In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service.

If you start shopping for a moving service online, there are several things to be aware of so you don’t wind having a bad experience with a less than professional company.

In this fourth episode of the series, we discuss typical scenarios in which consumers looking for a reputable moving service start with the Internet. If you begin your search this way, what must you be careful about? How do you avoid unpleasant surprises both in charges you were not anticipating as well as poor service? What are the “red flags” that are signals for “trouble ahead?” Once you know what to avoid you will be in a better position to hire a reliable and honest mover.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.

Don’t miss the entire series!

In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service, how to avoid fraud from “rouge movers” and other scams, as well as how to know good price and value.

In this third episode of the series, we start with the one “big secret” that a reputable moving service would love you to check out, but that a poorer quality company will want you to avoid like the plague.

We also discuss the biggest misperception consumers have about the claims process, should you experience damage or loss during your move.

Also, what will your move cost? What are typical price ranges for moving services? How negotiable are prices? What about very “low ball” estimates? Are there potential problems behind promises of extremely low costs?

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.

Don’t miss the entire series!

In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss <strong>what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service.</strong>

<strong><a href=”http://realestateinchantilly.com/files/2009/08/ON-AIR3.jpg”><img src=”http://realestateinchantilly.com/files/2009/08/ON-AIR3.jpg” alt=”ON AIR” width=”266″ height=”178″ /></a></strong>

Choices have consequences, for better or worse. Consumers not doing “due diligence” in making this decision are taking a risk with their possessions and their money.

In this second episode of the series, we discuss how you can go about getting the information you need to locate and hire a good moving service. If you don’t already have a good company, where do you start?   What about insurance and bonding?  How much coverage should you get?  Should you get full replacement cost?  <strong>What is the single most important thing you should know before signing the contract? </strong>

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.

In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service.

Consumers not doing “due diligence” in making this decision are taking a risk with their possessions and their money. But with a little homework you can discover who you feel comfortable with and who you definitely do not want to work with.

In this first episode of the series we discuss characteristics of a very good moving service, as well as the cautions and misconceptions to avoid if you decide to do the move on your own.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.

Don’t miss the entire series!

If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, here are some insights from professional dog trainer and Certified Grand Master Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.

We continue the discussion on preventing and solving dog behavioral problems. What is the role of physical exercise for your dog? Can you give your pet too much of a good thing? What about mental stimulation? Is there a dog toy that may work wonders in giving your dog the mental stimulation needed for their behavioral health?

We wrap-up by talking about the “red flags” that indicate you may need professional help. And..what about your dog’s basic needs? Exactly what are they? Will providing for these basic needs prevent most problems? We get Kelley’s insights in the final episode in the series.

If you are a Chantilly area home buyer, home seller, or home owner who is now or will be a dog owner, don’t miss the entire set of episodes.

If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, start with the first episode in this series to gain insights from professional dog trainer, and certified Grand Master, Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.

What are the biggest and most common mistakes dog owners make? If you don’t know, you could be on the road to behavioral problems later. These are actually human mistakes, not dog mistakes. They have consequences in how your dog behaves, but it all starts with the assumptions and practices of the dog owner. But the good news is that common problems can usually be prevented when the owner “gets it right.”

Kelly also discusses the Bark Busters approach to dog training including how the service works, where is starts and how it proceeds, what it tpically costs, and the unique “lifetime guarantee” that the organization offers.

If you are a Chantilly area home seller, home buyer, or home owner who wants to “live happily with your pet dog,” this is a series you won’t want to miss.

By the way, you can receive all episodes of Chantilly Radio directly to your email by subscribing.

If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, start with the first episode in this series to gain insights from professional dog trainer, and certified Grand Master, Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.

This episode (21) focuses on three of the most common problems dog owners face, and how to start the process of solving each one. There are not usually quick and immediate “silver bullets,” but most issues can be solved with simple strategies, persistently applied.

If you are a Chantilly area home seller, home buyer, or a home owner who wants to “live happily with your pet dog,” you will find lots in information from someone who is working with and helping to solve pet problems every day.

Or, maybe you already have that pet dog but are interested in solving or, better yet, preventing dog behavioral problems. If so, give a listen to our interview with professional dog trainer Kelley Renshaw from Bark Busters in Chantilly, Virginia.

In this episode we continue our discussion, focusing on what to know before you acquire your pet dog. What are Kelley’s views on great family breeds…you may be surprised! What about pet stores, breeders, animal shelters? What motivates your dog? How about electric fences and other issues faced by home owners who live in areas where covenants may prevent physical fences?

If you are a Chantilly area home buyer or seller, or a home owner who just wants to know more about the care of your pet dog, check out this series.

If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, here are some insights from professional dog trainer Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.

In this series of episodes on living happily with your pet dog, we begin by discussing how to care for your pet during the sale of your home. Safety is paramount, for the buyer, for you, and for your pet. What about boarding the pet? How do you select a quality kennel? Will crating work? How do you acclimate your pet to be comfortable with crating? What should you avoid when making these plans?

We start with caring for your pet dog during the sale of your home, and go on to discuss preventing and solving pet behavioral problems. If you are a dog owner you will benefit from the insights offered in this educational series. And please do remember, seek professional help when dealing with serious pet issues.

But it requires careful planning and knowledge about the realities of owning vacation rental property.

It is not something you jump into without planning, not if you want to do it right. In this 6 part series on Outer Banks investment property fundamentals, we discuss some of what you will experience in the process of researching and eventually buying your first or next rental property in OBX.

Seasoned real estate pro, Barb Connery discusses lots of vital information that smart investors should be fully aware of before they make their move.

In this episode we discuss “investment to retirement” strategies. What do investors wanting to buy a rental property with an eye toward retirement need to know? Will your rental property work as a retirement home? How can you get the best of both worlds? What about IRA and 1031 Exchange strategies for owning Outer Banks real estate?

If you are considering investment and/or retirement property in the Outer Banks listen to all six episodes in the series, and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you can receive our periodic updates from our blog feature, Outer Banks Update.

That is how is starts for many OBX investors.

It’s an achievable dream, but it starts with knowledge and insight about the real Outer Banks. This OBX is just as lovely as the one tourists see while on vacation, but it includes the information that wise investors need to know before they jump into a rental investment property.

In part 5 of our 6 part intro series on OBX investment property fundamentals, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various investment choices. The Outer Banks is not a one-dimensional investment location. You will need to make choices between types of properties. In so doing it is important to be aware of the trade-offs inherent in these options.

Join us as we work our way through a set of core insights about buying property for investment, second home, or retirement in the Outer Banks. If you ever plan on owning property in this charmed location you will need to go into your investment decision having done “due diligence.” Don’t miss a single episode in the series, and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you can receive our periodic updates on investment and retirement property in the Outer Banks.

It is a dream that many have made into a reality, but knowing how to make it happen does require knowledge and motivation.

In this 6-part series we discuss the insights and strategies to make your Outer Banks investment or retirement home buying experience a good one.

You can be inspired by the beauty of OBX, but you will also need a practical strategy to move your goals toward ownership of real property. We describe at least some of the major issues you are likely to deal with in buying OBX real estate, and how to navigate through the challenges and potential pitfalls.

What is the OBX rental season and is it possible to extend it somewhat through smart property management?? How important is location vis a vis the length of your rental season? A critical issue discussed in this show is: “What is the mindset of the OBX investors who seem to navigate through the buying and renting process with the most success?” What should you be focused on before you make your OBX move? How can you best use your real estate agents talents? And, what is the one thing that smart investors do all the time, that less successful investors do not do?

Stay updated on investment and retirement insights through our new blog feature, “Outer Banks Focus.” We invite you to listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single information-packed show.

If you have vacationed here and come under the spell of OBX magic, you may think you know it pretty well. But, you may not know it as well as you think. Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty takes us on the insider’s tour of the real Outer Banks…the one you will need to know about to be a successful investor. We go beyond the spectacular coastal beauty of this “addicting” vacationland and into the hard core insights that will assist you in making a set of smart moves, should you be considering buying property in the OBX.

We don’t cover everything, but we’ll give you a heck of good foundation and you will have contacts you have some familiarity with should you be making plans and want more information.

If you have ever dreamed of investing in your own little piece of Outer Banks magic, this series of shows is just for you!

What is your most important foundational consideration? What are the current entry level price points? How have foreclosure and short sale properties impacted the OBX market? What should you know about owning vacation property so that you avoid unpleasant surprises after your investment? What kinds of time frames are realistic for most investors?

We exam these and other important considerations for anyone thinking about owning property in the Outer Banks.

Stay updated on investment and retirement insights through our new blog feature, “Outer Banks Focus.” We invite you to listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single information packed show.

Many who have experienced its magic and charm have considered the possibility of either buying an investment rental property, or even retiring in the OBX area.

To give anyone from Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area (as well as our readers elsewhere) the opportunity to learn more about the Outer Banks investment and/or retirement possibilities and realities, we have launched a new blog feature, Outer Banks Focus.

We begin this new feature with a set of six shows with our strategic partner in the OBX, Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty.  Barb has over two decades of experience in making dreams come true for OBX investors, second home owners, and future retirees.  She shares the “secrets” and insider insights that you probably won’t read in the marketing brochures.

In this episode Barb Connery shares the single most important mindset shift that successful investors must make before they buy OBX property.  Many who are new to Outer Banks investment don’t know the “ins and outs” as well as they think they do.   We also take a short tour of the incredible diversity of the OBX, from the wild natural sand dunes of the Four wheel Area on down to the charm of Ocracoke.

Stay updated on investment and retirement insights through our new blog feature, “Outer Banks Focus.” We invite you to listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single information packed show.

In this new regular feature of Real Estate in Chantilly we launch our first episode in a series on how to start thinking about and planning for investment and/or retirement in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We interview our strategic partner in the OBX, Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty. Barb has been helping investors and others achieve their OBX real estate goals for over two decades. She knows the “ins and out” of OBX property from top to bottom. In this series she shares what prospective buyers need to know about the actual realities of owning property in this area.

What has the real estate downturn done to property in the Outer Banks? What are the opportunities? How much have prices fallen off? What are the two very different real estate markets in the OBX?

This series of opening shows for “Outer Banks Focus” builds a good foundation for anyone who has considered investing in an OBX property for rental income or retirement, or both. We cover a set of key issues that investors and future OBX property owners will need to be keenly aware of before they begin their property search.

What is the special charm of this unique stretch of shore line? Why does it enchant visitors and cause some to act on their dreams? What does it take to move from dream to reality when it comes to owning a piece of the OBX magic? Listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single episode or blog post on your personal source for OBX information!

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home sellers looking for a competitive advantage in the marketing and sale of their home should take a good look at enhancing energy efficiency.

In this series of episodes with Ardently Green, Inc. founder, Bob Weatherwax, we discuss how enhancing your home’s energy profile can add value now, as well as give you one more advantage when it comes time to sell your home.

In Part 5 of this series we discuss the basics of alternative energy use for residential home owners. Solar, wind, and geo-thermal approaches are briefly discussed. Where do you start when considering these technologies? How practical are they for residential use? What do you want to make sure to know before starting an alternative energy application for your home?

Who should listen to this series?

Anyone anticipating the sale of their home within the next year, who sees energy efficiency as a powerful added selling point in the marketing of their home. Additionally, home energy efficiency is a win on several other levels. It helps home owners save money on escalating energy costs, provides a more comfortable and clean living environment, reduces the environmental impact of energy waste, and adds to the long term goal of national energy independence.

Before you sell your home, take a good look at how energy efficiency can play a role in your selling strategy. Or, if the sale of your home is not in the short term future, consider how these strategies can save money now and add value to your home when it does come time to sell.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home sellers looking for a competitive advantage in the marketing and sale of their home should take a good look at enhancing energy efficiency.

In this series of episodes with Ardently Green, Inc. founder, Bob Weatherwax, we discuss how enhancing your home’s energy profile can add value now, as well as give you one more advantage when it comes time to sell your home.

In Part 4 of this series we discuss what to avoid when looking for vendors that provide home energy improvement services, tax advantages and how to learn about them for your area, why “building science” is your energy improvement friend, and why you should avoid interventions that don’t assess and measure your home’s energy profile,

Who should listen to this series?

Anyone anticipating the sale of their home within the next year, who sees energy efficiency as a powerful added selling point in the marketing of their home. Additionally, home energy efficiency is a win on several other levels. It helps home owners save money on escalating energy costs, provides a more comfortable and clean living environment, reduces the environmental impact of energy waste, and adds to the long term goal of national energy independence.

Before you sell your home, take a good look at how energy efficiency can play a role in your selling strategy. Or, if the sale of your home is not in the short term future, consider how these strategies can save money now and add value to your home when it does come time to sell.

In this series of episodes with Ardently Green, Inc. founder, Bob Weatherwax, we discuss how enhancing your home’s energy profile can add value now, as well as give you one more advantage when it comes time to sell your home.

In Part 3 of this series we discuss the appeal that reduced energy costs has for potential buyers of your home, why it is important to start with an audit before you jump into extensive energy improvement work, and how to find a reputable service provider to perform remedial work,

Who should listen to this series?

Anyone anticipating the sale of their home within the next year, who sees energy efficiency as a powerful added selling point in the marketing of their home. Additionally, home energy efficiency is a win on several other levels. It helps home owners save money on escalating energy costs, provides a more comfortable and clean living environment, reduces the environmental impact of energy waste, and adds to the long term goal of national energy independence.

Before you sell your home, take a good look at how energy efficiency can play a role in your selling strategy. Or, if the sale of your home is not in the short term future, consider how these strategies can save money now and add value to your home when it does come time to sell.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home sellers looking for a competitive advantage in the marketing and sale of their home should take a good look at enhancing energy efficiency.

In this series of episodes with Ardently Green, Inc. founder, Bob Weatherwax, we discuss how enhancing your home’s energy profile can add value now, as well as give you one more advantage when it comes time to sell your home.

In Part 2 of this series we discuss in more detail what the energy audit involves and what typical follow-on work may include.

Where is the real energy loss typically occurring in most homes? Should you apply major energy saving strategies without first doing an audit? Where does window replacement fit into the energy picture? How much will typical remediation work cost?

Who should listen to this series?

Anyone anticipating the sale of their home within the next yea,r who sees energy efficiency as a powerful added selling point in the marketing of their home. Additionally, home energy efficiency is a win on several other levels. It helps home owners save money on escalating energy costs, provides a more comfortable and clean living environment, reduces the environmental impact of energy waste, and adds to the long term goal of national energy independence.

Before you sell your home, take a good look at how energy efficiency can play a role in your selling strategy. Or, if the sale of your home is not in the short term future, consider how these strategies can save money now and add value to your home when it does come time to sell.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home sellers looking for a competitive advantage in the marketing and sale of their home should take a good look at enhancing energy efficiency.

In this series of episodes with Ardently Green, Inc. founder, Bob Weatherwax, we discuss how enhancing your home’s energy profile can add value now, as well as give you one more advantage when it comes time to sell your home.

We discuss what a home energy audit involves, how much it is likely to cost, and what are typical follow-on strategies to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency.

Who should listen to this series?

Anyone anticipating the sale of their home within the next year, who sees energy efficiency as a powerful added selling point in the marketing of their home.

Additionally, home energy efficiency is a win on several other levels. It helps home owners save money on escalating energy costs, provides a more comfortable and clean living environment, reduces the environmental impact of energy waste, and adds to the long term goal of national energy independence.