| Real Estate & Property Management Services

Town Staff Person Protects Homeowners In Herndon

March 11, 2021March 11, 2021Maryam

In the Town of Herndon, homeowners, regardless of income levels, have an ally on their side when dealing with contractors. Whether adding a room, updating a kitchen, or even getting rid of pests, Town staff person Cory Laws can help consumers spend less time selecting a contractor and avoid costly mistakes and misunderstandings by reviewing written agreements before execution. Continue reading

Kreative Technologies To Invest $1.5 million In Its Fairfax Headquarters

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021Maryam

Fairfax, Virginia-based IT contractor Kreative Technologies will invest $1.5 million to expand its year-old headquarters and quintuple its current workforce of 67, with almost 300 additional hires. Kreative Technologies is a software development, integration, and cybersecurity contractor with commercial and government contractors, focused on health care, finance and defense. Many of its employees have education and medical backgrounds.Continue reading

Five steps to work with a contractor

October 28, 2014May 12, 2015Aubrey Nesbitt

Here are five steps to developing a great relationship with a remodeling contractor.

1. Let the contractor know if you are ready to remodel or just kicking the tires. Gary Palmer, a Charlotte, N.C.-based general contractor, says seeking multiple bids is fine, but don’t waste his or her time by letting the bidding process drag on for weeks.

2. Do your homework. Before seeking bids, develop two files. One should include information, including photos, of what you like. The other should include a list of what you don’t like. 3. Listen to the experts. A good contractor can tell you whether the project is feasible and what the pay off will be. 4. Communicate your budget. Let the contractor know up front how much money you intend to spend. 5. Be realistic and patient. Every remodeling project is messy and all of them are going to be frustrating somewhere along the way. Source: Charlotte Observer, Barbara S. Russell (10/23/2010)

About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.

Mistake 6: Lacking Vision.

October 20, 2010February 20, 2016Ruth Harper

Remember: it’s easier to make small changes through a contractor or by doing it yourself than it is to have the current home owner change things. If you find a home that’s perfect for you except for some ugly wallpaper or chipped paint, don’t automatically throw it out the window. It’s much cheaper to make changes yourself, whether that means hiring a contractor or actually making home repairs yourself. If the current home owner does the upgrades for you, the home’s value increases and you will end up paying more in the long run. Therefore, don’t necessarily look for the most beautiful home, but rather seek the home that’s structurally sound and that has the most potential. Maintaining a visionary’s attitude when buying a home can save you a lot of money in the long run. NEXT Mistake 7: Neglecting to inspect.