Archives: May 2020

How to Sell a House — Messy Kids and All

As your family grows, your starter home is starting to feel awfully full. But there’s one big obstacle standing in the way of you and an upsized home: selling your house. From the crayon you gave up on scrubbing off the walls to the tornado of toys that is your kids’ playroom, there’s a lot to contend with if you’re going to get your house in show-ready condition and keep it there.

You could stay put, but why live in a cramped house if you don’t have to? Instead of avoiding a move, find your dream home and then tackle your upsize head-on with these time-saving tips.

Decide if You’ll Move Out

Moving out makes selling a house much easier, especially for parents. When you relocate while your home is on the market, you eliminate the need for constant cleaning and scrambling to leave before every showing. Before moving out, consider the average days on the market in your area. While renting an apartment or Airbnb is affordable in competitive markets, it could be costly if your home takes a long time to sell.

Sellers who move out should avoid leaving the home vacant. Instead, leave just enough furnishings for staging. Home staging improves listing photos and helps buyers imagine themselves in a home they’re thinking about purchasing.

Start Packing Now

Staging is an even bigger concern for families who don’t vacate. Clutter can kill a home sale, so it’s critical that parents have a plan for eliminating clutter while keeping their house livable. For most families, this means putting most belongings in storage and keeping only the bare necessities. Thankfully, buyers are forgiving when it comes to non-master bedrooms, so there’s no need to leave play areas barren. Instead, downsize toy collections and look for easy yet stylish storage solutions like wicker baskets.

Get Your Home in Tip-Top Shape

With clutter out of the way, you can finally see your home clearly, including all of its flaws. From the little repairs you’ve put off to the dust bunnies in the corner, it all needs to go before your home hits the market. Minor fixes like patching drywall, painting, and fixing loose knobs and cupboards are simple enough to DIY, but hire contractors for anything involving plumbing or electrical wiring. While they get your home in good repair, work your way through a deep-cleaning checklist that will make your home gleam.

Keep Up with Daily Cleaning

Right now, your home looks the best it has in years. But as a parent you know it won’t last for long. You need a plan for keeping your home clean day-in and day-out while your home is on the market. Some parents take the DIY approach, diligently following cleaning schedules to stay on top of dishes, laundry, and other hallmarks of a lived-in home, but don’t rule out hiring a housekeeping service. Letting someone else handle the house can be a huge relief when you have so many things on your plate.

Housekeeping and maid services, for example, can help with tasks such as running errands and meal prep in addition to general upkeep. These services ultimately allow parents to focus on work, parenting, and life instead of constantly tending the house.

Make Showings Fun for the Whole Family

Ask any parent who has bought and sold a home, and they’ll tell you that getting kids out of the house for showings is easily one of the most stressful aspects. Make these disruptions easier on the kids (and you!) by creating a reason to look forward to showings. Find fun places to go as a family and keep a bag in your trunk full of kid-friendly activities, snacks, and other supplies. By creating a positive association, you can eliminate the fight to get out of the house.

Moving may feel like an insurmountable feat right now. But before long, this will be just a blip in your family’s history. Instead of letting the idea of selling a house with kids overwhelm you, take charge of your move. With creative solutions (and maybe a little outside help!), you can tackle your move like a pro and settle into your new, right-sized home.

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern 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

Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Lakefront Property

Having a house by the lake is a dream of many people, and for a good reason. Due to their picturesque settings, breeze along the shore, and range of outdoor activities, lakefront properties will give you the feeling that you are on a non-stop vacation. Still, purchasing a lakefront home is not only about buying a piece of real estate, but it is also “buying” into a certain lifestyle.  Owning a lake house is a lot of fun, but it also comes with a set of challenges you must prepare for. Here is everything you need to know about buying a lakefront property.

Consider the financing when buying a lakefront property

Before you start looking at houses, you need to take into consideration the financing and ask yourself whether you are able to afford an investment like this. A lot of costs come with purchasing a lake home, and it’s not just paying the mortgage. Before you buy a waterfront property, consider the following:

  • ●      property cost – for starters, waterfront properties are more expensive than other types of properties. Plus, if it is your second home, financing will come with more stringent requirements. However, if you have firmly decided to own a lakefront property, there are many easy ways to save up for a new home.
  • insurance and maintenance – don’t forget to buy flood insurance, because even just a few inches of water can cause costly damage to a home. Keep in mind that regular homeowner’s insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage. Additionally, homes near the water tend to get more wear and tear, thus you will need a larger maintenance budget for your lakefront property.
  • fun stuff when you buy a lakefront property -Well, let’s be honest, fun stuff is a major reason why you are buying lakefront property. But, remember that all the fun activities, such as boating, jet skiing, and water skiing aren’t cheap.
Before buying a lakefront property, you need to take a few considerations into  account

Consider the location of the lakefront property

If you want a lakefront property to be your primary home, you must consider the distance from school, work, medical clinic, and standard amenities like grocery stores and post office. For example, choosing a lakefront property in Orange County, VA is a great idea, since it is near major cities such as Richmond, DC, and Charlottesville. Even if you want to lead a more rural lifestyle in a picturesque waterfront home in Lake of the Woods, you can have reasonable access to these services and make your everyday life a pleasure and not a chore.

Also, the proximity to your residence is important if the lakefront property is intended to be your vacation home. Some experts recommend that vacation homes should be one to two hours away from your primary home so that you use your vacation home more often and don’t get discouraged by a burdensome drive.

Make sure you have enough space in your lake home

A good lake house shouldn’t be small, because when you finally transport extra furniture you have, there should be enough space left to accommodate you and your friends and relatives because they will no doubt want to visit you. Apart from being big enough to provide comfort for you and your guests, there should also be enough activities available in the area. Besides water sports like fishing, swimming, or jet skiing, ask around if there are other activities like hiking, biking, and bird-watching. Also, ask about amenities like swimming pools, a gym, or a clubhouse.

Your friends and relatives will most certainly visit you in your lake house, so make sure you have enough space for everybody

Before buying a property talk to the neighbors If you want to get inside information on the property, ask your neighbors because they probably have all the information you need. You can ask them if they enjoy living in the community, if they have any issues with the property you are thinking about purchasing or if there are any waterfront related problems. If you are young and want to buy a property that is a bit rural, but at the same time modern, you can find some of the best neighborhoods in Orange County for young couples.

You will find a perfect house in Lake of the Woods

People in Orange County are charming and friendly, and you can find many interesting things to do and see here – there are local breweries, you can glance at the private life of James Madison, and most importantly, in Lake of the Woods, you will find magnificent lakefront houses no matter your age or interests.

Choose the right waterfront home for you

If you are considering buying a lakefront property, make sure you chose the right one for you. A lakefront home is a great place to move to after retiring, so you might want to buy a home that is a bit secluded without many people around. On the other hand, if you are young, you might want to have access to the activities you’re passionate about, so choose a property accordingly. Hopefully, these tips will give you the confidence you need and help you decide on the right lakefront property for you. Your lakeside life, full of serenity and happiness, can begin now.

Stunning Home with Inspiring Architecture and 4000+ Sq Ft in Locust Grove, VA! 1292 Sedgwick Drive Now SOLD!!

This stunning home boasts fabulous architecture with over 4100+ finished square feet. The fantastic exterior stone and porch are just the beginning! You will be wowed the moment you enter this amazing home. You are welcomed by beautiful hardwood flooring an inviting foyer and feeling the openness right away. You will love cooking in the gourmet kitchen with center island, upgraded stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful cabinetry.

The inviting family room is a step down off the kitchen, as well as formal living areas and an office that complete the main level along with a half bath. The upper level offers a master suite that is exquisite with a walk in closet and sitting room. The lovely master bath has a double vanity, soaking tub and separate shower. You will never want to leave! The other 3 bedrooms and laundry finish the upper level. The lower level is fully finished and full of light. The living area is expansive, and you will enjoy having a media room, game room…there are so many options. A hobby room, full bath, and another multi purpose room complete the lower level. Enjoy relaxing with your favorite beverage on your deck as you listen to the birds serenade you. For more information on 1292 Sedgwick Drive, Click Here!

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern 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

15 Acre LOT For Sale in Somerset, VA! 0 Constitution Hwy Now UNDER CONTRACT!

This is an amazing opportunity to build your dream home or have that farmette you always wanted. Imagine the opportunity for this 15 acres in historic Somerset across from the Somerset Plantation and all on the Rapidan River! Property is close to Montpelier, Orange and Charlottesville. For more information on 0 Constitution Hwy, Click Here!

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern 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

Gorgeous 1820 Farmhouse on 128 Acres in Orange, VA! 16253 Marquis Road Now SOLD!!

Step back into time with this beautiful circa 1820 bicentennial farmhouse with so much charm and character of yesteryear! What an incredible opportunity to own a piece of history. Built before the civil war – this home is perfectly situated on 127 acres of rolling meadows and pastures. Once you walk inside you are welcomed by hardwood pine floors, an inviting foyer with a fabulous stairway that you will love. The main level boasts formal living areas, kitchen with a two side floor to ceiling stone fireplace that is shared with the family room.

Enjoy sipping coffee in the sunroom which completes the main level. The upper level has an incredible master suite with a fireplace and large master bathroom. The other two bedrooms complete the upper level. Entertaining family and friends will be a breeze – while you can swim in the salt water in ground pool, bonfires or just relax. Maybe hunting, riding ATVs or having the farm full of livestock you always wanted. If you have ever wanted to run a professional kennel with the perfect office/studio, full bath, washing station and more. This could also be converted to several different uses. Endless opportunities, a piece of history and a beautiful home are a few of the reasons you can’t pass this home by! For more information on 16253 Marquis Road, Click Here!

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern 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

Absolutely Gorgeous WATERFRONT in Lake of the Woods, VA! 145 Larkspur Lane Now SOLD!!

Spectacular sunsets are always the perfect ending to an amazing day at the lake! Fantastic waterfront views of Keaton’s lake and a meticulously renovated home have meshed to provide the perfect opportunity that you will want to claim as your own. Enjoy sitting on your deck or near the water sipping your favorite beverage. You will be delighted when you see the openness of the floor plan and all the upgrades! The kitchen is beautifully updated and opens to the living and dining rooms to make spending time with family or entertaining a breeze. The master suite is complete with en suite bath and walk in closet. You will love making memories in this home!  For more information on 145 Larkspur Lane, 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.

Gorgeous Waterfront LOT on the Main Lake in Lake of the Woods, VA! 118 Lee Circle Now SOLD!!

Imagine wonderful sunsets from the perfect lake home or dock, designed by you and built for you! Whether you enjoy your day on the boat, kayak, jet ski, simply swimming or floating from your dock, or entertaining family and friends, this lot provides the ideal setting for your dream home. So let’s get this lake home and lake life started! Situated on the main lake boasting 80 feet of water frontage, you’ll love the lifestyle! As an added bonus, water and sewer and electric are present! For more information on 118 Lee Circle, Click Here!

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, water skiing, 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!

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.

Beautiful Home in Louisa, VA! 19396 Louisa Road Now SOLD!!

Welcome to the charm, serenity and peaceful setting of this beautiful home of yesteryear! Enjoy spending time on the porch swing as you listen to nature serenade you. Once inside you will love the gleaming hardwood floors, formal living areas, an amazing vintage kitchen featuring a picture window and pantry for extra storage. The main level master bedroom has a walk-in cedar closet. The upper level has 2 bedrooms and a multi-use room that could be used as an office or game room. That is not all~. there is an unfinished basement that could be finished for additional rooms and storage. All this on over an acre! For more information on 19396 Louisa Road, Click Here!

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern 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

8 Simple Ways to Get Your Outdoor Spaces Ready for Summer

The weather’s getting warmer, summer is (finally!) just around the corner, and we’re all staying at home more than ever before. If you plan on spending your days relaxing in nature, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor space a little upgrade. And if you’re thinking about selling soon, you might even impress some summer buyers, too.

These Easy Projects Can Totally Transform Your Outdoor Space

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to get your outdoor space looking stellar. Here are eight quick, cost-effective DIY projects to help usher your yard, patio, porch, or balcony into the new season. 

Do a little tidying

Gardening supplies

Did you forget to do your spring cleaning? Before you start on any big projects, take some time to tidy up your outdoor spaces. Sweep away any dust on your balcony, patio, or deck, and clean off your furniture. If you have a yard, be sure to clear out any lingering debris, trim back your trees or shrubs, and uproot any pesky patches of weeds.

Perform regular maintenance

Late spring is the perfect time to tackle that maintenance to-do list you’ve been putting off! Although these routine tasks might seem mundane, they’re essential to keeping your outdoor space in tip-top shape. Cleaning out your gutters, spraying for bugs and pests, and powerwashing are just a few common projects that you’ll want to handle before the weather gets too hot. 

Give your lawn some extra attention

Mowing the lawn

There are a few steps you should be taking right now if you want to keep your lawn green all summer long. Aerating and fertilizing during late spring is key to keeping your yard healthy. When you start mowing, be sure to not cut more than one third of the grass height in one sitting. You can prevent this by increasing the blade height on your mower.

Add new landscaping

You don’t have to be a professional landscaper to add some new greenery to your outdoor space—but be sure to do some research before you start planting. Try to select flowers, shrubs, or trees that do well in your area, and consider how much sunlight they’ll get throughout the day. If you have a balcony or patio, incorporating a few potted plants can add a fun (and low-maintenance) splash of color.

Plant a garden

Raised garden bed

Have you always wanted to harvest your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs? Raised plant beds make it easy to create a garden just about anywhere, and they’re an easy DIY project that you can tackle before the summer months. Just build or buy the beds, fill them with soil, pick your plants, and start growing!

Invest in some outdoor furniture

Good patio furniture offers both comfort and function, and just a few updates can transform your outdoor space into a whole new living area. Consider investing in some staple pieces, like a table and chairs or a loveseat, depending on the size of your deck or patio. Many retailers will even ship the furniture straight to your front door. 

Incorporate new lighting

Outdoor string lights

If you want to take advantage of your outdoor space during the day and at night, new lighting might just do the trick. You don’t have to get too fancy (unless you want to!)—simply replacing some fixtures or hanging a strand of trendy string lights will elevate the entire area. If you really want to beat the heat, you might even install an outdoor ceiling fan on your covered patio or deck.

Getting Ready to Buy or Sell This Summer?

Whether you’re thinking about moving next week, next month, or next year, you can trust us to help you navigate every step of the process. We have plenty of buying and selling resources to get you started, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We’re always on hand to lend our expertise!

New Custom Built Home in Lake of the Woods, VA! 101 Chesterfield CT Now SOLD!!

This stunning, brand new custom built home located on a partially wooded corner lot, boasts fabulous architecture and 3,000+ finished square feet. The fantastic exterior stone and flagstone porch are just the beginning! You will be wowed the moment you enter this amazing home. You are welcomed by beautiful hardwood flooring an inviting foyer with a beautiful stairway featuring banisters stunningly detailed. You will love cooking in the gourmet kitchen with center island, upgraded stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful cabinetry. The inviting family room is off the kitchen, as well as formal living areas that complete the main level along with a half bath. The upper level offers a master suite that is exquisite with a tray ceiling and 2 walk in closets. The lovely barn door invites you into the master bath with a double vanity, soaking tub, gorgeous tile work and glass shower door. You will never want to leave! The other 3 bedrooms and laundry finish the upper level. The lower level is fully finished and full of light. The living area is expansive, and you will enjoy having a theater room, family room or game room…there are so many options. A fifth bedroom, full bath, and another multi purpose room complete the lower level. Enjoy relaxing with your favorite beverage on your deck as you listen to the birds serenade you. For more information, 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.