Haymarket Homeowner Summer 2018

HaymarketHomeowner.com Published by Bryan Garcia “Haymarket Real Estate Guy” Principal Broker EXIT Heritage Realty

SUMMER 2018 Haymarket Real Estate Market Trends 2018 EXIT Heritage Realty Featured Properties Let's Get Outdoors!

Summer 2018 Homeowner Improvement & Service Directory 2018 Is your Haymarket Townhome in High Demand?

Tips & Advice: A Home Seller's Checklist Community Outreach: What do you Know About Habitat for Humanity?

Good to Know: Insurance for College-bound Students Haymarket Neighborhood Real Estate Stats

Welcome to the NEW Haymarket Homeowner

H

ello Haymarket residents! If you have already been receiving this newsletter you will notice a few changes. If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, welcome to Haymarket Homeowner – a quarterly newsletter now mailing to every household in Haymarket!

As a long time resident of Haymarket, and over 15 years of real estate experience in the area, I have watched our population expand tremendously with the development of many new homes and communities. These communities have some of the finest homes and amenities, as well as some the most scenic vistas in all of Prince William County.

With this new population has come more development – fields turned into shopping plazas, a state-of-the-art hospital complex and an innovative highway interchange. Now, just around the corner from my office, there is another large development in the works – Crossroads Village Center – a mixed-use site of townhomes, restaurants and retail.

This is all good. Because, with growth comes new families, culture, talent, schools, churches and more – all contributing to the vast richness of our area. This all prompted FEATURED PROPERTIES

EXIT Heritage Realty Haymarket, VA www.EXITHeritage.com 703-753-9100

Summer 2018

me to create this publication in 2014 and now expand the mailing list to reach a larger audience. I will continue to deliver the latest real estate market trends, featured properties for sale, community news and events, outreach, homeowner tips and advice and more.

In addition to this printed newsletter, we will continue to grow HaymarketHomeowner.com, our online resource with additional, up-to-date real estate market trends, blogs and helpful links.

If you would like to join our Mailing List to receive occasional emails with blog updates and real estate news related to the Haymarket region, visit HaymarketHomeowner.com and sign up on the top of the page. Or, simply text HAYMARKET to 22828 and you'll be added automatically.

Lastly, if you are considering selling your Haymarket home, give me a call to schedule a free consultation and learn about my home selling strategy. Your home would also be featured right here in an upcoming issue! Or, stop by our office (the white farmhouse) at 15030 Washington Street anytime!

Bryan Garcia, Principal Broker 703-517-2574

Text GARCIA to 85377 for my

mobile business card

COMMUNITY

TIPS & ADVICE

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

Average Sold Price increased by

10.88%

for Detached Homes in Haymarket in April 2018 compared to April 2017.

What is the difference between AVERAGE Sold Price and MEDIAN Sold Price?

The average sale price is calculated by adding all the sale prices for homes sold in a specific area, within a specified time frame, and dividing that total by the number of properties sold. For example, if 10 properties sold in the last 30 days, the average home price would be calculated by adding the sale prices for all 10 properties and dividing that figure by 10.

The median sale price, on the other hand, is the sale price in the middle of the data set when you arrange all the sale prices from low to high. The median sale price, then, represents the figure at which half of the properties in the area sell at a higher price and other half at a lower price.

Do you want to see the real estate data for your neighborhood?

If you are interested in recent home sales in a specific neighborhood with the Sold Prices, Days on the Market and other valuable information for those homes, simply request a FREE Market Snapshot.

It will be sent to your email box as often as you request with the data that is important to you.

Text SNAPSHOT to 703-215-9686

HaymarketHomeowner.com

Haymarket Real Estate Trends

B

elow are the recent real estate market trends for all home types in Haymarket. The first chart shows the most recent data from April 2018 compared to April of 2017.

The second charts show the real estate market data for the first Quarter (January to March) of 2018 for Haymarket, as well as all of Prince William County.

Some interesting trends throughout

include a substantial decrease in Days on the Market. Homes are selling faster in 2018 than they did during this time in 2017.

Another noteworthy change is the Sold Prices for all home types, in April 2018 especially. The Median Sold Price across the County increased so far this year compared to the same time frame last year, with a significant jump in Detached Homes in Haymarket during the month April.

April 2018 Haymarket VA

April 2018

April 2017

% Change

Average Sold Price

$391,916

$380,894

+2.89%

Median Sold Price

$484,855

$470,000

+3.16%

54

52

+3.85%

Homes Sold Average Days on the Market Average Sold Price - Attached Homes Attached Homes Sold Average Sold Price - Detached Homes Detached Homes Sold

59

72

-18.06%

$412,200

$384,190

+7.29%

37

35

+5.71%

$625,529

$564,155

+10.88%

37

31

+19.35%

1st Quarter 2018 (January 1 to March 31) Haymarket VA

Q1 2018

Q1 2017

% Change

Average Sold Price

$510,104

$500,883

+1.84%

Median Sold Price

$484,855

$470,000

+3.16%

100

107

-6.54%

Homes Sold Average Days on the Market

51

72

-29.17%

$374,120

$369,683

+1.20%

37

35

+5.71%

$589,968

$564,661

+4.48%

63

72

-12.50%

Prince William County

Q1 2018

Q1 2017

% Change

Average Sold Price

$380,809

$363,659

+4.72%

Median Sold Price

$352,500

$330,000

+6.82%

1,302

1,413

-7.86%

46

54

-14.81%

$294,565

$277,744

+6.06%

Average Sold Price - Attached Homes Attached Homes Sold Average Sold Price - Detached Homes Detached Homes Sold

Homes Sold Average Days on the Market Average Sold Price - Attached Homes Attached Homes Sold Average Sold Price - Detached Homes Detached Homes Sold

571

637

-10.36%

$448,176

$434,184

+3.22%

63

72

-12.50%

FEATURED PROPERTIES

EXIT HERITAGE REALTY

15749 Rothschild Court, Haymarket Listed by Bryan Garcia $700,000 ~ TEXT E1761 to 85377

4410 Sanders Lane, Catharpin Listed by Bryan Garcia $458,000 ~ TEXT E18456 to 85377

3815 Delasmutt Drive, Haymarket Listed by Jason Grant $1,475,000 ~ TEXT E30128 to 85377

5771 Waterloo Bridge, Haymarket Listed by Bryan Garcia Coming Soon!

9092 Acadia Park Drive, Bristow Listed by Bryan Garcia Coming Soon!

9507 Bonair Drive, Manassas Listed by Bryan Garcia $359,900 ~ Under Contract

RECENTLY SOLD 7261 Trap Hill Way, Gainesville Listed by Bryan Garcia SOLD for $321,500

6736 Bleight Drive, Haymarket Listed by Bryan Garcia SOLD for $505,000

6290 Old Auburn Road, Warrenton Listed by Bryan Garcia SOLD for $366,900

6740 Bleight Drive, Haymarket Listed by Bryan Garcia SOLD for $501,000

16013 Quarters Lane, Haymarket Listed by Bryan Garcia Under Contract

All the information and photos for these properties is ONE CLICK away. Just text the property number to 85377 and you'll get an INSTANT text with the full listing.

COMMUNITY

HaymarketHomeowner.com

Let's Get Outdoors! Summer 2018 Kayak or Paddleboard Penguin Paddling 201 Mill Street, Occoquan Potomac Boat Rentals 16205 Neabsco Road, Woodbridge The best way to enjoy the fresh air and nature is to get out on the water! Penguin Paddling is a full service kayak and paddle board outfitter with two locations in eastern Prince William County – Occoquan and Woodbridge. They offer on- and off-site kayak and paddle board rentals, tours, custom events for groups and trips for individuals of all levels. Basic instruction, safety tips and pointers are provided by the friendly and knowledgeable staff. They

pride themselves on providing quality equipment and life-long family memories!

What’s SUP? You may have heard of this acronym meaning “stand up paddling”.

If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s fairly easy to get the hang of with a little balance and coordination. The Occoquan shop is located in an old town full of charm. The paddling there is great, with flat water and many birds and other wildlife abound. After your excursion, enjoy the many shops and

restaurants of Occoquan.

The shop in Woodbridge feels like it is worlds away! Surrounded by three protected wildlife areas on Neabsco Creek, Potomac Boat Rentals provides a great opportunity to see bald eagles, osprey, herons, beavers and other critters. Kayak or paddle to the left out of the beautiful marina and you will find yourself exploring the majestic marshes of the Julie J. Metz Wetlands. Turn right out of the marina and you will find yourself on the shores of the Potomac River exploring Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge.

Visit www.penguinpaddling.com/ locations/ for both locations.

Independence Day Celebration Wednesday, July 4th Gates open at 4 p.m.

Great Meadows, The Plains This Great Meadows 4th of July Celebration has been a local favorite for years. Await the fireworks with a variety of family activities including rock wall climbing, pony rides ($5), moon bounces, slides, the famous rain machine, laser tag and more.

Throughout the day enjoy a choreographed air performance, polo exhibitions, and rocketry demonstrations. A variety of food vendors will be on site serving up everything from BBQ to fried dough. The grand finale comes at dark with one of

COMMUNITY the metropolitan area’s biggest fireworks shows! General admission parking passes start at $25 and include most activities.

Seating options range from corporate tents to general admission.

Celebrate America Manassas Wednesday, July 4th from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Downtown Manassas This holiday celebration is free for all.

Celebrate America with another one of the largest 4th of July firework displays in Northern Virginia. This all-American party, sponsored by the City of Manassas and Historic Manassas, Inc., surrounds the Historic Downtown train depot, the Harris Pavilion and the Manassas Museum.

Before the fireworks, there will be rides for the kids, food concessions and novelty vendors. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets and come early to get the best seats on the Manassas Museum Lawn for the firework display at 9:15 p.m.

Bryan Garcia, EXIT Heritage Realty | 703-517-2574

For a fee, join the Rooftop Party on the top deck of the parking garage. It will be transformed into a lively entertainment space for an evening of games, delicious cuisine, drinks, the City’s best view of the fireworks. (ID’s will be checked prior to rooftop access.) Visit VisitManassas.org/ events for more information.

Hike National Battlefield Park Route 29 & Sudley Road, Manassas Escape the local traffic and hit the trail. It’s so close! If you didn’t know, the Manassas National Battlefield Park that encompasses

over 5000 acres of land also includes more than 40 miles of hiking trails! A series of loop trails intersect areas of the First and Second Manassas Battlefields so it is a learning experience as well. Many of the recommended routes include trailside markers describing the battle action that occurred and highlighting the experiences of both soldiers and civilians. Opportunities exist for both short and extended hikes – for all interests and abilities. Stop by the park visitor center for a trail map (shown below) before you head out or visit NPS. gov/mana to download one.

Catch a Movie at the Drive-In The Family Drive-In 5890 Valley Pike, Stephens City What better way to enjoy the outdoors with the family than to watch a movie under the stars? Located less than an hour away, the Family Drive-In Theater, just off Route 81 near Winchester, is the only remaining drive-in theater in the Washington

COMMUNITY metropolitan area. This family-owned institution is currently in its 62nd year of operation! This drive-in combines good oldfashioned features like a playground and car speakers with the modern technology of digital projection and car stereo sound.

Pack up the family, a blanket and even the dog and head out for a double feature at an affordable price. There are two screens to choose from with first-run features, as well as some classic films, that run all summer. Don’t forget to visit the concession stand which helps keep this retro institution running. It offers everything you would expect – burgers, dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones and more. For showtimes and directions, visit thefamilydriveintheatre.com.

Outdoors at Virginia Gateway The Plaza at Promenade & Atlas Walk Gainesville Take advantage of the free programs for all ages at the outdoor plazas at Virginia Gateway this summer with two popular programs: Summer Fitness on the Plaza at Promenade sponsored by OneLIfe Fitness, and Little Tots Entertainment sponsored by Everbrook Academy.

HaymarketHomeowner.com

Hip Hop Wednesdays Month of June Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Plaza at Promenade Get a strong, full-body cardio workout with this high-energy class that consists of rap, hip-hop, and pop sounds. Focusing on musicality and rhythm this class will encourage you to step outside of the box by bringing your own individual style and personality to the movements.

Yoga Saturdays Month of July Saturdays 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The Plaza at Promenade Through a variety of different styles of yoga, gain focus and work toward a balanced integration of mind, body, and spirit. This is a quiet space before most of the shops open and perfect start to your summer weekend.

Little Tots Wednesdays, 6/20, 7/18, 8/15 & 9/19 10:30 a.m.

The Plaza at Atlas Walk Break up a summer day and bring the kids over to Atlas Walk for live family entertainment. Featured acts include Rocknoceros, Peter McCory (pictured at left), Peter Wood/Explorer of the Impossible and Reptiles Alive!

Explore the District Wharf Southeast Washington, DC Take a weekend getaway or weeknight jaunt into the city. This remarkable, mile-long stretch along the Potomac River (shown above) comes to life with restaurants, retailers, music venues and waterfront activities – all complemented by views of the monuments and a vibrant atmosphere. Stroll along the piers, rent a kayak to paddle past some of DC’s most famous attractions, or catch a concert at The Anthem. There are unique bars and taverns as well as live music at many of the restaurants.

Kids can frolic on oversized board games, splash in the fountain or play mini golf. Hop on the free Wharf Jitney to ferry across the Washington Channel to East Potomac Park or take a water taxi ride to Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria.

Summer events include DC Jazz Fest in June, Glow in the Dark Kayaking and Capital Dragon Boat Regatta in August.

Visit WharfDC.com for more information.

COMMUNITY

Bryan Garcia, EXIT Heritage Realty | 703-517-2574

The New Farm Brew LIVE Innovation Park, Manassas A new venue has come to the area that combines beer, food and music on an 8-acre, restored farming complex (pictured at right). Located at Route 234 and 28 in Manassas, 2 Silos Brewing Co. displays the process of the beer cycle – from the agriculture to the brewing. The craft beer bounty is available in flights and full serves. Farm Brew LIVE provides live, local music outdoors most days of the week and multiple performances on weekends.

Choose from several food options including the The Pit BBQ, La Gringa Food Truck and Black Sheep Whiskey, Wine & Noshery (coming soon). This establishment is committed to promoting locally sourced cooking and supporting local farms and farmers. This complex is family-friendly with outdoor games, fire pits and space to run around. Visit www.farmbrewlive.com for events schedule.

far and provides a safe area for on- and off- road cyclists as well family biking groups – from beginner to experienced.

Bring a lunch and start at one of the picnic areas. The Forest offers over 12 miles of paved roads and 9.2 miles of gravel roads.

Three miles of the park's Scenic Drive include a dedicated bike lane providing a paved, relatively flat surface that is ideal for beginning bicyclists. More experienced cyclists with mountain bikes have the option of off-road biking on any of the ten designated fire roads in the park. There

are 11 route options in all, rated from Easy to Difficult, and can be found on the Park website along with trail maps, rules and regulations and safety tips. Search under Things to Do at www.nps.gov/prwi.

A Visit to Cookies and Cream QBE Complex, Haymarket Enjoy the late sunsets of the summer with a sweet treat! Bring the family over to Cookies and Cream in the QBE complex.

There is plenty of outdoor seating, a playground and room to run around. Enjoy their premium hard-serve ice cream from Giffords, cookies baked in house, shakes, sundaes and more. This communityminded establishment also hosts events like Family Bingo Night, Fundraisers, Holiday events and the weekly CruiseIn held on most Saturdays at 4:30 for sports and classic car enthusiasts. Visit cookiesandcreamshop on Facebook for hours and events.

Bike in Prince William Forest Park Innovation Park, Manassas Pack up the bikes in the truck or on a bike rack and head over to Prince William Forest. This expansive location is not too

Haymarket Farmers Market

EXIT 40 Farmers Market

15000 Washington Street, Haymarket Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Through October

15225 Heathcote Blvd., Gainesville Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Through end of October

The Haymarket Farmers Market is held in the parking lot in front of Town Hall at 15000 Washington Street. This Market has become a go-to weekend event for local shoppers during the warmer months of the year. It features Virginia-grown products only and offers a bountiful selection of fresh vegetables, plants, fruits, meats, sweets and other local products. The Haymarket Farmers Market is run by the Town of Haymarket and vendors are welcome to participate by contacting the Town Hall at www. townofhaymarket.org.

The Exit 40 Farmers Market is ready for it's second season at the Haymarket Novant Health/UVA Medical Center, Thursdays through October from 2:30 - 6:30 PM. Vendors include C. Hess Orchard & Produce, Great Harvest Bread, Jerry’s Gourmet Berries, Cobbler View Farm featuring popcorn treats, fruit and vegetables, Happy Family Ranch features grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork and Dancing Cow Farm which provides made-to-order, farm-to-table grill sandwiches from their pasture-raised pork and beef. Visit www. exit40farmersmarket.com

HOMEOWNER IMPROVEMENT & SERVICE DIRECTORY

2018

Email BryanGarcia@ExitHeritage.com to be included in this directory.

FENCING Beitzell Fence Company 4665 Sudley Road Catharpin, VA 20143 Phone: 703-754-0011 Email: beitzellfence@aol.com www.beitzellfence.com

FINANCE & LEGAL Caliber Home Loans 4050 Legato Road, Suite 100 Fairfax, VA 22033 Curtis Scott, Sr. Loan Consultant Phone: 571-332-6575 Email: Curtis.Scott@caliberhomeloans.com www.caliberhomeloans.com/cscott

Prime Lending 11130 Fairfax Blvd, Suite #303 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 James Bell, Production Manager NMLS# 455846 Email: James.Bell@PrimeLending.com lo.primelending.com/james.bell

FLOORING Kemper Carpet & Flooring 7937 Stonewall Shops Square Gainesville, VA 20155 Phone: 571-222-4838 www.kempercarpet.com

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

LANDSCAPE & GARDEN

Air-Right Energy Design Inc.

4208 Lee Highway, Warrenton, VA 20187 Phone: 554-341-4006 Contact: Ryan Anderson www.gatewayhomeandgardencenter.com

12167 Livingston Road Manassas, VA 20109 Phone: 703-530-0166 Contact: Rick Graham, Owner www.air-right.com

HOME INSPECTION Matt Lloyd Pillar to Post 5501 Merchants View Square, Suite 701 Haymarket, VA 20169 Phone: 703-520-1440 Contact: Matt Lloyd, Owner/Principal Inspector www.pillartopost.com/mattlloyd

Macon Piercy & Son's Inc. Warrenton, VA Phone: 540-435-7903 Contact: Macon Piercy III, Owner/Inspector

HOME SELLING CONSULTATIONS EXIT Heritage Realty 15030 Washington Street Haymarket, VA, 20169 Phone: 571-753-9100 (Office) Phone: 703-517-2574 (Cell) Contact: Bryan Garcia, Principal Broker Email: bryangarcia@exitheritage.com www.exitheritage.com www.exitgarcia.com

Gateway Home & Garden Center

MOVING & STORAGE Able Moving & Storage 8050 Wellingford Drive Manassas, VA 20155 Phone: 703-898-8182 Contact: Shawn Neal, Account Manager Email: sneal@ablemoving.com www.ablemoving.com

Ace Moving & Storage Inc. 14205 John Marshall Highway Gainesville, VA 20155 Phone: 703-707-9400 Contact: Melissa Cote, Move Coordinator www.acemoversinc.com

REMODELS & ADDITIONS On the Level Contractors 14720 Flint Lee Road Chantilly, VA 20151 Phone: 571-375-1700 (Office) Phone: 571-233-4820 (Cell) Contact: Georgia Psihas, Owner/President Email: sales@onthelevel.contractors www.onthelevel.contractors

Please note: While these businesses are recommended by Bryan Garcia, they are paid advertisers in this publication.

Annuals & Perennials for Summer.

Find everything you need for your yard, garden and patio at Gateway Home & Garden Center * Trees & shrubs * Annuals & perennials * Soils and mulches * Turf care, tools and hardscapes

15% Off

All Plant Materials with promo code: HaymarketHomeowner Not good with any other offers or prior purchases.

(Expires: 9/1/18)

We’re at the yellow house at Route 29 South and Vint Hill Road.

540-341-4006 www.GatewayHomeandGardenCenter.com 4208 Lee Hwy, Warrenton, VA 20187

When you’re ready to move, we’re ABLE to move you.

Carpet You Can Depend On

Able Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service moving company specializing in residential and commercial moves. With over 50 trucks, 150 full time employees, and over 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art warehouse facilities, Able can help you with any of your moving needs.

Please call us at 703-330-3772 for a “Free Written Estimate”, and be sure to mention Haymarket Homeowner.

Carpet

Ask About Special Discounts & Services for BRYAN GARCIA Clients

Wood Flooring

We are the only Stainmaster® flooring center in Northern Virginia. Our customers always get the “you stain it, we replace it” warranty!

Wood Refinishing Tile Laminate Vinyl Tile Woman Owned Business

7937 Stonewall Shops Square, Gainesville, VA 571-222-4838 • Kempercarpet.com * Located in the Wegmans Plaza *

Is Your Haymarket Townhome in High Demand?

You may have heard in local and national real estate news that there is currently a shortage of housing inventory, specifically with starter homes.

Right now, first-time homebuyers make up about 35% of all home buyers nationwide, and 66% of them are Millennials. These buyers typically seek homes in the $300,000 to $500,000 range in our area.

Happy homeowners are staying put

Homeowners are renovating existing space

Why is there an inventory shortage in entry-level homes?

Substantial increase in first-time homebuyers

New construction is too expensive for first-time buyers

Interest rates are on the rise

The Median Sold Price for Attached Townhomes in Haymarket for April 2018 was $440,000 which is

UP 9.4%

compared to April of 2017.

Why are Haymarket area Townhomes in HIGH DEMAND? Haymarket is a sought-after suburban location that offers a nice blend of townhomes and single family homes in desirable, amenity-filled neighborhoods with great schools and abundant lifestyle needs nearby.

Does your Townhome qualify for a QUICK SALE at a GOOD PRICE? There are 3 FACTORS about your home that will determine if your home is in high demand.

To learn more about these 3 important factors, text Bryan Garcia and this information will be sent to you instantly.

Text TOWNHOME to 703-215-9686

TIPS AND ADVICE FOR SELLING A HOME

I

f you are thinking about selling your home – even if it's a few years down the road – just know that the process can really start months, even more, before your targeted date to go live on the market.

In a recent study put out by Realtor. com, when asked what Sellers want most from a Realtor®, their answers revealed the following results in order of importance: 1. Bringing in a Buyer 2. Selling in a Specific Time Frame

Bryan Garcia, EXIT Heritage Realty | 703-517-2574

3. Pricing Competitively 4. How to Get a Home Ready to Sell Even though it didn't appear at the top of the list, I believe that Getting a Home Ready to Sell is probably one of the most important ways I can guide Sellers towards a successful home sale. If the home is prepared to sell, then the other things on this list always fall into place.

I work with sellers before it's time to list offering realistic and honest

suggestions that I believe, based on experience, will help them with their home sale. Each house is different. Therefore my recommendations vary depending on supply and demand and other local market factors.

Call me, Bryan Garcia, for a free consultation at 703-517-2574 or email me, BryanGarcia@exitheritage.com

HOME SELLERS CHECKLIST Things to do BEFORE you put your house on the market Must Do: FF Repair anything a home inspector is likely to tag. That would include: roof leaks and ceiling stains, mold issues, faulty wiring, evidence of rodents or termites, non-functioning appliances or HVAC systems, broken railings, loose floorboards, leaky faucets, missing shingles and loose bricks on front stairs,

If you have an older home, consider having an inspection done before you put your house on the market so there are no surprises later.

FF Budget for what needs to be done or be prepared to price the home accordingly if you leave items “as is”.

Strongly Recommended (Top 10 Things): Not all of the things listed here NEED to be done. They are recommended only if needed and it is feasible.

These Top 10 Things should be made a priority. Kitchen updates do go over big with buyers but can be costly.

The value of return will depend on the neighborhood, price range and comparable home sales.

1. Make your whole house clutter free. If you don’t have extra storage space, rent a storage unit and start packing excess household clutter and furniture as well as excess closet, basement and garage items.

2. Remove old, peeling or dated wallpaper or decorative borders and paint the rooms in neutral color.

3. Update your kitchen as much as you can. Consider replacing old appliances, faucets, dated lighting and countertops if needed.

4. Steam clean or replace carpet that is stained or soiled beyond cleaning.

5. Give a fresh coat of paint to rooms in need and paint brightly-colored rooms a neutral color.

6. Remove older, faded curtains or dated print curtains or puffy balloon valances and replace with simple curtains or neutral shades.

7. Update your bathrooms as much as possible. At a minimum, remove mold and caulk where needed – professional resurfacing can be done.

8. Do your best to remove odors from cigarette smoke or other strong odors. Steam clean curtains, carpets and upholstery as needed. If you are a smoker, consider smoking outside while your house is on the market.

9. Create curb appeal. Clean out beds, trim bushes, mulch, paint the front door if needed, put out potted plants or flowers.

10. Be prepared to remove evidence of pets (and the pet) for photo shoot and showings.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Bryan Garcia, EXIT Heritage Realty | 703-517-2574

What you should know about Habitat for Humanity

H

ow much do you know about your local chapter of Habitat for Humanity? How about Habitat’s influence across the country? You may not be too familiar, but chances are you have heard of Habitat for Humanity, and even have a good idea of what their mission is.

This is because Habitat for Humanity works in communities across all 50 states and has expanded globally to serve approximately 70 countries. It’s a huge organization, yet there are so many ways you can get involved locally to benefit the affordable housing cause in your community.

Tell me more about the “affordable housing” cause There is not a single state in the country where a person making the median wage of that state can afford a house at the median price. What does it mean for a house to be affordable? A house is affordable if a person or family spends less than 30% of their gross income on monthly housing costs.

If you spend more than that amount on housing, you are considered housing costburdened. If a person spends more than 50% of their income on housing costs, they are considered severely cost burdened.

According to 2017 research by Harvard University, almost 40 million Americans live in housing that is unaffordable to them and are housing cost-burdened. Some refer to this as an affordable housing crisis. Many non-profit organizations across the country make it their mission to tackle this crisis, and Habitat for Humanity is one of them.

What does Habitat for Humanity do?

Habitat’s mission is to offer a “hand-up, not a hand-out”. This means that they collaborate with qualified individuals or families who agree to participate in sweatequity (hours on the job site or equivalent work) and to pay a no- or low-interest mortgage or a portion of their home

repair costs. Habitat relies on employees, Americorps members, and volunteers to build affordable homes or repair existing homes for these individuals or families.

A major part of Habitat’s vision is to bring the community together under the mission of creating awareness about the affordable housing needs in the community. While some chapters may only build one home every two years due to the costs involved, every Habitat chapter seeks to gather volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to better understand the affordable housing cause in the area. Many chapters focus more on home preservation, weatherization, and critical home repairs than on new builds.

What is it like to volunteer with Habitat?

There are a few ways you can be a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. A common way is volunteering on build days. Some chapters will invite volunteers on build sites every day, while others have special community or group build days. It’s great if you have

experience in construction or home repair, but many volunteers come in with little to no experience. The Habitat crew is often very receptive to inexperienced volunteers, and any help is appreciated!

Another way to volunteer is through the Habitat ReStore– a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used appliances, furniture, home accessories and building materials to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds go towards funding Habitat builds and efforts. If you don’t have time to volunteer, consider donating your furniture or household items to ReStore.

Local Habitat for Humanity The Prince William County Habitat for Humanity chapter has all volunteer information located on its website at www.habitatpwc.org. There are two local ReStore locations: Manassas (shown below) and Woodbridge. Visit habitatpwc.org/ programs/restore to learn more about what ReStore will accept as donations.

EXIT Realty Gives Back EXIT Realty Corp. has sponsored 19 Habitat for Humanity home builds in Canada and the U.S., and a portion of every EXIT Realty transaction is donated to them. In addition, we have pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit those hardest hit by Hurricane Irma and tropical storm, Harvey.

GOOD TO KNOW

Bryan Garcia, EXIT Heritage Realty | 703-517-2574

Is your college-bound student insured enough?

Are your student's personal belongings protected from theft?

Is their tuition protected against illness or withdrawal?

I

f your son or daughter is heading off to college this Fall as a freshman, or even as a returning student, it might be a good idea to verify what exactly is insured in the unfortunate event or theft or sudden withdrawal ... and it does happen.

We all know how expensive laptops and smart phones are, but other items like bicycles, musical equipment and clothing all have significant value. And what about tuition? Did you know that if your son or daughter becomes seriously ill, experiences stress or mental illness or an unexpected family event, depending on the school's policy, your precious investment for that semester may be lost.

GradGuard is an insurance program, that is affiliated with many local and national colleges and universities. Protect school essentials, like laptop, smartphone, and other personal belongings, as well as personal liability with GradGuard Renters Insurance. Your homeowners insurance may cover some things, but Renters Insurance is specifically designed for college students. Benefits include: lower deductible (as low as $100), on campus or

DON'T RELY ON ZILLOW Get ACCURATE information from the MLS on all the real estate developments in YOUR specific neighborhood with a FREE Market Snapshot. All you have to do is ask.

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off campus coverage, no limitations for fulltime or part-time students, premium not impacted by small claims and coverage for international travel like study abroad.

GradGuard's Tuition Insurance helps give your family financial security by protecting against the unexpected. Tuition Insurance is designed to complement your school's tuition refund policy if your student has to withdraw for a covered reason.

Visit GradGuard.com to learn more about these products as well as other products like student health and travel insurance. GradGuard.com has a simple user interface and excellent customer service. Rates are reasonable and policies are clear and easy to understand. Give it a try at GradGuard.com.

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Haymarket neighborhood stats

H

ere are the real estate sales results for most of the subdivisions in Haymarket for both the month of April and Year to Date (January to April) 2018 compared to 2017 (source: RBIintel.com).

The featured community this issue is Westmarket. With a mix of townhomes, attached and detached homes, the homes in

this community are in demand right now, especially the lower priced townhomes (see page 10). Only 4 homes have sold there so far this year (as of end of April) and the prices have increased dramatically. And, looking at an average of 9 days on the market, they are going fast. Call Bryan Garcia if you live in Westmarket and are ready to sell!

Sold Homes Advertised Subdivision

April 2018 April 2017

YTD 2018 YTD 2017

Dominion Valley Country Club

16

17

43

39

Piedmont

9

8

26 20

Regency at DVCC

3

2

4

8

Piedmont Mews

1

1

1

2

South Market

1

4

8

13

Westmarket

1 3

4 11

Evergreen Farms

0

0

2

1

Sherwood Forest

0

2

0

3

Don't See Your Neighborhood?

Email Bryan Garcia at BryanGarcia@exitheritage.com or Text SNAPSHOT to 703-215-9686 and I'll send you a report right away.

Thinking About Selling?

Contact me and I'll provide a FREE, no-obligation Competitive Market Analysis.

Download my MOBILE BUSINESS CARD! It includes links to my email, phone, Facebook, Twitter, listings and more.

Text GARCIA to 85377

Average Sold Price Advertised Subdivision

April 2018

April 2017

YTD 2018

YTD 2017

Dominion Valley Country Club

$559,813

$589,729

568,977

$536,472

Piedmont

$583,889 $422,663

$544,106 $489,067

Regency at DVCC

$500,000

$532,500

$485,000

$442,375

Piedmont Mews

$520,000

$496,000

$520,000

$488,000

South Market

$395,000

$382,000

$402,950

$392,000

Westmarket

$559,000 $407,950

$565,000 $478,522

Evergreen Farms

n/a

n/a

$662,500

$1535,000

Sherwood Forest

n/a

$445,000

n/a

$445,000

Average Days on Market April 2018

April 2017

YTD 2018

YTD 2017

Dominion Valley Country Club

67

75

183

53

Piedmont

54 66 54 74

Regency at DVCC

198

Advertised Subdivision

82

183

53

Piedmont Mews

3 5 3 81

South Market

4

Westmarket

8

14

29

9 36 37 31

Evergreen Farms

n/a

n/a

88

4

Sherwood Forest

n/a

12

n/a

9

Haymarket Homeowner is published quarterly

by Bryan Garcia, Principal Broker. It is printed and mailed to over 11,000 households in Haymarket, Virginia. Design and production

by Shalvey Creative.

For information about advertising or articles, contact BryanGarcia@exitheritage.com. Š Copyright 2018 Bryan Garcia | Exit Heritage Realty. This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for legal, financial or tax advice. Real estate market information is obtained from third party sources.

Publisher is not liable for accuracy of any data or statistics. If your home is currently listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

HOME RENOVATION

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All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. ©2018 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. (NMLS: 13649) Equal Housing Lender.

PrimeLending is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in VA. V010918

SAVE THIS ISSUE!

Get Outside! Summer 2018 SUMMER 2018

Published by

BRYAN GARCIA Principal Broker EXIT Heritage Realty

703-517-2574 www.EXITGarcia.com BryanGarcia@exitheritage.com

EXIT HERITAGE REALTY

15030 Washington Street Haymarket, VA 20169 703-753-9100 Independently Owned and Operated

Call me, Bryan Garcia, "Haymarket Real Estate Guy" at 703-517-2574 if you're ready to sell your home.

Visit us at: HaymarketHomeowner.com

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