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If These Walls Could Talk: Google’s New HoME Plug Lets Your Home Talk To You
By just plugging the HoME into a wall outlet, homeowners can have an inside look on not only what their home’s immediate maintenance needs are but also it’s preferences vis-a-vis paint colors, interior feng shui, and complementary landscaping.
Top 3 Benefits of a Career in Real Estate
I believe the top three benefits this business offers is financial independence, the freedom to manage your own time and most importantly, the ability to service and assist clients and customers to obtain one of the biggest assets of their lifetime: their home!
Is It Time to Take the Next Step? Buying a Home With a Partner
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…a nice home with room for a carriage? In terms of relationship milestones, buying a home with a partner can be an exciting and life-changing step! How do you know whether buying a home with another person (married or not) is the right decision? What are the legal and emotional implications for each party? Read on for our agents’ best advice for purchasing your first home together!
Define Your Must-Haves
One of the biggest problems we run into as Realtors is when couples have different expectations about what features are absolute must-haves in a home. Stafford agent Debbie Stump of the Rubio Group says, “When purchasing a home with your partner discuss the items on your home search that are most important to you both such as attached garage, number of bedrooms etc. Once you both know what is most important to the other the rest just falls into place.”
Strictly defining what is absolutely necessary and what is just “nice-to-have” will make your home search easier and drama-free! Spotsylvania agent Sarah Hurst points out that “Most people view the word couple as husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend but I was fortunate enough to have a single mother client with a 9 year old daughter. The daughter’s health issues made her unable to walk for 2-3 months so in the meantime, we found them a perfect home with two first-floor master bedrooms and lots of room for them to grow! This mom (my client) feels like buying them a home is a great start to getting their life underway!” No matter who you’re purchasing the home with (or for!), taking their needs and wants into consideration should help steer the direction of your search!
Money Moves
For some first-time home buyers, combining finances with a partner is the only way they’d be able to afford purchasing their own home. Several of our agents recognized the financial advantages of buying a home. As Massaponax agent Michael Skinner put it, “If you’re tired of paying someone else’s mortgage, why not invest in your own future?” Tatyana Ganeyeva, of our Stafford office, advises “If your finances are in order, I would definitely consider buying a home. It’s a great investment, your best money saving tool and a place where lasting memories will be built.”
Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst
Whenever couples make a big financial decision like purchasing property, it’s important to make a plan so that all parties are protected. Stafford agent Terin Merriman warns, “Make sure you protect your own best interest, regardless of whether you’re buying with your best friend, boyfriend, etc. If for whatever reason you’re not on the loan, ensure your name is on the title so that legally it’s just as much your home as anyone else’s. Don’t just simply move in and help pay someone else’s mortgage.” Protecting your own best interest in a home purchase isn’t necessarily a harbinger of divorce or eventual animosity! It’s simply the smart thing to do when dealing with such a large investment. As King George agent Debbie Render put it, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a romantic coupling or really good friends who go in together to buy/share costs. It’s just best to see an attorney before actually buying, to work out an agreement between the parties beforehand, so that both know what will happen in a “worst-case scenario.” Using a knowledgeable agent and an experienced settlement company can be really crucial in these situations so that you have an advocate on your side!
Virginia is for Lovers: Romantic Getaways in the Commonwealth
Whether you’re celebrating with your better half or living it up with your Galentines, Valentine’s Day is a great time to take a fun getaway! We’ve rounded up some of the most luxurious and unique places to spend some quality time in the Commonwealth!
Coldwell Banker Elite Named Platinum Award Winner By Cartus Broker Network
We are so pleased to announce Coldwell Banker Elite has been named a Platinum Award winner by Cartus Broker Services for our Relocation Department’s outstanding performance during the past year! The award will be presented at the 2019 Cartus Broker Network Conference, held March 17-19 at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Cartus Corporation is a worldwide leader in employee relocation solutions.
Platinum is the highest level of the Excellence Awards presented to principal brokers. Excellence Award recognition is based on performance results related to a wide variety of metrics including customer service, cost management, and effective analysis and marketing of homes.
“Being presented with The Platinum Award is a recognition of extraordinary accomplishment,” said Mike Brannan, Cartus Senior Vice President, Broker Services. “To earn this distinction, a broker must have successfully demonstrated outstanding performance in a variety of areas, including addressing customer needs, understanding local market conditions, and executing best business practices so our customers may achieve their real estate goals. Coldwell Banker Elite has delivered the very highest levels of results to both their customers and the Cartus Broker Network, and ultimately, their performance has resulted in our ability to provide great value to our clients, their relocating employees, and to our Affinity organizations and their members.”
“We’re honored to receive a Platinum Award,” said Conor Breen, Director of Relocation Services. “Our team has spent the last year fully dedicating themselves to achieving the best results for Cartus, their clients, and their customers, as well as our brokerage. I’m grateful to our team for all of their efforts, and I want to thank Cartus for this honor.”
About Cartus Broker Network
The U.S. Cartus Broker Network includes 784 firms with over 3,000 offices and approximately 116,000 agents. The Cartus Broker Network in Canada is comprised of 218 firms with 431 offices and more than 8,000 agents.
About Cartus
For more than 60 years, Cartus has provided trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes that require global relocation solutions. Providing the full spectrum of relocation services, including language and intercultural training, Cartus serves more than half of the Fortune 50 and has moved employees into and out of 185 countries. Cartus is part of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. To find out how our greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit www.cartus.com; read their blog; or click www.realogy.com for more information.
Local Love: What Made You Fall In Love with Your Neighborhood?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about your hometown or favorite neighborhood that really made you fall in love with the place… Was it the charming Main Street or the easy access to awesome shopping? What about the local playground or the incredible library? Whether you’re moving to the area soon or have lived here for years, our agents had plenty to say about why they fell in love with their particular corner of Northern Virginia!
Location, Location, Location
For some agents, location and proximity to local amenities is key. Alison Rabak from our Gainesville office talks about her dreamy neighborhood layout, “I fell for our new neighborhood because of its location! My kids walk to school and there is a path around a pond that connects to restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater.” Maya Bonello of the Rubio Group in our Stafford Office took resale value into account: “My husband is in the Military and we didn’t know if this is the place we would stay forever. But we knew location mattered to us – personally and also for resale. We wanted to be in an established area with great schools, a welcoming neighborhood, and a home walkable to parks and shopping centers. Fairfax City gave us just that. We couldn’t be more in love with the area.”
Love At First Sight
Just like a great love story, sometimes the final decision is based entirely on a feeling! Stafford agent Terin Merriman “fell in love with Stafford because it has a country feel. Backroads with gorgeous views, horses and cows!” While Gainesville agent Vera Boujaoude was mainly interested in a particular school district, “We fell in love with our neighborhood because…when we came to see the home, we noticed tons of kids our kids’ ages on our same street. We felt like we were home!”
Easy Like Sunday Morning
Latana Locke, broker of our King George and Colonial Beach offices, was won over by the low maintenance and friendly vibe of Hopyard Farms: “We love Hopyard Farms! We moved from a large lot with lots of leaves and leaves and leaves. My husband is retired and he wanted a smaller yard and easy walking areas. Hopyard is perfect—great neighbors, rural but not too far from town. We bought just over two years ago and love it here.”
Let Us Play Matchmaker
Whenever you find “the one,” we’re here to help! Spotsylvania agent Sarah Hurst says “One of my favorite things is when clients just absolutely fall in love with a neighborhood and you can just see it in their eyes. It can be due to the school systems, the layout, the community amenities, or the warm feeling that it provides them with comfort and amenities. I believe that when a client falls in love with a neighborhood, the rest of the process can go pretty smoothly and we are just waiting for the right house to come onto the market that will become their forever home.” If you think you’ve decided on your perfect neighborhood but there aren’t any active listings at the moment, contact one of our agents to set up an automatic alert so that you’ll be the first to know when your dream home hits the market!
5 Things To Consider Before Getting Your Real Estate License
After teaching pre-licensing classes for many years, I’ve heard many different reasons for becoming an agent. Some students have told me they really like looking at houses so they think they would love being a Realtor. Others want to flip homes and re-sell them with dreams of getting rich quick. Some think that they can work as a Realtor part-time and double their income. Real estate is a wonderful, ever-changing field, but there are a few things that you may want to consider before getting your real estate license.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: 2018 Fredericksburg Holiday Fun
Streetlights are adorned in evergreen garlands, houses are glowing with twinkle lights–the holidays are always a magical time around here! We’ve rounded up our best picks for the most joyous holiday activities for the whole family!
5 Easy Ways to Brighten Up Your Home for Winter
Local coffee shops are serving peppermint mochas, the sun starts to set before dinnertime and all of Fredericksburg gets bundled up to brave the chilly temps–it’s officially winter! Despite all of the twinkle lights and holiday festivities, the gloomy weather can really put a damper on your home’s atmosphere! Here are five ways to keep your home feeling happy and light all throughout the winter season!
Four CBE Agents Elected to 2019 FAAR Leadership
We’d like to congratulate all FOUR of our agents elected to the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors Leadership Team, including Drew Fristoe as 2019 FAAR President! We’re so proud of all of you and looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the Installation Ceremony on December 6th at the UMW University Center. Get to know the new Leadership Team here!
Drew Fristoe, President
Raised in Fredericksburg, VA, Drew graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2006 with a B.S. in Business Administration. A first-generation real estate professional who was licensed in 2008, Fristoe is active in his state and local association as well as the National Association of REALTORS®.
Drew chaired the NAR YPN committee Advisory Committee in 2018 and is also the co-founder of the Fredericksburg Area Association YPN, which Drew chaired in 2012, and the co-founder of the Virginia Association of REALTORS® YPN. He has served on the Virginia Association of REALTORS® Information Management Committee. In addition to chairing the Fredericksburg REALTORS® Foundation in 2011 and 2012, Fristoe has also worked on the Federal Political Coordinating Team for 1st District Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) since 2009.
Arlene Mason, President-Elect
“It gives me great pride and satisfaction to be associated with such a wonderful group of professional REALTORS®” says Arlene. She feels that she has gained so much personally by networking and serving with other dedicated, caring and giving individuals. She says that “the return on the investment of your time will far exceed your expectations.”
A licensed REALTOR® since 2004, Arlene received her associate broker’s license in 2014. Since 2004, she has been involved with various FAAR committees and then decided to take the next step to serve on the Board in 2013. She has served on FAAR’s Board of Directors for the past 5 years, Treasurer for 2 years, and Vice President for the past 2 years. She is also a proud graduate of the Virginia Leadership Academy Class of 2013.
Arlene would like to offer a challenge to her FAAR friends . . . “Become involved – it will open doors for you, and both you and your business will prosper.” She will be honored to serve as President-Elect in 2019 and looks forward to getting know more of her colleagues.
Carol Sondrini, Director
Carol Sondrini is an energetic, positive, team-player who is very involved as a mentor in the Massaponax office and in FAAR. She is a member of the FAAR Education Committee and an elected Governor on the Realtor’s Foundation because she believes deeply in helping others. She serves as the Kitchen Coordinator for Love Thy Neighbor in King George.
She is excited to use her position on the FAAR Board to contribute to the vision moving forward in order to positively impact the members and the community. She hopes to help bring a larger awareness of FAAR to our area.
Deb Ellis, Director
Deb Ellis has been in our local market since 2004. Deb is active in the community from co-founding the Owen Lea Foundation to volunteering hours of service to local non-profits. She is passionate about education and bringing higher standards to the industry, as a member of the FAAR Education Committee and an instructor.
As the VP of Residential Services, she coaches, supports and mentors agents and brokers leading them to success. She desires to see
the same in all agents and by joining the board, she can have a positive impact. Exceptional service has been her ethos in the industry.
We are also incredibly thankful for Clay Murray and Ben Keddie’s service at FAAR as 2018 Directors and look forward to honoring them on Thursday! We are so lucky to have such a large presence in the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors!
