School starts August 11, 2021, this year and the LOW Lioness Lions Club is holding its annual School Supply Drive to support the Locust Grove Primary & Elementary Schools. They help these 2 schools by providing the necessary supplies to ensure a successful school year for the teachers and students alike.
Donations will be collected at the Lake of the Woods FRONT GATE on July 10th and July 24th from 9AM to 1PM ORyou may bring your donations in Monday – Friday July 12th through July 23rd from 9AM – 5PM at our Licata Group Office (located in the Food Lion shopping center, between AT&T and CVS)OR you may donate a check for the Lionesses to purchase the items listed in the first flyer. Please make checks payable to: “LOW LIONESS FOUNDATION” and write “SCHOOL SUPPLY” in the check memo section. Please MAIL those checks to: PO BOX 811, Locust Grove VA 22508.
We love supporting great causes and if you choose to drop your donations off at the Licata Group office: you have the opportunity to enter to win TWO tickets to the FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS game on July 31st. The winner will be drawn & announced on our Licata Group Facebook page during LicataLive at 11AM on Tuesday, July 27th!
For any additional questions regarding the SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE, itself please contact Teresa Wisniewski at 703-901-9023 or Judy Ludvigsen at 540-760-4982. For questions about the LICATA GROUP FREDNATS TICKETS, contact the Licata Group office at 540-388-2541.
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 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, 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.
lake of the woods virginia open house extravaganza 7.10.21
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 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, 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.
Getting married and starting a family is life-changing. While you’re likely incredibly excited about welcoming children into the world, try not to get ahead of yourself! It’s important that you and your partner are on sound financial footing before embarking on the financial—and emotional—roller coaster that is parenting. If you’re about to get married, and you’re thinking about starting a family, familiarize yourself with the following financial planning tips to ensure you’re prepared, presented by The Licata Group Real Estate.
Make a Will and Declare a Guardian
Writing wills is never fun. No one wants to think about what will happen to their kids in the event of their untimely death. Although these tragic events are rare, they do occur, so it’s always best to plan for the worst. As The Bump explains, drafting a will ensures that your wishes will be carried out regarding how your children are cared for, as well as who will be caring for them, if something should happen to you. Besides dividing up your property among your beneficiaries, your will can be used to declare a guardian for your children. You may also want to include a healthcare proxy and power of attorney to ensure your financial and medical wishes are carried out if an accident or illness prevents you from making these decisions yourself.
Purchase Life Insurance
While you may have been fine without life insurance when you were single and childless, getting married and starting a family changes everything. Now, you have people who depend on you financially. If you should pass away unexpectedly, would your spouse and children be able to maintain their lifestyle without your income? For most young families, the answer is no. This is why every parent—even stay-at-home moms—should consider life insurance!
You also have to think about your funeral and burial expenses. No family should have to navigate tough financial decisions during a period of intense grief, so make a plan to cover your final expenses while you have the chance. One solution is to purchase a pre-paid funeral. Not all pre-paid funeral plans make financial sense, so take the time to understand what these arrangements will cover and whether this really is the best option for you and your family.
Create an Emergency Savings Fund
Life insurance isn’t the only financial safety net you should have in place. An emergency savings fund can protect your family from taking on debt to cover sudden, unexpected expenses like major home repairs, car breakdowns, medical emergencies, or periods of unemployment. If both you and your spouse hold steady jobs, start by saving three months of living expenses in your emergency fund. If only one spouse works or you’re self-employed, it’s a good idea to put away more.
Remember to Plan for Your Retirement
It’s easy to postpone retirement planning when you have so many other things to save for, like your children’s post-secondary education, but NBC News Better stresses the importance of prioritizing your retirement savings over that of your children’s education. Your kids will have access to several funding opportunities when it comes time for college, including scholarships, student loans, and grants. You, on the other hand, will have to make do with the money you’ve saved up for retirement.
Develop a Household Budget
Budgeting is the best way to ensure you can afford the additional costs of raising children while at the same time meeting your family savings goals. Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page when it comes to spending. Plan your budget together, differentiating between things your household really needs and things you would like to have. At the same time, remember to set some money aside for fun activities like date nights or going out with friends.
Of course, your household budget can change a little when you decide to purchase a home. There are a lot of things you’ll need to take into consideration when you buy a house, from saving up for the down payment and securing a home loan. There are also things you may not have considered, such as reducing the interest rate on your loan by paying points on the mortgage. The Licata Group Real Estate can help you throughout the process, so get in touch with one of our agents whenever you’re ready.
Discussing your financial plans is a chance to build a stronger bond with your new spouse. While talking about money may not be the most romantic activity, it can be fun making goals and dreaming about your future together. Getting your finances organized now will set your family up for a lifetime of stability and stress-free living!
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 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, 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.
First of all, congratulations. You have chosen a great state to start a family in. Virginia is a safe and wholesome state that has a lot to offer. It is a family-friendly state, as raising kids in it is easy. However, you have to get there first. Moving from Maryland to Virginia is considered an interstate relocation, and those kinds of relocations need to be well organized. So, make sure to stick with us to the end if you want to find out how you can move to Virginia with the least amount of trouble and start a family there!
There are a lot of things you can do in Virginia
Virginia is one of the most famous states in and outside the US. This means that it is an old state, with a lot of history and many things to do in it.
One of the best spots in this well-known state is certainly Orange County. There are many things to do in Orange County, and it is no wonder why many families decide to start a new life here. As we already mentioned, Virginia is a safe state, with a plethora of opportunities for children and adults alike, as it offers excellent education and many job opportunities!
Make sure to plan your move and create a strategy
Planning is essential for every relocation. Moreover, no relocation is possible without proper organization, let alone an interstate move. This is why you need to take moving organization seriously and create a strategy of how and when you are going to move to Virginia.
For everything in life, it is good to have a plan. Moving from Maryland to Virginia isn’t an exception
Find a good moving company
Moving organization starts with searching for a good moving company that can take you to Virginia. There are many movers on the scene, but you need to hire real professionals if you want to organize the process in a flash since interstate moves such as those from Maryland to Virginia can be very time and energy-consuming.
Make sure to compare different moving companies online, look at their reviews, and get in touch with as many moving companies as you can. You also need to remember that you need to book your move at least two months in advance.
Calculate the costs of the move
In the early phases, it is impossible to precisely calculate how much your move will cost you. However, you can get a rough estimate if you include all potential expenses. Good moving calculation always leaves some space in the budget for unexpected circumstances. This means that you have to leave a financial margin in your estimate if something goes wrong.
The main cost you’ll want to include in your calculations is the cost of hiring a moving company. Every respectable moving company has a moving calculator, which enables customers to roughly calculate the cost of the move. Keep in mind that online estimation doesn’t have to represent the price in the real world.
Also, you need to include the cost of moving insurance, the cost of renting a storage unit, hiring professional packers, etc.
Pack for the move or hire professionals
Most people choose to pack themselves for the move. Sure, that way you might save some money, but in return, you’re going to lose a lot of energy.
It might not be a bad idea to hire professional packers for your relocation.
However, if you choose to do so, here’s what you need to buy:
boxes, plastic bins, and similar containers
packing tape
a marker
some kind of protective material like packing peanuts
crates
You can get most of these materials at the nearest supermarket, and they are not that expensive. However, if you don’t want to lose time and energy on that or have special items you wish to move to Virginia, we recommend hiring professional packers trained to do that.
Renting a storage unit in Virginia is preferable
Many people forget the importance of storage units. Storage units are handy when moving to a new location since you can never exactly know how much space you’ll have for your stuff. In short, it always helps to have a place in which you can leave your things after the move.
Many people forget to rent storage after a relocation. This can cause a lot of trouble. Don’t let this happen to you when you’re moving from Maryland to Virginia!
But, if you want to take two pigeons with one bean, you might want to find a moving company, such as Helix Transfer & Storage, which can offer storage solutions as well.
Find good housing
As we already mentioned, Orange County in Virginia seems very attractive to families, especially ones with children.
One of the reasons behind that is the excellent state of the real estate market in the county. In Orange County, you can get a fantastic home for a reasonable amount of money and live in friendly suburban neighborhoods, perfect for anyone who wants to start a family in Virginia.
Also, buying a home in Orange County is an excellent opportunity for some serious investment. It is predicted that the prices will continue going up, and many experts recommend that investors jump on the train and reap the benefits of coming to market early.
All in all, Virginia is a prosperous state with its own little renaissance at the moment, as it offers an excellent opportunity for families to develop and grow properly. This is why we think that Moving from Maryland to Virginia to start a family is a great choice.
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 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, 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.
Welcome home to 101 Pine Valley Rd! Imagine water views year-round! This beautiful home has just that! Relax on your deck with friends and family as you enjoy the water views. This is only the beginning… Once inside, you will love the updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel upgraded appliances. The family room is vast and boasts a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace for those cool nights. The sought-after split bedroom design offers an owner’s suite with en-suite bath and walk-in closet. There are three more bedrooms that complete this amazing home! You are close to the front gate, golf, beaches and more!
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 $150,000+ 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
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 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, 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.
Welcome to 327 Fairway Drive! Located close to the main gate and overlooking the 17th fairway, is just the beginning! You’ll love the open floor plan, cathedral ceilings and slate fireplace! The family room flows effortlessly into the dining and kitchen areas. The spacious and inviting owner’s suite with en-suite bath is sure to delight. Additionally, there is a sitting room off the owner’s suite that will make a perfect office, classroom or craft room. That is not all…you will enjoy relaxing the days away on your deck while enjoying the view of the golf course. If you’re in the mood for a great breakfast or lunch, Fareways Cafe is just a few steps away, as well as the Golf Pro Shop.
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 $150,000+ 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!
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 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, 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.
Wow! You’ll love the open, split floor plan and cathedral ceilings with skylights in this move-in-ready home! Greeted by the hardwood floors as you enter, you’ll immediately notice how light and bright the main living areas are, with the family room featuring a wood-burning fireplace for cozy evenings in cooler weather. There’s so much more to see: owner’s suite with fabulous walk-in closet and private bath featuring brand-new step-in shower, ample deck space to enjoy the outdoors, level yard, oversized one-car garage, and even a shed with electricity that potentially could be a workshop or playhouse! Boasting freshly cleaned carpets, recently serviced fireplace (2021), HVAC (new in 2016) and ductwork (2018), newer roof (2015), new master shower(2021), resurfaced deck (2020), and hot water heater (2019), you will have plenty of time to enjoy all the amenities 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, 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 $200,000+ 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!
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 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, 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.
Welcome to 12041 Belfonte Road! If acreage and privacy are what you crave, then this is the one! You will enjoy entertaining family and friends with the privacy of 3+ acres, a two-tier expansive deck, fire pit, horseshoe pits and space to roam and create your own backyard oasis. That’s only the beginning, the inside features a family room with a stone fireplace for those chilly winter evenings. A spacious kitchen with a center island, and pantry. You will love the owner’s suite with en-suite bath featuring a soaking tub, double vanity and separate shower, as well as the split bedroom design. All this close to Lake Anna, Lake Anna Winery and Lake Anna state park.
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 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, 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.
Welcome home to 101 Happy Creek Rd! Located near the front gate, beaches, and golf course, this lovely, well-maintained rambler has everything you need all on one level. You will love the updated kitchen with a separate dining room, spacious living room, and hardwood flooring. Enjoy relaxing on the large deck with your favorite beverage. The level backyard is wonderful for gardening with a play area and tree-lined for privacy.
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 $150,000+ 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!
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 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, 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.
The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise.
Here are four expert opinions from professionals and organizations that have devoted their careers to giving great advice to the housing industry.
“… conditions today are quite different than in the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record-low interest rates.”
“The housing market is in line with fundamentals as interest rates are attractive and incomes are high due to fiscal stimulus, making debt servicing relatively affordable and allowing buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. Underwriting standards are still strong, so there is little risk of a bubble developing.”
“It’s not clear at all to me that things are going to slow down significantly in the near future. In 2005, I had a strong sense that the hot market would turn and that, when it turned, things would get very ugly. Today, I don’t have that sense at all, because all of the fundamentals are there. Demand will be high for a while, because Millennials need houses. Prices will keep rising for a while, because inventory is so low.”
“Looking back at the bubble years, house prices exceeded house-buying power in 2006 nationally, but today house-buying power is nearly twice as high as the median sale price nationally…
Many find it hard to believe, but housing is actually undervalued in most markets and the gap between house-buying power and sale prices indicates there’s room for further house price growth in the months to come.”
Bottom Line
All four strongly believe that we’re not in a bubble and won’t see crashing home values as we did in 2008. And they’re not alone – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch share the same opinion.
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 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, 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.
