I'm sitting here looking at how lovely everything looks right now - white and clean and so inviting. I wonder how long it will last. The snow has actually stopped and the forecast is for rain and sleet. My poor 10 year old son is probably sitting in class right now staring out the window with longing eyes for an opportunity to get home before it all melts. His brand new snowboard sits propped in his room - never before used.
Stafford doesn't see very much snow accumulation during the winter. Typically what begins as snow ends up as a slushy, wet mess. Depending on what side of the county you're on, could also influence the amount of snow you get. The eastern side of the county which borders the Potomac River, typically has higher air temperatures which effect how much of the white stuff we get and keep. The western end, which borders Fauquier, may see more snow depending on which direction the precipitation is coming from.
For those parents sitting at work in DC or Northern Virginia with kids in school, a wonderful feature the Stafford County Schools has in place is the email notification system (available in most counties). You may visit Stafford Schools or the School's Out web site to register for email and/or cell phone notifications. Doing this ahead of time is imperative to have up to the minute information on your child's school's situation.
In a report in the Stafford Sun by Jennifer Buske, Stafford's Commissioner of the Revenue, Scott Mayausky, sites that there has been a decrease in real estate assessments for the first time in 12 years and the county expects to see a decrease in revenue from real estate tax of about 4.5%.
"The economy is not that great," Mayausky said, adding that the average assessment of Stafford County home is about $327,000, compared to $390,000 in 2006.
Reassessments of approximately 48,500 properties in Stafford county will be generated mid to end of February. These reassessments may reflect negative changes by as much as 15 to 20 percent. It is important to note that while many may see a decrease, some may actually see an increase.
To determine property values, the county sends five assessors out to visit about 10 percent of Stafford's residential and commercial properties, Mayausky said. The process stretches over two years, beginning the moment after one cycle is complete.
Stafford residents may appeal their reassessment notices using this form no later than March 31, 2008 (county web site still shows last year's form with a date of March 15, 2007) or by calling 540-658-4125. According to the Commissioner of the Revenue's office, the new appeals form will not be available online until assessments are completed and mailed out which may not be until late February or early March.
The reassessments are not an accurate reflection of your tax bill. The tax rate will likely increase somewhat to make up for some of the loss in revenue that a budget adjustment cannot achieve alone. The real estate tax is currently set at $.70 per $100 assessed value. The County Board of Supervisors set the personal and real estate tax, not the county commissioner.
The new tax rate will be set in April with tax bills going out in May and due June 5th. The bill will reflect the 1st half taxes due with another subsequent billing for the 2nd half sent later in October/November and due December 5th.
I've gotten many calls from anxious buyers looking for a forecast into what the future holds with regard to the market in Northern Virginia, in particular, Stafford County. Many of my military clients and referrals are heading back from their deployments abroad and are making plans to get back into the market while prices are holding low and steady. Here is a picture of active and sold properties for the last quarter to present in each of the county zip codes. This information reflects single family homes ONLY. Feel free to contact me if you want more specific information.
Active Properties as of January 15, 2008 Sold Properties as of October 1, 2007
22405 Fredericksburg, Falmouth 22405
22406 Hartwood, Fredericksburg 22406
22554 Aquia, North Stafford, Garrisonville 22554
22556 North Stafford, Rock Hill 22556
Military buyers relocating to Stafford typically commute to the following bases:
Quantico Marine Base, Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Myer, Fort Belvoir, Pentagon, Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center, Langley Air Force Base
 |
|
|
Northern Virginia Real Estate Information and Market Trends - See All Active Listings in Northern Virginia MLS - NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Honesty, Integrity & Unsurpassed Customer Service Guaranteed
Working primarily as a referral agent, my main motivation is to be able to provide you the highest possible level of service as you look to buy or sell your home in the Northern Virginia Real Estate market. You should be so impressed with your service that you will feel compelled to refer me to your family, friends and colleagues. Our time together is always well spent meeting your specific needs because my time and effort is not spent looking endlessly to generate more business.
As an Accredited Buyer's Agent, the buyer's criteria becomes paramount during the homebuying process. Your needs will never be compromised because Dual Agency is not something I participate in. This is a distinguishing characteristic from many in the industry and I stand firm in the belief that no client in a transaction (whether a buyer or a seller) should be without 100% representation. You deserve all the loyalty and attention from an agent who will always have only your best interests in mind.
Keeping in mind that Northern Virginia is a highly transient area, I am always privvy to sales reports and market analysis of all the surrounding counties from Alexandria/Arlington to as far south as Orange County and from east on the Potomac River to the Shenandoah and West Virginia border (and all points in between!). Between the military, corporate, and government relocations, having an agent working to provide you with the latest statistical information and market trends is imperative to a successful sale or purchase.
Also, as an e-Pro, finding you homes and communicating that to you becomes increasingly efficient, as does marketing properties for sale. Using exceptional photography for virtual tours, staging all listings, and incorporating "out of the box" methods to generate the largest number of buyer leads while Marketing Your Property For Sale, I can save you time, money and frustration.
Start your Search for Northern Virginia Homes now!
Vickie Pittman - BB&T Mortgage - Vickie's relentless efforts to find her clients the very best program, rates, and terms for home loans make her the best choice for all your financing and refinancing needs. Contact Vickie today at VPittman@BBandT.com if you are interested in finding out what your options are before you go shopping for a home.
This is an incredible area to live in! Enjoy an assortment of waterfront, equestrian, and golf communities - or perhaps a quiet farm in The Plains - or enjoy the city life - or perhaps you would like to enjoy the rich history surrounding the City of Fredericksburg - Either way, you will never run out of Fun Things To Do In Northern Virginia. From the hustle and bustle of Old Town Alexandria with its charming row houses, eclectic shopping and close proximity to DC to the magestic Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains, you will never be without options.
If you're relocating here because of a corporate or military relocation, there are exceptional links and resources available to help you get started. Everything from cost adjustment, local parks and recreation, utility information, local resources, comprehensive county plans, school information, and much, much more.
"I plan to pass on Irene Morales Ward's name on to everyone I know. She is the best. Look no further! Without a doubt you will find it to be a positive home buying experience!"
- T. Schick
"Buying a home is not only scary but can be overwhelming...especially when it is your first home. When I decided I wanted to buy a place on my own, I really wanted to work with someone that I could trust and that I felt would look out for my best interest, not just for a pretty commission. My sister had worked with Irene before and had been so impressed that she recommended her.
From the moment that I spoke with Irene, I knew she was the one for me. She was intelligent and kind, knew her stuff, but wasn't condescending and she was really ready to help... even though for my first home, it was only a condo. We began to look and she was extremely patient and took the time to walk through the buying process with me, truly wanting to make sure that my needs were met and my concerns were eased. Additionally, she was diligent in her looking. I never had to worry about finding places to look at because she was always on the ball with options. She made the whole home buying experience one that was pleasant when it easily could have been frightening.
When I got married and we decided to buy our second home, there was no question that Irene would be our real estate agent again. Bottom line is, she is an honest person, a good person and a hard working person who really cares about what her clients want and will not think twice about going the extra mile to get it. Who wouldn't want that?"
- K.D. Suddeth
“You took care of us from cradle-to-grave. You began working with us in Italy through constant email contact and lined up a multitude of homes for us to tour as soon as we arrived back in the States. You guided us through every step of the process from contract negotiations to final walk-through and closing. Your knowledge of the local area and housing market is impressive. We were all over the map in trying to decide where to buy a house and you steered us in the right direction. We got the house and land that we were looking for and we love the area! You went above and beyond our expectations. We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks so much for your help!”
- V & J Krieger
"First, I would like to say, I really admire you as a woman and as a salesperson. Over the years I have had many dealings with Realtors and you are by far the friendliest and most honest Realtor I have ever met. Usually, I do not encounter someone that truly cares and really works for his or her money. Personally, I was dealing with a difficult situation, as you know and under extreme pressure to find a place. Instead, you found my home. In fact, this was the first that I was to be on my own with my very on home. You can not imagine how happy you made me the day you told me it was mine.
I am truly pleased with my home and admit this move has made me even more independent and stronger as a person. Anytime I hear that someone is looking for a realtor, I always mention my experience and gladly give your name. If someone is looking for a GREAT REALTOR that is friendly, honest and listens, I will always recommend that they call you."
- S. Pelleschi
“Being in the military and moving to a new and unfamiliar area on short notice, my wife and I were very apprehensive about one of life’s biggest decisions—the purchase of a home. Irene put our minds at ease and made the entire experience very enjoyable. She showed us houses that fit our needs and budget and didn’t waste our time. She took the time to explain everything to us, which was very important to us as first time homebuyers. Irene never steered us wrong and to this day we couldn’t be happier with our home."
- Cpt R N Bakazan
“What my husband and I liked about Irene was her knowledge of the area and the market. She was very familiar with all the neighborhoods in which we were interested. She also knew what the competitive asking prices for homes were and which ones were overpriced. We also liked her attention to what we were looking for in a home. She figured out what we wanted and would visit potential homes to let us know whether it was worth our time to view or not.
We were very happy with Irene as our realtor and would recommend her to anyone looking for homes in the Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and King George area."
- E & B Bilko
Well, I really don’t know where to start. My fiancé and I were in the market for a house. We wanted to find something in the county, not too expensive and in a good/decent area. We had no idea where to begin. I guess God listened to our prayers and sent Irene to help us. Irene made the process look and feel so easy that we could not believe it. We told her what we wanted in reference to location, price, and size. She worked day and night looking for the place we wanted. She sent us listings everyday - at least twice at day - with houses that had just been put on the market. She handled everything with professionalism, courtesy, and always had a positive attitude. She made us feel special. Irene made our dream come true.
- L & S Pena
A Seller's Appreciation
Irene worked with us to sell a piece of property during the winter, not traditionally the best time to sell a home. Yet she made it come together and work beautifully and it happened in rapid time. I am grateful for her kindness, her work ethic, her attention to detail and incredible professionalism. I hope to recommend her to friends needing a realtor and in the future will work with her again. She sets the bar on customer service and results. It has been a privilege establishing a working relationship with Irene.
- R. Phelps
Irene used her vast knowledge of the area and current market to get the best price for our home. With her resourcefulness, the home sold in less than a month in a market where homes were remaining listed for easily two months. We would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking to jump into the market.
- J & K Randall
We used Irene to buy our home and the experience was first rate all the way. A few years later when we had to sell our home, I wasn't worried knowing I had Irene on my side. She handled all aspects of the selling process in a professional, timely, and effective way. The virtual tour and marketing plan she implemented were outstanding and made the difference in making a quick sale.
Irene made us feel like we were her only clients, and she was always there for us. Having Irene on our side alleviated so much of the worry and the stress that comes along with selling your home. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home - it will be the smartest decision you'll make.
- Capt R N Bakazan, USAF
"Bill and I are FINALLY celebrating the sale of our house. Although we were hoping for this outcome, we were also preparing for the worst, so when this REALLY happened it came as a big relief, as you can imagine...And thank you very very much for helping us get to this point and for all the hard work you've put in. I think your innovative and attractive marketing of our house was no small part of the reason why we attracted prospective buyers..."
- C. Pak
"Irene Morales Ward is truly a home-seeker's gem!! When Kenny and I first began looking for our second home, we really didn't know what style house we preferred. Irene listened so intently and paid so much attention that within the time it took to send us a few listings via email and see four or five homes, she knew exactly what it was we were looking for; even before we knew. After seeing several more homes and not finding one we were in love with, Irene discovered a small, new neighborhood with just a couple of lots left to build on. There was one left with a floor plan that had every single detail we had hoped for in our next home. It was not even listed for sale yet! It felt like forever before the house was built and we moved in, but it is everything we wanted, and on top of that we gained a great new friend! We absolutely recommend Irene to everyone we know looking to buy or sell a home."
- K & J Randall
Dear Mr. Alexandra (RE/MAX Absolute Broker/Owner),
I am writing to you regarding the exceptional services of one of your agents, Irene Morales Ward.
Earlier this summer, my company offered me a position in the Falls Church, Virginia area, and my wife and I agreed to the transfer. As an Atlanta native and a New Jersey transplant living in Georgia, we were, naturally, very nervous about even attempting a home search in Northern Virginia!
We began the process by searching for listings online and one home in particular caught our eye. When we contacted the listing agent, Irene, we received an immediate response from her with details about the home along with questions about our search. Emails began to fly back and forth, and soon enough I realized that I couldn't type as fast as I could talk! After the introductory conversation with Irene, I hung up the phone and realized at once that my wife and I had really taken a step in the right direction. Irene's kind manner and openness put us at ease right away and her willingness to accommodate us in our long distance search pointed to her compliant nature.
After only one whirlwind weekend and sixty two houses in the Fredericksburg area, we were exhausted and our heads were spinning, but Irene managed to keep us on the right path. Her tireless enthusiasm in helping us with our search was really what kept us going and thanks to her accommodating personality, we left Virginia that weekend with a possible new home in mind.
We are in the bidding process and we could not be happier with our choice, but more importantly, we feel that it was our choice of agent that brought us to our happy final decision. Irene guided us through the buying process with endless patience and understanding and with the knowledge that comes along with someone who really believes in her own motto: Honesty, Integrity and Unsurpassed Customer Service. That is, without question, the service that Irene provided us with during our home search.
I can only hope that all of your agents are as skilled and compassionate as Irene. She carries herself with great aplomb and I am exceedingly grateful that we will have her as a community resource and neighbor. Irene will be highly recommended by us to our new friends and neighbors, as she embodies what I believe a true real estate agent should be: knowledgeable, patient, understanding, indulging, accepting, and truly a wonderful individual.
- T & O Hooper
Once again thank you for all of your help and patience with me through the "house process", I couldn't have asked for anyone better to work with. - K McIlvoy
You've been working like a trouper on this deal, and Janice and I really appreciate it. We both agree that you're the first RE agent we've ever worked with who seemed like she actually deserved the fees she would be getting and had our best interest at heart....We will definitely recommend you to anyone who asks, and If we decide to look for a home in the future, we'll look you up.... We highly recommend beginning and ending your real estate agent search with Irene Morales. We met Irene via our Internet house searches approximately a year ago this Fall. She immediately sold herself as keenly desiring our business. She wanted to find us a house. Ultimately, nine months later, that's exactly what occurred, and we became happy homeowners. What kept us, sometimes doggedly, communicating with Irene, and, her in return, pressing us to bracket where we wanted to live, fine tune our house desires, etc, was Irene's absolute promptness with her replies. By responding with emails, virtually no matter the time, especially with us living at the time in Okinawa, Japan, Irene eliminated much of our concerns about anything on her end. Meaning, she kept us fully equipped to think and make decisions without having to wait for our real estate agent to find the required information or answers to questions. Unlike other agents we encountered, Irene did not BS us-ever. She did not provide fluffy answers, paint rosy pictures (unless it WAS a rosy picture), or burden us with distorted "on the other hand" explanations. She was always to the point and concise which, in our minds, translated into a business-like approach that met our needs. Further, Irene's demonstrated an excellent knowledge of local real estate markets, the entire home buying process from searching to Closing, and an absolute willingness to educate us on the entire process. We highly recommend using Irene's services and we intend to do so in the future. Many, many thanks for all your hard work to get us in a HOUSE! We are sooo happy here even with the clutter & dust from 3 year old boxes! Thank you for always keeping on your toes to ensure we were treated fairly, got a good deal, etc. We really appreciated the gifts as well - the kids LOVED their toys - helped since most of theirs are on a boat in the Pacific! We got to know Irene when we sold our house in Fredericksburg in 2005. We then moved to Okinawa, Japan for three years. When the time and the orders came to relocate back to the Quantico area, Irene was the FIRST person we called (except for our mothers, of COURSE!) Hi Irene,
We were hugely impressed with, and highly satisfied by, Irene Morales Ward's diligence, experience, professionalism and insight in house-hunting on our behalf. Our association with her began on the Internet, months before we were able to come to the US from South Africa. Irene made a point of carefully evaluating our requirements and selecting properties she felt we might like to see, and sending online links to us by email. When we finally did reach the States, she spent hours taking us to properties and advising us on the advantages or disadvantages of the various prospects. And when did decide to make an offer, she helped guide us through the legal and financial minefields. We wholeheartedly recommend her services to prospective home-buyers in the suburbs and counties of the Washington DC area. - Signed, Peter Honey and Mallory Saleson
- Col K & Mrs. J. Blakely
Take care and
Semper Fidelis,
Mike and Liz Cirillo
- M & L Cirollo, USMC
Keep in touch!
- M & A Kaminski, USMC
We were anxious to see what was available in our price range and how much the Stafford area had changed in the three years we were overseas. Within hours of our first email (even with the 13 hour time difference) Irene had a profile ready for us to fill out with our wants, needs, and desires so she could best match us with a home. Again, within a few days, we had listing after listing after listing at which to look. She was very HONEST with us on good deals, bad deals, reputable builders, risky neighborhoods, etc.
We were also so impressed with her knowledge on home mortgage loans and how the changing economy and our personal finances would all factor into our future home ownership. We returned to the states in June of 2008 and Irene set aside an entire week for us, to basically be at our beck and call. She took us to every house we wanted to see and then some, making special arrangements to get us into new construction as well.
When we finally decided on a home to purchase, she came through for us, making sure we were getting the "best" deal possible. We were dealing with a "newer" realtor on the seller's end and Irene was very careful to make sure we had our home inspection done correctly and that ALL the contingencies were met on time and per contract. Going the extra mile is a cliche but EXACTLY how I would describe Irene. We recommend her to all our military friends moving in and out of the area. Overall, her honesty and integrity are beyond reproach. Thank you very much.
- Mike & Alyssa Kaminski, USMC
Everything is going great! We are almost finished moving in, most of our stuff is still in boxes but we got all the rooms we need done. The movers broke some stuff, but that's normal. My mom is still with us, helping us out with the kids until October. My new job is great, I can't complain. But thank you very much for helping us out in this very confusing process, you were very great and helpful.
- Brandon & Veronica Haas, USMC & PWCPD
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
