When Seeing Is Believing
February 16th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
“There’s a sucker born every minute.”
David Hannum
Have you ever wondered what separates fact from fiction? Is there a difference between fact and opinion? If so, is it simply a matter of personal interpretation?
In the real estate business, we sometimes find that what is advertised may not be exactly what is delivered. In real estate vernacular, that is often referred to as “puffing” or “puffery“. According to the 17th edition of the textbook, Real Estate Practice, puffing is defined as “a legal exaggeration of a property’s benefits or attractiveness.” Apparently, in the sales business, this is an accepted practice! On the other hand, its evil twin, “FRAUD”, is characterized as ”the intentional misrepresentation of a material fact to harm or take advantage of another person.”
So, as a prospective home buyer, how do you decipher the creative verbiage you often encounter when reading property descriptions about homes that interest you? In other words, how do you minimize the “noise” or misinformation? Short of giving the listing agent a dose of Truth Serum, an “eyes on target” approach is probably the best one. After all, nothing replaces an actual walk through of any property that might interest you.
Since many of my buyer clients are PCSing (for you non-Department of Defense types, PCS means permanent change of station, in other words, you’re MOVING) from across the country or around the globe, their first look at properties is done via the internet. Come to think of it, that’s how most people shop for homes these days!
Their desired home criteria is used in defining their property search, and that criteria is also used to provide them a direct e-mail feed of homes from our area’s Multiple Listing Service or System. Unlike other online home databases like Realtor.com, Zillow or Trulia, the MLS feed of homes provides prospective buyers the best and latest (Realtors who have homes listed on the MLS are required to keep the status current) information on properties. Since the MLS e-mail feed is free to the consumer, and the status of viewed homes current, why would those looking for homes use anything else as their reliable source for information on homes for sale?
Many home shoppers have pored over tons of data sources to include magazines, flyers, and various online sources for information. After days and weeks of reading property description after property description, there are times when they probably feel like they’re in the Twilight Zone instead of on the road to locating their next home.
Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. While it is difficult to know exactly what they’re getting, most property descriptions are an accurate depiction of the property being considered. But as I mention to my incoming buyers, while they may get a fairly good idea of the homes and neighborhoods through pictures and property descriptions sent via e-mail, until they get their “boots on the ground” and actually see the properties first hand, they can’t be certain that what they’re reading is exactly what they’ll see upon closer inspection. Once they’ve actually walked the neighborhoods and properties, it’s another story. As they say, “seeing is believing.”
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Hot Air Will Travel
August 21st, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Relocating
A couple of days after my last post, I received a call from a Mayflower employee. As a matter of fact, he happened to be one of those travelling in the subject of my last post; the Mayflower Hot Air Balloon. He called to say he’d seen the post and was glad we’d (yes, I wasn’t the only individual spying the balloon that afternoon) noticed! Additionally, he mentioned that more information about the balloon, and its’ pilot, could be found on Mayflower’s home page.
I’ll provide a bit of that information here, just in case you aren’t able to take a look at their page. But, you ought to, you may find, as I did, some items of interest! Here are some balloon facts (straight from Mayflower’s Hot Air Balloon page) you may find interesting:
2005 marked the inaugural year of flight for the Mayflower Transit balloon. The balloon is made of ripstop nylon and sports a bright, green, yellow and red design with three Mayflower ship inflatable appendages that give the balloon a special shape. The balloon is fueled by propane, which heats the envelope. Variation in the envelope temperature provides vertical movement, but the direction of the flight is completely dependent upon prevailing wind currents.
While the ballon’s specifications were of interest, this military retiree found the balloon’s pilot’s background a bit more compelling. Flying “hot-airs” since 1989, Kevin Niels Knapp is a retired Army major who is a full-time commercial balloon pilot, has owned and operated the “ARMY” hot-air balloon since 1994, and owns Airborne AD-Ventures, a full-service, hot-air balloon company. So, as you can see, Mr. Knapp is anything but ”retired”.
As far as the the phone call, the Mayflower representative informed me the balloon is an interesting and valuable marketing tool that normally elicits more than a few inquiries from the public.
For those of us outside that day watching it float by, seemingly without a care in the world, we wondered what it might be like floating up there, so high and so free…..
And, while Mayflower may be on my list of vendors to call next time I move, I don’t think I’ll be calling them anytime soon for a my first ”Hot Air” trip. But, then again, if the mood strikes me, maybe so. It sure looks fun.
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When A Village Makes Sense
August 12th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Relocating
Years ago, many of us got a bit of a laugh when we heard a prominent U.S. politican remark that “it takes a village” to raise a child. Although, little did we know at the time that the remark was hardly original. It originated as an African proverb before finding its way the US political scene. But, village life does have its advantages, especially for those living the good life in Ladysmith Village (LSV), just South of Fredericksburg.
Ladysmith Village is an ideal location for just about anyone, regardless of family size, commuting choices, or home style. There are plenty of options for almost any desire.
For commuters, Ladysmith Village is perfectly situated between Richmond and Fredericksburg, making sense for those that work in the city but would rather live apart from the hustle and bustle that normally accompanies it. “Beltway Bandits” can take advantage of many of the same commuting options common to I95; car & van pools, buses, and just north in Fredericksburg, the train. For military personnel, LSV’s central location makes it an easy option for those stationed north on I95 at Quantico, Ft. Belvoir, Ft Myer, the Pentagon, or other locations, or those who heading East towards NSWC Dahlgren.
Communtiy amenities abound. The Residents Community Center is second to none and includes:
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An eight lane pool surrounded by an expansive deck , a kiddy pool & spray fountain, and large barbecue area.
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Conference Rooms
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Fitness Center
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Media Facility
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Banquet Area
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Large Kitchen
An ideal location for wedding receptions, business meetings, or community get-togethers.
Other community attractions include the Ampitheater, Public Library, Elementary School, and walking and hiking trails. Additionally, the Village’s South River Sanctuary is the perfect get away for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the Virginia countryside.
The community’s home styles range from ranchers to colonials. One plan includes an optional one bedroom apartment above the garage. You can choose from five participating builders and their various models:
1) Aaronal Homes ; 2) Atlantic Builders; 3) The Christopher Companies ; 4) Snead Custom Homes; 5) Spear Builders
The abundance of home choices makes it easy to find something suitable for just about anyone. Prices range from $180,000 – $500,000+. So, as you can see, there are plenty of options.
Ladysmith Village offers location, convenience and community. With so much at the tip of your fingers, whether it’s recreation, community get-togethers, or just relaxing, its small town charm makes this an attractive place to call home.
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