What goes great with smoked turkey? Beer of course! Mark your calendars, and head on down to the Red Dragon Brewery in Fredericksburg for the 3rd annual Kegs & Legs Friendsgiving! Enjoy tasting multiple new brews, and feast on giant smoked turkey legs courtesy of Beverley’s Ribinator BBQ! Service will be from 12 PM – 6PM on Sunday, November 16, so make sure to be there and don’t forget to bring your friends! For more info, be sure to Click Here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
A lovely Arlington Forest brick home gives you a warm welcome to the neighborhood. A large fenced in yard can accommodate your family and gardening adventure. An exterior shed provides you with all the storage you~ll need for the grill, tools and lawn mower. Newly refinished hardwood floors and paint throughout the home give you the canvas to create a space for all to enjoy. First and second floor bedrooms give you additional space for a home office. The fully finished basement is an ideal for gathering space friends and family. With a fully finished bathroom on every floor, this home is easy to use. Additionally when you visit, you~ll notice the highly desirable commuting location is with great walkability to parks, neighborhood pool and shopping. This active community is minutes away from DC and Arlington attractions. Making it ideal for airport access and work travel requirements. For more info about this property, Click Here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is the main legislative body for the county and is comprised of five members who are elected by the voters of the county and serve four-year staggered terms. Each November, a supervisors’ meeting is held in LOW to provide residents a convenient first-hand look at how their local government decisions are made.
The Board of Supervisors will conduct their regular business meeting on Wednesday, November 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Hall at the Clubhouse. Having a supervisors’ meeting in LOW is a tradition in part because the meetings are well attended. To maintain that tradition, the Civic Club has elected to forgo its regular monthly meeting and encourage increased attendance at the supervisors’ meeting.
On November 13th, the supervisors’ meeting will include a message from Cliff Wilks, President of Lake of the Woods Board of Directors, and a presentation of a Working Draft of the Capital Improvement Program for FY2019 – FY2023. Bryan David, our County Administrator, will report on the supervisors’ Two-Year Strategic Priorities and their Legislative Priorities for the next session of the Virginia General Assembly.
At 7:00 p.m., the supervisors will provide time to receive public comments. Anyone wishing to address the supervisors during the Public Comment must sign-in on the forms that will be located on a table outside the Great Hall. The forms will be submitted to the Chief Deputy Clerk, and speakers will be called in order. After Public Comment, the supervisors will recess for dinner with the Lake of the Woods Board of Directors.
We look forward to seeing you at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 13th. Before or after the meeting, consider having dinner at the Clubhouse. The view of the lake from the Clubhouse is spectacular.
Buying a property in Virginia can be a great experience if you are lucky enough to find the professionals who can help you do it. Virginia is a state where rural and urban make a unique scene making sure that you can find whatever you search for. However, bear in mind that there is a long way from having an idea to move to Virginia to actually making the final decision and signing the necessary papers. There are some specific rules you need to be acquainted with, so you will need some help from a realtor. Here are some things that every real estate agent in Virginia needs to know.
Before
hiring a realtor
Here are some things that you
should know about working with a real estate agent in Virginia:
Let’s start with some good news – usually, the seller pays the commission which is divided between a seller’s and a buyer’s agent.
You should always check whether the agent you want to hire is licensed to do the job. Don’t rely on customer reviews on websites only and always ask for personal referrals.
Before you hire a real estate agent, you should try to figure out what you are actually looking for. Make a list of all the characteristics that you expect your new home to have. That will make yours and your realtor’s job much easier. While at it, you should decide what you are going to do with the possessions you are not planning to relocate. This might seem like thinking too far ahead, but it isn’t. Once you find the home that you want to buy or rent you will be too busy dealing with paperwork, credits, and inspections. The solutions for storing furniture in Virginia will probably be the last thing on your mind. A tip: Find and book them in advance!
Buying a property is probably one of the greatest investments you’ll have
Every real estate agent in Virginia
needs to know the statistics
Numbers and figures are something that every real estate agent just has to know
no matter where he/she lives and works. Virginia is a huge real estate
market with a lot of great listings so that everybody can find the property
they are searching for, be that a flat, an urban home, a ranch or a vacation home.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has it all!
At the moment, Virginia real
estate market is very hot. The average time that a home stays on the market
before being sold is 64 days. The hot market also means that over the past
year, the prices of listings have gone up 4.3%. The median home value in
the state at the moment is $264,200. Moreover, the predictions are that,
within the next year, the price will rise as much as 2.8%. The median
value that the sellers in Virginia expect to get for their property is $310,325.
On the other hand, the average amount that people are paying for their home in
the state is $269,900.
The average rent in Virginia is
somewhere around $1,700 per month.
A
good realtor is expected to know the history of listings they are showing
Buyers are curious, especially when they are about to make such an investment
as buying a property. And, who can blame them? Besides the common facts that
the realtor is expected to know about the property he/she is trying to earn on,
here are some of the questions that buyers in Virginia tend to ask:
Was this property the site of a meth lab and if so, was it cleaned properly and in accordance with the regulations?
Are there any defects to the drywall in the house?
Is this place within the area of military air installation? – It might sound silly, but these are the questions that a real estate agent in Virginia just has to be able to answer.
Whatever you are searching for, a good real estate agent in Virginia will help you find it
And,
a lot more
More details about residential
property disclosure can be found within Residential Property Disclosure
made by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Plus, a good real estate agent would have to at least know to point their
clients in the right direction where they can find the answers he/she cannot
give them directly.
One of the qualities of a realtor
that cannot be learned by heart is just being friendly and welcoming to the
newcomers wanting to buy a property and stay in Virginia. They will like to
know more about the neighborhood and the county wherein they are searching for
a place. A good real estate agent has to have some additional info up their
sleeve. For instance, they should be informed about the top things to do in Orange County if that is the area of the buyer’s interest. Or, they
should have some basic data on local schools in the neighborhood.
A
real estate agent in Virginia needs to be familiar with paperwork a buyer needs
to go through
Whether you are a Canadian buying a property in Virginia, or a local citizen moving to another street, you will have a lot of paperwork to handle before becoming an official owner of a Virginia property. What is specific about the real estate market in this state is that a lot is left to the buyer to do. That is where a helping hand from the good realtor is priceless. Other than signing the purchase agreement, you will have to deal with taxes and mortgages. A realtor who always has a good piece of advice when needed is worth their weight in gold.
There are some more things that need to be done in order for a buyer to completely disclose the purchase. They have to provide the inspection report after having a house inspection done. This is done in order to identify the problems with pests, structure, drainage, mold, electrical, plumbing, heating, etc. Ok, how can a real estate agent help me with that? – you might be asking yourselves. Well, after you get the inspection results, a realtor can help you negotiate the price with the seller.
You will have to sign a lot of papers to disclose the purchase
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
lose to the front gate, this spacious, move-in ready, well-maintained home welcomes you from the moment you arrive. You’ll appreciate the fine features and finishes, from the flex room on main level, back stairs, open floor plan, gleaming hardwoods, and so much more. Feel like venturing out?A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, waterskiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from the mid-$100,000 to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods! If you would like more info about this listing, CLICK HERE!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Join us this Saturday in Lake of the Woods, VA as we show off two amazing homes that you won’t believe are for sale! If you would like more information about wither property being shown, click below!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
You’ll fall in love with this move-in ready, freshly painted, awesome cabin from the moment you enter! Seasonal water views, entrances on both floors, and cathedral/vaulted, beamed ceilings are sure to please! Expansive deck allows for ease of entertaining or simply relaxing before you step out and enjoy all that amenity-rich Lake of the Woods has to offer. A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, waterskiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from the mid-$100,000s to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods! If you would like more information about this property, Click Here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
You’ve probably heard that spring and summer are the best times to sell your home, and we’ll be honest: they do have their perks. But with mortgage rates remaining low and motivated buyers steadily flowing into the market, this fall is shaping up to be a pretty profitable selling season.
If you’re gearing up to list your home soon, then you’ll need to pay extra attention to your outdoor areas. Here are the top five spaces to give a little TLC to before you sell!
The Lawn
Once you’ve raked up the leaves, you might think your lawn is all taken care of. But there’s much more to fall lawn care than bagging up leaves! If temperatures haven’t majorly dropped by the time you list, you’ll need to keep mowing your lawn—it’ll continue growing until the first hard frost.
If you’ve got a few bare spots in your yard, fall is also the perfect time for overseeding! Since the ground is relatively warm but the sun isn’t quite as powerful as in the summer, growing conditions are better than ever. Just be sure you’re providing your lawn with plenty of water, and those sparse spots should start to fill in.
The Garden
Since you’re planning a move, you probably don’t want to start planting new veggies, but there are other ways to give your garden a fresh look. First, you’ll want to make sure all of your leftover plants from spring and summer are cleared out, and your plot is weed-free. Once that’s taken care of, it’s time for the fun part!
Picked up a few pumpkins or gourds from the farmers’ market? Set them out near your doorstep. Need a home for a scarecrow or two? Give them a perch on either side of the garden. You can fill in any blank space with potted plants like mums or sunflowers or a decorative holiday banner!
The Roof
With trees shedding leaves and dead branches, you’ve probably got a decent amount of brush and foliage dotting your roof. Now’s the time to pull out the ladder and do a clean sweep. Plus, it’s the perfect chance to get a look at the condition of your shingles and see if any need replacing!
While you’re up there, be sure to sweep out your gutters, as well. There’s a good chance the extra debris has them more clogged up than usual, which could lead to flooding or exterior damage. Clearing them out will prevent any issues, and show buyers that you go the extra mile in maintaining your home.
The Porch
The crowning glory of your home’s exterior, the porch should act as the first taste of what the inside of the home has to offer. You want to strike the perfect balance between warm and welcoming and clean and clutter-free!
First, take care of spiffing the space up by sweeping the floors, ringing out the welcome mat, and dusting off any outdoor furniture. If you have one too many chairs or a crowded collection of potted plants, you should remove some of the clutter.
Then, add a little character! Put a few pumpkins by door, set out a scented candle or two, swap out your porch light for a warmer wattage, and update your throw pillows—just be careful not to overdo it. Since your porch space is likely relatively small, a little goes a long way.
The Front Door
It’s only a small portion of your exterior, but if you play your cards right, your front door can be one of the most eye-catching parts of your home. Nothing draws attention like a fresh coat of paint, so you should consider picking a shade that pops and matches your siding—like a warm red or a bold blue. At the very least, you should use furniture wax or dish soap to scrub out the dinginess.
Once you’ve revamped your door, it’s time to accessorize! Since it’s fall, you should be able to easily find a seasonal wreath to hang. If you really want to go the extra mile, think about replacing your house number or knocker with some shiny new hardware.
Need a Few More Tips?
If you want to make sure your home is staged to impress—in all areas—then we can help. In addition to our home-staging resources, we’d also be more than happy to do a walkthrough of your home and recommend a few personalized decor suggestions or DIY improvements.
From helping you stage to navigating closing, we’ll be there to help you through the selling process, every step of the way. Whenever you’re ready to get started, we’re just a phone call away!
The Fredericksburg Area Bar Association and the University of Mary Washington are proud to present: Jazz 4 Justice, featuring the UMW Jazz Ensemble, directed by Doug Gately! The concert will be held on Saturday, November 2nd starting at 7:30 PM at George Washington Hall in Dodd Auditorium. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, and #5 for students & seniors. Net proceeds go to benefit Legal Aid Works, and UMW Jazz Ensemble Scholarships. Tickets are available online at www.LegalAidWorks.org/Jazz4Justice/. For more info about upcoming events in the area, Click here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Buying a house out of state can be a big bite for many of us. Some are even scared to try, and rightfully so. There are many things that can go wrong even when you are buying a house in your neighborhood, let alone somewhere far away. But, don’t be discouraged. If your mind is set on buying a property out of state, this guide will help you ensure the deal goes smoothly.
Do a thorough research
It goes without saying that you should do thorough research before buying a home wherever you decide it should be. Don’t rely entirely on your real estate agent. Of course, he or she is there to help you find the best place for your relocation, but there are some things that should be doublechecked. Furthermore, there are some details about the neighborhood that not even your agent is familiar with. Google can lend a helping hand, you just have to know where to search. Arm yourself with patience and start browsing. There are many neighborhood guides that can be very helpful for getting to know a community of your interest. These guides are great because they tell you a lot about local crime rates, employment potential, weather, and economic stability.
Always do thorough research before making any big decisions
Start early to avoid stress
Searching for a home to buy is stressful under the best of
circumstances, but buying out of state can be incredibly stressful. A house is
usually the most expensive thing that people buy, so the process should be
performed with the utmost care. You can
help yourself a lot by starting the search as early as possible. If you
have decided to move, the ideal time to start searching for your new home is six months before the due date of your
relocation. Three months is also a doable period, but don’t let yourself start
a search later than that.
Be careful when choosing an agent for buying a house out of
state
When
you decide to relocate out of state, you need to find a real estate agent who
will do most of the work for you. And, there is a lot of work to be done. An
international move often means a lot of paperwork, so some people are not sure
whether they should hire a real estate agent or a lawyer when buying
a property.
The best decision you can make is to hire a buyer’s agent in the state you are relocating to. Do not ask a listing agent to represent you since he or she will probably represent the seller. In that case, their job is to sell a certain property for the biggest amount of money and they only have the seller’s best interest in mind, not yours. So, you should choose a buyer’s agent.
A good buyer’s agent is your biggest help
How do I choose a buyer’s agent for buying a house out of
state?
The
buyer’s agent is definitely a better option than a listing agent, but still, you shouldn’t pick one randomly.
Instead, you can discuss it with a real estate agent in your present community.
Find one that you trust and ask him/her
to refer a colleague from the area you’ll be moving to. If the real estate
agent is a member of the National
Association of Realtors, he/she will have access to various databases. They
can even see their colleagues’ success rates. By getting a referral, you can
ensure that you do not become a victim of various realty scams.
Hire a relocation specialist
Have
you heard of relocation specialists?
No, that is not the term used for professional movers such as Gibraltar
Van Lines who can help you relocate wherever
and whenever you feel like. A relocation specialist is a person who can help
you with many aspects of your move. The only thing that they do not do is
negotiate your home purchase. However, they can:
help you find a real
estate agent to start home-hunting;
connect you to moving
companies;
give you the necessary details about the education and employment system in your
future home town;
help you sell and close on your current home which is an important part of
the procedure you have to go through when buying a house out of state.
It
is a common practice for companies that are relocating to hire relocation
specialists. That is why many people do not know they are available to
individuals as well.
Take a trip and get an inspection of your potential home if
you can
If
you are buying a house out of state you will probably not be able to go to
every showing in person. What you can do is ask your agent to give you a virtual tour of the houses that you have
shortlisted. Speaking of such tours, don’t fall for online virtual tours
because they are usually a part of a moving scam.
When the time comes for you to make an offer on the house, you should really make an effort and see everything in person. There are many things that even the best real estate agents will not notice. You will be able to feel the space, and that is something no virtual tour or agent’s descriptions can replace. And you wouldn’t want to make a mistake when making such a crucial decision as buying a house out of state, would you?
Try to go and see the property you are interested in buying in person
Many
sellers would work on some features that make their home sell faster while neglecting some major issues about their property.
That is where a home inspection comes in handy. It might be a burden to your
budget, but at least you will know what you are dealing with.
Close on your current home first
If the out-of-state closing is scheduled on the same day as the closing on your current home, you might have a problem. The lender for your new house must receive a closing statement from the old one. The best thing you can do is schedule the closing on the new house a few days after the closing on your current one.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
