Pack Walk at Pratt Park Coming in March!

access_timeJanuary 25, 2023personPatricia Licata

Certified Dog trainer Stana Clark, deemed Best of the Burg 2022 with Doggy See, Doggy Do Training, has orchestrated a pack walk for your furry best friends to get out and meet new friends. This event is to help socialize your dog with other dogs as well as humans. It offers opportunities for your fur friend to gain social skills and other training. This event will take place Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at 9 am at Pratt Park (120 River Road, Fredericksburg). It is a hands-on training event and a great way for you and your doggy to connect on a different level while learning together. For more information 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 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!!

access_timeAugust 24, 2022personPatricia Licata

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!*

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

“America’s Oldest” The Fredericksburg DOG MART Returns!

access_timeSeptember 13, 2021personPatricia Licata

On Saturday, September 25th between 9:30 AM – 3 PM visit 12400 Herndon Rd, Spotsylvania, Virginia for a FREE dog-lovers event! This will mark the 323rd Anniversary of Fredericksburg’s DOG-MART and will feature a dog show, adoption showcase, raffles, demonstrations, and food and beverages.

Check out the archery activities and BB Gun shooting for the kids! Taste the fresh cooked burgers, fries, and other delicious food trucks on hand. Watch the amazing dogs perform during their show.

There is no cost to enter, however, parking is $5. Bring in a Dog Food donation for free raffle tickets! Learn more about this event here.

This event is hosted by: The Fredericksburg-Rappahannock Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America

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

Do You Have an Evacuation Plan/Route for Your Pets??

access_timeSeptember 5, 2018personPatricia Licata

Do You Have an Evacuation Plan/Route for Your Pets??

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility. Many homeowners create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, but far fewer have considered one for their pets. Take these steps to add your pets to your evacuation plan.
Assign pet evacuation to an adult. Everyone should know how to act during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets. This allows the other parent and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, so there’s no confusion during a high-stress moment when time is of the essence.
Keep evacuation maps and pet carriers readily accessible. If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is. If you pets require carriers, keep them in a place that you can access easily.
Practice your plan. Include your pets in your home evacuation drills. It’ll help you see how they will respond and make changes to your plan if necessary. Getting your dog out of a window may not be as simple as you think!
Be prepared in case you get separated from your pets. No matter how much you drill your evacuation plan, it’s possible that a dog or cat will run off while you’re focusing on keeping your family safe. A microchip or a GPS-compatible tag can help you find your pets once it’s safe to return to the area.
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.

Lake of the Woods Community Yard Sale September 8th

access_timeAugust 23, 2018personPatricia Licata

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.

TONIGHT! Route 3 Arterial Management Plan Town Hall Meeting

access_timeAugust 22, 2018personPatricia Licata

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.

Staging Integrated with Agent Based Technology by Dan Seiler

access_timeAugust 17, 2018personPatricia Licata

Staging Integrated with Agent Based Technology

By: Dan Seiler

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.