Tag Archives: Home Sales

Why Buy a Home Warranty?

Why Buy a Home Warranty?

We show people a home

When we show people a home, we are very thorough about asking questions to ensure you are getting the best value for your home-buying dollar. In addition, you will probably have a home inspector check your potential new home for existing issues or issues that may arise in the near future. Even with all this, though, you should consider getting a home warranty, either as the buyer or the seller, to get the peace of mind that you have either just sold or purchased a well-functioning home.

A home warranty protects the actual structures, systems and appliances in your home. It’s not a replacement for home owners insurance, which protects your home and your belongings in the event of a fire or other catastrophe. A home warranty is a good supplement to have just in case you have issues with your major appliances, systems or structure of your home that result from the natural breakdown of manmade materials over time. A home warranty typically costs a little up front with a small fee each time services are needed, but can potentially save you thousands on repairs over time. Inevitably, things in your home will break, and it’s good to have the reassurance a home warranty can provide.

Not all home warranties are created equal. I highly recommend a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty for my customers. A warranty from a company like 2-10 can help cover your repair costs on things like your HVAC system, plumbing, hot water heater, wiring, etc. You can purchase separate structural coverage which can cover things like foundation systems, beams, columns, load-bearing walls and more. You can also get additional coverage for items like pools, septic tanks, roof leaks, wells or extra refrigerators and freezers. Most policies last one year, but are renewable every year.

How can a warranty benefit a potential seller? Sometimes people selling their homes purchase a home warranty to protect their investment during the time their house is listed and as an added bonus for purchasers. Buyers who may have depleted their savings to purchase a new home won’t have any additional major expenses should repairs arise in the first year they own their home.

If you’re the buyer, you will probably want to keep your out-of-pocket expenses low, especially if you depleted some of your savings as a down payment on a home. You may want to consider purchasing a home warranty to ensure that you don’t have any major expenditures in your first year of home ownership.

Jacobson Realty and Home Staging provides expert advice when you are looking to buy or sell a home. If you have questions on the process, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help.

1,494 total views, no views today

Sizzling Kitchen Trends

Sizzling Kitchen Trends

Your kitchen is the heart of your home.Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Families come together for meals, celebrations and daily bonding time. You want your kitchen to be a warm and inviting space.There was a time when upgraded countertops and appliances were perks, but they have become the norm in kitchen design. So how do you make your kitchen stand out, when most kitchens look a little like gourmet kitchens? Here are some design trends that are breaking out as we head into 2016.

· White, grey or mixed color palate cabinets – White cabinets have been pretty popular over the past few years, and they continue to be, as the highest selling cabinets of today. But according to HGTV, kitchen manufacturers contest that grey is the new breakout shade in kitchen cabinet design. Paint your cabinets a soft grey to give your kitchen a modern feel. Another trend that’s emerging in kitchen cabinets is combining cabinet colors, where some cabinets are white or grey while others are traditional stained wood.

· New functionality in cabinets – Hardware manufacturers, like Blum, are changing the look and the way cabinet doors and drawers function. In kitchens where space is an issue, hydraulic, easy close doors that fold up and out of the way at the touch of a button are game changers.

· Brightly colored sinks – Gone are the days of boring old stainless steel or white sinks. With the neutral color palates of today’s kitchens, you can add in a pop of color with your sink and capture the same element of color in your backsplash to offer some visual interest.

· Black and white design palette – Black and white design has been seen in many iterations over the years, making it both classic and contemporary. You can juxtapose white cabinetry and walls with black appliances and granite countertops for great visual contrast.

· Bold light fixtures – Adding large, bold light fixtures is a budget-friendly way to spice up your space. Choose fixtures that really speak to your personal sense of style, and don’t be afraid if they look a little large for the space. Much like adding a pop of color, adding one or two oversized fixtures will add visual interest to the trendy, muted palates of kitchen design today.

· Leverage technology – Today you can even automate your kitchen. You can install a hands-free faucet, motion sensor lights or even a meat thermometer that alerts your smartphone when your dinner is fully cooked. Don’t rely purely on design and count functionality out when you’re designing your dream kitchen. Think about what will make your life easier, and you can almost guarantee there’s a gadget out there to help.

· Maximize storage – If you have stacks of plastic storage containers (that never seem to have just the right lid), you need freshly designed storage solutions. You can get great additions, from designers like Hafele, like multi-tiered drawers to help maximize your storage space.

If you’re confused by all the options out there and are trying to sell your home, it’s best to consult with a professional stager. Jacobson Realty and Home Staging is here to help you decide what will really stand out. If you’re buying a home, we can talk about kitchen and other options that could really affect your decisions. Call us at (703) 338-9678 or (703) 753-0125.

We at Jacobson Realty and Home Staging have our finger on the pulse of the community! Join us when The Manassas Chorale presents the “Princesses and Pirates” Fall Concert. Hear your favorite Disney princess tunes and rollicking songs of the sea performed by the Chorale, Ensemble and soloists, and meet special guests in the lobby after the show! The performance will take place Friday, October 2, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. See you there!

1,042 total views, no views today

5 Budget-Friendly Home Improvements to Boost Resale Value

5 Budget-Friendly Home Improvements to Boost Resale Value

resell your houseIf you’re planning on reselling your house, you don’t want to dump a ton of money into making home improvements that won’t ultimately pay off for you when you could be saving that money for a down payment on your next dream home. It’s important to know which home improvements will both better your life in your current home and add resale value and which fixes are best left for the next owner. Here are some frugal fixes that we’ve found can boost your home’s resale value:· Give your kitchen a facelift – This spot can make or break a home sale, so it’s very important to have a clean and updated kitchen when your house goes on the market. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars completely remodeling this room. You can give your kitchen a budget makeover that will make it sparkle again. You can cheaply and easily replace your kitchen faucet, update old lighting fixtures and add new cabinet door handles. On a slightly larger budget, you can improve your existing kitchen cabinets by hiring a refacing company. They can refinish the cabinet boxes and add new doors and drawers to make your cabinets shine again.

· Make your appliances match – Kitchen appliances that don’t match can be a turn-off for potential buyers. You don’t have to buy all new appliances to get a matching set. You can simply get a new cover for your existing appliances. If you’re looking to switch your white dishwasher face for a black one (or vice versa), you may be in luck. Many models of dishwashers have a reversible front panel. You just need to unscrew it and flip the panel around.

· Add a bedroom in less than a week – If you have a 2 bedroom house with a den, one of the reasons this room can’t be considered a bedroom may be because it doesn’t have a closet. If you’re only missing a closet, you can easily add one for less than $1500 in about one week. The value this added bedroom brings to your house far outweighs the cost of building a closet.

· Clean up for curb appeal – If your house doesn’t look appealing from the outside, you can improve your curb appeal with a few plants, a lawnmower, a power washer and some elbow grease. Make sure your lawn is mowed and weeded. Adding a few plants, flowers and some new mulch can do wonders to make your home warm and inviting for potential buyers. Rent (or borrow) a power washer and give your siding and walkways a good scrub.

· Spruce up your storage space – If your house lacks closet space, redesigned closets can help improve your resale value and make your remaining time in your home much more pleasant and organized. You can do it yourself with closet systems from your local home improvement store, design new closets online or call in a professional to help maximize the storage space you have.

As professional home stagers, we at Jacobson Realty and Home Staging can make personalized recommendations that will help you get the most when you decide to sell your home. Call us at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

1,275 total views, 1 views today

Dominion Valley in Haymarket, Virginia Offers Resort-Style Living for Families

Dominion Valley in Haymarket, Virginia Offers Resort-Style Living for Families

Whenever you leave a vacation at a resort, don’t you feel just a little sad to go back home? The activities, the scenery, the beautiful housing accommodations — you never want it to end. Well, now it doesn’t have to! When you make Dominion Valley your home, you get to experience that kind of luxury every day. Near the picturesque Bull Run Mountains in Haymarket, VA, Dominion Valley offers many amenities to enhance your everyday life.

Leave a vacation at a resort
One of many affordable homes in Dominion Valley. Contact us for details!

This gated community has its own country club, complete with Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course — a challenging course with mountain views and emerald fairways. You’ll never be bored in this activity-packed community, with its own Sports Pavilion, grand clubhouse, playgrounds, private parks and 17 miles of walking and biking trails. Enjoy the great outdoors right outside your front door with tons of activities that will help you commune with nature. Tennis buffs will be at home on the community courts. Market Square is on site for your shopping, dining and services, so you won’t have to go far for your day-to-day needs. Whether you’re into cross-fit, need to get your hair highlighted, need to get your cat a rabies shot or have a craving for pizza, you can find all these things and more at Market Square.

Toll Brothers has built a community of award-winning luxury homes around this fantastic country club. These single-family homes offer flexible floor plans with hundreds of different designer options. They’re still adding new homes to this community, and you can choose from some of the largest home sites in Dominion Valley. Perfect for entertaining, these open floorplans have plenty of space to relax and enjoy a good meal with formal living rooms, dining rooms and gourmet kitchens. Enjoy the airiness of these designs with 9 foot ceilings, walls of windows and lavish master retreats, just to name a few perks. You’ve really got to see these homes to believe it – they are absolutely gorgeous.

The community is conveniently located for work and play. If you enjoy hiking and camping, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the Bull Run Mountains. Wine connoisseurs will love sipping a little vino at all the nearby award-winning vineyards. If you’re a history buff, there are many nearby Civil War historic sites. You’re less than one hour from downtown D.C. and have access to all the local centers of employment like Reston, D.C. and Fairfax.

We have current, affordable listings in Dominion Valley and would love to tell you more about this community. Contact Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today to find out how you can surround yourself with luxury in this beautiful area. For listing information, email Robin@JacobsonRealty1.com or call 703-314 –9342.

For general information, call 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

1,227 total views, no views today

Home Inspections: 8 Important Things You Can Learn

Home Inspections: 8 Important Things You Can Learn

a good realtor

Having a good realtor in your court makes the home-buying process much easier on you. And good realtors have great connections throughout their community. One such connection is with a reputable home inspector.

Having a home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying a home. Even though an inspection is optional, you don’t want to forgo it. Opting for a home inspection can ensure that the home of your dreams is in great condition before purchasing. Here are eight important areas a good home inspector will investigate.

1. Exterior walls – Home inspectors check the quality of exterior walls. This ensures the home you are buying has siding in good condition.

2. Foundation – Clearly all homes should have a solid foundation. Home inspectors have eyes trained to pick out concerns, like cracks, and alert you to potential problems.

3. Garage – Within garages, inspectors check for sufficient ventilation, the framing of the area and that all doors are in working order. While you may be simply excited to have the extra space for vehicles or storage, your inspector looks deeper to make sure you’re safely covered.

4. Roof – We all want a solid roof over our heads, and a home inspection will ensure that your new home has one. Inspectors make sure there are no missing shingles or water damage and that everything has been properly installed. Additionally, they take a good look at the gutters and the area around the chimney (if there is one).

5. Electrical system – Your inspector will determine the type of wiring your home has and ensure the safety and proper functioning of all outlets. He or she will test the ground fault interrupters in areas like the garage, kitchen, bathroom, outdoors and anywhere else where water may be present.

6. Plumbing system – Your home inspector will make sure your future home is free of leaks — under sinks, in faucets, or showers and tubs. If the home’s pipes are older, the inspector may do a particularly close examination to see what material they are made of and what condition they are in.

7. HVAC – Your inspector can estimate the age of your air conditioner and furnace and tell you the condition of each. If either needs repairs, maintenance or replacement, he or she will let you know.

8. Insulation – Home inspectors can also examine the home’s insulation and ensure that it is safe and adequate. Proper insulation means lower utility costs and better climate control.

Your home inspector’s report gives you a bird’s eye view of your potential new home. You and your realtor can sit down together, work through any items of concern and determine what, if anything, you’d like to ask the seller to fix. Your realtor will help you create reasonable and professional requests. If there are major concerns that the seller is not willing to fix, a home inspection also allows you the freedom to opt out of a contract, thus giving you peace of mind.

At Jacobson Realty and Home Staging, we aim to educate clients about the home buying and selling process. Contact us at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

 

1,048 total views, no views today

New assisted living coming soon!

New assisted living coming soon!

an assisted living community

Opening later in 2015, Tribute at Heritage Village, an assisted living community, will offer luxury living with lots of amenities designed for those who need a little extra help.

The community will have advanced building design, integrated technology and best-in-class care for patients. Tribute will also have memory care, a specific kind of long-term skilled care for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurological challenges.

Tribute will offer active living with fun and engaging choices for residents who will be able to enjoy a balance of mental engagement, emotional enrichment and physical activity each day with on- and off-site activities such as dancing, live music, boutique shopping, reading, wine and cheese tasting, gardening, bingo, card games, art classes and brain games.

Freshly prepared meals will satisfy many special dietary needs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are to be served tableside daily, with private dining available for special occasions. A choice of menu options, including light fare dining and a 24-hour bistro for gourmet snacks, will surely please.

Tribute at Heritage Hunt has infused technology into the community’s design to help keep seniors connected with their families. The community will have senior-friendly computers, community-wide Wi-Fi, community updates on social media, state-of-the-art call systems and virtual digital communication systems.

If you or someone you know would like more information on all that Heritage Hunt has to offer, contact Belinda at (703) 753-0125 or Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

Regency at Catharpin Creek

Regency at Catharpin Creek, an assisted living community planned to be built at 5570 Catharpin Rd. was approved in April of last year. The Board of County Supervisors voted yes on the rezoning of 102 acres from agriculture to planned-mixed residential for an age-restricted community with a maximum of 208 single-family houses.

Although the community would fit with surrounding communities in Gainesville, such as Parks of Piedmont and Heritage Hunt, it would differ from its neighbors to the north along Catharpin Road, where housing is less dense. Regency will be made up of only single-family homes, no apartments or townhouses, in order to fit into the more rural feel of the area. In addition, about 55 percent of the overall property will be open space.

While the builder has not announced a timeline for completion, Regency will have easy access to a walking trail, a nice amenity for residents to enjoy local, natural beauty.

Stay tuned, as Jacobson Realty and Home Staging will keep a close eye on the development of this unique community!

1,355 total views, no views today

Active Adult Living and Peace of Mind Await You in Gainesville, VA

Active Adult Living and Peace of Mind Await You in Gainesville, VA

55 years or older

Heritage Hunt, an Active Adult Community

If you are 55 years or older and love to stay active, Gainesville has the perfect community for you! Heritage Hunt is the place for those who want clubs, sports, events, entertainment and a sense of community, as well as a quiet place to come home to. Named “Best Active Adult Community in the Country” by the National Council on Senior Living, Heritage Hunt is conveniently located near routes 29 and 66 in Gainesville, Virginia.

The Homes

The homes in Heritage Hunt include thousands of dollars in luxury add-ons at no extra cost. Homes are designed with the older adult in mind: low-maintenance and accessible floorplans make the living easy. You can choose from a luxury elevator condominium, featuring upgraded appliances and cabinets, enclosed patios or sunrooms and ceramic bathroom flooring. If you prefer a single family home, there are also main level living models with award-winning designs.

Amenities

Heritage Hunt is chock-full of amenities. One of the major attractions is the 18-hole championship golf course at the Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club. There, the spacious grand clubhouse offers 27,000 square feet of social and recreational area. You will find a resort-style pool and spa, a large sundeck, an indoor aquatic center, a golf pro shop, a fitness center, a lounge, a movie room, a dining and banquet room and many social gathering areas. You can enjoy fine dining in the clubhouse or rent out space for your next big anniversary, birthday or other celebration. There’s even an on-site business center for those active adults who haven’t yet retired. For tennis buffs, you can find planned clinics and tournaments or catch a game on your own time on the lighted tennis courts.

Area Attractions

You will love Heritage Hunt’s convenient location with nearby shopping and dining. Enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment just a few miles away inVirginia Gateway. Soon residents will also be able to take a short trip to a brand new Harris Teeter grocery store.

Nature getaways and day trips to Washington D.C. are always favorites for those in Heritage Hunt. Enjoy scenic views of the Bull Run Mountains right near the community or drive just about one hour to get to the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking, camping, canoeing and more. If the city it your thing, spend a day in the nation’s capital.

Ease, amenities and attractions – if all this sound like something you would want,Jacobson Realty and Home Staging can help. Contact Belinda at (703) 753-0125 or Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

Buy, Stage or Sell with Confidence!

1,114 total views, 1 views today

Braemar in Bristow, VA – Where Home is THE Place to Be

Braemar in Bristow, VA – Where Home is THE Place to Be

shopping for a new home

When you’re shopping for a new home, what’s on the top of your priority list? Maybe you’re looking for a great location for your work commute or easy access to shopping and restaurants. Perhaps you have kids, and you want to make sure they have access to the best possible schools. Or you might just be looking for a place where you can enjoy nature in your backyard, relax by the pool or practice your tennis serve. Why compromise on any of those things, when you could find all of them in Braemar, Bristow’s largest planned community?

Built between 1996 and 2008, Braemar has over 2,800 homes. And there are a variety of housing options in the community’s ten independent sub-associations. If you’re looking for condos, townhouses, courtyard or single-family houses (with and without garages), Braemar has them all.

Each neighborhood offers plenty of community amenities. For the fitness enthusiast or the busy parent trying to get kids out in the fresh air, Braemar has outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, a volleyball court and tot lots. You can also walk, jog or bike the several miles of paved trails in the community. Living in Braemar means you can get fit in your backyard and pocket that gym membership money each month.

If commuting options are important, Braemar is easily accessible to the Prince William Parkway, Route 66 and Route 29. If you’re headed to D.C., you’re only 36 miles away. And if you prefer to relax on your commute and travel by train, it’s minutes away from the Manassas VRE station.

The community is close to Gainesville, Manassas, and Haymarket. If you’re looking for a nice date night or to buy that perfect pair of shoes, Braemar is only a short drive from great shopping and restaurants at Bristow Shopping Center and Braemar Village Plaza.

If you have children, of course, education is going to be on your list of must-haves in a community. Your children will have access to top-notch education when you join the Braemar community. The community is located in the Prince William County Public School District, which is the second largest district in Northern Virginia and ranked in the top 8 percent in the U.S. (by Washington Post High School Challenge).

Even in bustling Northern Virginia, there is still a strong sense of community at Braemar. Each year is jam-packed with family-friendly community activities like Breakfast with Bunny, community yard sales, dog swims, Braemar Day, Halloween parties and holiday parties. No matter what your priority is in house hunting, Braemar has you covered. To find out more about available homes, call Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

1,158 total views, 1 views today

Home Buying 101: What can you expect when purchasing a home?

Home Buying 101: What can you expect when purchasing a home?

Buying a home

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially for first time homebuyers. The process may seem overwhelming, lengthy and confusing. There’s so much to do! But, with the right network of professionals – a loan officer and realtor, for starters – you can make it through.

Here are some of the steps you will take when you go to buy your home.

You will need to start by checking your credit and resolving any issues that may prevent you from buying a home. There are many companies out there that will check your credit for you. Or, you can check your credit yourself. By law, you are entitled to receive a free credit report from a credit bureau such as Experian once every twelve months.

Next, you will need to find a loan officer through a bank, mortgage lending institution, or a local realtor. You will want to get a lender who can explain your financing options and the requirements of each so you can make an informed buying decision.

Once you have a lender, you will want to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for financing and receive the lender’s pre-qualification letter. When you do, you will have a better sense of which homes are in your price range and the responsibility you will have when making the purchase. Getting pre-qualified will also save you a lot of time once you start looking at homes and will help make your offer competitive .

The next step is to meet with a local realtor. You will want a realtor who is familiar with the area in which you are looking and educated in the latest real estate trends. A good realtor will be able to show you the kinds of homes in your budget, explain how to structure an offer and negotiate on your behalf to get the home of your choice.

When you begin looking at homes, you should have a checklist. How many bedrooms and bathrooms will you need? How much property would you like to maintain? Do you need a basement? What size garage is important? These are all factors to consider as you begin the home buying process.

Have you decided on a home? If so, with the help of your realtor, it’s time to make the offer. The offer will include an earnest money deposit, which is a good faith deposit. You will have to place money up front with the offer to show you are serious about buying a home. Your realtor will address the need for inspections and will prepare the offer in a way that best meets your needs and remains competitive.

Prior to closing the transaction, you will have a final walk-through inspection to verify the condition of the property. When it is time to go to settlement or closing with a title company or an attorney, you will be asked sign off on the loan commitment and accept the transfer of title along with several other documents to make your purchase official. Once you accept the keys, the house is yours!

As you can see, this process is not simple, nor is it necessarily short – but don’t let that scare you out of buying a home! Finding the right team of experts will help make for a smooth and hassle-free experience. For a more detailed explanation of how to buy a home, call Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

1,370 total views, no views today

Ten Steps to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Ten Steps to Prepare Your Home for Sale

sell your home

So you have decided to sell your home. You are excited about the prospects, but also a little nervous. You want to get the best sale price you can, but other than getting a professional cleaner, you’re not sure what you should do to prepare. Well, fear not. This article should help point you in the right direction. Here are ten items you can start working on.

1. Know how much your utilities cost. This might sound like an odd place to start, but it’s important that you be able to tell your realtor and potential buyers what you pay each month for utilities. The amount will have to fit into the buyer’s budget, so these numbers are relevant.

2. Collect house manuals. When a buyer purchases your home and moves in, he/she will want to know what is in the home and how to care for it. If you do not have original manuals, consider ordering some or printing them off from the Internet.

3. Put away valuables and medicine. For the sake of safety, it’s better to store these items. Some homeowners opt to use offsite storage for valuables. This might be something to consider, especially if you intend to have multiple open houses.

4. Take care of basic maintenance. Go through your home and take inventory of any mechanical features due for routine cleaning or tuning up. You should take into consideration your water heater, air conditioning and heating systems and appliances.

5. Repair. Repairs can take the form of anything from fixing flooring to spackling walls to sealing windows to addressing plumbing. Go through your home, room by room, and make a list of needed repairs. Then start taking care of those one by one.

6. Landscape. You’ve heard of curb appeal, right? Curb appeal is largely dependent on the attractiveness of your landscaping. If you do your own landscaping, make sure you weed, rake, mow, etc. It might be helpful to have a professional landscaper come in to assess your yard, make recommendations and take care of anything that needs to be done.

7. Don’t forget about decks, pools and driveways. Outside is just as important as inside. Potential buyers will want to see that decks are secure, the wood healthy. Driveways should be free of cracks and need to be sealed. Pools should be clean and in good working order. Sheds should be in good condition. You want all of these elements to add, not detract, from the beauty and value of your home.

8. Have your home professionally staged. In a previous article, we talked about the importance of home staging. If you want your home to be attractive, you will need to depersonalize it so potential buyers can visualize themselves living there. Start by de-clutttering your home. Donate, give away or throw out unused and unnecessary belongings. Make the most of the space you have for the things you really need. Show buyers there is room to grow.

9. Re-paint. A fresh coat of neutral color paint often can make a great difference in how potential buyers view your home. Dirty, scratched or faded paint is a huge turnoff. You can choose paint colors yourself, or, for maximum benefit, ask a home stager to recommend a color.

10. Re-floor. Carpets age and wear, hardwood fades and shows scratches and tile cracks. Check all floors to ensure they are good condition and show well. If not, consider replacing.

Preparing to put your home on the market can seem like a lot of work. It takes time to do things right. So plan ahead, factor in the time and prep your home for market. In the end, it’s worth the effort because it will actually reduce stress when buyers present offers. Remember, a well-prepared home will keep you competitive, and it should bring you the highest sales price in the shortest amount of time!

If you would like more tips on preparing your home for sale, call Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at 703-338-9678 or email Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

1,113 total views, no views today