It's Termite Season Again!

Hello Folks!
Yesterday I was sitting in my office looking out the window when I suddenly noticed a ridiculous number of what looked like ants with wings. That was when I realized, it's Termite Swarming season again! Termites are an insidious force that can do some serious damage to your home, and you may not even notice until they've been there for years. If you own a home in Northern VA keep an eye out for these little guys when the weather gets warm. If you see them, call your local pest control professionals right away before they have time to get into your walls.

Photo courtesy of www.bugmasters.com serving Southern California

 Now you may be thinking, "that's great but how do I know that they are termites and not ants?" Well here is a handy graphic to help you make that determination.

This photo is courtesy of all seasons pests serving St. Louis, MO

I was grateful to two very adorable birds yesterday afternoon who had quite a feast of termite swarmers right outside my window. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo until the little fellas were eaten.

Inspections

One of the most important things to complete prior to buying a home is your home inspection. This is typically done within the first 10 calendar days after your contract is ratified. Be sure you hire a home inspector who is certified!

Your Home Inspector will walk through the house with you checking all the the basic systems and appliances. This is a visual examination, meaning they point out what they can see with the naked eye.

Your inspector will make a note of anything that they feel might need repair, with special attention to anything they deem a "major issue". These items can become points of negotiation between Buyer and Seller.

Here are a few other inspections/tests that may be recommended for your purchase:

• Radon
• Mold
• Lead Based Paint
• Termite (Wood Destroying Insect includes Carpenter Bees & ants are typically included)

These inspections are common for this area, but are not a comprehensive list as inspections vary based on the age of the home being purchased, the requirements of the lender, and the needs of the Buyers and Sellers.

For more information, inquire on our website:
www.yourprp.com

Buyer Beware

Hello and Welcome to 2012!
We are excited for a new year of changes! One of the biggest changes that is happening for us right now is to the Northern Virginia Regional Sales Contract. Virginia is a caveat emptor state which means "let the Buyer Beware". This year the contract has changed to embrace that idea a bit more fully. Our team has been in several training sessions to learn the ins and outs of the new contract. And while first time buyers may not notice these changes, Sellers who have done this once (or multiple times) before may be really excited about these changes. Just a few of these changes are noted below.

1. Conventional, FHA and VA financing all have their own addendum, separate from the contract pages but intended to be included with the contract
2. The requirement for Plumbing, Heating, HVAC, and Electrical (major systems) is completely different. These items will now be negotiable after the home inspection, which may lead to buyers and sellers playing the game of "how badly do you want to buy/sell this house?".
3. Well & Septic testing has changed, which may help out our clients & friends in western Loudoun County may find that interesting.

That's just a brief summary of a few points that we've discussed. We are here to help you navigate the new contract whatever your questions or needs. We would love to hear from you!

FIRST TIME BUYERS - CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION