Williamsburg Real Estate and Homes Guide

Sometimes you need to get ready in a hurry for a showing.  Here’s how to maximize your impact in a short amount of time.
1.    Turn on all lights, even during the day.

2.    Open all drapes and shades to let in the natural light.

3.    Pick up the rooms.  Hide clutter.

4.    Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.  Take everything off the countertops.

5.    Put toys in the toy box or under the bed.

6.    Move bikes, wagons, and skateboards to their place in the garage.

7.    Turn on radio to a classical or light rock station and turn off the television.

8.    Take the family out of the house during the showing.

9.    Keep pets outdoors or caged when your home is being shown.

10.    Let the real estate professionals show your home to the buyers they are representing.  If you happen to be at home during the showing, try to remain in an area of the home that is not being shown by the real estate agent.

11.    When evening showings occur, have your home well lighted.  Be sure to turn on outside lights, both in the front and the back of the house.

12.    Smells are important.  Pop a frozen bread product into the oven.

13.    Park the cars down the street.

14.    Sprinkle salt on the frozen steps.

15.    Take out the trash.

16.    Do a quick walk through, as if you were a buyer.

17.    Do not worry too much.  Susan and I can handle any buyer concern.

Troy Deierling, CRS,RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

This winter can be over now. I’ve had enough of the snow and it’s actually been cold too. We aren’t used to that in the South.

This past weekend we had 7-8″ of snow. The most I have ever seen in the past was about 3 inches.

Unfortunately, since we normally have such tame winters, the area really isn’t equipped to deal with the snow.

So the schools close, the government closes and you only go out if you have too.

We might even get some more this coming weekend. Oh Joy!

I know that some of these scams are going on in our area and across the country.  One of my investor clients was approached with one of the ‘cash back’ scenarios below when he was given a years rent up front in the form of a cashiers check.  Fortunately, he suspected something was up and found that the cashiers check was a fake.

Now, don’t misunderstand me,  I do recommend getting the first months rent and the deposit in the form of certified funds.  Just make sure they are REAL certified funds (Cashiers Check or money order) and confirm they are legitimate.

Current Rental Scams

1. Be aware of renters that only give you their email address, someone that really wants to rent your property will provide you with the needed information. If in doubt call them before you respond, remember once you respond they have your email address!

2. Avoid renters with a long story about renting your property this is usually a setup for a scam.

3. Watch out for renters who pay with cashiers checks or US postal money orders and then ask for a refund or cash back. Most of the time the cashiers check or Money Orders are not good and you’re out the money. NEVER WIRE MONEY VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM also FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and banks will hold you responsible, even if a fake is discovered weeks later.

4. NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number PayPal info, etc.)

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

Sold! Your House in Williamsburg

Some things are hard to measure, and others are easy. Success in a real estate sale is easy. It occurs when the “SOLD” sign is in your front yard. And having that occur as quickly as possible is the goal of every real estate agent and every home seller.

You have undoubtedly heard that old saying about the “hard way” and the “easy way” to do something. The hard way to get the “SOLD” sign up is to try and sell it yourself. The easy way is to use the services of a real estate sales professional, someone who is not only trained to get it sold, but to get as much for your home as the market will bear.

Remember, the agent doesn’t get paid until your home is “SOLD”. And the amount they earn in commission is dependent upon the amount of the sale. That’s a lot of genuine motivation to do the job right. Save yourself headaches and frustration when you are ready to sell–call a professional real estate agent.

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

I recently posted the following on a real estate website in answer to the question: Is buying a home in Williamsburg in the 23185 zipcode a good idea?

Your Tax-Free Profits

Significant tax reform legislation was signed into law with the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. This legislation replaced both the one-time $125,000 tax-free exclusion for homeowners aged 55 and older, and the “rollover” deferment of capital gains tax requiring the purchase of a replacement home of higher or equal cost within two years of the sale of your principal residence.

With this change, a married couple filing their taxes jointly pays capital gains taxes only on that portion of home sales profits that exceeds $500,000. Single taxpayers, heads of households, and married persons filing separately may exclude up to $250,000. The exclusion is available for all sales of homes that occurred on or after May 6, 1997. Homeowners can use this tax-free provision every two years.

You are allowed to keep these tax-free profits only if you have owned and used the home as your principal residence for two out of the five years prior to the sale of the property. Although the regulations do not require continuous occupancy, the IRS specifies that your principal residence must be the home you use for the majority of time during the year. Consult your tax advisor about your personal circumstance.

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

Making Your Williamsburg Dream Home Come True

Is it time to initiate the purchase of your first Williamsburg home? You may be starting a family and outgrowing your small apartment. If the time seems right to seriously consider buying a house in Williamsburg, but you are afraid you don’t you have enough cash, don’t worry!   A new program with the federal government and the Virginia Housing Development Authority will provide a $8000 downpayment to new home buyers or those who have not owned a home in the past three years.

Real estate agents are experienced in helping first-time buyers locate the financial resources to make such a move. The first step is to sit down with an agent who is familiar with available loan programs. You will need money for the down payment, and your income must be high enough to meet the lender’s qualifying standards.

We may be able to minimize the amount of cash needed with a little help from either the sellers or the loan company. You might be able include some of the closing costs in your mortgage. The sellers might consider a lease/purchase agreement which would allow you to rent for a few months while accumulating the funds you need. If you are ready to buy your first home, let your real estate agent assist you in making your dream a reality.

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

If you are a new home buyer or have not owned a home in the past 3 years, we have good news.

The Federal Government is offering an $8000 tax rebate to first time home buyers.  The 8K is received after closing and filing a form with the IRS.

Here’s where it gets good!  The Virginia Housing Development Authority has ‘monetized’ the tax rebate and is giving the $8000 up front so that it can be used as a downpayment.  It will be carried as a second mortgage until you get the money back from the IRS and you can then repay it or continue to carry it as a second mortgage.

Time limits on closing and other details are involved so you’ll want to speak with a mortgage person and your tax advisor.

Any questions on this program, give me a call.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg VA 23185
(757) 715-4793
troy@williamsburgemail.com
www.realestatewilliamsburg.com

Financial Help  From the Government… No Kidding

If you are a first time home buyer or you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you probably qualify for the new $8000 tax rebate.

Here’s where it gets exciting.  In Virginia, the Virginia Housing Development Authority will let you use this as a downpayment on a home.  Thats $8000, for free, to use as a downpayment on a home in Virginia.  We’ve never seen anything like it and we are seeing the market starting to pick up.

VHDA Homebuyer Tax Credit Plus Program Features

• Affordable fixed-rate financing on both mortgages
• 0% interest on the second mortgage for the first year
•  No payments required on the second mortgage for the first year
• Maximum second mortgage loan amount – up to 5% of sales price (no cash back)
• Loan must close no later than Nov. 30, 2009
For more information, visit www.vhda.com

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling

From the HUD press release: Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today’s announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. Buyers financing through state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits will be able to use the tax credit for their downpayments via secondary financing provided by the HFA or non-profit.

Troy Deierling, RDCPro, ABRM, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
|email| troy@ExitRealtyDA.com
|mobile| (757) 715-4793
|web| www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
|web| www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
©2009 Troy Deierling