conor sullivan: Celebrating the Fourth of July in Northern Virginia - 07/02/13 10:42 PM
Northern Virginia is a great place to celebrate Independence Day! Local events are often an important deciding factor when planning a move or relocation, especially when moving with young families. Northern Virginia has a wealth of events and festivities to keep the whole family busy. There are so many great ways to celebrate this patriotic day; from parades in Washington, DC to firework displays right here in town. The warm days and cooler nights make for a perfect day out too.
Parades are a Fourth of July staple. No matter where you’re located, you’re sure to find one nearby. Northern Virginia … (9 comments)

conor sullivan: Sun Drenched, large corner unit!-1701 16th St NW Apt 401 - 05/03/13 12:59 AM

$457,000 , 2 bedrooms, 1 full baths, 0 half baths, 925 square feet  
… (2 comments)

conor sullivan: Getting Back Into the Swim in Northern Virginia - 04/25/13 12:28 AM
The real estate market turndown in 2006-2007 took a toll on some Northern Virginia homeowners. The rates of short sales and foreclosures rose dramatically all across the country, and many of the people affected by them are wondering if and when they can hope to re-enter the real estate market.
Paul Scheper at Greenlight Financial in Irvine, CA believes that about three-quarters of those people will seriously consider getting back into homeownership. Generally speaking, to qualify for a government-backed Federal Housing Administration mortgage, people re-entering the market will have to wait three years after their short sale or foreclosure. For those … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Taming April Showers in Northern Virginia - 04/18/13 12:57 AM
It’s April, and that brings to mind spring rain showers. So when the Northern Virginia weather calls for an inch of rain, we probably just shrug it off. However, when that inch of rain falls on an average-size roof, it can mean up to 1,900 gallons of water racing off the eaves and into the gutters.
Gutters come in a wide variety of materials, shapes and colors. Vinyl, aluminum and coated steel are the most cost-effective ranging from $1 to $8 per linear foot. High-end gutters, such as those made of copper and zinc, go for $9 to $18 per foot, … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Earth Day Everyday in Northern Virginia - 04/10/13 11:04 PM
Way back in 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated in the US on April 22nd. Since then, the day has evolved into International Mother Earth Day by a consensus resolution of the United Nations, and is celebrated in more than 192 countries on that date each year. Here are some tips for Northern Virginia homeowners to help you incorporate Earth Day principles into your everyday life.
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). According to a Department of Energy estimate, by swapping just a quarter of the incandescent bulbs in your home for CFLs, you can save up to 50% … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Revised Outlook for Northern Virginia Home Prices - 04/04/13 01:21 AM
 
We knew that 2013 would be a good year for real estate here in Northern Virginia, and many economists and real estate analysts agreed. Now, however, it seems that our predictions may have been shortsighted. Newly released estimates show that this year will be even better than we’d realized.
Because we had such a record year last year, most industry experts felt that while this year would be positive, it would be somewhat subdued in response. Back in January, the prevailing wisdom from experts such as Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors was that home prices in 2013 … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: What Northern Virginia Homebuyers Want - 03/27/13 02:13 AM
 
We already know that Northern Virginia is a great place to live and work. We enjoy the best of both big-city attractions and small-town living as well as amazing access to outdoor activities in all seasons. So, what are homebuyers looking for when they go house hunting here?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2013 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences – a survey of 2,005 households who purchased homes between 2010 and 2013 – there are two features that are deal breakers for prospective buyers. Central air conditioning, and cable-, satellite-, or Internet-readiness are must-haves when it comes … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Northern Virginia Money Talk - 03/20/13 11:35 PM
 
All indications point to 2013 as being one of the best years in recent memory for buying a home here in Northern Virginia. Mortgage interest rates are fantastic, and the inventory of homes is increasing. Before you set your heart on a particular property, be sure to know how much you can truly afford to spend.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin house shopping is a great way to stay within your price range. When you go to your lender to apply, be sure to bring the following items with you to make the process go as quickly … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Designing Northern Virginia - 03/13/13 11:31 PM
 
Our homes provide shelter from the elements, enclose spaces for both work and play, and give us a sense of security. Here in Northern Virginia though, we have an opportunity to think about another potential aspect of our homes – a venue for design.
The Washington DC International Design Festival is currently taking place right here in Arlington at Artisphere located at 1101 Wilson Blvd., and it will continue through Sunday, May 19th. This multidisciplinary festival delves into what it is that makes an object useful, engaging and beautiful. In collaboration with Apartment Zero, the cornerstone exhibit is a 4,000 … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: What's On This Month in Northern Virginia? - 03/06/13 10:27 PM
 
March can be a bit of a climate gamble here in Northern Virginia. Winter seems to be well and truly gone, yet spring hasn’t completely arrived just yet. Temperatures can vary widely, but as soon as those first buds appear around the end of the month, we can usually set our sights on warmer weather. While waiting for that to happen, here are a few things that just may keep you occupied.
The arrival of the cherry blossoms are a much-anticipated event here in the region, and the McGuire Woods Gallery at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton offers … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Time to Prune in Northern Virginia - 02/27/13 12:45 AM
 
Even though we’re not quite out of the winter woods, it’s time to get a head start on your Northern Virginia spring landscaping chores. A little TLC now can go a long way toward livening up the yard once the weather warms up for real. Here are some quick tips for getting ahead.
Trim back any winter damage on trees and shrubs. Use hand pruners on hedges to prevent a thick layer of new growth that doesn’t let air and sunlight get into the center. For branches larger than 1/2" in diameter on trees or shrubs, use a handsaw to … (2 comments)

conor sullivan: Making Your Northern Virginia Home Safe - 02/21/13 07:51 AM
 
There’s something about a Northern Virginia winter’s night that makes us want to snuggle down inside of our homes. Unfortunately, these early winter evenings can also encourage unscrupulous visitors who want to get inside, too. Here are some tips to help you keep your home safe and cozy this winter.
Technology and social media can be huge helpers in today’s business and personal worlds, and it’s no different for the crime world. Social media applications that automatically tag your whereabouts could be used by potential burglars to find out when you’re away from home. Similarly, posting those minute-by-minute vacation photos … (2 comments)

conor sullivan: On the Road Back in Northern Virginia - 02/14/13 12:41 AM
 
We’re all waiting for the housing market to return to “normal” – from Northern Virginia homeowners, to prospective buyers, to industry professionals, too. The idea that despite all of the changes in the industry during the past few years, we will somehow find our way back to “how it was before” may be idealistic, but statistics show that we are certainly well on our way back up.
Trulia’s Chief Economist, Jed Kolko, periodically reviews current market statistics against those considered normal, or from before the downturn. He looks at construction starts data from Census, existing home sales data from the … (2 comments)

conor sullivan: Staging Your Home in a Northern Virginia Winter - 02/07/13 03:13 AM
 
Winter is a fact of life here in Northern Virginia, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your home welcoming and attractive to buyers during these colder months. Here are some ideas to help your home stand out from the snowy crowd.
The most important thing to do is also the simplest – clear a path. If ice and snow have accumulated on your sidewalk, walkway, or driveway, shovel it off and keep them clear while your home is on the market. Don’t forget about patios and decks, too. Keeping these outdoor spaces clear will help prospective buyers imagine the … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Updating Your Northern Virginia Home - 01/30/13 11:54 PM
 
There are a lot of different reasons to make changes to your Northern Virginia home, but the two most popular ones are for your own enjoyment and to increase its resale value. There are some home improvements that combine both – they’re personal indulgences, and they can make your home more valuable should you choose to resell it.
Update your kitchen or bathrooms. Of all the rooms in your home, kitchens and bathrooms are probably the ones whose styles change the most over time. Unfortunately, getting a big payoff later on from updating either room will require you to make … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Celebrating Winter in Northern Virginia - 01/24/13 12:39 AM
 
There’s no place quite like Northern Virginia. With a rich cultural heritage and a wealth of activities for every season, there’s no reason to slow down just because the temperature drops.
On the weekend of January 26-27 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, celebrate Bobbie Burns with A Festival of Scotland. On Saturday from 10am to 6pm, enjoy a bagpipe and drumming master class, Scottish country dancing demonstrations and open social dancing. Highland games and crafts for kids, exhibits of authentic crafts and goods for sale, a Scotch Whisky master class with Dougie Wylie ($35 per person, includes … (2 comments)

conor sullivan: Sell Quick Tips for Northern Virginia - 01/16/13 10:39 PM
 

It looks like 2013 will be a great year to sell your Northern Virginia home. Prices are rising yet mortgage rates remain low, and thanks to the recent legislation to ward off the fiscal cliff, tax incentives for homeownership are still intact. Here are a few tips to not only help you sell your home but sell it quickly, too.
First of all, list your home as early in the year as possible. This gives you plenty of time to welcome prospective buyers, and it gives buyers plenty of time to get their financing in order before school is … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: January Maintenance for Northern Virginia Homes - 01/09/13 11:02 PM
 
Now that the holidays are over and Northern Virginia is settling into full on winter, it’s a good time to give your home a little TLC to head off any potential problems that can crop up during the harsh weather. Here are some tips, both from the outside as well as inside, to help you keep your home in good shape.
Winter weather can encourage mice and insects to find shelter in the walls of your home. Even an unheated basement is better shelter than the cold outdoors, and you’d be surprised how even a tiny crack can seem like … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: What 2013 May Hold for Northern Virginia - 12/31/12 12:14 AM
 
Fred Northaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac, has offered his predictions for the 2013 housing market trends, and all of us here in Northern Virginia can look forward to a market whose future appears to be even brighter than what we had in 2012. According to Realty Times, Northaft recently stated that “the housing market is healing, is contributing positively to the GDP and is returning to its traditional role of supporting the economic recovery.”
More specifically, in 2013 we can look forward to continued low mortgage interest rates. In 2012, rates fell to a 65-year low, and the Federal … (0 comments)

conor sullivan: Mortgage Options in Northern Virginia - 12/19/12 11:36 PM
 
Whether you opt for a 30-year fixed-rate or a different option, it’s easy to think of mortgages as a one-size-fits-all product. The truth of the matter for Northern Virginia homeowners, though, is that the best choice of mortgages for a young, first-time homeowner maybe quite different than what best suits someone buying a home to see them through their retirement.
When first starting out most young homebuyers have a good credit rating that qualifies them for a mortgage, but they may not have the down payment necessary for it. One solution is a low-down-payment conventional mortgage, and another is a … (0 comments)