Real estate blog entries tagged with northern virginia real estate by Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News (Integrity Real Estate Group)

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northern virginia real estate: Short Sales-Guidance for Northern Virginia Agents is Now Available - 12/08/09 09:56 AM

I am not a short sale expert. I don't play on one TV and I don't want a hundred short sale listings to manage. However I do list short sales and I do represent buyers who have contracts pending on short sales. I've experienced the same frustrations as thousands of other agents across the country and wondered when our associations would provide more guidelines for agents to follow.Recently five associations in the Northern Virginia area put together a Regional Short Sale Field Guide to provide guidelines for agents who are working with short sales and clarify those pesky questions about when is a … (4 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Northern Virginia Relocation-We've Got Options to Help You Get from Point A to Point B - 11/30/09 12:13 PM

For the very fortunate commuters in Northern Virginia a walk outside the back down and a hop in your helicopter gets you up and over the traffic and on to your destination. In case you think it isn't possible just ask the lucky homeowner who lives across the Occoquan River from me. Indeed he has his own helicopter pad in his back yard!

For the rest of us we need to find the more usual routes to get ourselves from our homes to work. If DC is your destination you have multiple choices from all points on the compass to … (3 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Don't Be Foooled-This Blue House is Really Green - 11/24/09 10:13 AM

No there isn't a problem with your computer monitor the house you see is actually wrapped in blue insulation but the house is actually a green house under construction in Lorton VA.This home being built by the Speer family is utilizing all of the latest green technologies including both solar and geothermal technologies.
The south-facing roof will contain solar panels that will provide most of the electrical energy for appliances in the home. If the family generates more electricity than they need the will feed power back to the local electric company grid causing the meter to run backwards.Heating and cooling will … (10 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Welcome to "Flopping"-The Latest Short Sale Flipping Game - 11/21/09 11:31 PM

The FBI, Fannie Mae and fraud experts agree, the new short sale flipping scheme popping up around the country is on the rise and will cost banks millions of dollars.
The premise is quite simple. Make a low offer on a short sale and convince the bank that the offer is "market value". Close the deal and within 24 hours sell the property to a second buyer at a profit. The second buyer has no clue that the home is under contract for far less than what they are offering and of course the lender has no idea that the value of the … (18 comments)

northern virginia real estate: SOLD -Highest Priced Sale in the Newington Commons Community in 2009 - 11/17/09 10:26 PM

This past week my clients put the SOLD sign in the front yard of their Newington Commons townhouse in Lorton VA. The home had multiple contracts in under 72 hours and after final negotiations the home ended up closing at $240,000 the highest priced sale in the community this year.The buyer's are a military family and the husband has been stationed in Iraq during the transaction and will be coming home to a great new house.If you are thinking about selling your home in Newington Commons or any of the other great Lorton VA neighborhoods give me a call at 703-346-2213. … (0 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Pentagon Relocation-Welcome Defense Language Institute Graduates - 11/10/09 12:29 PM

As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCS orders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”
If you are finishing up your coursework at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey CA and your have PCS orders to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous "slug" lines. Whether you are going to … (4 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Military Relocation-The Best Part of the Latest Tax Credit Extension - 11/05/09 11:03 PM

It includes the extension of the tax credit to military families who have been stationed outside the US for at least 3 months in 2009. For qualifying families they have until June 30, 2011 to purchase a home a qualify for the tax credit. Now that is good news! … (14 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Buying a "Pig in a Poke" in Northern Virginia - 11/04/09 07:45 AM

On the surface everything about this home looked good. Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, beautiful bathrooms, large lot, great price. What's not to love? Turns out this little gem was in reality a "pig in a poke." A check of the Fairfax County Building Permit site found permits issued and all of them with an incomplete status next to them. Out of the permits that were pulled by electricians and plumbers we couldn't find any that said the remodeling work had passed inspection. Since the property is being sold "as is" chances are that it might not even have an occupancy permit … (4 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Short Sale Train Wreck Coming to Northern Virginia Soon - 11/02/09 08:11 AM

Short sales in the Northern Virginia market aren't new. They were around in previous down markets with a different twist. Sellers actually had to come to the money with the table to close the deal or sign a promissory note to cover the difference. Sellers sucked it up and did it in order to move on.
Today the amount of money that most sellers are upside down keeps that from being a realistic scenario. However there is a train wreck coming and it isn't about the number of short sales or a tsunami of foreclosures but instead the way real estate … (10 comments)

northern virginia real estate: The 4 letter word that will send buyers out the door - 10/28/09 12:09 PM

At a "we need to let off steam" session at ReBar Camp DC this week a group of us started telling tales of houses we had seen. There was a recurring theme of flea infestations and the results of spening time showing homes with these pesky little creatures.This post contains great information to remind everyone that to kill the flea circus in your house you need to take care of them from eggs to adult. Flea infestations are not limited to rural properties but can happen in the city as well. Foreclosures are prime candidates since the pets and people have … (4 comments)

northern virginia real estate: The Cost of the First Time Homebuyers Credit-Time to Pull the Plug - 10/16/09 09:24 AM

As deadline for the first time homebuyers tax credit looms the debate as to whether to continue the credit or not is getting heated.
Trying to find answers as to whether the credit has actually created the jump in home sales is difficult. Recently a report written by Ted Gayer of the Brookings Institute provided the best look at the cost of the tax credit that I've found.
"Approximately 1.9 million buyers are expected to receive the credit, but more than 85 percent of these would have bought a home without the credit. This suggests a price tag of about $15 … (10 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Fairfax Detached Home with an Assumable Loan-SOLD - 10/15/09 01:10 PM

The buyer was surprised and the sellers were surprised but today my listing in Fairfax went to closing with a 4% assumable loan. Why the surprise? Because up until a few days before closing no one thought that Wells Fargo would honor the assumable loan written by Wachovia. They certainly made it complicated enough.The title company said they had to dust off the instruction book as they hadn't seen an assumable loan in 10 years. With more FHA loans being written today than in previous years we can all expect to being dealing with the differences between assumable loans and conventional loans for the next … (3 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Cash Deals-They Aren’t Just for the Lowest Priced Houses - 10/06/09 12:54 AM

This year in Prince William County (VA) I've been involved in five cash transactions. Most people think of cash deals are geared towards the cheapest properties in the area. My transactions have ranged from $280,000 to $450,000 and have covered short sales, foreclosures and new construction.Should you pay cash just because you can? The only person that can answer that question is you. However you should also talk over a cash offer with your financial advisor or accountant as well. There are times when carrying a small mortgage may make more sense than depleting your cash on hand.
If you are … (20 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Military Relocation-Popular Northern Virginia Neighborhoods to Call Home - 10/01/09 03:53 AM

Is a move to the Northern Virginia area in your future? Wondering about local neighborhoods with commuting options to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the Military District of Washington installations? Enjoy an overview of a few local communities many of my clients have decided to call home while staioned in the area. Each offers something a little different and all offer multiple commuting options to local military installations.
If you have PCS orders to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any Northern Virginia or DC installation give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let my personal experience with military relocation … (2 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Woodbridge (VA) Buyers-Are You Waiting for the Bottom? - 09/30/09 09:45 AM

If you are looking for a new home in the Woodbridge area of Prince William County and still waiting for the bottom you have missed it. In reviewing the data provided by Zillow for the Woodbridge (VA) zip codes of 22191,22192 and 22193 you can see that the bottom passed you by in the first quarter of 2009. Anyone who is currently looking for a home in the Woodbridge (VA) area knows inventory is low. Multiple offers are real and unfortunately the chance to think about it for a week or so before you make an offer will mean the home … (2 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Schools Matter to Northern Virginia Home Buyers - 09/28/09 10:58 PM

There is little doubt that one of the first questions that a family relocating to the Northern Virginia area asks is "what about the schools?" As real estate agents we can't answer the question directly but can help point prospective buyers to a number of places to research local Northern Virginia schools. Schools often dictate the choice of neighborhood that families will consider. Living in a "good" school district could mean that parents sacrifice their commute or other community amenities in order to find the right school.
Looking at the different county and city schools sites for test scores, absentee rates, … (1 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Fall Coming On Strong for Buyers and Sellers - 09/28/09 11:42 AM

The cooler fall weather has arrived and so have the buyers. As we get ready to head into October I already have five properties lined up to go to settlement. No short sales, no foreclosures just good old fashion regular sales.Anyone else feel like fall is going to be strong this year? Is it because of the last minute rush to use the tax credit? Or is it the better pricing and lower interest rates? It certainly seems as if there is a nice buzz in the crisp fall air.Whatever it is I'll take it.
… (5 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Springfield (VA)-Great Opportunity to Use the First Time Buyers Tax Credit - 09/27/09 01:53 AM

If you have been thinking about buying your first home and want to take advantage of the first time homebuyers tax credit then you need to get ready to run to a new listing coming on the market in the Newington Commons in a few days.Competely remodeled 3 level townhouse with 2 BR/2BA and fenced backyard. Updates include a new kitchen, hardwood floors, two remodeled bathrooms and added closet space This home is just minutes from multiple commuting options, shopping and schools. Get your checkbooks out. Get your financing set and be ready to write quickly on this cute three level townhouse.
… (4 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Springfield (VA)-Hidden Pond Nature Center a Wonderful Surprise - 09/26/09 02:41 PM

Perhaps it is a stretch to say that Hidden Pond Nature Center in West Springfield is in plain sight. It wouldn't have been named "hidden pond" if it was. In fact you could drive by the small sign on Keene Mill Road that points to the nature center for years and not realize what was down the road.
Tucked at the end of a residential street Hidden Pond Nature Center offers the type of small park that makes it easy for anyone to take a leisurely stroll around the perimeter of the pond and through the woods. At twenty five acres … (0 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Springfield (VA)-Detached Home Listings Are SOLD SOLD SOLD - 09/26/09 02:35 PM

Over the past few months three of my detached homes in Springfield (VA) have made it to the SOLD column. One of them sold in less than 24 hours! Having owned homes and lived in every zip code in Springfield it is easy for me to be able to help sellers market their home to the right target market.

Want to know about metro, slug lines and commuting options in the area? No problem I can tell you all of the Springfield locations without looking at a map. Want to know about schools? No problem I can help point you to all … (0 comments)

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