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Front Royal: (540) 636-1907 Toll Free: (888) 636-1907
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Maintenance Free Furniture • Gazebos • Barns • Greenhouses • Play Sets • Cottages • Dog Kennels • Run In Shelters/Stables 1231 Shenandoah Ave. Front Royal, VA Sheds Structurally Engineered for Permit & Foundation with 90 mph wind load approval
267953
(Close to Hospital)
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Licensed in VA & WVA
PANGLE
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• Commercial • Residential • Farm
REAL ESTATE & AUCTION CO., INC. Mark E. Pangle, Broker/Auctioneer Melissa R. Kibler, Realtor
MEMBER
Office: (540) 459-2113 • Cell: (540) 335-2113 www.pangle.com
Email: pangle@shentel.net 933 South Main St. • Woodstock, VA 22664
VA.AF #272
• Land
• Buying • Selling REALTOR*
• Appraisals • Auctions
LO TS OF RO OM
A12: Great Investment Opportunity!! Nice corner location with off street parking. Property has 2-One bedroom efficiency apartments upstairs and an orthodontics office on the main floor. $180,000 Reduced to $150,000. Shown by appointment only. Call Mark Pangle (540) 335-2113.
M-10: Very roomy contemporary home with kitchen, breakfast area, walk-in pantry, formal DR, formal living w/fireplace, 3 BR, 2 BA, entry foyer, den, attached 2 car garage and lots of decking. The full walk-out basement features a rec room with FP, full bath, two other finished rooms and very lg. workshop/ storage area all on 4.67+/- country acres. Shown by appt. only. $359,000 Call Mark Pangle (540) 335-2113.
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“Skilled Selling Since Sixty-Six”
W-09: Farmette near Edinburg, VA 17.266+/- Acres - Needs TLC!! Lots of Potential!! Has oak stair case and trim. Has an outbuilding! $236,000 JUST REDUCED $219,900. Shown by appointment only. Call Mark (540) 335-2113
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The Northern Virginia Daily
Simple steps to a greener lawn Many homeowners aspire to have lush green lawns. Thriving, healthy lawns can make homeowners proud and improve their property values, as the lawns make homes more attractive to prospective buyers when those homes hit the market. While lush lawns won’t suddenly appear overnight, homeowners can take certain steps toward creating the stunning green lawns of their dreams. • Don’t overreact to brown lawns. Lawns can turn brown for various reasons, but overreacting at the first sign of brown grass can make the situation worse. Some lawns turn brown because they have gone dormant to save energy for the cooler and more damp days to come. Applying fertilizer in such situations can damage rather than revitalize lawns. Fertilizers or chemicals applied to brown lawns may burn the lawn, creating additional stress that potentially hinders the lawns’ recovery. • Aerate compacted soil. Compacted soil may be the culprit behind discolored lawns. Over time, soils of all kinds can become compacted, which prevents moisture from reaching a lawn’s roots. As a result, the roots don’t grow and the grass is denied the nutrients it needs to thrive. Aeration combats compacted soil by poking tiny holes in the ground to loosen the soil. Speak with a landscaping professional about the best time to aerate, which typically only needs to be done
once per year. As compacted soil becomes looser, the lawn will become more resistant to drought and begin to resemble the lush green lawn you’re aiming for. • Raise your mower blades. Some homeowners set their mower blades to the lowest possible setting so they can extend the intervals between cuts and reduce the number of times they mow in the hot summer sun. But cutting the grass too short exposes the soil to the sun, making it difficult for soil to retain moisture and promote deep, strong plant roots. When raising the blades, inspect them to make sure they are still sharp. Dull blades won’t cut the grass as cleanly as sharp ones, potentially causing tears in grass blades that invite disease and contribute to poor moisture retention. • Address pest problems. Pests are unwanted guests who affect lawns in various ways, depending on the type of pest. Grubs feed on grass roots, while mites feed on the nutrient-rich juices that lawns need to thrive. Pest control may depend on the type of pest and how advanced the infestation is, so speak with a landscaping professional about your pest problems before attempting to combat the problem on your own. Letting a pest problem fester may force you to replace the lawn entirely, but addressing it promptly can likely save you both the cost and heartache associated with such a project.
M-11: PRICE REDUCED Cape Cod tucked away on nearly 4 acres yet only minutes from Woodstock. Formal living with cozy atmosphere, master bedroom on main level, granite counter tops, attached 2 car garage, finished partial basement that walks out ground level, several outbuildings, pond and paved driveway. Shown by appt. $429,000 Reduced to $399,000. Contact: Mark Pangle (540)335-2113
LAND AVAILABLE Woodstock Land Available
Fort Valley Land Available
V-15: NEW LISTING! 11+/- open acres only minutes from Woodstock.Letter of Certification for 3 bedroom home. Great for family with FFA & 4H projects. $99,000. Contact Mark Pangle (540)335-2113 UNDER CONTRACT
S-22: 6.28 +/- Acres Located in Fort Valley, VA $34,900 New Survey. Great for hunting!
W-15: An unimproved 6/10 Acre lot in Leisure Point. Hard surfaced road and river access. No attempt has been made to obtain Letter of Certification. $24,000 Reduced $20,000 Maurertown Lot Available R-03: Development potential – 15,000 sq. ft. Building lot. Public water and sewer available. (Additional lots available) $39,900. Black Bear Lots Available M-13: 2.129 +/- Acres in Black Bear Crossing Subdivision. Hard surfaced state road, no low water bridge to cross. Updating septic permit. Shenandoah River access. Call office for details.
Zepp Mountain Land Available H-13: 70 +/- Acres of gently sloping woodland with long Geo. Washington Nat. Forest frontage. Cedar Creek trout stream frontage, state road frontage, some mature timber, abundant wildlife. $299,000 Commercial Land Available B-01 & B-02: Great Commercial – Business location in Mt. Jackson. This 1 +/- acre level site offers good exposure to traffic on U.S. Rt. 11 and has public utilities available. $125,000 C-04: 0.5 +/- Acre Commercial Lot Woodstock North Business Park $ 110,000. C-05: 2.697 +/- Acres Commercial Lot Woodstock North Business Park $180,000. C-06: 4.753 +/- Acres Commercial Lot Woodstock North Business Park $210,000.
A-15 Large living room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace, galley kitchen, loft bedroom, with full bath and deck. 1.9+/- Acres fronting Little Stony Creek and George Washington National Forest west of Woodstock, partially furnished. Motivated Seller! $96,900. Reduced to $89,900. Call: Mark Pangle (540) 335-2113
VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.PANGLE.COM FOR ADDITIONAL LISTINGS.
We’ll Help You Get That Special Color! WE REPAIR & REPLACE SCREENS & WINDOWS
JAMES E. ZERKEL INC. – HARDWARE
WE STOCK LUMBER!
FA M I LY B U S I N E S S S I N C E 1 9 4 6
6191 Main St., Mt. Jackson • 477-3129 • Hrs: Mon-Fri 7:30-6pm • Sat 7:30-1pm 269864
266534
Leisure Point Lots Available
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Restored to it's Grandeur! And BRAND NEW 3 Bdrm Septic System too! Turn of the Century farmette with total restoration to house, barn, outbuildings, fencing, etc. Idllyic setting surrounded by country beauty, yet close to all amenities. Gutted & restored with all new systems. Fenced yard, separate garden, stone smokehouse. New fencing. Ideal for horses, cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, etc. $379,000
Lavish and Spacious describe this 3 (possibly 4BR), 3 Bath Ranch Home! Featuring over 3,000 sq.ft. of finished living space,Huge family room, dining room, remodeled kitchen and Dream Master Bedroom Suite and Walk-in closet. Basement comes with a rec. room and entertaining area and in-law suite section with full bath. Large Patio in Back and Front Porch. Great neighborhood, quiet cul-de-sac street. $259,900
Welcome Home to the Beautiful Fort Valley! Enjoy the evenings watching wildlife and fishing in the large stocked pond with a dock. This 2 story farm house comes with a completely remodeled kitchen and newer appliances, laundry room on Main level, front porch, Huge 4 car detached garage/workshop with woodstove, Quest house and barn. National Forest close by with hiking trails. 5.20 Acres! $189,000
Cedar-sided home on gorgeous 54 acre private setting! Beautiful sunroom w/stone floor, wood burning soap stone stove in family room, Spacious kitchen w/center island, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, & 3+ bay garage! Ideal horse farm w/4+ stall barn, paddocks also set up for kennel operation. Garden space. Enjoy the beautiful mountain views, year round stream through the property & National Forest nearby! $749,900
Peaceful Setting! This lovely home is nestled in the area of Shenandoah Valley known as Fort Valley. It is a uniquely secluded home with views in all directions.. This quality constructed home has many extra features. They include: Oak cabinetry in the kitchen and dining area, hardwood floors, a professional office with raised oak paneling, crown molding 2x6 walls very well built. 50X60 Shop with concrete floor. $569,900
One Level Living! Beautifully landscaped corner lot in nice neighborhood. Spacious one level living with huge master suite and bath, includes new flooring in living room & hall, kitchen with table space and washer/dryer closet. Walk-out basement, waiting for finishing touches. Partially fenced backyard with large storage building. Back deck with great mountain views! $249,500
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HOMES
Saturday, April 23, 2016
The Northern Virginia Daily
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161 South Main St., Woodstock • 459-3707 120 South Main St., Edinburg • 984-4129
AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE
Joe & Anna McGreevy
986A John Marshall Hwy., Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 635-3107 • www.mcgreevyinsurance.com
As men and women retire or approach retirement age, many opt to downsize their homes. Such a decision can save older adults substantial amounts of money while also liberating them from the hassle of maintaining large homes they no longer need.
• Get a grip on the real estate market. Downsizing is not solely about money, but it’s important that homeowners consider the real estate market before putting their homes up for sale. Speak with a local realtor or your financial advisor about the current state of your real estate market. Downsizing can help homeowners save money on utilities, taxes and mortgage payments, but those savings may be negated if you sell your house in a buyer’s market instead of a seller’s market. If you think the current market won’t get you the price you are hoping for, delay your downsize until the market rebounds.
Get the Hometown Advantage! The McGreevy Insurance Agency has been providing quality insurance since 1977. We are familiar with this area, this community and how to best serve your insurance needs.
How to determine if downsizing is for you
Downsizing to smaller homes or apartments is a significant step, one that homeowners should give ample consideration before making their final decisions. The following are a handful of tips to help homeowners determine if downsizing to smaller homes is the right move.
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• Take inventory of what’s in your house. Empty nesters often find that their homes are still filled with their children’s possessions, even long after those children have entered adulthood and left home. If the storage in your home is dominated by items that belong to your children and not you, then downsizing might be right for you. Tell your children you are thinking of
downsizing and invite them over to pick through any items still in your home. Once they have done so and taken what they want, you can host a yard sale, ultimately donating or discarding what you cannot sell. Once all of the items are gone, you may realize that moving into a smaller place is the financially prudent decision. • Examine your own items as well. Your children’s items are likely not the only items taking up space in your home. Take inventory of your own possessions as well, making note of items you can live without and those you want to keep. If the list of items you can live without is extensive, then you probably won’t have a problem moving into a smaller home. If you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to many of your possessions, then you might benefit from staying put for a little while longer. • Consider your retirement lifestyle. If you have already retired or on the verge of retirement and plan to spend lots of time traveling, then downsizing to a smaller home may free up money you can spend on trips. And if you really do see yourself as a silverhaired jetsetter, then you likely won’t miss your current home because you won’t be home frequently enough to enjoy it. If travel is not high on your retirement todo list but you have a hobby, such as crafting, restoring classic cars or woodworking, that you hope to turn into a second profession, then you might benefit from staying put and converting your existing space into a workshop.
HOMES
The Northern Virginia Daily
Saturday, April 23, 2016
1010 Ox Road Woodstock, Va 22664
540.459.4002 • FunkhouserGroup.com
We’ll Help You Get That Special Color!
WE STOCK LUMBER!
BRYCE RESORT
NEW LISTING
SH8624712 • MOUNT JACKSON • $139,900 Great home for weekends or full time. 3 BR, 2 full and 1 half BA, finished basement and wood fireplace. Large deck on front and back. Enjoy Four Season Resort.
SH9621546/SH9621480 • MOUNT JACKSON VIEWS! VIEWS! VIEWS! Great country settings. Certification letter for 3 bedroom permit for each lot. 9.466 acre lot $99,900 and 7.201 acre lot $99,900.
NEW LISTING
25 ACRE ESTATE-MIDDLE BROOK FARM
FA M I LY B U S I N E S S S I N C E 1 9 4 6
6191 Main St., Mt. Jackson • 477-3129 • Hrs: Mon-Fri 7:30-6pm • Sat 7:30-1pm
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JAMES E. ZERKEL INC. – HARDWARE SH9596184 • MOUNT JACKSON • $133,500 32.113 beautiful, wooded acres! Perfect for hunting, recreation or that get-away/dream-home site. Privacy and seclusion reign, just minutes away from Woodstock and I-81. A logging road makes for easy access to the interior of this property. Must see to appreciate the serenity ofnature’s beauty. Near Four Season Resort, but no HOA.
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Smittys Tree Service
RIVER ACCESS
SH9546731 • QUICKSBURG • $899,000 LIVE YOUR DREAM! Custom all Brick Home on 25 acres. 4,400 fin. sq. ft., 3 car attached garage, 4 car detached garage, gourmet kitchen, in-law suite and much more. www.141MiddleBrook.com GREAT POSSIBILITIES
SH9537657 • EDINBURG • $229,000 Privacy on 3 acres with river access, hardwood flooring, spacious bedrooms, stone fireplaces, 3 bedrooms 3 full baths, partial finished basement with new carpet. Double car garage.
SH8675680 • EDINBURG • $115,000 Think of what you could do if you owned 26.62 wooded acres offering privacy & many good hunting sites! Build your dream home or use for recreation. Geo Wash Natl Forest nearby. Septic system already installed for a 3 BR home. Underground power & phone lines are in place.
MOVE IN READY CABIN
NEW! NEW! NEW!
SH7798755 • MOUNT JACKSON • $154,900 Everything conveys! 2 bedroom, 1 bath cabin located on a corner lot of 12 beautiful acres with road frontage. 3 storage buildings all item to convey, everything you’ll need to get started in your new home. Cabin will make a great full time home or weekend retreat. Beautiful views and nature awaits you, what are you waiting for?
SH9610832 • EDINBURG • $219,000 New, New, New!!! This home has new roof, windows, doors, front porch & flagstone patio and walkways in front. Paver-stone patio in back, New Gourmet Kitchen, New Appliances, New Electrical and the list goes on! 266506
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The Northern Virginia Daily
Tips for first-time home buyers A home is the biggest purchase many people will ever make. First-time buyers may be intimidated as they begin searching for their homes, but there are several ways to make the process go smoothly.
ahead and ask lenders what they need to see when applying for a loan. Having these materials ready in advance means you will spend less time at the bank and more time finding the right home for you.
• Examine your finances. The first step toward buying a home has nothing to do with deciding if you prefer a craftsman- or Tudor-style home. Before you even begin your search for a home, carefully examine your finances to determine how much is coming in and how much is going out of your household each month. Figure out how much debt you are currently carrying, be it student loan, automotive, consumer or any other types of debt. Order a credit report so you can see how prospective lenders are likely to see you, and address any errors you find on the report before meeting with any lenders. Peruse past bank statements to track your spending habits, looking for areas where you might be able to scale back if need be.
• Secure financing before you begin house hunting. Many first-time home buyers might not realize the benefits of securing financing before they begin looking for a home. Mortgage preapproval lets buyers know how much a bank will loan them, meaning they won’t spend time looking at homes they can’t afford. In addition, preapproval means buyers won’t lose out on their dream homes as they scramble to secure financing after making an offer.
• Be prepared when visiting lenders. Prospective borrowers can make the home-buying process go smoothly by having all of the necessary documentation ready when visiting potential lenders. Many mortgage lenders will want to see some recent pay stubs (from both borrowers if buying with a spouse or partner), a couple years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your recent bank statements. You can always call
BP &
• Work with a local real estate agent. Real estate agents are an invaluable resource to home buyers and are especially valuable to those buyers who have never before purchased a home. Agents can help first-time buyers navigate the often confusing and, at times, disappointing process of buying a home. Choose an agent who is established in the area where you want to buy a home. He or she can provide information about local property taxes and schools as well as a multitude of additional issues that first-time buyers may not think of. Agents also know the lay of the land regarding home prices, which can ease first-time buyers’ fears about overpaying for their first homes.
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HOMES
The Northern Virginia Daily
Saturday, April 23, 2016
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View all of our listings at
www.SkylineTeamRealEstate.com 917 Susan Avenue, Woodstock, VA 22664 WOODSTOCK • $142,900
STRASBURG • $350,000
STRASBURG • $185,000
BERKELEY SPRINGS • $204,900
MIDDLETOWN • $435,000
Upgrades, Two Masters, Family Room w/ Wet Bar
Fine One-Level 3 BR, 2 BA on 6+ Private Acres
Charming 3 BR, 2 BA w/Built-Ins, HWF & Basement
Peace & Quiet! 3 BR, 2 BA on 5 Acres & Views
Gorgeous 4 BR, 2.5 BA w/ Upgrades on 2+ Acres
NEW MARKET • $129,900
MOUNT JACKSON • $129,000
WOODSTOCK • $324,900
TOMS BROOK • $99,900
NEW MARKET • $169,900
Great 2 BR Cabin on 5 Acres in GW National Forest
Nice 2/3 BR, 2 BA home near Bryce Resort w/Gas Fireplace
Spacious 4 BR, 3 BA, Workshop, Energy Efficient
REO Auction Property, 3 BR, 1.5 BA, Garage
Cute 3 BR w/ Basement, Peaceful Setting
EDINBURG • $344,900
FORT VALLEY • $119,000
MT JACKSON • $169,900
EDINBURG • $210,000
EDINBURG • $220,000
Old Time Charm w/ Modern Updates on 9+ Acres
Sweet 2 BR Cabin w/ Finished Attic, 1.4 Acres
Open Plan 3 BR, 2.5 BA w/ Finished Basement
Brand New 3 BR, 2 BA Ranch w/ Views
Newly Built 3 BR, 2 BA Open Plan w/ Garage
MOUNT JACKSON • 239,900
WOODSTOCK • $124,900
WOODSTOCK • $379,900
FORT VALLEY • $949,000
WOODSTOCK • $269,000
Custom-Built 3 BR, 2 BA Ranch on 3 Acre Corner Lot
Cute 3 BR Cape Cod on Large Town Lot
Special 6 BR 4.5 BA, Upgrades & Extras on 5+ Acres
Exquisite 4 BR, 3.55 BA on 24+ Acres, VIEWS!
Very Nice 3 BR, 2 BA, Basement on 6+ Acres
Robin Gochenour
Siomone Alsberry
Randall Anderson
Barbara Bailey
Clara Barden
David Barden
Linda Bruno
Sandra Fitchett
Donna Foster
Bryant Nathan Gochenour Gochenour
Gary Rutz
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540-459-5555
Larry Turner
540-325-6837 540-233-1034 540-931-5028 540-335-2884 540-630-1686 540-630-0061 540-847-3999 540-975-0836 540-975-0022 540-325-6492 540-325-4062 540-975-1648 540-335-6447
The Northern Virginia Daily HOMES Factors to consider when choosing a neighborhood
Saturday, April 23, 2016
When shopping for a home, it’s easy for buyers to fall in love with a property. A well-maintained home with updated features can be hard to resist, but buyers must consider more than just a home’s appearance before submitting an offer.
“Not Your Average Agents”
Beth Medved Waller, BPOR Principal Broker & Owner
209 Waterbrook Ct. Woodstock, VA 2 bed/1.5 bath 1120 sq ft
8989 Woodward Rd. Marshall, VA
hood is trending upward or in decline.
• Crime: Crime statistics are public domain, meaning buyers can examine crime figures for any neighborhood where they are considering buying a home. Some real estate websites list neighborhood crime ratings among the information they offer about a given property. In addition, buyers interested in learning about crime in a given neighborhood can visit a site such as CrimeReports.com to access data on crimes committed near a particular address.
• Amenities: The proximity of amenities such as shopping, restaurants and parks is attractive to many buyers, and that’s something all buyers should consider before buying a home. Even if you prefer a home in a remote location, that could limit your market of buyers when you want to sell the home down the road. While your own comfort and preferences should ultimately prevail over potential resale value, it’s important that you at least consider access to amenities before making a decision. You might be able to find a compromise in a home that is a short drive away from a town center, but still remote enough that you are not in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
• Home values: Home values are another factor to consider when choosing a neighborhood in which to buy a home. Buyers can work with a local realtor to find a neighborhood or area where real estate prices are trending upwards. While buyers might be able to find a great deal on a home in a neighborhood where home prices are dropping, it’s important to remember those home prices are dropping for a reason. Work with your realtor to find a neighborhood where you can afford a home and where property values are not in decline. Realtors will have access to recent sales figures so you can get an idea of whether a neighbor-
• Commute: Quality of life is heavily influenced by commute time. Many men and women feel their quality of life improves dramatically the shorter their daily commute is. When considering a particular neighborhood, do a test run before making an offer on a home. Wake up early and drive to the area where you are thinking of buying, and then commute from there during rush hour. Also, do the reverse commute come quitting time. You might be able to get an estimated commute time online, but a test run can give you a more accurate idea of what your daily trips to and from the office will be like.
6 bed/3.5 bath 3496 sq. ft.
240 Virginia Ave. Front Royal, VA 5 bed/3.5 bath 2854 sq.ft.
Why Choose Team Waller? There is no dual agency. Every client has full representation. Our Listing and Buying Teams are specifically designed with the client in mind. We work in communities, not zip codes We form relationships, not transactions There is an entire team working for you.
Discover how we are changing real estate, one house at a time!
540-683-0282 260068e
27 Cloud St., Front Royal, VA • www.teamwaller.com 267102
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Saturday, April 23, 2016
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Make a home offer they can’t refuse
• Get preapproved for a mortgage. Sellers’ patience may wear thin with buyers who are not preapproved for a mortgage when making their offers. Preapproval can speed up the selling process, as buyers won’t need to secure financing afterward. When sellers receive multiple offers on their homes, they are more likely to sell their homes to buyers whose financing is already lined up as opposed to buyers who have to scramble to secure loans. • Establish a strong rapport with the sellers. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to develop emotional attachments to their homes, and buyers should keep that in mind when viewing a home and negotiating their purchase. Sellers won’t want to hear about how ugly a home is or how much money buyers will have to spend to bring the home up to their standards. While buyers must weigh such variables when making their offers, keep it as cordial as possible and avoid any inflamma-
• Don’t delay an inspection. When a property is drawing significant interest, buyers can set their offers apart from the rest by arranging for a near-immediate inspection. Some buyers may want sellers to give them a couple of weeks to arrange for an inspection, and that may irritate sellers who want to sell their homes as quickly as possible. Have an inspector ready to perform an inspection within days of making your offer. • Include an escalation clause. When making an offer on a home, prospective buyers can include an escalation clause. Such a clause acknowledges that a potential buyer is willing to increase his or her initial offer by a predetermined amount to exceed any bids that are higher than that initial offer. When sellers trigger such clauses, they are often required to show the other offers they received that triggered the escalation clause. Escalation clauses show the sellers you really want the house while keeping potential buyers’ hopes of buying the home alive when the bids are competitive. Prospective home buyers may find themselves in some stiff competition upon finding their dream homes. But a few simple strategies can make their offers stand out.
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Standing out in a sea of other potential home buyers is not always so easy, but there are steps buyers can take to ensure their offer is the one sellers ultimately accept.
tory remarks during the negotiation process. Sellers may be more likely to accept a lower offer from a buyer they like than a higher offer from someone they don’t like.
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Buying a home can be very competitive. A well-maintained property with all of the bells and whistles that today’s buyers demand figures to attract many offers, and buyers who have found their dream homes must be prepared to make an offer that sellers can’t refuse.
HOMES How to prepare your home for prospective buyers 10 Saturday, April 23, 2016
• Clear out the clutter. Some sellers stage their homes when putting them up for sale. But staging might not be an option for sellers who are still living in their homes and intend to do so until they find buyers.
• Let the light shine in. Dark homes are less appealing to prospective buyers, many of whom have no interest in living in caves that are void of natural sunlight. When showing your home, make sure all of the curtains are drawn and the blinds or shades are up. If trees or shrubs outside windows are blocking natural light from getting inside, consider trimming them so your home appears sunnier and more inviting. Bright homes tend to feel more spacious, so fix any light fixtures that need fixing and even add small lamps in rooms that could use some extra light. • Tackle that to-do list. It’s easy for a home’s residents to grow accustomed to certain minor problems, such as a doorknob that always sticks or a creaky kitchen cabinet door. But buyers might be turned off by too many of these minor problems and wonder if any larger and more expensive issues also went ignored. Before showing your home, address all those minor repairs on your to-do list.
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• Address curb appeal. Curb appeal goes a long way toward creating a lasting first impression, so homeowners can start by driving up to their homes and looking at them through the eyes of prospective buyers. Address the landscape if it needs some TLC, and power wash siding if it’s appearing a little dirty. Examine your driveway for cracks and consider installing a new surface if the existing one is more of an eyesore than eye-catching. Finally, clear the yard of toys and tools before nailing the "For Sale" sign into the ground, as a cluttered yard will give buyers the impression that you did not prioritize keeping a clean and presentable home.
If you can’t stage your home, then do your best to remove clutter, including extra pieces of furniture you might have accumulated over the years that can make rooms seem smaller. Box up any books that no longer fit on bookshelves, and try to keep common areas like family rooms, hallways and kids’ playrooms as open and clean as possible so the rooms appear roomy.
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Buyers’ tastes often dictate their interest in a home. For example, no matter how immaculate homeowners may keep their colonials, such homes won’t appeal much to buyers looking for a traditional Cape Cod cottage-style home. But while you might not be able to change your home’s architecture to appeal to the masses, there are steps you can take to make your home more appealing to buyers whose dream home more closely resembles your own.
The Northern Virginia Daily
HOMES
The Northern Virginia Daily
Saturday, April 23, 2016 11
HOM ES for SALE 824 South Main St., Woodstock, VA 22664 • www.hollerrealtyva.com Office (540) 459-2661 • Toll Free (800) 326-1047 • lholler@shentel.net The Real Estate Market is booming, call us today! Specializing in foreclosures, short sales, residential, lots, land, farms and commercial. We are registered HUD agents.
West of Woodstock, 2 acres of land with 3 bedrooms, 1½ baths, full basement. $189,900
Located Eagle St., Woodstock, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath ranch. $239,900
Townhouse located in Edinburg. 2 bedrooms, 1 ½ baths. $109,900
Charming 4 bedrooms, 2 baths house, Edinburg, w/greenhouse. $139,900
3 bedroom, 2 full bath ranch, Edinburg $275,000
Linda Holler
Broker Owner (540) 335-1477
Mt. Jackson 4 BDR 2 BA on RIVER. $189,900
Woodstock 3 BDR 2 BA DUPLEX $189,900
Mt. Jackson 3 BDR 1.5 BA NICE INSIDE $124,500
Farmette in Maurertown, 5 bedrooms, 2 and ½ bath. $365,000
Split Foyer in Maurertown, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath. $193,900
5 bedroom, 4 full baths in town of Strasburg. $294,900
Diana Crisman
REALTOR® (540) 335-6316
Alisa Eberly
REALTOR® (540) 325-6192 (c)
Scarlet Dysart
REALTOR® (540) 325-9737 (c)
267988
Edinburg with 3 BDR, 1.5 BA $124,500
HOMES
The Northern Virginia Daily
267961e
12 Saturday, April 23, 2016