Author: Adrienne Green

Real Estate in Today’s Coronavirus Climate

The Northern Virginia market started off hot from right after New Years Day. With historically low interest rates, the market in January and February was aptly described as “tight inventory has continued to coincide with higher sales price to original list prices and fewer days on market” (source).

In March, as people started staying home, and schools and businesses closed, the real estate industry immediately started adapting so that we could continue to help people with the essential need of housing while keeping everyone safe.

Buyers: we can do everything remotely other than settlement: most mortgage lenders require wet signatures with in-person notarization (but settlement has been changed to maintain social distancing and limit exposure as much as possible). Most buyers (if not all!) would like to see a home in person prior to submitting an offer, and we can do that, too.

Process Overview:

  • Virtual Buying Consultation
  • Personalized Online Home Search Portal
  • Recommendations for Lenders Who Can Work Virtually
  • Video Home Tours, Virtual Open Houses, 3D Home Tours
  • In-Person Home Showings with Safety Precautions
  • Mobile Deposit of Earnest Money Deposit
  • Virtual Home Inspections (home inspector goes to house, communicates results to you)
  • Virtual Final Walk-Through
  • Settlements with Limited Contact (Options Include Drive-By Closings Where Buyers Never Leave Their Car)

Sellers: we can do many tasks remotely, limiting your need to meet others in-person, and limiting the number of people who access your home.

Process Overview:

  • Virtual Listing Consultation
  • Professional Photography, 3D Virtual Matterport House Tour so Buyers Can See House Virtually
  • Virtual Showings & Open Houses, Allowing Virtual “Visits”
  • Limit In-Person Showings to Pre-Qualified Serious Buyers with Safety Precautions
  • Virtual Home Inspections (only home inspector & agent in house)
  • Virtual Final Walk-Through (only agent in house)
  • Settlements with Limited Contact (Options Include Drive-By Closings Where Buyers Never Leave Their Car)

Everyone in real estate is working hard to facilitate the essential task of buying and selling real estate while keeping all involved safe.

Reach out to learn more, or to start the process of buying or selling your home.

Leesburg Diner Review: Delicious Breakfast in Downtown Leesburg

A local favorite for breakfast or lunch is the Leesburg Diner, located in the heart of downtown on King Street. My family loves to stop in occasionally as a special treat after church on Sunday.

This is not your stereotypical greasy spoon diner, it’s elevated, healthy, and delicious breakfast and lunch fare. One classic diner trait that I love is that the server leaves a carafe of coffee on the table, so you never have to wait for refills!

During this particular meal, enjoyed in February prior to the COVID-19 stay at home recommendation, we enjoyed Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, a chocolate chip pancake for the kids, and cinnamon rolls.

This restaurant has a kid friendly atmosphere, but be aware that there is no kids menu. Our kids have been satisfied with the a la carte breakfast menu items, so the lack of a kids menu has not been a problem for us. The restaurant has enough ambient noise that children are not a disruption to others, and the televisions in the restaurant provide distraction to the kids when they’re done eating. As it is in a historic building, the bathrooms are small and do not have changing tables.

Watch my YouTube video to see the full review of the Leesburg Diner. I highly recommend stopping in for a bite once we can frequent restaurants again!

Stone Tower Winery Review: Part 1 of 2

A popular weekend activity in Loudoun County is visiting the area’s wineries. Locals love Stone Tower Winery because of its high quality wines, great views, and two tasting rooms: one is family and dog friendly, the other is for adults only and more upscale.

This review is of the Harvest Barn, the area that is welcoming to dogs and children. (I’ll review the 21+ Tower View Tasting Room in a Part 2 Post.) We found the Harvest Barn a warm and welcoming place to get out of the house and enjoy ourselves, as well as entertain the kids, on a cold February day. Since it was cold, we stayed inside the Harvest Barn, which is heated with space heaters and was quite comfortable. On warmer days, there’s a beautiful patio outside with lots of seating. It is adjacent to a hillside, where kids love to play.

Both on the patio and inside the Harvest Barn you can bring your own meal or snacks, or buy food from the winery. The winery has a barbecue menu that’s cooked at the Harvest Barn. (There’s a wood-fired pizza oven at the Tower View Tasting Room, and you can have that pizza ordered and delivered to the Harvest Barn.)

Be aware that dogs are allowed both inside and outside at the Harvest Barn.

Be sure to view my YouTube video about Stone Tower Winery’s Harvest Barn, too!

March Madness! Basketball? No! NOVA Housing Market!

March’s newsletter is ready for you. View it below or click here to download. The newsletter’s helpful articles include:

  • Pest Inspection Details
  • 5 Financial Benefits of Owning a Home
  • What is an Earnest Money Deposit?
  • Latest Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Statistics

 I’m excited about the included profile of Resa Kierstein. Resa runs a local flooring company that offers top quality products at competitive prices with service and quality to match. Reach out to Resa here!

Thinking of buying or selling a house? Reach out for an appointment now.

February’s Newsletter is Here!

February’s newsletter is ready for you. View it below or click here to download. The newsletter’s helpful articles include:

  • Home Inspection Details
  • 5 Financial Benefits of Owning a Home
  • What is a a Real Estate Contract Contingency?
  • Latest Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Statistics

 I’m excited about the included profile of Elena Sonnino, local life coach, speaker, and yoga instructor. Elena is an amazing woman who is dedicated to helping others thrive. Reach out to Elena here!

I recently enjoyed a chat with Elena where she shared some wisdom regarding how to handle the stress of Northern Virginia living; here’s a video from our time together.

 
 

Thinking of buying or selling a house? Reach out for an appointment now.

 

Stress Busting Strategies with Elena Sonnino

I enjoyed spending some time with local life coach Elena Sonnino, who shared some of her wisdom and strategies to handle the stress of everyday life, especially life in Northern Virginia!

To learn more about Elena, visit her website: https://www.elenasonnino.com/, and her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/liveyoursunrise/.

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