Bristow, VA

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME FINDER

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Bristow Virginia - Homes for Sale - Short Sales - Making Homes Affordable $1500 Closing Cost Incentive for Sellers

Bristow Virginia - Homes for Sale - Short Sales - Making Homes Affordable $1500 Closing Cost Incentive for Sellers. According to Reality Times the Treasury, under the Making Home Affordable's "Home Affordable Modification Program" (HAMP) is expected to announce a $1,500 closing cost incentive for those who agree to short sales or deed-in-lieu deals (deed is transferred to the lender, avoiding the more costly foreclosure proceeding).

The Treasury will also pay the lender $1,000 for accepting a short sale or deed-in-lieu deal. Currently there is a provision to pay second lien holders up to $1,000 to relinquish their claim on properties.

A Short Sale occurs when the bank(s)/lienholder(s) allow the sale of the home for less than the existing mortgage balance. We can't control when financial problems arise but we can be informed and make wise decisions. If you find yourself behind on your mortgage or upside down and have to sell, call me for a Current Market Analysis, I am experienced in Short Sales and will get the job done.

Linda Coffey, Realtor®
Long & Foster Realtors

7526 Limestone Drive
Gainesville, VA 20155

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

(703) 973-2676

LCoffey@LNF.com

Has the Market Stabilized in Your Area? Get a Free Market Report to find out!

Bristow VA MLS Free Search Online for info about Bristow VA homes

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME FINDER

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Bristow Virginia - Homes for Sale - Foreclosure and Short Sales - A Tale of Two Sellers

This past spring I went on two separate listing appointments. Both clients were behind on their mortgage payments and I explained to them how a short sale works and advised they speak with a lawyer before they proceeded so they were fully advised on their situation. Client 1 opted to go ahead and list the home for sale and price it right. Client 2 talked to a lawyer who advised to have the home go to foreclosure. Client 2 felt that they would just wait for the bank to foreclose and that would be the end of it. I advised Client 2 that based on their situation that I felt that Short Sale was the best way to go as you are showing the bank that you are trying to work something out. Client 2 did not want list at the market price and "give it away" so opted not to list the home at the time.

Client 1 had the home go under contract and went to closing in 4 months and will be able to buy again in 2 years. Client 2 called me back 6 months after the initial listing appointment asking me to list the home as the bank was still calling and had advised that the client to try to list the home before it went into foreclosure. The home was scheduled to be foreclosed on within the week. I told her I would do the best I could do and she should consult with her lawyer again so that she felt comforatable proceeding. Client 2 called me back and told me that the lawyer (same lawyer) said yes you should try to short sale. Unfortunately given the short amount of time even with a contract we couldn't stop the foreclosure process. Client 2 said they wish they had listened to me and put the house on the market in the Spring as a Short Sale that way worse case scenerio they would only be liable for the net balance rather than the whole loan that the bank was going after now. Add to that the letters and many phone calls that Client 2 has been getting from the bank since the Spring and continues to this day a Short Sale would have been a better option and far less stressful.

We can't control when financial problems arise but we can be informed and make wise decisions. If you find yourself behind on your mortgage or upside down and have to sell, call me for a Current Market Analysis, I am experienced in Short Sales and will get the job done.

Linda Coffey, Realtor®
Long & Foster Realtors

7526 Limestone Drive
Gainesville, VA 20155

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

(703) 973-2676

LCoffey@LNF.com

Has the Market Stabilized in Your Area? Get a Free Market Report to find out!

Bristow VA MLS Free Search Online for info about Bristow VA homes

That's what the voice in the phone call said. It was an elderly lady who has puddles show up on the floor in her breakfast room after rains.

Four years ago she had a bay window put in. Beautiful job. It overlooks the golf course and was a very nice addition. But it began leaking recently. She knew she had a problem, but didn't know what it was.

She called many contractors. She paid them to come out. Nobody could find the problem, or the source of the leak. The leaking is too new to manifest staining, surprisingly. There is no damage anywhere. They told her that it must be coming from when she waters the plants, or from an open window, or leaving the door open, etc. They were not too helpful!

She knew she had not done those things - after all, we all open windows and doors during rain storms, right? What to do?

A friend suggested that she Google thermal imaging inspectors in the area. She found me. She called me. Good for her! I asked her if the other contractors had used thermal cameras. "No, they never mentioned one."

I asked, "If they are roof, siding and leak contractors, why wouldn't they have one?" "That's why I called you!"

I was her lucky day.

It took me about 1 minute to discover where the water was getting in. Literally.

Thermal imaging cameras measure temperature differences. They do not see "inside" walls. They do not "see" leaks. They do not "see" anything. Well, except hot flashes.

But with one you can "see" a lot! It is a bit of an art, and a bit of a science. But I could "see" right where water was getting in. I bet you can too.

The purple indicates cooler spots. The darker the spot, the cooler the area. You might be able to see the darker spots. Moisture!

From there it was easy to see how the gutter and flashing installation outside created these problems.

I also could tell that there was very poor insulation around the two sky lights and in the ceiling generally. "So, that's why this room is cold?!"

Yepper!

I charged her one half my normal fee, emailed her the report and referred her to a good roofing guy I know.

And I rode off into the sunset...

My recommendation: When you call contractors to determine where a leak might be occurring, get ahold of your favorite, certified (NOT certifried) thermal image inspector. That will save you time and money. And that would be a big help. It might be your lucky day too!