Date Archives: November 2016

Making Your Home Merry, Bright & Safe

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and with the holiday season comes a desire to light up your neighborhood with festive Christmas lights displays. While you can get a number of decorating tips to make your display the biggest and brightest, it's easy to overlook the safety of adding all of these electrical displays to your home. Our real estate agents at Old Dominion Realty want you to keep your family safe while you celebrate this year.  Here are some home safety tips that apply specifically to your outdoor Christmas light displays.

1. Access the Roof Safely
   Most people will install some Christmas lights on their roofs, so use caution. Make sure you use a solid, structurally firm ladder when installing lights on the roof. A fall from roof level could have devastating consequences.
   
   

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Gracias ... Danke ... Grazie ... Merci ... Thank You 

No matter who you are or where you live, there is  something amazing that happens by saying, "thank you." 

It's almost Thanksgiving, so what better time to talk about the positive benefits associated with adopting a gratitude attitude in our personal and business lives. 

Thankfulness (or gratitude) is strongly connected to greater happiness as well as better physical and mental health. Nurturing an attitude of gratitude doesn't cost much time or money, but its benefits are tremendous.

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When the frenzy of Black Friday is over, it's time to take a look closer to home. Small Business Saturday in Harrisonburg is scheduled for this Saturday, November 26.  It's a chance for Harrisonburg's locals and visitors to start and end their holiday shopping in our local downtown businesses.  Our REALTORS® at Old Dominion Realty want to encourage you to "shop local" by visiting one of our own locally owned Harrisonburg retailers.

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"I am thankful for faith, family, friends, great clients, the little things, travel and good wine!  Each day is a blessing!"

Keri Martin, GRI, ABR - Old Dominion Realty, Augusta Office

"I am so very thankful for all of my new and past clients. My business thrives on repeat clients and referrals. I'm humbled that they choose me and trust me with all of their real estate needs, and have referred me to friends, coworkers and family members. My clients are a large part of my success and I am very grateful."

Krista Fields, Realtor - Old Dominion Realty, Augusta Office

"I am Thankful for love and compassion and for a warm, comfortable home, family and friends." 
Richard Monger, Realtor - Old Dominion Realty, Crossroads Plaza Office

"I am thankful for all the many blessing I have been given, especially family and friends."
Linda Wratchford, Moorefield, WV Office 

"I am thankful for my two precious children, Cole & Breanna. Doctors gave me a 25% chance of having children and against the odds I was blessed with two wonderful kids! I am thankful for the joy we share together and the lessons we learn together."

Jessica Phillips, Marketing Director - Old Dominion Realty, Harrisonburg Office

"I'm thankful for my family, friends, and for being able to have a career I love."

Amanda Gulla, Realtor - Old Dominion Realty, Crossroads Office

"I am Thankful for the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us and how much He loves us. I am Thankful for my Family, Friends and my new journey in Real Estate. I am thankful for my home, clothing and the many luxuries we have access to. I am Thankful for the gift of a New Day. A Thankful Heart is A Happy Heart!"

Happy Thanksgiving 

Vicky Harrison, Realtor - Old Dominion Realty, Augusta Office

"I am so very thankful for the people that surround me everyday. Starting with my husband who is a cancer survivor and has been my partner for 42 years. I am very thankful that God has healed him and we can continue to live and love together. I am thankful for my children and their spouses who share their children with us anytime that we desire.  At work, I am so very blessed to have agents and staff who continue to amaze me with their work ethics & professionalism.  We have accomplished much in the past 7 years I have been associated with Old Dominion Realty and can truly say its the best place to be."

Cathy Ward, CRS, Managing Broker - Old Dominion Realty Augusta Office

Home Buyer's Guide to Attending Open Houses 

When you are buying a house, it is important to learn as much information about the house upfront as possible. After all, it is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. You should take time to explore every nook and cranny to know exactly what you are getting, just like you would with any major purchase.

Sometimes when potential buyers arrive at an open house, they experience cold feet. They may be shopping with the intent of buying a house, but peeking around in someone else's closets, bedrooms and bathrooms can feel like snooping. Because of these awkward feelings, they tend to only give each room a quick glance at the open house, missing out on a chance to gain important information they will need to make a decision.

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"I am thankful for salvation through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, and for the beautiful world in which we live!!" 

Judy B. Milstead, Realtor & Property Manager, Harrisonburg Office

"I am thankful for the opportunities to share God's creation with others!" Micah Branson, Realtor, Harrisonburg Office

"I am thankful for my son, Colton." Randy Carr, ABR, Harrisonburg Office

"I am thankful for living in a free country which we should never take for granted with our religious freedom.  Thankful for the air I breathe, good health , my family and friends." -  Nancy Boyers, ABR, Broker - Augusta Office

"I am thankful that at my age, and we won't mention that, that I still have my Mother, who is alive and well and 87 years young and able to still function and be a part of her family activities." - Sandy Taylor, Augusta Office

"I am thankful for family and JMU Sports." - Joy Williams, Crossroads Plaza Office. 

"I am thankful for the love and support of my Family and Friends." - Sharon Wood, Realtor, Augusta Office.

One of the first things that you'll learn while moving is that you have way more stuff than you ever realized. As you pack, you'll uncover items that you thought had disappeared years ago, or that you can't even remember purchasing in the first place. You're sure to run into some pleasant surprises, and equally sure to encounter quite a few items that won't need to make the trip to your new home. It's hard to say goodbye, but getting rid of as much junk--and we use the term lovingly as possible--will make your life much easier as you transition to your new home. 

Our team at Old Dominion Realty has been through many moves, and we've got some tips to help you lighten the load when buying or selling a home. 

Buying a House? How to Jettison Junk, Clear Clutter, and Simplify Your Move

The first thing to remember about buying a house is that everything you pack will eventually have to be unpacked, and put somewhere in your new home. So the simplest test is to look at whether an item will have a place in your new home, or whether it will just be tucked away in storage once again. If you're anything like us, you'll find a few items that won't need to make the trip.

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