Keepin' It Real Estate

Virginia Tech

What is a FICO Score?

A FICO Score is a credit score compiled by the Fair Isaacs Corporation. Scores are created by that company using information from the three major credit agencies in the USA, Experion, Equifax and Trans Union.  FICO scores can range from 500 to 850, with the higher numbers being the most desirable.

When consumers apply for an installment loan, the lender will check FICO scores.  The benefit of a high FICO score can be a low interest rate.  That low interest rate can be a money-saver over the life of a loan.

Jean Simmons, REALTOR®
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)
Associate Broker
Licensed in Virginia
jssimmon@bev.net
(540) 320-0753

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Hiking and Biking in the New River Valley

Our area offers many trails and paths for enjoyable outdoor activities. Each destination boasts its own beauty, tranquility, and level of endurance.

So get out now and take advantage of the beautiful weather and places in the New River Valley!

• Huckleberry Trail-Blacksburg & Christiansburg    5.7 miles
• Pandapas-460 West     1 mile loop
• Bisset Park-Radford     57 acres on the riverfront
• The Cascades-Pembroke       2 mile hike to waterfall
• Bald Knob-Mt. Lake Hotel & Resort     elevation: 4365 ft.
• War Spur-Mt. Lake Hotel & Resort      2.5 mile loop
• Wind Rock-Mt. Lake Hotel & Resort    .75 mile loop

Susanna Lilly, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
Relocation & Marketing Specialist
www.SusannaLilly.com      
SusannaLilly@cbtownside.com
540-320-9444

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Curb Appeal - At the Front Door

In Creating a Buying Mood, Maintenance, Exterior Appearance, and Squeaky Clean, I offered tips for ways sellers can increase the curb appeal of their homes.

Here are more tips for sellers:

At the Front Door

1. Clean porch and foyer.
2. Ensure doorbell works.
3. Repair screen on door.
4. Freshly paint or varnish front door.
5. Repair door locks and key access.

Susanna Lilly, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
Relocation & Marketing Specialist
www.SusannaLilly.com      
SusannaLilly@cbtownside.com
540-320-9444

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Curb Appeal - Squeaky Clean

In Creating a Buying Mood, Exterior Appearance, and Maintenance, I offered tips for ways sellers can increase the curb appeal of their homes.

Here are more tips for sellers:

Squeaky Clean

1. Clean and freshen bathrooms.
2. Clean fridge and stove (in and out).
3. Clean around heating vents.
4. Clean washer and dryer.
5. Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds.

Susanna Lilly, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
Relocation & Marketing Specialist
www.SusannaLilly.com      
SusannaLilly@cbtownside.com
540-320-9444

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Navigating a Boat on Claytor Lake

It's warming up so let's get ready to put boats in the water at Claytor Lake.

So often I hear people say, "I can't take my boat on the upper end of Claytor Lake, it's too shallow," and "I can't get under Lowman's Ferry Bridge."

My first inclination is to chuckle to myself and think, "Good, I don't want you coming to the upper end creating wakes in my beautiful, flat water while I am wakeboarding."  Then I just realize that they don't know how to navigate in the upper end and where they can get their boats under Lowman's Ferry Bridge. I really do want more people to utilize our beautiful lake, and if you haven't been above the bridge, you are missing a wonderful part of it.

Here's tip number one: You can get almost any boat under Lowman's Ferry Bridge, even with a wakeboard tower or bimini top. The secret is to go all the way to the end of the bridge at the shoreline opposite the side of ShopEz Convenience Store. At the very end of the bridge on this side there is a cut-out in the steel framing giving more head room than any other part of the bridge. I can easily take my wakeboarding boat with a tower under this section. Approach slowly, be sure your top is below the steel members, and always note the lake level before proceeding under the bridge. Unless you have a huge boat or a very high top, you should be able to make it.

Tip number two for navigating the upper end of the lake: For every turn in the lake, always swing to the wide side of the turn. It's like banking up high near the wall for NASCAR drivers going around turns. You will stay in deep water in the upper end if you simply follow the river channel. So think about how the river carved through the mountains; it stays wide and any silt that comes along will accumulate in the inside of the turn and the channel stays to the outside. That is a general navigating tip but one that will keep you from running into the mud flats of silt.

f you want to know more specifics, please email or call me and I will tell you about a few spots that are tricky. As always, stay safe and start enjoying all that Claytor Lake has to offer. We are so fortunate to live in the beautiful New River Valley.

Garrett Weddle, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
www.garrettweddle.com
weddleg@i-plus.net
540-230-7571

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Curb Appeal - Maintenance

In Creating a Buying Mood and Exterior Appearance, I offered tips for ways sellers can increase the curb appeal of their homes.

Here are more tips for sellers:

Maintenance

1. Repair leaking taps and toilets.
2. Clean furnace and filters.
3. Tighten doorknobs and latches.
4. Repair cracked plaster.
5. Touch up paint.
6. Clean and repair windows.
7. Repair seals around tubs and basins.
8. Replace defective light bulbs.
9. Oil squeaking doors.
10. Repair squeaking floorboards.

Susanna Lilly, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
Relocation & Marketing Specialist
www.SusannaLilly.com      
SusannaLilly@cbtownside.com
540-320-9444

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

New River Valley Real Estate Market - Fiction or Fact?

For the past 6 months we have all been bombarded with conflicting news about the Real Estate Market. As readers, we tend to focus on and hear what we want to hear and then generalize about it.  Therein lies the miscommunication. 

Just because the weather person says it is Spring in the East does not mean the weather is 60 degrees everywhere in the East.  Washington, DC is having its Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend.  The trees are blooming, yet the weather is a cool 40 degrees.

Sure, there are markets in the country that are significantly experiencing the downturn in Real Estate.  I am here to report THE NEW RIVER VALLEY and surrounding areas are strong. Our area sales records indicate homes that are priced correctly sell for close to asking price. 

You may ask yourself, "How can this be?"

We are blessed to be the home of Radford University (home of the Highlanders) and Virginia Tech (home of the Hokies) as well as major industries such as Corning, Tetra, Volvo, Danaher and Moog along with the Corporate Research Center, home to high-tech and incubator businesses.  These Universities and businesses keep our economy strong and keep our market strong.  Past records indicate they are all thriving. As they thrive, so will we, and so will our market.  Buy in the New River Valley and surrounding areas:  Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Floyd and Giles.  Invest in your future now.

Debra Chase, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
www.debrachase.com
debra.chase@coldwellbanker.com
540-449-4481

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

Curb Appeal - Exterior Appearance

When selling a home, first impressions are so important.  In a previous post on increasing the curb appeal of your home, I wrote about Creating a Buying Mood.

Here is another set of tips on ways for sellers to increase the curb appeal of their homes.

Exterior Appearance

1. Keep lawns cut.
2. Trim hedges and shrubs.
3. Weed and edge gardens.
4. Clear driveway and clean up oil spills.
5. Clean out garage.
6. Touch up paint.
7. Make repairs where needed.
8. Clear halls and stairs of clutter.
9. Store surplus furniture.
10. Clear kitchen counter and stovetop.
11. Clear closets of unnecessary clothing.
12. Remove empty boxes and containers.

Susanna Lilly, REALTOR®
Licensed in Virginia
Relocation & Marketing Specialist
www.SusannaLilly.com      
SusannaLilly@cbtownside.com
540-320-9444

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com

The Whole Team

Keepin' It Real Estate is the area's first company real estate blog.

And Roanoke Times reporter Sarah Cox is exactly right--the blog is written by "the entire Coldwell Banker Townside team."

In "A New Way of Getting the Word Out," a 3/30/08 article in the print edition of the real estate section of the Roanoke Times, Sarah Cox covered trends in real estate blogging and featured the Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS® blog.

To read Cox's story in .pdf format, click here.

[For best viewing, when the .pdf file opens, go to "View," then "Rotate View," then "Counterclockwise."]

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®
www.cbtownside.com
blog@cbtownside.com