real estate: Single Women: Why They Buy Real Estate.
- 01/17/16 10:54 PM
According to research economist Jessica Lautz, “More than one-third of all home buyers buy a home for the desire to own. This has been the most cited reason consistently for the last several years, but it is even more true of single female buyers. Nearly half of single female buyers purchase a home because they have a desire to own a home. The second most cited reason for single female buyers in choosing to purchase a home is a change in family situation—13 percent of single female buyers purchase for this reason, compared to 9 percent of all buyers.
“In comparison … (2 comments)
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real estate: To Sign or not to Sign
- 11/30/15 04:33 AM
The Hot Stove is Heating up.
Here we are in the middle of Thanksgiving warm up time and the boys of summer are just beginning to make their splashes. The qualifying offers are being presented and things are ramping up.
Out in the midwest there is a big decision looming. A qualifying offer was presented and promptly refuses by two big pieces of the puzzle. The Cardinals are the team I reference here and I believe I know what they should do.
John Lackey and Jason Heyward are the two big pieces that I mentioned above. Both had acceptable seasons … (1 comments)
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real estate: Thanksgiving is near. . .
- 11/23/15 03:53 AM
… (1 comments)
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real estate: Contingencies in Real Estate Sales Contracts
- 11/23/15 03:45 AM
Real estate contracts often have contingencies. A contingency is a clause in a contract that gives either the buyer or seller a way to get out of the contract if certain conditions or timelines aren’t met. A contract could be contingent on anything a buyer and seller agree to, but there are a few very common contingencies. Typical contingencies are:
financing sale of home home inspection appraisal Generally, a contingency only last for a period of time and the contingency expires. After a contingency expires, either the contract expires or the contingency expires depending upon the terms of the sales agreement.
For … (0 comments)
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real estate: Seven Things Your Realtor, Doesn’t Ever Want to Hear
- 11/23/15 03:15 AM
“I’ll know it when I see it.” Buyers should come into the home buying process with a list of must-haves and wants. Buyers that want to be taken seriously get preapproved. This helps to expedite the process of making offers and also to pinpoint the price range of what the buyer can afford. “I’m not in any hurry.” Realtors don’t expect to rush you through the home buying process. At the same time, they don’t want to waste their time with a client that doesn’t have any firm motivation to make offers or to buy. “I’m not going to give it … (1 comments)
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real estate: On pre-approval, before home shopping
- 11/16/15 12:26 AM
Obtaining pre-approval from a bank is a daunting process. It is time consuming both due to the delay and because of the amount of paperwork required to satisfy a lender of your credit status.
It is, without a doubt, the most pressing matter before beginning your home search. Proceeding without this step can lead to angst and lost time, energy and opportunities. Without pre-approval you’ll be facing the following pitfalls very quickly:
Offers will be rejected in favor of lower offers by pre-approved buyers. Delays can result as you await approval by your bank. Too late you may find the home you … (2 comments)
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real estate: On What Home Buyers Really Want
- 11/16/15 12:21 AM
Home buyers want energy efficiency, according to a new study released by the National Association of Home Builders titled, “What Home Buyers Really Want.” Four of the top-ranked home features involve saving energy.
For example, 94 percent of buyers surveyed say they want energy-star rated appliances. Ninety-one percent said they want the whole home to boast an energy-star rating. What’s more, 89 percent said they wanted energy-star rated windows and 88 percent desire ceiling fans, according to the survey.
Home buyers are also paying more attention to the laundry room in homes. Fifty-seven percent consider a laundry room “essential” in a home and … (3 comments)
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real estate: On Art Deco Real Estate
- 11/15/15 11:55 PM
The 1925 Paris Exhibition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs launched the Art Deco style, which echoed the Machine Age with geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. This distinctly urban style was never widely used in residential buildings; it was more widespread in public and commercial buildings of the period.
Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical emphasis of this style, which was popularized by Hollywood movies of the 1930s. Flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs mark the exteriors of Art Deco homes. Facades are typically flush with zigzags and other stylized floral, … (1 comments)
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real estate: On the humble bungalow
- 11/15/15 11:52 PM
These narrow, rectangular one and one-half story houses originated in California during the 1880s as a reaction to the elaborate decoration of Victorian homes. The style then moved eastward to the Midwest in the early 20th century, where it remained popular until the Great Depression.
Bungalows have low-pitched gabled or hipped roofs and small covered porches at the entry. The style became so popular that you could order a bungalow kit from Sears and Roebuck catalog. The name “bungalow” had its origins in India, where it indicated a small, thatched home.
There are several neighborhoods in Northern Virginia were bungalows are not uncommon. … (0 comments)
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real estate: On Georgian style residences
- 11/15/15 11:35 PM
Befitting a king–in fact, the style is named for four King Georges of England–Georgian homes are refined and symmetrical with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Modeled after the more elaborate homes of England, the Georgian style dominated the British colonies in the 1700s. Most surviving Georgians sport side-gabled roofs, are two to three stories high, and are constructed in brick.
Georgian homes almost always feature an orderly row of five windows across the second story. Modern-day builders often combine features of the refined Georgian style with decorative flourishes from the more formal Federal style.
Filed Under: Architecture, GeorgianTagged … (0 comments)
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real estate: Facts about FHA 203k loans
- 11/09/15 04:48 AM
FHA 203K Loan – Eligible PropertyTo be eligible for the FHA 203k mortgage loan, the property must be a one- to four-family dwelling that has been completed for at least one year. The number of units on the site must be acceptable according to local zoning requirements. All newly constructed units must be attached to the existing dwelling. Cooperative units are not eligible.
Homes that have been demolished, or will be razed as part of the rehabilitation work, are eligible provided some of the existing foundation system remains in place.
In addition to typical home improvement loan projects, the FHA 203-k mortgage loan … (0 comments)
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real estate: Why do consumers love wood floors?
- 11/09/15 04:44 AM
Step onto any wood floor and you’ll appreciate the warm and inviting tones and colors. As one of the world’s most versatile floor coverings not only do you get traditional beauty but also practical advantages:
Looks great and that great look endures; Hardwood resists stains, including wine and food; Wood is warm to the touch; Wood floors are easier on your feet and knees than concretes and ceramics; Wood flors are easy to clean; Real wood floors are fully restorable; Hygienic and dust free, especially good for allergy sufferers. … (4 comments)
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real estate: Real Estate tips for picking the right neighborhood
- 11/05/15 03:35 AM
When considering a potential new residence it’s important to think about the neighborhood and surrounding amenities that are close by. Make a list of all of the amenities or services that are nearby or close to the neighborhood and track how long it takes as well as what routes you might use to get to each. You can also check the Walk Score of a neighborhood for a short-hand look at convenience.
Next, decide what the best characteristics of the neighborhoods are and determine what you like about them. Making a list of each neighborhood you are considering can be particularly helpful … (2 comments)
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real estate: 5 Signs a Home Has Potential
- 10/05/15 07:15 AM
The best deals on homes are often on properties that aren’t perfect, but how do you spot a home with potential? These are the 5 factors we’ve found:
Home shoppers looking for a great deal should keep these factors in mind when they are looking for a place with potential:
Location, location, location. You can fix a home’s condition, but you can never change it’s location.. Less than 50 years old. Properties older than a half century are likely to have more fundamental problems — like aging wiring, inadequate plumbing and sagging foundations. But when examining a home take care to … (0 comments)
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real estate: Surprising Facts about FHA 203k loans
- 10/05/15 07:06 AM
FHA 203K Loan – Eligible PropertyTo be eligible for the FHA 203k mortgage loan, the property must be a one- to four-family dwelling that has been completed for at least one year. The number of units on the site must be acceptable according to local zoning requirements. All newly constructed units must be attached to the existing dwelling. Cooperative units are not eligible.
Homes that have been demolished, or will be razed as part of the rehabilitation work, are eligible provided some of the existing foundation system remains in place.
In addition to typical home improvement loan projects, the FHA 203-k mortgage loan … (0 comments)
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real estate: Why do people love wood floors?
- 10/05/15 07:01 AM
Step onto any wood floor and you’ll appreciate the warm and inviting tones and colors. As one of the world’s most versatile floor coverings not only do you get traditional beauty but also practical advantages:
Looks great and that great look endures; Hardwood resists stains, including wine and food; Wood is warm to the touch; Wood floors are easier on your feet and knees than concretes and ceramics; Wood flors are easy to clean; Real wood floors are fully restorable; Hygienic and dust free, especially good for allergy sufferers. … (1 comments)
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real estate: What to Consider Before Buying a Home
- 10/05/15 06:55 AM
BudgetHow much you can afford is very important to consider when buying a new home. As a rule of thumb, some experts suggest paying 25% of your salary towards your mortgage. Fortunately, for people living in Northern Virginia, there are several job centers like the Mark Center, Inova Hospitals, USPTO, NOVA Community College, Fort Belvoir and Reston Town Center in the area which offer high paying salaries.
SizeWould you like to have roommates? Do you have a wife and plan to start a family? These are questions to consider before taking the step towards home ownership. Depending on your circumstances you might … (0 comments)
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real estate: Dad, what do you do all day?
- 10/05/15 06:39 AM
This is an old post first put up before 2009. I got a chuckle out of it and thought I’d share with you.
When I come home exhausted it’s tough to remember (much less explain) what the heck I did all day.
A lot of times, I answer calls. I get calls from renters who want to rent condos and townhouses. I get calls from buyers who want to make appointments or who just have questions. I talk to landlords who use our property management services.
Sometimes I really don’t know the answer. But when I don’t know the answer, I don’t make it … (1 comments)
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real estate: What does a property’s Walk Score score mean?
- 09/28/15 05:50 AM
Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score promises to measure how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle—not how pretty the area is for walking.
Each home listed for sale is given a Walk Score. That number is between 0 and 100. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:
90–100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people can get by without owning a car. 70–89 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without … (2 comments)
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real estate: Tips for picking the right neighborhood
- 09/28/15 05:46 AM
When considering a potential new residence it’s important to think about the neighborhood and surrounding amenities that are close by. Make a list of all of the amenities or services that are nearby or close to the neighborhood and track how long it takes as well as what routes you might use to get to each. You can also check the Walk Score of a neighborhood for a short-hand look at convenience.
Next, decide what the best characteristics of the neighborhoods are and determine what you like about them. Making a list of each neighborhood you are considering can be particularly helpful … (1 comments)
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According to research economist Jessica Lautz, “More than one-third of all home buyers buy a home for the desire to own. This has been the most cited reason consistently for the last several years, but it is even more true of single female buyers. Nearly half of single female buyers purchase a home because they have a desire to own a home. The second most cited reason for single female buyers in choosing to purchase a home is a change in family situation—13 percent of single female buyers purchase for this reason, compared to 9 percent of all buyers.
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