home buyers: Sold in Ashburn Farm – Ashburn Virginia 20147
- 01/04/19 01:47 PM
Sold in Ashburn Farm – Ashburn Virginia 20147
My buyers were relocating from out of state and a referral from a past client. I am so grateful I was able to have the opportunity to find their forever home. The Roy’s were prepared from day one and truly such a pleasure to work with. Now it’s time for them to start planting roots in Ashburn. Thank you Bob and Jen for trusting me to help you find your new home!
A big thank you to Lisa Zuraw with Re/Max Select Properties, a true professional and someone I hope to have the chance to … (14 comments)
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home buyers: 5 Ways Buyers Sabotage Their Home Purchase
- 07/10/18 05:49 AM
5 Ways Buyers Sabotage Their Home Purchase
Buying a home is a big event and it can lead to a lot of different emotions. The excitement is wonderful but, the stress can get to you if you let it. Don’t sabotage your dream of owning a home. Steer clear of these mistakes and you’ll stay on track right through closing on your new home!
Maintain Your Pre-Approval – just because you’re pre-approved doesn’t mean it’s good forever or that it can’t be changed. You need to stay pre-approved until after closing – even after your loan is fully approved do not make any … (38 comments)
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home buyers: Buying A Home vs. Renting A Home
- 06/08/18 02:17 PM
Buying A Home vs. Renting A Home
In the spirit of June being National Homeownership Month I thought I’d revisit the topic of buying a home vs. renting. Long before I became a real estate agent I was a big believer in buying a home or multiple homes. My belief has only strengthened as the years have gone by. Many still consider it to be the American Dream to own a home and it’s truly not as hard as one might think. Gone are the days of needing 20% down in order to get a mortgage. Home prices are rising, so are interest … (25 comments)
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home buyers: Tips For Home Buyers In A Seller’s Market
- 03/02/18 12:46 PM
Tips For Home Buyers In A Seller’s Market
Many areas are experiencing extreme seller's markets right now and Alexandria is no exception. How can you prepare as a buyer who is looking for a home in a seller’s market?
Get Pre-Approved – the market is moving very quickly and when you find the home you want to make an offer on you need to act quickly. If you have to wait one to two days to make an offer because you’re waiting for a pre-approval you risk the house going under contract. Sellers are not going to consider an offer that doesn’t have … (16 comments)
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home buyers: Buying A Home In Northern Virginia In 2018 – Part 2
- 02/17/18 05:02 AM
Buying A Home In Northern Virginia In 2018 – Part 2
This is part 2 of our buying a home in Northern Virginia in 2018 series. You can read part 1 of our series here. We pick up where we left off with senior loan officer Brian Pawsat of Caliber home loans to talk about taking the right steps to purchase a home this year and what the current market conditions mean for home buyers.
Brian makes an excellent point that unless you live with your parents you’re going to have a housing payment – that could be rent or it could be … (15 comments)
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home buyers: How Much Should I Offer on a Home?
- 02/15/18 05:50 AM
Beth Atalay, Broker and Owner of CAM Realty in Clermont, Florida gives excellent advice in her post. There are common myths about how much to offer on a home. Considering the current market conditions and the home itself are a must before deciding what to offer.
How Much Should I Offer on a Home?Buying a home is a major event in our lives and we want to make sure we’re doing everything right and not overpaying for our dream home. How do we know what that price is? It’s really not that complicated but time isn’t on your side as a buyer, … (11 comments)
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home buyers: Buying A Home In Northern Virginia In 2018 – Part 1
- 02/08/18 05:17 AM
Buying A Home In Northern Virginia In 2018 – Part 1
Buying a home is a big decision and it takes proper planning; both in the form of planning financially and making a plan that's best for your own personal timing. We sat down with senior loan officer Brian Pawsat of Caliber home loans to talk about what he’s seeing for mortgage rates and down payments in 2018. We also picked his brain about the Northern Virginia real estate market.
Mortgage rates – they’re on the rise. We’ve all been talking about it for years but, it’s really happening. As of today’s … (11 comments)
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home buyers: Under Contract in Warrenton – 156 Sterling Ct Warrenton, Virginia
- 02/07/18 02:10 PM
Under Contract in Warrenton – 156 Sterling Ct Warrenton, Virginia
156 Sterling Ct Warrenton, Virginia
There’s nothing more I love about being in real estate than working with past clients who have become friends. It's so special when that happens. When my clients contacted me to let me know they needed more space because they had their second child on the way I was thrilled. We met and went over what we needed to do to get their home on the market and a few days later set out to house hunt. We toured Sterling Ct on our first trip out and they … (19 comments)
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home buyers: How Many Homes Should You Tour Before Making An Offer?
- 02/04/18 09:53 AM
How Many Homes Should You Tour Before Making An Offer?
This is a question I get asked a lot. It comes from first time home buyers the most but, there are many buyers out there who wonder just how many homes they should see. The answer … there is no magic number. Sorry to disappoint but, there really isn’t a one size fits all number.
A home buyer who is focused in on one specific neighborhood probably won’t see as many homes as one who is looking at multiple neighborhoods or even multiple cities. That just comes down to the number of … (21 comments)
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home buyers: Are Home Inspectors Ever Wrong?
- 01/07/18 06:17 AM
Are Home Inspectors Ever Wrong?
Most of the time when we’re talking home inspectors it revolves around buyers hiring one to inspect the home they’re purchasing. That’s not always the case though. Homeowners and seller’s hire home inspectors too. Home inspectors can identify repairs that are needed or going to be needed in the future and that can avoid costly deferred maintenance for homeowners or give sellers a chance to correct a problem prior to going on the market.
I always like to compare a home inspection to going to the doctor to get a physical. It’s not a pass or fail activity. Home … (24 comments)
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home buyers: 4 Bedroom Homes For Sale in Alexandria
- 01/05/18 11:18 AM
4 Bedroom Homes For Sale in Alexandria
Low inventory continues to be a trend in the Alexandria real estate market along with many other areas of the country. This is typically the time of year that we see inventory increase, days on the market inch up, and overall slower activity but, this year it a little different. There are still a lot of buyers looking for the perfect home and the market has been busy.
A four bedroom home is something many of our buyer clients seek out, particularly when they’re looking for a single family home. We often hear from them … (13 comments)
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home buyers: How Does The New Tax Bill Impact Homeowners?
- 01/02/18 01:36 PM
How Does The New Tax Bill Impact Homeowners?
Many homeowners, buyers, and sellers are wondering how the tax reform legislation that passed in December is going to impact them. As with most things in real estate – it depends. There are several items in the bill that affect the housing market. Below is an overview of what it means for homeowners, buyers, and sellers.
Mortgage Interest Deduction – through the end of 2025 new home buyers will only be able to deduct interest on the first $750,000 of a mortgage. This is a decrease from $1 million. The deduction cap will revert to $1 … (12 comments)
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home buyers: Why You Should Buy A Home In The Winter
- 11/25/17 05:29 AM
Why You Should Buy A Home In The Winter
Statistically home sales slow during the winter but, it’s a myth real estate stops all together. Touring homes in the cold and the wind isn’t as appealing as it is when the grass is green and the sun is shining but, as a buyer if you’re willing to brave the winter weather there are benefits to buying in the winter.
Fewer Buyers Equals Less Competition
With sales being slower that ties back to there being fewer buyers in the market which means less competition. Spring can be a feeding frenzy where multiple offers happen regularly and … (25 comments)
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home buyers: What Home Inspection Repair Requests Should A Buyer Avoid?
- 09/01/17 07:29 AM
What Home Inspection Repair Requests Should A Buyer Avoid?
A common question we receive from buyers is whether or not they should ask for everything that’s listed in their home inspection report. The short answer is no but, what repairs should a buyer avoid asking for? It’s important for buyers purchasing a resale home to remember that the home inspection isn’t an opportunity to ask for upgrades or minor items. Home inspections are the buyer’s opportunity to find out if the home has major structural or mechanical defects and there are only so many repairs sellers are going to be willing … (26 comments)
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home buyers: 5 First Time Home Buyer Mistakes
- 03/26/17 05:47 AM
First Time Home Buyer Mistakes
Buying a home is a big decision and if you’re a first time home buyer all of the unknowns can be downright overwhelming. Avoid these common mistakes that often occur when purchasing your first home.
Not Understanding What You Can Afford- getting pre-approved should be one of your first steps once you’ve decided you want to purchase a home. Your loan officer will take a look at your finances and determine what you can afford. This doesn’t mean you have to purchase a home that’s equal to the maximum amount you qualify for but, it does mean that you’ll … (33 comments)
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home buyers: How Does the Fed Affect Mortgage Rates?
- 03/17/17 11:17 AM
John Meussner with Mason-McDuffie Mortgage Corporation shares an excellent post with us. The Fed increasing rates doesn't mean it's time to panic over mortgage rates. Check out John's post to see how the Fed affects mortgage rates - you might be surprised at what you find!
How Does the Fed Affect Mortgage Rates?
What does the Fed do to mortgage rates? In the words of the late Edwin Starr, "Absolutely Nothin'". Yesterday. Janet Yellen announced a .25 increase in the Fed funds rate, and those in the real estate industry seemed quick to scare the pants off of potential home … (11 comments)
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home buyers: 6 Expenses Home Buyers Often Overlook
- 02/19/17 06:27 AM
6 Expenses Home Buyers Often Overlook
Becoming a homeowner is exciting but, it’s also a big investment and one that requires a lot of thought and preparation to make. Be sure to factor in these expenses that home buyers frequently overlook.
Home Inspection – while a home inspection isn’t required it is money WELL SPENT. Once you have made an offer on a home it’s in your best interest to have a professional conduct a home inspection for you. The cost varies on the size and type of home. In the Northern Virginia area they range from $250 to $750.
Appraisal – If … (26 comments)
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home buyers: Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 3
- 02/04/17 06:29 AM
Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 3
This week we will conclude our Home Buyer Pitfalls series with part 3. We originally planned to share a 2 part series but, after talking with one of our preferred lenders, Brian Kempf with George Mason Mortgage we wanted to share some insight on what he is seeing buyers struggle with when getting their financing in place.
Excessive Use of Credit Cards – we’re all coming off the holidays and we know that’s the season of giving but, if you’re purchasing a home you have to be careful. Ideally utilizing 30% of your available credit is … (19 comments)
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home buyers: Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 2
- 01/26/17 10:51 AM
Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 2
As we mentioned last week in part 1 of our Home Buyer Pitfalls series buying a home is a big decision and an even bigger investment. Let’s look at three more pitfalls this week that home buyers should avoid.
Always Looking For A Better Deal – when you’re looking for a new home it’s important to understand there are always going to be homes entering the market; it’s inevitable inventory will fluctuate. Buyers know when they’ve found “the one” – sounds cliché but, it’s true. Trust your instincts and be prepared to make an offer. Always looking … (19 comments)
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home buyers: Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 1
- 01/19/17 03:00 PM
Home Buyer Pitfalls – Part 1
Buying a home is one of, if not the biggest investment most people make during their lifetime. It can be a process with many unknowns because the majority of home buyers purchase between 1 and 4 homes throughout their lives. Planning ahead and preparing for your home purchase will save you a lot of time and stress. Emotional mistakes are common among home buyers because they let feelings cloud their judgment. Buyers shouldn't beat themselves up for getting emotional though, buying a home is a big deal! That said avoiding these pitfalls can save you a … (11 comments)
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Sold in Ashburn Farm – Ashburn Virginia 20147
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