Category Archives: blog

The Christmas Store at Deep Roots Home and Garden Center is Coming on November 1st, 2022!

Starting Tuesday, November 1st, Deep Roots Home and Garden store turns into a Christmas store! They will carry Seasonal home and garden items as well as gifts, Christmas decor, and poinsettias, of course. Look out for Santa and his sleigh as they will feature a Calendar-of-Events for special craft opportunities. Follow Deep Roots Home and Garden on Facebook for updates! The Christmas store will be on from November 1st through December 24th from 9am to 7pm. Deep Roots is located at 28284 Constitution Hwy, Rhoadesville VA 22542 and you can email: info@deeprootshgc.com for additional information!

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 contacting Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Deep Roots’ Fall Festival Just Around the Corner!

Deep Roots Home and Garden Center is a family-owned and operated business right in Orange County, Virginia. Located at: 28284 Constitution Hwy, Rhoadesville VA 22542 they are a full-line garden center and Purina feed dealer. Each year, they host a Fall Festival featuring local Vendors and Artists. There will be food and fun for the entire family, be sure to save the date for Saturday, September 24th from 8 am – 4 pm. Visit their Facebook here for more information!

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 contacting Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

camping

Lake of the Woods Virginia Community Members Campground Gathering!

As the weather gets cooler, it’s time to unpack the firewood and camping equipment! Join Lake of the Woods at the Campground Pavilion as they offer a family fun night full of yummy s’mores and singing around the campfire! Saturday, October 8th is the day to arrive starting at 6pm until 9pm at the Lake of the Woods Campground Pavilion. Tickets are $3 per person. Please contact 540-972-9680 with any questions or concerns! The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th! Please note, that this is an event that is exclusive to Lake of the Woods community residents and members.

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 contacting Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

It's Back! The Soggy Doggie Swim at Lake of the Woods!!

Bring your friendly, swim-loving canines to the Sweetbriar Pool on Sunday, September 11th from 1 PM – 3 PM. There is no registration fee, but donations are welcome and highly encouraged. Donations from a Shelter’s “Need” list or a check made payable to Orange County Animal Shelter will be accepted. Although there is no registration fee, pre-registration is required see more at lowa.org. Registration also requires proof of vaccination for rabies, distemper, and kennel cough. No HUMANs swimming are allowed in the pool while the dogs are swimming, at any time. Space is limited so be sure to register!
Bring your furry four-legged friends for a dip in the pool. Dogs must be on a leash when NOT in the water and please be prepared to clean up after your dog! *Rain date is Sunday, September 18th!*

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.

203 Monticello Cir, Lake of the Woods Virginia 22508 SOLD! by Licata Group EXP Real Estate Professionals!

If you crave natural light and an open floor plan, this contemporary is the one for you! As you arrive, you’ll immediately appreciate the generous set-back from the street that provides quiet and privacy. In the living room, the stunning cathedral ceilings with windows above the double sliding doors overlooking the private wooded backyard will wow you! The openness of the spacious kitchen with an island leading to the dining area for ease of entertaining is simply perfect. The roomy primary suite offers access to the deck for a quiet morning read of the paper or a good book, perhaps? The two additional main-level bedrooms are generous in size, one with a bow window! As you descend the stairs, you will be in awe of the finished area/family room/game room/theater room/craft room/quilting area/flex space and an incredible amount of shelving! An oversized garage and huge, level backyard backing to trees check everything on your list.

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 volunteer 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 what’s to love in 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.

How to Choose the Best Home for Aging in Place

When it comes to choosing a home to retire in, you’ll want to take a few factors into consideration so that the choice you do end up making feels like “home sweet home“. Here’s what you need to think about before you approach the golden years.

Looking for your dream property near the water? Visit the Licata Group website for real estate listings that will take your breath away.

What your budget should be

Purchasing a home is a big deal financially. Moreover, purchasing a home becomes even more significant if you are considering using most of your retirement savings to buy a home you will be most comfortable in. If you’re not that good at crunching numbers, or you simply don’t have the time for it, using an online affordability calculator might help. Furthermore, an affordability calculator can help you get down to what you can actually afford monthly based on your monthly income, the down payment you can make, taking into account other expenses such as Homeowner’s Association fees, property taxes, etc. 

Storing your things until a later date

Since moving house can be quite a stressful event, it might be useful to consider storage options in Virginia (if you live in the area) to give you time to sort through your belongings on your own terms. For example, you can expect to pay around $76 for a 5’x5′ storage unit in the area, going up to $164.81 for a larger 10’x10′ storage unit.

Decide whether you need a homeowners warranty

To determine whether a warranty is worth it, you’ll first need to determine what shape your future home is in before you go any further. The first thing to do is have a look over the home inspection report to see if there are potential issues with your future home’s appliances or systems. If anything does stand out as odd to you, a home warranty will cover the cost should any of these need repairs or maintenance down the line. 

Also, it’s a good idea to double-check if there is an existing home warranty in place and what it covers to see if you need to apply for an extension on your cover to insure what it doesn’t include. Items covered by a home warranty include coverage of your furnace, your electrical and plumbing systems, your HVAC system, etc. 

Check how walkable your community is

If you don’t want to think about the prospect of having to drive everywhere to get about, then choosing an area where everything you need is nearby is probably the preferable option. Taking into account how walkable your city is will not only make it easier to get around, but it’ll also be better for your health too, as you’ll get to exercise more as a result.

Choosing a turnkey home

Opting for a turnkey home may also be the best alternative if you don’t want to tackle home renovations or anything of the sort, especially if you don’t have the finances or energy to spend on major upgrades. The same goes for the condition of the yard, too, if you don’t want to spend most of your time tending to a yard that is too large to maintain on your own. 

Being close to essential amenities

Being closer to essential amenities will come in handy in your senior years, especially if you’re not in the mood to travel far to take advantage of the sights and sounds of the city. 

All in all, finding a home you’ll be happy with is going to be a lot more important, especially where the senior years are involved, if you want to live as contentedly as possible; hence, why you should be thinking about things like home warranty insurance, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Image via Pexels

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 contacting Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Recipe: Apple Cider Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 8, depending on size)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper divided
  • 1/2 cup fresh apple cider
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 medium firm sweet apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary plus additional for serving

Directions

  • Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sprinkle the top of the chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken to the pan, top-side down. Let cook for 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until the meat is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, 3 to 4 additional minutes. Remove to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
  • In a small bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the apple cider and mustard. With a paper towel, carefully wipe the skillet clean. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan over medium high. Once the oil is hot, add the apple slices, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes, until the apples are lightly tender and begin to turn golden. Return the chicken to the pan and pour the cider mixture over the top. Let cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half. Serve warm, sprinkled with additional chopped rosemary as desired.

source: well-plated.com

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 contacting Pat Licata.

4 Simple Home Improvements You Can Do in a Weekend!

When your home is on the market, investing in simple improvements may be the key to attracting higher offers in a quicker time frame. However, if you have limited time and budget to work with, it can be difficult to identify which projects (if any) you should tackle. Here are a few ideas for easy home improvements that can typically be completed over the course of a weekend:

– Install new faucets, doorknobs, and cabinet or drawer pulls—particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. While these items may seem insignificant, having outdated versions can quickly age your home and diminish its appeal to buyers. Fortunately, swapping out older hardware is a relatively easy and inexpensive solution.

– Paint or paper an accent wall. Accent walls with bold colors or designs can add character and dimension to any room. While rich paint colors that contrast to the rest of the room are always a great choice, you may also consider applying a self-adhesive wallpaper with an eye-catching pattern. Like a huge sticker, these wallpapers adhere easily to a primed and painted wall and can even be removed and reused elsewhere.

– Add some new light fixtures. Whether brightening a dark corner or serving as a centerpiece in your kitchen or dining room, a high-quality light fixture can bring an elegant, updated look to any room.

source: bhg.com

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 contacting Pat Licata.

How to Overcome the End-of-Summer Blues

For many people, the end of summer is associated with a sense of gloom. As children, it meant the last of the carefree days of summer and the start of another school year; as adults, we think of the return of cooler weather and the end of vacation season and other summer fun. Regardless of the reasons, the transition from summer to fall can feel a bit more melancholy than other seasonal shifts—but if you find yourself dreading it, there are several ways to stay ahead of the end-of-summer blues.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Reframe how you view the months ahead. While it may sound overly simplistic, shifting your mindset can be a powerful tool when it comes to avoiding negative feelings. Rather than thinking of the changing seasons as a loss of summer and all the joy it brings, focus on the things you love most about fall and those you won’t miss about summer.
  • Plan a trip. While summer is peak travel season for many people, there are countless destinations worth visiting at other times of year—and depending on the particular place, you may find more affordable rates and fewer crowds during the fall and winter months. At the very least, the excitement that comes with planning a trip can help extend the joy of summer as you transition into the autumn months.
  • Set new goals. Just as the beginning of a new year marks a time to evaluate your progress and set new objectives for what you want to achieve, the start of a new season can do the same. As fall approaches, consider what you can accomplish in the final quarter of the year, making sure to create space for goals related to self-care and things that bring you joy.
  • Increase your Vitamin D intake. As the days start getting shorter, it can be more difficult to get adequate Vitamin D from the sun—and a deficiency of this crucial nutrient can correlate to symptoms of depression. To stave off the negative effects, consider adding a Vitamin D supplement to your diet or investing in a light therapy lamp.
  • Embrace hygge. Pronounced “hoo-ga,” hygge is a Danish concept related to creating a cozy atmosphere. If you’re dreading the arrival of colder weather, working hygge into your life may help offset the negatives. For example, cultivate a cozy environment in your home by lighting candles, bringing out your softest sweaters and blankets, and stocking your pantry with your favorite teas and other warm beverages.

source: huffpost.com & psychcompany.com

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 contacting Pat Licata.

The Germanna Foundation’s August, September, and October Events for 2022!

Saturday and Sunday, August 20th and 21st Germmana Foundation is hosting an unique event. This is their second annual Historic Trades Weekend from 10am to 4pm at the Fort Germanna Visitor Center. There will be live demonstrations including surveying, blacksmithing, eel basket weaving, and more! While there is no cost to visit, a $10 donation will help the costs of the event. Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a ticket to win a private, behind-the-scenes experience of Germanna Foundation properties. This is a special tour to see either the Archaeology Facilities or Historic Salubria (Winner’s choice) for up to 6 people! WOW! What a deal, don’t miss out!

Saturday, September 24th will be Fort Germanna’s Public Access Day. The Germanna Foundation and Germanna Archaeology Program offer this unique opportunity to view archaeological excavations of this important colonial site. Don’t be scared to get a little dirt under your fingernails! Learn how Germanna has transformed since people lived and worked here during the first half of the 18th century. Watch archaeologists as they work and ask questions! All ages are welcome and there will be archaeology-related activities for all ages. Be sure to sign up for your free time slot, here!

Friday, October 21st, and Saturday, October 22nd, experience Salubria After Dark with scary stories for both the young and old alike to enjoy! This special evening will consist of several professional storytellers sharing their best spooktacular tales on the grounds of historic Salubria, Culpeper County’s oldest brick house that was built in 1757! Guests will be divided into 3 groups of 20 and will adventure to three different stops, greeted by a storyteller! The tour should last approximately 1 hour and is rain or shine! They do recommend this event for children ages 13 and up due to some of the story’s contents. Purchase tickets for Friday night’s event here and Sunday’s, here!

To become a member of the Germanna foundation or make donations, visit their website 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 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 contacting Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.