WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT?  Acreage, Location, Price, Features?????? About 3 weeks ago, I took a lovely family on tour in Frederick County and Loudoun County looking to buy their first family home. Their price range was in the $400,000 range.  Since they plan to keep the home for some time, they wanted EVERYTHING in the home.  Four bedrooms, 2 full baths or more, rural area (an acre or more), and the tough part, not too old. They wanted to look in Frederick County.  So, across the Potomac River we go to Northern Frederick County and the mountains near Thurmont.  That's a long commute to the work location of Leesburg.  Day 1.  We looked at a couple of homes, but they were all clearly too far from the work location in Leesburg.  One was so high up our ears popped and the buyers felt very is... 09/13/2012

The .001% Solution To A Better Home Buying Experience.  That doesn't sound like a lot of money.  001% of a $500,000 new home purchase is $500.00.      "But, why should I pay a home inspector to do what the county inspectors do???" NEWS FLASH!!  County inspectors do NOT inspect new home construction for QUALITY construction.  A building permit requires that a new home builder call for a county inspection of completed work at several stages throughout the construction process.  The county inspector is inspecting for code compliance and safety. *  Once the foundation is poured, the county is called to inspect.  Then the builder can proceed to framing the house. *  Once the framing is completed, the county is called to inspect.  Then the builder can proceed to construct the outside sheathin... 09/06/2012

Where did we look for a home?  Thurmont in Frederick County, MD.Myersville in Frederick County, MD.Brunswick in Frederick County, MD.Purcellville in Loudoun County, VA.Gainesville in Prince William County, VA.Also considered:  Clarke County VA, Stafford County VA, King George VA,  and on and on.  Leave no stone unturned until buyers focus on all aspects of price range/location. We looked all over the area.  The base employment location was Leesburg, Virginia.  How far did the home buyers feel comfortable commuting.  When home buyers look at homes for sale on the Internet, they usually focus on the house and not the map.  When they (through their agent) get the facts about the distance/time commuting from selected homes for sale to their job location, it's often a wake-up call.  My lates... 08/25/2012

QUESTION:  Why do new home owners settle for poor workmanship in new construction? This post inspired by a detailed post by Jay Markanich with photos of "finished carpentry" that is more typical than many new home buyers know.  SEE:  This Must Be Considered "Finished Carpentry" On Some New Construction PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT BY USING THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED NEW HOME BUYER'S AGENT and a HOME INSPECTOR. Fact:  Only a very small percentage of new home buyers use the services of a private home inspector.  Fact:  Only a very small percentage of new home buyers use the services of an experienced new home Buyer's Agent for new construction. Fact:  New home buyers are intimidated by new home builders. Fact:  Most new home buyers do not understand how grading affects rain run-off on a lo... 08/19/2012

MARKET CONDITIONS ARE CLEAR WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATISTICS FOR LOUDOUN COUNTY REAL ESTATE. Yes.  Loudoun County real estate is HOT! If you're in the market for a home to buy in Lovettsville offers some good opportunities for home buyers. Dollar volume for SOLD homes in UP.Number of closed sales is UP.Median SOLD prices are UP.Average SOLD Prices are UP.List/Sold Ratio is UP.Down is the Days on the Market which is good for sellers and listing agents.Good lesson for home buyers and buyers' agents too.  If you find the home to buy, GO FOR IT!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Statistic                                         Values      YoY          MoM Total Sold Dollar Volume $229,536,951 +18.16% -8.85% Closed Sales 512 +13.02% -11.42% Median Sold Price... 08/14/2012

This post is almost like a syndication of a theme.  The original post is by Paula McDonald from October 2010. WHY I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO OFFER! Paula's post was reblogged today by Winston Heverly, I'm going to add another chapter to this theme because, as a Buyers' Broker, I am faced with this question with just about every client.  "How much should we offer, Lenn?" Or, as so often happens, the buyers have found the home they want to buy and now that it's crunch time, are afraid of losing the house and now ready to GO FOR IT. Most buyer will ask.  I simply turn it back to them, usually with a question like, "how badly do you want the house?" Keep in mind, the listing agent's job is to get the best price with the best terms and conditions in the shortest amount of time FOR THE SELLER. ... 08/14/2012

I suspect that the Deer population in Lovettsville Virginia exceeds that of us humans. While taking a break for lunch yesterday, I glanced out the window of my home in Lovettsville and realized that a few neighbors had dropped by to share the lunch hour with me.  Since most of my neighbors are quadrupeds, I'm used to them meandering by.  The difference this time was that it was the middle of the day and the three visitors were all gentleman.  They live across the road in an extended family of about ten of all ages.  It's not unusual to see a fawn or two following along behind their mom.  This was a treat and these gentlemen are welcome to stop by for a snack anytime.   Homes in Town Center of Lovettsville.   WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS, home buyers in Loudoun County will enjoy our many years... 07/23/2012

The variety of housing offered for sale in Lovettsville is endless.  There's a property on the market for just about every home buyer seeking value in a detached single family homes in Loudoun County. Just look at the different types, sizes, styles and price ranges offered for sale in Lovettsville, VA.   $299,900.  Single Family Home, not a short sale.   $299,900 13 TRITAPOE PL 4 Bedrooms 3 full 1 half Baths MLS# LO7883424 LOVETTSVILLE Zip: 20180 Subdivision: NEW TOWN MEADOWS Status: ACTIVE ? Listing Agency:Weichert, REALTORS Multiple Photos|Virtual Tour|PropertyWizard™|Email Call Lenn to see, 540-822-9907.         $352,500.  Single Family Home for sale.  Not a Short Sale. $352,500 43 TOWN CENTER DR 4 Bedrooms 2 full 1 half Baths MLS# LO7839645 LOVETTSVILLE Zip: 20180 Subdivision: LOVET... 07/16/2012

This Lovettsville home for sale is an Absolute Stunner, this home has much to offer, theater room, spacious kitchen, room to entertain with a separate dining room, breakfast nook, expansive deck,mature trees, large yard, beautiful landscaping, beautiful views,gorgeous soaking tub in the master bath, separate shower,Enjoy the serenity as you sit on your front porch and watch the beauty that surrounds you.Close to MARC train Full Details http://williamcave.loudouncountylivingllc.com/listing/mlsid/161/propertyid/LO7872939/syndicated/1/cgltguid/EDD39DA1-4800-4BB6-83D5-293873418C8B/?ts=crg Listing Courtesy of William Harlowe, Keller Williams Realty 07/03/2012

This Lovettsville Home for Sale is an Absolute Stunner, this home has much to offer, theater room, spacious kitchen, room to entertain with a separate dining room, breakfast nook, expansive deck,mature trees, large yard, beautiful landscaping, beautiful views,gorgeous soaking tub in the master bath, separate shower,Enjoy the serenity as you sit on your front porch and watch the beauty that surrounds you.Close to MARC train Full Details http://www.loudouncountylivingllc.com/listing/mlsid/161/propertyid/LO7872939/syndicated/1/cgltguid/EDD39DA1-4800-4BB6-83D5-293873418C8B/?ts=crg Listing Courtesy of William Harlowe, Keller Williams Realty 07/02/2012

PICTURES OF HOMES ANYONE? Sure, that's easy.  We take photos of homes often.  They don't move around.  However, for some fun, keep your camera at the ready while driving around.  You just never know what jewels will present.  This scene presented itself while I was driving around surveying storm damage in my area of Loudoun and Prince William County last Saturday. Enjoy.     Yes, I did get photos of storm damage.  The below was shot in Lovettsville at the Three Sisters Antiques Shop. Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, Serving home buyers in MD and Northern Virginia, 540-822-9907.   07/02/2012

HOMES FOR SALE IN LOVETTSVILLE, VIRGINIA - Priced right and a wonderful community for home owners.  Located in North Western Loudoun County, Lovettsville is a small town where real estate is priced right.  EXAMPLE of home for sale priced in the $400,000 to $500,000 range.  Call Lenn to see, 540-822-9907. $475,000 38795 DUTCHMANS KNOLL DR 4 Bedrooms 4 full 1 half Baths MLS# LO7837596 LOVETTSVILLE Zip: 20180 Subdivision: DUTCHMANS CREEK HAMLET Status: ACTIVE ? Listing Agency:Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Multiple Photos|Virtual Tour|PropertyWizard™|Email   Call Lenn to see:  540-822-9907     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   City Legal Subdivision ListPrice BR FB HB # Gar Lot Acres YrBlt Lovettsville MILHOVEN $200,000 3 2 1 2 0.29 1987 Lovettsville   $225,000 4 1 0 1 4.12 1924 Lovet... 07/02/2012

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT??? Last evening at 6:42 p.m. I received a telephone call.  It was a recorded message from the Loudoun County Sheriff's office. My caller I.D. clearly said, "PUB SFTY ALERT"  The phone number was the county sheriff's number. The message was alerting folks to be "alert" about people driving around, walking around or otherwise observing your home or neighborhood. The mesage said that, if such person or persons were observed that we should contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and it gave a phone number a phone number to call. I didn't know what to make of it.  I see few strangers out here.  Only one time in 6 years has a stranger even approached my home and that was a family driving a pick-up truck soliciting business to treat my black top driveway.  I declined. W... 06/22/2012

LOVETTSVILLE, A SMALL TOWN IN NORTHERN LOUDOUN COUNTY offers, not only some unique local features, it's also home to some friendly folks. Welcome to Lovettsville.  We may be a small town but the homes in Lovettsville include in-town single family detached on Lovettsville town lots AND the Lovettsville "suburbs" offer homes of all ages on acreage AND farms suitable for crops, horses or cattle are right here waiting for a new owner. Lovettsville is growing (slowly) but retains it's small town feel and atmosphere.    Those "Home Site" areas on the Lovettsville map offer wonderful new homes, see below.     Local restaurants and services offer convenience for Lovettsville residents.   Lovettsville Public Library.  Books and Computers.    Lovettsville restaurant, good food and sensible portio... 06/21/2012

SOMETIMES LAUGHTER IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. I had a home inspection for a home in Northern Virginia.  It was one of the more interesting inspections I've experienced. Jay Markanich did the home inspection and we had a few laughs.  We laughed about the fact that the house showed 1.  A termite tunnel at one of the basement windows.2.  Huge spiders in the basement.3.  Evidence of mice.4.  A humongous black snake in the crawl space in the basement, along with numerous snake skins. The sellers are doing the termite (wood boring insects) inspection.  Normally I do this inspection because I want to be there.Experience has taught me that, if there is serious termite damage to the house, it isn't always easy to get back in for an estimate of repairs and while the MD contract limits repair damage t... 06/18/2012

LOVETTSVILLE real estate, in Western Loudoun County, offers a home style and price range for moderate, average and luxury home buyers.  Homes constructed from 2005 to today offer a variety of styles, types and price ranges.  No townhomes below because there is only one block of townhomes in Lovettsville.  All single family detached homes priced from. . . $175,000 to over a $1,500,000.  There's a home in Lovettsville for every home buyer. See ALL homes for sale in Lovettsville HERE.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         Lovettsville New Town Meadows   Lovettsville New Town Meadows   Lovettsville New Town Meadows   Lovettsville New Town Meadows   Lovettsville New Town Meadows                           Lovettsville New Town Meadows   Lovettsville N... 06/11/2012

WILDFLOWERS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY - JUNE 2012.  Always beautiful and always on time.  Below are just a few of the wildflowers we see while touring homes for sale in Loudoun County, Virginia.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         r                                               Wildflowers   Wildflowers   Wildflowers                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~             Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988 HOMEFINDERS VIDEO  For a tour of homes in your location of choice in Loudoun County, contact Homefinders.com.  We'll arrange a wonderful tour and you can get to know the county, shopping, recreation, the real estate market and the hardest working Buyer's Agents in ... 06/11/2012

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE FOR LOVETTSVILLE, VA FOR MAY, 2012. Helpful information for home buyers including what homes were listed for, what they SOLD for and how much closing help the sellers paid for the buyers.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   City Legal Subdivision ListPrice ClosePrice Subsidy DOMP Lovettsville WILLIAMS $142,500 $140,500 $ 33 Lovettsville KINGSRIDGE $314,990 $315,000 $8,850 47 Lovettsville STOCK LAND $349,900 $330,000 $7,146 131 Lovettsville NEW TOWN MEADOWS $350,000 $344,000 $500 25 Lovettsville   $346,630 $348,630 $7,000 0 Lovettsville   $358,004 $358,004 $10,493 0 Lovettsville WATERFIELD HAMLET $410,000 $426,000 $ 28 Lovettsville LIDDICOATT $675,000 $645,000 $ 299 Lovettsville   $675,000 $722,000 $21,000 227   ~~~~~~~~~~... 06/09/2012

VIRGINIA IS A "CAVEAT EMPTOR" STATE in which, if the buyer wishes information about a property, they have the right to have inspections and research the properties in which they have and interest. While the staff at the Loudoun County Department of Health are VERY helpful, owners may also have a history of repair or testing that would help prospective buyers feel comfortable about buying their property for sale.  The staff at the county offices will pull the file for properties for sale and if there is a technical question, a staff engineer will assist, however, often the file is sparce. However, it seems to me, naive that I may be, that a listing agent/broker might have some interest in the condition of the well and septic for properties in rural areas. I've recently been working with ... 06/02/2012

HOMES FOR SALE IN LOVETTSVILLE, LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA and Market Report in May, April 2012. The spring real estate season is here and good homes are selling.  Below is a report of homes SOLD in April, 2012.   City Legal Subdivision ListPrice ClosePrice Subsidy DOMP Lovettsville NEW TOWN MEADOWS $244,900 $262,000 $ 167 Lovettsville LOVETTSVILLE TOWN $289,900 $274,938 $ 13 Lovettsville NEW TOWN MEADOWS $349,900 $335,000 $800 13 Lovettsville HETZEL $439,900 $430,011 $ 41 Lovettsville EAGLE CREEK $649,900 $625,000 $10,000 12 City Legal Subdivision ListPrice BR FB HB # Gar Lot Acres YrBlt Lovettsville NEW TOWN MEADOWS $244,900 4 2 1 2 0.18 2005 Lovettsville LOVETTSVILLE TOWN $289,900 4 2 1 2 0.2 2009 Lovettsville NEW TOWN MEADOWS $349,900 4 2 1 2 0.2 2005 Lovettsville HETZEL $439,900 3 2 ... 05/21/2012