the sullivan group: 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)

the sullivan group: 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)

the sullivan group: 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)

the sullivan group: 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)

the sullivan group: 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)

the sullivan group: Come Celebrate in Northern Virginia - 12/05/12 03:45 AM
The holiday season comes alive here in Northern Virginia with a whole host of activities and events for all ages. Listed below are a few highlights of the season, but you can find even more ways to celebrate at InsideNOVA.com.
On Saturday, December 8, registration opens and activities begin for the 2012 Metropolitan DC Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at 8:00 am at Pentagon Row in Arlington. The gun goes off at 9:00, and the children’s Reindeer Run will take off at 9:05. Participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, wear festive costumes, and run through the streets in support of … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Go Deep on Defense for Your Northern Virginia Holidays - 11/28/12 04:17 AM
 
There’s an old adage that the best defense is a good offense, and that certainly applies to getting your Northern Virginia home ready for holiday guests. Here are some tips from This Old House to help you head off potential problems, and to squeak out a clutch save should any trouble sneak through.
Don’t get tackled by a slippery sidewalk. Keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice to make sure your guests make it to your front door. Remember, though, to shovel correctly so as not to hurt yourself in the process. Save your back by bending … (2 comments)

the sullivan group: Getting the Best Deal You Can in Northern Virginia - 10/30/12 10:46 PM
 
When you’re ready to buy a home in Northern Virginia, getting pre-approved for your financing is a good idea. It will help you narrow down the market to those properties that are within your range. It’s not the only thing you should have ready to go, though. The most valuable part of your negotiating arsenal may not be financial at all – it may be information.
The first step to being a well-informed buyer is to ask your agent to prepare a market analysis for you. Also known as a CMA, this is a list of homes that are similar … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Give Your Northern Virginia Yard a Head Start on Spring - 10/03/12 06:55 AM
 
Take advantage of the warm autumn sun here in Northern Virginia, and give your yard some TLC that will help it pass the winter months with flying colors.
Winter can be especially hard on lawns so give them some extra muscle now by feeding them with a high phosphorus mix (12-25-12). Grass roots keep growing until the ground temperature gets down to about 40 degrees, so a good fertilizing now will help them green up quicker in the spring.
Shorter grass makes it tougher for lawn diseases to take hold, so make your last cut of the season down … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Fairfax County's Real Estate Market is Hot! - 09/12/12 07:00 AM
 
The summer real estate statistics are just in, and it’s all good news for Fairfax County. The housing market in the area was as hot as the weather this past summer, and that’s great news for both buyers and sellers. Home sales in the region were up over 6% from the same time last year, and the average sale price increased by 4.5%.
There’s still a good deal of traffic in the market as demand continues to stay strong. The number of homes for sale has actually decreased, and multiple offers are becoming more the norm. The entry-level housing traffic … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Buying Your First Home in Fairfax County - 09/04/12 10:54 PM
 
The housing market is turning the corner, yet mortgage rates remain at all-time lows. That means now is the perfect time to get into the Northern Virginia property market. Making the jump from renting to owning can be daunting, but these four tips will help you determine just how much home you can reasonably afford to own.
1. A good rule of thumb is that you can afford a mortgage that is two to three times your gross annual income. Don’t forget to add in all household income when estimating this figure. For example, if your gross annual income … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Navigating Real Estate Lingo in Northern Virginia - 08/28/12 11:24 PM
 
Every profession has its own jargon – those terms and abbreviations that are familiar to insiders, but may represent a whole new and somewhat mysterious language for newcomers. As a first-time homebuyer, rest assured that you’ll soon become fluent in the language of real estate. If it has been some time since you were last involved in a real estate transaction, you may also find yourself at a loss. To help you over the learning curve, here are few definitions to get you started.
Closing Costs – the various expenses paid by either the buyer or the seller when the … (2 comments)

the sullivan group: Back to School in Fairfax County - 08/22/12 04:59 AM
 

Labor Day is just around the corner, and that means the first day of school is fast upon us. Whether you have children at home or not, everyone’s schedule changes when school is back in session – there are more people on the roads, and the morning commute takes on a different tone. Here in Northern Virginia, where successful commuting is an art form, be especially vigilant around school buses and crosswalks as young commuters may dart out unexpectedly and specialized traffic laws apply.
If you do have children at home, preparing in advance for the first day of … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: What's the True Value of Your Fairfax County Home? - 08/14/12 02:19 AM
 
At first glance, it’s a very simple question: what is my Northern Virginia home worth? The answer, however, may not be so straightforward. It all depends upon the context – the person who is asking, and for what reason.
Fundamentally, your home has three separate price tags. One is based upon its market value, the price you could expect to get if it was sold. The second refers to its replacement value, the price on which your homeowner’s insurance policy is based. The third one speaks to your property tax values or the price the government uses to assess your … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Good Neighbors in Northern Virginia - 08/08/12 08:11 AM
 
Fairfax County is known for its outstanding neighborhoods and wonderful neighbors. However, great neighborhoods don’t just happen – they’re built over time upon a foundation of mutual respect. Anyone can begin the process. You just have to take the first step.
Neighbors may each live in their own homes, but they all share the same street. Take a few minutes to have a good look at your part of it. Does your property complement or detract from the street? You needn’t invest in big-money projects to make your yard look tidy. It may simply mean picking up the clutter and … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: More Bang for Your Buck in Northern Virginia - 08/01/12 06:53 AM
After wading through years of overstocked housing inventories, the real estate market here in Northern Virginia is showing signs of becoming a seller’s market. While this is obviously a point in the favor of those homeowners who want to list their properties, understanding what this means can also help potential buyers get the most bang for their buck.
Gone are the days when buyers could make ultra-low offers, and even negotiability itself is on a steady decline. Buyers need to be aware that sellers are receiving more offers than they have in recent memory, and many of these will be close … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Summer’s Last But Not Least in Fairfax County - 07/25/12 03:09 PM
It’s hard to believe, but Summer 2012 is already moving into its final weeks. Here in Northern Virginia, though, there are still a lot of great events happening that will help you make the most out of the remaining lazy days.
 
American history is always on parade here in Fairfax County, and the Civil War Encampment Weekend at Sully Historic Site, during the weekend of Aug 18-19, in Chantilly VA, is an excellent opportunity to view it (10am – 4pm Saturday, and 10am – 3 pm Sunday, $9 adult/ $7 senior and child). Actors portraying both Union and Confederate troops … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Short Selling Your Northern Virginia Home – Learn the Truth - 07/19/12 02:52 AM
Making the decision to short sale your Northern Virginia home can be a difficult one. There are many misconceptions out there, making the decision sometimes even harder.
Before making any type of decision, learn the facts! Only when you are better educated with the truth, can you feel confident with the decision you are making.
Myth Your credit will suffer just as much with a short sale as a foreclosure or DIL.
Truth If you are current with your mortgage payments and your Certified Distressed Property Specialist negotiates with the bank, shows the mortgage paid in full, and provides … (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Nothing But Up for Northern Virginia Home Prices - 07/12/12 12:22 AM
A recent analysis of the housing market in the Washington DC Metro area held only good news, and here at The Sullivan Group we’re ready to help explain what this means for you here in Northern Virginia.
 
The report from Real Estate Business Intelligence (RBI) released in early July, shows that median sale prices continued to rise throughout most of the region while the number of days a home was on the market fell by an average of 10 days from the same period last year. The sale-to-list price ratio was also up nearly 2 percent from June 2011.
… (0 comments)

the sullivan group: Dog Days in Northern Virginia - 07/06/12 05:09 AM

Storms and hot weather are a part of any Northern Virginia summer, but this past June was the hottest on record for 142 years and shows no sign of letting up. Recent storms knocked out electricity for thousands of us, and many still remain without power.
 
Know that all of our clients, friends and neighbors are in our thoughts, and that we hope for everyone’s safety and well-being during this unfortunate time.
 
Please bear in mind the precautions listed here to help keep you and your family healthy and safe.
 
 
Drink plenty of water, … (1 comments)