Real Estate Really

Thanks for serving - now it's your time to be served!

Many restaurants, stores, and other businesses offer free items and discounts to military members, retirees, and other veterans !   Most places require proof of service such as a military or retiree ID card, DD Form 214, VFW card, or other proof of service, so be prepared if you are asked for proof of service.

Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday

Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. The free dinner meal is open to anyone who served in the US Military and is open to all veterans, retirees, active duty military members, and members of the National Guard or Reserves.

Applebee's Free Meal on Veterans Day

Applebee's is supporting military veterans again this year by offering military members and veterans a free meal on Veterans Day. Simply show proof of military service, including showing up in uniform, military ID, military service organization ID (VFW card, etc), a picture of you in uniform, or other proof, and select a free meal from a special menu.

Other Veteran's Day Discounts and free meals:

• Lowe's and Home Depot military discounts. The stores often give military members and veterans a 10% discount on military holidays. Be sure to ask and bring your ID!
• Outback Steakhouse Veteran's Day Deal.
• Golden Corral's Free "Thank You" Dinner for Military.
• McCormick & Schmick's - Veterans Eat Free.
• Veterans Eat Free at Applebee's.
• Check for local restaurants and businesses for more discounts!

Veterans -- if you're in the market to get your house on the market, contact me for help -- dgreco@kw.com

How does your garden grow?

The warm weather today found lots of folks outside tending their gardens.  Except for those die-hard Redskin fans that stayed in to watch the game.  It was too painful for me!

 

If you're planning to put your house on the market in the spring, or even have it listed now, what better time to spruce up your landscaping to ensure inviting curb appeal! 

 

Leaf blowers were hard at work today (except for the one guy down the street that seemed to think it was time to put up his Christmas wreath).  But did you know that if you just mow the leaves they provide much needed nutrients to your soil?  They will decompose eventually.  If you prefer to join the leaf blowing brigade at least rake some up around your trees as a mulch.  You can never have too much mulch but it does get expensive!  Using the fallen leaves instead will help your trees and perennials retain moisture during the winter and gives some vitality to your garden beds.

 

Now is the time to plant your bulbs!  Planting bulbs late in the season (November is ideal for our zone) discourages fungal diseases.  With the red clay this area is notorious for, I till the soil a bit with a 'claw', and mix in a fresh bag of top soil with a bag of leaf gro, along with a little composted manure.  Always plant bulbs in clumps -- groups of 5 or more and all one color is always best for show.  I use a little  bulb booster as well -- it shouldn't come into direct contact with the bulbs.  Deer don't eat daffodils, but love tulips as do I.  If Bambi is known to visit your yard, it is suggested to use some deer repellent in the spring as foliage emerges. 

 

It's also a good time to dump all of your pots containing withered annuals -- the potting soil with built in fertilizer is great for adding nutrients to your garden beds.  I pretty much dump whatever leftovers I have in my garden shed too -- peat moss, leftover potting soil, etc. 

 

Turn that landscape into something beautiful and those buyers will want to come in to see more!  Contact me at dgreco@kw.com for other ideas on how to make your home appeal to the masses and ensure a quick sale!  Happy gardening!

Are You Upside Down?

If you live in Northern Virginia, especially in counties west of the Washington Beltway, and,  you purchased a home prior to 2005-2006, the value of your home probably dropped 20-50% .  If you were one of the homeowners who put the minimum down payment of 0-10%, you are now upside down by 10%-40% of the home’s value.  If you purchased the home with an adjustable rate mortgage or teaser rate, you may be wishing to refinance your mortgage to a fixed rate so.

We keep hearing from the media that refinancing your home is a solution and possible remedy to foreclosure.  but there are problems with refinancing your property that nobody is discussing and in some cases, has resulted in foreclosure.  Its just not as easy or workable as you may think in today’s market.  Between appraisal issues, new lender requirements , debt-income ratio issues, and higher credit score requirements,  refinancing a property is virtually impossible and generally a property will end up as a short sale or worse, a foreclosure.  There are some ways around this, but it may require cash upfront. 

Life happens and there are worse things in life than being upside down on your mortgage.  But if you are, don't wait until the situation gets worse.  If you begin to default, call your servicer immediately and talk to them about your situation.  Then go and find a REALTOR who can help you sort out your options.