STAFFORD COUNTY VA FORECLOSURE BARGAINS.  The market has never been better for home buyers. The homes below are all ACTIVE listings of homes for sale in Stafford County Virginia.  All of these properties are bank owned homes ready for a new home owner.  Contact us to tour homes in your price range and favorite area of the Stafford County real estate market. The process for buying a bank owned home for sale in Stafford Countyis just like any normal real estate transaction.  Once you find your home of choice, based on comparable sales in the area, you determine the price to offer the bank.  Negotiation with bank owned properties is based on your personal financial qualifications and the final negotiated price.  Homefinders.com is there to provide you with the facts you need to determine t... 12/29/2009

Yes, if you haven't heard yet, we're snowed under!  As you can see, the front yard is blanketed in almost two feet of snow, and the Northern Virginia area is struggling with a bit more of the stuff than they were ready for.  Outside my front door this morning, it looked like this. And, as I've said previously in this blog, when there's any show on the ground in Northern Virginia, driving on our roads is akin to bumper cars lite!  While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it's not far off.  From what the local weather channel says, yesterday's snowfall surpassed the record level that occurred in 1932. Of course, for many of us, being house bound isn't something we're used to.  Most Realtors, after all, are out with clients on the weekends.  So, the forced confinement is probably what... 12/19/2009

As I was skimming this morning's New York Times headlines, when a piece on "Mega Content" sites caught my eye.  The article's emphasis centered on the the quality, or lack thereof, of "Content Sites" like Answers.com  The bottom line is, that while these sites are rich with content, and are quickly attracting viewers, maybe we need to consider what the quality of the material found there is?  In other words, there's mounds of information, but is it any good?  Is it worthwhile?  Is it TRUE?   During the past year or so, I've had the opportunity to teach a reoccurring Real Estate Technology class.  The class briefly reviews the shift we've seen in the methods, tools and practices in our profession during the past few years, and examines how Realtors, by leveraging these recent tools, and ... 12/15/2009

Well, we knew it was coming sooner or later.  Yesterday was our area's first Winter's first snow.  According to the Weather Channel, we're due for a bit more over the next 24-48 hours.  And, as most of us that live here know, the roads in Northern Virginia aren't the friendliest in good weather.  Can you imagine the craziness with snow and ice on the roadways?  It isn't pretty! What about you?  Any snow in your part of the country?  If not, how are the temperatures?  Years ago, while stationed in Tucson, we spent Thanksgiving evening on the community swimming pool.  That was....different, and enjoyable.   There's certainly the Christmas spirit in the air.  And, the snow helps complete the holiday setting.  In the days leading to this special time of year, enjoy the sights and sounds, an... 12/06/2009

  Today's announcement that the Obama Administration plans on forcing mortgage companies to permanently reduce monthly payments for troubled homeowners was met by a mixed reaction.  While the action's sponsor, the White House, said one thing, many others took a more realistic wait and see attitude.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) new initiative is part of the Administration's efforts to provide relief for homeowners who are laboring to pay their mortgages, and is another piece of the effort to stabilize the housing market.  The initiative, according to HUD, wants to extend to those already receiving trial modifications to their home loan, a permanent modification to their mortgage.  In simple language, what does that mean?  A lower payment.  While borrowers have... 11/30/2009

  "Sooner or later in life, we all sit down to a banquet of consequences." Robert Louis Stevenson Is a Federal Housing Administration(FHA) crisis on the horizon?  With FHA's insurance reserve ratio falling to the lowest level in history, at 0.53 percent, there are some who believe the FHA is the next subprime crisis waiting to happen.  One of those is homebuilder, Toll Brothers Inc., CEO, Robert Toll.   Toll predicts that just like the failed bank bailouts, the FHA will be next in the handout line.  And, with the reserve ratio as low as it is, he may be on to something.  According to a Congressional mandate, the ratio should be no lower than 2.0  In addition to the alarming FHA news, this week's Wall Street Journal reported that nearly 25 percent of all homeowners are upside down with t... 11/25/2009

 New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA:  Woodstream at Stafford - Brookfield Homes   Brookfield Homes is building single family and townhomes in Stafford, VA.  The location of this community is briliant, right off of rout I95 and just minutes to the VRE (commuter train)  Homes start in the mid $200s...and the community has fantastic amenities... for more information about New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA  call me..Konnie McKee 703 407 7088.  Search the MLS for free right here..                SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE    Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached... search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia www.ManassasHomeSearch.com  If you are looking to purchase a home in North... 11/14/2009

 New Homes For Sale In Stafford, VA:   Austin's Landing  Beazer Homes is building in this community.. Great for Commuters, located right off of route 1 close to commuter routes, shopping and the VRE.  Beazer is offering covered porch, formal living and dining room, open kitchen and breakfast area... For more information on this community or to Search for New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA, call Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or to search the MLS for FREE... right here..          SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE    Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached... search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia www.ManassasHomeSearch.com  If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia go to w... 11/05/2009

New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA: Fairfield Estates  builty by Apex Builders.. Homes are built on 1 acre lots, close to shopping, I95 and VRE.  Gourmet Kitchen with granite, Country wrap around porch available as options.  Homes in this community range in price from $359,900 to $429,900. For more information on HOMES FOR SALE IN STAFFORD, VA call Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or search the MLS for FREE here..!              SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE    Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached... search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia www.ManassasHomeSearch.com  If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia go to www.KonnieMac.com for free no strings attached home sea... 11/05/2009

 HOMES FOR SALE IN STAFFORD, VA  Stafford is located off our route 95 South and is quickly becoming the "place to live."  Due its proximity to some of our area military installations, and public transportation, such as the VRE, Stafford is a fantastic commuter location. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Stafford, VA call me..Konnie MAC 703 407 7088.  For a FREE, NO STRINGS MLS search.. just use the search widget below..                        SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE    Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached... search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia www.ManassasHomeSearch.com  If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia go to www.KonnieMac.com for... 10/30/2009

Leadership has been examined, discussed, practiced, criticized, admired, and mischaracterized for almost as long as humans have been around. But, for real estate professionals, where does "leadership" come into practice?  Do we lead anything?  Are we led by anyone?  The obvious answer is, of course leadership is practiced.  And, yes, there are indivduals leading us in our profession.  But, if that's the case, what kinds of leadership do we see?  Are they leading us in the right direction?  And, who is leading who, to do what?     What Does Leadership Look Like In the Practice of Real Estate? As real estate agents, our job is advise, counsel, and, among other things, educate our clients.  At the end of the day, we are paid to influence or persuade.  Is that leading?  Of course it is.  As... 09/23/2009

     What's the best way to market a home?  While making sure your visuals (pictures, virtual tours/videos) are exhaustive and don't leave anything to the imagination, the details of the listing are just as important in attracting prospective buyers. PROPERTY DETAILS Properly listing a home requires much more than good visuals.  While they are important, providing the specifics of the home is a valuable aspect of marketing as well.  How many times has a client wondered about room sizes, while sorting through the homes they actually want to drop by to see, only to find that data is missing from the listing?  Is it in the best interest of the seller to include those room sizes in the listing?   Yes, it is.   What about a description that highlights the home's best features?  PAINTING A PI... 09/13/2009

  How much is "enough" when marketing a home?  What does it take to adequately showcase a property that's listed? Simply put, that's a question best left up to the homeowner.  Or, is it?  Do homeowners know the market?  Do they know what it takes to get their home "under contract"?   Well, as many Realtors can attest, there are plenty of homeowners who think they know what's required to get their home sold.  But, what's to be done, how it's to be done, and the importance of integrating the different marketing methods to successfully showcase a listing, is best left in the hands of the professional, the Realtor. As the Listing Agent, Realtors are bound, according to Article 1 of their Code of Ethics, "to protect and promote the interests of the client."   In other words, the agent is eth... 09/02/2009

Remember the old "I love Lucy show" where she stomped grapes....I've always wanted to do that.. :)  The Harvest Festival at Potomac Point Winery, which will be held on September 27, 2009 (1;00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) you can do just that, stomp grapes....among other activities. There will be wine tasting, tours  and much more. Fore more information and directions to the venue call 540 446 2107, or visit www.PotomacPointWinery.com   08/07/2009

RE/MAX BRAVO | REMAX BRAVO | 540-891-8888 77 Woodside Ln, Stafford, VA 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $129,900 Year Built 1979 Sq Footage 1,356 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking None Lot Size 1.88 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Fireplace - Tile floor - Family room - Dining room - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4 Contact info: RE/MAX BRAVO REMAX BRAVO 540-891-8888 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Aug 4, 2009, 4:35am PDT RE/MAX BRAVO 10401 Courthouse Rd Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-891-8884 (Phone) 540-891-8884 (Fax) http://www.fredva.com/ Licensed In The State Of VA 08/04/2009

F  We recently witnessed a first in North Stafford; a ribbon cutting ceremony inaugurating Germanna Community College's (GCC) fourth location.  With Governor Tim Kaine doing the honors, the GCC Stafford Center in Aquia Park was unveiled.  Occupying almost 5,000 square feet of building space, the "campus" is one of the featured attractions of the ongoing Aquia Park development. The initial semester begins just over a month from now, on August 20th.  To begin with, classes in algebra, accounting, management, and Spanish will be offered.  In addition, they'll be courses in art history sociology and religion.  Plans are to accomodate more than 1,000 students in the first semester.    While the new campus is simply the beginning of a larger plan to establish a free-standing GCC campus in Nor... 08/04/2009

 The Village Series Homes by Brookfield Homes in Stafford, VA, are an affordable option for a single family home.  They are currently offering single family homes from $309,940. Features include: 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, Rear load 2 car garage, 3 level extensons, and great incentives.  Homes can be delivered by November to beat the deadline for the tax credit.... For more information on homes for sale in Stafford, VA call Konnie Mac 703 407 7088           SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE     Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached...search ML S to to www.KonnieMac.com Homes for sale in Manassas Virginia Homes for Sale in Haymarket Virginia Homes for Sale in Bristow Virginia Homes for Sales in Catharpin Virginia, Homes for Sale ... 07/25/2009

  The term "Short Sale" has become common place in housing markets over the past few years.  Yet, for many, what a short sale is, and how it becomes a reality, is still a mystery.  A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from the sale are less than, or "short of", what's owed on the balance of the loan securing the property being sold.   The Good At first glimpse, one might wonder why a lender would ever entertain such an arrangment,  accepting less than what's owed on a loan.   In most cases, the owner(s) are "upside down" with their mortgage.  In other words, they owe more than their property is currently worth.  While there are various reasons why owners are in their current distressed state, the good news is that banks have begun to embarace the short sale proces... 07/03/2009

  For many of us, the current housing market feels alot like, as Yogi Berra might say, "deja-vu all over again."  Five years ago, in the midst of the runaway market, many homes were on the market for less a day before we witnessed multiple offers presented to the seller.   In hindsight, one might conclude that the market was "out of control." Today's market landscape looks very similar.  As they say, the players have changed, but the "song remains the same."  Much like then, the multitude of today's bargains comes in the form of foreclosures.   While there's been much in the press about the the ugly side of foreclosures (owners destroying the property, evictions, mold, etc), many foreclosures on the market are in excellent condition.  Very much like the condition they were in when purch... 06/29/2009

  One of the benefits of being a teacher or instructor is the interaction with peers.  The opportunity for feedback  is almost limitless.  Discussions with students are almost always entertaining, and hopefully instructive.  And the "instructive" aspect goes both ways.  As many teachers will tell you, we, more often than not, learn more from the students than they do from us. This column has been in the works for weeks.  Well, at least I've mentally started it on various occasions.  But, as life tends to do, other, more pressing tasks have, in the meantime, overtaken my schedule.  But, yesterday, after coming across an article on the Real Estate blog, Agent Genius, written by our local Association's Education Director, Matthew Rathbun,  I was reminded of my article-to-be .  Our director... 05/13/2009