Lake of the Woods Community Yard Sale September 8th
When: Saturday, September 8th Time: 9AM – 2PM Where: Sweetbriar Park at Lake of the Woods What: Lake of the Woods Community Yard Sale All Lake of the Woods residents and their guests are invited to participate and attend the Community Yard Sale. Tell your neighbors, invite your friends. For additional information or questions about the community yard sale please call: 540-972-9680.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
Route 3 Arterial Management Plan Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 6:00PM Locust Grove Middle School (6368 Flat Run Rd, Locust Grove VA 22508) Michael Baker International, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s consultant will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting. The meeting will be on the Route 3 Arterial Management Plan. The last Town Hall meeting was in October 2017. THIS meeting will have a review of work already completed and provide the opportunity for those interested in the future transportation plans for the Route 3 to learn more, share input and ask questions. SAVE THE DATE if you plan to attend! Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
Friends, clients and relatives have grown weary of my sermons about staging a home before listing. The logical question that comes to mind from just about everyone is, why I should expend time, energy and frequently money, before listing my home. The answer lies in the Keller Williams Capital properties philosophy of agents driving technology by our own data. In this case the data is actually enhanced by visual media. That visual media is takes the form of digital pictures, video, 3-D pictures or even Facebook live.
BEFORE STAGING
Statically over 88% of buyers look for home online. That means that it is imperative for us to recognize the significance of visual presence and the impact it has on potential buyers and their agents. In short, we have to move a potential buyer from in front of the computer screen to in front of the house. Therefore, the online first impression must be very strong. First impressions are made through data are presented in multiple listing services (MRIS) or through social media platforms. Daily social media platforms are growing in their importance. The point is the source data; such as pictures, tax information and special information has to be quickly presentable and concise. A 2017 National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey sites several interesting results. Some 50% of selling agents
AFTER STAGING
claimed staged homes resulted in sales prices increasing from 1%-10%. Selling realtors, at a 62% rate, claimed staged homes has a reduced the number of days on market for active listing. That translates into further reduction of home sale carrying cost such as paying mortgage insurance and taxes, while the possibility of increasing the sales price. The same NAR Survey sited noteworthy results from surveyed Buyer agents. Some 77% of agents felt that a staged home made it easier for clients to visualize the home as their own. 96% of surveyed agents indicated that there was some or a partial effect on buyers. That’s a pretty powerful indicator.
BEFORE STAGING
Clearly the case why you would stage has been made. But where to stage is illuminating as well. Studies indicate that in order of importance, from surveyed agents, suggest staging the living room was found to be the most important (55% ) followed by staging the master bedroom (51%) and staging the kitchen (41%). Interestingly, the next most important factor was lawn and garden (30%). Getting Started -The why and where to stage being answered, leaves the “How to stage” as the remaining issue. Keeping the concept of helping potential buyers visualize themselves in your space, let’s tackle this subject. Statistics tell us the seller pays for staging about 25% of the time. Tyler Zey’s “Dirt Cheap Staging” blog gives the home owner some very reasonable ideas to get the job done. We’ve posted it to the Licata Group Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thelicatagroup/) .
AFTER STAGING
The Licata Group can offer you staging consultation and assistance but let’s focus on some simple ideas.
Pack away personal pictures and memorabilia. Remember we want buyers to picture themselves in your home as opposed to looking to see if they know anybody in the pictures.
Transition Themed based bedrooms into bedrooms.
Chances high that are not everybody loves the local sports team. Take down the posters and pack away the footballs, please.
Sort out your closets. Pack away what you’re not using to give the impression that there is plenty of storage space.
Clean out closets – time to go to Goodwill. Create the idea of storage
Clean out the Foyer – Make clear the entry. Put the racks and unnecessary items away. Open up the space to make it the welcome way to the house. Painting the hallway’s a good idea.
Information about schools, local restaurants and walkability can been strategically placed for easy viewing.
Kitchens- clean, clean and clean. Remove items from counter tops, window sills and walls. Of course, a kitchen remodel brings the greatest investment return but sometimes it’s out of reach financially.
Remove furniture and create space and flow. Try to reduce furniture and possessions by at least 30% – Use a POD storage container to hold excess furniture.
Use neutral colors on the walls, but bring color to your property with furniture and decorations. You don’t want the property to be too loud or too weak. Paint, paint and paint. (Don’t mix flat with semi-gloss textured paint.)
Ensure the window treatments and curtains open and close properly
Set the dining room with place settings. This hint helps buyers imagine themselves in the home.
Clean the carpet. Professionally if at all possible. (Stain and pet order removal at a minimum.)
Replace burned out light bulbs with same like and kind and bulbs. Clean and repair light fixtures.
Remove items from kitchen counter tops. Store toasters, microwaves and mixers.
Clean out the drains and sinks. Grind a lemon in the disposal to mitigate odors.
Let’s review quickly. Houses that are staged generally sell quicker and return a higher dollar value. All staging is not expensive. There are some very affordable solutions. The Licata Group has more a detailed guides available to you. Just email me at Dan@licatagroup.com 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 professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
2018 Cigar, Bourbon and Beer Festival in Fredericksburg VA!
This years Cigar, Bourbon and Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, August 18th from 4pm to 9pm at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds (2400 Airport Ave, Fredericksburg VA 22401). Gates open at 4pm! Hogshead Cigar Lounge will be present and showcasing a variety of cigars from their lounge. Esteban Carreras, Perdomo, Fratello, Romeo Y Julieta, Montecristo, Drew Estate, Miami Cigars will all be available as well. There will be Bourbons from all across the country as well as some local from Virginia! And we cannot forget about the craft beer, wine and cider. There will be 20 craft beers from the local Fredericksburg Breweries as well as regional breweries sampling some of their Award Winning Beers! There will be live music as well as plenty of FOOD vendors available for dinner. Ready to go? Buy your tickets here. And please don’t forget to: Drink responsibly! Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods Va or Waterfront property in Virginia or homes for rent we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove and Central Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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!
As summer draws to a close, so dawns every parent’s favorite season: the beginning of another school year. This time of year can be hectic for every parent, but it may become especially overwhelming if you’re also trying to sell your home.
Don’t worry, though! We’re here to help. We’ve come up with a bonafide game plan to help you sell your home, handle back-to-school season, and maintain your sanity. Ready to learn more?
Here’s what you need to do:
Prepare a Fresh Start with Staging
The first step to staging a home is to create a blank canvas. After all, you want potential buyers to be able to picture their lives in your home. To do that, you’ll need to take down any personal artwork, decorations, or mementos—school accomplishments, artwork your kiddos may have made for you, personal school pictures, and anything else.
While this may seem like a bummer, it is essential to selling your home.
Get Some Extra Storage
Another essential part of staging your home is removing any and all clutter. This may seem impossible with all the new school supplies, clothing, and toys strewn about, but it’s doable—and necessary!
Consider investing in a storage unit to house excess furniture, summer toys, and old clothing, or even replace a bench, ottoman, or coffee table with one that doubles as a storage chest to house excess items.
Plan for Showings (but make it fun!)
Guess what time is perfect for back-to-school shopping? House-showing time!
To get kids out of the house during showings, come up with a list of kid-friendly outings or activities you can take.
Consider going to the library, a movie theater, an outdoor park or nature center, or the mall to kill some time as your Realtor shows off your home.
Make a Showing-Prep Checklist
As your Realtor schedules your home for showings, try to request at least a one to two hour buffer for each one. Then, create a checklist for what you need to accomplish to get your home showroom-ready before each tour.
Have bags pre-packed for when you need to be out of the house for an extended period of time. Depending on your kiddos, you may want to have have extra diapers, toys, books, games, snacks, and anything else you may need (and keep your list of outings handy!).
Create a Cozy Atmosphere Before You Head Out
Before grabbing the kids and making yourself scarce, be sure to create an inviting and warm atmosphere for your buyers. Here are some general tips for last-minute staging:
Open all the windows — pull back the curtains, raise the blinds, and let in the light!
Light a soft-scented candle (nothing too crazy) or put out a bowl of potpourri to cover up any odors.
Set some calm, instrumental music to play in the background.
Put out a bowl of treats for potential buyers to munch on as they tour your home.
Want to Sell Your Home Fast (and stress-free)?
Then you need to partner with a real estate agent who knows their stuff. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you sell your home for top dollar—without all the extra stress during this busy season.
LEO Club Coat Drive for Locust Grove Middle School
It has begun! The annual coat drive hosted by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Yvette Ruiz will be in full swing on September 1st. Locust Grove Middle School is in need of new or gently used coats for their students.
Stop by: 4207-D Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove VA 22508 between September 1st and October 1st to drop off any new or gently used coats.
Unfortunately – they will not accept monetary donations, so please bring a coat!
Please call 540-972-0484 for any questions.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield hosting their 2nd Annual Canoe Trip!
Saturday, August 25th, National Park Service Historian: Greg Mertz will be leading a day-trip canoe tour of Civil War sites along the Rapidan River. He will be narrating and bringing to life Stonewall Jackson, George Custer and J.E.B Stewart, to name a few.
You will have the opportunity to visit these historic crossing sites – many that are not easily accessible by land.
Plan to be on the water ALL day – so bring lunch, a cooler, sunscreen, wipes, any medication you require along with any other necessities you would need for the day. The terrain is rugged and possibly damp, so be prepared and dress accordingly.
The trip will begin at Ely’s Ford at 8:30AM, SHARP and you will be transported to Germanna and float back to Ely’s Ford with an estimated arrival time of 3PM.
There is a limit of 15 canoes (29 participants, plus the host, Greg).
The cost is $50, with Friends of Wilderness Battlefield receiving about half of the $50. If you want to be paired with a friend or someone in particular, please let them know that upon signing up and registering.
You must register on the website!!! You have the option to pay by credit card, pay-pal or mailing a check. Please note**Payment MUST be received PRIOR to the day of the event. There will be NO payment excepted on the DAY of the trip!
You can register here.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods Va or Waterfront property in Virginia or homes for rent we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove and Central Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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!
Keith Neeley was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but has called Orange County his home since 1979. After graduating from Orange High School, he enlisted in the US Navy for 4 years. He then graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in Business Administration. Keith then went into the insurance industry where he owned and operated an independent adjusting firm.
Keith has had his real estate license since 2004, specializing in Orange County and it’s surrounding counties. He loves the opportunity to assist buyers in finding their perfect new homes! On the seller side, he appreciates the opportunity to assist them move on to the next phase of their lives.
Keith lives in Lake of the Woods with his wife Carrie, and they are the parents of two grown sons. When he’s not working, you can usually find Keith driving a ball at a golf course. To connect witht Keith, email him at keith@licatagroup.com, or call him at 540/661-7391.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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.
Two more Summer Sunset Concert Series at the Point!
The next concert will take place Friday, August 10th at Clubhouse Point featuring Island Gerry Duo.
Music starts at 7pm!
Summer Concert Series continues in Lake of the Woods
(Weather dependent, Bands subject to change) Friday, August 10th- Island Gerry Duo Friday, August 24th – Unchained
The event is 100% funded by sponsors who are also LOW residents! Sponsors include: Licata Group/Keller Williams Real Estate, Locust Grove Veterinary Clinic, Townsend Home Health & Hospice Care, Design Craft Homes, Inspired Electrical Solutions, JK Carpets, Lakeside Title & Escrow, and Lake of the Woods True Value Hardware.
The Friends of Lake of the Woods (FLOW), Lake Youth Foundation, LOW Fire & Rescue, and the LOW Lioness Club are acting as the “Hospitality Committees” throughout this concert series – so please thank them if you see them!
For more information call Pat Licata at 540-735-7998 or e-mail her at pat@licatagroup.com. Don’t miss out on the kick-off to the Summer concert season!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods Va or Waterfront property in Virginia or homes for rent we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove and Central Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? 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!
