Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News

Just Listed Totally Remodeled Dale City, Virginia Single Family Home. It Can Be Yours..

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:26:17 -0600

One of our recent home buyers referred his parents to me to list their home for rent. I have to say, I was delighted when I went to the home. These folks knocked themselves out to make sure this home was perfection before we put it on the market. I know you are going to be as impressed as I was. The home is vacant and ready for you.

The home features:

A Stunning Addition On The Rear Of The Home
A Huge Master Bedroom Suite, With Full Bath And Walk-in Closet
Three Full Baths
A Extremely Large Family Room and Billiard Room With Masonry Fireplace
A Totally Renovated Kitchen With Gorgeous Breakfast Room
A Fenced Rear Yard, BBQ Pit, And Hobbyist Shed
Off-street Parking For Two Vehicles
The Home Is Located In The G Section Of Dale City, Virginia
Listed For $1700.00 A Month
Non-Smokers Preferred, Pets On A Case-By-Case Basic
Call Me For Details And To Schedule An Appointment To See The Home.

Do You Need Real Estate Help? Call Me at 703-590-2252 or Click The Blue Box To Send Me An Email

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

Real Estate News About Buying Or Selling Homes In Woodbridge VA

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:22:58 -0600

Real Estate News About Buying Or Selling Homes In Woodbridge Virginia

You Can Make Your Home Burglar-Proof With A Few Easy Steps

I Know Lots Of Folks Here In Woodbridge And They Know Me

None Of The Folks I Know Have Mentioned Burglaries In Their Neighborhood, But It Could Happen

I moved to Lake Ridge And The Western Side Of Prince William County In 1983.

Over the past 27 years, I've felt safe from crime, surrounded by neighbors who watch out for each other.

I've taken plenty of 11 PM walks around the neighborhood wearing my "Neighborhood Watch" vest, carrying a flashlight.

In my personal experience as a Woodbridge/Westridge/Lake Ridge resident, I have enjoyed feeling safe any time, day or night.

The few crimes, about which I have heard, have been daytime burglaries, by crooks snatching jewels, cash, credit card statements, and other valuables that may fit in a pouch when they exit the house; your 63" flat screen TV will likely be left untouched.

There are some really great tips here:
THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU: I am particularly interested in the part about the wasp spray...

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system . If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv.com/)


8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs http://www.crimedoctor.com/ and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job

Protection for you and your home:
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.):

WASP SPRAY
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into theoffice on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

FROM ANOTHER SOURCE

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life.
Please share this with all the people in your life.

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 Real Estate News About Fannie Mae Foreclosed Homes

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:30:37 -0600

Real Estate News About Homes Foreclosed By Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae Offers FREE Closing Costs When You Buy A Fannie Mae Foreclosure

Fannie Mae Home Path Program For Foreclosed Homes Offer Buyers Up To 3.5% Of The Price To Pay Buyer Closing Costs

	News Release
	Immediate Release
	January 28, 2010

	Fannie Mae Announces 3.5 Percent Seller Assistance on HomePath® Properties Incentive Part of Ongoing Effort to Stabilize Neighborhoods WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) announced today that people purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned HomePath® property will receive up to 3.5 percent of the final sales price to be used toward closing cost assistance or their choice of appliances. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed on HomePath.com before May 1, 2010. "Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing the inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover. Many families are taking advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit to buy a new home so this is a great time for Fannie Mae to offer some additional help," said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management. "Homebuyers have the option to choose between financial assistance toward closing costs or new appliances for their home." Properties eligible for this incentive are listed on HomePath.com and most listings include detailed property descriptions, photographs, community and school information and more. In addition, many Fannie Mae-owned properties are eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing which offers homebuyers an opportunity to purchase with as little as 3 percent down.

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

Equal Housing Opportunity

Real Estate News For Woodbridge VA And How You Can Get The Bargain Homes

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:47:06 -0600

Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate News

Woodbridge VA Homes For Sale At Affordable Homes For Folks Who Want To Move Up

You Can Get Large Homes At Low Prices

"Hey Mr Erick, Where Are The Bargain Homes This Year?"

I reply, "The $500,000 - $800,000 Luxury Homes."

The numbers are compelling IF you bought your home in the 1990's, you did not take a huge chunk of your 2004 equity out of your home with a Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC), nor did you get a "cash-out" refinance at the top market.

Watch this short video clip. After you watch the video, you'll be prepared to grasp the numbers.

You may be the ideal candidate to sell your home fast, for top dollar, and move up to the luxurious "Big House" you couldn't afford.

Luxury, executive style homes that SOLD new for $750,000 in 2005, are selling in 2010 for $525,000 - $550,000... same as the peak value of your present home.

You are "above water", as compared to folks who are "under water.

You are above water if your home's value in 2010 is higher than the balance owed on your mortgage, while the poor schmuck who used a zero-down loan in 2005 deep under water, because home values are 30% below 2005 values.

For example, you bought your home in January, 1997, for $256,000, put down 10% ($25,600), financed 90% ($230,400) at 6.0% on a 30-year loan.

Fast forward to 2005, when your home value peaked somewhere around $525,000 - $550,000.

Friends and neighbors were sucking gobs of cash out of their homes with sky-high HELOC's; buying big boats, Harley's, lavish vacations, Escalades, and Corvette's.

Others used the cash to finish their basement, add a sun room, remodel/update the kitchen and baths.

You resisted your neighbor's urge to harvest gobs of equity with a huge HELOC. Okay, so maybe you got an interest-only $25,000 HELOC to finish the basement, and buy shares of Apple Computer stock.

Your mortgage balance in January, 2010, has amortized down to $210,252, and let's pretend that you paid your HELOC down to $5,000 in January. Your combined pay-off is $215,252.

You paid $256,000; you can sell it now for $368,000; your gain on investment is $112,000. Your home value is still up $112,000 from the price you paid.

But wait, it gets better...

Your total loan balances are paid-down to $215,252. You have $152,748 of equity in your home.

Here is where your life could get exciting!!

You could sell you present home at today's market value, go buy your Dream Home you couldn't afford when the price was $800,000 for today's $550,000 price, make a 20% down payment of $110,000.... you would get a $440,000, 30 year home loan with a lower interest rate.

You can find out how you can turn your Dream Home into a dream-come-true when you sit down with your Family Realtor to explore the possibilities.

If you do not have a Family Realtor, you are most welcome to visit with me on the phone: 703-590-2252. If you like what you hear, you can find out from me what to do next to make your Dream Home your next home, right now.

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

Equal Housing Opportunity

Woodbridge Home Grown Musicians Have A New Stage To Play

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:37:46 -0600

Bars and clubs around the region offer local musicians a venue to play and sing, just for the fun of it, at what are called "Open Mic(rophone) Nights".

Lake Ridge had NO open mic nights.... until now.

Brittany's Sports Bar now offers open mic night every Monday evening, 8 PM - 11:45 PM.

I played and sang there last night to a lively crowd that was hungry for live music.

Now that I can get my "fix" of open night night singin' and playin' in Lake Ridge at Brittany's on Mondays, I don't need to go up to Alexandria to Tiffany Tavern.

The ringmaster, Jason Masi, plays and sings songs you know by heart with joy and enthusiasm that will get you boots tapping along with the beat.

My open mic song list focuses on humor; fun and funny songs about current events, drinkin', and sailing away to the Caribbean.

Open mic at Brittany's is a new offering at Brittany's.

So if you play and sing, tune-up your guitar and come on over.

If you want to relax and chat with friends over a cold beverage, come to Brittany's where the music is good, but not so loud as to drown out coverstation; you won't have to YELL across the table whilst chatting with your pals.

Also, no post about Brittany's is complete without mentioning their world-famous chicken wings.

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

Woodbridge Real Estate News Western Bypass Will Reduce I-95 Congestion

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:44:53 -0600

Woodbridge Real Estate News About Western Bypass That Will Reduce I-95 Congestion

You'll Get To The Pentagon, Crystal City, Fort Belvoir, And Downtown From Woodbridge, with less traffic.

Western Bypass Will Be A Win-Win For Travelers And You Commuters

North/South Long-Distance Trucks And Travelers Get Speedy Route Past The Region On The Bypass

Separating North/South Travelers From I-95 Commuters Means Less Congestion For Commuters

I-95 is "Main Street" for highway travelers up and down the east coast, from Miami to Maine.

Vacationers from Cape Cod driving to Myrtle Beach for a week of golf mix with locals getting to and from work.

Folks from Myrtle Beach travel north in summer to vacation on Cape Cod, mingling with commuters just trying to get home after a tough day at the office.

You want less time on the road, and save fuel.

The need for a western regional bypass was established in 1950.

Numerous state and regional studies over the past 60 years have reaffirmed that need.

THAT'S RIGHT!! 60 YEARS OF NUMEROUS STUDIES, BUT NO ACTION!! WE NEED ACTION RIGHT NOW!!

Washington Post, "An Ambitious Gridlock Remedy", from May 5, 1990. The sub-heading says, "As Beltway Groans Under Traffic Burden, Bypass Plan Dusted Off". It is about the proposals for an eastern bypass and a western bypass of the D.C. area.

SEE!! A 20 YEAR-OLD STUDY AND NO ACTION, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO ROAD, NO RELIEF FOR YOU!

EACH STUDY IS EXPENSIVE!! BY THE TIME THE BYPASS GETS BUILT, THE PRICE TAG FOR ALL THE STUDIES COMBINED WILL LIKELY BE GREATER THAN THE PRICE TO BUILD THE DOG-GONE ROAD!!

CALL, FAX, AND EMAIL YOUR DELEGATE RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM TO BUILD THE ROAD!!
"Dear Delegate, here are two options for building the bypass... pick one and go".

House of Delegates Bill 2019 (HB 2019) enacted last year required the CTB (Commonwealth Transportation Board) to identify and develop improvement plans for Corridors of Statewide Significance.

The recently CTB-approved Virginia Transportation 2035 (VTrans2035), a statewide transportation plan providing additional capacity to move traffic around the Washington area and connect Dulles Airport with I-95 and other parts of the Commonwealth by the year 2035.

Fairfax Delegate David Albo has introduced legislation directing the CTB to move a Western Bypass closer to reality.

Bill Number: HB 277 Will Get The Western Bypass Started, Your Support Is Needed To Pass The Bill

Chief Patron: Delegate Dave Albo

Co-Patron: Delegate Tom Rust

Description: Requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish a Washington Bypass transportation corridor.

Text: to read the complete text, click here.

Committee Assignment: House Transportation Committee

Act Now:

YOU... YES YOU... Click the links below to send your email to support for HB 277 to your legislators working for you in Richmond.
Pick up the phone, call your delegate's office and register your support for HB 277.
Print the email you just sent to your delegate, and fax it to your delegate's office.
For House Transportation Committee contact info, click here. (Includes a link to send an email to all House Transportation Committee members.)

For a sample message, click here.

The House Transportation Committee is expected to consider this bill soon.
A Washington Bypass is Critical to Regional Mobility, Prosperity, and Dulles Airport's Future.
Urge House Transportation Committee Members
To Vote "Yes" for HB 277

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance is the only organization focused solely on making better transportation a reality for Northern Virginia citizens and businesses.

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

Exit 1st Choice Realty Woodbridge Helps Habitat For Humanity Blitz-Build

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:33:24 -0600

Exit Realty Internation Is An Active Participant In Habitat for Humanity

Erick Blackwelder Is An Active Participant In Habitat For Humanity

Exit 1st Choice Realty Woodbridge Will Help Blitz-Build An Entire One In A Day In Orlando Florida

Exit 1st Choice Realty Volunteers Will Help Build FOUR (4) Homes Each Day With Habitat Orlando

Exit 1st Choice Realty Volunteers Will Fly Down For Blitz-Builds Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 20, Apr 24

Have You Promised The Family A Trip To Disney World?

Plan Your Trip To The Land Of The Mouse Around One Of The Build Dates And Let The Family Participate

Your Family Will Have Fun, Build A Life-Long Memory, And Give A Deserving Family A Dream-Come-True

Don't miss your chance to have a life-changing experience while contributing to the local community by participating in EXIT Realty's Orlando, Florida Habitat Build!

Log onto the ERC and click on the Habitat sign up link to register.

For more information, please email habitat@exitrealty.com

Blitz dates: January 28, February 25, March 20 and April 24

*Complimentary t-shirts will be provided onsite.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

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 VA Real Estate News About Faster FHA Foreclosure Sales For You

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:40:57 -0600

Woodbridge VA Real Estate News About Faster FHA Foreclosure Sales For You

You Can Buy FHA Foreclosures Without The Wait In Woodbridge VA

Woodbridge Home Buyers Get Easy Foreclosure Homes For Sale

Woodbridge Home Loan Expert Explains How You Can Get A Foreclosure In Woodbridge Fast & Easy

Howdy Folks,

Take three minutes out of your day to read a quick, power-packed explanation of new FHA guidelines that I got today from Tom Halfpap at Suntrust Mortgage.

Tom was already among the most sought-after loan officers in Woodbridge, 20+ years ago, when I left Fortune 500 America to start my own real estate company.

You must remember, not all loan officers are alike, they are not cookie-cutter stamped out of one mold.

The ordinary loan officer has, on average, just three (3) years experience.

The mortgage business is demanding. The business is fast-paced, over-regulated, complex, and often quite complicated.

Only smart and tough people like Tom Halfpap, with superior math skills, plus good "people" skills to THRIVE over 25 years in mortgage banking.

Tom got the early scoop on new rules from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that shall make it easier to buy an FHA foreclosed home.

So I did a copy/paste of Tom's inside scoop into my blog.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New HUD Policy Created to Allow Quicker Foreclosure Re-sales!

Effective February 1, 2010 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will relax FHA rules that prohibit insuring mortgages on homes that are owned by the seller for less than 90 days - a move that could help expedite the rehabilitation and resale of foreclosure properties.

In a housing market where tighter lending requirements have made FHA financing the only option for some buyers, this 90-day policy has (1) kept some homebuyers from being able to purchase affordable homes and (2) prevented the quick resale of foreclosed properties, which affects the ability of communities to stabilize and rebuild.

Research has shown that the buying, fixing, and reselling of foreclosed properties is often achieved in less than three months time.

The temporary waiver, which will expand access to FHA mortgage insurance to many, will be in effect for a period of one year, unless extended or withdrawn by the FHA.

With this in mind, now may be an excellent time to contact clients who have recently purchased a foreclosed property and those who may be on the fence about purchasing a foreclosure as a short-term investment.

"FHA borrowers, because of the restrictions we are now lifting, have often been shut out from buying affordable properties," said FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens. "This action will enable our borrowers, especially first-time buyers, to take advantage of this opportunity."

To ensure FHA borrowers are protected from inflated prices, the policy has certain restrictions, including:

All transactions must be arms-length and there can be no identity of interest between the buyer and seller.
If the sales price of the property is 20 percent or more above the seller's acquisition cost, the lender must meet specific conditions for the waiver to apply.
The waiver is limited to forward mortgages, and cannot be used under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) purchase program.

You can read the full text of the waiver on HUD.gov.

Sincerely,

Tom Halfpap
SunTrust
(202) 716-6052
thomas.halfpap@suntrust.com

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

Equal Housing Opportunity

Real Estate News For Woodbridge With 2009 Sales Record

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:15:34 -0600

2009 Sales In Woodbridge Make Real Estate News Across The State

Real Estate News For Woodbridge About Homes Listed And Sold

Foreclosure And Short Sales In Woodbridge Virginia

Howdy Folks, and welcome to a new year, and a new decade.

My crack team of skilled staffers assembles a snapshot of numbers for the previous year.

My top-notch staff of seasoned veterans pulled the numbers are pulled from our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that is, in fact, the Metropolitan Realtors Information Service (MRIS).

What a good lookin' bunch of folks.

Why do we pull numbers from MRIS?

Every home listed for sale by any Realtor, at every office, for every company in the region, MUST enter the information about all homes for sale under "ACTIVE" status in MRIS.

When the home sells, Realtors MUST record the actual SOLD price in the listing, along with the contract date, the closing date, seller-paid buyer closing costs, and move the listing from "UNDER CONTRACT" to "SOLD" status.

When an ACTIVE listing is taken off the market at the seller's request, those listings are moved to "WITHDRAWN" status. In other words, the owners gave-up, quit, and chose to stay in their homes until the market meets their price.

When an ACTIVE listing agreement between owner and broker reaches the end of the period to which seller and agent agreed, the listing automatically moves itself to "EXPIRED" status in MRIS.

Homes that are temporarily taken off the market for a few days or a couple of weeks, the listing is moved from ACTIVE to "TO" status. For example seller asks the broker to move his house to TO status include a wide array of personal seller situations: the end-of-year holiday season when the house may be full of house guests, or gift wrap and baking cookies make a mess; a burst pipe summons a batallion of contractors to repair the damage; Mom & Dad want two weeks of uninterrupted peace and quiet when a new baby comes home.

Home builders typically pay an agent a flat fee to list homes "UNDER CONTRACT" while the builder is in the process of constructing their homes on behalf of folks who have contracted for a new home.

Finally, 2009 was the first year that MRIS tracked a full year of homes sold after foreclosure, plus homes that are sold by short-sale.

So without further fanfare, let's see those numbers for Prince William County

12,723 homes were put up for sale between January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009.

In 2009, 6,831 homes SOLD and settled in Prince William County. So roughly 50% of all homes that were listed as ACTIVE at some time in 2009 actually sold and settled.

On December 31, 2009 2141 UNDER CONTRACT, pending settlement.

We add the 6,381 SOLD homes to the 2,141 homes that were UNDER CONTRACT pending settlement on December 31, 2009, and we see that the market ABSORBED 8,522 ACTIVE listings.

That yields an Annual Absorption Rate of 67% throughout the year 2009, meaning that 67% of homes listed ACTIVE in 2009 were chosen by ready-to-buy home buyers.

When we spread all 8,522 homes absorbed by the market across all 12 months in 2009, we see that, on average, 710 SOLD each month. You and I know that some months are fast, others are slow, but the monthly average of homes SOLD in 2009 was 710 homes.

Conversely, 33% of Prince William County homes listed For Sale, in ACTIVE status in 2009 did not sell.

For example, in 2009, 2,294 homes were WITHDRAWN from the market at the Seller's request.

On December 31, 2009, MRIS reported 87 homes as TO, temporarily off the market.

Over all 12 months of 2009, only 678 MRIS listings in Prince William County EXPIRED at the end of the listing period to which seller and agent agreed.

Turning to the home builders, there are 191 new homes under construction on behalf of buyers who have contracted to have those homes built, chunked down hefty deposits, and who are looking forward to when their homes are complete.

Homes that were FORECLOSED by banks, then SOLD by the bank to the next owner add up to 2,866.

Among the 8,522 that were absorbed by the market in 2009, roughly 33% of homes sold were bank sales of foreclosed properties.

Homes SOLD by SHORT SALE in 2009 added up to 3187.

Last, but not least, here is a HUGE bright spot of good news for potential home sellers in 2010.

1,084 homes are FOR SALE as ACTIVE listings across Prince William County as I tap this post on my keys.

That means we have roughly a-month-and-a-half of ACTIVE inventory FOR SALE in the County today.

It's a Seller's market.

Newly listed homes in tip-top conditions create an auction that attracts multiple bids from teeming hordes of ready-to-buy buyers withe FULLY APPROVED FINANCING. No kidding.

I can point to sold homes in MRIS that attracted 5, 12, even 22 offers.

There are more buyers right now than homes for sale in Prince William County.

So if you have been thinking about moving at some time in 2010, call your Family Realtor today to get detailed facts about your specific neighborhood.

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.

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 About Woodbridge Virginia

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:58:59 -0600

Real Estate News About Woodbridge Virginia

Homes For Sale In Woodbridge VA

Foreclosure Fraud And Fake Foreclosures Are Popping Up All Around

When you buy a home with a home loan from a mortgage banking company, your loan will be sold by your lender to another bank.

If you own a home, and you get notice that your home loan shall be sold to another bank, telling you where and how you will make your payments, you MUST obtain TWO letters, or you could become another victim of loan fraud.

For example, pretend you have your monthly mortgage payment East West Mortgage Company since you bought the house last year.

One day, you get a letter from North Star mortgage company saying East West sold your loan to North Star, so please send all future payments to a post office box in a city far away.

If East West truly sold your mortgage to North Star, you will also get a letter from East West Mortgage telling you that North Star Bank bought your loan, and East West will tell you to send future loan payments to the EXACT same address given in the letter from North Star Bank.

BEWARE!!

Thousands of home owners fall prey to FAKE mortgage sale letters from crooks who crank out tens of thousands of FAKE "Your loan has been sold..." letters.

Most folks have been warned about fake loan sale letters by their lender, their Realtor, and friends.

The crooks know their scheme is a "Numbers Game". Send out ten-thousand letters, and if just 1% of the recipients fall for the scheme, that's 100 victims sending the crooks hundreds of thousands of dollars for a month, maybe two. By the time the FBI pounces, the crooks have already abandoned the post office box they rented under a fake name; the checks have been deposited in a bank, withdrawn, laundered, and sent to an off-short private bank.

Most folks have been warned to obtain a loan sale letter from their current lender, in which the name and address of the new mortgage company is stated. Next, compare the letter from the loan company that buys your loan to the letter from the company that is selling your loan.

Be sure the two letters support each other.

If you have any doubts whatsoever, just call the mortgage company that has processed your payments, and get confirmation from Customer Service.

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.

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

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

Real Estate News About Homes For Sale In Woodbridge VA Shows New Homes A Good Buy But Beware

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:58:22 -0600

Real Estate News For Woodbridge VA

New Home Builders Offering Best Value Among Homes For Sale In Woodbridge VA

Beware: Never Buy A New Home Alone

You Are Entitled To Have A Buyer Agent Working For You When You Buy A New Home Around Woodbridge

84% Of New Home Have A Buyer Agent Negotiate, Advocate, On Behalf Of Home Buyers

Your Buyer Representation Is FREE To You The Builder Pays Your Buyer Agent Fee

Did you know that, unlike fish, sharks do not have muscles to push water through their gills for the vital oxygen they need to stay alive?

Sharks are in constant motion, mouths wide open to push water from their mouths through their gills to stay alive.

Like sharks, home builders must keep moving forward, keep on building and selling houses that generate cash-flow to stay viable.

Northern Virginia home builders attract buyers away from the resale market by reducing prices, undercutting the resale market by giving you more home, with more features, for less money.

However, that super-low "Starting Price" can skyrocket if you buy a new home alone. Home builders have ten (10) profit-centers they use to get more money out of you between contract and closing.

I'm one of the guys who is hired to teach advanced selling skills to new home on-site Sales Managers you find in model home sales offices.

I've been a highly sought-after Sales Trainer for home builders and vairous other companies since 1985.

As a practicing Realtor, I also help nice folks like you buy new homes, getting the most home, at the lowest prices, with the fewest hassles.

When you get me working as you Buyer Agent, to buy a new home from a builder, you get the insider secrets about the ten (10) profit centers builders use get the most money out of you.

No, I do not teach seminars for any builder that even THINKS about asking me to sign a non-disclosure statement that takes away my power to help you.

Together, we can use my inside information to help you get the most house for your money.

You get me as an enthusiastic negotiator for you, to be your advocate, and your protector.

History Lesson: In the Go-Go days, 2000-2005, new homes sold at premium prices because resale homes were scarce.

As the prices of homes fell 2005-2008, builders began systematically undercutting the prices of resale homes as prices fell, giving buyers incentives to buy new homes.

For example, a new homes community around Woodbridge that was selling homes in 2005 for $550,000 - $650,000 base prices, is now selling the exact same homes, with same blueprints, same number of sticks-and-bricks, with base prices $399,000 - $450,000.

I was waiting to check-out at the Wal-Mart just down the street when I overheard a whiny lady with an annoying attitude tell her friend, "My builder soaked me for $200,000 extra profit with we bought in 2004. That @#%* builder sells my exact same home I paid $650,000 for in 2004 for just $450,000 now. The builder ripped us all off for obscene profits."

No.

That's not the case.

Builders typically earn a gross profit of 7% on each house sold. The net profit after paying operating expenses is mighty slim.

So how did the builder lower the base prices $200,000?

The land developer lowered the price of ready-to-build building lots $200,000 to keep the builders from leaving.

In our area, builders DO NOT develop land into ready building lots. Land development companies specialize in buying land, zoning changes, designing streets, lots and common area, gain County approval, clear the land, dig trenches for storm drains, electric lines, sewer lines, water lines, phone lines, run curb and gutters to define streets, then pave those streets, thus creating finished building lots for home builders.

In 2004, a finished, 1/5 acre building lot around Woodbridge in a planned community sold to the builders for $250,000 - $300,000. Builders building homes in the $400,000-$500,000 often paid more for the land than the cost of constructing a finished home.

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

Woodbridge Real Estate News About A Unique New Carpool Concept

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:57:41 -0600

Woodbridge Real Estate News About A Unique New Carpool Concept

You Can Commute To Work Fast And Easy From Woodbridge When You Use HOV Carpool Lanes On I-95

Homes In Woodbridge Virginia Give You Easy Access To Pentagon, Crystal City, Downtown DC Via HOV

HOV Open To Vehicles Carrying 3+ People: Busses, Carpools, Vanpools, Slugs, Plus Motorcycles

Here is the latest concept in carpooling.

Bring your own SCUBA gear.

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.

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

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

Real Estate News About Newly Built Brand New Homes Where You Can Enjoy Christmas

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:32:13 -0600

Real Estate News About Newly Built Brand New Homes In Time For Christmas

FREE List Of Homes Around Woodbridge Virginia That Are New Homes Where You Can Enjoy The Holidays

Erick Blackwelder & Company Finding New Homes For You In Woodbridge

You can enjoy Christmas in your brand new home in Woodbridge. (Yes, I said "Christmas". I am not politically correct wimp.)

Just CLICK the link below for your FREE list of brand new homes, and vacant remodeled homes with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, lots of windows, sexy master bath, garages, trees, on quiet streets.

CLICK HERE NOW

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.

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

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

First Time Home Buyer Credit For Homes In Woodbridge Plus Move-Up Buyer Tax Credit At A Glance

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:18:48 -0600

Home Buyer Tax Credit At A Glance For Woodbridge First Time Buyers And Tax Credit For Move-Up Buyers

Found A Web Page About Tax Credits That Gives You A Better Overview Of The Topics Than Could I

One Mouse CLICK Gives You The 411 About Tax Credits For Home Buyers In Woodbridge Virginia

CLICK HERE NOW

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.

That way you'll know when your dre

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

am home hits the market.

Woodbridge Virginia Foreclosres Purchase Process Video Shows Exactly How It Works

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:07:28 -0600

Woodbridge Virginia Foreclosures Purchase Process Video Shows Exactly How It Works

Video Shows You What Agents And Consumers Must Do To Make An Offer On A Foreclosure in Woodbridge

Funny, Funny Three (3) Minute Video Takes You Behind The Scenes To See How Foreclosure Offers Work

Foreclosures attract multiple bids from folks who believe deep in their heart that ALL foreclosures are a "Good Deal".

The video features Joe Citizen posing questions he would be asking his Buyer Agent.

Next, the "Foreclosure Specialist" listing agent is giving answers that are, on the one hand exagerations of real world answers, that are based in fact on truth.

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.

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

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

Equal Housing Opportunity