F.A.Q's

A: Fredericksburg has a population of 18, 826 people, many of them employed in the nearby cities of Richmond and Washington, D.C. It’s the home of people who not only enjoy the endless history of the area, but of those who enjoy the recreational opportunities the nearby Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer. Surrounding areas include Stafford County, a modern community with beautiful landscapes and deep historical roots, and Spotslvania County, one of the oldest and most historic areas in Virginia. Whether you want the convenience of living right off the Interstate or prefer to live further out, Linda and her team know this area like the back of their hands and have helped numerous people find the homes of their dreams in this area.

A: If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love the nearly 1,000 acres of County, Regional, State and National parks in the area. The area also boasts private marinas, public fishing lakes, athletic fields and golf courses. Historically speaking, you’ll want to take your family to the George Washington Birthplace National Monument or visit any of the dozens of historical museums or buildings found in the area. From Georgian-style mansions to Civil War battle sites, there’s something for everyone!

A: Besides offering several excellent public and private grade, middle and high schools, the area has several well-known colleges that also offer adult education. These include Mary Washington College, the Northern Virginia Community College, Germanna Community College and Strayer University. Other area amenities include the local Stafford Regional Airport

A: First, you should always check out your realtor’s accreditations to see what kind of training they’ve been taking. It’s just like going to a doctor who’s been practicing for 30 years, you like to think he’s keeping up to date with all of those importance advances in medicine that have occurred since he first got his training. It’s the same for realtors – those accreditations usually mean the realtor has taken the time to get training on any number of sub-specialties of the real estate market so they can better serve you and keep up with changing laws, trends and pertinent issues.

A: In order to maintain unbiased and fair representation of either the buyer or seller (whoever our client happens to be), we usually separate the buying and selling of properties so a different agent represents each of those clients. We feel our clients put their trust in us to deal with one of the most important transactions they’ll deal with. Knowing they’ve got someone who represents only them and their interests rather than both party’s interests is the best way to run our business.

A: Buying and selling a home is one of the highest-risk transactions many people will ever go through. Selling real estate today requires a great awareness of current law, contracts, and the intricacies of closing the transaction. Plus, relying on a realtor who knows the area and how to market your property or help you find the right home means you have an expert on your side. You’ll lower your risk and can take advantage of their knowledge to get the best deal possible.

A: Current federal laws on how much profit you make on the sale of your principal residence after having held it for at least two years before you pay capital gains tax is $500,000 for a married couple and $250,000 for a single homeowner. There are exceptions to this rule, including moving due to job relocation or other unforeseen circumstances, that may allow you to own the home for less than two years to take advantage of these figures. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for details.

A: We’ve got lots of tricks and tips up our sleeve, and we’ll use all of them, if necessary, to help you make your house look like someone’s dream home. We accomplish this by “staging” your house. In short, staging means leaving just basic furniture and furnishings in each room so a potential buyer can “imagine” themselves in that room without feeling overwhelmed by all of the current owner’s possessions and furnishings. Staging is key to getting buyers to make an offer. We’ll also gladly recommend and provide a list of easy-to-do improvements to increase the attractiveness of your home to a potential buyer – some of these items might include cleaning, painting, minimal repairs, etc. The overall idea is to make your house the most attractive house possible.

A: No, but it sure helps since it’s a great way to determine the amount of money you qualify for. Add that amount to your down payment, and you’ll have a good idea of how much you can afford in purchasing your home. That gives us a great starting point to finding the right house.

A: Yes, it sure does, especially if there is more than one offer on the same property. The seller is more likely to view “pre-approved” financing as a stronger incentive than an offer that does not have that. Make sure you get the letter from your lender confirming your approval for financing. If you’d like a hand in getting pre-approved, Jim Canty, our recommended mortgage officer (and a member of our realty team), would be glad to help you. Email Jim at james.canty@suntrust.com or call him at 540-899-5600.

A: You may need to pay for lawyer, appraisal, survey, inspection and mortgage application fees.

A: Yes, we’ll help you determine your offer by reviewing other comparable or similar properties that have recently sold or are presently on the market. Then, we help you write the offer using the proper terms and conditions and begin negotiations with the seller.

A: Yes, we use several honest and reputable inspectors who we trust to give us the full details on any house you make an offer on.