When To Maintain A Financial Holding Pattern In Real Estate - 04/30/11 03:52 PM
I received a phone call the other day from a Real Estate Agent friend of mine. He said, "David I just heard from the Loan Officer of one of my clients I'm working with". My Agent Friend continued on to state that his "Client (who was barely approved because of past Credit Issues) went out and spent a huge chunk of money on Credit! As a result, his Credit Score that was borderline, plummeted and is now below the acceptable level for a Mortgage". In other words, the deal his client thought he had was dead! This was all because of … (3 comments)

How To Fix Your Credit - 04/29/11 04:19 PM
My regular readers have often noted that I spend a considerable amount of time writing about Credit, Credit Reports and how important they all are in securing a Mortgage. Quite truthfully, you should be watching your Credit Report at least once a month. Additionally, remember, there are three companies that you need to be paying attention to when inquiring about and watching your Credit. Failure to do this can cost you in a huge financial way.Trans Union, 800-888-4213 Equifax, 800-685-1111Experian, 800-682-7654Here is an interesting article and the link, on the subject of: Two Steps to Fixing Credit After Fraud: Report and … (1 comments)

A New FICO Tool Real Estate Agents Should Know About - 04/27/11 01:03 PM
I'm know that many of us watch our FICO Scores like a hawk. On any given day, many of us Real Estate Agents know precisely where our FICO Score stands. More important, we understand how significant it is for our clients who are endeavoring to secure a Mortgage, to know their score, even before applying for a loan.Inman news is reporting that their is a new "Tool, so effective, according to FICO, that it can "capture nearly 67 percent of strategic defaulters" who are otherwise unremarkable and undetectable, paying their mortgages on time". I urge everyone involved in Active Rain to … (7 comments)

Important Reasons Why Sellers Need A Home Inspection - 04/27/11 11:52 AM
I have blogged several times on reasons why Sellers need a Pre-Sale Home Inspection. I guess it could be said, "I am a STRONG PROPONENT of doing so.I just came across an article worth posting on this blog. It says the same thing that I've firmly believed in and in fact, gives us THREE STRONG REASONS. I hope you will take the time to read, "Three Reasons Sellers Should Hire Own Inspector". Finally, always remember that knowledge can be power when endeavoring to buy or sell Real Estate. If I can help you in this process, please Write or Phone me.
… (0 comments)

Plan For A Home Inspection - 04/26/11 07:50 PM
I’ve had purchasers down through the years indicate they will NOT be getting a Home Inspection when buying their house. Many indicate they can look things over themselves and as a result save a few hundred dollars in what it would cost by hiring an Inspector.
What has my response been? To give a list of concerns buyers will need to personally address to know the house is “Move in” ready. Often, after they look at this list the decision is made to spend some money and hire a Home Inspector. 
Here is the list I have shared with my buyers:Exterior … (1 comments)

Enjoy A Happy Easter - 04/24/11 06:53 AM
I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a Happy Easter! I hope you will enjoy the day with your family and friends, taking a brief break from the usual and sometimes stressful activities of the week. In fact, writing this brief blog post will be the extent of my Real Estate activities today because I want to spend time attending Church, having breakfast after Church with my wife and then enjoying a restful drive into the country, taking some pictures with my Nikon. If my Long Coat Chihuahua behaves himself, we might even take him along with us.Finally, remember … (3 comments)

Quotations Worth Remembering - 04/22/11 07:42 AM
I started to become interested in collecting and memorizing quotations way back into the 5th grade, which was a long time ago, but I won't say how long. Anyhow, here are three of my favorites that I've collected down through the years.1) The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.  - John Maxwell2) Always remember others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself. - Richard Nixon3) Life is 10% of what happens to … (4 comments)

Insuring Your Condo - 04/20/11 02:58 PM
Let me state at the very beginning of today's writing that this is being penned for Condo Owners. Why?I am certain many of my readers would say they prefer Condo Living above all other forms of Home Ownership. For others, there are many, many, many, who don't even want to consider it. As for me, I love Condo living! In fact, my preference has always been, Top Floor, End Unit. When I was Treasurer of a Condo Association I used to live in, I was absolutely amazed at the amount of Condo Owners who would attend Board Meetings that didn’t understand … (1 comments)

A Free Place To Check Your Credit Score - 04/18/11 12:29 PM
One of the issues I often discuss on this blog is in reference to getting your Pre-Approval for your next Mortgage. In fact, without a potential clients Pre-Approval, I simply do not show houses or properties of any kind. Once Pre-Approved, we truly "Go for it!!!"I've noted recently, in talking with clients who have their Pre-Approval, that one reason some of them have dragged their feet in this process, is they fear rejection when asking for a loan. I understand this because I am much the same way. Who wants to experience rejection? This is why I am always checking my … (6 comments)

This Should Get The Attention Of Every Real Estate Professional - 04/15/11 12:03 PM
When I was Managing a Real Estate Office in Northern Michigan, we had regular meetings for Realtors® and Staff. At least twice a year we would have a discussion about Realtor® Safety. This is a time when we would bring in Law Enforcement officials, have group discussions and promote how we would endeavor to stay safe when working both inside and outside of the office.Why am I bringing this up now? I just read this recent event that should grab the attention of all of us in the Real Estate profession. The article: Agents urged to review safety in wake of … (9 comments)

Perhaps The Time Is Now To Make Your Next Home Purchase. - 04/14/11 06:42 PM
I've been watching the Northern Virginia Homes For Sale market with great interest this year. In fact, I've noted, according to Radio Station WTOP, that pending sales are at there highest level since 2006 in the Washington Metro area. This often means Multiple Offers, Escalation Addendums, and finally a Higher Sold Price than would have otherwise been anticipated.Keeping the above paragraph in mind, there are still "Good Deals" out there. Interest rates are still at historic lows (although slightly higher over the past three weeks) and this might be the time to make your move - that is if you are … (0 comments)

Try Avoiding These Retirement Slip Ups - 04/12/11 02:08 PM
Somewhere around the age of our 50s and early 60s, we have to really begin to remain focused on retirement and making Real Estate errors. Why? We simply do not have enough working years left to recover from our mistakes and loses. If you are in the position of planning to work a few more years and then retire or at least slow down a bit, (like me) then this is an article you really cannot afford to pass by. I posted this a few months ago and I feel I need to put it up again for everyone to read. … (3 comments)

Potential Mess Ups For Home Buyers - Part 2 - 04/11/11 02:23 PM
I referred in my previous post to a question I was recently asked through an email. The question: "What is the number 1 thing you've experienced that most often goes wrong in a Real Estate Transaction, after you have a contract?" My response was: A Buying Client goes out and makes a rather large purchase on Credit before the closing! There is a second potential mess up that often occurs though: Not paying attention to contingencies! Contingencies most often are dated! In other words, they begin on the day the contract is ratified and then they have an ending date. A … (3 comments)

Potential Mess Ups For Home Buyers - Part 1 - 04/11/11 02:11 PM
Someone wrote me the other day and asked a very straight forward yet simple question: "What is the number 1 thing you've experienced that most often goes wrong in a Real Estate Transaction, after you have a contract?" While other Real Estate agents might come up with a different response, mine is a "NO Brainer". Here it is. . . The client has had their preliminary approval for a Mortgage, their credit is run again for one last time, just before closing and a problem comes to the surface. The problem? They have gone out and made some kind of a … (1 comments)

Prioritizing Is A Must When Shopping For Your Next Home - 04/08/11 09:50 AM
Prioritizing is truly a MUST when shopping for a house. As many of my readers know, I am a firm believer in getting pre-approved before you or anyone begins their home search. The fact is, without pre-approval, we really don't know your price range to search in. Additionally, you won't be able to make an offer as a prepared and ready to deal purchaser. Most important, you will always have a measure of doubt as to whether or not you can even get approved. The truth is, NOT Knowing is NOT Better! You need your pre-approval! Let me say it again, … (4 comments)

Some Tools To Keep You Busy For A While - 04/06/11 02:08 PM
I keep some interesting tools on my Real Estate Website. You will find Foreclosure Listings, MLS Listings, information about Short Sales, Community Information, Real Estate Terms and their definitions and of course one of my many Blogs. Here is a link that you might find useful if you are just getting ready to begin your search for a home. All total, you will find 10 Calculators that do a variety of things in reference to Mortgage Shopping and Finance.For Example: Additional payment calculator How much do you save by paying more or making additional payments than your initial mortgage terms? Monthly … (2 comments)

Step #1 In Purchasing Your Next House - 04/06/11 07:39 AM
First time homebuyers have often asked this important question: “What kinds of things should we know and be doing before going on the journey of shopping for our next home?”  It is important to note the question is about what happens before going house hunting. It isn't about something that begins in the middle of the process. It is at the beginning of beginnings!Here are some thoughts to consider about the PRELIMINARY PREPARATION you must make before your Home Search begins.1. Consider “How much house can I afford?” Think about it: It makes no sense to begin looking for a house, … (0 comments)

I Always Do This With My Clients Just Before Closing - 04/05/11 02:24 PM
I sat down with some First Time Home Buyer's the other day in an effort to explain the Home Buying process. When I arrived at the concluding thought (just before talking about the Closing Table experience) that dealt with "The Final Walk Through Inspection", my new clients interrupted for a moment and stated, "This is confusing! We thought we've already had the Home Inspection". Of course, I proceeded on to explain that at this point in the contract, they have! On the other hand, the Northern Virginia Contract indicates very clearly that the property is to be handed to the new … (1 comments)

What Are Homebuyers Really Looking For In 2011? - 04/03/11 12:34 PM
I often hear statements like this as a Buyer's Agent: "The house I am looking for must have a fireplace." Another purchaser might state: "My house must have a large yard". Still others will say: "I'm looking for more of a country setting but easy access into the city". This list is of course unending!Here is one thing that is absolutely true of how I work and many other Real Estate agents, too. As a Real Estate Professional, I am truly here to help you, my clients, find the house of your dreams.Having stated the above, I ran across an interesting … (1 comments)

Red Flags Really Shouldn't Be Ignored - 04/02/11 08:08 AM
As a Realtor that has been around for a while now, I often see Red Flags as I tour various properties with Clients. I've learned that either you can pay attention to those things that are seemingly jumping out at you, or the purchaser can get burned on the other end of the deal. It is just that simple! Specifically, red flags can be a home that has been closed up for months, winterized for a couple of years and trust me the list continues on.Here is a three minute Video on the subject: Real Estate Red FlagsWhen I first viewed … (0 comments)

Some Ways That You Can Easily Stage Your Home - 04/01/11 03:08 PM
The ideal when preparing to put your house up for sale is to hire a Home Stager. I suggest this all of the time to sellers and even as a Buyer's agent, when offering my thoughts to the Listing Agent about a particular house we just toured, I often suggest, "Your seller could use a Home Stager". But what if the Seller is not in a position to employ these kinds of services? There are alternative steps (although I still prefer a Home Stager) a Home Owner can take. Specifically, there are 5 dirt-cheap ways to Stage Your Home.I would suggest … (4 comments)

Is Private Mortage Insurance Deductable? - 04/01/11 01:40 PM
I am not a Tax Expert. In fact, this blog is not meant to give Tax Advice in any way, shape or form. Having said that, I know that many of my readers are still working on their 2010 Taxes. The question that arises is: Can I Still Deduct Private Mortgage Insurance? Good question!Remember though, I said, I will NOT advise you so I will refer you to a good site where you can read the details for yourself. Here is the link: Deducting Private Mortage Insurance
Hopefully, the above article will help guide you in the right direction.Finally remember … (0 comments)

Want To Be A Landlord? - 04/01/11 01:19 PM
I work with clients on a regular basis who want to purchase an investment property and then as a result, become a Landlord. In fact, over the past couple of years, I've had several who have successfully made this transition and are absolutely loving it.On the other side of the coin, I've had a few calls from what I would refer to as, frustrated New Landlords. I hear things like, I didn't know how to check someone's credit, I didn't understand the lease myself and here I was writing it for someone else. The list goes on and on. Trust me, … (0 comments)

 
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David Burrows

Fairfax, VA

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Classic Realty

Office Phone: (703) 859-5188

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This blog is written for Buyers and Sellers about the subject of Real Estate. The information is presented in a simple and informative format so that whenever readers have a Real Estate transaction, they will feel more adequately prepared.


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