Going green is great for the environment, but that’s not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings.
Solar panels: The upfront cost is big, but the long-term savings are huge. Solar panels will cost several thousand dollars to install, but ongoing maintenance costs are very low, and a typical system could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can even sell your surplus electricity.
Wood furnace: Wood-burning furnaces are relatively inexpensive, and though the yearly savings aren’t as dramatic (about 10% on heating bills), it adds up over the long run.
Insulation: There’s a good chance your insulation isn’t very efficient, especially in older homes. Look into installing floor, cavity, wall, and loft insulation to reduce your heating bills.
Rain barrels: Rain barrels are extremely inexpensive, and provide gallons of free water to use when you wash your car or water your garden.
Geothermal system: OK, so the price tag is scary at first. A geothermal system uses the earth’s temperature to heat and cool your home, but can cost $30,000 to install. But tax credits allow you to get a lot of that money back, and the energy savings average about $1,900 per year. If you plan to be in your home for a decade or two, it’s a great investment.
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.
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.
Watch Dirty Dancing with the Licata Group at Lake of the Woods!
When: Saturday, September 29th, 2018. Time: 7:30PM – 11PM. Where: Sweetbriar Park at Lake of the Woods What: Watch DIRTY DANCING on a projected screen. FREE ADMISSION – Please RSVP at 540-388-2541 to reserve your spot! Snacks will be provided. All Lake of the Woods residents and their guests are invited to come and attend Movie Night with the Licata Group. Tell your neighbors, invite your friends. 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 Art Show & Second Annual Wine Tasting!
When: Saturday, September 22nd & Sunday, September 23rd. Time: 10AM – 5PM Where: Sweetbriar Park LOW Community Center & Pavilion at Lake of the Woods What: Lake of the Woods Visual Arts Council is hosting their 36th Annual Fine Arts, Crafts and Photography Show & Sale, on BOTH days. This is FREE to attend. The ART OF WINE (2nd Annual Lake of the Woods Wine Tasting) is ONLY on SUNDAY, September 23rd and will be from NOON to 4PM. There is a fee to get in, $15! You can pay and reserve your spot at www.lowlinc.org. This wine tasting will benefit LOWLINC. All Lake of the Woods residents and their guests are invited to come and attend the Art Show and the Wine tasting. Tell your neighbors, invite your friends. 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
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.
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.
