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northern virginia real estate blog: The Quoteworthy Real Estate Broker - 06/25/11 10:18 PM
Not once, but twice in this past week, the media came my way asking for information about the real estate market. Not to toot my own horn (okay, I am tooting my own horn, but sometimes it is warranted), but this has become a regular occurrence over the last several years. Take a look at my Press Page to view all the articles in local and national media outlets as well as watch clips of my television appearances.
Last week, I was interviewed in person by Nicholas (Nick) Horrock at my office. He's now a reporter with the Connection Newspapers, a … (25 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Buy the Neighborhood First, Then Buy Your House - 05/16/11 04:02 PM
You can change your house, you can fix it up, you can remodel, you can put on an addition, you can landscape, yadda yadda yadda, but you can't (at least single-handedly) change your neighborhood. When it comes to real estate, you've likely heard the adage a million times "Location. Location. Location."
It's important to know your price range. You should think about the features you want in a home. Consider your preference for granite counters or silestone. Carefully ponder how many bedrooms and baths you need and whether you want a front-loading washing machine.
However, when searching for and purchasing a home … (3 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Riding Down the Big Slide: Accelerating Home Sales - 03/31/11 11:07 AM
Close your eyes and think back a few years. A few more. Picture your elementary school playground. Keep that image in your mind. What do you see? The swings, the jungle gym, a see-saw, maybe a basketball hoop,and yes, front and center, a SLIDE.
The slide... you climb a few stairs and sit your butt down on a sloping piece of metal or plastic, give yourself a slight push, and WHOOSH!!! You accelerate down and come flying off at the end. The higher and steeper the slide, the faster you go.
Are you wondering why homes are starting to … (1 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Spring Forecast of Trends in the Northern Virginia Economy & Housing Market - 03/26/11 07:54 AM
Are you hungry for data, information, and predictions about trends in the Northern Virginia economy and housing market?
You're in luck. You can benefit from my attendance this past week at the Northern Virginia Association of REALTOR's 2011 Spring Forecast subtitled "Recovery to Expansion."
Dr. Stephen Fuller from the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University who spoke about the national and local economy and the Northern Virginia housing market.
Here's a brief summary of some of Dr. Fuller's findings:
Northern Virginia will outperform the national economy. Our recovery is paralleling the national economy, albeit at a higher rate/level. … (2 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: What's Hot & What's Not for Real Estate this Spring! - 03/16/11 03:46 PM
Unlike the fleeting celebrity of your favorite American Idol contestant, real estate is always a hot topic. Whether the market's going up, down or sideways, having a home and a place to rest your head at night will always rank up there on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Talking about the latest trends in real estate is something that never gets old.
As Spring is right around the corner, here's a look at
What's Hot & What's Not for D.C. & Northern Virginia real estate this Spring 2011!
HOT! NOT!
Homes selling quickly Homes lingering on the market
Large downpayments No Money … (8 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Where? Oh Where? Where in Northern Virginia Should You Go to Purchase a $500,000 Home? - 11/15/10 03:46 PM
Last month, the average sales price of a home in Northern Virginia was $470,882. For our purposes, let's round that up to an even $500K or half a million bucks.
So, let's say you've got good credit, a decent downpayment, and the wherewithal to handle a mortgage of this size. It's time to go shopping for a house. Where? Oh where in Northern Virginia should you go to purchase the $500,000 home that your friendly mortgage professional approved you to buy?
The answer (as all good answers involving real estate and law should be) is: Depends!
It depends on what you want.
… (5 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Home in Northern Virginia - TODAY! - 10/18/10 04:21 PM
There are about 2.5 million reasons to live in Northern Virginia. Just ask any of the approximately 2,500,000 people who live in the region -- the most populous area of the D.C. Metropolitan area.
Here are the Top 10 Reasons you should Buy a Home in Northern Virginia -- TODAY (without delay!):
AWESOME Interest Rates -- You've heard it before, but rates keep hitting historic lows. At a 4.5% interest rate, a $500,000 loan is $444.32 cheaper per month than at a 6.0% interest rate! That's a lot of extra cash in your pocket instead of the bank's. Location, Location, … (3 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Our Virginia Real Estate Blog Receives a Five Star Review! - 09/29/10 01:46 PM
Recently I got contacted and asked for permission to have our Virginia real estate blog reviewed. About a week later, an e-mail came announcing that the "blog review was live!" It's always great to get recognition, but the really special thing is that the review writer read many of my posts and really captured the essence of the blog that I've been writing as an information resource for buyers and sellers in Northern Virginia for more than 3.5 years.
Not only did he give us a Five Star review, but some of his comments showed a deep appreciation for the personality … (3 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Better Than Elsewhere!: Northern Virginia Real Estate Market - 08/24/10 01:59 PM
If you've ever shopped at Marshall's, Target, Walmart, or any other discount department store, you'll definitely have seen the price tags that compare their prices to those found "elsewhere." Whether the actual "elsewhere" price as marked is the true picture is debatable, but it's meant to make you feel good about your purchase, knowing that your shopping smart.
So plunking down $52 for that Clairborne dress shirt doesn't feel so bad, when you know that "elsewhere" it retails for $117!
When looking at the statistics for the overall Northern Virginia real estate market in July 2010, much of the picture doesn't … (2 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Northern Virginia Real Estate Marketwatch Video: Summer Outlook - 06/08/10 01:13 PM
Real Estate Business Intelligence, a subsidiary of MRIS (our local MLS system in Northern Virginia and D.C.) recently released a short 2 1/2 minute video discussing the real estate market in Northern Virginia including statistics regarding median price of homes, inventory, sales, and a forecast for this summer.
One of the main issues right now is a lack of inventory. With only 2.8 months supply in Northern Virginia, there's very few homes to choose from for the buyers who are currently looking. I've certainly been experiencing that with my clients who are hoping to purchase homes.
The video also discusses mortgage … (1 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Katie buys a Condo in Arlington Virginia - 05/25/10 07:19 PM
She couldn't be happier! Look at that smile!
Katie who just recently purchased a condo in Arlington Virginia worked with me to buy a condo and we did it in time to take advantage of the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit.
While the deadline for the tax credit may be over, interest rates are at historic lows making the current real estate market a great opportunity. Wouldn't you like to star in my next video?
… (3 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: What to Expect When You're Expecting... a Real Estate Settlement! - 05/21/10 04:01 PM
So, you've gone through the steps and the process is moving along.
BUYERS: You've searched around town. You've found the house you want to purchase. You've applied for your mortgage. You've submitted an offer and it's been accepted by the seller. Congratulations you have a ratified contract!
SELLERS: You've had the sign up in your yard. You've kept your home clean for all the showings by real estate agents and their clients. You've been waiting anxiously. You've countered the buyer's offer and now you've come to an agreement. Congratulations you have a ratified contract!
In either scenario, you're now on … (1 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Why Do You Want to Move? - 05/17/10 03:36 PM
Why do you want to move? Why does anyone want to move?
Whatever the reason, it's a good thing that people move -- it keeps me in business!
Arun Barman, Research Economist at the National Association of REALTORS examined U.S. Census data and drew the following conclusions:
5.8 percent of those over the age of 16 moved, because they wanted to own a home rather than rent 13.5 percent of people moved for some "other family reason" 10.8 percent of people moved to establish their own household About a fifth of people moved for a job related reason
Copyright … (7 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: March 2010's Most Expensive Home Sales in Northern Virginia - 04/05/10 12:17 PM
Are you wondering about Northern Virginia real estate and pondering what has sold recently?
Here's some information about the most expensive home sales in Northern Virginia (Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church City) for March 2010. All information was obtained through MRIS.
Overall, there were 52 Northern Virginia home sales topping $1 million during March 2010, more than double the amount that sold in February. I guess it was much easier for agents and buyers to get down the driveways to see these homes after February's snow melted!
Currently, there are a whopping 721 homes homes on the market … (0 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Wear Socks While Househunting! - 03/28/10 09:24 PM
Fashion advice on a real estate blog? Sure... why not?
Some may see this as fashion, but I see it as practicality and comfort. To be honest, it doesn't matter to me whether you show up for the home search in a three-piece suit, a leather mini-skirt, plaids clashing with polka dots, or sweatpants. I just want you to be comfortable and happy for your househunting expedition.
When heading out to go see homes, you'll likely notice that many sellers prefer that you take off your shoes. This is especially true when the carpets have just been cleaned and/or new carpets … (124 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Less than Half: Unemployment in Northern Virginia - 02/22/10 04:56 PM
Want some great news? Who doesn't?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released an unemployment report today that examined the rates of unemployment in the Northern Virginia counties and cities.
Unless you've been living under a rock, haven't turned on the t.v., read a newspaper, been on the internet, or walked down the street in the last 6 months, you're aware that the unemployment rate in the United States has skyrocketed to the 10% region.
Well, in Northern Virginia, most areas are doing quite well when it comes to employment statistics, and some counties, like Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun are doing … (7 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Are You Scared of D.C. Home Prices? - 02/22/10 02:46 PM
Chances are that if you're looking to buy a home in the D.C. metropolitan area, you may be scared of the home prices. Whether you're a first time homebuyer, moving up to a larger home, buying an investment property, or relocating to the D.C. area, you're spending some time and effort tracking the home prices throughout the region. You might look at the prices of homes coming across your computer screen after doing a home search or signing up to receive listing e-mails and shriek!
As with any purchase that involves 6 (or more) digits after the dollar sign, fear most … (3 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: WARNING: You Don't Want Your Home on the Market Forever! - 02/18/10 04:01 PM
Today, I found 228 homes in Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia that have been listed on the MLS and on the market for more than 365 days. An entire year or more on the market! 29 of those homes have been actively on the market for over 2 years! Can you imagine? Two years of keeping your home clean, having a lockbox on the door, and leaving the house on Sundays so a REALTOR can hold an open house!
That is a very long time even in today's slower market.
While 86 of these homes are over $1 million (which … (65 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: Snow Going, But Still Selling - 02/12/10 11:17 AM
Incredible record-breaking amounts of snow that we've received in the past week have caused municipality snow removal budgets to be squeezed, road conditions to remain impassable in certain locations, large tree branches to come tumbling down, and federal government employees (and just about everyone else in the D.C. area) to remain holed up inside.
All of this has indeed affected the real estate market in Northern Virginia.
Many settlement companies have been closed for much of the week, so even those sales scheduled to go to settlement this week have been delayed. REALTORS (except perhaps those with Hummers) … (8 comments)
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northern virginia real estate blog: January 2010's Most Expensive Home Sales in Northern Virginia - 02/09/10 01:27 PM
Are you wondering about Northern Virginia real estate and pondering what has sold recently?
Here's some information about the most expensive home sales in Northern Virginia (Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church City) for January 2010. All information was obtained through MRIS.
Overall, there were 48 Northern Virginia home sales topping $1 million during the first month of 2010.
Currently, there are 633 homes on the market in Northern Virginia with list prices topping $1 million just up from the 627 that were on the market in December.
JANUARY 2010'S MOST EXPENSIVE SALES
Single Family Detached Homes:
1030 Aziza … (4 comments)
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Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
McLean,
VA
More about me…
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President
Address: 6226 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA, 22101
Office Phone: (703) 626-0715
Cell Phone: (703) 626-0715
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