northern virginia real estate: Burglar Poses as Homebuyer in Northern VA - 03/10/16 11:52 AM
 Once again we are reminded of the potential problems associated with real estate agents conducting Open Houses. Even if homeowners and agents take the usual security and safety precautions, criminals can still find ways to steal and commit other crimes at Open Houses.
 In this case, the burglar seemed more interested in stealing items he could convert to cash. That could indicate a drug problem, financial problems, etc. It also indicates desperation, and the efforts some criminals will go to to pull off their crimes.
 Any visitor can sign in at an open house with a fake name and fake contact information. They … (11 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Sentri Lock Update Confusion- Update Daily- Not Weekly - 05/16/13 04:51 AM
Wow, I just received an email saying that one of the agents from our Mclean office showed up at a property to show it, and couldn't get in. How annoying. I just finished ready a story 2-3 days ago about glitches with Sentri-Lock, and updating your card only needed to be done weekly. Supposedly Sentri-lock didn't notify this agent, and maybe didn't notify anyone else that apparently cards now need to be updated daily again. Anyone having any problems with Sentri Lock?
NVAR did post the following notice on their site. I don't know if they sent out a mass email … (3 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Washington DC - Spring is For Cherry Blossoms and Baseball - 03/12/13 10:23 PM
If you plan on being in the Washington DC area, or surrounding counites in MD or Northern VA this spring, you'll find plenty of tourism activities available for you to experience. One of the more popular places to be in early spring is at the Cherry Blossom festival. Just try to plan your trip ahead of time, and figure out what type of public transportation will work best for you.
Driving isn't usually recommended for many activities downtown. If you want to see the famous buildings, bridges, sights, and monuments, maybe plan on driving late evening or on a weekend. It's … (3 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Can Agents Bad Grammar Cause Problems For Sellers? - 05/18/12 12:35 AM
Nice looking fit young lady puts house on market. Was surprised when she returned home and found several men had attentened her first open house, and actually signed in and left their real phone #s and emails. WOW, she says, I thought it was a slow market. Soon she recieves multiple offers! She accepts one over list. This is great.....!
 Contract, walk-thru all go fine! At closing buyer asks seller how she would like to convey the one-night stand?
Seller: What do you mean? It's in the bedroom. Buyer: You know what I mean! Seller: I'm not really sure what you're … (2 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Are We Discriminating by Judging Condo Complexes by Condition of Cars in the Lot? - 09/21/11 01:58 AM
I've been working with some customers looking at condos from Leesburg VA to  Alexandria VA. There are quite a variety of condos available, from one level 55 and over communities in Ashburn VA  to Hi Rises  like Skyline Towers in Baileys X Roads. Many are old but are very appealing in several ways. ( Low condo fees, close to Metro, etc) But one thing I keep noticing is that many potential buyers want me to drive around the parking lot before deciding to go in. One man said " I don't want my mother living here." We didn't even go in. … (59 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Lender Pre-Approval Letters- Effective or Worthless - 03/29/11 05:15 AM
How many times have we received a totally worthless lender letter that tells absolutley nothing about the buyers or what the loan officer has done to pre-approve the buyers? I received an " Approval Letter" recently on one of my listings. It started " To Whom it May Concern: The above borrower has submitted a loan application to our firm. Based upon the information provided, the referenced borrower is approved for the loan amount stated above. Final loan approval is subject to an appraisal review of the subject property and a ratified contract." What's wrong with this letter? To start, purchase … (6 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Good News For FHA Flippers - 03/26/11 05:37 AM
Greetings,
 
Average Mortgage Rate Up .05% for the Week
The average 30 year mortgage rate rose to 4.81% from 4.76% last week.  The 15 year average went to 4.04% from 3.97%.  The  5/1 ARM average was 3.62%, from 3.57%.  Average rates contained .70 discount points.  Mortgage bonds gave ground to a stronger stock market this week while uncertainty over Japan and the Middle East continue to effect daily trading.  Next week the government will be selling Treasury securities and on Friday the jobs report will be released.  Expectations are for 190,000 jobs created and unemployment to remain at 9%.  My … (1 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Seller Rent Backs - 03/25/11 10:52 AM
Occasionally I get owners of my listings asking me if they can sell and then rent back for 3-6 months while they decide where they want to move and so they don't have to put all of their belongings in storage. I always tell them that it's not a good idea, and to work on getting rid of everything they don't to take with them to their new place. Yard sale it, Craigs list it , Donate it, whatever, just thin out and de-clutter. Then, I tell them that buyers aren't usually out looking to buy a house so that they … (3 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Cheap Faxes and Unreadable Contracts - 03/15/11 02:03 AM
Scenario- agent wants to write offer on one of my short sale listings- prepares offer with the usual missing pages, then faxes or emails it to their customer who has a fax/printer that they bought at a flea market or yard sale. They sign and intial in most of the places they we're suppose to ( with blue ink or cheap pen that skips also bought at flea market), they fax it back to their agent who should be able to see that this is not readable, and even the printing on the original forms can't be read on many of … (57 comments)

northern virginia real estate: Days on Market - 03/09/11 07:57 AM
To me, this is the most annoying question in real estate: " How many days has it been on the market?" A lady called me the other day, they ahve an house they can't sell out of state, but wanted to go ahead and buy anyway. She said one of my listings looked like the perfect house for them, large enough for their 5 kids, no hoa, 10+ acres, barn, stream, fenced, etc. Then she asked the " how many days has it been on market question". I told her over 2 years, and she immediately said, OH NO, that's not … (50 comments)

 
Jeff Pearl, Full Service Full Time Realtor (RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA)

Jeff Pearl

Full Service Full Time Realtor

Lovettsville, VA

More about me…

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA

Address: Lovettsville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Vienna, McLean, Reston, Fairfax,Falls Church, Arlington, VA

Mobile: (703) 727-4876



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