Real Estate News About Woodbridge Virginia and Surrounding Communities

You Keep Your Woodbridge Home Neat And Tidy

You Want To Sell Your Home In Woodbridge So You Can Move Up Or Move On

You Are About To Find Out Something That May Surprise You, Even Shock You

You want to sell your home in the Woodbridge or Prince William County Area.

You keep your home clean, the carpets spotless, the kitchen sparkles, your storage room is organized, no clutter, the yard is lush and green.

Your home will stand head and shoulders above the bulk of your competition.

Why?

You may be surprised, even stunned to know that more than ever, I see homes for sale that are filth farms, dust dens, bacterial breeding grounds, with stained carpets, and cluttered with dirty clothes, dirty dishes everywhere, smelly bathrooms, and disgusting kitchens.

When you choose to list your property for sale with Peggy James and me, Peggy will "stage" your home to make it appeal to the buyer's eye.

If you keep your home clean, the carpets looking fresh, give it "curb appeal" with attractive front landscaping, your home will stand taller than the foreclosures.

Heck, if you want to see for yourself, Peg or I can take you on a "pretend" house hunt, pretending you are a prospective buyer looking at your competition.

                            Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News About Woodbridge Homes For Sale

You Want To Steal A Deal On A House Cuz Daddy Said You Could Get $250,000 House For $185,000

I'm Sorry But I Can't Help You Buy A Home

You want to buy a home.  You want to steal a deal $50,000, $100,000, $150,000 under market.

You have two (2) strikes against you:

1. Homes that are habitable are selling OVER list price in bidding wars all across Northern Virginia.

2. If there was, in fact, a steal of a deal that could be had $50K - $150K under market, you'd never get a shot at buying it because the listing agent would buy it for investment.  If not the listing agent, I can guarantee another agent in the listing agent's office would buy it before it hit the MLS.

From Time To Time I Get One Of THOSE Calls...

"Hey there, I'm ready to buy a house, and I want a really good deal.  Mr Erick, I see you're a big player in real estate around here, so I thought I'd give your first crack at getting my business." 

Hmmm... sucking-up and hubris in the same sentence... RED FLAG.

So I say, "Tell me about your situation."

"Well Mr Erick, I figure I can qualify for maybe $250,000.  My credit isn't good, so I'll need some of your expertise with creative financing.  I want to get a house no money down, no closing costs, and cash back at closing.  I'd like a newer single family home in Arlington, maybe something on land, you know, like five or ten acres." 

Hmmmm... lenders don't do crummy credit loans...  Veterans Administration home loans are the only zero down loans, and they don't do loans for buyers with crummy credit...  Arlington home builders ran out of buildable land in the 1950's, and moved out to Fairfax County...  five to ten acres in Arlington???  THREE RED FLAGS.

I don't respond, I just say, "Tell me more about the features you want."

"Well Mr Erick, four bedrooms, three full baths, a half bath, three car garage is a must, finished basement with a theater room for my 60" plasma TV that cost me $4,500."

Hmmmm... no cash for a down payment, crummy credit, but he scraped enough money from five of his maxed-out credit cards to pay for a $4,500 plasma TV.  At this point, I'm wondering if his parents know how bad this guy has screwed up his finances?

I jump in with a response, "Getting what you want, where you want it, for $250,000..."

"OH NO!!  I DON'T WANT TO SPEND $250,000!  I WANT TO GET A $250,000 HOUSE FOR $40,000 - $85,000!!" 

"Well, as I started to say, getting what you want, for $250,000, in Arlington is a show-stopper.  Have you sat down with a lender to find out what you qualify for?"

"What?"

"I appreciate you thinking of me and giving me a call, but I'm not going to be able to help you."

(Long pause)  "Uh, what do you mean?"

"I've listened to your needs, and I'm not the right agent for you.  Now, I've got another call to take, (I don't have another call, I just need to dump this clown) so I need to jump off."

"But Mr Erick, I know it can be done.  Sounds like you're too lazy to roll up your sleves and work."

I reply, "I suppose that may be, but it would be foolish for you to hire someone to take you down the path to home ownership when 20+ years of experience tells me that you haven't a chance of getting what you want."

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

Woodbridge VA Real Estate, As We Say In Texas, Is Selling Like Hotcakes

Real Estate Recovery In Woodbridge Began In May 2008

Real Estate For Sale In Woodbridge Are Selling At Prices 30% Below 2005 Peak Prices

The national economy is in early recovery mode. 

Hey, I got an accidental BA in Economics, so I guess that makes me an economist.  Even worse, it makes me a bona fide nerd.

Okay, I am not an economist for a living, but my accidental BA in economics taught me how to make sense of obtuse economics reports, because I am a nerd.

A pal in the home loan business sent me an economic update today, rich with mortgage banking obfuscation.

So here is a copy/paste, of the report he sent today, with my translation from economist to English:

Last Week in the News

>>>The index of leading economic indicators - designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months - rose 0.6% in August after an upwardly revised 0.9% gain in July. It was the fifth straight monthly increase.<<<  - Translation: When leading indicators rise or fall for six consecutive months, nerds proclaim recovery or recession.  Five months upward is one month shy of the OFFICIAL beginning of recovery in the business cycle.

>>>The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications for the week ending September 18 rose 12.8% to 668.5, the highest since the week ending May 22. Purchase volume rose 5.6% to 288.3. Refinancing applications increased 17.4% to 2,881.5.<<<  - Translation: Lots of folks jumped on the home-buying band wagon to get preapproved for a home loan in preparation to buy something.  Plus, with home values rising, lots of folks now have enough equity in their homes to qualify for refinancing their existing high rate loan to a lower rate.

>>>Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 21,000 to 530,000 in the week ending September 19. The figure was lower than the 550,000 that economists had forecast. The number of people continuing to claim jobless benefits in the week ending September 12 fell by 123,000 to 6.14 million.<<<  - Translation: Folks with jobs buy homes.

>>>Existing home sales fell 2.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million units from 5.24 million units in July. The inventory of unsold homes on the market fell 10.8% to 3.62 million, an 8.5-month supply at the current sales pace, and the lowest level in more than two years.<<<  - Translation: The slowest sales month each year is August... folks are on vacation, or they are settling into the home they bought in June.  Now, unsold homes inventory dropping nationwide does not mean squat to homes inventory around Woodbridge, so it's useless to you and me.  Real estate is local.  Nevada, California, Arizona, and Florida are still going down the toilet, while Texas and Oklahoma did not experience the rising/falling price market because sales moved forward at a steady pace.  Meanwhile, Woodbridge sales are roaring out of control to the upside.

>>>Orders for durable goods - items expected to last three or more years - fell 2.4% in August after rising 4.8% in July. Economists had anticipated orders for durable goods would rise 0.5%.<<<  - Translation: Folks who bought homes in spring, 2009, bought a zillion appliances, heat/AC systems, and water heaters in July for the homes they just bought, then in August, they went on vacation, so sales dropped.

>>>The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for September rose to 73.5 from 65.7 in August. Economists had forecast a reading of 70.3. It was the highest reading since January 2008.<<<  - Translation: Optimism reigns supreme across the fruited plains, from sea to shining sea.

>>>The Commerce Department reported new home sales rose 0.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 429,000 from a downwardly revised rate of 426,000 in July. Economists had expected a sales pace of 440,000 units.<<<  - Translation: "Dear Economists of America, when will you understand that folks go on vacation in August, or take time to settle into the home they bought in spring or early summer?  Wake up and smell the cappucino.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

President Lyndon Johnson lead a vigorous campaign through the halls of Congress that lead to Fair Housing legislation.  The Republican Party members in Congress backed Fair Housing, while most of the congressional Democrat Party members opposed Fair Housing.  Johnson, a Democrat, worked the phones day and night, calling congressional Democrats, calling in favors that persuaded enough Democrats to cross party lines and vote for Fair Housing, and against their party leaders.

Real Estate News For Woodbridge Virginia And The $8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit

Tripple-Wammy Heading Toward You At Full Speed

FREE $8,000 First-Time Buyer Credit Ends April 30th

Low Inventory Plus High Demand Are Pushing Up Home Prices

Federal Reserve Hints Overnight Fed Funds Interest Rate

Home Loan Rates Will Rise By A Point By Summer

You want to get a lovely home, on a quiet street, with trees and lush yards. 

You want the most home you can get for the price range you choose.

You want to get an instant $8,000 tax credit from Uncle Sam.

1.  Well, you better get with your Realtor and pick a home you can afford NOW, because the $8,000 tax credit goes away April 30th if you don't have a home under contract. You must close by the end of June 2010.

2. Plus, home values are slowly and steadily rising across Prince William County, Woodbridge, Manassas, Bristow, Haymarket, etc.

3. But wait, the Federal Reserve Presidents and Chairman are hinting that overnight fed funds rates will rise the next time the Fed meets. 

Watch this short video to find out what you must do right away if you want all the goodies.

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News

Your Home Sold Fast, For Top Dollar, With The Fewest Hassles

Home Prices Stable And Slightly Rising Around Woodbridge Because Demand Exceeds Supply Of Homes

You can sell your home around Woodbridge Fast, For Top Dollar, And With The Fewest Hassles.

The well has dried up!  The inventory of homes for sale in Prince William County exceeded 7,000 homes in January, 2008; current inventory for sale is just a tad over 1,000 homes.

Meanwhile, the $8,000 tax credit for folks who buy a home is about to expire, so buyers are back in record numbers.

"Your home Sold Fast"  What is "fast"?  Many homes sell in less than a week.  Other homes sit, and sit, and sit unsold for weeks and months.

Why some sell fast, while others sell slow?  What do the homes that sell fast have that makes them sell fast?

* PRICE:  The homes are list priced WITHIN the range of values for similar homes.
* TERMS:  Offer to pay the buyer's closing costs; offer a one-year home warranty.
* CONDITION: Stage your home like a builder's model home. Clean it, fix it, and clean up the yard.
* MARKETING: Your home needs high-impact marketing that attracts agents to show your home to their    buyers.  84% of buyers surf the internet, looking for homes, especially homes that give the prospective buyers lots of photos and/or a virtual tour.  In fact, market research shows that a substantial number of prospective buyers look ONLY at internet listings with photos and/or virtual tours.

YOU CONTROL the price, the terms you offer, and the condition of your home. 

My team takes care of the marketing with lots of photos, plus systems and processes that keep our blog and website at the top of search results when prospective buyers search countless combinations of keywords when they search for homes.

You and your home get staged to attract the buyer's eye.  My team includes a home-staging magician, Peggy James.  Peggy has the vision to make small adjustments to your furniture arrangement that make your home show like a model home.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

President Lyndon Johnson lead a vigorous campaign through the halls of Congress that lead to Fair Housing legislation.  The Republican Party members in Congress backed Fair Housing, while most of the congressional Democrat Party members opposed Fair Housing.  Johnson, a Democrat, worked the phones day and night, calling congressional Democrats, calling in favors that persuaded enough Democrats to cross party lines and vote for Fair Housing, and against their party leaders.  

Woodbridge VA Real Estate News You Can Use

Stupid Woodbridge Home Seller Makes Stupid Choice

Just When I Think I've Heard Every Story, A New Stupid Story Comes Along

I recently met a young man found out I help folks sell and buy property.

"Real estate is bad right now.  Buying a house was a bad investment.  So I just walked away from my house and gave it back to the bank," he said.

(The bank never owned the house.  So one may not "give it back to the bank".  The bank just provided a loan the lad used to buy the house.)

I said, "You let the bank foreclose?  Why?  Did you lose your job?  Did your payment jump too high to afford? "No, I could afford the payments."

"So why did you walk away and let the bank foreclose?"

His answer was astounding.

"The value dropped to $160,000.  My loan was $220,000.  I was paying payments on a loan that was $60,000 higher than the value of my house.  I told the mortgage company that they should lower the loan to $160,000 to match the value, that it wasn't fair to make payments for a loan that was bigger than the value, so I gave it back."

I replied, "Did anyone tell you that real estate values always bounce back, then grow steadily over the long haul?"

"Yeah, but if it doesn't this time?" 

"So where do you live now?"

"Oh, we love the neighborhood, so we rented a townhouse up the street so our kids could keep their friends and go to the same school."

"So your rent you pay, what are you paying in rent compared to your old house payment?  Are you saving money?"

"That's the only bad part... our rent payment is $200 more than our house payment was."

A friend pulled me away from the lad to introduce me to some folks who want to move and need my help.  Thank goodness.

Just when I think I've heard 'em all, here comes another one.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News: Woodbridge New Homes Selling Fast

Woodbridge Home Builders Report More Sales And More Model Home Traffic

Over 70% Of New Home Buyers Have Their Own Buyer Agent Represent Them When Buying A New Home

"On Monday, July 27, the Commerce Department reported new home sales jumped 11% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 from an upwardly revised rate of 346,000 in May.

It was the largest monthly increase in more than 8 years. Economists had expected a sales pace of 360,000 units."

I've protected hundreds of new home buyers as their Buyer Agent over the decades I've been in the real estate business.

Did you know that builders have TEN (10) profit centers, ten ways they can take your money when you buy a home? 

Half my family is associated with the new homes business in one way or another.  Family gatherings include conversation about the latest stuff going on in home building.

I have a second career as a paid speaker.  I get hired to speak at conventions, teach classes at conferences, and lead 2-day seminars for lenders, Realtors, and new homes sales managers.

I actually TEACH new homes sales managers techniques and dialogs to use with customers to maximize the builder's profit.

For example, new homes sales managers in our area are NOT licensed Realtors.  They are employees of the builder, that is technically selling their new homes as "For Sale By Owner". 

New homes sales managers are not bound by many of the consumer protection laws that Realtors must obey.

If you want to buy a new home, and you had a choice between buying a home alone, or having a industry insider who knows how to protect you from over-paying for a new home, which would you choose?

Hiring me to help negotiate your new home purchase doesn't cost you a penny... the builders pay a finders fee to Buyer Agents knowing that my duty is to serve you, not the builder.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

                        Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

You Want A Home With A Big Kitchen, Big Yard, 2-Car Garage, with 4+ BR, 2.5+ BA

You Are Shopping In The $350,000 - $500,000 Range For A Home With A Neighborhood Pool

You Don't Have 6 Months To Wait For A Short Sale Approval, And You Don't Want A Dumpy Foreclosure

You Want To Buy A Lovely Home From Nice Folks Who Pampered Their Home

As Of July 24, You Have Eight (8) Homes From Which To Choose... You Have Eight Choices

Click Here Now  to see Active Homes for Sale in Woodbridge Virgina and surrounding area. 

When you see a home you want to see inside you can get a private tour WITHOUT THE LISTING AGENT PRESENT TO PRESSURE YOU OR ASK YOU  ANNOYING QUESTIONS by calling our Customer Care Manager, Patty, at 703-590-2252.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

                       Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

. 

You Want To Know How To Sell Your Home Fast And For Top Dollar With The Fewest Hassls

You Can Find Out How We Sell Homes Fast And For Top Dollar In A Short Video

You May Be Surprised To Know That The Market Is Rebounding

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  In the internet era we have found out that a short video clip is worth a thousand pictures.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

See all ACTIVE homes for sale now CLICK HERE

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

                    Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

President Lyndon Johnson lead a vigorous campaign through the halls of Congress that lead to Fair Housing legislation.  The Republican Party members in Congress backed Fair Housing, while most of the congressional Democrat Party members opposed Fair Housing.  Johnson, a Democrat, worked the phones day and night, calling congressional Democrats, calling in favors that persuaded enough Democrats to cross party lines and vote for Fair Housing, and against their party leaders. 

You Can Buy A Home In Woodbridge With Surprisingly Low Down Payments

You Can Get A Home In Woodbridge With Just 3.5% Down Up To $710,000

If You Have VA Benefits Because You Are Serving, Or Previously Served, You Can Buy With Zero Down

Good Credit Is Essential

You May Be Surprised, Even Shocked To Find Out That Most Credit Reports Are Incorrect

I don't know about you, but when I walk into a store, my instinct tells me to pull my wallet from my pocket, look inside, to be sure I have some cash and my debit card. 

I have teenage daughters.  Like all teens, they make regular withdrawls from "Bank Of Dad" without notice.  So knowing I had $40 cash yesterday is meaningless.

Bank Of Dad - A Lending Institution Ever Since I Can Remember

When you and I buy homes, we need to check our wallets first, to see how much home we can afford.

So get a referral from me, or a friend to a competent loan officer, arrange an appointment, and sit down with your loan officer to see how much you can afford.

Your buying power is based upon your income, less your regular debts, with assets (cash) in savings or investments as a compensating factor.

When your loan officer reviews your credit reports with you, you WILL find errors.  Errors that may pull your credit score down.  Fix them, and your credit score will bounce up quickly.

Correcting Credit Report Errors

Here is a note from my favorite loan officer that explains how you can correct credit report errors. 

If your clients' credit ratings are suffering because of mistakes on their credit report, it is their right to have them corrected at no cost.

Credit bureaus are legally required to investigate disputed information by contacting the creditor that originally supplied them with the information. Keep in mind that the three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union - usually have the same information for each consumer file, but not always.

Your clients need to contact only the bureau that shows an error.

Factual information cannot be removed from a credit report, and the credit bureaus will not automatically remove information from your clients' reports just because they dispute it.

Your clients have to prove that information is wrong with supporting documentation before a credit bureau will correct a report.

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT Act), a credit bureau must remove or modify a disputed item within 30 days if it is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable after a reasonable investigation.

At www.annualcreditreport.com, your clients can request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the credit-reporting companies listed above.

Did this post tickle your curiosity?  CLICK HERE to send your question.  Answers shall be sent by email ONLY, unless you specifically ask for phone call.

You can get computerized, automatic, customized FREE ALERTS by email when new listings of homes that fit your wish-list are posted on the Realtor's MLS.  You'll find out about the newest listings before most Realtors know about them.

That way you'll know when your dream home hits the market.

Opportunities Are Everywhere...We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home.

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  list your property for sale or to  purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.

President Lyndon Johnson lead a vigorous campaign through the halls of Congress that lead to Fair Housing legislation.  The Republican Party members in Congress backed Fair Housing, while most of the congressional Democrat Party members opposed Fair Housing.  Johnson, a Democrat, worked the phones day and night, calling congressional Democrats, calling in favors that persuaded enough Democrats to cross party lines and vote for Fair Housing, and against their party leaders.