Real Estate News About Woodbridge Virginia and Surrounding Communities: February 2012

Reverse Coomut Attracts Home Buyers To Woodbridge

During Rush Hour You'll Be Sailing Along The Highay While Folks Commuting From DC Creep Along

You Get A Lot Of Home For The Money In Woodbridge

Quantico Marine Base has a brick arch over the main gate that declares Quantico to be the crossroads of the Marin corps.  That's because Quantico is home to a variety of advanced training schools.

Here is the Quantico Marine Base website: CLICK HERE NOW.

Quantico is more than a Marine base.  It is also landlord to tenants such as the FBI, DEA, and other agencies that don't want you to know they exist.

Commuting up from the south will place you among the teeming hoardes of folks traveling 20 mph in stop and go traffice toward DC.  That's whi lots of folks who work at Quantico choos homes in Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Eststes, and countless other newer communities around Woodbridge.

You can search for homes for sale around the Woodbridge area on the front page of this website.

When you find a home you want to see inside WITHOUT the listing agent present to pressure you, or ask annoying questions you can call us for a no hassle, no pressure, no obligation showing of that home.  Call 703-677-1120

Happy house hunting.

You'll Find Us In A New Office Just Off Golansky Blvd

Plug 14067 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193 Into Your GPS And Come On Over

The Sign Will Soon Be Moved From Our Old Office

You and your comfort are the most important things to my staff and me.

So we moved to a larger office space, with large agent offices where we can visti, and large conference rooms when we need spread out a pile of papaers.

You'll find us in the row of staggered office.         The neon sigh will be moved over later this month.

You'll know I'm in the office by checking my license plate.

Two large conference rooms when we can plan strategy or spread out listings into A piles and B piles.

The Woodbridge Patch Is A Must-Read For Anyone Who Lives In Woodbridge

The Patch Is A Newsletter For Things Happening In And Around Woodbridge

Subscribe to the Patch Today

I look forward to receiving my copy of the Woodbridge Patch.  I learn so much about what's happening in the Woodbridge area.  I suppose you might say the Patch is the local newspaper, online instead of in print.

Lauren Jost has been the editor since the Patch began.  Lauren and my older daughter were school pals, and I've come to know Lauren over the years.  She produces a quality publication.

CLICK HERE NOW to get your copy of the latest edition of the Patch.

What Are Buyer Closing Costs In Woodbridge Virginia?

How Much Should I Expect To Pay And For What Shall I Be Paying?

A Skilled Negotiator Can Get The Seller To Pay The Buyer's Closing Costs

Most folks who are house hunting have already seen a loan officer to get prequalified and preapproved for a home loan.

When you apply for a loan, the loan officer is required by federal law to disclose the closing costs associated with your loan.

Most home shoppers glaze over when they see a 14" long list of numbers on tiny lines.

In simple terms, typical closing costs on a home loan in Virginia run 2.75% - 3% of the purchase price.

The bulk of closing costs go to two entities: First, the county/state transfer taxes; Second, lender fees that pay for origination of your loan.

There are savings accounts called "escreow" accounts for payment of taxes and insurance.  Each month, the bank collects 1/12 of your tax bill and insurance bill, then puts that money into a savings account for the payment of taxes twice each year, and insurance once each year.

A skilled agent will urge you to ask the seller to pay your buyer closing costs in the offer to purchase the house.  You may have to pay a few extra bucks each month because you'll be offering a higher price, but a simple break-even calculation shows that it will take 360 months to recapture the closing costs.

You can find out more about seller paid closing costs by sending your questions to Erick atErick@ErickAndCompany.com or call Erick at 703-677-1120.

Equestrian Farms In Prince William County Virginia

Horse Lovers And Horse Riders Will Find Quality Riding Farms To Board Your Horse Or Pony

Our Daughters Rode Horses For 10 Years And The Local Hunter/Jumper Show Circuit Is Alive And Well

Windy Meadows Horse Farm Horse Boarding, Prince William ...

www.windymeadowshorsefarm.com/

Jan 23, 2012 –

2 Google reviews

1.  

2. 5304 Hoadly Road Manassas (703) 590-4224

    

   horse stables riding lessons horse boarding northern va - Criswood ...

   www.criswoodfarmandtackshop.com/

   1 Google review

    

3. 16009 Lee Highway Centreville (703) 266-4884

    

   The Sanders Ranch Battlefield Equestrian Center, Inc.

   www.thesandersranch.com/

   Place page

    

4. 13505 Highland Farms Court Nokesville (703) 594-3606

    

   Mockingbird Meadows Farm

   www.mockingbirdmeadowsfarm.com/

   Place page

    

5. 11909 Bradley Forest Road Manassas (703) 369-7207

    

   Little Creek Ranch Inc

   www.little-creek-ranch.com/

   Place page

    

6. 2617 Logmill Road Haymarket (703) 203-9107

    

   Fairview Horse Center

   www.fairviewhorsecenter.com/

   Place page

    

Cash Mob Attacks Local Richmond Business And Could Strike A Woodbridge Business Too

Read The Story Below Then Send Me An Email If You Would Participate In A Cash Mob

Cash Mobs Would Be A Fun Way To Support Local Woodbridge Businesses

Do you live in Woodbridge?

Do you have any favorite locally owned Mom-and-Pop businesses you'd like to support?

Read the story below about local citizens using the power of a flash mob to support their favorite local businesses.  Then send me the name of your favorite local business that deserves a flash/cash mob.

The shop local movement has a new mobster.

By starting Richmond’s first cash mob, Chesterfield day-care owner Rainey Niklawski steered thousands of dollars in sales to a local produce market. And she wants to maintain the momentum, mobbing a different business every three month through her group, RVA Local Patronage Mob.

“I think we’ve all fallen victim to the ease of going to Walmart and Target because everything’s there. But we’ve forgotten that Richmond runs on local business,” Niklawski said. “We need to get back to putting money out locally.”

Through Facebook, Niklawski creates an event and targets a business every third Saturday. Participants can go at any time on that day. It’s like a flash mob, only without the synchronized dancing. (Not that you are prohibited from dancing. )

Once a business is mobbed, it gets to pick the next business for the group to bombard.

Farm to Family,a natural produce and grocery market on Mechanicsville Turnpike that also has a mobile store in a bus, was the first to be hit. About 230 people came in one day.

And the crowd came just in the nick of time for owners Mark and Suzy Lilly.

The week before the mob showed up, the transmission on one of the delivery trucks gave out, setting the business back $2,000. But then the mob showed up.

“We did a week’s worth of business in one day,” Suzy Lilly said. “It was a huge boost to our business, it was a week-long advertisement for us. … I think I cried like four times.”

Lilly said most people were buying milk, eggs and sausage and spending between $10 and $50. Some customers spent more than $100.

The market has been in business for two and a half years, and Lilly said it’s still a struggle to keep their heads above water.

“It’s almost impossible for small businesses to get funding from traditional banks,” she said. “We had a better January then I expected, but we’re still going week to week.”

Since getting mobbed, Lilly said the market has seen many repeat customers.

Niklawski said she got the idea to start the group back in January.

“I read an article about people that gathered and went to a mom-and-pop hardware store in Wisconsin,” she said. “I thought, ‘I should get something started like that in Richmond and do it all day long.’”

Niklawski said the group helps get the masses revved up to spend money locally and draws new customers to businesses.

“It’s a good way for people to realize what kind of business is out there,” she said. “It opens doors for these businesses.”

Niklawski, 26, runs a day care out of her Brandermill home.

Once demand picks up, Nikalwsi said she’ll start mobbing businesses all over town.

“I’m still trying to get started,” she said. “I don’t want to spread my resources too thin.”

The next mob will hit Bombolini Pasta on West Main Street on Feb. 25.

Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News About Inventory And Prices

Inventory Of Homes For Sale Declining

Declining Inventory Is Pushing Prices Upward

According to the National Association Of Realtors (NAR) the inventory of homes for sale nationwide has dropped 27% since this time last year.

That's a SIGNIFICANT market shift.

I've noticed a drop in active inventory in our area.  I've also noticed that multiple offers on NICE  homes in GOOD CONDITION that are PRICED AT THE MARKET are happening more and more.

My wife sells new homes for a local builder.  She's been selling 4-6 new homes per month.

The signs of recovery in the Northern Virginia real estate market are all around us.

Man Seeking Female Realtors To Show Him Vacant Houses

He Refuses To Send A Fax Of His Identification To Agents He Asked To Meet Him, Will Not

Be Careful Ladies, He Could Be Dangerous

Real estate is a people business.  We Realtors are accustomed to showing homes to strangers.

For the purpose of safety, my agents ask callers they do not know to the agent at our office and get a copy of their identification, such as a drivers license or military ID card.

Here is an alert that was posted on our local MLS"

"We have received a report of a man who has been asking to see vacant properties in the Fairfax area. This client has refused to show ID and insists that he only be shown vacant properties. Please share this information with all agents and assistants who are working this weekend. 

Vigilance and precautions are always needed. Make your safety plan with family and colleagues. Please be aware of your surroundings and make sure to lock up properties after showing. Send advisories to webmaster@nvar.com."

So if you call listing agents to see a home they have listed, and they ask you to come into the office, you'll understand why.

Surprisingly Strong Statistics For Woodbridge Home Buyers And Sellers

The Numbers Say We Are Experiencing The Early Stages Of Market Recovery

Sales Are Up, Inventory Of Homes For Sale Is Down, And Days On Market Are Down

Click Here Now to see the graphs and charts that describe what we are experiencing in northern Virginia.