Panhandle Zombie Homes

zombie homes

What are “Zombie Homes?”

“Zombie homes” are unoccupied properties. During the mortgage crisis, “zombie homes” could be found in all manner of neighborhoods. You may even have seen some in your area.  Many of these properties are rehabbed eventually but still present some unique housing issues. Read on:

Some heavier reading, but here is some valuable information we thought consumers might like access to:

  • watch The Fight Against Zombie Homes by David Wharton
    Even as the housing market booms, vacant and abandoned “zombie properties” continue to plague many municipalities, a lingering reminder of the housing crisis. Here’s how the real estate industry and communities around the nation are working together to take down these zombies.
  • click here “Unforeseen Consequences” by Jeff Dickstein
    A decade after the housing market’s collapse, some anticipated and unanticipated impacts of the Dodd-Frank Act on the appraisal industry are beginning to be felt.
  • cheap trick lyrics The Housing Choices of Older Americans
    “Today’s retirees are more likely to leave the workforce with a mortgage and other debts that can put stress on monthly cash flow,” said Peter Bell, President, and CEO of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA).

We’ll Help You Find What You’re Looking For

Whether you are interested in a move-in ready home or want to redo a home that needs some TLC, we are here and ready to help you find the home and neighborhood you love. Contact us today and we’ll get started!

West Virginia’s September 2018 Recap

Another House is Completed Through WV Rise Flood Relief

West Virginia RISE has now officially completed 21 houses! The active project list has added more homes to be worked on has reached a number of 427 where 166 of these cases require total reconstruction, 159 require rehabilitation of some sort, and 102 need unit replacement.

At this rate, approximately $311,114 is used monthly to help regain proper functionality and we are proud to continue to use our money effectively.

HUD has listed hotlines for those in need of home repair assistance: 304-220-2570 and for anyone needing to report fraud regarding Home Reconstruction at 1-866-WVWATCH (1-866-989-2824).

General Patrick Morrisey Creates New Opportunities for the Elderly

The plan is to open up a collaboration between his office and the Bi-County Nutrition Program that will allow the elderly to receive food deliveries straight to their home in Harrison and Doddridge Counties.

In recent years, WV communities have noticed how lives have been affected by seniors’ vulnerability and are taking efforts to keep them from becoming victims. On top of food, they will be provided information on dangers such as targeting scams, abuse, and exploitation. Our community will always continue to strive to keep all members of society feeling safe and welcome.

West Virginia’s OLWEUS Program has effectively been reducing bullying in the school districts for seven years.

This year’s program kick-off took place in War Memorial Park with all students from pre-K through high school, district staff, family, and community members in attendance.

The goals of this program include bully prevention, school climate improvement, and peer to peer relationships. Students are taught to “consider their words and actions, and what to do if they or someone else is being bullied.” Annual anonymous survey results show the decline in bullying from cyber to verbal and everything in between.

There are many ways bullying can be reported, including this online site, www.berkeleycountyschools.org. Spread this link along to members of our school district to continue the declining rate in bullying statistics.

West Virginians Urged to Help Protect the Environment.

A public poll was sent to residents asking whether communities should protect the environment at all costs or if we have gone too far with our efforts to sustain it. Results show improvement since 2014 with the same question asked at the same location. 67% of all 55 counties in WV responded we should do whatever it takes this year.

This is a significant increase compared to 2014’s results of 51%. This year, 84% of Democrats support “doing whatever it takes” while 52% of Republicans voted so.

A related question on the survey asks if stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the expenditure, or if they cost too many jobs and hurt our economy. This question resulted in 50% both ways, representing an increase to the prior year which indicated a 60% siding with “stricter environmental laws hurt the economy.”

These questions continue to affect communities all over and are one immediate way to get an overview of the public’s vision for our regulations. Five major natural gas projects are in effect across West Virginia, including the Affordable Clean Power Plan, a Rockwell Industrial Plant, and the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Our efforts will continue to achieve the greatest amount of good that represents our state’s willingness for improvement.

We’re doing great, West Virginia! Let’s keep it up.

West Virginia’s August 2018 Recap

A New Tech Start-up, Divvy Homes, Transforms the Way We Buy Houses in West Virginia.

Here’s how it works: Divvy Homes will buy a home you want (within its prerequisites) and allow you to pay a small percentage for a down payment to the Divvy Company. You can then choose to lease the house from Divvy, buy within three years and allow ~20% of your rent to go to Divvy’s Equity Credits. Once the three years are up, you will own 10% of your property, which is enough to qualify for a mortgage and buy Divvy out.

Learn more here: A New Twist on Rent-to-Own Housing

John O’Neal and Greg Puckett Are Determined and Optimistic about Economic Growth

There is a discussion about expanding economic development numbers by shifting some things around in the future. On top of this, tourism is on the rise as well as coal severance.

Find out more: Local County Officials Optimistic

Natural Gas Called ‘Best Hope’ for West Virginia at Summer Meeting of Independent Oil and Gas Association.

Vice President of the Independent Oil and Gas Association has concern for the future gas prices come 2020 and 2021. To help solve this, an organization led by regulatory affairs for Northeast Natural Energy will lead over 500 members through the creation of largely gas producer-oriented operations.

Learn more about the situation here: Natural Gas Best Hope

The Schools of Berkeley County Have Saved $3.1 million in Utility Expenses from their Total Makeover in Energy Systems.

Electric consumption has dropped 37% and Berkeley County Schools have earned the seventh-highest Energy-Star rated schools in the state.

The makeover includes seven geothermal installations, boiler and chiller replacements, over 23,000 LED light installations, thermal envelope improvements, computer power management, and district-wide, web-accessible HVAC controls.

Learn more here: Berkeley Co. Schools Saves #3.1M in Energy Costs

The United Health Care Community Care Program granted Thankful Valley Farms $10,000 for Being One of the Most Beneficial Local Businesses for the Health and Wellness of Greater Charleston.

The award has been running for over three years now and the program continues to raise more awareness. The finalists included Sherri Taylor’s Thankful Farms and Hatchery, Pollen8 Inc.; United Way of Central West Virginia; VoixRx; and A More Excellent Way Life Center Church.

The project submissions are based on community impact, creativity, and feasibility for the purpose of empowering and recognizing West Virginia’s innovative small businesses.

The plan is to continue this program in the future for many years to come as the turnout continues to surprise.

West Virginia’s July 2018 Recap

The West Virginia Department of Transportation Discusses Opportunity for Improvement with its Roads to Prosperity Project near Princeton.

Some plans are as follows:

  • Connecting the Christine West Bridge (A.K.A. The Bridge To Nowhere) to Route 123 (A.K.A. Airport Road) during Spring 2019,
  • Paving Secondary Roads: Interstate 77 Project, new bridge possibilities at Low Water Road and Route 19,
  • Work is in progress to connect the town to another water source.

Thank you to the Governor, the representatives, the secretary and all involved for taking citizen’s needs into consideration!

The Kanawha County Public Library is expanding and renovating.

Thank you to the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and a generous anonymous donation for helping your local libraries!

The project is looking at about $6 million left to reach the goal of $27 million raised. Construction is to begin early next year and last anywhere from 18-24 months.

There’s a new name in the running for West Virginia’s House of Delegates

Until now, Phil Diserio was running unopposed for the seat of an independent to represent Brooke County. Welcome, Trevor Barnhart.

See why he is running and learn more about him here, https://wtov9.com/news/local/theres-a-new-name-in-the-running-for-west-virginias-house-of-delegates

West Virginia has seen a population decrease since 2007 of about 18,000 residents. This is a .1% population decrease each year.

It is one of the two fastest declining states in the nation right now. This shrinkage may affect finances for its state residents.

However, officials are looking at this as a growth opportunity and optimism is surrounding our communities. This change in the population may make room for residents interested in starting a business, raising a family in a less densely populated region, recoup and enjoy our natural resources, and revitalize West Virginia.

West Virginia’s June 2018 Recap

Wood County teachers are going through ALICE Training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).

Parkersburg High School Principal Kenny DeMoss says “The training, the practice of the drills, you know, hearing the live rounds out in the building is huge. I think it just helps prepare us for something that we hope never happens.”

To learn more about this training course, click here: http://www.thenewscenter.tv/content/news/Wood-County-schools-use-walk-out-make-up-days-for-active-shooter-training-485698141.html

The fiscal year 2019 budget has Lewis County employees seeing a possible 3% salary increase going into effect with the First of July.

This past March brought Lewis County Commission an $8.58 million budget approval allowing for many fiscal adjustments.

Projections for Lewis County include $8,580,791 in revenue and about the same in expenses. This 3% salary raise does not include law enforcement personnel nor Lewis-Gilmer 911 employees.

Doddridge County Courthouse is going through major renovations.

The building that was built in 1902 has had leaking roofs, crumbling foundations, and other safety concerns.

Because it has been in need of work for a long time, officials have been putting away money for a few years. A $1,065,000 bid has been accepted over the summer and the County Commissioner is ready to get to work.

The windows are currently being reinstalled, the stained glass is being fixed, and new sprinklers will be paid for with help from a $1000,000 grant from the WV Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority.

The U.S. Supreme Court may be enforcing a sales tax on online purchases such as Amazon and E-Bay.

The hoped-for effect is to put these companies on “more equal footing with local retailers whose customers have to pay state sales tax”.

After years of study, online sales and local sales equalization have been a goal. Although Gov. Jim Justice says he isn’t too fond of the idea, he acknowledges that it is an issue for the legislature.

  • Over 70 non-profits in the Mid-Ohio Valley benefit from the West Virginian Central Federal Credit Union (WVCFCU) donation of $125,000

The CEO of WVCFCU says, “The community does so much for us…in turn, we should return the favor and support them.”

Here is a list of all the recipients:

SW Resources, Gloria Husk C/O We Have Your Six MOV, Apraxia Kids, Lubeck Community Cupboard, Maternity House, Friendship Kitchen, U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs (Wood County VA), Old Man Rivers, Humane Society of Parkersburg, Family Crisis and Intervention Center, Children’s Home Society of WV, Faithlink, The Gabriel Project of WV, Battle Against Cystic Fibrosis, House to Home, Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Veteran’s Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Special Veteran’s Project Committee, Stuff the Bus, Good Samaritan, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Consumer Credit Counseling, Boys and Girls Club of Pleasants County, Pleasants County Humane Society -Yes Open, Belmont City Volunteer Fire Dept.,

Educators Rising West Virginia, Ritchie County Humane Society, Packs of Plenty in CO Regeneration Inc., Children’s Home Society – Ritchie County, Ritchie County 4-H, Pennsboro Food Pantry, Ellenboro Food Pantry, Harrisville Food Pantry, Ellenboro VFD, Harrisville VFD, Cairo VFD, Pennsboro VFD, Smithville VFD, Camp Barbe Assoc, Hope Shop, Wirt County Senior Citizens, Boy Scout Troop 30, Girl Scouts, Wirt County FFA, Wirt County 4-H, Wirt Missional Group, American Legion Post 55, Family Resource Network, Elizabeth and Wirt County VFD, Brother’s Keeper, Epworth Church Food Bank, Calvary Church Food Bank, No Hunger Food Bank, BoMar Club, Inc., Ripley Main Street,

Operation Jackson County Veterans, Gospel Mission Food Pantry, Marietta Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club of Washington County Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, MOV Gift to Life, Betsey Mills Club, Buckeye Bob/Chris Custer Fund, Ely Chapman Education Foundation, O’Neill Senior Center, Oriana House, The Salvation Army of Marietta, BrAva, 86th Belpre Homecoming – Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Home, Children’s Hunger Alliance, Barlow VFD, Beverly VFD, Dunham VFD, Salem VFD, Wesley VFD, L-A VFD, Watertown VFD, Newport VFD, Fearing VFD

DIY Flood Cleanup Tips

DIY Flood Cleanup Tips

We’ve had a crazy stretch of weather of late. We sincerely hope our neighbors have made it through so far. With more heavy rain in the forecast, we aren’t out of the woods yet, but we wanted to take a few moments to give you some DIY flood cleanup tips to have on hand when you’re ready.

Remember to Check on Your Neighbors

One of the pillars of a strong community is how we look after each other.  After making sure you and yours are safe, knock on your neighbor’s doors.  From helping clear debris to simply popping over with some coffee and a smile, take a moment to touch base with your neighbors and see if they need help. It’s easy to do and makes a big difference for them and our communities.

DIY Flood Cleanup Tips

  1. DIY Flood Cleanup Tips Wear BootsAssess the Damage: First things first – you have to take a look in and around your property. Grab some rubber boots and hip waders if you have them and start with the outside – and please be careful! The risk of falls and accidents is high. Make sure you turn your circuit breakers off if you will be exploring areas with electrical outlets and power lines. We all know water + electricity + people = bad news.
  2. Be Aware of Contamination: Floods often cause the overflow of sewage systems, industrial waste sites, and chemical stores.  Make certain that your running water is safe for use. Take proper precautions by wearing rubber gloves during clean up, and by washing hands with warm, running water and soap frequently.
  3. A Quick List of Do’s:
    • Walk the perimeter of your property and check for debris, assess the damage to your yard and any outdoor areas such as your patio, porch, swimming pool.
    • In the house, open doors and windows for ventilation
    • Drain water trapped in walls, if applicable
    • Remove debris from inside the house, and check for items that may be ready to fall
    • Patch walls and roofing if you are able to safely.
    • Use a wet vac, dehumidifier, and other materials that absorb water (called ‘desiccants’) to begin the drying out process.
  4. A Quick List of Don’ts:
    • DON’T (this is a big one!) go inside your home if you see structural damage such as sagging floors, sagging ceilings, etc.
    • Drain the basement too quickly – it could cause the foundation to collapse.
    • Don’t use your regular household vacuum to try to clean up mud and water. They aren’t made to handle that kind of debris
    • Don’t leave pools of standing water. Mosquitoes love that stuff.
  5. Check Your Insurance Policy: You can start the cleanup process, certainly, but we strongly advise you to check with your homeowner’s insurance policy and find out what is required of you to get your home repaired. Get the most reimbursement you can.

Try to Stay Dry!

With more thunderstorms in the forecast, a little planning ahead can help minimize the damage to your home and see you through to bluer skies and sunnier days.

We’ll Help You Find What You’re Looking For

We are here and ready to help you find the home and neighborhood you love. Contact us today and we’ll get started!

Is Your House Ready to Sell?

Prime location Realty house ready to sell

You’re ready to sell your house.  Perhaps you’ve already put an offer in on your next dream home or moving away from the area, and feel like now is the time. You’re all set. But…is your house ready to sell? Here are a few tips to help you get your house prepped to increase your odds of selling your house at the price you want, fast.

Tips for Getting Your House Ready to Sell

First Impressions are Everything –

Prime Location Realty - Is your House ready to sell?Imagine you’re seeing your home for the first time. You’ve driven up to the curb, and what do you see? Unkempt yard? Chipped paint? Broken outdoor lighting? Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer, and decide what may need sprucing up around the outside of the house. There are cost-effective ways to up your home’s curb appeal without spending a lot of money. Make a Curb Appeal Checklist, and attend to these details:

  • Lawn – Mowed and cared for, including edging.
  • Flower Beds – weeded, and put down some fresh barkdust
  • Shrubs and hedges – trim and groom.
  • Plant flowers – take a look at our guide to native West Virginia plants
  • Power wash – fencing, walkways and other hardscapes may need to get the mold and winter goo blasted off.  If you have weeds or crab grass growing out of any cracks, make sure you clean those out, too.
  • Lighting – new lightbulbs, clean fixtures, and consider pathway lighting if your areas of you home have dark spots.
  • Gutters – clear out the gutters, and make sure your downspouts are in good working order. If your house is shown on a rainy day, skipping that step could backfire on you!
  • Touch-up painting – If there are chips on places like your shutters, window sills, etc. grabbing some touch-up paint and taking care of those details is important for first impressions. One spot you’ll want to make sure is in tip-top shape? Your front door.
  • New house  numbers (If necessary) – If the numbers on your house are fading or otherwise not looking that great, replacing them is a small investment. Help potential buyers find your house.
  • Front door – Clean, paint, and hang a wreath or other decoration on or near your front door. This is the part of your house that really sends a message to buyers.
  • Welcome mat – A new mat with a decoration or “Welcome” written on it gives your front porch an inviting feel and helps makes a good first impression. Buy a few potted plants to really spruce it up.

Clean and organize

I get it – who has time to dust on the top of your crown molding? If you want your house to sell quickly, you have to make the time. Your home should be visitor-ready for the duration of the time you have it listed. Here are a few areas you may not think of, but a potential buyer will:

  • Wash your windows – This is an easy do-it-yourself, and it makes a big difference. Sparkling clean windows sends the message that the house is well-cared for.
  • Eliminate any funky odors – This is particularly important if you are a smoker. A product I like that works wonderfully is Fresh Wave, available at Target.
  • Shine up and dust all surfaces – Don’t forget to clean the not-so-obvious places: crown molding, ceiling fans, light switches and plugs, cabinet pulls doors and door knobs – the little things matter.
  • Hunt for mold – Grab a small brush, bleach and water, and hunt that black slime down. It can hide in corners, particularly in bathrooms.
  • Carpets and area rugs – Rent a carpet cleaner to freshen them up. If you have a piece of furniture covering a big stain, make sure you cover those areas, too. Area rugs can be taken outside, dusted, and spot cleaned.
  • Get rid of your clutter – We have ideas on how to hide your stuff, but be sure to think about the not-so-obvious things. We advise you to put away things that make your house personalized to you, such as family photos and trophies. The goal is to make a potential buyer seem themselves living there, and personal items make that harder.

staging

Prime Location Realty - Is your house ready to sell?A few tips for staging your home – before you get to this step, make sure any repairs have been completed and you are ready to begin showing. Replace broken or burned out lightbulbs, check for broken windows, locks, and any water leaks that could be deal breakers. Read our tips for quick, budget-friendly home upgrades to get a few more ideas.

  • Set the table – In your dining area, a nicely set table and some flowers can look inviting and add warmth.
  • Rearrange your furniture – you may need to take a few pieces out if you have a lot of furniture. Open, inviting spaces with well-placed furniture help your house look more move-in ready.
  • Tone down the eclectic wall colors – A neon green accent wall might be perfect for you, but remember – you want prospective buyers to picture themselves living there. Neutral colors work best.
  • Define each room – Each room should have a purpose. In our house, our home office has become the room of, “where should I put this?” Clean all that stuff out.
  • Be prepared – Potential buyers are going to look in your closets. Don’t forget about those, too!

Congratulations! Your house is ready to sell!

…and we’re here to help. Contact us and we’ll help you put the finishing touches on your newly-listed home. We are here and ready to  help you transition to your next phase!

 

First-Time Home Buying Myths

First-time home buying myths

Are you considering taking the leap to homeownership? Congratulations! It’s so exciting to start shopping for a new home. But, buyer beware! There is so much information available on home buying, you may find yourself overwhelmed. We’re here to help – check out these first-time home buying myths, and start your search armed with good information!

First-Time Home Buying Myths

30-year fixed mortgages are always the best option. Hold on, not always. Consider how long you want to be in the home. If your current plan is to move after a few years, or you anticipate a job change that might require it, a shorter-term fixed rate loan might serve you better in the long run. A reputable mortgage lender can give you advice on the best loan for your short and long-term needs.

You need a 20% downpayment. Good news: Nope! It’s a good idea to save as much as possible in the months leading up to buying a home, but there are many loan options available that don’t require that large a downpayment. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are two possibilities for mortgage loans that don’t require 20%.

First-time home buying myths: busted.

You need perfect credit. Good news: you don’t need perfect credit, either.  A good score can potentially make it easier to get a loan with good terms, but there are other factors involved in obtaining a mortgage loan. There are options available even if your credit is less than perfect. To learn more about the loan process and which loan might be best for you, check out this article from Bankrate.com: Which Mortgage is Right For You?

Optional home inspections. DO NOT waive the inspection in order to nail down a deal. It’s tempting when you’re excited and want to hurry the process along, but an inspection can uncover serious problems with the home that could be a deal breaker, or you may discover that any issues found will give you some leverage in negotiating the final price.

You don’t need an agent. One of the biggest first-time home buying myths is that you don’t need a real estate agent. It’s really tempting to take a look around and think, “How hard could this be?” but there are legal considerations, negotiations, mountains of paperwork, and an agent may have information and/or access to properties that may not be listed quite yet. A licensed agent knows what’s going on in the local and national real estate markets, and can guide you through the process start to finish. We get excited when you find the home that’s just right for you, and we want to make sure you get the best possible price.

We know there is a huge mix of emotions that go into buying a home: excitement, anticipation, maybe even a little fear. The best advice we can give you is to start planning ahead well before you start shopping for a home. A little planning goes a long way toward making one of the biggest purchases of your life a smart one!

We’re ready to help you!

Contact us today and get started on making your dream home a reality.

Great Local Ideas for Valentine’s Day

local ideas for valentine's day

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Start planning your date night or family event NOW before all the reservations are booked. I’m here to help. Check out these great local ideas for Valentine’s Day things to do. I’m going off the regular script of dinner and chocolate, here. Buckle up!

Valentine’s Day Eastern Panhandle Style!

Go Out For a Laugh: On Valentine’s Day, Abolitionist Ale Works (formerly known as Front Porch Brewing) is hosting an evening of standup comedy. Local comedians performing that evening include Haywood Turnipseed, Jim Peters, a special feature comedian TBA, with the event hosted by Leon Scott. Tickets are available at Abolitionist Ale Works, $10 per tickets, which gets you a seat in the front dining room – complimentary Valentine’s Day gift included with each ticket!

Get Away for an Overnight: Cacapon State Park isn’t just for summer! The Cacapon Lodge offers overnight accommodations in the winter for as low as $69.00 per night. Enjoy a romantic, rustic-style Valentine’s weekend with outdoor activities and West Virginia winter beauty surrounding you.

Make it a Community Thing: A great way to get your family involved in sharing the love is to volunteer together at a local charity event. On February 16th and 17th, come to Eagle School Intermediate and pack food for kids whose families are food insecure in the Berkeley and Jefferson county schools with their Kidz Power Packs event. Come Friday evening for “unload and prep” beginnning at 4:30, or come Saturday beginning at 9:00 am for fellowship or come at 9:30 for packing and preparing for distribution. A ministry run by CCM (Community Combined Ministries), they have an open door policy and you can stay as long as you like. Share the love!

kids local ideas for valentine's day

Make it a Family Thing: Let’s bet honest, finding a babysitter the week of Valentine’s Day is like stumbling on a magical unicorn in the middle of a Home Depot parking lot. Invite another family with children the same age over and have a special dinner, complete with Valentine’s Day cards, actvities and dessert. Latte Da Cupcakery bakes up perfection fresh everyday and would be a fantastic place to grab your Valentine’s Day treats.

Get Some Exercise Together! Our area is full of amazing mountain bike trails. You may think winter might be a little chilly to be mountain biking, but it can be so fun! There are trails around the Panhandle, including C&O Canal in Harpers Ferry (easy) Poor House Farm in Martinsburg (intermediate). Check out Single Tracks for information, including daily trail conditions. Need a bike? Rent one from Shepherdstown Peddle & Paddle.

Have local ideas for Valentine’s Day to Share?

Leave them in the comments! Share your ideas for activities and local businesses to try. Supporting a thriving local economy is one of our core values.

Welcome to the Neighborhood.

We love our community and are committed to making it great. Contact us today and we’ll help you find your new home here!

Helping Neighbors During Winter

Helping Neighbors During Winter

While winter is typically a time to hunker down and hibernate, it’s also a time that can be hard on our neighbors and their homes. Whether it’s fallen tree branches, a driveway that needs shoveling, or a frozen pipe emergency, or even a friendly social gathering, helping your neighbors cultivates trust and a close-knit community. When neighbors help neighbors I’m always reminded: we’re in this together. Take a peek at these ideas for helping neighbors during winter and then reach out!

Ideas for Helping Neighbors During Winter

  • Host a soup night – one year during a particularly long stretch of snow and ice, my next door neighbors gathered us together and hosted “soup night.” We each brought our own recipe of soup, another couple baked fresh bread, and we sat around the warmth and the good food and talked. It was wonderful. It also gave us an opportunity to find out how things were going for our neighbors and if anyone needed anything.
  • Neighbors would likely appreciate a car de-icing, driveway snow shovel, or even something as simple as bringing the mail or newspaper to their doorstep.
  • Check on them! We had an elderly neighbor fall on her front porch during an icy spell, and she wasn’t able to get up. She wasn’t found for hours! We felt terrible, but it reminded us to take an extra moment out of our days to make sure our neighbors, especially the older folks among us, are ok. Lesson learned.
  • Branches or debris? Help clear it, loan tools, or organize a work party to help take care of each other’s needs. Many hands make light work.
  • Don’t forget about sidewalks and other walkways when it comes to clearing away snow and ice. One idea? On particularly slippery spots we put a scraper mat down over them. It allowed people to walk up to our front door without fear of falling.  Scraper mats help keep your entry way clean, too.  Scraper mats look like this:

    Helping Neighbors During Winter
    Scraper mat – available at Home Depot
  • Make a plan to help – don’t wait for your neighbors to ask. When you hear that a storm is coming, reach out to the neighbors you know the best and get a plan together for helping each other and your other neighbors.
  • Frozen pipes are a huge, expensive hassle if they burst. When you’re planning ahead for fall/winter,  grab a few extra faucet covers and offer them to your neighbors who may not be as prepared as you. Faucet covers cost about $2.00 or less, and can prevent frozen pipes on your outdoor spigots.
  • Share your salt! Rock salt is a good thing to have on hand, and if you know your neighbors need some for their icy spots, toss a few handfuls their way.
  • Knock on their door with a Thermos of coffee or a bottle of wine and simply have a conversation. When it’s dark early, and people aren’t out and about as much, winter can be a lonely season. Sometimes simply showing up and talking can make a world of difference.

Welcome to the Community

Whether it’s you helping neighbors during winter by shoveling their snow, or it’s them helping you in summer by watering your plants while you’re away – good, trustworthy neighbors are worth their weight in gold. When a neighborhood becomes a community, it’s good for everyone!

We’ll Help You Find What You’re Looking For

We are here and ready to help you find the home and neighborhood you love. Contact us today and we’ll get started!

Contact Us


Prime Location Realty, LLC
304-262-0800
877-817-7463
127 W. Burke Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401


Michelle Garrett, Broker/Owner
Broker License Information:
WV – 0007685
VA – 0225095587

 

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