Water Main Out And I Wasn't Prepared

It had been a long day and my last appointment was in Caroline County. I was ready to go home. I received a text from my wife, Christine, that we don't have water. There was a main water line break in our part of the county. I can't remember the last time I was without public water. On my way home I stopped at Walmart and picked up 4 gallons of water. As I turned onto my street I could see the work lights and the workers doing their thing.

Being without water sure is inconvenient. I wasn't prepared. I used to make fun of people when I'd see 20 one gallon jugs of water under their house. I have a different perspective now. I'm going to be one of those people. Well... not anytime soon, apparently. I'm going to start saving our milk jugs for water. Yeah, I know. This is like closing the barn doors after the horses have run away. Better late than never.

FEMA has a web site called "Ready." The web address is http://www.ready.gov. There is a lot of good information there. I'm going to start building my disaster kit. I'm going to feel like a survivalist, but I will be prepared for the next inconvenience. I even signed up for e-mails from FEMA. You should, too.

Kenny

John Wesley Jeffries Apprehended Today... Near Me

Authorities have been searching for John Wesley Jeffries all this week. He was a "person of interest" after a double homicide in Fauquier County near The Plains. The slain couple's car was found by Fredericksburg Police in the 1700 block of Lafayette Blvd. on Sunday evening. Jeffries has also been wanted in Spotsylvania County for malicious wounding and other charges. Jeffries is listed as a violent offender on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. Authorities had been advising to call 911 if spotted and not to come in contact.

Tina and I have a vacant house with 6 vacant lots for sale behind the 7-Eleven on Lafayette Blvd. Today I was taking trash from the house to the landfill. Jeffries was apprehended at 3:50 p.m. today at the 2000 block of Lafayette Blvd. This is just down the street from our listing. Kudos to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

I pass by hundreds, maybe thousands, of people each day. It makes me wonder who else have I been in close proximity that is dangerous or wanted. I don't look for trouble, but sometimes trouble can find you. I'm not paranoid, but I do exercise the 2nd amendment. I enter many vacant homes. I don't take chances with my well being or my client's.

Kenny

January 2013 Real Estate Market Report

The January 2013 real estate market compared to the January 2012 real estate market:

Fredericksburg, City of	Jan 2013	Jan 2012	% Change
Avg. Days on Market	43	77	-44.16%
Attached Avg. Sold Price	$143,300	$151,250	-5.26%
Detached Avg. Sold Price	$322,952	$271,333	+19.02%
Attached Units Sold	3	4	-25.00%
Detached Units Sold	14	11	+27.27%

King George Co.	Jan 2013	Jan 2012	% Change
Avg. Days on Market	71	69	+2.90%
Attached Avg. Sold Price	$0	$87,000	0%
Detached Avg. Sold Price	$259,300	$220,720	+17.48%
Attached Units Sold	0	1	0%
Detached Units Sold	12	12	0%

Prince William Co.	Jan 2013	Jan 2012	% Change
Avg. Days on Market	56	70	-20.00%
Attached Avg. Sold Price	$217,277	$192,276	+13.00%
Detached Avg. Sold Price	$359,882	$337,775	+6.54%
Attached Units Sold	133	142	-6.34%
Detached Units Sold	220	189	+16.40%

Spotsylvania Co.	Jan 2013	Jan 2012	% Change
Avg. Days on Market	60	78	-23.08%
Attached Avg. Sold Price	$164,171	$110,847	+48.11%
Detached Avg. Sold Price	$240,959	$180,502	+33.49%
Attached Units Sold	14	8	+75.00%
Detached Units Sold	85	87	-2.30%

Stafford Co.	Jan 2013	Jan 2012	% Change
Avg. Days on Market	65	73	-10.93%
Attached Avg. Sold Price	$144,107	$149,711	-3.74%
Detached Avg. Sold Price	$300,390	$268,617	+11.83%
Attached Units Sold	14	19	-26.32%
Detached Units Sold	83	82	+1.22%

Source: RealEstate Business Intelligence, LLC. An MRIS company. Statistics generated on 02/05/2013.
Copyright © 2013 - All Rights Reserved. Information deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.

A Good Idea...

A cutting board drawer over a trash can? As long as you can give up some drawer space, why not? This is not a new idea. This idea goes back to at least the 1940's. This could be put together in a Saturday morning with some basic tools. I like the look of the wooden cutting board because if matches the wood of the cabinet drawers. I would make a quick disconnect so that I could take it out and clean it after using it. We have  a white plastic cutting board in our kitchen. I would probably try to make it work over the drawer. I think it would be easier to maintain. Any thoughts?

Kenny

They're Ba-ack...

Yes, we are back on the 'net after a hiatus. There just wan't enough time to take care of business and update the blog with relevant content.  

A few things have changed since the last time I made an update on the blog:

• My partner has turned a page in her life. Tina has gone back to her maiden name, Tina Ritchie.
• Tina is now a business owner. She is the broker/owner of Elite Realty Plus, LLC in Stafford County. Technically, my partner is my boss. Hmmmm... 
• Elite Realty Plus does property management.
• And I'm saving money on our car insurance because we switched to USAA.

I have a ton of ideas for updates to the blog. Plus, if anyone has any questions, please send them to me. My plan is to keep updating the blog with information about homes, home ownership and just fun stuff about life.

Kenny