Real Estate Information

Are You Buying A Home In A Safe Neighborhood?

In this day and age, if you ask a question, the internet most likely has the answer!  Before you BUY or RENT a home, you should look for crime statistics offered at crimemapping.com and at the sex offender registry at www.vsp.state.va.us.  If you are buying a home in Blacksburg, VA, check out Blacksburg’s cool crime mapping websitehttp://www.crimemapping.com/map/va/blacksburg.  See the sample crime report below.

Don’t be alarmed, Blacksburg is not a high crime area!  National statistics show that local governments that keep citizens’ informed about crime data have fewer crimes.  You can even sign up to receive alerts when a crime is committed on your street! 

The Town of Blacksburg is offering crime prevention classes too.

Identity Theft Prevention

February 27, 2012, 6-8 pm 
Learn about the dangers of identity theft and measures that can be taken to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim. To register send an email to Shaylin McNeil, smcneil@blacksburg.gov

Home Security 
March 26, 2012, 6-8 pm 
Learn ways to make your home less desirable to would-be burglars.

To register send an email to Shaylin McNeil, smcneil@blacksburg.gov

Classes are FREE and held at 200 Clay Street in the Blacksburg Police Department Training Room. For more information about these classes, contact Lieutenant Steven M. Taylor, at (540) 961-1811 orstaylor@blacksburg.gov.

A SAMPLE CRIME REPORT FROM CRIMEMAPPING.COM IS BELOW:

Crime report for 1/27/2012 - 2/2/2012

31 crimes found.

Bowl You Over!

B is for Blacksburg Virginia and for "bowl you over." This picturesque small town home of Virginia Tech University is known for academic accomplishments and bowl games. Since 1993, the Virginia Tech Hokies have played in 18 successive bowl games!  That is a record that would bowl anyone over! Last year we competed in the Orange Bowl and in 2012 we headed for New Orleans.

This January in a real bite-your- nails thriller, the University of Michigan narrowly defeated the Hokies as the Allstate Sugar Bowl Game that went into overtime.  Congratulations to the Hokies for a remarkable season!  We are proud to be the home of the Virginia Tech Hokies! To watch highlights of the Sugar Bowl go to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/#. 

New River Valley Real Estate For Sale: 6333 Honeysuckle Drive Dublin, VA 24084

MLS#304853

I could try for days to describe this gorgeous home, but you really do have to see it in person to appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that has brought this lake front masterpiece to her glory. The 11.4 acres of land, mostly wooded, with over 1200 feet of lake frontage insures your privacy. This sprawling home is brilliantly designed for the laidback lifestyle that only a Lake Front Estate can offer. Style and utility are masterfully fused together to create this low maintenance highly efficient home. As you drive up to this home you will want to take a moment and view the tranquil surroundings and professional landscaping. Come on in and take a look! Meander your way through on the oak hardwood floors and you will find yourself in over 5,000 square feet of luxury. Featuring custom red oak trim, oak flooring, oak cabinets, three fireplaces, granite, cathedral ceilings, skylights, custom “arched” interior brick walls, RADVA Thermo-structure panels and high quality Mastic vinyl siding you are sure to be impressed. Indulge in any of the multiple living areas featuring fireplaces, extensive attention to details, spectacular views and all the comforts of home. The sociable formal living room features soaring ceilings, a warm fireplace and lake views. The stunning dining room featuring custom moldings, oak hardwood floors, plus deck access is an entertainers dream. Imagine all the delicious meals you can create in this gourmet designer kitchen. Flourishing with gorgeous solid oak cabinetry, Corian countertops, Koehler sinks, a smooth-top range, and a granite center island, cooking is sure to be a pleasure. Family and friends can perch at the “Blue Pearl” Italian granite top bar and be the first to sample your goodies. Characterized by a keen sense of style the family room invites you to start making those family memories around the fireplace or kicking back and submerging yourself in the views.  Grab a good book and step out into the sunroom persuading you to unwind, with captivating views, a soothing ceiling fan, and tiled floors. This is the ultimate place to linger throughout the day. The luxurious master retreat provides a soothing oasis of special conveniences and comforts at day’s end. A home office means you will never need to leave this amazing home. The recreational room is a thriving place to entertain with all the amenities to accommodate guests of any age. Everyone will take pleasure in this living area equipped with an antique bar vintage 1860’s, a wall of local river rock plus a separate gaming area. Relax on any of the multiple decks and submerge yourself in sweeping lake views.  Kick back and toast your toes by the outdoor fireplace while being mesmerized by the lake views. At the lake, there is a small cove that includes a 120’ beach swimming area and lawn, approximately 70’ of dock area, and a boat lift. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains this desirable residence with an unmatched sense of style and elegance is just waiting for you to arrive. View more details!

Desi Sowers has distinguished herself as a leader in the New River Valley real estate market. Desi assists buyers looking for New River Valley real estate for sale and aggressively markets New River Valley homes for sale.

Desi brings with her a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a New River Valley home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why her clients benefit from her unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Desi Sowers will help make the most of your New River Valley real estate experience. Give her a call today, 540-320-1328, and discover the difference she can make during your family's move.

How NOT to Market Your Home Online

Great advise in this quick video from real estate expert Barbara Corcoran as she runs down a list of do's and don'ts when marketing a home on the web.

My best advice is to rely on your local expert real estate advisor to handle the marketing of your largest asset...your home. 

Please feel free to call, email or text me today.  I'm happy to sit down with you and design a specific marketing campaign for your home.

New River Valley Real Estate For Sale: 220 Wooden Shoe Court Christiansburg, VA 24073

MLS#304833

Immaculate home in desirable Windmill Hills is ready for a new family. You will love this easy flowing floor plan with all the comforts of home. Come on in, but please slip off your shoes as the carpet is brand new. The sun-drenched living room is the perfect place to gather the family with soaring ceilings, skylight, cozy gas fireplace and easy access to the outdoors. A centrally located well equipped kitchen allows for the cook to be apart of all the excitement. Awesome family room on lower level could be that man cave you were looking for or the perfect place to stash the teens. A soothing master suite features dual vanities, separate shower and a pampering spa tub. The additional bedrooms are ample in size and share a generously sized bathroom. Relax on the deck as the kids roam in the nice yard. There is plenty of storage in the supersized two car garage. Pack your bags and come on over. We are sure you will want to stay. Call today for your personal tour.

Desi Sowers has distinguished herself as a leader in the New River Valley real estate market. Desi assists buyers looking for New River Valley real estate for sale and aggressively markets New River Valley homes for sale.

Desi brings with her a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a New River Valley home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why her clients benefit from her unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Desi Sowers will help make the most of your New River Valley real estate experience. Give her a call today, 540-320-1328, and discover the difference she can make during your family's move.

Come home and relax in this gorgeous year round lake front home. If you love a rocking chair and hammock porch big enough to entertain everyone, this house is for YOU!! Dramatic lake views from every angle await you. A wall of glass flanked by a crackling fireplace overlooking the lake sets the scene for family living and dining. Formal dinner parties are sure to be magnificent in the generously sized formal dining room where everyone gets a view of the mountains and lake. Mosey over to the formal living room and the views will follow. Let the cook go crazy making all their delicious dishes in the designer kitchen complete a smooth-top range, counter and cabinet space galore plus a breakfast nook with soothing wooded views. The family room is ideal for recreational fun. Lock yourself away and rejuvenate in the spectacular master suite with remarkable views, deck access and a warm fireplace. Pamper yourself in the luxurious master bathroom with tiled shower, extensive vanity, and a jetted tub just waiting for a bubble bath. The additional bedrooms are well appointed with fantastic views and one has deck access. Why go to the office when you can work from home in the private home office featuring a cozy fireplace and tiled floors. Stroll out to the lakeside deck where breathtaking views are sure to capture you. This beautiful home is perfect for large families, entertaining guests and family holiday gatherings. Call today for your private tour.

Desi Sowers has distinguished herself as a leader in the New River Valley real estate market. Desi assists buyers looking for New River Valley real estate for sale and aggressively markets New River Valley homes for sale.

Desi brings with her a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a New River Valley home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why her clients benefit from her unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Desi Sowers will help make the most of your New River Valley real estate experience. Give her a call today, 540-320-1328, and discover the difference she can make during your family's move.

Encouraging News about the Real Estate Market

It is about time!  Finally, I am seeing numerous, positive posts about the real estate market!  This is B-I-G news!  December 2011 sales were up nationwide!  I can personally vouch for January 2012 sales in the New River Valley market too.  The outlook is much brighter. Our market is improving and interest rates are unbelievable. How does 3.25% for a 15 year mortgage sound?  Yes, I am pinching myself to see if it is a dream… “ouch!” I can tell you that it is not a dream. Lower than ever mortgage rates are here.  

Click here for a copy of the Virginia Association of Realtors® Fourth Quarter Sales Report http://varealtor.com/news/2012/01/q4-2011-home-sales-steady-as-she-goes.

I am happy to quote the President of VAR, Trish Szego below:

“We are encouraged by the overall numbers shown in the fourth quarter. The pace of home sales is picking up and without artificial stimulus proving that people are taking advantage of low interest rates and low home prices. This upcoming year is an optimistic one for real estate; one in which we hope to see stronger signs of recovery and stabilization,”

Are you trying to make a decision about buying or selling real estate this year?  Let me provide you with real estate sales statistics that help you make the best decision for you and your family.  

​Bright Idea

 Looking for a cost-effective way to

 increase security in your home and
 save energy at the same time?
 You could put some of the
 lamps in your house on a   
 timer — or you could
 consider wireless lighting.

 According to Frontdoor.com,
 wireless lighting enables you to
 replace switches in your home with
 receivers that respond to radio frequency
signals from remote controls. It might sound complicated, but it’s fairly simple: Disconnect the manual switches and replace them with dimmers. Freestanding lamps that must be plugged into an outlet can be plugged into wireless receptors connected to the outlet. You can even program one remote to operate multiple lights throughout your house, no matter
the size.

Aside from the ability to turn off a light downstairs when you’re already upstairs or turn on a light from anywhere in your home if you hear a suspicious noise, the main benefit of installing a wireless lighting system is reducing electricity and energy consumption. You can connect the system to a timer to set lights to turn on and off at specific times.

Wireless systems can range in price, from as little as $30 for a starter kit to hundreds of dollars to equip your entire home. Before installation, talk to a certified electrician to ensure the kit you purchase is the best for your home.

What's the Magic Color for Selling Your House?

​Color plays a big part in selling a house. How you decide to dress your walls can convince a buyer that your home is move-in ready or leave them looking elsewhere. If the goal is to see the sparkle of “love at first sight,” consider picking the right paint palette to suit a range of buyer tastes.

Proper Preparation

When you paint your walls, make sure you prepare the walls properly. Before you start, use a pre-made crack filler or drywall compound to fill in minor cracks and old picture hook holes. Lightly sanding baseboards, window frames and doors is also a great way to ensure that your paint will adhere to the surfaces properly. Make sure you are using the same base paint that currently exists on the surface you are repainting. Latex on latex, and oil base on oil base.

Picking The Magical Colors

Color choices are plentiful, as are the types of paints. When selecting interior colors, consider how you use each room or the feeling that you want to create for the space. White is a great accent, but for walls it is a harsh and cold color. Instead of white, choose warm, inviting and neutral paint colors such as yellows, warm beige and olive tones.

The best rule of thumb for home remodeling is to stick to a color palette that isn’t too bland but also isn’t too bold. For smaller spaces, such as bathrooms, choose colors that make the room look bigger such as warmer whites. For the bigger rooms, select a paint that is a couple shades darker to create a cozy atmosphere. For bedrooms, calming paint colors work best.

Make sure the palette you create flows from room to room. At paint stores, purchase a smaller can of paint and test it on the walls before committing to the color for the entire room.

Wallpaper Can Be A "Turnoff"

Potential homebuyers don’t always like wallpaper or at least the wallpaper you may have chosen 15 years ago. They want simple, clean, warm and inviting rooms and not the potential headache of steam cleaners and wallpaper removal. It is a good idea to consider removing wallpaper or at the very least painting over it where necessary in order to open the space and make the room feel fresh and clean.

Don’t Forget To Look Up

Potential buyers notice water stains and old-fashioned ceilings. If you have a home with a stucco ceiling, it can date your home to a buyer. Before you show your home, consider painting the ceiling with flat white paint. If you have crown molding, make sure you use the same ceiling paint for a consistent professional look.

Pristinely located at the #1 fairway of Draper Valley Golf Course, this distinctive home will allow you to tee-up on leisure! Soaked in sunlight thru Palladium windows, the living spaces are crisp and inviting. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite counters, Stainless Steele appliances and huge center island is a cooks dream! Luxurious master bath matches a pampering master bedroom. Full basement comes complete with a finished bathroom, separate work-room and still plenty of storage space and additional parking. Call today for your private tour.

Desi Sowers has distinguished herself as a leader in the New River Valley real estate market. Desi assists buyers looking for New River Valley real estate for sale and aggressively markets New River Valley homes for sale.

Desi brings with her a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a New River Valley home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why her clients benefit from her unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Desi Sowers will help make the most of your New River Valley real estate experience. Give her a call today, 540-320-1328, and discover the difference she can make during your family's move.