Jada’s Blog

Warm, Inviting & Updated!

Posted on

You want to be on the water, but have privacy. You like trees and nature. You want your new home to feel like home; warm, inviting and updated, yet with quality construction and finishes. You want to be in a small, yet classy neighborhood, close to groceries, doctors, drug stores and the bank. You want choices for relaxation; a sunroom, screened porch and a party deck. Welcome home! Three master suites with an additional fourth bedroom (currently used as an office) are all available for your everyday living or guests. Hickory cabinets, granite counters and all the finishes you would expect for a custom built home. Make it yours today!

This Is It – Design, Layout & Quality!

Posted on Tags , , , , , ,

You’ll walk in and say ”this is it”. The beautiful paver drive welcomes you upon entering. The design, layout and quality have everything you want-all on one level and the perfect downsizer home. Superior construction with crown moldings, hardwood flooring throughout (no carpet), granite counters, a paved walking trail around the pond and gazebo, what’s not to love? You can walk across the street to the local YMCA, and located just minutes to shopping, medical offices, pharmacies, the library and salon, its all at your finger tips.

5 Credit Score Mistakes To Watch Out For!

Posted on

If you are like most Americans, you are concerned about maintaining a high credit score.

If you are planning to buy real estate in the near future, it’s a good idea to begin your process early by meeting with a lender and having them run your credit, just in case there are items that need to be cleaned up before you begin your property search.

If a real estate purchase is not in your future it still pays to be vigilant about protecting your score.

Here are 5 quick credit mistakes to watch out for!

Mistake #1: Making late payments. Thirty-day late payments can drop your credit score by 60-100 points!

Mistake #2: Opening store accounts to save on store purchases. Doing so means a hard inquiry, which can pull 5 or more points off your score.

Mistake #3: Closing the wrong accounts. Hold on to the cards that you’ve had the longest.

Mistake #4: Not having enough credit. Insufficient credit shows a lack of a track record and suggests you may not be able to handle more credit.

Mistake #5: Carrying high balances on your cards. High balances show that your debt ratio is too high.

If you have additional questions and need a connection to a quality lender or professionals that can advise you on how to raise your credit, send me an email and I would be happy to help.

How to Find Your Perfect Neighborhood

Posted on Tags , , , , , , ,

Location, location, location. Half of buying a home is all about finding where you want to live. You may have found your dream house, but if it’s not in your dream neighborhood, then it’s not your dream home.

To find the neighborhood that is just right for you, start by making a needs and wants list and be sure to include activities, services, and hobbies that dictate the amenities you need nearby.

The internet provides an immense amount of information so do a little digging.

Check it out in person. Drive through the area multiple times and at different times of day so that you can get a true feel for the area. Consider taking long walks to truly absorb how it would feel to live there.

How far is your potential home from your job? For some, a long commute would be a deal breaker. What is your tolerance? Be sure to drive the route multiple times at the exact times you will be traveling to and from work.

Do your research on property taxes and any other special assessments, especially in new areas and areas that have associations.

Research crime statistics, school ratings, and any neighborhood noise or restrictions that would hamper your enjoyment.

Visit the local park and chat with neighbors to ask what they enjoy most about living in the area.

It’s easy to fall in love with a nice home, and it’s even better when a great lifestyle that is your perfect fit goes along with it.

Email me if you would like information and property searches, I will be happy to assist.

 

Stunning Wide Water Views!

Posted on

Perfectly positioned, this property offers STUNNING WIDE WATER VIEW from almost every room! There is nothing else quite like this currently on the market. Wake up every morning to the sun rising over the water with mountain views to your right and left, of Peaks of Otter and Smith Mountain. You’ll appreciate that the major maintenance items have already been done for you here, with NEW HVAC installed in 2017, NEW ROOF in 2012, New composite decking and railings in 2019 and all new exterior paint just completed! Located in a quiet neighborhood, private culdesac, close to all of Westlake conveniences with a front row seat to all the annual lake events; July 4th fireworks, fishing tournaments, Pirate weekend, etc. Great bass and striper fishing in deep water off the single slip dock.

Rare, Extraordinary, and Unlike Anything You’ve Seen Before!

Posted on

Montelago Plantation is unlike anything you’ve seen on the lake before. A rare and extraordinary property that offers two estates on the water plus rolling pasture and wooded acreage. Allow your imagination to run wild and create your own private sweet escape. The primary home, all on one level, offers construction, materials and techniques that are only appreciated by the refined and discerning investor. The waterfront guest house accommodates full living quarters as as well as a separate living area designed for those ministering to the estate. Dabble in whatever hobby you enjoy in the 5 car garage, located beneath the guest house. For the winemaker, the pergola is interlaced with two varieties of white and red grapes. 

What Is In Your Real Estate Future?

Posted on Tags , , ,

Are property prices going up or down?

Are rates going to stay reasonable?

Is now a good time to buy or sell?

Are we headed for another downcycle?

Are there still any great investment deals out there?

Americans are fascinated with real estate and are always eagerly seeking information to find the path to buying their piece of the American dream.

In fact, millions of consumers purchase educational materials, attend investment conferences, and obsessively watch real estate reality shows! All for a good reason. Real estate, when purchased correctly, can be the best opportunity to build long term wealth, and the potential of passive income can help boost retirement earnings and security.

Across the nation it truly is still a very opportunistic market if you have the expertise to find the gems and navigate the hurdles. While market trends and financial reports can help us identify market hot spots and downturns, no one has a crystal ball to see into the future and perfectly time the market.

Because purchasing real estate does have downsides as well as upsides, it is always wise to consider your next real estate step carefully. Be sure to do your homework by exploring your options and opportunities with a local experienced real estate professional while you are still early in the planning stages.

To assist my friends, family, and clients in making their buy and sell decisions and creating their real estate game plan, I have created two valuable educational resources: Becoming Financially Secure: The Real Estate Roadmap and Selecting the Right Real Estate Professional to Buy or Sell Your Investment Property.

These valuable reports offer a wealth of tips, worksheets, and answers to frequently asked questions. This guide is yours 100% free, no pressure, no obligation, just valuable information.  To request your reports simply reach out by email.

 

Do You Love Bright Colors But Are Afraid To Invest In Bright Furniture?

Posted on Tags , , , , ,

Bold, bright colors are in style!

However it’s a little scary to buy a hot pink couch or a lime green chair, especially when they come with a hefty price tag and you worry you may tire of them or the styles may change. and no one wants to be stuck with a dated piece of furniture.

A great solution: choose neutral furniture and add your pops of color with inexpensive art work, bright scatter rugs, throws, and pillows. Even painting a wall or two in your current favorite shade can liven up a room and be easy to change when you are ready for a new look.

If you shop bargain sites like Wayfair or hit up TJ Maxx or HomeGoods, you can readily find fun pieces that allow you to go crazy with color and not break the bank.  Thrift stores and flea markets can offer fun vintage options that bring personality and pop, while also encouraging you to do a little DIY decorating to add your special touches.

Keep in mind that if you are planning to put your home up for sale anytime soon, keep the palette light and neutral (or be sure to change it back in the future) so your buyers can visualize their own décor and style in the space.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT AN INTERVIEW TO LIST YOUR HOUSE WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Posted on Tags , , , ,

Whether you are preparing to list your home now or in the future, here are some questions to ask as you meet with your real estate agent/ advisor.

  1. What do you think makes our home distinctive and how will this influence how you market our home?
  2. How do you network with local realtors to increase their awareness of a home that you market?
  3. How do you market properties online?
  4. How many photos do you suggest for our home?
  5. What is your negotiating philosophy?
  6. How do you decide on the best pricing strategy?
  7. Can you give me examples of when you sold a property for significantly more than your fellow agents thought was possible?
  8. How do you determine the right marketing mix?
  9. What are the pros and cons to having open houses?
  10. What makes you and your company different from your competitors?
  11. Are you more focused on selling more homes, or selling homes for more?
  12. Do you provide staging guidance and if so do you charge for this service?
  13. What recommendations would you make that would make my home more attractive and more in demand to homebuyers?
  14. What sources of quality prospects do you have access to?

 

Essence of a “Lake Home”

Posted on Tags , , , , ,

You’ll feel like you found the essence of a ”lake home” here, with everything from the heat pump, roof, kitchen and bathrooms updated and modern. Everything you need for one level living is available, with the master bedroom, cherry kitchen with granite, laundry, office, living room with cathedral ceilings and stone gas log fireplace found on the entry level. The lower level offers additional bedrooms, living space and a workshop. Located in a peaceful and quiet cove on Smith Mountain Lake, off Craddock Creek. Everything inside and out has been diligently cared for and maintained, in pristine condition. Brand NEW AMANA Heatpump, with propane back up and roof replaced in 2012, move right in and enjoy all the upgrades that have been done for you.