Archives: March 2021

Open House On Sunday, 3/21/2021 From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Alexandria, VA!

Join us this Sunday, 3/21/2021, as we show off this beautiful home in Alexandria, VA! Face masks will be required to enter, and social distancing is highly recommended. For more information about the home, click the link below!

8134 Keeler Street, Alexandria, VA Priced at $515,000

 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

Beautiful Home For Sale in Lake of the Woods, VA! 115 Butler Circle Now SOLD!

Welcome to 115 Butler Circle! Located close to the back gate, this stunning, move-in-ready home will wow you. From the moment you step onto the flagstone walkway, you will know it’s the one. As you enter the living room, you’ll immediately notice the new carpeting and fresh paint. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, you will be delighted by this incredible, spacious gourmet kitchen with expansive island and dining area (upgraded stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinetry, 6 burner gas cook top, and double wall oven), which will bring ease to your everyday life and entertaining. The main level includes a light-filled owner’s suite that features walk-in closet space and en-suite bath, along with three additional bedrooms (one is currently being used as an office).

Also, on the main level is a generously-sized laundry/mudroom that includes a pantry, an additional refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher. Imagine a lower level that features a workshop, tons of storage, and two bedrooms (not to code) that could also be used as flex space. A game room, exercise room, office, classroom, or media room…the choice is yours. The extensive landscaping and deck will become a favorite location for relaxing and enjoying the sounds of nature, while the oversized two-car garage with additional room for storage will be such a bonus. And don’t forget the shed for outdoor tools! For more information on 115 Butler 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.

Exposing the 4 Factors Agents Use to Price Your Home Right

Key Takeaways:

  • Before you list your home, it’s crucial to understand how much a buyer would be willing to pay for it.
  • Your agent will use a variety of factors to determine a competitive list price—and some of them might be a little unexpected.
  • If you’re looking for a fast and accurate way to price your home, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a complimentary estimate!

4 Surprising Factors That Go Into Pricing a Home

Pricing your home to sell quickly—even in today’s hot real estate market—is all about balance. You want to price low enough to attract potential buyers, but high enough to profit from your equity. And while it may be tempting to use automatic estimators, it’s best to leave the number-crunching to your agent.

Need help determining the perfect price? Here are a few factors your agent will take into consideration when valuing your home.

Your home’s size and condition

House with coin stacks

This may seem like a given, but a home’s size, condition, and features play a huge role in how much it’s worth. Before you list, your agent will perform a walkthrough of your home to thoroughly evaluate its saleability. If your space is move-in ready and well-maintained, you’ll have more luck setting a higher asking price.

Many sellers are under the impression that big-ticket upgrades will drastically increase their home’s value, but this isn’t always the case. Before you make a significant change, ask your agent for their professional opinion. Believe it or not, smaller touches (like updating hardware or repainting) can have a better return on investment than a full-scale renovation.

Location

Map with pin

Real estate is all about location, and there are a few general factors that tend to boost property values. Typically, agents will price a home based on local schools, nearby employment opportunities, and proximity to amenities. Houses in more desirable neighborhoods or communities also tend to command a higher list price.

Above all, most buyers are looking for homes that offer the perfect blend of privacy and convenience. Being close to (but not right next to!) highways or public transportation is another huge plus.

Other recently sold homes

Sold home sign

One of the best indicators of your home’s value is the sale price of other listings in your neighborhood. Your real estate agent should conduct a comparative market analysis—abbreviated as CMA—to see how your home stacks up against the competition. By looking at recently sold homes that are similar to yours, they can calculate a fair and accurate price.

After your agent has assessed your home, they’ll likely send you a CMA report that contains their projected price, along with data from other comparable homes. A great agent will also be available to answer any questions, too!

Current market trends

Houses on a graph

Even if your home is in perfect condition, in the best location, and boasts quite a few upgrades, the current state of the market can have a huge impact on its overall value. And in today’s seller-driven market, homes are now worth more than ever before.

Just last year, home prices surged by 15%. To put those numbers into perspective, that’s a $45,000 increase for a $300,000 home. If you want to take advantage of these unbelievable conditions, now is the time to list—and we’d love to help!

Get Your Updated Home Value

Whether you’re just curious or are ready to sell, you can trust our team to calculate your home’s true market value. Request a free home valuation today, or reach out to us to learn more about 2021’s hot real estate market. There’s never been a better time to list!

 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

Orange Uncorked Wine Festival Happening on Saturday, May 1st, 2021!

Are you ready to try some of the most delectable wines found in Orange County, VA? Then make sure you don’t miss the 30th annual Orange Uncorked Wine Festival happening on Saturday, May 1st and 2nd from 10 AM – 5 PM across from the Market at Grelen! You’ll enjoy the scenic views, listen to some great music, fresh air, delicious food, unique artisans, plenty of room to enjoy the great outdoors, and of course, an assortment of local wines and ciders! Early bird tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at orangevachamber.com. All Covid restricted guidelines will be followed at this event. Spring has sprung, and you don’t want to miss the 30th Annual Orange Uncorked Wine Festival! For more information and to stay up-to-date, 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

Graze Steakhouse Donating 10% of All Dinner Sales to Living Waters Community Clinic on 3/25/2021

If you love Graze Steakhouse, or even if you’ve never been there, now is your chance to enjoy some delicious food, and give back to the community, because they will be donating 10% of all dinner sales to Living Waters Community Clinic on Thursday, March 25th, 2021. Dinner sales include dine-in, patio dining, and curbside pick-up!

 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

Open House On Sunday, 3/14/2021 From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Fairfax, VA!

Join us this Sunday, 3/14/2021, as we show off this beautiful home in Fairfax! Face masks will be required to enter, and social distancing is highly recommended. For more information about the home, click the link below!

3209 Traveler Street, Fairfax, VA Priced at $699,999

 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

Van Gogh Immersive Experience Coming to DC

Many of us have fallen in love with the art that Van Gogh brought into this world, and now you’ll have the opportunity to experience it like never before! The Van Gogh Immersive Experience will be coming to Washington DC this summer! The experience consists of a 20,000 sq ft light and sound spectacular which features two-story projections of the most compelling work by the famed artist. This 360 degree spectacular allows you to encounter the sheer brilliance of one of history’s greatest artists.

The experience is digital and hands-free to promote proper social distancing so that a multitude of families and friends alike can enjoy this wonderful opportunity. Stretching from floor to ceiling, the experience includes separate galleries that tell his life, journey, technique and of course, display his beautiful atwork in a way never seen before.

The Immersive Experience also features a Virtual Reality interactive, which will guide you on journey through “A day in the life of the Artist.” Here, you’ll walk alongside Van Gogh during this visually rich journey as you discover the inspiration that lies behind eight of his iconic works, including: Starry Night and Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles.

Tickets for the Van Gogh: Immersive Experience will go on sale Friday, March 5th, 2021, and we highly encourage you to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience! For more information, you can visit the official website by clicking 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

Take These Steps on the Path to Homeownership

Homeownership is undisputedly the Great American Dream. There is a good reason for that, especially as interest rates have dropped. And while the pandemic has changed the landscape of buying a home, with patience and the help of great real estate professionals like The Licata Group, you can make this a reality. If you’ve never walked this path before, there are a few steps you can take to help your dream come true. 

Step 1: Check Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a number that gives lenders a good idea of whether you’re financially responsible. Ideally, you’ll have a score of 720 or higher. You may be able to get a loan with a credit score of 580, but the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate. It’s always a good idea to know what’s hiding on your credit report before you contact the lender.

Step 2: Know What You Can Afford

Knowing your credit score is only part of the puzzle. You also have to figure out how much you can reasonably afford for your mortgage. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, most lenders will also consider your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, you are more likely to repay your loan if your DTI is 43 percent or less. Your credit score and DTI may also determine which types of loans you are eligible to receive. 

If you have very little credit, as many homebuyers do, you might want to consider an FHA loan. Often, you can put less money down and still walk away with a reasonable monthly payment. If your goal is the lowest mortgage possible, plan to put 20 percent down and stick to a 30-year loan. Fifteen- and 20-year loans are also available, and they can help you pay your house off faster, but they’ll cost more money each month.

Step 3: Find the Right Realtor

If you haven’t already, it’s time to start shopping for a reliable real estate agent. This is the person who will represent your best interests throughout the home-buying process. While it is technically possible to buy a house without this kind of assistance, keep in mind that a buyer’s agent does not charge you. Instead, barring a few exceptions, their time and expertise are compensated by the commission offered by the seller.

Step 4: Begin Your Search

Now that you have a handle on money, you can start your home search. First, determine how much home you actually need. Plan for the future and look for a home that will provide enough room to accommodate your lifestyle and space needs for the next five to 10 years. This is where the affordability factor comes into play, and your realtor will be able to steer you in the right direction. Note that on average, homes in Lake of the Woods currently sell for $335,000.

Step 5: Found It! Make an Offer 

When you think you have found the perfect house, put your game face on and make an offer. Depending on your local climate, you may want to offer close to the asking price – your agent can help you make that determination. Keep in mind, however, that even after they accept the offer, things may change depending on the home inspection and appraisal.

In a normal scenario, when your offer is accepted, things will move quickly, usually between four and six weeks. However, the pandemic could have an effect on how long you wait to close. Regardless, during this time, you’ll be contacted by your lender for additional information, and you will be in close contact with your agent. If everything goes off without a hitch, you’ll find yourself sitting at the title company on closing day, holding the keys to the next chapter of your journey.

 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

Image via Pexels

Breathtaking Home For Sale in Fairfax, VA! 3209 Traveler Street Now SOLD!!

Welcome to 3209 Traveler Street, in the middle of everything yet in its own wooded enclave you find Mosby Woods. A 60’s planned community that thrives today as a wonderful established neighborhood. You will fall in love with all the updates and fine finishes this beautiful home boasts. Full of charm the living room is generous, stunning and features a fireplace. Kitchen is updated with granite counter tops and dining area as well as a formal dining room. The classic owner’s suite with en-suite bath is updated and inviting. A finished lower level offering another family room and flex space to use as an office, classroom or craft room is sure to please.

Enjoy the expansive deck to relax, entertain and enjoy the privacy of your own backyard oasis. Close to great schools and George Mason University, ten minutes to Fair Oaks Shopping, Tysons Galleria, Vienna Metro, Army Navy Golf Club and easy access to I66 and all major highways. Did we say NO HOA??? Yes, and with no HOA dues in the heart of Fairfax it makes Mosby Woods uniquely appealing. A large community pool and clubhouse is right inside the neighborhood which you can join for an annual fee. Activities abound and Dale Lestina Park offers walking trails and playgrounds in a wooded 8 acre setting. For more information on 3209 Traveler Street, 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

LOT For Sale in Lake of the Woods, VA! 208 Edgemont Lane SOLD!!!

Build your dream home here on this incredible half-acre + lot backing to parkland! If you are looking for privacy on a sought-after larger lot, this is it!

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 $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! For more information on 208 Edgemont 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.