Date Archives: October 2015

Strong Schools a Deciding Factor for Augusta County Home Buyers

When you're ready to buy a home, there's a long laundry list of things to consider to help you make the right choice.  An excellent school district is one of those things. Even if you do not have children at home, you want to purchase a home in a neighborhood with quality schools, not only for any potential future children you have, but also to increase the potential resale value and the speed of sale of your home in the future.

For those shopping for a home in Augusta County, VA, the local school district is one of the area's biggest draws. Strong schools help families feel comfortable moving to the area, and also help improve the resale value of their homes. One of those schools, Riverheads High School, was recently awarded national recognition by being named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.

Riverheads High School One of Seven Virginia Schools Recognized

Riverheads High School in Augusta County was one of only seven public schools across the state recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015. This award is considered a prestigious recognition of excellent academics. Both public and private schools with superior academics or who demonstrate dramatic student achievement gains are eligible for the award. In total, 285 public schools in the country were given the award this year.

Specifically, Riverheads High School received the award because of high standardized test scores for its students. In the most recent school year 88 percent or more of the students passed the tests in every subject area, and that is a high number compared to national averages. Riverheads High School also boasts a 14 percent AP participation rate and received a Bronze medal from U.S. News and World Report's Best High Schools list.

Benefits of Strong Schools for Augusta County VA Homebuyers

If you are considering buying a home in Augusta County, this news is beneficial to you. If you have children, then you benefit automatically because the schools you will be sending your children to are gaining national recognition for excellence.

If you do not have children, you still benefit from strong schools. Strong schools are a sign of a strong, well-educated community base. They also make your home easier to sell in the future and drive up property values. Finally, strong schools can help protect a neighborhood from the natural up and down nature of the real estate market. Homes in neighborhoods with good schools tend to hold their value better even in difficult economic times.

Remember, even if you don't have kids, someone in the future who is considering buying your home might. Strong schools make your home more appealing and easier to sell.  Contact the team of professional REALTORS® at Old Dominion Realty to buy a home in Augusta County.

Planning for a Job Relocation.

Congratulations!  You found your dream job.  What you didn't expect was to leave your home and to relocate to an entirely new city.  Whether your move is across the state, country or even the globe, it brings a number of challenges beyond simply changing your street address. Learning about a new community, tackling a new culture, and moving a long distance is stressful. Here are tips from the Relocation Services Team at Old Dominion Realty to make the transition easier.

1. Check Out Your New Hometown
   Careful planning and research will make your move easier.  When you find you are moving, surf the Web to research communities near your new employer.  Learn about the area's economy and housing market.  Your new job may come with a higher salary; however, if the local economy is more expensive than the one you're leaving, you may not find yourself as far ahead as you think.
   
   
2. Make Preview Trips
   Although in today's digital society it is possible to make a cross-country move entirely online, it is wise to make a few visits to the area before you move. That's the best way to learn facts like where the best schools are located, when rush hour is the worst, and how far the nearest restaurants, shopping areas, and other local things to do are located from your potential new home.
   
   
3. Find a REALTOR® in Your New Hometown
   When you begin to search for a home in your new community, find a REALTOR® with a reputation as a local expert in the community. Your real estate agent should be knowledge about local housing values as well as be able to provide helpful insights about nearby amenities such as schools and churches.
   
   Your REALTOR® can be a tremendous asset when relocating. Old Dominion Realty has helped many clients make the move to Harrisonburg and its surrounding areas.  Our Relocation Services extend beyond those moving to the Virginia real estate area. As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, we can connect you with quality real estate companies across the globe to make the relocation process easier for you.
   
   
4. Research Mortgage Lenders
   Your REALTOR® can provide you with a list of mortgage lenders with whom they have done previous business.  Comparison shop for the best interest rates and closing costs.  Remember that the cheapest rates do not equate to the best service. A reputation of great service coupled with a stress-free closing can save you time and money in the long run.  Old Dominion Realty has teamed up with VBS Mortgage  to offer you the best of real estate and home mortgage services.
   
   
   
   
5. Downsize Before You Move
   Moving companies charge by weight, so downsizing will make your move less costly. You can sell items before you move and purchase new items when you arrive that fit your new home perfectly. Since you already have to pack and sort, take the time to get rid of items you are no longer using or no longer need.
   
   
   
   
6. Change Your Address
   Let all of your accounts know your new address as soon as you do, so you will not miss any bills. Consider setting up automatic payments for the months you will be focused on moving so you are not adding late fees to the already high costs of moving. Also, inform the post office of your new address so that your mail will get forwarded.
   
   

7. Get Help from a Relocation Expert 
   Contact Linda Goodson, Old Dominion Realty's Relocation Services Director, to learn how Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Old Dominion Realty will make your relocation easier.

Kermit Was Wrong After All... It Is Easy Being Green!

Green living is a popular topic these days, and for good reason. We're better equipped than ever to see the benefits that environmentally friendly habits have on our surroundings, and there's a real public push toward greater efficiency at home. The real secret to the popularity of going green, however, is that it will also save you money. Ahead, we'll cover why that's the case, along with how you can take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits of green living.

Going green is really about improving efficiency, so you can make the biggest early gains by targeting the home systems that are traditionally less efficient. Your heating and cooling system is the perfect place to start, because there are a few simple fixes that apply to nearly every home. The best part? Most of our green living tips are inexpensive to implement, and will be a boon to your budget long-term.

• Feel a draft? Seal it up. Check areas in your home where outside air slips inside, and seal them with caulk or weather-stripping to prevent heat loss. Windows, doors, and vents are prime places to check.
  
  
• When it's time to replace an old appliance – including your furnace, A/C unit, and water heater – make sure your new model is EnergyStar certified. Certified appliances are more efficient, and will save you money on energy bills.
  
  

• Look for creative ways to reuse items that you'd otherwise throw out. Food scraps make great compost for your garden, and old clothes turn into new rags. Using rags to clean will also help you limit paper towel use.
  
  
• When shopping for furniture, look for gently used items instead of brand new. If you take the perfectly reasonable position of preferring new furniture, opt for brands with eco-friendly production standards.
  
  
• We've all got a ton of gadgets, and all of those gadgets consume energy. When you're done using something, turn it off before you leave the room. Unplug your phone when it is fully charged, and don't plug it in again until you need to recharge.
  
  
• Check your plumbing, and have any leaky items fixed as soon as possible. Save even more by choosing a low-flow shower head, which delivers the same cleaning power as a traditional shower head while using less water.
  
  

• Turn off the lights when you leave a room, and choose energy efficient CFL bulbs instead of the less efficient incandescent models. Switching bulbs is an easy way to start going green, and many people choose it as a first step.

Even just a few short years ago, it would have been hard to imagine saving the environment and saving money at the same time. Green living is more than a passing trend. It's here to stay, and you won't have to change your lifestyle to feel the benefits.

Are you searching for the perfect home to create your own green-living oasis? Old Dominion Realty, serving Virginia and West Virginia, offers everything you need for a seamless home-buying experience. Contact our experienced REALTORS® for answers to all of your big questions, and begin the journey to your dream home.