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northern virginia homes: New Construction Sales Are Up - 05/24/12 10:08 AM
Sales of newly constructed single-family homes are up as of April 2012 (the latest figures available). Since new construction has slowed down, that means that inventory for newly constructed single-family Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes has decreased. While current inventory is at a 5.1 month supply, this is slightly down from March 2012's 5.2 month supply and sharply less than the 12.1 month high experienced in January 2009. Since most experts say that a six months supply indicates a balance between supply and demand, this makes single-family homes a little more in demand.
For owners of an existing Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, this means that there may be … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: The Honey-Do List Before You List - 05/17/12 12:22 PM
Everyone has encountered the "honey-do" list at one time or another in their lives. This is the list of tasks that your "honey" gives you to complete. They can range anywhere from cleaning out the gutters of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home to picking up a gallon of milk from the store on the way home. When you are selling your home, there is a "honey-do" list of tasks you need to take care of BEFORE you list your home.
Get Your Paperwork in Order - The more information you have about past repairs, warranties on appliances and updates you've done to your Northern … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Pros and Cons of Adding a Pool - 05/10/12 11:19 AM
Warmer weather makes the idea of cooling off in your very own pool rather enticing. Yes, a swimming pool adds some value to your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home as well as enhance your lifestyle. But is the cost to construct and maintain a home pool worth it? You should weigh the pros and cons of adding a pool before you begin.
PROS
Great for no impact workouts Wonderful place to hang out with the family and friends Adds value to your home CONS
Can be a drowning hazard for children if not properly contained Mosquitoes love a moist playground to breed Costs … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Is That Fixer-Upper Worth It? - 04/26/12 10:35 AM
Buying a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is a huge financial decision for anyone to make. Home prices have become incredibly affordable. When partnered with low interest rates and the inventory available, your options as a home buyer are tremendous. While a move-in ready home is fantastic, some buyers are looking at buying low and then fixing it up themselves to get the best deal possible. However, how do you know if that fixer-upper is worth it?
There are several things you have to consider before purchasing a Northern Virginia/South Carolina fixer-upper. Everywhere you turn, it seems another TV show is touting how easy it … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: What to Do to Prepare for an Open House - 04/19/12 12:12 PM
You've decided to sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. You've hired your REALTOR®, you've decided on a price and it is now listed on the market. You and your REALTOR® decided on a date for an open house so potential buyers can see it live and in person. What do you need to do to prepare for an open house?
As soon as you know your open house date, you need to get your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home ready. De-cluttering is a major step to make rooms look bigger. The minimalist approach is good. You need to create a space that is inviting to … (2 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Preparing a Home Emergency Kit - 04/05/12 01:23 PM
Boy Scouts aren't the only ones who should "be prepared". The tornadoes that recently ripped through the Dallas-Fort Worth area got me thinking about the possible disasters we can face at any time here in Northern Virginia/South Carolina. While we don't exactly live in tornado alley, there are plenty of other emergencies we may face while we think we are safely tucked away in our homes. Preparing a home emergency kit before a disaster strikes is always a smart idea.
Your emergency kit needs to be portable. In the stress of reacting to a fire or flood, for example, you need to be … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Guideline for Home Office Deductions - 03/29/12 11:13 AM
The ever-changing landscape of the American job market is such that many people in the workforce have now begun working, partially and full-time, from their Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes. Just like brick-and-mortar shops, home-based businesses also are allowed certain deductions come tax time. Whether you have a room dedicated solely to your business or simply use a desk in a corner of the kitchen to get your work done, work 40 hours a week or are a weekend warrior, as long as you operate a legitimate business, you may be eligible for deductions on your income taxes. The following is a guideline for … (11 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Avoiding Common Seller Mistakes - 03/15/12 12:29 PM
Several years ago, homes seemed to sell themselves. Sometimes, a property could be listed and sold in the same day. However, that's not the way it is in today's real estate market. Selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home can be stressful under the best of situations. But it doesn't have to be. Especially if you avoid some of these common seller mistakes.
Not Cleaning Up - Think of selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home as a job interview. Buyers are your potential boss. You would never think of interviewing for a white collar position in a pair of ripped blue jeans, a stained … (2 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Revive a Room in a Weekend - 02/16/12 03:57 PM
Does one of the rooms in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home still seem dark even after you've turned the lights on? It could be that the paint on your walls has faded and simply needs a "pick-me-up". Not everyone has it in their budgets to hire a professional to get the job done, though. Don't worry. You can revive a room in a weekend all by yourself with these handy tips:
Clearing and Cleaning - Take down all your photos, remove knick-knacks from shelves and move all furniture away from the walls. Caulk any holes or cracks you see. A smooth surface will make for a smooth … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Identifying a Credit Repair Scam - 02/02/12 03:06 PM
Your credit score is a major factor when purchasing a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. In fact, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae won't even consider any applicant with a credit score below 620. Most people don't have excellent credit. That's why there is such a proliferation of credit repair companies out there. You've probably heard their spiel promising that they can get you top rate credit for a fee. Not all of these are reputable companies, though. You need to know how to identify a credit repair scam.
If the following promises or requirements are made by a credit repair agency, consider these red … (2 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Play Good Comp/Bad Comp When Pricing a Home - 01/26/12 01:41 PM
There are many factors to consider when selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. What is the best way to stage my home to make the most impact? What angle shows off this room best in photos? How will my home be marketed? Who do I hire as my real estate agent? These are but a few of the questions you may be asking yourself. When pricing your home to sell, though, it's time to play "good comp/bad comp".
You only get one chance to make a first impression. This includes your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home's sales price. Set it too low and you … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: The Three R's of Green Living - 01/12/12 03:38 PM
There has been a lot of talk about "going green" over the last few years. With the population continuing to expand and valuable resources being used up, we need to take responsibility for how we treat our planet in order for our children and grandchildren to have something worthwhile in the future. You don't have to make major changes in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina lifestyle to make a major difference. Just remember the three R's of green living: reduce, recycle, reuse.
Reduce - It used to be difficult to find products that were packaged in biodegradable materials. However, many manufacturers are also … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Buying a Foreclosure - 01/05/12 03:57 PM
Are you considering purchasing a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home? Have you thought about buying a foreclosure property? Many people have. There are several foreclosures on the market right now (although the numbers appear to be dwindling). There's no guarantee that buying a foreclosure in Northern Virginia/South Carolina means you'll get a better bargain than going the traditional route, though. Here's a basic rundown on buying foreclosed properties.
The most common way to buy a Northern Virginia/South Carolina foreclosure is at auction. This can also be the riskiest. Typically, bidders aren't allowed inside the property before the auction begins. That leaves out the possibility of inspecting … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Taking Care of Your Christmas Tree - 12/15/11 02:13 PM
Many families in Northern Virginia/South Carolina will be celebrating this holiday season by setting up a Christmas tree. While it's fun to decorate and enjoy, these trees can also be a serious fire hazard when not properly cared for. Since fire departments report an increase in home fires during the holiday season due to Christmas trees, taking care of your Christmas tree is important. Here are a few tips on keeping your family safe while enjoying your Christmas tree.
The first step is choosing the right tree. Fire department officials recommend that you don't keep a cut Christmas tree in your Northern … (2 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Selling Your Home During the Holidays - 12/01/11 03:51 PM
You're already busy with work, kids and errands. At this time of year, add shopping, decorating and entertaining to that list and you get even busier. Now, you need to sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home on top of it. Feel overwhelmed yet? Some sellers think they should wait until after the hustle and bustle of the season winds down. However, that could be a big mistake. Here are some of the reasons why selling your home during the holidays can actually be a good idea.
While the amount of traffic to view your Northern Virginia/South Carolina appears to be less, the potential buyers looking … (2 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Winter Yard Care Tips - 11/03/11 02:01 PM
Just because Old Man Winter is knocking on the door, you don't have to neglect your yard. In fact, taking care of necessary repairs and maintenance now will mean that your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is in perfect condition when the spring blossoms. Here are a few winter yard care tips for you:
Make Repairs - While it may soon be too chilly to actually use your Northern Virginia/South Carolina deck, that doesn't mean you should neglect its care until the spring thaw. The cold winter weather can do serious damage to woodwork that is already seeing its share of wear and … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: What to Expect When Leasing With Option to Buy - 10/27/11 01:34 PM
When the real estate market is slow, buyers and sellers can both get creative. One way to adjust to a tougher real estate market is to lease a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home with the option of buying it. This way, the lessee/buyer has more of an investment in the property while the lessor/seller's costs are covered so they can move on to another property. What can you expect when leasing with the option to buy?
First, let me explain what exactly a "lease-option" is. This happens when the tenant of a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home enters into a legal, binding agreement with the … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: REOs in Northern Virginia/South Carolina - 10/20/11 03:55 PM
One of the unfortunate by-products of a down economy is the rise in foreclosures. With the rise in Virginia/South Carolina foreclosures, there is also a rise in REOs in Northern Virginia/South Carolina (real estate owned properties). While a foreclosure may sound similar to an REO, they are actually two different animals. It is important to know the difference.
FORECLOSURESIn a foreclosure, the homeowner has defaulted on their Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, which is then taken back by the bank, forcing the homeowner to forfeit all claims to it. The bank then turns around and puts it up for auction. At a foreclosure auction, … (0 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Be Prepared When Refinancing - 09/15/11 01:59 PM
The increase in homeowners wishing to refinance their Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes to take advantage of continued low interest rates has created a backlog for lenders. If you don't have all your documentation together, it could mean costly delays in refinancing. You don't want to lose out on the historically low interest rates we're experiencing right now. So, be prepared when refinancing your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home mortgage by following these tips:
Documentation - When you decide that you want to refinance your home, begin gathering all the documents you will need to present to your lender, including the two most recent paycheck stubs, … (1 comments)
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northern virginia homes: Preparing Your Home for Winter - 09/08/11 03:12 PM
You're probably asking yourself: "Are you crazy, Gene? Why would I be thinking about preparing my Northern Virginia/South Carolina home for winter when it's still nice and sunny summer weather?" Truth is, summer is just about over. Fall will soon be upon us and the cold winter months are not too far behind. Preparing your home for winter now means you'll be ready before there is a possible problem.
Gutter Check - Inspect your rain gutters for debris (leaves, trash, etc). A clean gutter will allow water to run off easily. Standing water on a roof can cause serious damage that would … (1 comments)
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Gene Mock,GRI CRS ABR CIPS TRC SFR SRES CLHMS
Leesburg,
VA
More about me…
Associate Broker ~ Keller Williams Realty
Address: 50 Catoctin Circle, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA, 20176
Office Phone: (703) 669-0099 x 515
Cell Phone: (703) 342-8100
Email Me
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