Ginger Walker, Realtor e-PRO

Yes it is true the market is picking up here in the Stafford, Fredericksburg (and Northern VA) area! We have run into situations where there are multiple offers on properties and we are having to come back with our "highest and best" offer. If the property is priced well they are selling and again with multiple offers in several cases.

According to one of our lenders, who is a broker, the latest update is that according to 5 VA appraisers and 3 of her lenders, VA appraisals are taking 4-5 weeks and lenders are taking just about that long to do the underwriting of the file. Yes some lenders are saying they are only taking 2 weeks, but with more homes selling the appraisers still can only move so fast.

This is a great problem to have to put closing out 45-60 days...this means everyone is busy and the market is moving! As we say in our Keller Williams office this is a win-win for everyone! Sellers are happy and buyers are as well..they may just have to wait a week or two longer to get to closing!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Stafford, VA had a winter wonderland and just a beautiful day. We usually get one or two good snow storms a year and this really is the second time this season we have had any snow. Today we got alot of it for us here...about 8 inches mounted up on top of my table on the deck. The trees are so full of snow they are bending over and the deer that came up to feed on the lawn were "knee high". Do deer have knees? Anyway, today was just one of those fun days that the kids off from school and were all outside bundled up like Pillsbury Doughboys with red little noses making snowmen and on zooming on sleds. I just read that the Stafford County Schools are closed again on Tuesday....they want to ensure that the roads are safe for not only the buses but also all the High Schoolers that drive...we are expecting single digits tonight so I guess it is the fear of ice.

Anyway, with all that being said Stafford is beautiful tonight. Everything is shinny and iced over and we are looking forward to another day to play in the snow!

Now wait until you see my posts in the summer when I am talking about the 80 plus degree weather!

Happy Snow Day!

I know that I have posted about the HOPE HOUSE in Fredericksburg before, but this is such a great event I wanted to share it with you. The HOPE HOUSE is a shelter for homeless women and children here in Fredericksburg, VA and they are holding their annual FESTIVAL OF TREES right now!

The FESTIVAL OF TREES is the main fundraiser the HOPE HOUSE holds each year. It is a beautiful display of trees that are decorated by different companies, organizations, or families that are donated for a silent auction. They are also judged for different categories such as Best in Show, Most Original, Most Patriotic, Best Sports Themed, Best Non Traditional, to name just a few! It also includes Holiday Bouquets, a tea, a luncheon, a fashion show, and a place to purchase decorations such as wreaths for your holiday decor.

Just to let you know how big the event is..this year it is being held in the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center in Celebrate Virginia at 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway. Admission is only $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors, and $2.00 for children ages 2-12. You can come in a bid on your favorite tree/item and you will get a special ticket so you can reenter to check on your bid!

Last year this event raised over $50,000!!! The money is help break the cycle of homelessness for the local women and their children in the Fredericksburg and surrounding area.

If you would like to contact the HOPE HOUSE or send a donation here is the contact information: www.hopehouseva.org

I am just so excited that this month teamVAhome.com has 4 closings scheduled..one each week and an additional one that just got pushed into the first week of December. We are very lucky to be working for some wonderful clients here in the Northern VA market, both buyers and sellers, and both realize how important it is to price your home right so that it will sell quickly. With the higher then average inventory on the market one of the big keys is simple, PRICE..if it is priced well it will sell!

For example, our listing in HAMPTON OAKS was listed for only 5 weeks, where the average home in that price range is sitting for 5-8 months, all due to a pricing strategy. We put it on the market where our clients were comfortable starting and right off the bat disussed our price reduction strategy. "We" would have been best served starting off with a lower price, but tested the market to see what what would happen. Around the second week we were talking price reduction and it was then that the house was listed where both buyers found a value and the sellers were still happy with what they would walk away with. And in less then 5 weeks we had a ratified contract.

The buyers are just as savy here is Stafford, and with the homes that are seen as a value they are buying. It is interesting, as in this market most buyers know what they want and what they are willing to pay for it. They are asking us to include specific clauses into the deals and realize the power of the buyer in this market. Again, if it is priced well it will sell!

There is more that goes into the story here in Northern VA, and if you are in need of help finding the Fair Market Value of your Home, or more information about a home you have seen on the market, www.teamVAhome.com is happy to provide a free on line market analysis. We will be posting market statistics and updates on trends so please check back soon!