Archives: October 2020

Gorgeous Golf Course Home in Lake of the Woods, VA! 205 Westover Pkwy Now SOLD!!

Welcome to 205 Westover Parkway! This stunning custom-built home located on the golf course, 15th hole, is beautifully landscaped and offers a gorgeous outdoor living area. Once you enter, you are welcomed by gleaming hardwood floors, fine finishes, and a sought-after open floor plan! The gourmet kitchen is complete with granite counter tops, island with prep sink, pantry, and upgraded cabinets. The family room is filled with natural light, soaring ceilings and a gas fireplace. You will love the elegant, main level owner’s suite with an inviting bathroom with soaking tub, tiled shower with glass doors, and a spacious walk-in closet with built ins to keep everything organized. A spacious formal dining room is sure to please with access to the screened porch and deck overlooking the golf course. The upper level boasts 2 additional bedrooms, full bath, and flex/office space. The lower level is the perfect in-law suite with complete kitchen, family room, bedroom, full bath and additional flex space. In addition, the storage area features another laundry area, workshop and a golf cart garage. Imagine sitting on your screened in porch listening to all the sounds of nature, entertaining family and friends, or just relaxing. You can have it all! For more information on 205 Westover Pkwy, 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.

New Home vs Resale – Which is Right For You

After contacting The Licata Group, you’ve probably realized the number of options buyers have in today’s market. The most obvious choice you’ll need to make is the one between new home vs resale home. Being able to choose the floor plan and design options has its perks. On the other hand, comfortable neighborhoods and historic houses with wide front porches appeal to some home buyers. To help you decide which type of home is right for you, here are some of the important factors you need to consider.

New home vs resale- it’s not only about your preferences

Owning a house where other people have lived is something many people want to avoid. However, new constructions might lack the charm of resale homes and stories that they tell. However, you need to remember that buying a home is not only about preferences. As both options have their advantages and disadvantages, let’s explore the practical aspects of buying and owning either of them.

Reselling or living in a resale home

The question here is whether buying a resale home is a wise investment or not. First of all, you’ll spend less money on a resale property than on a new house. As a result, don’t expect to get a large profit when you decide to sell your resale house. So hold onto it for some time, and then resell it. But, if you plan to buy and live in a resale home, it’s probably an excellent investment decision, provided that it meets other factors as well.

The price of your house

New houses come with a high price, compared to pre-owned homes. And resale homes don’t need to be that old; they can be less than 7 or 8 years old. If you find a relatively young home at a decent price, then you might be getting the best value for your money. And with the rest of your budget, you can have your belongings transferred from one of the surrounding states. Maybe it’s time to provide yourself and your items with a moving experience you know you deserve. 

However, keep in mind that while new homes usually cost more than 20 percent more than resale homes, the latter might come with a potential downside. While they are initially less expensive, they might be more costly in terms of utilities and maintenance.

Are resale homes sustainable?

If you’re buying a newly-constructed house, you can expect it to match the modern-day sustainable construction standards. While pre-owned houses might not have been built by these standards. Insulation, the quality of bricks, natural lightning, and other factors affect the price of utilities and maintenance costs. That’s not to say that you can’t use modifications and fixtures to bring an older home up to the mentioned standards. However, you’ll need to determine the budget and set aside the extra amount of money for this purpose.

A home and light coming through the window.

Appliances

Some building companies include refrigerators, dishwashers, and similar new appliances when building a new house. In case these are not already included in the price of your new home, you might still be able to roll this cost into your mortgage. Alternately, pre-owned homes might come with outdated appliances that you’ll need to replace.

Design and floorplan choices

If you’re building a new home, you get to choose not only the colors but also floorplans and design. While you can deal with the intense colors in the pre-owned homes by repainting, floorplans and other design changes require extensive renovations. Also, changing flooring, cabinetry, or even carpeting, can be expensive. Unless your budget can support this kind of work, you’ll have to accept your resale home as it is.

A couple repainting.

Storage space

New homes usually come with floor plans designed to fit all of your belongings. Some of the convenient features include cabinets with pull-out shelves, garage space options, and walk-in closets. Older models of resale homes might have limited storage space. One way to solve this problem is to contact Excalibur Moving and Storage and inquire about the storage options. Another way to deal with this is to renovate the house and remodel it to suit your needs.

A couple hanging a picture in their new home.

Pre-owned homes are eligible for home loans

You shouldn’t forget that banks also offer loans for resale houses. However, the bank will need to conduct the technical verification of the property to ascertain the condition of the home. Know that bank will not lend more than the property value stated in the sale deed. And the loan component will depend on the policy of the bank and the age of the house.

Verifying pending payments

First-home buyers might forget to do all the necessary verifications. It’s essential to check for pending payments and taxes for the pre-owned property. Ensuring that there are no dues or unpaid bills on the property will save you from a lot of potential trouble in the future.

Legal documents

You’ll need to thoroughly verify the legal documents when buying a pre-owned home that’s older than 20 years. Also, the property must have clear titles. You need to obtain the sale deed, purchase agreement, a copy of the builder buyer agreement, as well as no objection certificate. Documents that prove the ownership of previous owners are also required.When choosing between new homes vs resale homes, it’s not hard to notice the pros and cons to both. Important aspects to keep in mind, for starters, are the costs of your home. However, think about the big picture,  benefits or expenses you’ll have to face both in the future and now. That’s how you’ll be able to make an informed decision. If you have found the right home for you, it’ll be much easier to settle down in a new city. Good luck with your search!

 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

Photos Used:

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Gorgeous Home For Sale in Downtown Orange, Virginia! 416 E Main Street Now SOLD!

Enjoy the charm and simple pleasures of small-town living on Main Street in this classic home. A paved circular driveway reaches out as if to say, Come on in!? Step into the spacious foyer and you will be welcomed by recently refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint, and unique character from another place in time. Entertaining friends and family is a breeze, as the main floor easily flows from one room to the next. As you head upstairs, you will notice a tiny chandelier and southern bannister leading the way. In addition, to the 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths on the second floor, awaits the treasured walk-up attic for added storage or refinishing. A pub-style, waterproofed basement provides the perfect recreation room, along with an additional classic staircase and complimentary pool table. As you head out into the spacious backyard, you will be greeted by the brick patio, generations of perennial plants, a detached two car garage and outbuilding, providing ample storage. Timeless surprises abound in this joyful, spacious home. Move-in ready to welcome your friends and family! For more information on 416 E Main Street, 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.

LOT For Sale in Lake of the Woods, VA! 113 Monroe Street Now SOLD!!

Welcome to 113 Monroe Street… a fabulous lot on which to build your perfect home in sought after Lake of the Woods! Mature trees and close to the back gate make this the one! So get your lake life started by building your perfect place at the lake on one of the few remaining lots! A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. For more information on 113 Monroe Street, 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.

Stunning Home For Sale in Lake of the Woods, VA! 418 Yorktown Blvd Now SOLD!!

Welcome to 418 Yorktown Blvd! If space is what you crave, you’ve found it! This stunning, well maintained home in amenity rich Lake of the Woods is move in ready with new carpet, fresh paint, newer windows and roof, and fine moldings! While the lot backs to trees offering privacy, you’ll still have access to Sweetbriar Park, pool, and Community Center from your own back yard! The inside delights with a spacious living room full of natural light. It flows gracefully into the kitchen, which boasts Quartz countertops, an amazing island, upgraded stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast bar. The dining room is grand in size with built-ins and provides access to the expansive deck. A half bath and a spacious laundry room complete the main level. The open staircase and landing welcome you to the upper level, which features a fabulous owner’s suite with en-suite bath and walk-in closet. There is a princess suite with its own private bath, two additional bedrooms, and a third full bathroom. The upper level is completed by a flex room that would be perfect for crafting or as an office to make working from home a breeze. For more information on 418 Yorktown Blvd, 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.

Beautiful Home For Sale in Lake of the Woods, VA! 513 Monticello Circle Now SOLD!!

Welcome to 513 Monticello Circle! You’ll love what this great house, located near the back gate in amenity rich Lake of the Woods, provides! As you enter, you are greeted by the floor to ceiling stone fireplace, exposed wood beams, and cathedral ceilings. A galley kitchen with a pass through to the family room, oodles of cabinet space, new stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher will sure to please. The family room is inviting, full of natural light and has a free standing gas fireplace to keep you warm on those cold nights. The sought after split bedroom design boasting a lovely owner’s suite with en-suite bath and two more bedrooms and another full bath. The backyard features a shed, patio and backs to trees for privacy! For more information on 513 Monticello Circle, 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.

*FANTASTIC PRICE IMPROVEMENT*Absolutely Stunning Estate in Sterling, VA! 23393 Summerstown Place Now Offered at $1,090,000!

Welcome to 23393 Summerstown Place, an elegant and stately home in sought after Loudoun Valley Estates, where pride of ownership throughout is most evident! This home is a Toll Brothers Luxury model, The Carlton Federal with over $400k in after construction upgrades and fine finishes; you will notice immediately how spectacular It truly is! You will be delighted when you arrive by the curb appeal and lush yard…and that’s just the beginning. As you enter, you notice the two story foyer with sweeping staircase and gleaming hardwood floors. Perfectly situated off the foyer is a formal living room with ample windows, creating a bright and airy feel that flows so effortlessly into the formal dining room, which is separated by stunning architecture.

The gourmet kitchen shines with upgraded appliances, granite counters, gorgeous tile backsplash, a large island, and eat in area all with the perfect finishes. Enjoy your morning coffee and the views of the backyard from the inviting morning room located right off the kitchen, as well as the private staircase to the upper level. You will be wowed by the gracious family room with fireplace and the incredible wall of windows. The study/office with custom built-ins will make working from home a breeze. The owner’s suite is one of grandeur with its generous size, walk-in closet with built-ins, and inviting sitting room. Luxurious best describes the owner’s bath with roman tub and his and her vanities. The upper level boasts three additional bedrooms; one with it’s own private bath, while the other two share a Jack and Jill bath. Entering the lower level, you will be impressed by the finished space that offers a media room, kitchenette, 5th bedroom (not to code), full bath and additional flex living space. This living area is perfect as an incredible in-law suite. You will love the stamped concrete patio with pergola, expansive maintenance-free deck that opens to a beautiful tree lined yard, as well as the brick walkways, creating an incredible outdoor living area. These will be favorite spots for entertaining or relaxing! Again…welcome home! For more information on 23393 Summerstown Place, 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

Make Your Home Boo-tiful with These 4 Halloween Staging Tips

If you step outside on a cool October afternoon, you might just smell some pumpkin spice and freshly picked apples wafting through the air. That can only mean one thing: Halloween is just around the corner! And while this ghoulish holiday delights both kids and kids-at-heart, it also creates interesting staging opportunities for home sellers.

As tempting as it might be to pull out your most spine-chilling decorations, buyers probably don’t want to walk through a haunted house to tour your space. If you want to avoid a home staging horror story, we have a few tips to help you incorporate a little spooky flair without going overboard.

Here’s How to Add a Tasteful Touch of Halloween to Your Home Staging

While it’s totally acceptable to add a dash of Halloween-inspired decor to your home, your goal should be to stage for the season, not the holiday. That means using more fall-focused decor instead of going all-out with spider webs, skeletons, and other eerie touches.

Here are a few guidelines to get your home looking its best for autumn buyers. And if you ever have questions about what is and isn’t appropriate, just ask your agent for advice!

Start with your front porch

Pumpkins on a doorstep

If you absolutely have to add a bit of Halloween fun to your home, consider transforming your front porch into an area that both buyers and trick or treaters will love. Start by setting out some natural touches, like pumpkins, potted mums, or even a small bale of hay. You can always tone up the holiday spirit with a Halloween-themed welcome mat or wreath.

Try to keep all of your outdoor decor as low-key as possible. That means waiting to put out any inflatables, cobwebs, or light displays until you move into your new home.

Put out some pumpkins

Painted pumpkins

Looking for an easy way to get buyers in the Halloween spirit? Pumpkins are one of the most versatile fall accessories, and they work well inside and outside! Aside from the traditional jack-o’-lantern, you can also set out some smaller, uncarved pumpkins throughout your home. If you’re in the mood for a DIY project, paint some craft pumpkins in neutral tones to create little pops of Halloween cheer.

Pumpkins don’t all have to look the same, either. Head to your local pumpkin patch to check out different sizes and colors—there’s no better way to add a splash of orange, white, green, or brown to your space! 

Avoid over-the-top accessories

As you stage your home for buyers, it’s best to leave your most outrageous Halloween decorations in storage for next year. While you may love mummifying your living room or embellishing with spiders and bats, these additions can quickly morph into an unwelcome distraction during a showing. Instead, consider adding more subtle accents, such as dark-colored lanterns with votive candles, a fall-inspired tablescape, or candy displayed in tall jars.

You should also ensure that none of your accessories are gorey or frightening. The last thing you want to do is have buyers wondering if your house is truly haunted!  

Appeal to the senses

Votive candles

Autumn is filled with endless signature scents, sights, and flavors—and you can use them to your advantage when staging. To set the mood inside your home, try putting out some Halloween candy in a decorative bowl as a refreshment for buyers. Fall-inspired candles can add a sense of warmth, so don’t be afraid to bring on the pumpkin spice.

If you really want to go above and beyond, boiling a pot of apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla before a showing will help you invite some of the season’s best aromas into your home.

Leaves May Be Falling, But Home Sales Aren’t!

Don’t get spooked by the home selling process—our team is here to help! We have the tools you need to get top dollar for your home before the busy holiday season. And even if you’re still on the fence about selling, we’d be happy to give you a free report of your home’s current value. There’s never been a better time to cash out on your hard-earned equity, so just give us a call to get started!