It's Summertime! Feelin' the Need to Get Away?

Ahhhh! Summer is upon us.  Time to head for the hills?  Chillax on the lake?  Smell the salt air and listen to ocean waves?  No matter your style, remember that vacationing requires you make a real estate decision.  This isn't just activities here, you gotta stay somewhere.  Sure, you may choose a hotel, but if you have a  family or a group of more than two, a house or condo will likely offer you better accomodations for less.

For my friends and clients, I want you to remember that I am here to help with ALL your real estate needs....this means your vacation needs, too!

Did you know that...

You can find vacation rentals on my web site... anywhere in the DC Metro area, including, but not limited to Ocean City Maryland! (Our closest beach makes a great getaway, and we really enjoyed Sunset Island when we rented a condo there.)

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Just click on the Property Search option.

I have a client that specializes in building riverside cottages and mountainside chalets about an hour from here - about half our sales are weekend getaway homes for people who reside in Loudoun, Fairfax or elsewhere in the DC Metro area.

http://www.lvc-homes.com/

I have connections to REALTORS all over, many of which specialize in vacation rentals or the sales of vacation homes. So send me an email and tell me your favorite vacation spot, and I will happily connect you to someone who can help you.  For Spring break this year, my family spent 10 days in sunny Orlando in a fabulous three bedroom, three bath, two level townhome for about $1000....minutes from Disney. That's a steal and if you ever want to take advantage of the same deal, all you have to do is ask.  The owner is a friend of mine, and a REALTOR/Broker in the Central Florida area.

Please remember... when you have a real estate need, ANY real estate need, I have real estate solutions!  You'd be surprised at the resources I have at my disposal....and I really do want to be your one stop real estate resource.  (Plus, I might want to stow away in your suitcase.)  :D 

Challenging Your Real Estate Assessment Gets Easier

Aha! An interesting little legal change going into effect July 1 (which will impact local real estate tax assessments beginning Jan 1 of next year):  The burden of proof in Assessment Appeals will be lower. 

After January 1st, localities will have specific burdens to provide you with evidence of their reason for reassessment of your VA properties.  Further, if you appeal an assessment you no longer have to provide "clear and convincing" evidence (80%+ convincing) of a lower valuation... you only need to provide a "preponderance" of evidence (51% convincing). 

If you've ever challenged your assessment you probably know it wasn't too terribly hard to get it changed.  But, now it's going to be even easier. 

Wow.  I have to wonder how this will impact our overall county budgets.  I guess we'll have to stay tuned.  In the meantime, if you'd like to keep tabs on the market in your neighborhood, check out this great web site.  You can order an automated monthly report showing you sales in YOUR neighborhood. 

www.SalesInMyNeighborhood.Info

Interested in staying up on news like this that affects us all?  Join my Facebook page:

www.Facebook.com/TheRealEstateWhisperer

October 17th Open Houses in Lo Co

Just beginning your home search? Well, let me help you out. Real estate agents are holding homes open today all over Loudoun County. They'd love for you to stop in and say hi.

Below you'll find a link with the homes we're holding open today, with a variety of home styles and price points available for your choosing. Here, you can find anything from a 3 bedroom condo in Sterling priced at $215,000 to a gorgeous fice bedroom home in River Creek Land Bay overlooking the Potomac and the 15th hole priced at a little more than $1.3m.

http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=693196XG5TJ&p=DE-126305013-901

No matter what kind of home you're looking for, we've gotcha covered!  If you don't see something here that is just right for you, follow the link below to search the MLS for free... and call me for a personal tour!

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

New Laws about Alternative Septic Systems

There are new laws - "Emergency Laws" - in effect now in the state of Virginia which regulate the maintenance and legal operation of so called "alternative septic systems". 

Alternative septic systems are anything that are not "conventional" systems.  Some common types include: Advantex, Delta Whitewater, Puraflo, Eco-flow and Sandfilter.  If you have one of these types of system (available only for the past 20 years), then these laws DO apply to you. 

Under these new regulations, HOMEOWNERS:

• Must maintain an Operations and Maintenance Manual.
• Must maintain a relationship with a licensed operator.  In most cases this means that you have to have a service contract, unless you are or you directly employ a licensed operator.
• Assure that the licensed operator visits, collects samples and makes adjustments as needed for proper maintenance of system and to be in compliance with the regulations.
• Make these records available to anyone who purchases the property.

In addition, if you have an "alternative" system in Loudoun County, you are required to have have an annual "1067" inspection.  The inspector must be approved by Loudoun County to conduct such an inspection (see link below of approved inspectors). 

The costs of a maintenance contract and the various inspections vary depending on your system, but shouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars a year. In most cases it will still be less expensive than paying a public utility for sewage services.

A note about contractors:

Please note that all contractors are not equal.  In Virginia, there are separate licenses issued for installers and operators.  Although one may carry both licenses, not all do.  Further, Loudoun has specifically provided a list of approved inspectors to be in compliance with their law... approved inspectors may or may not also be licensed operators or installers.  Personally, I suggest one stop shopping... hire someone that is a licensed 1067 inspector, a licensed operator and even a licensed installer, in case you need a new tank or drainage lines.  In my opinion, this will usually offer more seamless service and overall better maintenance.  Companies that can offer you all relevant services may even offer you discounts on larger repairs that fall outside of the normal maintenance realm.  On local company that offers this "one stop shopping" with licensed operators and installers and are approved to conduct 1067 inspections for Loudoun, is http://www.ses-company.com/.

Additional References:

Virginia Health Department

List of Licensed Operators in Virginia

Loudoun's list of "approved" 1067 Inspectors

View your Septic Records Online (Loudoun Co only)

Open Houses the Weekend of June 26 & 27

Looking for a new home in Loudoun?
Check out any of these open houses this weekend!
(Prices starting at only $151,000!)


http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=693196XG5TJ&p=DE-115247265-571

Don't see a home that is for you?
Shop online and stop using real estate web sites with outdated information! Go to http://www.vickychrisner.com/  - click on Home Search - this is a live link to the local Multiple Listing Service that real estate agents use.
Great houses, but weekends are so busy!
For a personal tour of these or other homes on your schedule, contact Vicky Chrisner, Keller Williams 703-669-3142 VChrisner@KW.com !
Would LOVE to buy - if we could sell first!
Order an automated Market Snapshot HERE - and find out what houses the sales activity in your neighborhood is like!  Or EMAIL ME to set up a time for a personal consultation.  You want an agent that will get you exposure, right?  Call me.