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real estate: 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)

real estate: Death of a Short Sale - 05/10/12 04:31 AM
RIP, Short Sale from Hell. It was inevitable that this Short Sale would die a long and painful death. The indicators have been there all along; multiple banks, a second that has been sold multiple times, deadlines that came and went, a real estate market that has continued to improve since last fall. And finally, today, the public announcement of the Trustee Sale on the steps of the courthouse. Could we have done anything differently? The very, very frustrating thing is that, no, we could not have done anything differently. We provided a solid contract with few contingencies. My client was … (4 comments)

real estate: What the Seller Should Expect From a Home Inspection - 04/18/12 08:21 AM
This week I spent some time educating one of my clients about the way that   home inspections are handled in Northern Virginia. They are handled differently than her past experience in other states, so I thought it might be worth explaining what a seller should expect, so that others know when they go to sell their Northern Virginia home.
Most Northern Virginia contracts include a Home Inspection Contingency. This contingency allows the buyer to hire an inspector to provide them with an objective, 3rd person opinion of the condition of the home. It is customary for the inspection to take place without … (5 comments)

real estate: Real Estate Recovery Or Not? 2012 Predictions by the Pro's Infographic - 03/28/12 05:06 AM
Most consumers are carefully following the real estate recovery. Many of us believe that 'as goes real estate, so goes the economy.'
Last year, NAR came out and restated homes sales over the past 5 years. That caused many consumers, and Realtors, to be very wary of the information that they report.
ActiveRain, a website, used extensively by Real Estate professionals, has assembled some of its own information, garnerd from professionals who are out on the streets every day working in the industry.
I thought it worth sharing with information hungry consumers. I would love to hear your take on these … (2 comments)

real estate: How Low is Too Low? - 03/26/12 05:53 AM
Dear Holly, I am getting ready to buy my first home and I am getting advice from all directions. Most people are telling me to 'go in low' on whatever offer that I make.  The last thing I want to do is offend the seller by coming in too low. How low is too low when putting in an offer to buy a new home? Sincerely, Curious about the Market Dear Curious about the Market, This is an exciting time for you. You will find that this 'helpful' advice will continue up until the day you get the keys to your new … (6 comments)

real estate: Buy Low, Sell High and Don't Be Greedy!!! - 03/12/12 04:44 AM
The Spring Real Estate market has begun in earnest here in Northern Virginia. Finally, properties are coming on the market and buyers, who have been on the sidelines, are able to negotiate for their new homes. Recent negotiations have reminded me that there is some advice that all sellers, and buyers, should remember, 'Buy low, sell high and don't be greedy.' Buy low...now, not all sellers were able to buy low. The real estate bubble caused a lot of folks to pay more for real estate than its current worth.  That is the state of real estate. Sellers need to decide … (2 comments)

real estate: Bogged Down By Inefficiencies? Make a Change! - 03/07/12 03:59 AM
If you have read any of my previous posts, you know that I came to real estate after a career in software. This expereince has served me well, in some cases, and caused me to make bad decisions in others. When it comes to setting things up for myself, I have a real 'can do' attitude. And while I usually CAN do it, it doesn't always make sense for me to do it. Shortly after the new year, I made a big mistake. I was cancelling several products to which I subscribed and I accidentally cancelled my website.  After a couple of minutes … (7 comments)

real estate: How Easy Is It To Get Out of a Contract? - 02/26/12 06:28 AM
You have been saving your money, watching your credit score, getting advice from friends and family and you think it might be time to buy your first home. Understandably, you are nervous. So much can go wrong; You might change your mind, you might select one house only to find one you like better, you might lose your job. Any one of these things make you wonder if you should actually buy a new house.  Are you wondering how easy is it to get out of a contract? Last year, I wrote a post about this; What if I Change My Mind Can I Get Out of … (51 comments)

real estate: I Really Don't Want To Waste Your Time... - 02/23/12 07:44 AM
It is time to start looking for that new house. You have a Realtor picked out, but they are really good at what they do and you don't want to waste their time while you try to figure out what you want. You think you will use someone less experienced to help you look around. Chris Ann Cleland wrote a blog about this last week, You Aren't Saving Your Buyer's Agent Anything By Calling the Listing Agent Directly . I re-blogged it because I think there is a big misconception about how our industry works, but a conversation I had with another Realtor … (9 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Are You Ready for Commitment? - 02/14/12 07:01 AM
I hope that you are, I am just not entirely sure. It just seems  that you still have some things to work through.  I know you like to travel and that you love trips that are both long and expensive. That kind of travel might not be as easy for you to do. In fact, it might become very difficult.  I know that you like to go out regularly with your friends. That is also an expensive and time consuming habit and I worry that you won't  always have time for me.  Are you willing to sometimes put my needs above yours? Are you willing to deal … (7 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Baby Steps Toward Selling Your House - 01/13/12 07:43 AM
There is undoubtedly a lot of work to do before you put your house on the market.  Not surprisingly, it is the little things that can help convince a buyer that your house is the 'one.'  You can't change the architecture or the location, but you can control how your house is presented. Rather than waiting until 2 weeks before you list and then pulling all nighters to get ready, why don't you tackle some of the smaller jobs right now? If you do one thing each day, you might be surprised how quickly you get through the list.  Here is a … (5 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 10 Things Sellers Should Replace Before Listing Their Northern Virginia Home - 01/06/12 07:17 AM
10 Things Sellers Should Replace Before Listing Their Northern Virginia Home
Most Northern Virginia sellers spend a lot of time preparing their homes for market.  Cleaning closets, organizing the pantry, getting rid of old toys/books/stuff...the list goes on and on. Many even paint, recarpet or tackle minor remodeling projects. There are a couple of simple things, however, that sellers often overlook.  Because all real estate IS local, I can only comment that these items are off-putting for buyers in the Northern Virginia market--buyers in other parts of the country may not react to them in quite the same way. Hollywood lights: Those bar lights above the bathroom … (7 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Moving out of Town? The Benefit of Asking Me for a Referral - 01/03/12 05:50 PM
Have you considered a real estate purchase out of town? Are you just going to find a Realtor on-line or in the phone book or paper?  
As a veteran agent, I have a lot of resources all over the country.  Let me find you a Realtor who fits your style, and your needs, and who you can trust will be able to help you amke that purchase.
I have done it for other clients, and I would like to do it for you. I can help you with more than just your Northern Virginia purchase.
Give me a call and … (1 comments)

real estate: That's a Pretty Crappy Looking Sign! - 12/13/11 07:32 PM
A couple of super windy days have broken the tether holding up the name rider. It is dangling by a single connection.  Another couple of windy days and the name rider smashes through the  'By Appointment Only,' rider.  Now it looks really bad. The seller probably doesn't have the right tool to fix it, and they certainly don't have a new rider. So there the sign stands, very damaged. I drove by a sign like this today. This is a property that has been on the market for a while. Guess what? It is going to be on the market for … (3 comments)

 


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