Real estate blog entries tagged with virginia by Karen Briscoe, Your Agent For Life! (Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Group

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virginia: Back to School Season is also Back to Selling Homes in Virginia - 08/21/19 02:41 PM

September is the traditional “back to school” month across the United States. Public school begins the fall semester the week before Labor Day in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia where the HBC Group agents predominantly sells homes. Turns out that September is a great month to sell real estate in Virginia. According to Inman Select, the best month to sell a home in Virginia is September. The quarter that includes the traditional fall months of the year of September, October and November is the best period of time to sell. The data compiled monthly selling trends including average days on market, … (0 comments)

virginia: Yes Virginia. There IS a real estate market - 12/05/18 03:33 PM

DEAR EDITOR: I am a Seller of a home in Northern Virginia. Some of my friends say that this is not a good market to sell real estate. Others say, “If you see it in the HBC Group-Keller Williams articles, you can believe it.” Please tell me the truth; is this a good time to be in the market?
Yes, Virginia, this is a great time to be in the market in Northern Virginia. Virginia, your friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. In many sub-markets of the Northern Virginia, Washington DC and suburban Maryland … (2 comments)

virginia: Yes Virginia, there is a real estate market - 11/29/17 12:17 PM

virginia: The Air is Crisp in the Fall Real Estate Market - 09/23/16 06:46 AM

Fall has officially arrived! In the fall of the year, professional real estate agents are frequently asked the question: “Should I wait until the spring?”
The primary reason why people should buy and sell real estate is because it is the right time for their particular situation. In any given market at any given point in time there are Buyers ready, willing and able to purchase real estate. And there are Sellers who it is time to move. However, many people want to “time the market” thinking that if they do it will optimize their purchase or sale.
The spring is not necessarily … (3 comments)

virginia: 2015 Outstanding Year Overall for Real Estate in McLean & Great Falls - 01/09/16 02:07 AM

The numbers are in for 2015 in McLean and Great Falls and the market is up almost 11% over 2014 in terms of number of sales. This is excellent news for the market area as it indicates an environment for the potential for price appreciation, provided demand remains strong relative to supply.

The best performing segment for these zip codes was the lower brackets, considered to be under $1.25 million. Not surprising the entry level home purchaser experienced the most significant increase of 23% in demand. Most analysts attribute this to the Millennial Generation now entering the market to purchase their … (0 comments)

virginia: Yes, Virginia, There Is A Real Estate Market - 12/23/15 02:53 AM

DEAR EDITOR: I am a Seller of a home in Northern Virginia. Some of my friends say that this is not a good market to sell real estate. Others say, “If you see it in the HBC Group-Keller Williams articles, you can believe it.” Please tell me the truth; is this a good time to be in the market?

Yes, Virginia, this is a great time to be in the market in Northern Virginia. Virginia, your friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. Many economists predict that home prices are headed up over the next … (1 comments)

virginia: Historic Pleasant Grove Church, McLean, VA - By Michelle Arcari - 11/20/15 06:53 AM

Historic Pleasant Grove Church
8671 Lewinsville Road, McLean, Virginia 22102
est. 1895
The local Virginia scenic byways are a great way to enjoy nature’s spectacular display of Fall colors. There are a number of long, winding roads in McLean to cruise down and take in the vibrant foliage. Just past the intersection of Spring Hill Road on the way to Route 7, there is a deep curve on Lewinsville Road that flows past one of the regions truly historic structures - Pleasant Grove Church.
Sited just across Lewinsville Road from the Jewett Farm, the little white church with the red roof is an outstanding example of 19th century Virginia vernacular … (0 comments)

virginia: Silver Line Metro area zip codes have a banner year! -Jenny McClintock - 11/06/15 01:49 AM

Every home owner in Reston is asking the same question. Is the Wiehle Avenue metro station creating more demand for home ownership? The analysis for the past two years shows a resounding yes, at least in two of the three Reston zip codes for single family homes.
The zip codes closest to the Wiehle Ave metro station are 20190 and 20191. Zip code 20190 is north of the Dulles Toll Road to Baron Cameron Avenue and is comprised mainly of townhouses and condominiums with a concentration at the Reston Town Center. Reston 20191 is south of Dulles Toll Road to Lawyers … (0 comments)

virginia: My Ministry as Professional Real Estate Agent - 08/20/15 08:15 AM

In many situations in my chosen profession as a full-time real estate agent, I serve in a ministerial capacity for the people involved. While pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree at Southern Methodist University, I took many classes at the Cox School of Business as well as Perkins School of Theology. This unique combination of educational background enables me to serve both the business and personal needs of our clients and customers.

The definition of “minister” as verb according to Dictionary.com I believe relates to buying and selling of real estate: to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities; to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

In all life events, in my experience I … (1 comments)

virginia: How Public Schools Rankings can Effect Housing Values - 08/13/15 05:04 AM

A client who lives in Great Falls, Virginia posed the question recently: Is there a premium for a house in the Langley High School district versus South Lakes High School? Both of the schools are in the acclaimed Fairfax County Public School umbrella, which is the 10th largest in size in the United States.
Langley High School is predominately located in the postal addresses of McLean and Great Falls, and the majority of the South Lakes High School district falls in the boundaries of Reston. This question has at its core the basic principle of “incremental substitution” that Thomas Sowell addressed in … (0 comments)

virginia: Key Objectives of a Home Inspection - 07/30/15 02:48 AM

As a professional, full-time real estate agent I have found that there are 3 key objectives for a Purchaser to have a home inspection on a property under contract to buy. The first is to have a clear understanding of the physical condition of the property so that the Purchaser knows what they are actually buying and make a “red light/green light” decision on whether to continue with the transaction. The second is to educate the Purchaser on recommended maintenance/life expectancy for the systems and the structural components of the home. And third is to create a list for the Seller … (10 comments)

virginia: Banner First Half 2015 for Real Estate in McLean and Great Falls - 07/22/15 07:39 AM

The first half 2015 in McLean and Great Falls is up over 16% over all in terms of number of sales in comparison to the previous time frame in 2014. This is very good news for the market area as it indicates an environment for the potential for price appreciation, provided demand remains strong relative to supply

The chart breaks out sales of homes for both zip codes into the lower brackets which is considered under $1.25 million and the upper brackets which is above $1.25 million. Looking deeper into the statistics, it reveals that all price points other than the … (0 comments)

virginia: World Class Cities: European vs. Washington, DC - 07/15/15 06:17 AM

Recently I returned from a cruise on the Danube with my husband from Prague to Budapest, spending time in both as well as Vienna, Austria and other small towns along the river. I observed several key similarities to those world class European cities and Washington, DC. Washington, DC was designed by a Frenchman: Pierre L’Enfant in 1791 so has strong European roots.

First, all are on a river. The cities Prague, Budapest and Vienna are located on the Danube. The Potomac River banks the western border of Washington, DC (this occurred in 1846 when the portion that was previously deeded to be … (0 comments)

virginia: 4th of July in America: Freedom Isn’t Free Home Ownership Isn’t Either - 07/01/15 02:45 AM

This week as we celebrate the 4th of July reminds me of a sign our son Drew had in his room growing up that stated boldly: FREEDOM. Drew bought the sign because he found it hugely ironic that he could purchase something that says “freedom” but that it wasn’t “free,” it had a cost in order to acquire it. As we celebrate the 4th, let us remember the benefits associated with living in a democracy that it wasn’t and doesn’t continue to be without cost. There are many who have given their lives and sacrificed deeply so that we could become … (1 comments)

virginia: Considering the Kids When Moving - 06/18/15 01:33 AM

Professional Realtors® are frequently involved in helping parents with children make personal decisions about buying and or selling the family home. A lot depends on the age of the children and if the move will be local or out of the area. There are some professions and careers such as the military or large corporations that move people frequently. In my experience those children often become very resilient and adapt easily to change.

Parents of children I have found often place school selection as one of the top priorities in selecting a neighborhood or community to live in. In my experience, schools … (1 comments)

virginia: The Orchestration of a Real Estate Transaction - 05/27/15 03:18 AM

This weekend is Memorial Day which makes the think of the beach. One of our favorite resorts is The Breakers of West Palm Beach. A top manager there shared with me on a recent visit that the coordination of the services at a luxury hotel to that of an orchestra director. The conductor is key to the coming together of many unique instruments playing sounds at just the right time and place in order for beautiful music to occur. In a hotel with the rich heritage of The Breakers, it means team members making certain everything is in place at the … (0 comments)

virginia: The Transformation of Tysons Corner, VA - 04/16/15 05:32 AM

Tysons Corner, Virginia is going through a significant transformation. The Fairfax County plan will make it the largest reurbanization project in the world. The construction of I-495 Capital Beltway 40 years ago created a triangle at the intersection of Routes 7 and 123 which became known as Tysons Corner. The 2014 completion of the Silver Line by the Washington, DC Metro Authority was the final piece of the puzzle in granting Tysons Corner full fledge city status.
The Silver Line has four new Metrorail stations in the Tysons area. The area is one of the region’s most congested areas as it brings … (0 comments)

virginia: “Hope Springs Eternal” and Welcoming Spring - 03/27/15 12:57 AM

The first day of spring was Friday, March 20, 2015 and you can feel the hope in the air! The groundhog saw his shadow and thus predicted six more weeks of winter on February 2, 2015. Unfortunately Phil’s prediction has proven true! http://www.weather.com/news/news/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-2015-spring-or-winter
The quote “hope springs eternal” comes from the classic poem by Alexander Pope and it speaks to the common human trait of optimism. The Washington DC metro area has experienced unusual levels of snow and cold weather during the first quarter of 2015, so the coming of physical spring is even more welcomed and pronounced than in past … (0 comments)

virginia: 2039 N. Vermont Street Arlington VA - The Value of a Walkable Location - 03/18/15 05:07 AM

There are numerous factors that determine whether a location is considered highly walkable. The first is that there is a central location where people congregate. Typically there are many restaurant options, shops, and access to public transportation. The infrastructure design is pedestrian oriented and planned for bicyclists and mass transit. Daily shopping needs can be met without having to get into a car, usually vehicular parking is not as accessible which discourages use. The neighborhood has mixed use with workplaces, schools, and recreation is integrated with housing and shopping.

Visit www.walkscore.com to assess how walkable a particular address is. The … (1 comments)

virginia: Property Tax Assessments and Fair Market Value - 03/05/15 02:52 AM

In the first quarter of the year, most jurisdictions send out the property tax assessment for the coming year. In fact, Fairfax County, Virginia where I live distributed the assessments recently. One can go online to find out more information at the Fairfax County government site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/real-estate-assessments.htm

A question I often hear as a professional real estate agent: Is the tax assessment fair market value? Sellers typically want their property tax assessment to be low so that their taxes are low, so they almost always feel that their home is worth more than the tax assessment indicates. Buyers typically don’t … (0 comments)

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