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/#. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

​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.

 Dash on over to see this pristine home! The cook is sure to delight in this gorgeous kitchen featuring a smooth-top range, custom counter-tops, stainless appliances plus a planning desk. Family and friends can be the first to sample your goodies at the breakfast bar or the sun-drenched dining area. Fantastic office space is ideal for working from home. Snuggle by the wood-burning fireplace in the living room or watch TV in the cozy den. There is room for everyone is this charming home. A soothing master suite with private bath plus double closets is ideal for mom and dad. The bedrooms are spacious with a hall bathroom.  Chill on the covered front porch and enjoy endless mountain views. Two custom built storage sheds are just waiting to be filled with your toys. 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. 

Wishing You and Yours a Very Merry Christmas!

  Traditionally, buyers have avoided buying a home during the      holidays, thinking the last month of the year is a time of many  religious, social, and cultural celebrations. Many people feel they are too busy to deal with real estate matters and/or are convinced that the market is pretty much dormant until at least early spring.  Not so!  Not only do many folks have vacation time in December and are thus free to house shop, but the slower months are often the ones where buyers are really serious and prices have been reduced. 

 Here are four strong reasons to buy a home during this season:

•  Lower prices. Because many people are too busy to house hunt now, the slackening of demand is reflected in softer house prices.
•  Less competition. With fewer active house-hunters out there, you are unlikely to end up in a bidding war, and sellers will be willing to negotiate.
•  Favorable mortgage terms. Because there is less demand for mortgage money during the holiday season, lenders may be willing to shave a few basis points off the interest rate or to forgo some of their fees in order to get your business.
•  Tax deduction. If you close on or before December 31, you are likely to be eligible to deduct the interest component of your first monthly mortgage payment and any money you paid for points from your taxable income for this year.

Pending Home Sales Post Strong Gains in October

The Pending Home Sales Index, which reflects contracts signed but not closed, jumped 10.4 percent in October from September and was 9.2 percent above October 2010, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR). NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun believes the improved contract activity is a sign of better times ahead for the housing market. “We hope this indicates more buyers are taking advantage of the excellent affordability conditions. Many consumers are recognizing that home buyers in the past two years have had one of the lowest default rates in history. Moreover, continued inventory declines are another healthy sign for the housing market,” Yun says. 

Pending home sales posted big gains in three of the four regions of the country. In the Northeast, the index surged 17.7 percent in October and was 3.4 percent above October 2010. Pending home sales jumped 24.1 percent in the Midwest in October and was 13.2 percent above a year ago. In the South, pending home sales rose 8.6 percent in October and they were 9.7 percent above October 2010. The index slipped 0.3 percent in the West but was 8.1 percent above a year ago. WED, NOV 30, 2011

​Sunday, December 4th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

​Located on a cul-de-sac lot this stunning home is oozing with character. Special features including soaring ceilings, tiled floors, and sun-drenched rooms adorn this bright open floor plan. The sunny great room with a warm fireplace joins the dining and kitchen area offering fantastic entertaining space. A super kitchen with oak cabinets, smooth-top range, pantry plus a serving bar and patio access is sure to please. The pampering master suite offers vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet, whirlpool tub and a double vanity. The additional bedrooms are generously sized and share a hall bathroom. Relax on the private patio and enjoy the peaceful views. The two car garage is perfect for extra storage. Public transit is just steps away. Call today for a personal tour and ask about rent back. 

View eCard - it's fun!!

Virginia Town is Best Place in the U.S. to Raise Kids

With good schools, an affordable lifestyle, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the backyard, Blacksburg, Va., is No. 1

More than half the population of Blacksburg, Va., is Virginia Tech students, so it may be easy to mistake this town of 41,383 as just another college town. Yet this small community, between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, also has the makings of a great place to raise children. Excellent schools draw many families to Blacksburg, which also has such amenities as a community center with sports, fitness, educational, and social activities; an indoor pool; and even a nine-hole, 54-acre municipal golf course.

“There’s very little crime. There are kids’ programs, green space, trails. It is a nice place to live and a nice place to raise kids. Everyone knows everyone. The weather is nice. The cost of living is not that high,” says Becky MacKenzie, a 34-year-old mother of three and a resident of Blacksburg since 2003.

Excellent schools, combined with an affordable cost of living, relatively low crime, and plentiful amenities lifted Blacksburg to first place in Businessweek.com’s sixth nationwide ranking of best places in each state in the U.S. to raise kids.

MacKenzie says that Blacksburg can seem small at times unless you are a true “Hokie,” or Virginia Tech fan, and there is little interaction with communities beyond the university—similar to many college towns—but “everyone thinks it’s a fabulous place to live.”

With help from Bloomberg Rankings, Businessweek.com evaluated 4,169 places with a crime index less than 10 percent above the national average, populations between 1,000 and 50,000 people, and median family income within 20 percent of the state median, using data from real estate information firm Onboard Informatics.

We evaluated educational factors (such as school scores, the number of public and private schools, and colleges), economic factors (including median family income, expenses, job growth, and unemployment), crime, amenities (such as child day-care centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, theaters, recreation centers, green space), air quality, and ethnic diversity. School performance, expenditures, and income were given the most weight.

After Blacksburg, Arlington, Neb., ranked second, and Morton Grove, Ill., placed third in the country.

East San Gabriel, a community near Los Angeles, took the top spot in the most populous state, California. In Texas, the second-largest state, the Austin suburb of Wells Branch beat out competitors. The best place in New York: Hampton Manor, a suburb of Albany.

Blacksburg’s large university population brings its median age to a low 22 years, but the town is also home to thousands of families. About one-third of households are family households, including 13.3 percent that have children under age 18, according to 2010 Census data.

Blacksburg also is more educated than most: About two-thirds of residents ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and nearly 40 percent have a graduate or professional degree, the Census figures indicate.

In the No. 2 town in this year’s ranking, Arlington, Neb., 24.3 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and in the No. 3 town, Morton Grove, Ill., 40.7 percent, as the U.S. Census measures it. Median family income in these places is $70,881 and $83,601, respectively, Onboard estimates.

Blacksburg has a large middle-income population: According to Onboard, median family income, at $83,670, is slightly higher than the state median, $72,476, and is also higher than in such nearby communities as Merrimac and Christiansburg. The median home list price in the town was $234,900 in October, according to real estate website Zillow.com.

The town’s economy relies heavily on Virginia Tech, Blacksburg’s largest employer with 1,306 full-time instructional faculty, who make an average salary of $87,400. Other employment hubs include the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, which has more than 140 high-tech companies with more than 2,200 employees, and Blacksburg Industrial Park, home to manufacturing and research-and-development businesses.

Blacksburg is also home to such tech startups as Modea, a fast-growing advertising agency founded by Virginia Tech grads in 2006, and e-mail hosting company Webmail.us, which was acquired by Rackspace in 2007.

To develop the economy further, the town, university, and economic development organizations are trying to expand the local technology industry, taking advantage of talent coming from the school’s engineering program. The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, for example, aims to “develop a growing, prestigious research park for high-technology companies” and has an incubator program called VT KnowledgeWorks that creates companies based on VT-developed technology.

In addition to the benefits of a college town, Blacksburg provides the blessings of a family-friendly community. Data from Onboard Informatics reveal that the town has some of the best schools in Virginia. Part of the Montgomery County School System, it is home to seven public schools—five elementary, one middle, and one high school—as well as several private schools, day-care centers, and preschools.

Gilbert Linkous Elementary School, for instance, scores well above average on standardized math and reading exams and is among the few in the state to receive a top score of 10 from Greatschools.org, a nonprofit that provides school performance data. Students at Prices Fork Elementary and Harding Avenue Elementary also test above average, according to data from the Virginia Education Dept.

Blacksburg also has many recreational options. A downtown improvement project recently added wider sidewalks, a traffic circle, and new trees. Green space is abundant, with 400 acres of parkland in town, plus the Appalachian Trail and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests nearby. Sports at Blacksburg’s community recreation center include basketball, volleyball, and soccer, along with a fitness center, a computer lab, and social activities such as senior programs. And while the memory of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting remains fresh for many, the town in fact has a relatively low crime rate.

Blacksburg celebrates holidays with music and fireworks on Independence Day, a 10,000-egg hunt on Easter, and games on Halloween.

Says MacKenzie: “People in Blacksburg are very passionate about Blacksburg.”

By Venessa Wong

The Big Chill: Winterizing Checklist

While September brings the first day of fall, October can be the harbinger of the winter and all of its frigid pitfalls. It’s best to be prepared for the frost and snow with a few simple tasks that will prevent drafts, frosty windows and every homeowner’s nightmare: Busted pipes.

A good place to start prior to tackling problem areas in your home is a home energy audit. This will pinpoint specific places in your house where heat escapes. The U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself energy assessment, or you can hire someone to do the audit for you.

Big Chill Checklist