Even though we have too much snow, this one made me smile about it! I hope it does the same for you! This is from one of my favorite websites beagles-on-the-web! 02/11/2010

Since the height of the market in the summer of 2006, homes prices across the United States have fallen a great deal.  Many homeowners who purchased prior to that summer, and now have orders to move, are faced with the prospect of selling a home that may now be half the value it was when purchased.  Fortunately, there is hope. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) to provide benefits to service members who are moving (in military jargon, PCSing - Permanent Change of Station), among others. To be eligible for HAP, military members must have, 1) Purchased their home prior to 1 Jul, 2006, and 2) Have PCS orders dated 1 Feb 2006 thru 30 Sep 2012. Have you heard of HAP?  Many service... 02/11/2010

 Successfully selling homes isn't rocket science.  Or, is it?  Does a home sell itself, or is smart marketing the key?  Or, is it a little of both?     While most of us realize that targeted marketing is a sound sales strategy, it is tough to sell a lemon in any market.  But most would agree, rarely is a buyer willing to pay more than an item is worth, unless of course, there's more to the item than meets the eye.  But, that is seldom, if ever the case.  Wouldn't you agree? Attempting to accurately price homes requires consideration of various factors including: 1.  Home Inventory 2.  Current Market Conditions 3.  Recent Comparable Property Sales 4.  Condition of the Property As many who provide valuations of property will tell you, any good Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) will provid... 02/02/2010

  [ Home ][Buying a Home in Fredericksburg VA] [Selling a Home in Fredericksburg VA]   Fredericksburg VA Schools and Education As a service to all viewers of Fredericksburg VA real estate I've compiled a Fredericksburg VA education page which lists local public an private schools, colleges, and school information Page for the Fredericksburg VA, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Virginia. Find local Fredericksburg VA school websites and contact information for local area schools.  I provide links to Fredericksburg VA public, private schools and colleges.  I provide links to those schools that have websites.  If you see a school you would like to add, contact me for a review. Fredericksburg City Schools: Hugh Mercer Elementary School Lafayette Upper Elementary School Walker-Grant Middle School O... 01/31/2010

[ Home ][Buying a Home in Fredericksburg VA] [Selling a Home in Fredericksburg VA]   Looking for a townhome or a condos in Fredericksburg VA?  Personally I think that is a smart idea.  Fredericksburg VA is an ideal place to buy a condos or town homes for sale.  Since Fredericksburg VA is located just 50 miles south of the DC are off I-95 and have access to Amtrak, buying a Fredericksburg townhomes or condo is a reasonable price alternative than living closer in.  Yet at the same time historic Fredericksburg VA lacks nothing as far as shopping, malls, schools, hospitals, public water and sewer and conveniences. Find out why so many others have decided to call Fredericksburg VA home   01/31/2010

  Fredericksburg VA new homes.  Fredericksburg Virginia has many new homes communities with new builds, some ready now for immediate delivery, and the builder pays closing costs.  Whether you are looking for new homes listings for estate properties, luxury homes, country clubs, private acreage, equestrian homes, condos, new luxury town homes, or village homes we have them all.  It does not matter if you are a first time buyer looking for zero down financing or builder incentives...as your Fredericksburg VA new homes buyers agents, we can help you select the right home for you and your needs.  Below is a small sampler of new homes communities in the Fredericksburg area. Fredericksburg VA New Homes Communities Estates Of Chancellorsville Estates Of Idlewild Idlewild Lee's Parke Riverwalk ... 01/31/2010

Fredericksburg VA Homes for Sale and Fredericksburg Real Estate - Buying or Selling Fredericksburg Real Estate?  You should consider it.  It is a great place to live.  Your Fredericksburg Real Estate Source for Fredericksburg Homes for Sale: Real Estate, Land, Lots, Lake Properties, and Fredericksburg Luxury Homes for Sale in the Fredericksburg Virginia area. Fredericksburg, VA History Fredericksburg VA is located 58 miles north of Richmond and 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., Fredericksburg is a bustling modern town with a rich historical background. Fredericksburg VA was built alongside the Rappahannock River, was originally the port town for Spotsylvania county and was established in 1728. It later became incorporated in 1781 and separated from Spotsylvania in 1879 when it was est... 01/31/2010

  Yesterday my husband decided to visit a local tobacco shop in Fredericksburg Va.  It's located in the heart of the most historic city in the nation.      He was going to treat himself to some quality smokes. On occasion I have been known to buy a tin of Tatiana flavored cigars.  The only place you can buy them is at a specialty shop. This store is known for a great selection of cigars in a variety of price ranges.  It's like a candy store for cigar smokers.  The last time we visited was about 6 months ago. To my surprise things had really changed.  Usually there are several local business owners and residents sitting in comfy leather chairs chatting and puffing away.  On a Sunday afternoon the shop should have been full of customers.  It was empty. I went over to the display and found... 01/25/2010

Fredericksburg, VA:  Have Fun and Raise Money for a Good Cause! Last summer, I helped a happy young family buy their very first home.  They moved to Fredericksburg and all was well until last fall.  I got word from my former client, Jill, that one of her young twin daughters, Evy, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, AT/RT.  Evy, not even two at the time, was living in the hospital.  Her parents and sibling surviving day by day on the goodwill of family, friends and total strangers. One of the things I had loved about Jill and her husband Brian from their house hunt and home buying process was their positivity and sense of humor.  They were delightful to be around.  And it's warmed my heart to see that positivity played out in the blog that Jill started for her ai... 01/18/2010

OK, so maybe the title is a bit ambitious. Really it won't be a great remodel, but hopefully at least a passable one. We moved into our house knowing that the Master bath would need some work. The former owner allowed the grout to become weak, loosening tiles, and causing damage to the shower. I am trying to make the remodel as environmentally friendly as I can, within my budget... so far, so good. I have found some recycled glass tiles that I will use. The new faucets and shower-head are Watersense certified and the light fixture is Energy Star approved. The toilet is low flow and Watersense certified as well. Now I am thinking about the vanity. My budget will not allow for replacement at this time. And in fact, the vanity is in fine condition so the most environmentally friendly think... 01/14/2010

  In September of last year, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced a change to FHA appraisal validity periods.   The announcement was met with unanimous approval from all sectors; lenders, home owners & buyers, and yes, even appraisers. The change to appraisal periods involved decreasing the validity time for FHA appraisals from six to four months for both existing homes and those under construction.  Since the first of this calendar year, 2010, the new standard has been in effect.  Why does the change matter? For those of us that have faced selling properties, only to encounter difficulties with the appraisal, this reduced turn around time, or reduction of validity time, couldn't have come sooner.  Because, no matter the soundness of an agent's estimation o... 01/12/2010

Hi Everyone, I am trying to start a group in Fredericksburg VA area. I have put it together under the MEETUP website but thought posting a comment here might help too. http://www.meetup.com/save-energy-stafford-spotsylvania-fredericksburg/ The group's mission would evolve but I am starting the group to try to educate people and to learn more at the same time. Members will conduct home energy audits, identify where their homes or rental properties need improvement, make changes, calculate dollar savings, and energy savings. This was brought on be my move to a new home. With almost a month of temps below 30 degrees, I am really concerned about energy use and energy loss in our homes. If you have friends, family, or are interested in Fredericksburg real estate, please join the group! Thank... 01/10/2010

Wondering what Fredericksburg VA Home Values have done over the past year?  Click on http://www.fredericksburgvahomevalues.com and enter your home address for a free customized report that will show you what homes have sold for in your neighborhood over the last three months. An updated report will automatically be e-mailed to you each month so that you can track your homes value.  In the last three years, Fredericksburg VA Home Values have dropped significantly, but many areas have held up well all things considered. Remember, if you have to sell your home and you owe more than the home is worth, I have specialized training in assisting clients with these real estate problems.  Just call 1-800-282-8297 Ext. 2069 for FREE recorded information on how I can help you.  Remember, foreclosur... 12/14/2009

RE/MAX BRAVO | REMAX BRAVO | 540-891-8888 1817 Meadow Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 4BR/2BA Townhouse offered at $156,900 Year Built 1979 Sq Footage 1,924 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 12,000 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Duplex, units 1817 and 1819. Great location - SOUTH STAFFORD see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Family room ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4Photo 5 Contact info: RE/MAX BRAVO REMAX BRAVO 540-891-8888 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Dec 7, 2009, 12:55pm PST RE/MAX BRAVO 10401 Courthouse Rd Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-891-8884 (Phone) 540-891-8884 (Fax) http://www.fredva.com/ Licensed In The State Of VA 12/07/2009

If you are buying a home in Fredericksburg Virginia there are a few things you need to keep in mind.  Homes under $200,000 in good shape are currently getting multiple offers and are going under contract within a few days of being listed.  Here are a few pointers to get your offer accepted over the competition. 1.  Put down a larger earnest money deposit.  It is customary in this area to see $1,000 as the deposit.  Consider raising it to at least $2,000 - $5,000.  If you are doing FHA financing chances are you will have to put down this much anyway.  Remember, your deposit can be used as your down payment.  The larger your depsoit, the more serious the seller is going to take your offer. 2.  Remove as many contingencies as possible.  I always recommend getting a home inpspection to my b... 11/05/2009

Have you ever been in an uncomfortable position or arrangement that you couldn't get yourself out of?  If your answer is no, then lucky you.  Most of us have run into these predicaments a time or two.  So, what's the solution?  What steps can you take to try and improve a difficult situation you might be stuck in.  And, no, divorce is NOT an option. Let's be honest, the "Short Sale" isn't going anywhere.  I know what you're thinking, "Of course it isn't going anywhere(in other words, no action by the lender!)", but, what I mean to say is, they'll be here for a while.  In other words, we'll be seeing plenty more of them in the the next few years.  As long as the economic downturn is with us, there will be homeowners in states of distress who are unable to pay their mortgages.  So, how do... 11/05/2009

On the first Friday of every month from 10/2/2009 to 12/4/2009 you can attend, for free, the First Friday with Jay Starling Jazz  Quintet Jay Starling and his roving band of future jazz makers provide live entertainment...These outstanding muscians thrill audiences with their muscianship... this you won't want to miss...   First Friday of every month, 10pm-1am, no cover, all ages.   309 William StreetFredericksburg, VA 22401   10/22/2009

Belvedere Plantation Fall Festival  located in Fredericksburg, VA has something for everyone in the family... the plantation has a Cornfield Maze, Fun Barn, Zip Lines Pumpkin Mountain Slide, Moon bounce and more A tractor ride down the Great Pumpkin Patch....to pick  your own pumpkin is the highlight of the day.. The Plantation Market has blooming pots, mums, local honey, gourds, mini pumpkins.... and take and back pies  www.belvedereplantation.com  Date:Friday, October 23, 2009 - Sunday, October 25, 2009Friday, October 30, 2009 - Sunday, November 01, 2009Friday, November 06, 2009 - Sunday, November 08, 2009      10/21/2009

On the first of October 2009 a new face appeared on the real estate horizon of Historic Fredericksburg Virginia.  Fredericksburg Realty is in business.  The company was founded and operated by yours truly.  Another Active Rain blogger, Dawn DeGroff, joins the company in its new location at 910 Princess Anne Street. If you are a consumer and would like more information about buying or selling a home in Fredericksburg, VA or the surrounding area (Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, King George County, or Caroline County) please visit us on the net or at our office. 10/21/2009

I was notified that an outsourced company called Loan Resolution is now handling my Short Sale listing file.  They said that this will speed up the process from months to a matter of weeks.   Sounds good to me!  I hope it does go faster.  I have been waiting for almost 6 weeks now.   Yeah,,,,,,we shall see!   Has anyone else had this happen? 10/15/2009