will be more than happy to share ideas that they have used successfully in the past to help sell your home!

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

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

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.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - 6 Reasons to Paint before You Move In

Moving to a new house, condo, or apartment this spring? Before filling your home with furnishings, there’s something you might want to do first: paint. Experts of every stripe – from REALTORS® to authorities on painting -- say that one of the very best times to do interior painting is just before moving into a new home. Here are six reasons why, according to Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute:

1. It’s easy now. Interior painting is a very simple project – and not at all physically demanding -- when you can move freely within a room. Why wait till later when you may have to move heavy furniture from side to side, or work around big items, to do your painting?

2. It saves time. Painting can take a lot longer when you have to cover and uncover things, move them back and forth, and take down and re-hang artwork. It’s better to paint just before moving and short-circuit these time-consuming and unproductive steps.

3. It can save you money – lots of it. If you’re using a professional painting contractor, he or she can complete the work far faster in rooms that are empty. That’s extremely important, since time charges for labor typically account for 80 percent of the cost of painting, according to Zimmer. “Bottom line: Calling in a contractor before moving into a home can drastically lower the cost of painting the space,” she says.

4. It safeguards your furnishings. No matter how carefully you or your contractor work, there is always the chance of a paint spill, or a few stray flecks finding their way onto a prized possession. Painting before bringing in your furnishings keeps these items out of harm’s way.

5. It can simplify interior decorating. Don’t yet have your furnishings? There’s no better way to set the stage for your décor than by adding a fresh paint color scheme before decorating. Doing so greatly simplifies the selection of new furniture, carpeting, and accents, allowing you to choose just the right tints, tones, and shades to make your new home picture perfect.

6. It feels good. Adding a new coat of paint makes any home seem cleaner, fresher, more welcoming, and best of all…more “yours.” To keep your paint job looking great, Zimmer recommends the use of top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint; it will produce a more stain resistant finish that will look new-home fresh for years to come.

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

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

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.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - Helpful Questions To Ask The Seller Before Moving In

Buying a new home is a very exciting time. There are many things to do and to get done and many things to remember. Sometimes you can hardly wait until the seller moves out so that you can have the house all to yourself. But wait just a minute -I would be willing to bet that the seller has loads of information that could make your life a whole lot easier once the house is yours. It is to your advantage to gather a list of important questions and talk to the seller if possible.

It is generally not considered appropriate for the buyer to just knock on the seller’s door or call them directly and start asking questions. However, talk to your realtor about helping you get your questions answered before the seller has moved and is no longer available.

Here is a list of important questions that in all of the excitement you may not have thought to ask.

1. Do you have any information about the repair history of the house

2. Do you have any warranty paperwork and owners manuals for anything that is staying with the house

3. Do you have paint colors available so that they can be matched for touch ups etc.

4. Do you have the phone numbers for any contractors you have used for repairs and landscaping on the house. You may want a contractor that is familiar with the house or perhaps you like the way the lawn looks and would like to keep the landscaping service

5. Where are the best restaurants, dry cleaners, daycare centers etc. located

6. Is there a neighborhood watch program and how do you get in touch with the organizer

7. Is there a Homeowners Association and where is the clubhouse - if applicable

8. What are the trash days and what are the requirements. Is there a trash bag limit and what do you do with bulk items

9. What is the history of the house. Things that are not disclosed on the disclosure form - such as an interesting story, the prior uses of the house, do they have a set maintenance schedule in place. Is there anything that works but is a bit quirky when operating it. This could save you hundreds of dollars in unnecessary repairs when you find out something works but is just a bit quirky

10. Don't forget to leave the garage door openers

11. Where are the emergency cut offs, the breaker box and utility meters and any tools needed to use them. What about that wrench that is needed to operate the fireplace - is it available

12. Don't forget to ask about the sprinkler system, landscape lighting, septic tank, basement pumps, pool pumps, well pumps, hot tubs operating systems. All of these items may be things you know how to operate or possibly not. So it is best to ask.

Hopefully, these questions will help make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible. Don't forget to talk to your realtor, they may have additional questions that would be pertinent to ask about the home you are going to be moving into. Your realtor is there to help you in any way they can so don't hesitate to ask if you need help with something. That is what they are there for.

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

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

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.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - Buying A Condo? 4 Questions to Ask

Condominium homes have always been, and will likely always be, an efficient and economical route to becoming a first-time homeowner. They can offer the comfort, prestige, and even luxury appointments that apartment living may lack, often at a cost that is not much different than rent.

Purchasing a condo is a smart and, most times, more affordable way to enter the housing market. However, not all condos are equal so it's vital that potential buyers be knowledgeable and know to ask the right questions.

Consider asking the following four questions before you buy:

What will you own? Read the bylaws and be sure you understand what you will be responsible for and what belongs to the condo association. Will you own the boat dock at the back of your unit? Can you elect to build a spa on your patio? Generally, unit owners own and are responsible for the interior of their condos, while costs for outside maintenance, including common areas and sewer lines, are the association's responsibility.

Who lives there? Are the majority of residents owners or renters? Owners generally take more interest in proper maintenance and are more willing than renters to serve on the association board and enforce complex rules and regulations—including the regular collection of homeowner dues.

How effective is the homeowner's association? Do they have legal counsel, reasonable funds and a capable, caring volunteer board? One way to judge is to check with residents about restrictions, oversight and timeliness of repairs and upgrades. Another is to take a hard look at the grounds and be wary of signs of neglect.

What about special assessments? The association should have the power to special assess for needed, one-time large expenditures. Otherwise, things that need to be done may never get done at all, leaving the complex vulnerable to disrepair and lowered property values.

Buying a home is a complex and complicated undertaking, whether it's your first home or your fifth. Once you have a good, working knowledge about purchasing a condo, making the right decision will come much easier.

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

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

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.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - Top 5 Ways to Get Your Home in Shape

According to a recent survey from HomeAdvisor, more than half of U.S. homeowners (53 percent) do not engage in any annual maintenance for their home, and only 18 percent of homeowners are very confident in their general knowledge of their home's annual maintenance needs.

Amy Matthews, TV Host and HomeAdvisor's Home Improvement Expert, offers homeowners five simple, useful tips to keep their homes in shape year round.

1. Spray foam insulation. According to survey findings, 77 percent of bill-paying U.S. homeowners are at least somewhat concerned about their high energy bills this winter. Small holes in foundation or siding, including anywhere pipes or wires penetrate the envelope of the home, can cause serious heat loss and increased costs. These small crevices can be the equivalent of having a window open all winter.

Matthews recommends using a can of spray foam insulation to seal these cracks to help save money on energy bills.

2. Hot water heater. Hot water heaters are becoming more energy efficient, but a homeowner who is not yet ready to upgrade can still get the best use out of their current appliance. A helpful tip is to see if the hot water heater is warm to the touch, and if so, to wrap it with an insulated blanket. This will help it work more efficiently.

3. Roof. Homeowners who live in regions that receive heavy rain, hail or snow should be on the lookout for water damage after large storms. Set a reminder to call a roofing pro to inspect the roof for damage or repair needs every one to two years. This continued maintenance will extend the life of the roof and give the homeowner peace of mind.

4. Heating and cooling systems. Ensure the proper function of heating and cooling systems by having them checked by a licensed heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) professional annually to prevent potential future emergency repairs. Matthews recommends that homeowners clean or replace filters every one to three months.

5. Garbage disposal. The garbage disposal is one of the most frequently used kitchen appliances and, according to HomeAdvisor, was among the top home appliance repairs in 2012. To avoid garbage disposal repairs, never place coffee grounds, grease, eggshells, bones or potato skins in the disposal. Matthews recommends placing a few ice cubes and the rinds of any citrus fruit in the disposal every few months to keep garbage disposals clean and odor-free.

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

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

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.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Helena Talbot's blog - How-To: Take Stock of Your Home

As many homeowners are doing their spring cleaning, there is no better time to take stock of your belongings. Putting together a home inventory can help individuals and families track important items in the event of a future loss.

"Unfortunately, you never know when a disaster may strike and you might suffer the loss of a home," says Mitchell H. Jawitz , vice president, personal lines marketing at The Hanover. "In that time of need, it's difficult to recall all of the personal items one may have lost. Having a home inventory can help you to replace everything in your home in a fast and efficient way if you have a covered loss."

Tips for creating a home inventory:

List Everything: First, go through each room, listing major items. Include purchase date and price, if known. Save, store and make copies of receipts –keeping them outside of your home. Include serial numbers for appliances, electronics, and cameras.

Take Photos or Videos: Open all closet and cabinet doors. Stand in the center of each room and take one picture of each wall or scan the room with a video camera.

Let Technology Help You: Visit Hanover.com to find a link to the Insurance Information Institute (III)'s program, Know Your Stuff, which allows you to use your computer or smartphone to inventory your possessions and store it in a safe online account.

Once the home inventory is created, it is best to keep it up to date. List and photograph new purchases and gifts as they arrive in your home. Delete items you no longer own. Make it a habit in the spring and the fall. And, it is good practice to check in with an insurance agent about whether items on the list are insured. Some homeowners' policies will have limited coverage on jewelry, collectibles, or other expensive valuables. These items need to be insured separately. An independent insurance agent can offer valuable advice and help you distinguish between what is covered and what is not.

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

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

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.