Ar_home_b_search
 



purchase: Are All Clients Created Equal? - 05/29/12 04:29 AM
Do you treat all your clients equally? I am not talking about discriminating along the legal and 'politically incorrect' lines, here, but rather along price-point lines. No one would expect that you spend as much marketing a 1 Bedroom condo as you would a 6 Bedroom Single family, but does your approach reflect an equivalent consideration for each seller's goals? I have noticed in a number of lower priced homes, agents do not even print out listings to leave at the house. Personally, I do a brochure--no matter how low the price. There certainly isn't as much to showcase in a 2 bedroom condo, so … (58 comments)

purchase: Perception is Reality in Real Estate - 03/21/12 04:25 AM
Buying or Selling a home can be very stressful. Hiring a Realtor can help, but cannot entirely prevent, missteps along the way.
As a party to the transaction, you will be called upon to respond at different points in the transaction. How you react--and even when--can affect how the other side views your offer.  Does this matter? It can.  I recently worked with a move-up buyer. They found the house of their dreams and submitted an offer. The sellers countered. The buyers, understandably nervous, took some time to think about the counter and how they wanted to respond. The sellers interpreted … (5 comments)

purchase: You Aren't Saving Your Buyer's Agent Anything By Calling the Listing Agent Directly - 02/19/12 07:33 AM
Buyers...read this and understand that we want you to bug us!  Don't feel like you need to wait until a Sunday open to see a house that you really think you might want.  The more time we spend with you, the more we understand EXACTLY what you are trying to find in a home. Let us do our jobs...we want to do them.
Thanks, Chris Ann for getting this exactly right!
Via Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA (Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA):
You Aren't Saving Your Buyer's Agent Anything By Calling the Listing Agent Directly
I've worked with many … (6 comments)

purchase: Why does a short sale take so long? - 02/18/12 08:21 AM
Why does a short sale take so long? Dear Holly, I am under contract to buy a short sale. My agent said that now we start waiting. Is that true? Is there nothing else we can do? What are we waiting for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Confused by the Short Sale Dear Confused by the Short Sale, Buying a Short Sale property can be a frustrating proposition. At the end of the process, hopefully you will end up purchasing a property for a very good value. Be warned, however, that your agent was right. Now is the time … (3 comments)

purchase: Understanding Northern Virginia Buyers - 02/10/12 07:47 AM
My real estate practice includes working both with Buyers and with Sellers. I try to work equally with each type of client. I believe that understanding how each group is thinking helps me to better represent the other group. I have been talking to listing clients lately and found myself repeating what I am seeing my buyers looking for in a new home.  Just as all all real estate is local (which usually relates to price), so are the preferences shown by buyers. Northern Virginia buyers are, as a whole, extremely well educated and informed about local real estate.  Both their expectations and their standards are high--at … (3 comments)

purchase: When It Comes To Buying a House, Unique is Not Always Better - 02/06/12 08:43 AM
As I show buyers homes, I am constantly pointing out features that will, and will not, make it easier to sell in the future. I think it is critically important to consider resale, even as you are selecting the home you want to buy.   If you are considering a condominium, for example, it is best to buy the model that has the features most in common with the other units in the development. You might be attracted to a 3 bedroom, 1 bath model, but remember, when you go to sell, that might not be the most popular model available if most … (6 comments)

purchase: No, Really, It Is Perfect! - 01/12/12 10:19 AM
Compromise has become a dirty word. No longer are we willing to give up something in order to gain something else. In purchasing a home, however, you better get back in that mode, or you will not be moving anytime soon! At heart, most of us are idealists. We truly believe that perfect house is out there. It probably is, but whoever is living in it might not be marketing it while you search for a new place to live. As you begin your home search, it is important that you create a list of 'must haves' and 'like to haves.' You may find that … (5 comments)

purchase: What Qualities Make For a Good Realtor? - 01/11/12 07:11 AM
What Qualities Make For a Good Realtor?
It is that time of year. Folks are deciding that this year might be the time to jump into the real estate market, either as a buyer or a seller. You have probably read that you should interview several Realtors, and that is good advice. What kind of things should you be looking for in your Realtor?  Here is a list of things you should consider as you try to decide who to hire to represent you in your transaction. Persistent: It is not always easy to find what your client seeks. It can take months--even years--depending on their requirements. … (6 comments)

purchase: Should I buy my house without a Realtor? - 01/05/12 09:37 AM
Dear Holly,
I am thinking of buying a house. My cousin said that I should really consider working with a Realtor, but I am kind of hands-on-do-it-yourself type and I think I can find a house myself. I don't even understand how Realtors get paid or who they work for in a transaction. Can you shed some light on this and offer some advice? Many thanks, Contemplating a Purchase in Northern Virginia Dear Contemplating a Purchase in Northern Virginia, True to your nature, you have asked an excellent question, one  which will ensure that you have all the information that you … (88 comments)

purchase: What is for Sale FALL 2011 in Reston, Virginia? - 11/03/11 04:59 PM
Reston, Virginia is a planned community in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. (Northern Virginia). Once a sleepy bedroom community, Reston has become a destination for buyers that want steady property values, great amenities, shopping, restaurants, things to do and a beautiful community in which to do and enjoy all of these things. If you are considering a home purchase in Northern Virginia, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the homes for sale in Reston. Here are some links to show you properties that are currently being marketed in Reston, Virginia . Hunters Woods:Condominiums 20191 For Sale in Reston Townhouse 20191 For Sale in RestonSingle … (0 comments)

purchase: How Do I Decide How Much House To Buy? - 06/10/11 08:37 AM
How Do I Decide How Much House To Buy? Dear Holly, I have been working really hard and think I am ready to buy my first home. I am getting conflicting advice; some folks are recommending I buy the cheapest thing I can afford in the area where I want to live, others are suggesting I stretch a little and get an extra bedroom and bath. Do you think I should go cheap or go for broke? Thanks, Confused about my purchase Dear Confused about my purchase, As I am sure you can attest, there is no shortage of advice out … (4 comments)

purchase: 10 Ways that Buyers Can Help Themselves - 02/27/11 05:30 PM
My recent post  10 Less Obvious Things to Consider When Buying a House  was so well received (thanks to all that read it and commented!) that I thought it would be a great to do a companion piece about additional things that buyers can do to facilitate the purchase process.
It is widely accepted that we are in a buyer's market. Being in a Buyer's market does not mean, however, that sellers roll over and play dead. A fair offer with fair terms is likely to be considered and accepted, but too many buyers are living in a world where they … (1 comments)

purchase: 10 Less Obvious Things to Consider When Buying a House - 02/22/11 09:06 AM
There are a lot more than 10 things that you need to consider when buying a house, but we all need to start somewhere. The idea behind this list is to get you thinking not just about the activity of buying a house, but about how you will live in your new home!

Where do you work? It might be obvious to you, but I find that not everyone really thinks about how their lifestyle could change by either living close to, or far away from, home.  If you work in the city, but are recharged by the country, is … (67 comments)

purchase: Answering your First Time Home Buyer Questions - 01/18/11 09:35 AM

Answering your First Time Home Buyer Questions
Right after the new year, I saw an ActiveRain contest ActiveRain Challenge: Never Answer the Same Question Twice (5000 points). 
I love a good contest, so I started a series of 'Ask Holly' questions from First Time Buyers. These questions were not actual questions, but rather paraphrased questions that I have received over the years. The response was great (and I even earned a Feature!), so I thought I would post those that I have done so far in a single post.  I am planning to continue this format and welcome the submission of questions that I … (2 comments)

purchase: Why would we hire a Realtor and spend that extra money? - 01/13/11 07:13 AM

Dear Holly,
I am getting ready to buy my first house. I am a sales rep for a software company and have been very involved in contracts. My fiancee is a lawyer, with a specialty in corporate law.
We are considering representing ourselves in the purchase of our first house. My parents are horrified and have told us that we are being 'penny wise and pound foolish.'
Why would we hire a Realtor and spend that extra money?
First Time Buyer
Congratulations on your decision to buy your first home. It sounds like you and your fiancee are well on … (7 comments)

purchase: Why Should I Sign a Buyer Representation Agreement? - 01/10/11 02:38 PM

Dear Holly,
I have been speaking with a Realtor who has been providing me with information about properties in my price range. We have plans to start looking at homes next weekend. All of the sudden, he is asking me to sign a contract that says he is my Buyer Agent! I don't like to sign unnecessary contracts and I am not sure I want to sign this one. Is he being unreasonable or should I consider signing this so that he will take me out looking at houses?
Thanks for your opinion,
First Time Buyer
If you are ready to begin … (4 comments)

purchase: Educating the Savvy Seller - 08/27/10 11:19 AM
Most of my clients have bought and sold several homes. They have obviously done this successfully as it has brought them to the point where they have yet another home to sell.They often tell me that they are very comfortable preparing their homes for sale and that they have always done very well selling their homes. I let them know that I am glad to hear this. It  will make the process easier for everyone as we identify those things that will need to be done. Because there WILL be things that need to be done.Decorating your house and being on … (2 comments)

purchase: Buy Now, Save In the Long Run! - 08/26/10 04:13 PM
If you have been on the fence about buying a home, you really should consider getting into the market.
Home prices are competitive, sellers are often motivated, interest rates are unbelievable and you may find that with school starting soon, there aren't as many buyers to compete with.
'All real estate is local,' has been touted a lot lately because it is true. Before you believe the gloom and doom of the National media, you need to do yourself a favor and talk to a local Realtor.  Select someone whose expertise you trust and ask them for a read on your … (5 comments)

purchase: What To Expect after Ratifying a Virginia Contract - 08/12/10 12:08 PM
I expect that most Virginia Realtors explain the process of buying a home to their clients before they begin to look at property. The excitement of 'househunting' often keeps many buyers from really focusing on the steps that come after the contract is signed. I thought it might be worth a quick review of what happens after you have a ratified contract. Keep in mind that, while most contracts follow a prescribed process, each contract is unique and can have different contingencies.So both parties have signed the contract and all negotiations--to this point--have been resolved. What happens next?



… (4 comments)

purchase: Buyers: What Your Realtor Needs From You - 07/26/10 08:53 AM
As Buyer Agents, we commit to representing you in finding and purchasing your new home.  It is a huge commitment.  It often seems that Buyer Clients do not understand their part in this contract.  This is not a post intended to 'bash' buyers, but rather let them know what our expectations for them are during the transaction.1.    Please return our calls.  If we call you about a property that meets your requirements, please call back.  At least in my market, a well-priced home that meets all of your requirements (and probably the requirements of many other buyers) is not always easy to … (18 comments)

 


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find VA real estate agents and Reston real estate on ActiveRain.