Hello,

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you have come here from my website,
http://www.tombrownhomes.com/. There you will find everything you need to know about what is happening in the Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County of VA areas, both in real estate and the area communities. Here on my blog, I routinely post valuable information about what is going on specifically in the real estate market and how you can benefit. Please check back frequently and as always, please feel free to give me a call with any questions.

Tom Brown









Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Men and Women Agree in Home Must-Haves

It’s true. Men aren’t looking for exactly the same things women are when they go home shopping.

ZipRealty surveyed 1,000 home shoppers and concluded that while about an equal number of men and women sought green features – about 27 percent – and 35 percent of both sexes put a high priority on a home office, there is disparity in the desire for other features.

Both sexes did agree on the biggest turn-offs: structural damage, bad odors, a busy street, and an awkward floor plan.

Here are the top 10 features most desired by men:

1. Garage or designated parking space, 85.5 percent
2. Master suite, 79.8 percent
3. Ample storage space, 71.2 percent
4. Guest bedroom, 70.2 percent
5. Large closets, 64.2 percent
6. Outdoor entertainment area, 63.4 percent
7. Gourmet or updated kitchen, 59.1 percent
8. Breakfast room or eat-in kitchen, 55.2 percent
9. View, 44.5 percent
10. Large yard, 43 percent

Here are the top 10 features most desired by women:

1. Garage or designated parking, 87.7 percent
2. Master suite, 77.8 percent
3. Ample storage space, 72.7 percent
4. Large closets, 68.7 percent
5. Outdoor entertainment area, 64.2 percent
6. Guest bedroom, 63.9 percent
7. Gourmet or updated kitchen, 61.8 percent
8. Breakfast room or eat-in kitchen, 56.1 percent
9. Large yard, 43 percent
10. Wood floors, 40.9 percent


Source: ZipRealty.com (06/10/2010)
Daily Real Estate News June 15, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Radon Concern

There is growning concern about the radon levels in our homes and the Augusta County area is an area of higher potential in the state of Virginia. Click on the link below to learn more.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions and I will be glad to assist you.
www.epa.gov/radon

Monday, February 1, 2010

10 Home Features Buyers Want

Home designers and builders speaking at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas say that buyers are seeking cost-effective features and rejecting things that don’t have lasting value.
“It's all about family togetherness – casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces," says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio.
Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, identified these must-haves in new homes:

  • Large kitchens with islands
  • Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
  • Home offices
  • Main-floor master suite
  • Outtdoor living space
  • Ceiling fans
  • Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
  • Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
  • Community walking paths and playgrounds
  • Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (01/30/2010)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Why Choose a REALTOR With a GRI Designation?

Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it's often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.

New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism.

So it's more important than ever that you work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding.

GRIs are:
  • Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry
  • Professionally trained
  • Knowledgeable 
  • Dedicated to bringing you quality service
 A GRI can make a difference

When you see the letters "GRI" after an agent's name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional.

Don't you deserve the best?