A custom garage by Nest builder partner Smith and Robertson.

Garage doors are on my mind a lot lately.  A lot of this year’s transactions with my buyers and sellers have had issues with garage doors and their operation (or lack thereof).  If the devil is in the details, garage doors have more details than you might think.

First, garage doors are likely the biggest moving object at your property…think about it.  They weigh hundreds of pounds, and are often in motion.  That makes a garage door a potential problem area, especially during inspections.  If you are a seller and have garage doors, be sure they are working.  If you’re a buyer, your inspection should include a survey to confirm that the latest safety features are in place, especially if you have kids, pets or use your doors all the time.

So what are the safety features that make garage doors safer?

First, garage doors should be self-supporting.  That means that no matter how open or closed they are, the door shouldn’t come slamming down.  It should stay suspended on its track at any partially-open location.  This goes for garage doors without automatic openers, too.  If the door is not self-supporting, a local garage door installer should adjust the spring tension.  This is very dangerous to do if you don’t have the right tools or training since the springs are under tremendous tension.  Call a professional, period.

Next, if your garage door has an automatic opener, there are four safety features it should have (older garage door openers may just have some of these features).  It should have an emergency opening handle to allow the door to be opened in the event of loss of power.  This is usually in the form of a cord that hangs down from the track on the inside of the garage.  And an obvious, but often overlooked detail…be sure the length of the cord is long enough for the shortest person in the house.  If the door opener is equipped with a handle, but it can’t be reached, it’s not ideal.  If you’re a buyer, be sure it’s long enough to reach.

Older garage door openers used to have one electronic sensor along one side of the door track, near the bottom.  These should be within six inches of the floor and prevent the door from coming down if the electronic eye beam is broken during descent.  This prevents kids, animals or stuff from getting crushed.  Newer openers have two electronic eyes; one on each side of the door tracks.  Be sure they are only six inches off the garage floor.

Garage doors with openers should also have a reverse-sensing device that allows the garage door to go up automatically if it meets any resistance.  This prevents items from getting crushed that might not have broken the electronic beam.  Many inspectors use a block of wood to test this out.

The Overhead Door Company has a great safety page:  Check it out.  http://www.overheaddoor.com/Pages/safety-information.aspx

Maintenance is key, not just for operation, but also for safety.  Whether you’re buying or selling, be sure it works smoothly.  If you’re buying a house without automatic openers and want to have them installed, there are a lot of choices, and all of the new ones will have all the latest safety features, in addition to likely being faster and quieter than older versions.

Garage doors don’t get a lot of consideration until they are damaged or stop working correctly. Help your purchasing or selling transaction go smoothly by paying attention to the garage doors now!

The post The Ups and Downs of Garage Doors appeared first on Nest Report.

An excerpt from the May/June issue of Where to Retire Magazine:

8 Dynamic Locales to Find Walkable Living

Written by Julie Fanselow

Charlottesville, VA

Like many American towns, Charlottesville closed its Main Street to motor vehicle traffic in the 1970’s. Unlike most cities, Charlottesville stuck with the idea until it succeeded. The Historic Downtown Mall pulses today with people of all ages drawn to the movie palaces, live concert venues, restaurants and shops along the 7-block-long promenade.

Gayle and John Foster are a seven-minute stroll from this bustle, though they live on a quite street a few blocks north. The Fosters, who both worked at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, knew they wanted to retire in a university town. They considered Chapel Hill in Gayle’s home state of North Carolina, but chose Charlottesville because their son lives there — and since he had earned a planning degree from the University of Virginia, he suggested they look for a home near downtown. Gayle, 73, and John, 78, took his advice and found a home in a neighborhood with a Walk Score of 91 (“walker’s paradise”). They are within a 10- to 15-minute walk of everything from the bank and drugstore to movie theaters and most doctors’ offices. One favorite activity is heading to the Paramount Theater, which features Metropolitan Opera simulcasts and live performances. “It’s delightful to walk to an evening concert and home again,” Gayle says. The Fosters also often make the 2-mile stroll to the University of Virginia, where Gayle volunteers at the library and they attend arts events.

Beyond downtown, a “paradise” at a 98 Walk Score, the neighborhoods of Main-Starr Hill, 10th and Page and Rose Hill all have Walk Scores of 80 (“very walkable”) or higher. Good sidewalks, highly visible crosswalks and an extensive trails system make many Charlottesville neighborhoods increasingly safe for walking, says Keith Davis, associate broker at Nest Realty. He points to the Rivanna Trail, a 20-mile nearly continuous loop encircling the city, with spurs that access parks and schools. “The goal is to make a single nonstop loop that can be navigated by foot. It’s a pretty amazing thing for a city,” he says. Overall Charlottesville’s Walk Score is 63 (“somewhat walkable”).

Population:  43,511 in the city, 100,553 in Albemarle County

Climate:

January:  High 42 degrees/Low 25 degrees

July:  High 84 degrees/Low 67 degrees

Cost of Living:  Above Average

Housing Cost:  The median sales price of homes in Charlottesville was $234,000 in 2012 according to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors.

Information:  Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, (434) 295-3141 or CvilleChamber.com. Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau, (877) 386-1103 or VisitCharlottesville.org.

The post Where to Retire Magazine Features Charlottesville Walk Scores! appeared first on Nest Report.

One of the more informative topics we discussed is the idea of the “Life cost of a home.” Historically, buyers have focused on the purchase price, paying very little attention to the ongoing or “life cost” of owning a particular property. Recently however,  savvy buyers nationwide have begun to ask very important questions regarding the monthly costs of owning a given home. It should be no surprise that a home with highly efficient mechanics and a design to minimize energy consumption will save the owner a substantial amount of money every single month it is occupied.

This is particularly true in the new construction arena. Making a few sensible modifications in the planning stages can pay hefty dividends in the months and years ahead.   Examples include triple pane windows,  dense pack insulation in the walls and attic,  tankless water heater and properly placed over-hangs to name just a few. Of course, an older home can be remodeled with efficiency in mind. One of the easiest actions would be replacing older appliances as they begin to fail, with Energy Star rated appliances, as well as replacing conventional bulbs with LEDs. Another easy step would be sealing up any obvious, and not so obvious, gaps in windows, doors or attic hatches.

Besides the ongoing cost savings of living in a highly efficient well designed  home, there are other benefits as well. Many families tell me the single biggest factor is the comfort level that is achieved. Air quality and consistent temperature throughout the house, no-matter the season.

Today, it’s possible to build a new home that can be virtually energy and cost neutral on an operational basis. These “passive homes” are designed with efficiency at the forefront of every architectural feature. These homes usually include solar panels to offset energy from the grid,  double studded exterior walls, triple pane windows and water management systems. For more information on building efficiency into new and existing homes,  visit any of these informative web sites or contact your local Realtor today:

• Energy Star:  Energystar.gov
• U.S. Green Building Counsel:  Usgbc.org
• Building Green:  Buildinggreen.com

The post 2013 S.T.A.R. Training Review appeared first on Nest Report.

168 Brookwood Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Price:  $298,500

Neighborhood:  Brookwood

This premium brick interior townhome is just a mile from downtown Cville & UVA Hospital in desirable Brookwood. Anderson double paned windows, tankless H2O heater, granite counters, hardwood floors, SS appliances, ceramic tile baths, security sys, structured wiring, dual zone system, extensive trim work & 2 car garage. The unfinished terrace level is plumbed for 1/2 bath-great storage/potential growth! Private back yard that has 2 grassy areas and backs to woods. Quality you don’t want to miss!

Interested in this Brookwood home in Charlottesville, VA? Contact Nest Realty agent Dawn Cromer today.

The post Just Listed by Nest Realty in Brookwood: 168 Brookwood Drive appeared first on Nest Report.

609 Lyons Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22902

Price:  $525,000

Neighborhood:  North Downtown

OPEN Sunday, April 7, 12-4. The epitome of a character rich North Downtown home, walking distance to the Downtown mall w/ all the charm & upgrades you have been waiting for! The kitchen will steal your heart w/ custom cabinetry, soap stone counters, reclaimed hardwood floors & a focal butcher block island. Spacious & stunning main level living w/ exciting room for growth in the upstairs-unfinished attic. 1/2 of basement level features a 2 bdrm apartment…in-law/nanny suite? 2 car garage in the city

Interested in this North Downtown home in Charlottesville, VA? Contact Nest Realty agent Dawn Cromer today.

The post Just listed by Nest Realty: 609 Lyons Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22902 appeared first on Nest Report.

A screen shot of DocuSign, and ESS provider. (http://www.docusign.com)

When it comes to signing contracts and paperwork for real estate transactions, don’t be surprised if your agent asks you to use electronic signature software (ESS). It’s a simple and secure time saver that solves many problems in the real estate industry.

Here’s how it works:  When you have documents to sign, initial, date or otherwise acknowledge, your agent will provide the documents to you, in a scanned form via email.  Typically, when using an ESS for the first time, you ‘ll agree to those pesky terms and conditions (which, like all contracts, you should read), and then ‘pick’ a signature.  You won’t be using a pen or stylus to sign on a screen, you’ll be using an electronic version of your name and initials, and a click of your mouse. Once you pick the style of your name you prefer (and most software lets you change this so you’re not stuck with it), this becomes your signature. Your email address is used as your security feature, meaning that only people (you) who have access to your email account, with your user name and password, can access and sign your documents.

When you open the attachment of docs to sign, prompts, set up by your agent, will show you where to sign. You can’t mess it up. Or forget to sign. Or miss a signature. The agent sets this up for you…just follow on the-screen prompts. When you’re done, the document then automatically routes to other parties, who also need to sign or acknowledge that they received it. Once everyone has signed, you get a copy emailed to you, with all signatures.

Here’s why it’s better than paper: Paper requires, well, paper, which can get lost, damaged, forgotten. Paper means that two people have to either be in the same place physically at the same time (impossible with out-of-state sellers, sellers who are on military leave, out of town for vacation or work). Paper has to be delivered by some method to each each party where loss and delays can occur. Paper means that additional copies are made-not a very green practice these days. Paper can be more easily forged and forgotten.

Here’s why it’s better than scanning and/or faxing:

• No poorly scanned documents that are hard to read;
• Neither party need to have a scanner or a fax machine
• No issues with low toner or fax machines out of paper
• No fax machines in public places showing private documents. No more lost pages. No follow-up calls to see if the fax went through, the pages were all received.  No having to physically pick up faxed copies at a specific location.  Without a way to track who gets which faxed pages, and when, there’s no accountability for the sender or the receiver… (You get the idea!)

Nervous about trying something new? Don’t reject the electronic signature option automatically. In the same way that we expected a paper ticket for airline travel, many of us now use e-tickets. And the advantages of electronic signatures are not just for agent, title companies and lenders, but for buyers and sellers, too.

Have your Nest agent explain how it works for you in detail so you’re comfortable, and get your electronic signature ready!

The post Electronic Signatures: What happened to old fashioned pen and paper? appeared first on Nest Report.

417 Heritage Court, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Price:  $429,900

Neighborhood:  Redfields

Courtyard home filled with dramatic living spaces and natural light. Original owners have maintained this home with great care. Home office offers built in book shelves, french doors & wood floors. Sensational two story great room with double sided fireplace and 2 skylights. Well appointed first floor Master suite has his and hers bath. Other features include screened porch, huge garage, walk-in attic storage. Upgraded high efficiency gas furnace. Yard care included in HOA. Minutes to UVA.

Interested in this Charlottesville, Virginia home in Redfields? Contact Nest Agent Robert Russo today!

The post Nest Realty Redfields Listing: 417 Heritage Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22903 appeared first on Nest Report.

1235 Loring Run, Charlottesville, VA 22901

Price:  $450,000

Neighborhood:  Dunlora

One-level living in Dunlora. Features include hardwood floors throughout the main level, eat-in kitchen w/Corian countertops & ample cabinets, great room w/built in bookcases w/granite tops & custom fireplace surround, dining room w/built-in china/butler’s serving area & tray ceiling, master bedroom w/new hardwood floors & completely remodeled master bath w/door to the rear paver patio w/hot tub & awning in the private, landscaped yard, finished bonus room, oversized two car garage & more.

Interested in this Charlottesville, Virginia home in Dunlora? Contact Nest Realty agents with The Marjorie Adam Team today!

The post Just Listed by Nest Realty: 1235 Loring Run, Charlottesville, VA 22901 appeared first on Nest Report.

5846 Westhall Drive, Crozet, VA 23932

Price:  $279,000

Neighborhood:  Westhall

Quality Earthcraft one level Westhall home built in 2007 with 1800 sqft this home has a large open floor plan, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, hardwood floors, stainless appliances,study,custom built ins, beautiful landscaped backyard and patio. Currently home has tenants with three children under the age of three, so must call the day before to schedule appointment, nap times are from 12-3PM. Tenants will be moved out of the home in May.

Interested in buying this Crozet, Virginia home? Contact Nest Realty agent Janice Kavanagh for more information.

The post Just Listed by Nest Realty: 5846 Westhall Drive, Crozet, VA 22932 appeared first on Nest Report.

4704 Bluejay Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911

Price:  $189,900

Neighborhood:  Briarwood

Beautiful Briarwood townhome conveniently located close to NGIC, DIA, GE, Target and Hollymead Shopping Center. Tastefully finished basement complete with full bath & laundry/mud room featuring ceramic tile & recessed lighting. 9ft. ceilings on 2 levels! Sun drenched main level w/ 2 bay windows & updates throughout. Master suite with attached private bath. Upstairs full bath with skylight. Enjoy outdoor living on the back deck w/ built-in bench, fully fenced in back yard and garden area.

Interested in this Albemarle, Virginia home? Contact Dawn Cromer for more information.

The post Just Listed By Nest Realty: 4704 Bluejay Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911 appeared first on Nest Report.