If You Can't Sell Your House, You Could Lose More Money by Renting Your House - 07/29/11 07:50 PM
An excellent post about some of the pitfalls of renting instead of selling.  For many homeowners, renting can be a good option, but for others, the idea that they "will just rent it out until the market recovers" is not all it is thought to be. 
Via Judy Chapman (Koenig & Strey Real Living):
These days, when it’s tougher than ever to sell a house, homeowners are turning to renting as a way out.
Renting may be a good option when you can’t sell, but not everybody is cut out to be a landlord or landlady. And while renting may seem like an … (12 comments)

Just Because Your Neighbor... - 07/27/11 07:43 AM
I'm not sure how J. Philip got inside my head this morning, but he's saying my thoughts out loud. 
From Sellers who still love the house they "redecorated" 15 years ago to Buyers who think all sellers are desperate and will take any price for their home, there is a lot of misinformation out there among consumers. 
Real estate is local;  and in some areas, with the ALEXANDRIA VA real estate market being no different, zip codes are different.  What you heard on the national news last night doesn't necessarily apply to your city or your neighborhood this morning. 
If you … (5 comments)

Thinking Of Renting When You Come To Fort Belvoir Or NGA? Let Me Be Candid With You - 07/23/11 05:40 PM
This is absolutely true all over Northern Virginia.  And when you closer to the Beltway, the prices go up even more.
I had a call recently from a prospective renter who was returning to the ALEXANDRIA VA area after having been away for a few years.  She knew exactly what neighborhood she was interested in, but utterly shell shocked when I told her the current prices were almost a $1,000 a month more than they were when she left.  And she had not been gone that long!
The ALEXANDRIA VA RENTAL MARKET is not for the faint of heart.  It is … (4 comments)

The Toughest Part of a Northern Virginia Short Sale - 07/22/11 12:44 PM
Chris Ann hits this one on the head not only for her geographic area but also for Alexandria, as well.  Rental inventory is limited and prices have risen dramatically - to the point where I just groan sometimes when I get a call from a prospective renter because I don't like being the bearer of bad news.
In some neighborhoods, it's not about getting the house you want, it's about getting shelter in your desired neighborhood or school district.  There is barely enough time to even get to the properties before multiple applications are submitted - never mind having time to … (5 comments)

Worst Clients Ever Get a Mortgage - 07/22/11 09:29 AM
My husband and I are in the process of buying a new house, which necessitated going through the mortgage process.
The last time we obtained a mortgage it was for a second home in another state and that was BEFORE the mortgage market took a tumble and things got, shall we say, a little uglier.
So, I warned my husband, be prepared - because THIS time it isn't going to be so easy.
I've heard the horror stories, read the articles, heard people talk about just how bad it is out there.  How hard it is to get a mortgage, how … (9 comments)

Just Because the Owner Has Service Now Doesn't Mean You Can Have Service - 07/21/11 08:11 PM
I want to say upfront, in no uncertain terms, I am officially declaring war on Verizon. 
Having been warned their customer service was legendary in its ineffectiveness, I started 3 weeks ago trying to establish internet service at our new address.
We are moving to a less-than-urban area, let's say.
In fact, to my horror I just discovered today we are not going to have the same power company we have had since the beginning of time, but rather, will be getting our power from an electric co-op.  Okay, not a big deal, except, oh, wait, I have to MAIL in … (7 comments)

There Are Ways to Ask Questions....and Ways Not - 07/06/11 07:29 PM

I recently listed a property for a gentleman who was being transferred out of the area by his employer.
A few years ago, at the top of the market, he bought a very nice condo and paid a lot more for it then than it would sell for in this market.
No matter - his finances were sound and he was not even close to being underwater on his mortgage since he had paid down the principal.  He and his wife had already purchased a beautiful home in the city where they were relocating and his last bit of business … (17 comments)

When Furniture and Accessories Go Bad - 07/04/11 03:59 PM
So, my husband and I are in the process of packing in preparation for a move next month to a new house.
We are purging and de-cluttering like mad - and it's a great time to get rid of a lot of stuff, including stuff we did not realize we had hauled from Virginia to Alabama to Georgia back to Virginia. 
Seriously, if you didn't realize you still had it or didn't miss it after not using it for 10 years, should you really hang on to it?
We have put a lot of things on eBay and Craigslist, too, and … (22 comments)

Beautiful 2 BR Condo Available at Palazzo at Park Center ALEXANDRIA VA - 07/04/11 09:02 AM
Beautiful 2 BR Condo Available at Palazzo at Park Center ALEXANDRIA VA
Freshly painted with brand new carpet in the two spacious bedrooms, this Palazzo condo just shines.  It has the upgrades you want - granite countertops in kitchen and baths, ceramic tile and wood laminate floors - and the location you need, with easy access to I-395/495/95, near shopping and restaurants.  Work out in the community gym or lounge by the pool - the Palazzo has you covered.   Two assigned garage parking spaces.
 
Upgraded and Move In Ready Condo … (5 comments)