About Bristow's Braemar

You know, people who have never done a corporate relocation assume that it's an effortless exercise for the people being moved. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight! There are many myths and misunderstandings around corporate relos. Let's explore some of them.

I have been very fortunate in that my last 4 moves have been corporate relo's and have had packers come in and pack my entire 4 bedroom house in two days! Pretty awesome right? Well, sometimes...

Yes it is wonderful not to have to beg borrow and steal boxes from grocery and liquor stores or the new neighbors down the street. But are 250+ boxes really necessary? Can't more than one lampshade go in each box?

Some lessons I have learned about professional packing.

Lesson 1: If you don't want it to go, throw it out before the packers get there or else it's coming with you! That means clean out your junk drawers. Our first redo I discovered a huge box filled mostly with packing paper all carefully wrapped around junk. Yep, junk. Were 50 pieces of packing paper really necessary to secure 6 pens (3 of which no longer worked), 4 rubber bands, 1 eraser, 2 thingamabobs, 8 whosamawhatchuts, several expired coupons and a Chinese menu for a place that I doubted would deliver 1300 miles away. Even though someone else is packing for you, you still need to take the time and throw junk out.

Lesson 2: Lamps and their shades do not get packed in the same box. Now wouldn't it seem to make sense to put the finial on each lamp? Well, not so fast. Not every packer does and what I learned on one of our moves is that sometimes the finials are wrapped in what you think is yet more packing paper. Yep, you guessed it. Every one of our lamp finials were thrown out.

Lesson 3: For each bedroom tape a piece of paper with the occupants name on it to the door. Otherwise the packers will just label bed 1, bed 2 etc...Now try and figure out whose is whose when there are 20+ boxes to move around! When you reach your destination do the same thing. Trust me, it's easier all around.

Lesson 4: Plants. Plants are a big issue. Some drivers will allow them others won't. Ask. Some drivers will allow as long as they are packed in boxes that are not labeled plants. Find out what the box will be labeled as. Imagine my surprise when 4 weeks after we moved I finally got around to opening a box marked books and it was ("was" being the operative term here) my plants!

Lesson 5: Use this as a chance to clean out your kitchen cupboard. Bags of flour, sugar, etc. WILL break open in the box. It's one of Murphy's laws. Jars of spices? If they have been opened, your mover will likely wrap the tops with tape. This will never come off. Spend the time leading up to your move to reduce what's in your cupboard. Use things so you don't wind up throwing them out. Make a list of the things you use up and replace them when you get to your new home. This would probably be good to save on the computer, who needs to try and keep track of yet another list!

Lesson 6: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfumes? See number 5. These will be taped within an inch of their lives and can never be used again. Save to travel with or throw away on your last day.

Lesson 7: Anything that is going to be going with you on your travels keep hidden from the movers!! It will get packed if it is out. This includes, toys, clothing for the trip, snacks, books, movies etc.

Lesson 8: Any manuals or warranties that you want to leave behind for the new owner -give to the agent. All four times I have left these items in a bottom drawer that was already cleaned out and marked "DO NOT PACK" and each time these papers were packed. This last move I thought I was real clever by taping the drawer shut; marking it do not open and putting on the envelope do not pack. All to no avail; they still came with me. Three times I have mailed to the new owners, this last time I didn't get around to it.

Lesson 9: Movers will not transport cleaning supplies-even if they are unopened, so, you might as well give them to a good friend, neighbor or leave for the new owners. Plan in advance and don't buy any new cleaners. Most are multi-purpose anyways. Make the most of them! Vinegar is an amazing cleaner. Use it!

Lesson 10: Keep all closing paperwork, personal documents and financial paperwork with you. Just trust me on this!

I have gotten to be somewhat of a pro at this, our last relo was with two boys ages 2 and 6. We found out we were moving in early April. My oldest son was in half day kindergarten and would be out of school right after Memorial Day. We were moving to Northern Virginia where the school year lasts through mid-June. We made the move over Memorial Day weekend, taking my son out of kindergarten 1 week early in Illinois and enrolled him in school in Bristow for the 2 1/2 remaining weeks.

Why did we do this? Well my son is a bit of a worrier and we thought if he was familiar with the school and met some friends the summer would not be as lonely for him. I am glad we did this. It worked out really well. He was comfortable with his new school and made several friends who were his companions for the summer. It made unpacking and settling in so much easier!

Some other helpful hints for dealing with the questions and concerns about moving with children:

Moving is scary. It's scary for Mom, Dad and the kids. Admit it and talk about it. It's scary to leave friends, familiar places and their home. Let them know it is ok to be apprehensive about the move.

Talk to your children about the move and why it's necessary. IF it's for a new job, let them know. Children pick up on a lot of what the adults are saying and often misinterpret it. Ask them if they have any questions or concerns and answer them as best as you can so they understand. Let them know it is a new experience for all of you and you will be in it together.

If you are doing the house hunting trip without the children, ask them for things they would like in their new home. Go on the internet at home and research the area, visit the city guide and make a list of all the great things you will be able to explore in the new location. Once a home is purchased, take lots of pictures of the new house, the new school, the new neighborhood and his or her new room. These pictures will help relieve a lot of anxiety. Your child/ren will love showing off the pictures to all their friends!

The internet is a wonderful tool to help you find your new home, school, neighborhood and new ways to decorate the kids rooms. Let them help. Maybe it's time to redo the room. Let them choose the paint color or the wallpaper border. Now may be a great time to order new furniture for their rooms. Let them help and get excited about seeing their all "new" room! Trust me, it helps!

When we left Illinois we had an ice-cream social to say good-bye. It was a nice time for the kids to play on the school playground and say their good-byes. Let each child prepare a memory box or album. Let them collect notes and pictures from friends, teachers, and coaches. Take pictures of all their favorite places. I prepared photo albums for my son and his best friend. They had the same album and all the same pictures in it. Both kids have looked at the albums over and over again. I also left room for the kids to send new photos to each other and add to the album. It was time-consuming but so worth it.

Now for the fun...getting the kids involved in selling your old house. If your house is anything like mine, it is not ready for a showing at the drop of a hat. We made it a game, at least for my 6 year old, he helped me by making his bed daily, picking up his clothes and he was responsible for opening the blinds and curtains every day. As a reward we would go to ChuckECheeses when the house was being shown! As for my two year old well, I just kept him gone a lot of the time!

Take time amidst all the craziness to make sure that the children are okay. Yes you are stressed and have ten million things to do. Your children are stressed too. Make it an adventure and you will all survive.

After the house is sold and the movers are gone don't forget to copy their growth charts to take with you! Don't leave those behind.

Another two months of home sales in Braemar is giving us the opportunity to reflect on property values in the neighborhood. This post will focus on the Heritage Series homes. This particular series includes the following models: Yardley, Waverly, Zachary & Exeter. They are what I like to call the "Mama Bear" homes built by Brookfield in Braemar.

There were five resales,all Yardleys, during the last two months. These sales brings us to our average sales price of $340,000. That's a huge change from last report's $294,000 (January-February 2009). A change I know we are all happy to see.

The average seller subsidy (closing cost assistance from seller to buyer) was about the same this report, $5,950 from the average $5,435 last report. As for the days that it takes to sell a Heritage Series home, the number has gone up. It is currently 150 days, up from 76 days last report.

Average sales prices last March & April were $391,983. That's only a 13.3% decrease for Heritage series homes year to year, compared toa a 27% decrease for single family homes in Prince William County as a whole.

You can see historical average sale prices in the Heritage Series homes by logging on to my website: www.nvarealestate.net. Simply click the link to the left for Braemar Property Value Report Online. Scroll down to the Heritage Series. You'll find average sale prices dating back to May and June 2005. The page you will find looks like this:

I prepare the Braemar Property Value Report in a hard copy format every other month. If you'd like to receive it in the mail, please contact me. In the meantime, if you need to sell your Braemar home, or know someone that is looking to buy in our community, please don't hesitate to call. No one knows Braemar better!

Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster, Realtor (licensed in VA), GRI, Short Sale Specialist

703-402-0037, chrisann@lnf.com

It's time for another Braemar Property Value Report for the Courtyard Series homes built by Brookfield. These courtyard homes are near zero lot line homes...five to a single pipe stem or driveway. They include the Clarendon, Ballston & Arlington models.

The averages for this report are based on one resale in March and April 2009; a Ballston model.

The average sale price went up significantly to $325,000. That's up from $235,000 last report (January-February 2009.) There was an average of $10,000 seller subsidy(closing cost assistance from seller to buyer) this sale, which is a night and day difference to the lack of seller subsidy last report. The good news is that the average number of days it is taking to sell these homes decreased again to 29 days, down from 44 days last report. We'll have to keep on eye on sales prices and seller subsidy as the Spring market develops. This is a stark increase and only time will tell if property values settle in this range, higher or lower.

You can find historical, average sale prices for Braemar's Courtyard Homes on my website: www.nvarealestate.net. Simply click the link on the left titled Braemar Property Value Report Online and scroll down to the Courtyard Series. There you will find average sale values dating back to May and June 2005. The page will look like this:

I prepare the Braemar Property Value Report in a hard copy format every other month. If you, or a neighbor, would like to receive it in the mail, please contact me. In the meantime, if you need to sell your Braemar home, or know someone that is looking to buy in our community, please don't hesitate to call. No one knows Braemar better!

Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster, Realtor (licensed in VA), GRI, Short Sale Specialist

703-402-0037, chrisann@lnf.com

Another two months of home sales in Braemar is giving us the opportunity to reflect on property values in the neighborhood. This particular post will focus on the Carriage Series homes. That includes the following models: Maplewood, Norwood, Oakdale & Parkdale. They are the detached garage homes built by Brookfield in Braemar.

As the market has declined, the Carriage Series homes have been in consistent demand by buyers. These smaller single family homes are a great alternative for first time home buyers that may otherwise buy a townhouse. The average sale price this report, after two resales in the past two months, is now $270,500. That's a slight decrease from $274,483 last report (January-February 2009).

The average closing cost contribution was $8,619 this report, virtually the same as last report's $8,581. And the number of days it takes to sell a Carriage Series home has increased to 189 days from 58 days last report. I don't find this a reliable figure as one of the properties sold after 374 days and the other sold in 3 days. The 3 day period is far more likely for a home in move in condition.

When looking back to average sale price one year ago, it is too easy to be discouraged. We've gone from $333,725to $270,500. That's an 19% drop in value. Meanwhile, our county has seen an overall decrease in average sales price, in the last twelve months, of 27%. So maybe that 19% twelve month price drop doesn't sound so bad to you now.

You can see historical average sale prices in the Carraige Series homes by logging on to my website: www.nvarealestate.net. Simply click the link to the left for Braemar Property Value Report Online. Scroll down to the Carriage Series. You'll find average sale prices dating back to May and June 2005. It will look like this:

I prepare the Braemar Property Value Report in a hard copy format every other month. If you'd like to receive it in the mail, please contact me. In the meantime, if you need to sell your Braemar home, or know someone that is looking to buy in our community, please don't hesitate to call. No one knows Braemar better!

Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster, Realtor (licensed in VA), GRI, Short Sale Specialist

703-402-0037, chrisann@lnf.com