Samson Flyer - February 2022

LOVE LETTERS TO STRANGERS AROUND THE WORLD

When Hannah Brencher was struck down by crippling loneliness after moving to New York, little did she know that her coping mechanism would become an international movement spreading joy across the world.

As an outlet to release her emotional tension and fight back against the stress and depression the move had brought on, Brencher began writing love letters and leaving them around the city for strangers to find. She'd leave them in grocery stores, on the subway and in other public places for anyone to pick up, spreading little bits of joy to those individuals lucky enough to happen across them. Their impact was genuine and meaningful to many of the people who found them: one recipient described riding on the subway, having just discovered her mother had cancer, looking to the side, and finding a letter full of the positivity she needed to carry on.

Four hundred letters and a plethora of grateful recipients later, it was clear this was becoming bigger than Brencher had ever imagined. Thus, The World Needs More Love Letters was born. Brencher's organization has sent thousands of them to 50 different countries, bringing words of encouragement to those deserving of the love. Recipients range from family members who deserve appreciation, friends in need of a lift, children in hospitals braving their treatment and more.

Scan the QR code at the top of the page with your smartphone to visit my website where you can:

• Search for homes

• Get a free home valuation

• Get a free seller’s guide or buyer’s guide

• Read relevant articles about real estate

QUESTIONS WHEN PURCHASING

It's always good to be ahead of things, especially when buying a home. If you are, there will be fewer surprises during the first few months after you take possession. Start asking some of these maintenance-related questions so your budget will be better prepared for remedies later.

1. How old is the roof? The age and type of the roof will help determine when you can expect replacement. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing and have an average life of 15 to 20 years. Shake roofs have life expectancies of 20 to 40 years. Metal and concrete tile roofs can last 30 to 50 years.

2. Has there ever been a major plumbing break? It is not uncommon to have a pipe burst or for an old house to have a leak. Water damage can be a costly expense to remedy. If there has been a leak, a mold inspection is recommended.

3. How much is being spent on utilities? Knowing the energy sources and the average monthly utility costs will help you determine if you will need to upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances.

4. What is the capacity of the water heater? You need to know how big the water heater is so your family will have enough hot water at peak times. Water heater sizing guides will help you determine if you have to budget for a larger water heater.

HOW TO CELEBRATE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

February 17 is International Random Acts of Kindness Day, and for the whole week, people are encouraged to celebrate kindness and reap the scientifically proven positive effects that come from being kind to others.

If you'd like to become involved but need some inspiration for how you can be kind this week, here are a few ideas to help you in your start.

Do a favor or run an errand for a friend. If you have some free time on your hands but know someone who's overwhelmed with their own commitments, offer to give them a helping hand and lighten their load.

Surprise someone with a gift. Gifts don't just have to be for birthdays or Christmas. Think of the joy you feel when your loved ones are opening the perfect presents, then imagine how much better it feels when they

weren't even expecting those gifts in the first place.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Helping those members of society most in need is not only rewarding: you can walk away knowing that you've made a positive change for people that may not be used to acts of kindness.

Give a compliment to a total stranger. It's nice to hear compliments, and not everyone is used to hearing them, let alone from strangers. One little compliment could completely change someone's day for the better, so give it a try.

Give thanks to the people close to you. It's easy to forget how much we need the people we love and how much they do for us every day. Take time out to actively appreciate and thank your loved ones for helping you be the person you are today.

ASK THE AGENT

Virtual tours and showings are a way to optimize home viewing, but because you are not physically in the space, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of what you are seeing.

A virtual tour guides you through the best features of a home that has been properly staged and groomed with touched-up photos. While it may be good for a first look, it won't give you a good feel for the actual spaces or sizes of the rooms or how the home is situated on the property.

Find out exactly what you are seeing and what is not being shown. If the home has a basement, be sure it is included in the tour. Allow me to be your eyes in your absence by checking for any defects, such as wall cracks, evidence of past water issues and any other flaws.

Even though virtual tours may speed up the selection process, I recommend you have one or perhaps two in-person viewings before making any offers.

THINKING ABOUT SELLING?

During February and March we will be scheduling appointments to offer our Sellers and their referrals our expertise on how to prepare your homes so you are ready for the spring and summer markets. Before you paint, renovate or declutter, I want to help by walking through your home and assisting you in making a plan and project timelines. I know what Buyers desire in 2022 and where it makes “cents” on where to spend your money!

DID YOU KNOW?

Conforming loan limits in our area have risen from $822,375 to $970,800 for 2022. This is the maximum amount a homebuyer can borrow for a conventional loan. Jumbo loans above this amount are often more complex, expensive and harder to qualify for. This substantial increase in the higher loan limit should help make homeownership more attainable for many.

14526 Lee Road Suite 100 Chantilly VA 20151

ELIZABETH BOUCHARD

ASSOCIATE BROKER/REALTOR®

CRS, SRES, GRI, MIRM, CSP, E-Pro 703.229.5030 Phone 703.378.8810 Office elizabeth@elizabethbouchard.com Licensed in VA, DC and MD

PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS

Before I place the “For Sale” sign in your front yard, you will want to be sure your home is ready for the market. The numerous “To Do” checklists that I will provide you are created to help protect you from the unknown once you are under contract to sell. They are informative checklists for taking care of everyday preventative maintenance of your home.

One of the key items on your list will be the recommendation to obtain a professional pest inspection and a pre-listing home inspection prior to listing instead of waiting for an acceptable offer to see if your home is the subject of hidden pest or even water damage.

For a fee of $100, a state-licensed pest inspector will scrutinize everything from the deck to the foundation, looking for signs of active wood-boring invaders and/or dry rot. Termites, beetles and bees can be causing behind-the-scenes damage to the structure, while water could be causing wood to rot where it is not properly protected. Once the inspections are complete, you will receive a report with suggested remedies and estimated costs for any areas of active infestation.

For a fee of $550, a state-licensed inspector will inspect the interior and exterior of your home just as the inspector for your buyer will. The advantage of a pre-listing inspection is that any defects can be remedied prior to a ratified contract and the buyer’s home inspection. With as many deficiencies removed prior to that inspection, the Buyers will be more confident that they purchased a home with so few deficiencies and will remove the home inspection contingency. Having all of this information before you accept an offer provides leverage when selling your home.