After connecting with The Licata Group, outlining a reasonable house hunting budget, and going to countless open houses, you have finally found the perfect property for your family. Now, it’s time to pack up, hit the road, and start making yourselves at home in your new city! Here’s how unpack strategically, keep your family safe and secure, and begin exploring your city.
Set Up Utilities
Before you move in, you need to set up basic utilities like electricity, gas, and water at the first available opportunity. In your new city, you may notice a difference in water taste or quality. If you’re concerned about contaminants in your tap water, you can conduct a local water quality search. Should you find that you’ve moved to an area with poor water quality, you may want to install a simple water filtration system. Just keep a few extra filters on hand so that your family always has access to clean drinking water!
Unpack Immediately
Don’t delay the unpacking process! You don’t want to leave your belongings in moving boxes for weeks on end. Plus, your kids will feel anxious without their belongings, and you’ll want to furnish their bedrooms quickly so that they can relax and decompress. Consumer Affairs recommends unpacking and arranging furniture and other large items first, and then organizing smaller essential belongings.
Don’t Forget Security
After moving in, you may want to set up a home security system to keep your family safe. Electronic House recommends paying for a professional, 24/7 monitoring service to make sure that your family is always protected.
Don’t forget about cybersecurity, too! You need to be proactive to keep your family safe online. Since you’ll be updating your address, consider how you can prevent your family from dealing with identity theft. Once your kids have unpacked their devices, give them a brief talk about online safety just to make sure that everyone in your household is up to speed. This may be a good time to change the passwords on your accounts, just in case.
Interior Design
How can you make your new house really feel like a home? Create an environment that truly suits your family’s lifestyle and aesthetic preferences with smart interior design choices! Ask your kids for their input, too, especially when it’s time to decorate and paint their bedrooms. When you’ve personalized each room, you’ll truly begin to feel like you’ve come home. You can also check out local antique shops and thrift stores to pick up unique items.
Locate Essential Services
You’ve left behind your family doctor, your dentist, your bank, and your favorite coffee shops – now, it’s time to find replacements in your new city! Search for healthcare providers who are taking new patients, and locate your nearest urgent care center while you’re at it. Find the closest branch for your bank, or switch to a new credit union in your area. And check out a cute coffee shop where you can see your family becoming regulars!
Start Exploring
You’ve unpacked, you’ve decorated, you’ve secured your property and contacted your utility companies. Now, it’s time to experience everything your city has to offer! Feel free to reach out to your real estate agent and ask for suggestions for local attractions, or you can put some handy apps to work.
Your kids are probably antsy after going through the whole moving process, and chances are, you’re ready to have some fun in your new city. Head to a local park, check out a downtown museum, pay a visit to a zoo or botanical gardens, and get outside of your comfort zone! You never know what gems you might find in your new location.
Moving as a family can be quite challenging, and during the weeks leading up to your move, you may feel overwhelmed and stressed out. But preparing for your next steps will help you feel like you’re in control. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make this transitory time go smoothly for your family.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
“Accessible” and “dream home” aren’t two words that typically go together, but as home builders embrace universal design, it’s becoming easier to find homes that are both accessible and beautiful. If you’re a home buyer with a disability or are simply looking for a “forever home” that you can live in through every stage of life, read this guide to learn how you can buy an accessible home.
Buying an Accessible Home
There are lots of reasons why you might want an accessible home. Accessible homes enable independence for seniors and people with disabilities. Many accessible features also make daily life easier for people from all walks of life, whether it’s a parent pushing a stroller or carrying arm loads of groceries into the house.
Even if you don’t need an accessible home today, it’s smart to consider accessibility in your home purchase. Needs change over time, and buying for accessibility today ensures you can live in your home for years to come.
Along with accessibility needs, you’ll also need to consider your budget (Lake of the Woods home sales average $285,000) and which type of mortgage fits your finances best. If you have a spotty credit history, an FHA loan may be your best option. For example, PennyMac FHA loans have broader credit requirements, and you may be able to pay as little as 3.5 percent down.
Accessible Homes: The Basics
A lot goes into making a home fully accessible. However, the average homeowner doesn’t need every accessibility feature available. If you’re in search of a forever home or shopping for an age-friendly home for your senior years, pay attention to major details like these:
Single-story living.
Step-free entrances.
Flush thresholds.
Wide doorways and hallways.
Ample lighting.
Raised power outlets.
Blocking for grab bars.
Thankfully, these home features are popular in new construction, making it relatively easy for buyers to find a house that offers basic accessibility. However, while these are the building blocks of accessible housing, they may not be all you need to enjoy full independence at home.
3 Ways to Increase Home Accessibility
Even when buying new construction, you may need to make changes to achieve full accessibility at home. Since remodeling can be costly, it’s important to factor these costs into your home-buying budget. You may even be able to roll remodeling expenses into your mortgage!
Replacing Carpet
One popular change for wheelchair and mobility device users is replacing carpet with wood floors. Mobility devices can’t move easily on plush carpet, and seniors are more prone to fall with high-pile carpeting underfoot. While there are a variety of alternatives to carpet, wood flooring offers the best return on investment because it’s both durable and in high demand by home buyers. Homeowners can save money by choosing inexpensive woods, removing old flooring themselves, and scheduling installation while the home is empty.
Adapting Counters and Cabinets
Most homes come with standard-height countertops and cabinets, but these can be inaccessible for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities. However, with counters and cabinetry accounting for as much as 60 percent of kitchen remodeling costs — which run nearly $30,000 on average — creating an accessible kitchen is costly. If you can’t afford to completely replace counters and cabinets or are worried about impacting your home’s resale value, talk to your contractor about working with what you have. For example, you may be able to add storage solutions that maximize lower cabinets or install a two-tier kitchen island to match your existing space.
Designing an Accessible Bathroom
Due to the high cost of bathroom remodeling, it’s best to buy a home that already suits your accessibility needs. But if you can’t find the right home in your budget, you may have no choice but to invest in bathroom updates. While minor changes like installing an accessible shower head and grab bars are affordable, replacing a bathtub with a walk-in tub or barrier-free shower costs as much as $5,000 or $15,000, respectively. However, for people who need them, the independence an accessible bathroom provides is priceless.
Finding a home that checks every box is difficult in the best of circumstances. When you have a disability or need an age-friendly home, finding the right home can seem impossible. But the truth is that there are lots of homes out there just waiting to be turned into your accessible dream home. Rather than giving up on your house hunt, reach out to an experienced agent who knows how to find the right home for you.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
In April, 20 homes sold in Lake of the Woods. 2 sold between $130-200,000; 7 sold between $200-249,000; 5 sold between $250-299,000; 6 sold between $300-400,000;
66 Active Listings for Sale 48 Homes Under Contract 33 Homes Sold since January 1, 2020.
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 home owners. 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.
The continued inventory shortage experienced by most regions of the country was evident in Lake of the Woods again in 2019. Listings increased only 6.4%, from 373 in 2018 to 397 in 2019, while closed sales were up 28.6%. New construction accounted for 30 of the 301 sales. The median sold price increased a healthy 8% year over year from $249,900 to $270,000.
Of the 301 total sales reported in 2019, only 5, or 1 1/2%, were either short sales or foreclosures. At the height of the distressed real estate market in 2010, a whopping 43% of all sales were either short sales or foreclosures.
So let’s look at our steady growth over the past five years:
In 2015, there were 247 sales, with 15% being distressed.
Those total sales represented almost a 30% gain over 2014, and the median sales
price was $210,000.
In 2016, the market was quite flat compared to 2015 in
regards to total sales, which held at 243 with a decrease in distressed sales
to 11.1. However, 2016 saw the median price jump to $225,000, a healthy 7.1%
increase.
In 2017, there were 294 total sales, a whopping 21.1%
increase over 2016 with only 5.8% being distressed. The median sales price
climbed to $239,000.
Average days on the market (DOM), which is the number of
days it takes from the time a property is listed until it goes under contract,
has steadily declined from 127 in 2015 to 57 in 2019.
It’s also telling to note that a significant number of lots
have sold in the past five years. From
January 1, 2015-Decemeber 31, 2019, 184 lots exchanged, with 41 occurring in
2019, down from 55 in 2018. There simply aren’t that many lots left in LOW.
New construction has been climbing, as well. 2015 realized
41 new construction starts; in 2016, there were 28; in 2017, there were 30; in
2018, there were 34; and in 2019, there were 48.
In 2020, according to Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers
Association, mortgage rates are expected to stay within the 3.7-3.9% range.
The prognosis for 2020, as it was in 2019, is excellent! In LOW, there are 57 homes active on the market as of 1/14/2020. In January of 2018, there were 62. Low, stable rates and hopefully more inventory should propel us to experience healthy sales and appreciation.
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 home owners. 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.
If you ask a homeowner what it was like to buy their first home, they’ll probably mention a few things they’d change if they could do it all again. While it’s impossible to know everything about the home-buying process beforehand, you can still prepare yourself for what lies ahead—and figure out how to avoid some potential pitfalls. Not sure where to begin? Here are some key pointers to keep in mind before starting your search.
You’re Buying More Than a House
We all know the phrase “love at first sight,” and it can certainly apply to homes, too! Even if you step inside a home and instantly fall in love, it’s crucial to step back and consider the whole picture before making a purchase.
When you buy your first property, you’re investing in more than just four walls. It’s worth paying attention to things like a home’s location, neighborhood, and physical condition, too. Even if you find that open concept kitchen you’ve been dreaming of, it might not be the right fit if it’s in the wrong community or if the rest of the house requires out-of-budget repairs. It’s best to stay realistic and listen to your agent’s (and home inspector’s) advice. Remember, this is likely one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so spend your money wisely!
Down Payments Are Different for Everyone
So many would-be buyers are scared of homeownership for one reason: the down payment. Traditionally, you’d put down around 20% on a home and spend anywhere from 10 to 30 years paying your lender back. However, you actually have more flexibility than you might expect.
Depending on your credit history, location, and occupation, you could be eligible for loans that require as little as 0% down. However, making a larger down payment means you’ll pay less interest to your lender in the long run. Be sure to shop around for the right fit and reach out to your agent with any questions—they’re always available to help you out.
Prepare for Extra Expenses
Homeownership often comes with unexpected expenses, especially right after you move in. When you’re setting a budget for your big purchase, consider adding some wiggle room to allow for any additional and long term costs. You don’t want to realize that you can’t afford your home after you’ve purchased it!
Wondering what kinds of expenses can come up? Inspections, homeowner’s insurance, prepaid taxes and other various closing costs, HOA dues, and repairs are just a few possibilities. You’ll pay for some of these before or at the closing, but certain recurring costs will have to be factored into your monthly budget.
Get Pre-Approved Before You Start Searching
Once you’ve made the decision to buy, it’s tempting to start looking at listings right away. However, you might want to press pause and complete an essential step before you start scheduling showings. Getting pre-approved for your loan will show sellers and agents that you’re serious about buying—and it can tell you exactly how much you can afford to spend.
Ready to start the pre-approval process? First, you’ll want to get your finances in order and shop around for the right lender. Be sure to have all of your important documents on hand, such as your W-2 tax form, paystubs, and social security card. Most lenders allow you to apply online, and within a few business days, you’ll know whether you’ve been approved or not, as well as the conditions of the loan.
Are You a First-Time Buyer?
Buying your first home is a big deal, and it’s important to have the right agent by your side throughout the process. If you’re ready to start your search, feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We can’t wait to help jumpstart your journey to homeownership!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
We can freely say that moving to Orange
County Virginia might have been the best decision you have ever made. Orange County has a unique charm. It
can offer you a lot of outdoor and indoor activities. But also, it can offer
you historical attractions, and festivals and sporting events that are
happening year-round. There are so many
fun things to do after moving to Orange County Virginia that it is challenging
choosing what to do first. Depending on what you prefer and what is fun for
you – you will be able to easily find activities for you and your family.
Create your list of fun
things to do after moving to Orange County Virginia
We are all very different. Some of us like to go playing golf, while others enjoy music festivals. And the best thing about Orange County Virginia is the fact that it can offer you a lot of new and interesting things. And, if we are being honest – you will need to have some relaxing time after the relocation. Relocation is stressful no matter where you are moving. Especially relocation with a small child isn’t easy since a small child can’t quite understand everything that is happening. So, if you want to make sure that you and your family enjoy your new home from the beginning – create your list. You can even start before you actually relocate.
You should create a list of fun things that you can try after you relocate to Orange County Virginia
If you like outdoor
activities – Lake of the Woods Golf Course should be your choice!
The great thing about Orange County Virginia is that it can offer
a couple of golf courses. And Lake of the Woods Golf Course is definitely
one of the best. Even if you have never
played golf before, we can assure you that this should be on your list of fun
things to do after moving to Orange County Virginia. What makes it
different is the fact that it is surrounded by the woods of oaks and pines. It
is designed with a variety of slopes, sand, and water. It can accommodate
players of any level, no matter how old they are.
There are different events throughout the
year, and depending on when you move here – you can choose which one you like
the most.Aerial view of the Lake of the Woods is
amazing. Also, here you can organize
parties and fundraisers – and we can assure you everyone will have fun!
Fun and exciting
activity – Rapidan River Kayak!
This is a place where you will create unforgettable memories for sure! Paddling down a scenic river, with an opportunity to see wildlife ranging from bald eagles, ducks to deer, beavers, turtles. Occasionally, you can even see black bears and otters! This can be a very exciting and amazing thing to do after you move to Orange County Virginia. Even if you have never before tried something like this – you don’t have to worry. With you, on this tour, there will be a professional kayak instructor. He will teach you some basic things, how to properly do a basic stroke and similar.
Rapidan River Kayak is an amazing and fun activity for you and your friends and family
The
best thing about this is that you can go with your family or your friends. You can even reserve a kayak as a part of your wedding party, or as a
team-building activity. Also, you can often see a bachelor or bachelorette
party organized right here – this is a great way to relax and enjoy! So, in our
humble opinion, even if you are not moving here permanently – you should
considerbuying a vacation home! We can assure you that
you will enjoy your time here!
The Market at Grelen –
unique experience in Orange County
One of the fun things to do after moving
to Orange County Virginia is to visit the Market at Grelen! This is a rather unique European style
garden shop that can offer you a lot! A huge variety of plants is rotating
every week! Besides that, you will find some gardening goodies that can help
you when you decide torenovate your home and garden. If we can sum
up what you will experience here, it would be something like this: a casual farm-to-table cafe, a lot of
hiking trails. And you will have a unique opportunity to try Virginia beer,
cider and wine!
During winter months – this place is
unfortunately closed. But, on the E.
Main Street in Orange, you can find their store with a lot of different gifts
for your family, pets or for some special occasions as a wedding. And, besides
gifts, you will find Grelen ice cream and
Virginia beer, cider and wine! We can assure you that you have not tried
anything similar!
Sky diving is just one of the
many fun things to do after moving to Orange County Virginia
If you like to feel that adrenalin rush
or you simply want to try something completely different – sky diving is for
you! Sky Dive Orange has been operating
since 1977 so you can be sure that you are in good hands! No matter if you
are experienced or this is your first time – there are instructors that can
answer any of your questions. You can try
tandem skydive or you can do it on your own – the choice is yours! For a
good reason, this is one of the very interesting and very fun things to do in
Orange County Virginia!
Sky diving is an exciting and fun thing to try!
Location of the Orange County
Virginia is great and your advantage!
And, we left the best facts for the end.
The distance between Orange County and some big cities is very small:
Washington DC is only 70 miles away
Charlottesville is only 20 miles away from Orange County
Richmond is 60 miles away
Fredericksburg is only 15 miles away
So, as you can see – Orange County has a rather good location, and you can easily reach some of the big cities. And, as you know – there are many different events happening. So you can be sure that you will find something fun and amazing and new almost every week. The next interesting thing is the 6th Annual Ice Yard Event in Washington that really should be on your calendar as one of the fun things to do after moving to Orange County Virginia.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
In December, 17 homes sold in Lake of the Woods. 4 sold between $200-250,000; 5 sold between $250-300,000; 6 sold between $300-400,000; 2 sold above $650,000.
60 Active Listings for Sale 20 Homes Under Contract 301 Homes Sold since January 1, 2019.
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 home owners. 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.
Research is essential before renovation, as it will help you scope your options and choose quality.
When you plan to renovate your house, the
renovation is an investment in your home. When doing so, you are not only
fixing it and redecorating for yourself. You are also adding value to it
should you ever choose to sell it in the future. Furthermore, as renovating
your house is a form of investment, it should
definitely be well planned and thought out. In addition, as we continue
discussing this topic, we are also going to delve deeper. We will discover the 10 essential and beneficial things one should do before renovating a house.
Renovating a House 101
A written plan and a mood board will be so
helpful throughout the renovation.
Renovating a house can be a small project or a very big
one. Whether you are fixing a bathroom or redesigning the entire interior look
of your home, there are multiple elements to be
considered beforehand. Why is a renovation something you should not rush into?
The answer to this is because a single renovation should withstand time and
have the quality to it. This takes good research, a solid plan and professional
help, amongst many other details.
Tips 1 and 2
Meanwhile, what do you think the number one thing on the
list is? When renovating your house, our number one tip to do first is creating
a mood board. Gather images, samples of textures, materials and more and place
it all on a board to visually create a concept and style. Placing everything in
one spot will help you view what your renovation could possibly look like. A
mood board is also a great idea because sometimes it is difficult to imagine
patterns and textures and colors in your head at once. Having them one beside
the other will help you make decoration ideas as well.
Make sure you set a budget before your renovation so that you don’t exceed your financial limits.
While we are on this topic, the mood board also ties into
our second tip. Placing everything on the board helps you create a visual plan,
which can also help you figure out your budget and the limits of it. Entering a
renovation without conceptualizing your finances and having a budget is a bad
idea altogether. You can get carried away and not even realize how much you are
actually spending. Moreover, adding the cost of all your ideas will help you
understand where you stand and how much you would like to spend on renovating
your house.
Tip 3
Now that you have an idea of what your renovation could
become visually, sit down and create a plan. This plan should consist of all the
changes you plan to implement within your home. Any necessary fixes and
additions you would like to see, along with the timeline of all of this. A
solid list with a good schedule will help you down the road and keep this
renovation organized.
Tip 4
A team of professionals will help guide you
through this process with beneficial advisement.
Consult with a team of professionals. If renovating your
house becomes a big project and you are unsure as to how to proceed, hire a
reliable contractor and decorator to help you. A team of professionals will
know and understand the standards and laws they must adhere to, taking that
stressful aspect away from your to-do-list. Additionally, a team of
professionals will also help you visualize your renovation and help you
understand the possibilities of your house. Sometimes the layout of the house
might not allow you to break down a wall, or add something, and it is good to
know ahead of time what you can do and what you cannot.
Tip 5
Renovating your house is easier if you move your
furniture out and have an empty space to work with. Whether you are renovating
a home you plan to stay in, or are renovating a house in another city, take
care of your furniture and belongings ahead of time. Meanwhile, if you are
moving away, we advise on getting your household belongings to another state before you start renovating. Place your belongings in
storage and keep them there until you complete and finish your new house.
Tip 6
Once your house is furniture free, our next tip is to
scope out space. Once you can evaluate the empty space, it will enable you to
visualize all the possibilities of your renovation. You could also check back
with your mood board and written plan to see if all of that can be done within
the dimensions your space allows you.
Tip 7
When it comes to the fun shopping part, don’t purchase
the first option you come by. If you are going to the hardware store on your
own, talk to the department associate there as they can advise you on the best
options. That way you won’t buy the wrong thing or spend more money than you
should have.
Tip 8
Don’t forget to prep your house for renovating. Details
such as priming the walls before painting them are crucial for the wall color.
Priming the walls creates a better canvas for wall paint and helps the paint
look fresher and stay on for longer.
Tip 9
Check your renovation timeline once again to ensure that
most things will run on schedule. Once you have your belongings in storage,
it’s also beneficial to know that your renovations will be timely so that it
all works out.
Tip 10
Our last but not least tip of this topic is good
communication. This is important before renovating your house but also just as
important throughout the renovation. Good and open communication with your
contractor or whomever you are renovating your house with is very important so
things would run smoothly and successfully.
In Progress
Simply being on top of everything, communicating and
being guided by your plan will be more than enough for a successful renovation.
Stay on schedule, and enjoy this investment into your new home.
Author’s Bio
Troy Thompson is a 35-year-old teacher, with experience in renovations and decorating homes. Not only is he a fan of HGTV, where he has learned a lot about renovating a home from various TV shows, but he has also moved a few times and renovated a few homes with his girlfriend. Troy loves sharing his advice for unexperienced renovators and hopes that his tips will help someone get started and learn more.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Buying a new home and moving for retirement is something that is pretty common in the United States. It also seems that it is something that almost everybody is doing nowadays. However, this process is something that will take some time and consideration. Buying a home, moving and starting over is exciting. However, it is also a task that you should take seriously. Think about your life now, and how it will change once you retire. What are the pros and cons of relocating? And starting fresh? Yes, starting fresh is possible even at the golden age. You’ve probably never had more money and time at your disposal. Now, you can finally enjoy life to the fullest. And you deserve it. Let us guide you through buying a home in Virginia after retirement process, and help you handle it the best way possible. You don’t only need it, you really do deserve it.
Reasons for buying a new home after retirement
We all have different reasons, however, we all have the main
goal in common – we want to make our lives better, every aspect of it. And that
is the main reason behind every home buying process. In Virginia, Japan or
anywhere else in the world. We just want what’s best for ourselves and our
loved ones. Retiring and enjoying your mature age comes with many benefits, and
one of them – you will have much more time on your hands. Time to take charge
of your life. And that sometimes means changing your surroundings and starting
over.
Your family home might have served you for many years, but
it’s probably not the right fit for you anymore. It might feel like an empty
nest, or it might be too big now when the kids have moved out. Maybe you want
to be closer to your grandchildren. We all have our reasons, however, investing
in real estate comes with a great deal of work that needs to be done. Our
number one advice for you would be to really think through your reasons. Make
sure that they are good and reasonable ones.
Gathering the money
Yes, we need to mention and talk about this aspect when
having a conversation about buying a home in Virginia after retirement. Your
budget. It is real estate, and such investments don’t come cheap. That is why
you need to really consider your budget, as well as your wants and needs. What
are you looking for? And can you afford it? These two things can also be very
different, so make sure you know your budget as well as your limits.
Calculate your budget. Look into your savings. Talk to your
loaning manager and ask for some advice. Try to get all the information and
advice that you can use to your advantage along the way. And also – don’t
depend, but rely on professional assistance. Having someone who knows the real
estate business to its core on your team is of crucial importance. Why? You
will want to get the most value for your money’s worth. We all do.
Yes, you will want to hire a professional
As we have mentioned before, having a seasoned professional
when buying a home in Virginia after retirement is your best option. It will
save you some precious time, energy and even money. Hiring realtors or real
estate agents sounds more expensive than it is. And their service, on the other
hand, is much needed. Even though you might be buying your 10th
house this time around, if you are not a real estate professional yourself, you
will need some help for sure.
This market changes, without us even noticing. And in order
to get as much value for your money, you will definitely need some advice and
someone who can lead this whole process. Especially if you are coming from
another state. Relocating from one place to another is stressful enough as it
is, and moving interstate, well – let’s just say, there will be many things to consider when moving to another state.
Let professionals assist you. It is the best thing you can do.
Decide what you’ll do with your current house
You will have to make this call, sooner or later. And even
though leaving our old lives behind sounds fun and exciting, leaving all these
memories behind as well can be harder than you might have originally expected.
That is why you need to think about this move. And we mean – really think. Will
you leave your old house to your kids? Or are you going to sell it?
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you do it fast. Letting
time pass by won’t help you, and especially if you tend to get nostalgic. Allow
yourself to enjoy your new beginning, and say goodbye to your old life. Leaving
your old family house behind doesn’t mean you’ll leave all the people you love
(or the memories you share with them) behind. It is just a property. And the
sooner you start thinking this way, the sooner this process will become enjoyable.
And you really want things to go smoothly, trust us on this one.
Set up your criteria
Your new home in Virginia needs to be perfect. It needs to
meet your expectations and everything you have dreamt of all these years. Make
a list of things that are a must and a list of things that are a no-no. You
will have to make a compromise here and there, but there are still some things
that are and should stay deal breakers. You deserve the best. And now, you can
finally be picky.
Enjoy the process
Your real estate agent will lead the way, and all you have to do is to follow his or her lead. Of course, it is your house and you make all the calls, however, your real estate agent (or realtor) is there to do all the hard work. Buying a home in Virginia after retirement is something that you have waited for for so long. Make sure you enjoy it!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Whether you’re heading down the street or to a new town, moving is always a tough transition. However, relocating across the country presents a whole new set of challenges you might not have considered. Picking up your life can be an exciting change, but it’s also a bit overwhelming.
Need some help navigating the process? Take a deep breath and get ready—we’ve got some quick tips for you!
Stay on Top of Your Schedule
Sometimes a cross-country move can come out of nowhere, especially if it’s due to a job or major life change. Even if you’ve been planning your relocation for a while, it can still be exhausting. Before you start tearing your hair out, it’s crucial to start planning ahead of time.
Once you’ve figured out your moving date, be sure to stay on top of your calendar. It’s easy for your schedule to fill up with appointments, going-away parties, and other obligations. It might help to create to-do lists or invest in a good planner (digital or paper!). However, as you get busier, be sure to plan some time for yourself, too. Tackling a move is impossible without some self-care!
Declutter & Organize
Let’s face it—organizing everything you own and moving it thousands of miles is no easy feat. Start lightening the load right away, and get rid of things you won’t need once you move. You might even want to have a garage sale or donate your gently used objects to charity. Remember, if you don’t use it regularly, you should probably lose it.
Looking for a simple way to tackle the decluttering process? Try going room by room and sorting things as you go. It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you pare down your possessions, so having a system will help ease the burden.
Pack Everything Up
When it comes to packing, it’s essential that all of your belongings are secure. Check that all boxes are reinforced, and invest in some heavy duty tape and wrapping materials. Moving supplies don’t have to be expensive, though—check social media or local stores to find a bargain on some good quality boxes.
Your stuff is in for a long haul if you’re moving across the country, so you might want to take extra steps to prevent any damage. If you’re looking for some good padding, old t-shirts and socks will do the trick in a pinch! Don’t be afraid to get creative—jewelry boxes, small containers, and extra suitcases can help you save some space.
Make Travel Arrangements
When you’re making a move across the country, getting to your new home is one of the most difficult parts of the process. Be sure to make travel arrangements in advance—this means you should research hotels, book rentals, and reserve plane tickets ahead of time. As you’re packing, be sure to set aside any essentials that you might need as you travel to your new place.
Wondering what you should keep on hand? Think of it like packing for a vacation—you’ll want toiletries, extra clothing, medication, and all your other “must-haves.” Don’t forget to keep important paperwork, such as birth certificates and passports, with you in case you need them.
Connect with a Local Agent
Unless you have a friend or family member in your new city, it can be tough to scope out the area. Nobody will know your future home quite as well as a local, and connecting with the right real estate agent can help.
Aside from helping you find a home, your agent can also help you navigate your new surroundings with ease. Working with an area expert comes with a lot of perks, including relocation packages, personalized guidance, and specialized tools…not to mention the local knowledge to recommend anything from the top school district to the best pizza joint! When you’re choosing a real estate agent, be sure to do your research and reach out to a few before making your decision. You want to make sure you gel with whomever you choose!
Ready to Conquer Your Move?
Although relocating can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. Remember, staying organized and prepared will make the entire process that much easier! If you’re new to the area or are looking for some long-distance buying resources, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to ease the burden of your cross-country move!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! 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, one of our area expert advisors 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 properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
