Keller Williams Realty takes it again: "Highest in Overall Satisfaction for Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real
Estate Firms"... THREE years in a row!
Thanks, JD Power and Associates!
Thinking of buying a home? If you'd like the right balance of competency, professionalism, integrity and personalized service, Keller Williams has an associate in your area!
Moving to the Dulles area (Northern Virginia...Fairfax/Loudoun counties)? I'd love to help!
Vicky Chrisner 703-669-3142
Search for homes for free: http://www.vickychrisner.com/
Click to see the full press release by Keller Williams Realty
Ever wonder who the top brokerages are in your area? How can you, as a comsumer, really know?
Well... each month, our office pays for independently prepared reports that rank brokerage offices based on business volume (closed sales and listings).
In late 2004 and early 2005, our Leesburg office was finally starting to make headway and was battling it out for the top brokerage in Leesburg. Since about mid 2005, I don't remember a month that our office hasn't ranked #1 in Leesburg.
I don't mind giving up the top rank in the county to our sister office "Loudoun Gateway". After all, they combined two offices (Sterling and Ashburn) to move to the new office space located between Sterling and Ashburn... and if you're combining two offices I would hope it would pull you to the top spot. Our Leesburg office is second only to them.
Want to see the reports yourself... I have stored them on Google Docs and will give you access. Click here to see the most recent reports. And, if you're interested in seeing them as they come out, I try to post them on my recently launched personal Real Estate Facebook "fan" page....follow this link and "like" THE REAL ESTATE WHISPERER to keep up to date on new real estate related information.
Interested in enough to ask me what our secret is? Give me a call! Secrets are for sharing, and I am happy to share them with you!
Vicky Chrisner Keller Williams Leesburg, VA 703-669-3142 www.VickyChrisner.com
This summer's gonna be "hot-hot-hot"! But wherever you are in Loudoun, there's sure to be cool music playing. Check out this list of outdoor music series offered throughout the county.
Thursdays
BRAMBLETON'S SUMMER SIZZLIN CONCERTS
Location: Brambleton
Live concerts bi-weekly on Thursdays, Jul 1- Aug 26
Cost: FREE
http://www.brambleton.com/towncenter/
Fridays
LANSDOWNE SOUNDS OF SUMMER SERIES
Location: Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, VA
Live evening concerts every Friday starting June 18th
Cost: FREE
http://www.lansdownesensations.com/sounds-of-summer/
Saturdays
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES BY COCA-COLA
Location: Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall, Leesburg, VA
Live concerts 6 different Saturday afternoons (check schedule), June 12 to Aug 28
Cost: FREE
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/sales.asp?id=14
ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN
Location: Town Green, Historic Leesburg (25 West Market Street)
Live concerts Saturday evenings June 12-August 28
Cost: FREE
http://www.acousticonthegreen.com/
BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES (Middleburg)
Location: Middleburg Community Center, Ballfield (300 W Washington St)
Live concerts Saturday evenings in July (check schedule)
Cost: $2-5
http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Middleburg.html
Sundays
BLUEMONT SUMMER CONCERTS AT DADONA MANOR
(previously located at the Courthouse Lawn)
Location: Historic Leesburg
Live concerts Sunday evenings June 28-August 30
Cost: Admission $2 for kids; $5 for adults
http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Leesburg.html
LOUDOUN SUMMER MUSIC FEST
(Previously the Belmont Concert Series)
Location: Belmont area, Ashburn, VA
Live evening concerts begin in May: Mostly Sunday evenings, but some Saturdays, too.
Cost: Season passes from $150; Prices for individual concerts start at $12.50
http://loudounsummermusicfest.com/
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Looking for a home in Loudoun County or the Dulles area? Contact me... I can help!
Vicky Chrisner, Keller Williams
703-669-3142
www.VickyChrisner.com
VChrisner@KW.com
There are new laws - "Emergency Laws" - in effect now in the state of Virginia which regulate the maintenance and legal operation of so called "alternative septic systems".
Alternative septic systems are anything that are not "conventional" systems. Some common types include: Advantex, Delta Whitewater, Puraflo, Eco-flow and Sandfilter. If you have one of these types of system (available only for the past 20 years), then these laws DO apply to you.
Under these new regulations, HOMEOWNERS:
Must maintain an Operations and Maintenance Manual.
Must maintain a relationship with a licensed operator. In most cases this means that you have to have a service contract, unless you are or you directly employ a licensed operator.
Assure that the licensed operator visits, collects samples and makes adjustments as needed for proper maintenance of system and to be in compliance with the regulations.
Make these records available to anyone who purchases the property.
In addition, if you have an "alternative" system in Loudoun County, you are required to have have an annual "1067" inspection. The inspector must be approved by Loudoun County to conduct such an inspection (see link below of approved inspectors).
The costs of a maintenance contract and the various inspections vary depending on your system, but shouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars a year. In most cases it will still be less expensive than paying a public utility for sewage services.
A note about contractors:
Please note that all contractors are not equal. In Virginia, there are separate licenses issued for installers and operators. Although one may carry both licenses, not all do. Further, Loudoun has specifically provided a list of approved inspectors to be in compliance with their law... approved inspectors may or may not also be licensed operators or installers. Personally, I suggest one stop shopping... hire someone that is a licensed 1067 inspector, a licensed operator and even a licensed installer, in case you need a new tank or drainage lines. In my opinion, this will usually offer more seamless service and overall better maintenance. Companies that can offer you all relevant services may even offer you discounts on larger repairs that fall outside of the normal maintenance realm. On local company that offers this "one stop shopping" with licensed operators and installers and are approved to conduct 1067 inspections for Loudoun, is http://www.ses-company.com/.
Additional References:
List of Licensed Operators in Virginia
"As goes the real estate market, so goes the economy" - this is what economists say, and recent years have truly supported that sentiment.... in fact, if the real estate market in America collapses, so does the whole US economy...and then the global economy.
So, no matter whether you're a property owner, buyer, seller, renter, investor, if you have stocks, a 401K or IRA or simply have a job-or want one... it makes sense for you to stay in tune with the major headlines impacting our real estate market. Here's a quick glimpse of this week's headlines:
The Washington Post reported this week that mortgage rates officially hit their lowest point EVER, with the 30 year fixed offering rates as low as 4.69%! It may be time to refinance, or re-visit the idea of moving into a new home! Be sure to contact me for all of your real estate needs, or for a referral to a trusted lender. If you're already in the market, be sure to check out our earlier post listing open houses this weekend! Also, if you're thinking about buying, you don't want to miss the post from earlier this week on the 4 Cs of lending - how lenders review your loan application and determine your creditworthiness.
Fannie Mae is cracking down on strategic defaulters...the message being: If you need to get out of a mortgage, you need to be working with a REALTOR to do a short sale. Those choosing to walk away may have some surprises in store for them. If you're in a situation where you think you need to consider a short sale or other alternatives, I might be able to help... VChrisner@KW.com.
Our federal government, at the urging of the National Association of REALTORS has been toying with the idea of extending that home buyer tax credit. Even though I think that NAR is a great organization and does a lot of important work on Capital Hill, this is one movement I just can't support. In any case, as of Friday, it has't passed... we'll have to see how this plays itself out. The movement does have momentum. Stay tuned.
HousingWatch.com is predicting a housing shortage by 2015 in the Washington DC region. What do they think that means for pricing? They think that means we'll be back to 2005 pricing... but most economists and local REALTORS don't agree with that blanket statement. I don't. But, check out their article anyway.
Forbes.com published a really cool "migration" map...showing the migration patters of...AMERICANS! Click on your county and see where people are coming from and going to!
Are you thinking of selling? Here are a couple things you might want to check out:
Order a Market Snapshot (works anywhere in Northern Virginia, but you do need to enter your address, some info about your home and your correct email) - a report showing nearby comparable homes that have sold and that are on the market will be sent to you, automatically, in minutes...and it will be updated monthly and sent to you. (No bulk emails, promise!)
Are you in Leesburg or Loudoun? Check out the independently prepared and audited reports showing the top brokerages in the area... You probably guessed why I am posting it, of course my office is #1 - again - for the umpteenth time. If you want to sell, hire the best.
Call or email me today: 703-669-3142 VChrisner@KW.com
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Information on these subjects and links to the source reports are available on the Facebook fan page for "The Real Estate Whisperer"-become a fan today to be among the first to here about breaking news.
To schedule a time to discuss your personal real estate situation, contact me today:
Vicky Chrisner Keller Williams, Leesburg Ofc: 703-669-3142 VChrisner@KW.com
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