Lake Ridge VA Real Estate

                                                 Erick and Company

Is listing an End Unit townhome with a full granite kitchen, four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, walkout basement and deck in Markhams Grant!
    

To Learn More about this home and the area Read More Here 

 Now take the tour-Click Here

Home will be coming on the market July 2nd 2009. Lockbox will be installed in the morning.

List Price $199,000

***************************************************************************

Countrywide Loan (1st Trust)

Countrywide Loan (2nd Trust) 

Homes In Prince William County are now selling at a record pace. Don't take my word for it, even the newspaper is reporting it. As more and more buyers enter the real estate market trying to benefit from the $8000 Home Buyer Credit, we are seeing a phenomenon that we have seen in years.

Homes are selling at a record pace and most homes are getting multiple offers.

They only issue is, many home buyers are growing more and more tired of waiting game .Waiting for lenders to approve short sale, waiting for REO Companies to send paperwork, buying home "As Is" in less than good condition. They search online, find a house, go look, write an offer only to learn that they may not have an answer from the banks for weeks if not longer.

Folks.... Home Buyers want a sure thing!

That's where you come in. "Can you offer a home buyer a quick decission? If someone paid you fair market value and met your terms...would you sell your home? Well let's talk."

You the seller might be pleasantly surprised to see just how many options are available to you right now!

What have you been dreaming of?

• A larger master bath
• A sun room
• A single family home with a garage
• An in ground pool
• It's time to move to another state
• It's time to retire
• Another baby is on the way...
• Move-up homes are not moving as fast and are priced rediculously low! Just take a look at a few of the Stupid Low Priced Luxury Home Available right now this is just a sample.Search Homes Now

You have the power to get your family top $ and to offer a quick decission to buyers. Erick and Company has a systematic marketing system that will produce many offers for your review. This is a just a sample of how we market your home on the internet. The key to your success is to have Erick and Company help you design a plan that works for your family, deciding where you want to move next, timing and negotiating the best offer the market will bare.

Your sitting on golden opportunity to position yourself in front of the pent up demand of buyers we are currently seeing in the marketplace.

Is it time for a change? Only you know for sure...

• What is it about your current home that you would like to change?
• Is there something specific that your searching for? 
• Have you been dreaming of a Main Level Master Bedroom, an In-ground Pool, a three car garage?
• Give us a call, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear
• Just click here and tell us about your home and we'll crunch the numbers...

Have Questions?

          Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

That's a great question Greg, thanks for asking?  Let me share with you what I explained to Greg.

Traditionally the summer months are very slow. However this real estate market isn't like any market we've ever experienced.

In fact Chris Gordon of Channel 4 News called the other day,asking the same question, the media was working on a story, wanting to know if as a Realtor in the field, I'm seeing a shift or a change. I explained"you bet we are! The market has been trying to kick start for a few months now." So what do I think is the uunderlying reason homes are selling so fast?"

• The $8000 tax credit ends in less than 5 months!
• Interest rates have started to creep up and that changes a buyers Buying Power
• Less foreclosures are entering the market
• Buyers have become more realistic about putting in offers on Short Sale homes ( and are now willing to be patient)

Currently if you looking a home priced under $500,000 in Prince William County chances are very good you will be amoung many competing for the same home. Gone are the days when you would see a home on line, call a Realtor, go look at the house, wait a few days to "think about it" and then write a contract. If a buyer attempts that in today's market you will be a day late and a $ short every time.  I wish I had better news especially if you've been sitting waiting to buy. As a Realtors it is ourmake the market, it's is our job to coach you on your options, and help you find a home that will meet your wants,needs and desires within your budget.

Take a look a the GRAPH Below as reported on Zillow.com today. 

Call me or email me and all of us at Erick and Company will help you get the home you've been dreaming of. Remember, you have until November 30th, 2009 to qualify for the $8000 Home Buyer Credit. What are you waiting for time is running out.

If you are a homeowner, now is a great time to think about selling. Actually if you do not have to rely on a bank for short sale approval, you may find yourself in a very good situation. Give me a call and let's see what's possible. I think you might be surprised at your options!

Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085

or contact me by email 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

                               DO NOT TURN OFF ELECTRIC IF YOU HAVE A SUMP PUMP!

Soaking wet carpets, rotting tack strips and mold growing in the crawl spaces and utility room....Yuck!

What a costly mess! These are photo's taken of a home where the homeowner moved and turned off the utilities. "When you sell your home by short sale it is still your home....and it is your responsibility to keep the utilities on." If you don't and the home sustains damage from a non-functioning sump pump all the months of waiting and fighting for short sale approval may be for nothing and you could be heading to foreclosure.

If you are selling your home by short sale, please leave your utilities on! This is critical for the health of your home and your chances for a successful short sale outcome.

If you have any questions about the process, please ask.  If you are a homeowner reading this blog post and you know you are struggling and you can't make ends meet, pick up the phone. I do this for a living and I can help you figure out your options. You may even be able to do a loan modification.

I'd like to hear from Home Buyers  in the Woodbridge-Lake Ridge VA area who read this post. Are you seeing homes in rough condition that are being sold by short sale of foreclosure? What are your thoughts about this...

                                               Have Questions About Real Estate?

                                              Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

          Peggy James- "Your Neighborhood Realtor" Serving Lake Ridge VA and Woodbridge VA 

 Today was a great day!

I was totally caught off guard today when I answered my cell phone and the caller identified himself as an appraiser that had been assigned to appraiser 2191 Mackenzie Place, in Woodbridge VA 22192.

                          "I asked who ordered the appraisal..he said Chevy Chase Bank!"

I can tell you this I almost jumped for JOY!  The short sale package I submitted to the bank went out less than two and a half weeks ago! The shear fact this was not a BPO ( Broker Price Opinion),this was a Certified Appraiser who would be determining the Fair Market Value was a great sign. The bank is not waisting any time, the file I submitted was a complete file ready for the Loss Specialist to process. If a Realtor sends in an incomplete file...the file will just be set aside on the back burner. I never want that to happen. It's so counter productive!

We also found out today that a Loss Specialist has been assigned to the case. That's a great sign.

Now regarding the second trust.It is a Line of Credit with Suntrust Bank. This bank has proved to be a very frustrating process. From what I run into,the call center only can give me one man's name and number to contact. His voice mail for two and half weeks not says it's full, and rolls you to the covering voice mail. Today at least the covering voice mail was not full. I left another message, with the Loan # and the call to action that I need to talk with someone about my clients short sale package I submitted two weeks ago. So I wait...and wait, and 5pm rolls around and no return call.

I called the call center back to verify they have the seller authorization form uploaded into their system and to my shock the call center rep says," I'm sorry Mrs. James I do not see your name on this file, have you faxed the entire short sale package to Mr.Steve WXXXXXXXX at this number XXXXXXXXXX. I said yes I have another representative gave me his email last week. I have a receipt that the email was received. However I have nothing other than a time stamp that it was delivered to his email box. Could you please make a note in your file that I have sent the package three times now, and that to date, no one can help me help the distressed homeowners who hired me to help them. Ok, I have a headache! Tomorrow is another day!

We're early in the two loan short sale approval process....

"If you would like to read more about the process of how a Two Loan Short Sale is negotiated and how long the process takes read the related posts...and subscribe to my blog and follow along"

A Reality Blog Series About A Short Sale With Two Loans....Woodbridge Virginia

Reality Blog Series- How To Sell A Home By Short Sale With Two Loans In Woodbridge Virginia

Reality Blog Series- Short Sale With Two Loans- "The First Few Days!" Woodbridge VA

Reality Blog Series- Short Sale With Two Loans- "We Have Several Offers!" Woodbridge VA

Reality Blog Series- Short Sale With Two Loans- "Papers, Papers, Papers Everywhere!" Woodbridge VA

An Acurate Video That Shows The Frustrations Of Dealing With Banks!

Stay tuned for updates.......

If you have any questions about the process, please ask. If you are another Real Estate Professional who has had success getting a Short Sale Approved with Chevy Chase or Suntrust please let the reader know. Comment on below.

 If you are a homeowner reading this blog post and you know you are struggling and you can't make ends meet, pick up the phone. I do this for a living and I can help you figure out your options. You may even be able to do a loan modification.

Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085

or contact me by email 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

What do you do when you want a exterior flood light on the side of the house but you don't have a ladder high enough and you don't want to hire an electrician?

Well apparently you drill a hole under the bay window through the siding and just plug it into the outlet under the window.

Peggy James- "Your Neighborhood Realtor" Serving Lake Ridge VA and Woodbridge VA

                                                                             703-590-2252

Put Your Hands Together For Bank of America....

Two weeks ago I learned Bank of America was offering to modify homeowners loans that were previously originated by Countrywide Home Loans especially those who have a Pay Option Loans.  My husband and I have one of these loans...so I was pleased to hear the news." According to the to the representative I talked with,the homeowner does not have to qualify, this is not a refinance." Just by having a  Pay Option Loan originated by Countrywide Home Loans makes you eligible for this no cost restructure of your loan.

How does the program work? It's Pretty Simple ...
  

• No Appraisal     
• No Fee's     
• No Closing Costs     
• The Negative Amortization Feature is Removed From The Loan     
• Note:They Do Not Offer To Lower The Loan Balance   (unless you have a hardship)  
• Some  Homeowner Will  Most Likely Still Be Upside Down On The Home Value     
• The Homeowner is then offered several options depending on situation and ratio's       
  • 10/1 Yr Arm- Interest Only Loan( taxes and insurance included in loan)         
  • 40 Year Amortized Loans Available         
  • 30 Year Fixed Loan Available      
  • Principal balance reductions and lower rates for homeowners facing hardships      
  • So pick up the phone and call them!    

So it's official, I'm proof they did what they said they would do.  Bank Of America restructured our  loan to a 10/1 Arm -Interest Only Loan fixed for ten years with an interest rate under five percent  for a Jumbo Loan!

In our case we had excellent credit and no significant hardship so our principal balance was not reduced and we're ok with that we have no intention of moving anytime soon. However for homeowners who are facing challenges, I was told Bank of America will help you.

For more information go to the Bank Of America website.

Note: I was getting form letters in the mail. I thought they were junk mail. Since we were never late... It wasn't junk mail at all! All Pay Option Loans will be modified by Bank Of America, The process was painless process and one I'm glad we called about.

            The process from start to finish took two weeks! 

                        Have a question call me- Peggy James my direct line 703-851-3085

                                                                      or contact me by email 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

This blog post is for all of you who have been beaten up by the current market conditions. I have some refreshing news for those of you who are tired of the fight.

Fed up with writing contracts on short sales and bank owned properties only to learn that the your a day late and a dollar short so to speak.

Good News....more and more  Regular Sellers are entering the marketplace. Here in Prince William County if you are able to afford $350,000 to $500,000 you will have many choices.  The prices actually begin at $129,000 and go as high as a Million Dollars. Builders prices have come down and there are several builders in the area who have spec homes (inventory ready and waiting for you within a few months!)

If you've been searching for a home in Woodbridge, Manassas, Gainesville, Dumfries or Montclair, things may be looking up!

I hope this information takes you by surprise and you can find the home your looking for.  I personally just scrubbed the MLS Database for about an hour this evening to make sure I pulled out, all of the short sales, and foreclosures so you really could see the real inventory that is available right now. The key is you need an agent who is willing to do the work to find the one you want.  All of us at Erick and Company work hard so you don't have to . We sell real estate. It's is our goal to find you your dream home.

Take a look at the current Regular Seller Homes For Sale

If you see something that peaks your interest

Don't hesitate to call ask for Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James

Mention that you saw this post. We'll pay your Home Warranty When You Buy! That's Up To A $500 Savings.

703-590-2252

Remember it doesn't cost you a penny to have a top producing experienced Realtor help you buy a home.

or contact me by email 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's 

I thought I would share with readers today a great video clip that I recently viewed that shows exactly how a Realtors day goes almost everyday when we are dealing with short sales. It's nice to know someone "Gets It!"

If you need help selling your home by short sale...just call.

Selling by Short Sale In Lake Ridge Virginia

I Can't Promise You'll Get Congressional Help, However I Will Promise I Won't Give Up On Your Situation!"

703-590-2252

Recently I wrote a posting about Lake Ridge Virginia Market Report  201 homes Under Contract as of two weeks ago in the Lake Ridge area. The market is fast paced and homes are selling quickly.

Remember it's important to have an idea in your mind of what kind of home you are looking for.  This is not just about finding a home  I think you will agree with me, it's about finding a home you can live in, one that fits your lifestyle and your budget.

Some people are looking for a home like the one I own below with a big flat yard. I remember when I first walk the lot and thought to myself "oh my, I cannot believe I found a house with a yard like this....it's perfect!" Isn't that what you want at the end of the day, to know that someone is hearing you, and is going to help you find the home that will make you happy.

So, the question begs to be asked....." what's important to you?"

Share that with us so we can help you find the perfect place to call home. 

As a buyer do you know how to take advantage of this market? How can you position yourself to be able to purchase a home? Well, it's important to get pre-approved and to sit down with someone like Erick or myself who can help guide you through the process and coach you on all your options. Do you know which type of sale will fit with your timeframe, budget and lifestyle? Is it a:

• Regular Owner Sale?
• Foreclosure Sale?
• Short Sale?
• New Home?

Right now in Lake Ridge Virginia and surrounding area's  the market is being driven by short sales. Fewer regular sellers and fewer and fewer foreclosures. The trick to securing a good house right now is being one of the first to view the home especially if it's a Short Sale Listing. Only one offer goes to the bank. So they go under contract FAST! 

Right now is a  GREAT TIME to buy a home in the Lake Ridge Virginia Area.  Take a look at the $300,000 to $700,000 price range is Lake Ridge right now. The choices are really good. Take a look..

If you don't see what your looking for just enter in different search criteria and search for whatever your looking for. Set up an account and be alerted when homes come on the market. It's that simple!

Opportunities Are Everywhere!

 Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.