Sunday, September 24, 2006

The Natural Beauty

Looking out over the shores from our Virginia Beach house, our family retreat wasn't something that I truly appreciated in the early years, but I've grown to really enjoy the natural beauty of the waterfront, the dock, the sea and the atmosphere. All and all, it has become a very nice family tradition.

Romantic walks on the shore and the breathtaking sunsets combine to create a pleasant, peaceful and relaxing weekend with my sweetness.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

The Beach Again!!!

Perhaps for the last time this year, we packed up and took off for a weekend trip to the beach. While I don't really enjoy that drive down I-64 East, once we get to the ocean and all that the Virginia Beach area has to offer, I'm loving life.

We had a fabulous dinner last night at a luxurious local restaurant. I had the crab stuffed flounder, while my lady enjoyed chicken marsala, her favorite.

The water is still warm enough for a Saturday afternoon jaunt through the waves. Our VA beach house and real estate property suffered a little bit of water damage from the last storm, but all in all it help up well.

We decided that having a place set-back from the beach itself would be a wise plan. It really has help avoid any major storm damage that some of the other homes that sit right on top of the water have to bear.

After taking in the inventory from the summer renter's season, we strolled along and through those fine Virginia Beach waters looking for sea glass, took some time to take in the sun, read from our new books and just had a nice time relaxing, talking and enjoying each other's company.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Buying Land: A Real Deal

If only signing on the dotted line was that simple, then it might not have taken a whole week since my last entry. Seriously! Buying land can be and all consuming project, especially when you do so as your own Realtor, liason and faciliator.

I'm talking about this meeting for that permit, phone call and confirmations, notaries, faxes and examinations. From easements and contracts to applications and right-of-ways, there's no shortage of things to do when you purchase a piece of property with an eye toward building a home.

Fortunately, we know the builder personally and he doesn't mind phone calls at odd hours to double-check on an architectural concern or assist with a blue print customization request.

Someone could really make a living working as a project manager by assisting the buyer/builder with everything that has to be done in order to move the process along smoothly.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Home Buying Process: Selecting an Attorney

Just getting all settled in after a long day dealing with Web hosting issues and some confusion at the court house while trying to record an environmental certificate with the deed for a property in the Shenandoah Valley. I was able to spend a little extra time with the children tonight, and that made the whole day worthwhile.

So getting back to real estate and considering the importance of selecting an attorney. Before you sign an agreement of sale, you might consider asking an attorney to look it over and tell if you if it protects your interests.

If you have already signed your agreement of sale, you might still consider having an attorney review it. An attorney can also help you prepare for the settlement.

In some areas attorneys act as settlement/closing agents or as escrow agents to handle the settlement. An attorney who does this will not solely represent your interests, since, as settlement/closing agent, he or she may also be representing the seller, the lender and others as well.

As with any big decision, you should look around and ask what services will be performed and for what fee. Find out whether the attorney is experienced in representing home buyers in Virginia or otherwise.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Across the Delaware & Back to VA

I took the train into New Jersey last night, then grabbed a rental car for the trek across the Delaware and into Bucks County, PA. They call this area the Delaware River Valley, and their are some mighty fine upscale, historic homes in the Doylestown and New Hope area, that's for sure.

After staying at the Lambertville House just over the bridge from New Hope into New Jersey last night, I drove up and down River Road, then up Lower York Road into Doylestown early this morning.

The scenery was nice and there seemed to be one landmark treasure after another. The area seemed quaint and inviting, but I sure did miss the good ole Shenandoah Valley.

There is something about those Virginia mountains, the fields of pasture and trees galore that beckon my return home.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Take into Consideration

After buying my first home, there must have been ten different things [as I reflect modestly] that I wondered how in the world I overlooked that over there or this over here. For example, the ceiling fan rattled fairly significantly, and in the bedroom of all places.

The situation was compounded because I consider myself thrifty, if not cheap by some measures, so maximizing the fan and minimizing the AC was a must. The good news [years later] is that we grew up on a farm with train tracks that ran through the adjacent field. That steam engine used to stir up quite a roar in the middle of the night, not to mention all the animals that would chime in.

So I guess you could say that I got used to the rattle from this noisy old fan without too much of a problem. Now I'm just waiting to find out how living less than a mile from the stench of those chicken houses for all those years is going to spin into a positive.

Anyway, I digress... the point is that it can be very frustrating to realize that you missed this or that during the walk through, especially when you could have added them to the punchlist, and had them fixed for free!

Pour through the details, check and double check, even if it drives your Realtor crazy. That's what they get paid to do, work for you until you are absolutely happy.

I truly believe you'll find that level of service with the fine luxury real estate brokers at Virginia Estates in Charlottesville, VA.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Agents in the Electronic Age

How prepared is your agent to respond to the market in a fast, efficient manner? Do they utilize electronic media to have the Multiple Listing Service at their fingertips in order to provide you with the up-to-the-minute property listings and market reports?

In this age of readily available information and online access to all types of data, if an agent doesn't have or work for an agency with a Web site that taps into the MLS, then that's the first sign that they are probably not up to date with the electronic curve.

Check the Virginia Estates.com and you'll find a group of Virginia Realtors that has one of the top Web sites in the state, with property listings and VA real estate from through out Northern VA, Central VA, Charlottesville, Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley and Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Forecasting the Future

The market is slowing and many real estate agents are scrambling as they seek new ways to present thier clients home or property in order to grab the home buyers attention and interest.

Home buyers are watching the federal interest rates, the stock market and inflation to get a feel for whether now is a good time to buy or perhaps waiting six months will put them in a better position.

Price reductions are certainly inevitable, but to what extent will ultimately depend on how bad the home owner wants to move the property.

Seek assistance from a qualified Virginia real estate agent and VA Realtor that can help you determine what is the right move for you.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Home Inspections: Tips for Virginia Home Buyers

Tips for Virginia Home Buyers:

Get a home inspection:
Whether you are buying a brand new home, a charming 100 year old Victorian, or a townhouse, the condition of the home should factor into the buying equation.

Verify the credentials of the home inspector you select:
Credentials in the home inspection industry vary as much as prices do. Bargain-price inspectors are often the least credentialed. Make sure the home inspector you select has been professionally trained and tested, has access to experienced technical support, and completes continuing education on a regular basis.

Go along on the inspection:
No matter who you choose for your home inspection, be sure to attend the inspection in person! And feel free to ask questions, no matter how "naive" you think they sound. In just one tour of a home with a qualified professional, you will learn a lot about the property -- and fee much more confident about your decision.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Role of the Real Estate Broker

Frequently, the first person you consult about buying a home is real estate agent or broker. Although real estate brokers provide helpful advice on many aspects of home buying, they may serve the interests of the seller, and your interests as the buyer. The most common practice is for the seller to hire the broker to find someone who will be willing to buy the home on terms and conditions that are acceptable to the seller.

Therefore, the Virginia real estate broker that you are dealing with may also represent the seller. However, you can hire your own real estate broker, known as a buyer's broker, to represent your interests. Also, in some states, agents and brokers are allowed to represent both buyer and seller.

Even if the real estate broker represents the seller, state real estate licensing laws usually require that the broker treat you fairly. If you have any questions concerning the behavior of an agent or broker, you should contact the Virginia Real Estate Commission or licensing department.

Sometimes the real estate broker will offer to help you obtain a mortgage loan. He or she may also recommend that you deal with a particular lender, title company, attorney or settlement/closing agent.

You are not required to follow the real estate broker's recommendation. You should compare the costs and services offered by other providers with those recommended by the real estate broker.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Buying a Luxury Home: Top Agents

The very best Virginia real estate agents are ringmasters. Whether it is ensuring that you have a good title company, the right engineer, a good home inspector or locating missing documents, a good agent should facilitate every aspect of your Virginia home, farm, land and/or property sale.