HERE’S A BACKDOOR PASS TO GET GMAIL

We all know the role that E-mail has taken in speeding up today’s real estate transaction. And perhaps you’ve heard about Goggle’s powerful new “Gmail” with its big one GB mailbox capacity and powerful message searching system. BUT — the only official way to get signed on for this free service at this time is by way of an invitation from an already registered user.

This means that, without this tip, you’re out in the cold until you track down a subscribing friend or buy a Gmail invite at one of the auction sites that has them for sale. Now with this neat trick you can put your wallet away. Just go to this great place where these creative folks have created a pool that collects invitations from already subscribed Gmail users.

You can pick up your invitation there without cost and be all set up in a couple of minutes!

Click Here for This Great Place

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

Simple Living In A Mini Home

For a growing number of people today, simple is a whole lot better than your average 30 yr stretch of high mortgage payments.

Downsizing and living simple is taking place all around us. These micro homes are the next big thing in this saturated economic environment where everything that makes you save money is nothing less than great. There is nothing wrong in living in a home that is small but extremely cozy and fulfils all the functions of a normal house. Just how small depends upon how frugal you want to live.

What can a Micro House Give You!

These homes are about the size of 200 square feet. It might sound scary to think about living in such a compact but these homes are designed in such ways that along with being cozy, they provide enough space to provide a comfortable environment to relax and carry out all your routine chores. This fact can’t be neglected – you won’t be having a lot of free space to accommodate big furniture or let your kids to play freely, but if people will live in small houses, they will get more time to focus on living life freely instead of worrying about home.

In today’s world, people have become self-centered, more focused on what I have, rather than what I can afford or what I need. People have lost connections with the outside world and a small compact home with little upkeep makes you want to go out and take part in society.

Generally, a small home costs around $20,000 to $30,000 – Unbelievable! But there is always room for additions.

They Possess Equally Inspiring Designs and Architecture

These micro/mini homes can be divided and labeled in various terms. There are Wee homes that are just about the size of 125 square feet, but don’t be fooled by their size. Sometimes, these houses have architecture and design you can’t help but to fall in love with.

Then there are tiny tumbleweed houses, that can be comparatively larger in size and these houses are capable of fulfilling a lot of functions. They even can possess a home office, as they are available in varying sizes. And let’s not forget Sustain mini homes; designed keeping the green environment’s needs in mind. Along with being environmentally friendly, these homes have cute designs and impressive portability.

A friendly and interesting micro house type is Loftcube; this home doesn’t even require you to buy expensive land as it can be set on several roof top locations.

The micro/mini home isn’t just environment friendly, cheap and easy to attain, but their designs are amusing to the eyes and any one can fall in love with them and live life frugally and affordably.

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

US POSTAGE STAMPS FEATURING YOUR PHOTO!

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I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties. &nbsp;Our local neighborhoods include&nbsp;<a href=”http://helena.findnorthernvahomes.com/results.aspx?p=1&amp;city=8316%2C6551&amp;proptype=VT%2CC%2CSF&amp;status=A”>Leesburg</a&gt;, <a href=”http://helena.findnorthernvahomes.com/results.aspx?p=1&amp;city=6524&amp;proptype=VT%2CC%2CSF&amp;status=A”>Ashburn</a&gt;, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. &nbsp;Cell 703.727.9885 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Office 703.574.3800</div>
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LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

GONE PHISHING

Unless you’ve been living a cave you have received notices urging you to update your account information — even if you don’t have an account with the senders — most of whom are well know companies like Wells Fargo, AOL or eBay. This important place is an authoritative resource containing a depth of information on these dangerous ruses known as “Phishing”.

The Department of Justice defines “Phishing” as “a general term for criminals’ creation and use of e-mails and websites – designed to look like e-mails and websites of well known legitimate businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies – in order to deceive Internet users into disclosing their bank and financial account information or other personal data such as user names and passwords. The “Phishers” then take that information and use it for criminal purposes, such as identity theft and fraud.”

Here you can see alerts regarding new Phishing attacks detected plus a ton of additional information regarding the nefarious activities of the Phishers.

Click Here for This Great Place

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

CHECK OUT THE BAD GUYS

Here’s a way to save a ton of time and grief when dealing with merchants and other companies in your area. You can check the company you are considering doing business with at this great site and get a “Reliability Report” detailing complaints and how the company handled the issues.

You can also check reliability by retailer type. Foe example, say you’re going shopping for a car — you can check out all of your area automobile dealers in the advanced search section and weed out the bad guys right up front. Nice folks these Better Business Bureau watchdogs with the white hats.

Click Here for This Cyber Trick

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

Making A Good First Impression

Now that you have your home listed for sale, it is time to think about showing your home to potential buyers. You have cleaned and organized everything in anticipation of listing your home but have you thought about the little things that could increase the value of your home?

You only have one chance to make a good first impression. But what does that mean. Your house is clean and organized so what else is there?

You never know what a buyer will be looking at and sometimes it is the small things that can really make a difference.

1. Make sure you have a family plan of daily chores that will need to be taken care of once you receive notice that your realtor has scheduled a showing. Shoes off the floor, wipe down the countertops, a quick scrub of the toilets, tubs etc.

2. Keep your lawn mowed and neatly maintained. Including leaves, trash that has blown into your yard or bushes, if it is trash day-pick up the cans and/or move the trash to a different location, straighten your lawn furniture, remove any signs of a pet-such as toys, water bowls etc.

3. Buy a new Welcome mat for your front door

4. Dress up your front porch with a nice potted plant or some colorful flowers

5. Paint your front door and your garage door

6. Remove all toys, bikes, skateboards etc. away from the outside of your home

7. Clean all of your windows inside and out – otherwise you might find your potential buyers asking you to replace the windows

8. Install a new doorknob on your front door

9. Repair any loose shingles and repair and paint your gutters

10. Hang fresh clean towels in your bathroom

11. Add some fresh flowers to your table

12. Replace any burned out light bulbs

It’s very easy to complete the little things that add a good first impression to your home. Things that show you care will reflect in the buyers mind as pride of ownership which in turn will raise your homes perceived value.

Talk to your realtor about other tips and tricks you can use to increase the perceived value of your home. Your realtor will be more than happy to help you do anything they can to help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar.

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

Don’t Forget This Room…..

Do you know what room most home sellers overlook? If you haven’t guessed it yet, don’t feel bad. Most homeowners do not even give it a second thought.

The garage is the most overlooked room in the house. The garage is a very important space for most buyers. They are envisioning themselves working in their “shop”, building shelves, trying to picture how their vehicles will fit or how much extra storage it provides them.

It is extremely important for your garage to look clean and uncluttered. You took the time to clean and organize every other room in your house. So why wouldn’t you do the same for your garage? Your buyers will not be able to picture themselves using your garage if it is cluttered and full of your personal belongings.

You are going to have to pack anyway so why not start with the garage. Go through everything and throw away anything that you don’t use. Then pack the rest. Get a short term storage space if you need to.

Cleaning and organizing your garage so that your buyers can visualize themselves using it could make or break the sale. Additionally, an orderly garage could add value to the price of your home. If your buyers can’t see the full potential of the space, they can’t visualize themselves using it!

Here are a few tips to help clean and organize your garage:
• Go through everything and throw away anything you don’t use
• Pack and put into a storage anything that you don’t use that distracts from the organized look of the garage
• Dust all of the walls and don’t forget to sweep the cobwebs out of the corners and off of the ceiling
• If the garage has cabinets or shelves, make sure they are clean, uncluttered and organized
• Remove everything from the floor that doesn’t need to be there
• Remove all chemicals and flammable items. Not all buyers keep a close eye on their children
• Make sure your garage door opener is functioning correctly, including a working light bulb
• Clean your garage floors and if your garage floor has oil spills or any other type of spills, clean them thoroughly
• After you clean your garage floors, paint them with cement paint to add a “like new” fresh and clean look to them
• If your garage walls have any sheetrock damage, have them repaired
• A fresh coat of paint in your garage will also help make your home seem newer, well kept and shows pride of ownership. This gives the buyer a sense that if you took such good care of the garage, you must have taken equal care with your homes maintenance and this will add value in the mind of the buyer
• Don’t forget to paint the garage door as well. Because often times this is the first thing the buyer sees

Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression! Be sure to tell your realtor if your garage has any special features so they can point them out to perspective buyers. Ask your realtor for any other tips and tricks you can use to sell your home more quickly and for more money. They will be more than happy to share ideas that they have used successfully in the past to help sell your home!

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

New Home Or Existing Home?

If you are considering buying a home, then you have probably been pondering the age old question “should I buy a new home or an existing home”? This is a decision that everyone who is looking for a home must make.

There is no right or wrong answer and the best way to determine what is right for you and your family is to list the pros and cons. At this point you may or may not know the pros and cons of each scenario, so here are a few things that will help you make that decision.

Pros of purchasing a new home:
• New home warranty – they are usually around 10 years
• Home has never been lived in
• You can customize your new home
• New everything
• Modern features

Cons of purchasing a new home:
• The landscaping may be non-existent or minimal at best – many times sod is not included
• Upgrades will add more to the price of the home versus buying an existing home that already has them included in the price
• Often the window coverings are not included
• New homes usually have smaller lots
• New homes are usually built on the outskirts of the suburbs
• Usually more expensive than an existing home
• The tax rate could increase significantly as the value of the home will generally increase quite rapidly on a new home. This will result in you having to pay higher yearly taxes that you may or may not be able to afford. This could potentially add hundreds of dollars to your monthly payment each year depending on how much the value of your home increases

Pros of purchasing an existing home:
• Many people prefer an established neighborhood
• Mature landscaping and trees. Grass has already been planted and has matured
• Window coverings are usually already in place
• The homes upgraded features have already been paid for by a previous homeowner
• Any builder defects have already been discovered and handled
• Existing homes generally have larger lots
• An existing home will more than likely be in a more convenient location
• Generally an existing home is less expensive than a new home
• An existing home has a history so you can see how much the property has appreciated over the years. However, this does not guarantee future marketplace performance
• Existing homes usually have lower tax rates and the rates do not increase as rapidly as a new home. The home values do not rise as quickly as they do on a newly built home
• You will usually be able to get a larger home for your money

Cons of purchasing an existing home:
• No new home warranty. However, sometimes the home will have a one year warranty included as part of the sale
• Ongoing maintenance. An existing home, depending on the age, may have major items that will eventually need to be replaced. These can be costly
• May have a termite issues or other wood destroying insects
• The neighborhood could possibly decline a little more quickly than a new neighborhood
• It may not include the huge master suite, deluxe baths and more modern amenities like most new homes have

Well, there you have it. I hope this helps you decide what is right for you and your family. This is a very hard decision for most people. So talk to your realtor about helping you decide. Your realtor has years of experience and will be able to give you some much needed insight on this subject.

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

Is a Reverse Mortgage a Good Idea? Top 5 Facts You Need to Know

Is a Reverse Mortgage a Good Idea? Top 5 Facts You Need to Know
If you or someone you know is over 62 and a homeowner, you have a unique opportunity to get significant, spendable value from your home, even if you still hold an existing mortgage.
Senior homeowners have spent years, often decades, building up equity in their homes. An increasingly common practice of homeowners over the age of 62 is to obtain a reverse mortgage (also known as a HECM, a home equity conversion mortgage), which gives qualified senior homeowners a proven solution to help fund their retirement needs. In addition, and importantly to most independent seniors, a reverse mortgage allows them to live in their home as long as they wish.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network, people often ask me if reverse mortgages are a good option to consider. For some, it can be, but before moving forward, it’s important to fully understand how they work.

Here are five facts you need to know about reverse mortgages:

1. Reverse mortgage candidates must be at least 62 years of age, have significant equity in their property and be looking for a reverse mortgage on their primary residence only.

2. Anyone who intends to apply for a reverse mortgage is required by law to complete a 45-minute counseling session with a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) approved counselor.

3. The sum from a reverse mortgage can be paid to you in a couple of different ways: all at once in a single lump sum of cash; as a regular monthly loan advance; as a credit line that lets you decide how much cash to use and when to use it; or you may have the option to choose a combination of any of these payment plans.

4. The amount of cash you can get from your home’s equity is determined by a number of factors including your age, your home’s value and location, and current interest rates.

5. Reverse mortgages may have tax consequences, could affect eligibility for assistance under Federal and State programs, and may have an impact on the estate and heirs of the homeowner.

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800

Four Ways to Optimize Your Credit Profile

Whether you’re looking for ways to dig out of your financial hole or ways to avoid getting into one, the importance of actively managing your credit and debt profile has never been greater. Americans have become well-versed in asset management but not necessarily liability management. Until recently, easy access to credit has made our current generation feel immune to the real risks of overextending your credit.
In today’s difficult economic environment, as banks get more restrictive about who gets approved for credit and which consumers get the preferred rates, as a member of The Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I am advising all my clients to spend more time analyzing the types of credit they have and how it is used. The reality is, we all need to change our behaviors and adapt to the realities of the current environment. When it comes to liability management, here are some simple first steps to take from credit consultants, Approvalguard.com:
1. Understand How Credit Works. Now is not the time to be content with understanding 80% of what you need to know about your credit. Ninety-four percent of consumers are challenged with understanding the basics of how personal credit works. In most cases, they build credit over a lifetime of trial and error. Invest some time in researching and understanding the current credit climate and/or contact your financial advisor or a trained credit professional.

2. Continually Evaluate and Monitor Your Current Credit Profile. The second step is to evaluate your current credit and debt profile and establish a plan based on your short- and long-term credit needs. Continually monitoring your credit report and profile is no different or less important today than getting a physical exam by your doctor.

3. Optimize Your Credit. Each of your debts should be periodically reviewed and analyzed. Are there options you can take to improve your overall credit profile so that you’re more desirable to creditors for their preferred interest rates? Should you consolidate some of your debt? Once you strengthen your credit and debt profile, do you have options on your home, auto and credit cards to negotiate lower interest rates and terms that would save you money monthly?

4. Rethink New Purchases. Excellent credit is like an insurance policy. When you need to use it, you want to qualify for the preferred interest rates and terms. Maintaining your credit “insurance policy” is critical for special purchases like a home, car or major appliances when needed. Don’t wait until there’s an immediate need because your chance of making a material change in your profile overnight is very difficult.

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE :    REAL ESTATE CYBERTIPS

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. 

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.  Cell 703.727.9885      Office 703.574.3800