Exploring Brentsville Virginia

Circa 1822, Brentsville Virginia is a walk back in time! Our family spent the morning exploring this unique spot. Next time you have the opportunity, check out the Historical Buildings, or take a hike down the nature trail, along the river. There's even a cabin and an organic garden! Click Here for more info

Staying COOL In Prince William County on the HOTTEST Day of the Year!

Today the forecasters have told us it's gonna be the hottest day of the year, thus far! 99 degrees with a heat index well into the 100's. How do we, in the Prince William County / Manassas Virginia area stay cool? Well, besides the A/C in most of the wonderful area homes, we head for the closest WATER! We swim and boat in area lakes such as the serene Lake Manassas, which is surrounded by fabulous custom built homes. Or, alternatively area residents water ski on Lake Jackson. We canoe on Bull Run and Occoquan Rivers, and run power boats and jet skis on the Potomac River. In addition, there are two fabulous water parks to take the kids to: Signal Hill and Splashdown.

So, if you're looking for water related activities, head over to Prince William County.

How Much House Can I Afford In Northern Virginia? This or That?

Ever hear of the game this or that? What should I eat? This or that? Well, how about which house can I afford? This or That? The farm house on the left, or the one on the right?

When applying for a home loan, personal finances should be your first concern. Your income versus your debt will likely determine the amount a lender will allow you to borrow. Below you will see 4 ROUGH guidelines. Different lenders have different programs. Contact me, and I'll be happy to set up a consultation, so together we can determine your family's guidelines.

1. The first step is to determine your gross monthly income. This includes any regular and recurring income that can be documented. If you cannot document the income, or if it does not appear on your tax return, then you probably cannot use it to qualify for a loan. You can, however, use unearned income, such as alimony or lottery payoffs. If you own income producing assets including real estate and stocks, that income can be used.

2. Next, determine your total monthly debt. This includes credit cards, installment or car loans, alimony or child support, or any continuing monthly obligation. For credit cards, use the minimum monthly payment for calculation purposes. For installment loans, use the current monthly payment. Installment debt that is scheduled to be paid in full within the next ten months does not have to be considered. This total is sometimes referred to as “monthly debt service.” Lenders will not allow you to borrow more than your ability to repay all of your obligations, especially your mortgage.

3. Your monthly housing expense including taxes and insurance should not exceed around 28% of your gross monthly income. If you do not know exact figures, tax and insurance expenses can be estimated at 15% of your monthly housing payment. The remaining 85% is assigned as interest and principal.

4. In addition, your monthly housing expense plus your total monthly debt service cannot exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. If you are not within this parameter, you may not fit the lender’s underwriting guidelines, and the lender may not approve your application. Each individual borrower has a unique situation, and different lenders may be more or less flexible than the 28% and 36% suggested guidelines. If you are able to purchase a home by borrowing less than 80% of the home’s value – by making a large cash down payment, for example – then these guidelines may become less critical. Many different loan programs are available, all with different guidelines, so some may be more applicable to your financial situation. Your financial professional or loan officer can outline a program that best fits your needs, helping you to get the home of your dreams.

For a no obligation consultation, simply email me at Peggy@BassetteHomes.com to determine to appropriate guidelines for YOUR FAMILY.

Loan Officer’s Guide 5.1
What You Can Afford

Prince William County Chapter of The Red Cross

Are you aware that our local, Prince William County Chapter of the American Red Cross, receives NO funding from National? Your local Red Cross is 100% responsible for raising their own funds. And, if disaster strikes, which charity is called first? The Red Cross!

Last night, our Olde Town (Manassas) Referral Group, held a fundraiser on behalf of the Prince William County Chapter of the Red Cross. We were supported in our efforts by the absolutely fantastic restaurant, La Chapelle, which is located in Historic Manassas. And the Chief Executive Officer of the Prince William Chapter, Karen Wayne, was present.

Thank you to all who attended and made this a super successful fundraiser. For more information about the Prince William County Red Cross, go to http://www.pwarc.org

Fundraiser / Networking Event: Manassas VA To Benefit Prince William Red Cross!

Tonight, Tuesday August 4, 2009 from 5pm - 7pm, The Olde Town Business Networking Group will be holding a fundraiser in Manassas VA at La Chapelle Restaurant! This event will benefit the local, Prince William County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Join us today!

NO Cover Charge!
1/2 Price Appetizers!
1/2 Price Bottles of Wine!
50/50 Raffle with Proceeds to the Red Cross!

9329 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110

Resources & Research For Home Buyers

Buying a home is a huge decision – not to mention a large financial commitment – one not to be taken lightly. Careful research and planning can help make you a more informed home buyer. Below are some reading sources that can help prepare you for one of the most important undertakings of your life.

How to Inspect a House
George Hoffman with Mark C. Friedman
10 Steps To Home Ownership, A Workbook for First-Time Buyers
Ilyce R. Glink
J.K. Lasser’s Guide to Buying Your First Home
Joe Catalano
The Field Guide to Home Buying in America
Stephan M. Pollan, Mark Levine, and Michael Pollan
100 Questions Every First-time Home Buyer Should Ask
Ilyce R. Glink
The Complete Guide to Buying Your First Home
Dodge R. Woodson
Sylvia Porter’s A Home of Your Own
Sylvia Porter
Legal Aspects of Buying, Owning, and Selling a Home
Daniel L. Johnson
The Legal Side to Buying a House, Condo, or Co-op: A Step-by-Step Guide
George Milko, in association with HALT

Source: Real Estate Today

Wilson Farms Meat Company is a little known diamond, right in our backyard. We are so fortunate to live so close to this amazing resource. Just 20 minutes outside of Nokesville Virginia, and 30 minutes South of Manassas, Wilsons has been in Catlett VA for generations! Their cheese, butter and meats are extremely high quality, for very little money.

I can't put in a link, because they're not on the web...They don't need to be. Word of mouth has kept them in business for decades, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon! Not with delicious cheeses for 1/2 to 1/3 of the price you pay for gourmet at your local grocery store.

When Mina rings you up on the adding machine (yep, no cash register) she seasons her culinary advice with laughter and kindness. So, if you have the opportunity, go for a short drive through beautiful countryside and check out Wilson's. Guaranteed to please!

Voluntary Action Center In Manassas VA Helps Children With Christmas In July Fundraiser!

This Friday, July 31, 2009 The Prince William County Voluntary Action Center will be holding a fundraiser to benefit children and seniors in need, in the Manassas / Prince William County Virginia area.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program

Christmas In July Annual Dinner Dance

in Support of the Un-Trim-A-Tree Holiday Program

July 31, 2009

From 7-11 p.m.

at the Loy E. Harris Pavilion

Manassas VA

Join us for this magical evening, and help seniors and children who are in need. For additional information, don't hesitate to call or email Peggy@BassetteHomes.com

Manassas, Located In Prince William County Virginia

Manassas, what do you think of when you think of my home town? Most folks think of the civil war, The First or Second Battle of Manassas. Me, I think of the place I grew up in, raised a family in, and have grown a business in. I remember the houses I've sold. Wonderful clients I've worked on behalf of, and who have become friends.

Certainly, I remember that great battles were fought on this soil. (the home I grew up in, that is still owned by my brother and his wife, overlooks Bull Run River, and has Civil War bunkers in the backyard). However, now when I think of battles, I think of the battles that folks are fighting to keep their houses, and battles that my buyer clients wage in order to get the right house for their families.

I love Manassas, my home town. No one knows Prince William County better than I do...from the Bull Run Mountains in Haymarket, through Gainesville and Nokesville which has been my family's home for the past ten years, through Dale City, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, and all the way down to Dumfries and the Potomac River.

Prince William County covers a lot of geography. It's a fantastic time to purchase property here...I'd love to give you and introduction!

Economy in Manassas / Prince William County Virginia Impacts Pets!

The economy effects pets, not just people. These two adorable Labradors are in need of a good home. They are just three years old, great with kids, and have never been separated! Unfortunately, sometimes when folks are forced out of their homes, they aren't able to take beloved pets with them.

So, while home purchasers are able to realize incredible deals in our current Real Estate economy, it is sometimes at the expense of others.

If you or someone you know has a home available for these two spayed, kid friendly, loyal labs, send me a message and I'll put you in contact with the owner. Peggy@BassetteHomes.com

When Purchasing a Home in the Manassas / Prince William County VA Market

In the current housing market of Manassas & Prince William County Virginia, which includes the towns of Haymarket, Nokesville, Gainesville, Dumfries, Lake Ridge, Woodbridge & Occoquan, Foreclosures and Short Sales are prevalent.

Therefore, it is important when looking at a prospective property to go through a quick list of questions, if you're serious about possibly purchasing the house. This exercise will potentially save you lots of time and money, and who isn't looking to do that!

When you've identified a property, while looking through it, check out these items:

HEATING
Age, condition, and operation of main system
Thermostat(s)
Room-by-room heating
COOLING
Age, condition, and operation of main system
Thermostat(s)
Room-by-room cooling
ELECTRICAL
Adequacy of service
Light switches
Door bells
Exterior lighting
PLUMBING
Overall
Water heater
WASTE (SEWERS OR SEPTIC)
Flush toilets
Consult owners on condition
Obtain service record
APPLIANCES
Range
Oven (all controls)
Dishwasher (run full cycle)
Refrigerator/freezer
Trash compactor
Trash disposal
Washing machine
Dryer
Other

INTERIOR SPACES

WALLS, CEILINGS, AND FLOORS
Overall condition
Water stains
Cracks
Settlement
Decay
BASEMENT AND CRAWL SPACES
Walls
Floor
Water penetration
KITCHEN
Cabinets
Countertop
Floor
BATHROOM
Toilets (tank and operation)
Floor (around tub, shower, and toilet)
Shower (check controls)
Tub (check controls)
Tile
GARAGE
Doors
Floor
Walls

EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
Roof
Siding
Windows/doors
Steps and stairs
Decks/porches
Pool and accessories
Sprinkler
Landscaping
Drainage

This doesn't eliminate the necessity for a home inspection, but it may make your decision about a specific property easier, so you don't get caught up in a contract for a house that is going to be nothing but a headache!

For a hard copy of the above list, or additional information on purchasing property in Northern Virginia, don't hesitate to contact us!

How To Opt Out Of Junk Mail

Recently, I read an article in our local Church of the Brethren of Manassas VA newsletter, regarding how much good it would do the environment if junk mail was eliminated. So I took that information and added a bit of my own, thinking that most people, whether they have just purchased a house in the suburbs, or live in a farm in Nokesville, would love to see less paper in their mail.

Ever see the episode of Seinfeldt where Kramer, in his city apartment, decides to “opt out” of mail? He does everything; contacts the post office, closes off his physical mail box, everything he can think of to get out of receiving all that paper on a daily basis.

Well, now we all have that option: Just go to www.DirectMail.com and for free, you can get your name off commercial mailing lists. And, if you’re looking for a paid service, www.MailStopper.com actively keeps you from getting back on mailing lists. They promise to stop 90% of your junk mail within 90 days. For just $20 annually. Another free service is www.CatalogChoice.com It will get you on no-send lists to stop catalog spam. And if you are sick of receiving credit card and insurance offers online or by phone, call 1-800-5-OPTOUT. And, to get your name off phone book mailing lists, click on www.YellowPagesGoesGreen.com

So, join my family and me in helping the environment, and de-cluttering my home in the process!(Source: www.idealbite.com)

Venue in Olde Towne Manassas

Think I spelled Olde Towne incorrectly? Not in this case...I believe the e's deserve to be there as they are indicative of the historical feel of this amazing location. La Chapelle is a charming restaurant in the historic section of Manassas Virginia. Jim and I were fortunate to be able to hold our wedding reception there, years ago. And now, every week we visit for a referral group meeting, on Thursdays.

If you've never had the opportunity to experience the fabulous service and uniquely delicious food at this venue. Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for Business Networking Happy Hour! The entire restaurant is nonsmoking.

How Do You Enhance Your Home's Value?

Folks in our little community of Prince William County / Manassas Virginia are frequently asking me what they should do to enhance the value of their home.
The easiest way to enhance your home's value is to stay on top of maintenance and repair needs. This includes inspecting your roof for weather damage in the spring and cleaning gutters and downspouts in the fall.

Here are some other factors that can make a significant difference in your home's resale value:

* Overall condition of the property. You should inspect it regularly and keep your home clean. Many prospective buyers don't have time to "fix up" their next home and won't make an offer if there is too much to be done.
* How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you have? Do they need to be remodeled or updated?
* How big is your yard? Is there a deck or patio?
* Do you have a 1, 2 or 3 car garage?
* Is your kitchen up-to-date or should you remodel?
* Do you have a family room?

All of the above should be considered in any decision to sell. And if you're considering a purchase, all potential properties should be analyzed regarding the ongoing maintenance issues. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. I welcome questions!

Local Kids Love Manassas Virginia!

Local area children, led by twelve year old, Erin Harrover (Daughter of Andy...Vice Mayor of Manassas & Sarah Harrover)take their civic responsibilities seriously! They raised money through bake sales to fund the making of this short, heartfelt, funny video.

Tall grass in the City of Manassas and the negative impact of it, brought about this burst of civic responsibility. The video, which includes singing, dancing, one-liners and short skits will be appearing on Comcast channel 23 and FiOS channel 39 in the City of Manassas, as a Public Service Announcement!

I'm so proud to come from an area where kids are taught to love and be responsible for their hometown!

Last Night: An Adventure In Stafford Virginia

Last night, Jim and I left our Nokesville Virginia home (Nokesville is a small farm village in Prince William County), dropped off our son with his Grandma in Manassas at her senior apartment (The Oaks of Wellington, just 10 minutes from us) and picked up our very good friends (who I believe would prefer to remain anonymous on the web). We proceeded south, just a half hour to Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, VA. What a lovely evening! We tasted delicious wines, listened to soothing live music by Mercy Creek, and had dinner on the balcony, as we watched the sun set. The four hours we spent at this unique Italianesque Winery were filled with joy and laughter!

It's wonderful to have family, friends, and so much beauty so close to us!

Check out the umbrella... That's where we hung out last night!

To Your Credit

It’s to your credit to make sure your credit history is “clean” before visiting a lender’s office. Following these tips could improve your credit rating enough to qualify for the home of your dreams.
It’s a good idea to review your credit report once a year, but it’s especially necessary before you apply for a loan. Order a report from all three major reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union Corp. Information (and errors) on one report may or may not be identical to what appears on another.
Each of the three agencies can provide a copy of your report. The reports are on each individual, and the cost varies from $0 to $30 per report. Only Experian will supply one copy each year at no cost, but keep in mind that any charge is minimal compared to how important the report is to your home ownership.
Loan applications always require a summary of your debts. Be sure that your summary lists all your debts. Lenders can tell whether something has been left out on purpose. Your credit report should verify what you put on your application, not expose new or damaging information.
Although bankruptcies, judgments, and collections may jeopardize your chances for a loan, other – less serious – blemishes on your report are still potentially damaging. The number of times payments were late – by 30, 60, and 90 (or more) days – as well as a listing of creditors and high balances, will appear on your report. If you happen to be 30 days late one time, you may be
okay. But if you’ve been 60 or 90 days late, your lender will probably want an explanation in writing.
When you apply for a mortgage loan, the lender will be more interested in your mortgage history than your department-store account history. The way you’ve handled similar obligations in the past demonstrates to the lender that your mortgage payment will be a priority.
If you find mistakes on your credit report, you can resolve the problem with the credit agency. But if incorrect information comes from a creditor, you’ll need to work with the creditor first. In many cases, writing to the creditor to explain your dispute may resolve the problem.
If your last name is one used by many people – such as Smith or Jones – or if your name ends with Jr. or Sr., it’s even more important to check your credit report. People with these names are the ones most likely to have mistakes on their files. Also, be sure that joint accounts are closed if you are recently divorced. This helps avoid anything from your former spouse’s record
showing up on your report.

Contacting the Reporting Agencies

Equifax Information Service Center
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
800/997-2493
www.equifax.com
Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
888/397-3742
www.experian.com
Trans Union Corp.
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064-0390
800/888-4213
www.transunion.com

Why Prince William County Virginia?

Why move to our little corner of the world?

There are so many reasons....Here are a few:

Fantastic Educational Opportunities...The Schools are AWESOME!

Charming Old Town Manassas: Fantastic Restaraunts, Eclectic shops, Antique Homes, Virginia Rail Express!

Rural Nokesville: Agricultural Area with working FARMS, Equestrian Oriented Estates! Strong sense of Community!

Gainesville / Haymarket: Western Prince William has lots of NEW CONSTRUCTION, Any type of Shopping Imagineable, Well Kept Subdivisions with Strong Home Owners Associations!

Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries & Lake Ridge: A mix of older and newer homes, Potomac Mills Shopping Mall, Water Oriented Activities on the Potomac River and Occoquan!

Reasonably Priced REAL ESTATE MARKET!

Parks, Parks and More Parks: National Battlefield (Historic Civil War Park), Hiking and Equestrian Trails, Prince William Forest Park for fantastic camping and hiking! Soccer Fields, Baseball Fields, and way too many small parks to mention!

Two Hospitals: Prince William and Potomac

Just an hour to the Mountains & Skyline Drive with Hiking Trails, Waterfalls & CAMPING!

Extremely Close (less than 40 miles from most points in the County) Proximity to our Nations Capital, WASHINGTON D.C.! (Among other things, that means monuments, the Smithsonian Museum, Natural History Museum, Art Galleries, Kennedy Center, and MORE)

About an Hour and a Half from the Capital of our Commonwealth, Richmond VA!

Within an hour to Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Outstanding Business Base (yes, our Board of Supervisors incentivises BUSINESSES)!

Did I mention REAL ESTATE? LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

If you want to know more, just ask! We grew up here, and know our hometown EXTREMELY WELL! We've chosen to make it our lifetime home, and to raise our family here (our 26 year old son, 24 year old daughter and 13 year old son, who is in the public school system, NOW) We welcome any questions, just call 703.791.3884 or email Peggy@BassetteHomes.com!