virginia

Your house has an ice dam? Part 2

Today everyone seemed to be having issues with ice dams clogging their gutters causing all sorts of water problems in their homes. Melting water from your roof hits your gutters and refreezes when temperatures are below freezing for an extended period of time.  Most water flows over the ice forming icicles, but it slowly builds up until the water begins to flow back into your home.

Isn’t gravity cool?

If you are planning to climb a ladder to pull out the ice, then bring up some table salt. Kosher salt is also effective in breaking up the ice. Making some room for sunlight to hit the area is also essential because you want that to help get the water moving down the downspout and away from your home.

Like any sort of operation involving a ladder, have a friend close by to help move it (and to call 911 if you fall). Take your time and use a tool like a garden hoe to pull off some extra snow.

Use Table or Kosher Salt in to break up ice

It is important to understand that your down spouts need to be clear so that they can drain any water and allow fresh air to reach the top easily. In a post in December after a snow storm dumped 20″+ on Vienna, Virginia,  I mentioned the same issues when preparing for winter storms and the rapid melting that takes place.

I removed this section of the downspout that was clogged and about 15 feet of perfect ice came down in sections. I used a mallet to break up the sections but was amazed at the extent of the blockage in the downspout.

Most professional roofers, if you can reach them, can’t do too much right now to save your home. But they will tell you to make sure the gutter drains are clear, use table or kosher salt to break up the ice, flush with hot water if possible, be extremely careful climbing any ladders, and understand that an insurance claim may be in order after everything has melted.

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Town of Vienna, Virginia

The main photo is of the historic Freeman House that is located on Church Street. It is really a center for the town and its lifestyle as on one side is the Vienna Town Green, a weekend farmers market, the W&OD Bike Trail (you can walk or run too), an organic bakery, Bazin’s Restaurant, great pizza at Church Street Pizza, Nelson’s Frozen Custard Shop, Bikes@Vienna and much more. Charming brick sidewalks and a really nice spot for a dozen events through out the year.

The Town of Vienna, Virginia is where I have lived for the past 12 years  (time flies).

The Town of Vienna has it’s own elected Mayor and Town Council. There is a Public Works Department, Police Department, Volunteer Fire Department maned by professional Fairfax County Firefighters, a town hall, town green, annual Halloween Parade, 4th of July fireworks show and much more. Although it is within Fairfax County, residents of the Town pay an additional property tax currently set at $0.2281 per $100 of assessment on top of the Fairfax County property tax.

The Town of Vienna covers 4.4 square miles, and has a population of approximately 15,000.

Memorial Day Weekend: Viva Vienna on Church Street

Early December: Holiday Stroll on Church Street

Late April: Walk on the Hill, Windover Heights Historic area

Vienna Farmers Market takes is held Saturday mornings across from the Freeman House on Church Street

Oktoberfest: Late October on Church Street

The Vienna Town Green: Summer Concert Series Friday and Sunday nights

W&OD Bike Trail

Northside Park

Vienna reale state ranges from in-town condos, town homes, single family homes, and luxury homes. So there is a wide range to look at.

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Stillfield Place in Centreville, Virginia | just bought!

This fantastic four bedroom colonial in the Virginia Run community in Centreville, VA that backs to true parkland, has an oversize screened-in porch and was a really good house to buy for my buyer clients. Turn key and not a short-sale. Doug was the “buyer’s agent” in this transaction.

The home was built in 1993 and featured the expanded floor plan.

Shameless Home Buyer Agent Plug

As my client’s “ buyer agent”, I was able to keep this transaction together even though my clients were in California. Understanding their limited time on the ground here in Northern Virginia, I discovered what they wanted and showed them their options on a few of their cross country house hunting trips. When we discussed mortgages, I was able to uncover a unique solution to dealing with stringent new mortgage lender requirements. And when they decided on this home, put together a strategic offer that beat out a competitive offer.

After all that, there was not an extra fee charged by my company, the Sellers paid the real estate commissions, and my clients bought a great house that they are thrilled with!

If you want to consult with me, then shoot me an e-mail right now…

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It’s time to re-connect… my resolution for 2010

Happy New Year!

Like most of you, I recently sat down to review the last year and look ahead to 2010. And like any business person, I took a long hard look at my real estate business, the Northern Virginia real estate market as a whole, my relationships with clients, and where I saw the business in the new year. One of my primary thoughts was that I needed to re-connect with a lot of people who I haven’t spoken with in much too long a time.

Maybe you are one of them? We can meet at Starbucks, call me!

Here are a few of my thoughts on the subject of 2010…

Like 2009, we are going to face a challenging real estate market for Home Sellers and Home Buyers in Northern Virginia

• Buyers will see low interest rates
• Buyers will feel pressure from the home buyer tax-credit deadline of April 30th
• Buyers will see a small inventory of homes for sale
• Buyers will compete with other, very qualified home buyers when submitting real estate contracts
• Buyers will need an agent who prepares them to be a strong and competitive, will show them all homes for sale, and actively pursue a negotiation

• Sellers will see prices remain flat
• Sellers need to know only good properties priced well, and staged well will get an offer
• Sellers will see picky home buyers who may back out of contracts for no apparent reason
• Sellers, those who want to buy another home (move-up or down), will need to understand the April 30th tax deadline
• Sellers will need an agent who understands how today’s buyers look at homes and decide to buy

For more information about the April 30th home buyer tax credit deadline you should read my post on the subject. Timing and strategy in early 2010 are going to be the key to success.

I look forward to re-connecting with you… hey, the first cup is on me!

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• McLean, VA | My Buyer Agent pick of the week… advice! (dougfrancis.com)

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