Thursday, September 29, 2011

I saw you on TV the other day!

A mechanic at Airport Auto today said that he saw me on tv. Oh...blush.. thank you!
Working on several appointments for tomorrow. If I am showing your house, please no scented candles. My clients are very sensitive to smells!

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Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Open House!

Yesterday I hosted a tailgate at Alumni Hall. Today Open House 12-2 at Claremont. I have condos for sale in Riverbend and Claremont subdivisions. Walking distance to MJH, State Farm.

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Inside out: Colonial uses outdoors for living | The Hook - Charlottesville's weekly newspaper, news magazine

Inside out: Colonial uses outdoors for living | The Hook - Charlottesville's weekly newspaper, news magazine
Address: 2333 Whippoorwill Road
Neighborhood: Whippoorwill Hollow
Asking: $449,900
Assessment: $422,400
Year Built: 1979
Size: 2,702 fin. sq. ft., 771 unfin.
Land: 3.35 acres
Agent: Inessa Telefus, Sloan Milby Real Estate Partners 434-989-1559
Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10

The drive along Garth Road to this Western Albemarle property is replete with lovely pastoral vistas– a serene commute. A paved drive leads through secluded wooded surroundings to this modest colonial atop a forested ridge: the perfect degree of privacy for reclusive types. (For those who desire more exposure, the gently sloping front of the ridge could be selectively cleared.)

In the backyard, a 100-foot-long stone retaining wall, expansive brick patio, decks, and even a hot tub complement the original landscaping. Adding to the charm, a screened porch with beadboard wainscoting and defused lighting from two skylights in a rustic wood roof could be an outdoor living room with its freestanding tiled bar for entertaining or informal dining. Triple glass doors lead to the living room and adjoining dining room, insuring smooth flow for gatherings.

The floor plan is traditional colonial, with a brightly painted central entryway opening to the living room opposite a conventional family room. The formal dining room and kitchen with French doors complete the first floor. The family room has white wainscoting and built-in bookcases surrounding a whitewashed wood-burning fireplace. Refinished hardwood floors and a contemporary color palette tie all these rooms together. Crown molding, bronze light fixtures, and ceiling fans are also noteworthy upgrades.

Built at the time when kitchens were not the showplaces they are today, this area of the house is very compact. Recently renovated, it features a ceramic tile floor and a run of black granite countertops culminating in a curved bar surrounded by colorful stools. Original brick-red cabinets were retrofitted with cherry doors, and a small pantry was created to provide storage. Stainless appliances with black trim reinforce the modern theme. The room also contains a passageway to a two-car garage, stairs to the basement, and a half-bath tucked behind the hallway coat closet.

The three vibrant second-floor bedrooms include a modest master with en suite bathroom. But the wall colors are distracting, visually shrinking the scale of the rooms. Accents like the first floor's wainscoting and moldings are missing here, but walls can easily be painted and trim added to provide some continuity. Tasteful new light fixtures and mirrors now add zing in the bathrooms, but upgrading dated cabinetry, sinks, and tubs remains to be done.

Families with teenagers will appreciate the soundproofing in the walk-out basement studio. Of two rooms designed for professional recording, one is currently used as a bedroom; the second can house an aspiring drummer. A large laundry room on this level has roughed-in plumbing for a fourth bathroom.

Maintaining the exterior of the home has been made easier with renovations that include HardiePlank siding, gutters, an entry porch of ipê (a very dense wood that's naturally decay-resistant), and new Anderson Architect windows throughout.

The property in the Meriwether Lewis school district is an easy eight-mile drive from Emmet Street. The Whippoorwill Hollow subdivision is in a picturesque triangle, accessed by Owensville or Garth Roads. The current owners were drawn to this house sheltered in the woods and have enhanced its value by enfolding the surroundings into more living space— a space they hope will be appreciated by fellow nature lovers.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Top Ten Best Places To Live - Charlottesville!

Congratulations to C'ville again! It is named as one of the best places to live by Yahoo! Real Estate.
  • Charlottesville, VA
  • Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, most areas of this idyllic city are accessible by foot or bicycle. Charlottesville enjoys clean air and water, and pleasant weather year-round, highlighted by especially beautiful fall foliage. Nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a wealth of recreation opportunities. Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, which strengthens the area's healthy economy by providing steady jobs and a wealth of amenities and entertainment. Homes are not cheap (median home price $225,000), but the cost of living is manageable. The city's low unemployment rate and significant recent job growth promise continued prosperity. As more and more people learn about this year's best city, Charlottesville may find staying affordable and sprawl-free is its greatest challenge!

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Monday, September 19, 2011

6 Worth-the-Price Fix-Ups

6 Worth-the-Price Fix-Ups
Interesting article, sometimes the return is just getting an offer vs sitting on the market!

The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIY home improvement projects give sellers the biggest return for their buck. Here are six projects under $1,000 (amounts are estimated) that made the list.

  1. Cleaning and decluttering. Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
    • $290 Cost
    • $1,990 Return
  2. Brightening. Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
    • $375 Cost
    • $1,550 Return
  3. Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
    • $550 Cost
    • $2,194 Return
  4. Landscaping enhancements. Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
    • $540 Cost
    • $1,932 return
  5. Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
    • $535 Cost
    • $1,505 Return
  6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
    • $647 Cost
    • $1,739 Return

Excerpted from HomeGain’s 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey: www.homesalemaximizer.com.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Love Charlottesville and our Mayor!

Today I had coffee with Dave Norris, Charlottesville's Mayor! We met at C'ville Coffee. He is really a reflection of what Charlottesville is about: supportive, innovative, open-minded, the list goes on and on.

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Monday, September 12, 2011

Land sales

Albemarle, Louisa, Fluvanna - there have been only 9 closed sales since August 1, 2011. It's a bit slow and the prices are very competitive. Median price is $46, 500, average days on the market is 509.

Friday, September 09, 2011

from Charlottesville, VA to Dullas,TX

Congratulations to Connie and Mark, their beautiful house not far from Downtown just closed. Sold full price! I am so thrilled and sad at the same time. In the last four and a half years we became friends. I really will miss them!

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Thursday, September 08, 2011

A Relay Family















You probably saw those cool Retail Relay trucks around town. Today's Retail Relay blog post was about my family... Thank you, Retail Relay for supporting healthy, local food and for spreading our message.
I love what Belle Haven Farm Home Bakery wrote: Every morning, we bake our breads specifically for the order, and I often wonder who has purchased what items and why. I'm so glad Inessa, Chris and Charlotte enjoy the rolls we bake just for them when they order from Relay.

How cool is that? Now their delicious bread tastes even better ;-)

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Tuesday, September 06, 2011

UVA vs Mary Williams, Claremont tailgate at Alumni Hall






















I will be at Alumni Hall every home game. It is really cool and a great way to spend time before the game close to UVA. There were activities for children and adults. If you have not been there, come next time.

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Friday, September 02, 2011

Claremont - meet'n'greet for residents

Tomorrow, Sep 3, I will be at the Alumni Hall 3-6PM. If you want to learn more about Claremont or just to say hi, please stop by. I will have some cool goodies too: t-shirts for example. Me this morning working out at the AFC.
Yesterday Lee McAllister of Fulton Mortgage and I greeted residents of Claremont. Those who are still renting learned more about the benefits of buying. I talked about our inventory and about generous incentives for current tenants. Lee talked about financing. Barbara, one of the residents, was thrilled to learn that she could potentially save $200/month if she buys!









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