Peggy James- "Your Neighborhood Realtor" Serving Lake Ridge VA and Woodbridge VA

The Pain Is Real...The Sadness Beyond Comprehension

The other day one of my clients was looking at homes in the Woodbridge Virginia area. So far she has been unsuccessful in obtaining a home in her price point due to multiple offer situations on foreclosed homes. She is having a difficult time because she is almost priced out of the market based on her approval letter and her cash position.

You see as of October 1st, 2008 FHA has increased it's inititial down payment to 3.5%. See recent post on New FHA Limits The initial down payment to 3.5% of the sales price impacts her on what she can do. On a $200,000 loan that is an additional $1000 needed for a down payment. That may not seem like a lot of money to some of you, however to a first time buyer the down payment is typically the one obstacle that remains the biggest hurdle for many.

Since we were running into multiple bid situations, I suggested she consider a short sale.

The challenge for my client was looking a homes, that were occupied. As we began looking around one of the homes, the children were watching TV and the Mom retreated to the kitchen and kept a watchful on us as well as the children. It was evident the homeowner really loved her home. It was neat and tidy and in very good condition. If I were listing her home for sale it would be an 8 on a scale on 1 to 10. As we were leaving and my client stepped out the door and down the steps, I turned to the owner and said " I will be in touch with your Realtor soon, my client likes your home very much" ...and in that second I could see the tears well up in her eyes and she choked back the pain as she tried to speak. I could feel a lump appear in my throat and I could feel her pain. She was crushed, demoralized, and so sad.

All I could do in that moment was open my arms and give her a hug.

I quietly whispered in her ear " I hope this is over for you soon, and that better things are going to happen for you and your family. I'm sorry this is happening to you." I turned gathered my composure and as I approached my client who is waiting by the mailbox, she asked do you know her? I said no, she fell part when I said you liked the house and I would contact her agent. My client said, how can I take that home away from her and family. I explained that they are going to loose the home, if you like it, and you can afford it, you will be able to buy it so much lower than the current family did. However you must be patient.

I recently wrote a post about How To Buy A Short Sale read it when you get home.When homes are for sale by short sale, in most cases this is a distress sale. These folks are loosing a home they worked hard to get. The situations that bother me the most are the ones that really care for their homes. Where the home shows pride of ownership. This one did. It was so sad.

At the end of the evening my client and I parted ways and she went home to think about which home she wanted to put an offer on. The short sale that was so pretty and in her price range with no offers on it or did she want to try and get the Foreclosed Home that was just under her maximum price point. We would connect the following day to see what a good nights sleep revealed.

As for me when my head hit the pillow...the only face I saw was the woman who just needed a hug to make it to the next day. In that moment she was not a stranger,she was a person enduring the unthinkable...loosing her home, her credit standing and the safe haven she had given her children. Sometimes as Realtors...we feel so helpless. In helping sell a home in today's Real Estate climate we know we are displacing others. This market is so harsh..........for so many.

If you have questions or need Real Estate help contact us.

Relax We'll Treat You Like Family

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company/Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's

Google Peggy James Woodbridge VA

Have You Been Looking For A Nieghborhood With Flat Lots?

Then it's time to take a drive. Meadowbrook Woods is a hidden gem of a community off the beaten path of Hoadly Rd and Rt 234 in what we all in the business affectionately refer to as Middle County. It happens to be one of my favorite communities in the area. For me it's because of the wide streets, the pristine feel of the community, the setbacks on the homes are all different, and there is a perfect amount of tree's. Every time I drive through Meadowbrook WoodsI am struck by the pristine front yards and pride of ownership the owners of Meadowbrook Woods Homeowners.Most people I take into Meadowbrook Woods love the community.

All the homes are built on half acre lots backing to tree's. Homes prices range between the low $400,000 range up to $600,000. Meadowbrooks Woods Subdivision is a home owners association community and there is a community pool with a competative swin team called the Makos. So it is a great community if you are looking for a place where the children can walk to the pool and meet up at the bus stop and ride t he bus to school with all the neighbor kids. Another unique thing about Meadowbrook Woods is the rumor of community Flamingo Parties. On occasion in the summer months driving through the neighborhood on a Friday evening you may notice a huge Pink Flamigo in someones yard. That means the neighbors are welcome to drop in. Most of the time it's pot luck (so bring a dish!)and the host serves the beverages. The kids all play, the adults gather on the deck or patio to visit. Then everyone goes home. So if you are looking for a neighborhood that strives to be a tight knit group..take a drive or give me a call and I'll show you what's available. Check out this months newsletter to get familiar with the community.

This community is serviced by Osbourn Park High Schoolin Manassas, Marstell Middle and Beville Elementary School. It has easy access to Rt 234 which turns into the Prince William County Parkway about 2 miles to the West. Commuting to Gainesville, Haymarket, Loundon County is easy from this location. It's also has fairly easy access to Hoadly Rd and the Prince William Parkway heading to I-95.

I would be honored to help you find your new home in Meadowbrook Woods in Manassas Virginia. It's one of my favorite communties!

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT TYPE OF HOMES ARE AVAILABLE

30 SOLD 13108 CRESTBROOK DR $549,999 $546,000 26-Mar-2009 429 $12,000

27 SOLD 13064 BROOKMEAD DR $454,000 $449,500 26-Mar-2009 175 $13,487

23 SOLD 7876 ENGLISH ST $460,000 $450,000 29-May-2009 215 $13,500

SOLD 13041 CHAMPLAIN DR $499,000 $485,000 25-Mar-2009 32 $5,000

30 SOLD 7858 MEADOWGATE DR $545,000 $545,000 20-May-2009 5 $

15 SOLD 13047 BROOKMEAD DR $439,900 $425,000 11-Jun-2009 37 $

21 SOLD 13259 AMBLEWOOD DR $492,000 $468,000 19-Jun-2009 17 $

13 ACTIVE 7860 LYNNCREST DR $499,900 45

9 CONTRACT 13167 CUYAHOGA CT $525,000 20-Aug-2009 23

8 CONTRACT 7468 GALLAUDET CT $565,000 29-Jul-2009 7

22 CONTRACT 13178 AMBLEWOOD DR $515,000 21-Aug-2009 36

30 ACTIVE 13024 BROOKMEAD DR $569,000 39

25 ACTIVE 12949 CHAMPLAIN DR $499,900 10

Search Active Homes For Sale right now in Meadowbrook Woods.

If you see something you would like to see call me, 703-851-3085. I work as a Buyers Agent for you. Not the seller! Erick and I work as a family real estate team here in the Eastern Prince William County VA area. It would be our pleasure to assist you with your real estate needs. You may also contact us by filling out this form or call our office at 703-590-2252.

"Remember it doesn't you penny more...

to have a Top Producing Experienced Realtor Negotiating For You!"

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company/Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's

Today the Washington Times featured an article about how Realtors are using technology to connect with consumers. It's an interesting article.

CLICK HERE TO READ

After reading the article check out Localism.com

Click the Search Homes Button to get to Franklymls.com

Remember it doesn't you penny more to work with a Top Producing Realtor.

Are you curious what real values are doing in Old Bridge Estates here in Lake Ridge, Virginia. Well take a look, the statistic's below represent activity in Old Bridge Estates in the past 6 months

If you would like to see a Breakdown of what homes are Active For Sale, those that are Under Contract and those that have SOLD CLICK HERE

When it's time to Sell trust that Erick and Company your neighborhood real estate experts are here to help you. When Results Count...Count on Us. Our system will give you an INSTANT MARKET SNAPSHOT of home sales activity in your community. Just CLICK HERE

Got a question? Just type out a comment I'll be right with you.....

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company/Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's

Are you curious about what's happening to Real Estate in Westridge? Well the good news is we do not have a lot of Foreclosure Activity. That is certainly something to be thankful for. Compared to other communities in the area, Westridge continues to be a sought after community to live. Take a look below at the most recent statistic's from the Multiple Listing Service. This activity represents homes listed and sold since June 2008. (note: appriasers will only look at home sales that have closed in past 3-6 months to determine value)

Want more details? CLICK HERE to view what homes are Available and what homes are Under Contract or Sold. If you would like a detailed Market Value Report of home just CLICK HERE

When it's time to Sell Your Home Count on Erick and Company get it SOLD.

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelderof Erick and Company/Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's