homesbuyhendersons: Buying a Condo? Be Sure To Read the Condo Documents - 07/06/21 12:19 PM
A 2020 census report in Washington DC shows the population nearly tripled compared to the previous decade!
This exciting news means more people than ever before are buying condominiums in the District. If you're considering buying a condo in DC, make sure you take the time to review the condo documents. 
But first, what is a condominium? 
 
A condominium or condo is a single privately owned unit within a building or community of units.
Condo owners own what's inside the walls of their condo and share the maintenance of common elements like hallways, foyers and staircases, roofs, and rooftop decks.
Every condo or … (1 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: We Are NAEBA! - 06/10/21 09:25 AM
The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
NAEBA.org
If you are buying a home consider working with an exclusive buyer agent. We are real estate professionals dedicated to serving home buyers in every real estate transaction. 
We offer a straightforward
approach to real estate representation.
 
As a licensed real estate broker in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, I work with The Buyer Brokerage serving home buyers from Baltimore to Northern Virginia, Annapolis, and Washington DC. 
How do you determine the quality of a home? What is a good price for a property? What are the plans for the existing neighborhood and area for a home of interest? … (1 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Buying a Home in a Competitive Market? Listen Up Home Buyers! - 04/06/21 12:06 PM
 
Members of NAEBA, the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, advocate for homebuyers in every real estate transaction. These professionals share how they protect buyers’ best interests as they purchase a home. We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
Meet exclusive buyer agents Charlotte Lemon with The Real Buyer's Agent in Charleston SC, Rona Fischman broker-owner of 4 Buyers Real Estate in Cambridge MA, and Nikolina Lecic broker-owner of Exclusive Buyers Real Estate in Rochester Minnesota! We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
 
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homesbuyhendersons: What Home Buyers Need to Know about Radon - 03/30/21 04:43 PM

Listen Up Home Buyers Podcast
Today's guests are Glenford & Yvonne Blanc principals of Pro-Spex Residential & Commercial Inspections
Pro-Spex Inspection Company has won Angie's List super service award 8 years in a row.
Today's topic radon gas-what is it, why should you care & how to mitigate the gas if the levels are high in your home.
 
Listen Up Home Buyers Radon & Deck Safety with Pro-Spex Glenford & Yvonne Blanc produced by Victoria Ray Henderson with The Buyer Brokerage in McLean Virginia. Licensed real estate broker in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland. 
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homesbuyhendersons: Buying a Home in Maryland? Let's talk - 10/15/20 01:04 PM
Should you put your house buying plans on hold? 
 
"Is it still crazy competive for buyers right now?" and "Is it possible to get a deal on a house for sale?" are common questions from home buyers these days. My answer to both questions is, Yes!
 
According to new September 2020 data from the Maryland Association of Realtors, in 2020 the active inventory meaning the houses for sale through the Multiple Listing Service is 10,117. In 2019 there were 25, 146 homes for sale. 
In addition, the average days a house stays on the market for sale in Maryland in 2020 is 8 days. … (3 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Guide to Buying a Home During the Pandemic - 09/14/20 10:57 AM
Does finding a home feel like an impossible dream? 
 
As an exclusive buyers agent, I help people buy homes and it's tough out here. Last night one of my buyer clients sent me a text saying, "Did you see what the house on 13th sold for? $80,000 over the list price!" My clients offer was one of 15 offers for the 1500 square foot rowhouse.
My client made a decent offer for the rowhouse on 13th in N.E. Washington DC. He even decided to escalate a little over the list price and keep the appraisal contingency. But as I told him, you can't … (3 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Are Your Home Buying Plans On Hold? - 04/30/20 01:07 PM
In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, our lives have flipped upside down. 
No rush hour delays, no happy hours with friends, no fixed work schedules
Life changed so quickly & dramatically, it feels like we are in the middle of a catacalysmic shift, silently altering the way we live today and the way we will live tomorrow.
 
So what does this mean for you-the home buyer who had planned to be house hunting this Spring? 
I am working with a few home buyers who have to find a home this Spring or they won't have a place to live. One couple has to find … (4 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: You Can't Ignore This Plumbing Problem! - 02/24/20 11:04 AM
Every weekend house tour gives me the opportunity to see something I've never seen before!
 
I've seen beautiful homes that have beautiful hardwood floors clean and freshly polished, new interior doors, fresh paint in the walls and trim and curb appeal that makes me smile when I pull up to the house!
 Here is some unsolicited advice to anyone who may be putting their house on the market for sale.
Clean Your House & Repair Obvious Plumbing and Electrical Issues
 
Really?
I think the money spent on this amount of duct tape could have gone to fixing the problem. 
If you are buying a home, … (4 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: The Work Life Balance - 09/10/19 06:32 PM
 
 
Balancing Work & Life Is A Challenge
 
In the business of real estate, it's a challenge to carve out time for yourself. Just today, I checked my schedule and then rechecked the calendar to be sure I could spend the hour and a half it takes to get a manicure and pedicure. When I settled into the chair and relaxed, it was great! 
It had been too long since I gave myself some time to recharge and I'm reminded that I should practice what I preach!
 
Practice deep breathing, the belly breathing that requires deep exhalations and big inhalations. Consider breathing in for … (5 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Listen Up Homebuyers Podcast - 09/02/19 05:55 AM
 
 
This new podcast features buyer agents from all around the country. In this first podcast, Andi Defelice, Associate Broker with Exclusive Buyers Realty in Savannah Georgia talks about VA loans, obtaining seller credits and more! 
Here's a link to the podcast, Listen Up Home Buyers
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homesbuyhendersons: Wordless Wednesday-Humpback Whale - 06/06/19 08:14 AM
Breathtaking! So close to such a magnificent animal.
 
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homesbuyhendersons: The Post-Occupancy Agreement - 05/22/19 10:42 AM
Important Details To Understand When Signing a Post-Occupancy Agreement
Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash
 
Home buyers planning to purchase a home in the current market need to consider all their options to be competitive. It's not uncommon for a seller to review four or more offers for a single property in the Greater Washington DC area. Here are a few ways buyers can make an attractive offer-
All Cash Offers are frequently given more attention than offers with conventional, FHA or VA financing. Writing a Contract with Limited Contingencies. The home inspection addendum includes the following options: the right to negotiate and cancel, the right … (1 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Ignorance is Not Bliss in Real Estate - 05/06/19 11:47 AM

Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash
The Consumer Federation of America
released a report in January 2019 titled,
The Agency Mess
Home Buyer & Seller Confusion and Costs related to diverse and poorly enforced State laws about the Role and Responsibility of Real Estate Agents
 
I encourage all home buyers and sellers to read this extensive report since it impacts one of the most expensive financial decision you will make in your lifetime. The author of the report Stephen Brobeck had this to say,
 
"Today, many home buyers and sellers do not know whether their agent is representing their interests, those of the other party, or those of neither. Given … (2 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: May feels like the happiest month of the year-Wordless Wednesday - 05/01/19 07:50 AM

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homesbuyhendersons: How Not To Be A Bitter Buyer - 04/09/19 12:06 PM
The escalation clause is used by home buyers who are competing with other buyers in a multiple offer situation.
Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash
 
In the Greater Washington DC area, buyers are competing for houses on the market near a Metro station, shops, and restaurants. In Arlington Virginia, where the Amazon headquarters will soon be located, the competition is tough. Last week, we submitted a contract on a one bedroom condo in Arlington and ours was one of twelve offers!  We included an escalation clause which looks something like this;
Sales Price $350,000 with an escalation factor of $1000 and a cap at $365,000
This means the … (3 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Why Consider an HOA? Wordless Wednesday - 04/03/19 04:14 AM

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homesbuyhendersons: Cherry Blossoms in the Washington DC Area - 03/25/19 11:08 AM
Walking along the Tidal Basin when the cherry trees are in bloom is a magical experience. 
Photo by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash
One year I remember seeing tourists with tiny pink blossoms in their hair and on their clothes. There was a slight breeze and pink swirly blossoms were flying everywhere. Like I said, magical. But it's also crowded and it's easy to walk right into someone as you gaze up at the beautiful blossoms. 
If you are planning to visit Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms in full peak bloom, the weekend of April 13th & 14th should be your target time to visit. There … (3 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: A Podcast for Home Buyers - 03/11/19 05:54 AM
 A home buying podcast is in the works! 
 
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash
I spent about half an hour on the phone with a buyer client yesterday explaining the first steps to take as you prepare to buy a home.
We talked about the importance of meeting with a lender to be pre-approved for a loan.   I explained the importance of choosing the right location. This is a critical first step and should factor your daily commute, schools and other criteria that impacts your daily life. We had a good laugh about HGTV and the shows that make home improvement projects look so easy! But … (0 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Are You Really Ready to Buy A Home? - 02/22/19 02:22 PM
Spring is in the air in the Greater Washington DC area!
Do you know how I can tell?
 
 
Photo by William Stitt on Unsplash
 
We are competing with many contracts for almost every house and condo for sale within walking distance to a Metro station. 
If you are a first time home buyer, follow these steps for success to find your home 
Talk to a lender before you begin looking for a home. A reputable local lender will help you determine your price range. He/she will also explain the types of loan packages and explain the options to find the best plan that works for you and your … (2 comments)

homesbuyhendersons: Why You Should Consider a Sewer Inspection - 02/15/19 11:03 AM

The sewer inspection monitor screen
 
If you are buying a home that is over ten years old, you might want to consider a sewer inspection. While this is not typically done in most home inspections, if you plan to remodel and add a bathroom or additional kitchen or bar, a sewer inspection would be the smart thing to do. 
We recently had the opportunity to see a sewer inspection in a townhouse built in the early 1950's. The sewer had been put into place about 69 years ago and to our knowledge, had never been inspected. 
Signs that you may need a sewer inspection
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Victoria Ray Henderson, Washington DC Real Estate  (HomeBuyer Brokerage)

Victoria Ray Henderson

Washington DC Real Estate

Washington, DC

More about me…

HomeBuyer Brokerage

Address: The Buyer Brokerage, 1320 Old Chain Bridge Road Suite 430, McLean, VA, 22101

Mobile: 301.922.1677



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