Tag Archives: market

April 2022 Lake of the Woods Market Statistics

In April, 24 homes SOLD in Lake of the Woods.

1 sold below $250,000.00
3 sold between $250,000-299,999;
5 sold between $300-349,999;
6 sold between $350,000-399,999;
4 sold between $400-499,999;
5 sold between $500,000-$999,999;
0 sold over $1,000,000.

25 Active/Coming Soon Listings for Sale
39 Homes Under Contract
85 Homes Sold since January 1, 2022.

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

Strangeways Brewing 3rd Annual Spring Market in Fredericksburg, Virginia!

Save the date for Saturday, April 9th from 12pm – 5pm as Strangeways Brewing (Located at: 350 Landsdowne Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22401) hosts their 3rd Annual Spring Market. They are currently looking for VENDORS to attend the market, so if you are food/dessert, arts & crafts, farmers, and more are welcome to join! They don’t allow duplicate vendors so you booth would be unique to this market space. Spots are 10×10 and cost $45 to participate as a vendor. This event is OUTDOORS and first come first serve for vendors! Contact: marjan@strangewaysbrewing.com to inquire about participating. Strangeways Brewing is a unique tasting room with over 36+ beers to choose from that is a family friendly environment and has a pet-friendly outdoor space with a motto of “think string, drink strange.”

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.

December 2021 Lake of the Woods Real Estate Statistics

In December, 27 homes SOLD in Lake of the Woods.

0 sold between $130-199,999;
0 sold between $200-249,999;
4 sold between $250,000-299,999;
9 sold between $300-349,999;
7 sold between $350,000-399,999;
2 sold between $400-499,999;
0 sold between $500,000-$999,999;
1 sold over $1,000,000!

18 Active/Coming Soon Listings for Sale
25 Homes Under Contract
359 Homes Sold since January 1, 2021.

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

Do the Holidays Affect Real Estate?

There are certain things the holidays are suitable for. They tend to bring out the best in us. It’s a time for family, sharing, all those warm moments that tend to be forgotten about under the sometimes grueling regime of everyday life. However, they might not be the best for some other things. For one, the holidays don’t seem to have a favorable stance towards your weight loss program. They also seem to adversely impact the contents of your wallet. What we want to know is how do the holidays affect real estate? Is it wise to place a delightful one-story ranch with a fully furnished basement under the Christmas tree, or is it best left for warmer days? For the TLDR readers out there, the answer is yes. For those who don’t know the acronym or want a little more insight, let’s take a closer look together!

Caroling or Shopping

There are plenty of Christmas holiday activities to try in Virginia, and buying or selling a house is one of them! If you delve a little deeper into human behavior, you understand why the holidays are an interesting time. On the one hand, many people will be partaking in the holidays themselves. So, instead of looking at open homes, they will be caroling. I use this as a simple example to express the differences that will emerge in the way people act. Most people will enjoy the time-off and use it to unwind. However, a smaller but rather dedicated contingent of well-motivated individuals will not cease with their prior activities. They will continue to look for that perfect home. Serious sellers will keep their properties listed and welcome all new offers. Why would they choose to do this? Because they know the score. Less competition means a jollier time for those involved. No bidding wars and smaller chances of losing the offer. Most statistics point to the fact that demand wanes right before and during the holidays. You have one guess as to when it spikes again. Using that little pocket of calm to your advantage seems prudent.

Ariel shot of tent lot at Virginia Key Beach Park
Look at it this way, whilst all these people are partying in temporary tents on Key Beach Part, you could be finding your permanent dream home

Serious Offers Only Please

How many times have we seen this written in any kind of advertisement? So many times that it has lost all meaning. Of course, you are looking for a serious offer; nobody wants to waste their time. If only you could do that for the house you are trying to sell. The spring and summer have a jam-packed inventory, with all kinds of properties on sale. It makes sense, too; there are plenty of buyers out there. The problem is, some of them are just perusing. Going to open houses, weighing their options, maybe even killing time. Not an ideal scenario. Now go back to what we touched upon in the previous section. During the holidays, you only have serious buyers and sellers. Anybody willing to forego holiday laziness (a term I just coined, not to be understood as anything derogatory, but presenting well-deserved rest) means they are on a mission. If you are looking at a condo while the wind is blowing and the rain is falling, you are seriously considering buying it. Therefore, listing your home with a reliable company during the holidays could be the right thing to do! If sellers are accommodating enough to show you their property and are not selling it during the ‘prime’ season, it means they really need to sell.

Georgian style house in Virginia
The spring is more appealing, but the holiday season offers hidden incentives that could tip the scales in your favor!

Low Temperatures, Low Interest Rates

I’ll start by saying this isn’t a guarantee. There are no certainties when it comes to economics, finances, love, lucky numbers on a lottery ticket, and pretty much life in general. Still, all we can do is look at trends and hedge our bets accordingly. Don’t worry; there is some science behind all of this. As always, all the headings are somewhat interlinked. It is a sort of holiday domino effect if you will. Holidays and colder weather mean people, by and large, postpone their house-hunting activities. This leads to a decrease in demand. Therefore, fewer loans are being taken out. As financial business declines, it’s time for those all-important incentives. Interest rates are lowered, financing becomes more favorable, and those still in the game are suddenly privy to a nice little monetary advantage. You can use those savings to call up Allstate Moving and Storage, and they’ll have you in your new home before you can say ‘pumpkin pie’!

Do the Holidays Affect Real Estate? Let’s See What Taxes Have to Say

Believe it or not, there are tax benefits to be had as we start to round off the year. Let’s say it together – this is not a guarantee. A lot depends on your financial situation. However, if you itemize deductions when you purchase a home, you could be able to save some money. Mortgage interest rates and property taxes, to name just some, could be deductible. If the house is not being bought for the sole purpose of being a home you will live in, but rather an investment asset where you will run a business, further deductions could be possible. This is a little hidden nugget that the holiday season offers.

Take Advantage of the Pretty

There is an almost indirect effect of the holidays on the real estate market. Just think about your interior. We tend to tidy up, put up beautiful decorations, and make a cozy atmosphere. One that is warm and welcoming. Almost as if you had purposefully prepared your home for an open house showing. How fortunate.

Furthermore, you can take steps to make your home even more enticing. With the interior taken care of, if you planned a little ahead, the exterior could be attractive as well. After all, this is the first thing buyers see, and first impressions are essential. If you improve the curb appeal of your Virginia home through the applications of affordable projects, there is no way any buyer will be able to resist!

White concrete building with red roof
Do the holidays affect real estate? If you use the charm of the holidays to make your home as inviting and cozy as possible, they do!

Happy Holidays and Happy House Hunting!

To summarize, do the holidays affect real estate? Yes, yes, they do. Nothing has changed there. It’s just about a few nuances and understanding why this is so that you can utilize this to your advantage. After all, skipping one holiday really is worth it if it ensures you can celebrate the next twenty in your dream home. So put down that eggnog and search for the ideal home – you’ll be glad you did it!

Pictures used:

https://unsplash.com/photos/e9jV1ZyrOmg

https://unsplash.com/photos/YuR4iKgPOGA

https://pixabay.com/photos/house-virginia-georgian-home-176988/

https://unsplash.com/photos/218VIkNIxjg

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.

What to Expect in the 2022 Real Estate Market

Key Takeaways:

  • Many of the dynamics seen in 2021 will carry through into next year’s housing market, but at a much less frenzied pace.
  • As remote work becomes a more permanent, widespread option, Millennials are taking advantage and entering the real estate market.
  • We’re ready for another seller’s market. Like last year, there isn’t time to waste—contact us to start planning now!

What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About the 2022 Housing Market

In the final few weeks of 2021, both home buyers and sellers look forward to what lies ahead in 2022. We can help build your strategy to stay competitive! Don’t wait for the real estate market to heat up during the spring and summer. Here’s what you need to know to get ahead of the competition next year.

First-time home buyers can overcome the challenging market

First time home buyers celebrating

Recent real estate forecasts suggest that competitive will be the defining characteristic of the housing market throughout 2022. That will be especially true for first-time home buyers.

Competing levels of low inventory supply and high buyer demand will continue to hold housing market values at, or above, asking prices. Total inventory will increase by the end of 2022, but it will not be enough to slow the seller’s market.

For first-time home buyers to secure their house, they need to start early and expect competition. On a positive note, low interest rates can help new homeowners build equity faster.

Millennials are working remotely and finally buying homes

Millennials buying homes

A lot has changed in these last two years. Buzzwords like “the new normal” were everywhere, along with speculations about how people lived, worked, and commuted were going to change. As we enter into 2022, we now have data reports and are beginning to see how these changes affect the housing market.

The ability to work remotely is helping the more than 45 million Millennials that make up the fastest growing segment of buyers. After an uphill battle, they’re entering the prime first-time home buying age range of 26 – 35, and changing the real estate landscape.

Millennials are leaving the glamour of big city life to take advantage of more affordable housing markets in suburbs and rural areas. As long as they have internet access, their salary remains the same. And unsurprisingly, 99% of them use technology to research the home buying market.

With 90% of managers and employees reporting that they’re happy working from home, and productivity increasing by as much as 47%, remote work is here to stay. The new normal will also create new investment opportunities as companies seek to reduce their office sizes.

Low inventory stretches into the new year

Low housing inventory

After years of underbuilding, housing supply shortages will continue to be a dominant feature of the market next year. One of the most significant factors that will carry over immediately from last year is low inventory supply.

Available housing will remain tight throughout the year. While that will generate some stress, it will also drive home values higher. Estimates of continued home sales growth will be 6.6%.

While housing inventory levels will remain lower than their pre-pandemic levels throughout 2022, a modest 0.3% growth in inventory should be enough to keep market prices from spiraling even further upward.

Sellers remain in control of the market

Person selling their home

As we look ahead to 2022, some clear realities for the housing market begin to appear: it will remain a seller’s market. Interest rates continue to hover around a record-low 3%, providing incentives for sellers to upgrade to a larger home for a lower monthly payment.

After the refinance boom in 2020, homeowners are still in an advantageous position. With home sales expected to hit their highest level in 16 years due to Millennials entering the housing market, sellers sit in a very good position to profit. If accurately priced and, more importantly, if houses are in great condition with upgrades throughout, the real estate market will continue to be a boon for sellers.

Be Prepared for a Competitive Year

The new normal in 2022 turns out to be an old adage: the early bird gets the worm. We have the experience and can move quickly to make sure you stay competitive, regardless of whether you’re buying or selling. Contact us today to make your plan for the new year!

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.

Candy Cane Lane Christmas Market in Bowling Green

Visit 116 Chase St, Bowling Green, VA 22427, Saturday, December 10th between 10am – 2pm for the final Candy Cane Lane Christmas Market event hosted by Dainty Chic Roadside Stand. There will be 27 vendors of makers, creators, and bakers, a gingerbread contest will be held, shopping, a toy drive, a food truck on-site, and even Santa will make an appearance! Check out this market for something unique and different that can’t be found at big box retail stores, while also supporting your local community members and residents! There will also be a Season of Giving Shoppe where children can come shop for their family and friends. Please contact: Daintychic1@gmail.com to set up an appointment! Visit their Facebook page here for more information!

The Bowling Green Christmas parade will be held at 5pm that day, for you to join after completing your final Christmas shopping list.

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.

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show

Take a trip and visit Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show. Get all of your holiday shopping done here with a variety of gifts to choose from including, arts and crafts to jewelry and baked goods and hair care. Your family will thank you for visiting this Market & Craft show. This free Christmas Market is scheduled for December 11th from 11am to 4pm at the John Carlyle Square (300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria, VA 22314).

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.

Our Full Guide to This Winter’s Cooled-Down Market

Key Takeaways:

  • According to this winter’s market forecast, there’s going to be a flurry of new housing inventory that benefits both buyers and sellers.
  • More housing inventory provides additional options for buyers and newfound confidence for sellers who need to find a home after they list.
  • Thinking about making a move? It’s not too early to begin planning—and by starting now, you’ll be settled in your next home by the new year!

The Winter Weather Forecast Is Calling for a Cooled-Down Market

It might still be the beginning of autumn, but it’s never too early to start planning a successful home sale! If you’re thinking about listing your home this winter, you should expect the market to look a little different by the end of the year. Winter is usually the quietest time for real estate, which means you can look forward to a cooled-down winter market forecast. A slower-moving market will give sellers more time to prepare their listings and peruse the market for their next homes.

Here’s what more housing inventory means for sellers

homeowners meeting with realtor

After enduring a red-hot sellers’ market so far in 2021, this year’s winter market forecast is finally calling for increased housing inventory. More homes on the market means two things for sellers: they gain more time to prepare their listings, but they might need to do a little more to stand out from the competition.

With additional properties expected to hit the market this winter, we want to make sure you get your home listed before our area gets snowed in with sellers. From highlighting your home’s top features to marketing it to targeted buyers, we can sell your property for top dollar in no time.

Homebuyers, your holiday present is here

homeowners hugging in kitchen

Instead of a present under the tree, what if we could give you a new home instead? Current predictions indicate an onset of new housing inventory this winter, which means more options for buyers. So bundle up buyers—it’s finally going to be your turn to make a move in the market. More housing inventory and continually low interest rates could lead to a long-awaited decrease in home prices, all of which will help create a more balanced market.

As your local area experts, we know how to land your dream home in just the right community. So whether you’ve been browsing for your next home or already know you’re going to need a house after you sell, you can count on us to find your perfect place. And by using our comprehensive market reports, we can help you secure a home within your budget, too!

Now’s the time to take advantage of this year’s wintery market mix

couple meeting with realtor over coffee

While it might be tempting to put off listing your home until after the holiday season, you never know when the market is going to shift again. Trying to time the market is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a homeowner, and we’re here to assure you that this winter (or even fall!) is the time to make your real estate move.

Both buyers and sellers can take advantage of this year’s wintery market mix of competitive listings and increased housing inventory. New properties on the market will provide buyers with more housing options to choose from, and sellers can list their homes knowing that they’ll be able to find a new place after they sell. And if you’re listing soon, you don’t have to worry about making your property stand out—our top-notch agents can handle all the details.

Ready to Slide Into the Market This Winter?

Hop on your sleds, we’re ready to help you slide into the real estate market this winter! Buying or selling your home—even during the holiday season—doesn’t have to be stressful. Allow us to handle all the details of your real estate transaction for you this winter, so you can be settled in your next home by the new year!

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.

Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.

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.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies in their The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 report:

“… 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.”

Nathaniel Karp, Chief U.S. Economist at BBVA:

“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.”

Bill McBride of Calculated Risk:

“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.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

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.

Information was provided by keepingcurrentmatters.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 contact Pat Licata.

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

May 2021 Lake of the Woods Monthly Market Stats

In May, 24 homes sold in Lake of the Woods.
1 sold between $130-199,999;
1 sold between $200-249,999;
3 sold between $250,000-299,999;
8 sold between $300-349,999;
6 sold between $350,000-399,999;
1 sold between $400-599,999;
1 home sold over $500,000.; 1 home sold over $600,000;
1 home sold over $700,000; 1 home sold over $800,000;
1 home sold over $900,000!

14 Active Listings for Sale
52 Homes Under Contract
135 Homes Sold since January 1, 2021.

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