Vicky Chrisner

My husband is a Vet, but he always downplays it. I think he feels guilty because he was not in the service during wartime and never had any of the assignments that so many soldiers are facing today.

Even so, he learned how to use weapons, how to face his fears and how to survive in the worst of times. Granted, he's not had to use these skills outside of training. But, post 9-11, I assure you that he wanted to. He was so angry because he was too old to re-enlist. He desperately wanted to do something, anything to contribute to us, as Americans, regaining our sense of security.

...And those are the kinds of men and women you'll find throughout all branches of our Armed Forces. These are the men and women that want to protect us from the evils of the world, so much so, that they would even give their life if necessary.

The thing is, in the military you don't get to chose your assignments. Anyone of our men or women may be called into battle at any time.

Some are in the honor guard, like my step father K.E. Booth, Jr.

Some longed their entire lives to be a Marine...and then were injured in boot camp, ruining their dreams... like my son's friend, Mike.

Some were drafted and thrown on a ship in WWII, like my grandfather, RM Corbett.

Some went off to fight in the jungles of Vietnam, like many of my dad's friends. Even if they returned, they were just never the same again.

Some were stationed in Alaska while praying for an assignment that would take them to the front lines during the first Gulf War. Others were in the Gulf, just wanting to go home. These were my friends from school, Denny and Sam.

Some, even though they've never been to war have been called in to help in the face of hurricanes, natural disasters, and terrorism, here and abroad... like Mike, the husband of a friend of mine, who was assigned to body recovery detail at the Pentagon after 9-11.


So many, too many, are serving in Iraq, Afganistan or other places right now.... all putting their lives at risk to protect us here at home. A recent client (Kevin) explained to me "It's not too bad over there. The building I was in only got bombed twice."

Even those not overseas, are playing their role. They are standing at the ready.... and we're so comforted that you are.

Some are at Fort Hood right now, like my son's friend, Luna; most of whom thought, at least until this week, that they were safe on base. Oh, how we wish that had been true.

From my heart:
Thank you to ALL of you who are now standing up and saying "If you need me, I'm here. If you don't, I'll do whatever you want me to do, until you do need me." ... and thank you to those that came before you and did the same thing.

We always have and we always will need you. We don't want you to go to war, we want you at home, safe and sound with us. But, it is only BECAUSE of you that "home" IS safe and sound for us.
You are all you're all so very brave. Our country wouldn't even exist if it weren't for people just like you.

And, always remember, whether you're sent to battle or not, you ARE protecting us - your family, your communities, our freedom.... in times of war and in times of peace....

for there would never be peace, without you.

Godspeed.


All photos were from my husband's year book from the
Fort Leonard Wood Training Camp, November 1981,
my husband was Platoon 2: Chrisner, B.G.



In yearbook photo he's the second one from the bottom, 4th from the left....
well, that was the first 100 pounds of him- he's put on an addition since then!


VickyChrisner, Real Estate Consultant
Northern VA

Do you work, live or own property in Loudoun? Do you like to be informed? I do, and I am going to tell you how to do it.

As a resident, it's important to be to know about serious crimes that are going on around my home. Things like business robberies, hostage situations, murders, serious assaults... even though I'd like to think that things like these wouldn't happen in my community, no one is exempt, and I want to know if they do.

I want to know about REAL Amber Alerts in a timely manner, and when there is a fugitive on the run. It reminds me to keep my eyes open looking for threats and trying to support my community by looking for these people.

I also want to know if my local government offices will be closing, because I often use their services, personally and professionally.

I want to know about weather related emergencies, like tornadoes, flash floods, or other sudden occurrences.

As a REALTOR, it's important to me to know of road closings (in Loudoun, in Fairfax or major arteries throughout the region) due to accidents, floods, construction or other things.

As a mom, especially as a working mom, I need to know when school is being closed or let out early, if there is a lockdown order issued, or other time sensitive school related situations. I also need to know when the federal government is closed, because weather related closings of the government mean no daycare for my son and no afterschool care for my daughter.

Loudoun Alert keeps me "in the know" on all these things. I receive text messages and emails moments after they are sent through the system. And, better yet, the messages come with no hype - just the facts. Often, even if I am out of town, I know what is going on faster than people who are blocks away from, or in the middle of, an incident. By the time they hear through the regular media or the grape vine, the story's been sensationalized and is greatly distorted.

Although I feared that being notified of all major incidents would frighten me, in reality it has helped me be informed and make sound decisions; and I also realize how lucky we are here in Loudoun with so few truly serious crimes. I really appreciate this service, and I hope more Loudoun residents will sign up for it. It is free, and to me, is invaluable.

Let's face it, Inquiring Minds Want to Know, and that means you! You can sign up, it only takes a minute or so, and you can chose which alerts you want to get and how. Just follow this link: https://alert.loudoun.gov

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And, if you really like to stay "In The Know", stay tuned to http://www.livinginloco.blogspot.com/... I'll tell you about the fun stuff here!

http://www.vickychrisner.com/
Keller Williams Realty, Leesburg, VA
Ofc: 703-669-3142
Email:VChrisner@KW.com

Like many, you've probably been thinking about moving up to a larger home or downsizing, or perhaps even relocating. But, the market has meant declining house values, and you're concerned that if you don't get enough for your home, you'll not be able to afford what you really want in your NEXT home.

Did I hit the nail on the head for you? You're not alone. It's always easiest to focus on the scary, negative thoughts - fear is a powerful emotion, in fact, THE most powerful emotion we have as humans. But, as humans, we have the ability to overcome illogical fear if we're willing to. Let me point out some things you may not know, or may not have put together.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND: Because of a decrease in supply for much of this year, home values in some areas have started to rebound slightly, and are making the sales process (when you price "right") easy for sellers. But, that won't last forever... banks are holding a plethora of homes in inventory (either they've stalled the foreclosure process or they haven't released foreclosed home for sale, for a variety of reasons). We expect inventory to pick up after the first of the year - if that happens, it puts downward pressure on prices for YOUR home. And, if you're trying to wait out the storm, you could be there a long while.

COMPARE THE SUBMARKETS: If your current home's value is less than $500K in Loudoun or $750K in Fairfax County, it's likely that supply is low, and demand for your home is high.

However, at higher price points in the same area, that's not the case. So, if you are "trading up" you may benefit from a seller's market when you sell and a buyer's market where you buy.

If you're relocating, you'll soon realize that our Washington DC submarket is quite different from other areas of the country. Many areas have massively depressed home prices allowing you to scoop up amazing deals. While buyers are markets are found in many areas, some of the best opportunities include Detroit, Michigan, most of Florida, the Las Vegas area and far more.

So, whether you're moving up or relocating, you have a very good chance of benefitting from seller market conditions when you sell, and buyer market conditions when you buy. Can it really get better than that?

INTEREST RATES: Let's face it, Americans buy with loans... so the interest rate for loans impacts you as both a seller and a buyer. Right now, the fed's rate is 0% and it can not go any lower. To artificially DEFLATE interest rates and spur more home buying activity, the fed has been buying mortgage backed securities. This has resulted in a "typical" 6% interest rate being reduced to an average hovering around 5%.

What does this mean in dollars? Well, for every 1% increase in interest rate, if you want to keep your payment identically the same, the price of the home must be 10% less. So, buyers that can pay $500K for your home today with a 5% interest rate, will only be able to pay $450K for it at a 6% interest rate. I bet you'd like to keep that $50K in your pocket, wouldn't you?

And, this won't last forever either. In fact, the fed has announced it will be phasing these purchases out and no longer plans to buy these mortgage backed securities after the first quarter of next year. That means if you are thinking of putting your house on the market in the spring, that could be a very poor decision.

EXPANDED TAX CREDIT: You've heard of the "First time home buyer tax credit" of up to $8,000? Well, that is coming to an end November 30th. BUT, it gets better... there's a new proposed program which will reduce the credit slightly (maximum of $7200), and it's not just for first time home buyers any more! If you are a first time home buyer OR if you've owned a home for 5 of the last 8 years, this credit's for you! Plus, the income limits are expected to increase.... Allowing people with higher incomes ($125K for one person, $250K for a married couple) to take advantage of the maximum credit. If this passes, it will expire APRIL 30th. This affects you as a buyer and as a seller. You may be eligible as a buyer; but even if not, your buyer may be eligible, and certainly many buyers in the market will be eligible, spurring activity and urgency to buy before April 30th of next year.

***
Still not convinced? Call me for a personal consultation. I will be glad to help you sort through this, and other economic news, as well as to discuss your family's specific situation and help you strategize to make the most of what's available to you.

www.VickyChrisner.com

Ofc: 703-669-3142

VChrisner@KW.com

Stay tuned to the Real Estate Whisperer for more real estate news that affects you.

With the $8000 tax credit almost gone, why is this STILL a good time to buy?

PRICES (More House For Less)

Some submarkets have "hit bottom". In the Washington DC metro area, the industry professionals and economic experts believe that pricing for the lower half of the market (generally, under $500,000 in Loudoun; under $750,000 in Fairfax County) are as low as they are going to go, and many are predicting prices will start to increase, and in fact, in some areas, we've already seen that.

INTEREST RATES (Low Rates = Affordability)

The Fed's rate is 0%, which is as low as it can go. To artificially deflate interest rates, the federal government has been purchasing mortgage backed securities. They intend to phase this out by the end of the first quarter of 2010.

This effectively means that interest rates are artificially low right now - hovering around 5%. After the first quarter of next year, interest rates are expected to increase to an average of 6%. For every 1% increase in interest rates, to keep your payment the same, you must purchase a home that has a price that is 10% less. In other words, if today you can comfortably buy a home that is $500,000; by next spring you may only be able to afford a home that is $450,000. That makes a substantial difference in the amenities of the home you're choosing.

TAX CREDIT - Extended and Expanded

Last, but certainly not least, the tax credit dubbed the "first time home buyer credit" is expected to be extended, and expanded.

True, first time home buyers may see a slightly lower advantage to this tax credit (it may be reduced by 10%; so what is now a maximum of $8,000 would be a maximum of $7,200). However, many more will find advantages as eligibility is expanded to anyone who has owned a home for 5 of the last 8 years, and income limits are increased.

If this version of the tax credit passes, it will be extended only for transactions under ratified contract by April 30^th and that close by July 31^st of 2010. No one expects further extension or expansion beyond that point.

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Still not convinced? Let's talk. Let me show you what homeownership in the long run can do for your personal wealth, the continued affordability of your housing expenses and the quality of life for you and your family.

Vicky Chrisner

www.VickyChrisner.com

703-669-3142

Congratulations to the

The Kadarusman Family!

9242 Kristy Drive
Manassas Park, VA

Belmont Station Subdivision

It was a pleasure assisting Bill and Seiko and their family with finding their new home.

This three level townhome is located in Belmont Station in the Signal Hill area of Manassas Park, within walking distance from the VRE commuter station, and all the new shops, and luxury condos and apartments that are now being developed.

We were lucky to find them a fully renovated home with updated baths and all new appliances and flooring.... and all for under $200,000!

I wish them many years of happiness in their new home.


Best Wishes and Sincere Gratitude,
Vicky Chrisner, Keller Williams Realty
703-669-3142

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Search for your new home using the Home Search Option at www.VickyChrisner.com

Learn more about the real estate market at www.TheRealEstateWhisperer.blogspot.com