Can You Sell Your Bristow Home During the Month of November? If you have ever wondered when the best time of year to list your Bristow home would be, you may want to consider November and December.  You probably think my brain has too much triptofan floating around in it after Thanksgiving, but hear me out.  The end of the year is a fantastic time to list your Bristow home.  Everyone thinks spring is the time to hit the market.  Know what that means?  Lots and lots of competition.  The year end months have very limited inventory in Bristow. However, there are still plenty of buyers looking.  And there is something that happens in November, and even December, that doesn't happen in the fall.  Buyers are charged with the emotions the holidays bring surrounding the concept of "home."My lat... 11/25/2017

Data wires can't get kinky.Pre-drywall inspections look at many things.  Some things most people would not think would be inspected.A pre-drywall inspection is a very important to a house under construction because it is the only time the house can be seen in a skeletal condition.  And we can see everything!In this case, first of all, the data line was supposed to be a CAT6 line, and it was CAT5E instead.While there isn't a huge difference between the two, the client's contract did say CAT6, so that is what he wanted!Secondly,  I had to look hard to see the kink at this location as it was on top of the roof rafter, but there it was.  You can see it in the cropped photo.  Looking further I found two other kinks in other locations.And that is unacceptable!Data lines come on a big spool.  ... 11/22/2017

This is why home inspectors are not "required" to remove electric panel box covers.Because sometimes we can't!  It's nice when we can.  There is usually a lot to see!Can  you see the electric panel box?The yellow arrow is pointing toward it.About fifteen feet of stuff had to be removed to get to it.Some of the "stuff" was in boxes with china and delicate belongings.Every now and then this home inspector will move things in order to see something.But in this case there was too much to move, and we were afraid of breaking something.The house was being sold by two older women who had been in the house since it was built in the 70s. They had accumulated a few things along the way!In this case it just wasn't possible to get into the panel box.  And the report so indicated.It wasn't possible ... 11/11/2017

Our church stinks.I guess you could take that a couple of ways.  But they meant that it really did stink.  Especially on Sundays when so many people were there.The stink had been getting worse for a month and was so bad some people had stopped coming to church.  The administrators did not know why.Originally the church authorities had called me to investigate some structural issues.Built in the 1800s they noticed some things that weren't right.When I arrived they showed me the opening to the not-very-high crawl space, and before I entered said, "For about a month the sanctuary has been getting smellier and smellier, especially on Sunday.  While you're under there could you look into that too?"Let's just say I found a problem with the main drain line coming from the facilities.That's why... 11/08/2017

Minor Delays are Perfectly Acceptable to Achieve Marketing PerfectionAround the time my mother was in the hospital, a home owner in my neighborhood contacted me via phone with tons of urgency in his voice.  He needed me to help him sell his home ASAP and if I couldn't, could I refer him to someone that could.  Well, I got that message while at my mother's bedside in the ER, and called back with a referral.  Apparently, the urgency was not as critical if it meant not working with me.  My long time marketing in the neighborhood was paying off yet again.When Mom was back up and at 'em, I scheduled a listing appointment with this family.  Yes, they needed to sell quickly.  However, at the listing appointment, they were bummed when I gave them projects that were going to be necessary for the... 11/07/2017

The shower drain that doesn't exist.I have seen this before.  People who don't pull permits to do "improvements" and try to sneak a fast one on an unsuspecting buyer.Seeing this new shower I was immediately suspicious.Why?  Because this model house, built in this area in the late 60s and early 70s, always has a powder room in this location.Seeing it and seeing where the new shower was placed really got my Spidey Sense tingling.The main drain stack could be seen beside the framing in the furnace room, as well as the drainage vent stack which proceeded from there to exhaust sewer gases through the roof.So I began looking for clues.1.  No aspect of the slab had been removed to connect the shower drain you see to either of those stacks.2.  When the water drained I could not hear the familia... 11/03/2017

When mirror silvering fails.Mirrors are simple sheets of glass that have been coated on the backside with aluminum oxide.This is a process that has been around for hundreds of years.  In the past everything from tin, and mercury, and silver were used to coat the backside of glass.  That silver was used is likely the reason for the name "silvering."  Today's process uses aluminum.But the glass must be very clean prior to the silvering process.If it isn't clean the aluminum oxide will not stick.This house is 10 months old, and we were doing a one-year warranty inspection.Many builders have the one-year warranty expire in 11 months (go figure), so this client, for whom I did a pre-drywall and final walk-through inspection, had me back to do the warranty inspection.This mirror is in the hal... 10/27/2017

Is a home inspector required to inspect (test) a washing machine?No, there is no "requirement," but a home inspector can test anything he wants to or that the client wants tested.Does that surprise you?Isn't the home inspector hired to examine systems and components?  Yes, but there are limits.The home inspection associations agree - there is no "requirement" to inspect some things.  Clothes washing machines fall under that "requirement."Remember too - standards are MINIMUM standards.  An inspector can, at his discretion and according to the business model he has established for himself, exceed any MINIMUMS.From ASHI - the inspector "shall" inspect "fixtures and faucets."  But is NOT required to turn valves on or off, or inspect "clothes washing machine connections."  Why not?  Because ... 10/24/2017

"But it was just a little leak.  We turned off the dishwasher!"Water from leaks has to go somewhere.  Even when the leak appears to be contained.This client built a new home and I performed a home inspection.  All of the appliances were tested, including the dishwasher.  And they have been in the house over a week, using all of the appliances, including the dishwasher.They were in the kitchen and the dishwasher was running.  There was a pop, and they could hear water splashing under the dishwasher.So they quickly turned it off.They noticed a little water coming from under the unit, so they put towels in front.In the basement below water began dripping from a light fixture right underneath the dishwasher, so they put a large bowl under it to capture the drips.They emailed me asking what ... 10/17/2017

When unprofessional "roofers" have never heard of OSHA.Many roofs in our neighborhood got shredded by a tornado in April.  Mine included.Of course I hired a professional I have known for over 20 years - licensed to the hilt, insured, professional in every way.   And voted the best roofer in Virginia.The first thing I noticed on the morning of my roofing job was the harness and ropes in many places around my house.Why is this important?  It means my professional roofer understands the 2017 OSHA safety rules regarding residential roofing.  The rule, called The Final Rule, requires harnesses and rope restraints (called Fall Protection) for everyone on a high roof, and a rope descending system when coming down.Obeying these rules means the homeowner is protected and not responsible for fall... 10/14/2017

All in a Week's WorkIt's been an eventful week for this Bristow Real Estate Agent.  And the most important thing that happened this week had nothing to do with real estate, but was how it all got started.  My elderly mother nearly collapsed while at the grocery store with me on Sunday evening, so when I got her to the car, we went to the emergency room.  This was not a trip endorsed by my fiesty mom, but it was necessary.  Turned out her blood levels were very low, due to a slow, chronic gastric bleed.  She was admitted for a blood transfusion.  Monday morning was spent calming mom while she fasted for scope of her stomach.  She was all fired up and angry with the nurses, blaming them for the slow rounds the gastric doc was making.  Despite that situation, my listing at 9996 Broadsword ... 10/06/2017

The Best Review a Bristow, VA Real Estate Agent Could Ever GetSelling homes in the Bristow-Gainesville marketplace is something so much more satisfying than I could have ever imagined it would be.  And since 2005, when I first started my Bristow-Gainesville real estate career, I have deepened my knowledge within the various aspects of this field in ways that immensely help my clients.  To a professional like me, it is inconceivable that agents don't care to know more about the contract than they do.  Sitting at a table of real estate professionals and discovering that I am the only one of the bunch that advises their sellers to call buyer contingencies as they come due in the contract should not garner gasps of horror.  Especially when these agents were just bemoaning buyers walking out... 09/16/2017

It's that time of year again, and time to get ready for the seasons ahead, so these are Jay's 2017 Fall/Winter Maintenance Recommendations While not intended to be exhaustive, and you may have things you personally like to take care of, you might consider the following! * Winterize the exterior hose bib valves.  Turn off the interior valves, open the exterior bibs and loosen the little cap beside the interior valve to break the vacuum and let water drain out. *  Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Replace batteries that are old.  *  Spruce up any exterior caulking.  Be sure to use the right caulk for the right application!  Caulking is the cheapest and easiest energy saver.  Don't apply it if the temperature is under 50F and be sure it dries before it freezes. *  Boilers - check... 09/16/2017

True or false - you don't need a home inspection on new construction?So, what do you think?This is what you hear from the builder or builder's Realtor:-->   We only employ the best subcontractors to work on your house.-->   We have a supervisor on site, every day.  He is making hundreds of regular inspections, every day.-->   The County or local jurisdiction makes multiple inspections of the house to insure code compliance.-->   We allow you inspections of the property with our supervisor so you can stay on top of the work.-->   You can contact us any time with questions, and we will answer you right away.Walking through a new house with my clients I noticed something.  Remember, this is after the daily supervision and county approval for code compliance.This is what I saw in every bedr... 09/14/2017

 In Colonial Virginia the location of the county courthouse was the county government center.  When a courthouse and jail was built in Brentsville in 1822 it fulfilled that role for Prince William County and did so for many years.  Both have been restored and are the centerpieces for the Brentsville Historic Centre in Bristow.  Brentsville Day is a great day to enjoy local history.  See you there! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++The Kruschkas are long term Prince William County residents with more than 30 years experience as real estate professionals serving Woodbridge, Manassas, Dumfries, Manassas Park, Bristow, Brentsville, Gainesville and HaymarketOur Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESSIf you plan to buy or sell a home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or cal... 09/12/2017

The Effects of Irma Even Stretched to Bristow, VAHow can a hurricane, swirling so many states below Virginia have an effect on anything going on in Bristow, VA?  Well, it was certainly not a widespread effect, but certainly had this Bristow Real Estate Agent on edge from Friday into Sunday.It all started months ago when I had a Bristow Seller contact me, wanting to list their Braemar home. They were looking toward retirement and hadn't yet chosen where they wanted to move, but they knew it would be Florida.  Mr. Seller was very judicious in pouring over flood maps, assessing which would be the safest place to reside in the Sunshine State.  He had four options, and I hooked him up with an agent in every locale.About six or eight weeks ago, during their house hunting trip, Mr.Seller calle... 09/11/2017

Doing more than the client expects.  The slight edge business model. What is your business model?  Do you create a slight edge?I think exceeding expectation is an important business model.  Or should be.Clients have expectations in every business.  Are we, as business providers, doing less than the "code" so to speak, do we meet the "code" (meaning the minimum standard or expectation), or to we exceed the "code," attempting to provide best practices.And what is this slight edge  thing?On a recent new construction inspection my client was in London and unable to attend.  He wanted extra photos of how the place looked on final walk through because due to the builder's rules he had not been allowed into the property during construction, and was not there for the final walk through.No probl... 09/11/2017

Why this hose bib shut-off valve replacement is incorrect.Apparently the old hose bib shut-off valve in this house broke and needed replacement.It's always best to have a professional do such work, or, if one is capable of doing one's own work, at least know what products to use. Do you know why this replacement is improper?The previous valve is one the bottom.  The handle had broken off, likely long ago.A new lever valve, with the red handle, is on top, and was used to replace the broken valve.  You can see it is in the "off "position. Perpendicular is off, parallel is on.It could be this valve was turned off for the winter and never turned back on.  In this area it is wise to winterize the hose bib to prevent breakage during freezing. But even if the red lever valve was turned off the... 09/07/2017

Braemar Property Values:  July-August 2017 (Heritage Series)What a crummy day.  Nothing but dreary skies and rain.  Of course, these crappy weather days are great for putting together local real estate market reports.   Today I am working on the Braemar Property Value Report for Heritage Series homes in Braemar.  Heritage homes are the mid-sized single family homes, built by Brookfield Homes.  They have two car attached garages and include the following floor plans:  Exeter, Yardley, Zachery & Waverly.  There were five Braemar Heritage homes that sold between the months of July and August.  The sales are detailed below: When we add these sales to the rolling six and twelve month data points, we immediately see that all but one of these most recent sales falls below the six month average... 09/06/2017

Braemar Property Values:  July-August 2017 (Courtyard Series)While the fall solstice may not be until September twenty-second this year, it certainly felt like fall as soon as we entered September.  The chill in the air reminds me of back to school time, even decades after graduating high school.  Even driving to a listing appointment this afternoon I noticed some early autumn leaves blowing around.  You may think fall is a slow time of year for Bristow real estate, but I'm here to tell you it is what I call our "second spring."  Right now, we are going to look back at the last two months of summer in this Braemar Property Value Report.  Specifically, we'll be focusing on what happened in the Courtyard homes in Braemar.   Courtyard homes are one of three different floor plans that share... 09/05/2017