Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Halloween Events in Northern Virginia and DC

Can you believe it's already Halloween? This week there are some great events happening in our Northern Virginia and DC areas and many opportunities to enjoy and get involved with this fun holiday! Below are a few of those events— know of more? Be sure to let me know how you'll be spending this Halloween.

Night of the Living Zoo
October 30, 2013; 6 PM to 10 PM
National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC
Admission: $20
It's Back! Join the National Zoo for a Halloween Bash for the Big Kids! Wear your best costume while enjoying the zoo by the light of the moon. Enjoy bone-chilling and mind-boggling performances including palm readers, fire eaters, talking bats, and illusionists.

Fields of Fear
Through November 2, 2013; 7:30 PM to 11 PM
Cox Farms
15621 Braddock Road, Centreville VA
A haunted nighttime destination for Northern Virginia! The fields fill with creatures and attractions abound— come if you dare.

Meow-loween at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter
Through Halloween
Fairfax County Animal Shelter
4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax VA
Get in the spirit of Halloween and celebrate "Meow-loween" with program activities and adoption incentives like half-off cat adoption fees through Halloween. In the spirit of the holiday, fall for one of the shelter's orange tabbies or silky black cats.

24th Annual Mall-o-ween at Fair Oaks Mall
October 31, 2013; 5 PM to 8 PM
Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax VA
Dress in your favorite costumes and head to the mall to trick-or-treat at your favorite stores. 

Halloween Spooktacular
October 31, 2013; 5 PM to 7 PM
Great Falls Village Center, Great Falls VA
Children are encourage to dress in their favorite costumes, experience the Haunted House, and trick or treat in the heart of town.


Don't live in our Northern Virginia or DC area yet? No problem! I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore





Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Stats


















































































The latest in Northern Virginia real estate market statistics to help you get a better idea of what the market looks like in our area. All statistics provided by RBIIntel.

Ready to buy? I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Why You'll Want to Sell Your NOVA Home Now

The busy homebuying season of the summer is officially over and homebuyers are getting ready to enter the real estate market again. But there is one other category in Northern Virginia real estate who would do well to hit the local markets now— home sellers! Below are four reasons why it's a great time to put your house on the market:

You're in Demand
Northern Virginia homes for sale are high in demand right now. As the summer buying season is over, the inventory is now lower. NOVA and DC homebuyers are starting to flood local real estate markets, but do not have much to pick from. List your home for sale and attract buyers while they're serious about buying a home in Northern Virginia.

New Construction Becoming More Popular
In the past, home sellers did not have to compete much with new construction homes in Northern Virginia. However, now builders are jumping back in and ready to provide homebuyers with a shiny, new option for homebuyers. Think about selling your home now before new construction becomes the hot ticket in real estate.

Interest Rates are on the Move
They're rising once again! According to KCM, "Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently," however many real estate experts are predicting rates will begin to rise again later this year.

No matter if you're moving up in homes for sale in Northern Virginia or down, purchasing a new home next year will indeed cost more than if you acted upon moving right now.

It's Time for a Change
Now is a great time to make a move to a new home in the Northern Virginia areas of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church. Think about saving yourself the money in the long run and starting your home search for a new home now. It all starts with selling your current home and I have the experience and industry know-how to lead you on the right path.

Ready to sell? I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Buying a Home This Fall in Northern Virginia

There's a lot to think about when it comes to buying a home in Northern Virginia. Besides all of the house hunting for Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax real estate, there are the elements of purchasing a home during this specific season— fall. What does fall bring for Northern Virginia real estate and what do you need to know? Some tips below should help you toward homebuying success.

Mortgage Rates Still Low
Everyone has heard the talk about mortgage rates increasing, but the truth remains that they are still at historic lows. Don't let the real estate talk get you down— this is a great time to purchase a home in Northern Virginia and DC. As usual, there's always the chance they won't be this low next year.

Less Inventory
It is true that fewer people buy homes during the fall as we've just come out of the busy summer buying season. You do have less competition, but in turn, have less inventory to choose from. Not many home sellers are placing their homes up for sale at this time, so there are fewer properties available.

Motivated Sellers
Despite having less inventory in the real estate market, home sellers at this time are very motivated. Their homes may not have sold in the summer and as a result, they are ready to move these properties. Consider this when making your offer on a home— you might walk away with a great deal.

Keep it Reasonable
You might be able to score a great deal on real estate in Northern Virginia and DC, but don't get too greedy. The sellers have to be equally as motivated as you are to buy the home before they agree to a low offer. Keep it reasonable and you will be in the clear.

Fall is a great time to buy a home in Northern Virginia and DC and with the right knowledge and research, you just may score your dream home at a dream price.


Ready to buy? I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Why to Hire a Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent

If you've been perusing Northern Virginia real estate, dreaming of becoming a homeowner, and finally contemplating buying a home in Northern Virginia— one of the greatest decisions you can make to get there is hiring a real estate agent. Many homebuyers may wonder the benefits of hiring a real estate agent when searching for their new home in Alexandra, Arlington, or Fairfax. The following should help you realize that hiring a trusted, experienced real estate professional is just the first step in achieving your homebuyer and home seller dreams.

They have the education and experience
Real estate agents know the ins and outs of their particular area. For instance, the best neighborhoods in NOVA and DC, the homes for sale in Northern Virginia that are exactly what you're looking for. You don't need to know everything about real estate in your area— leave it to the pros.

They have neighborhood expertise
As your Northern Virginia real estate agent, I can help you compare the values of similar homes in your area to achieve a great listing price and how to get your home sold. When you hire a real estate agent, you don't have to do the research.

They have professional networks
As one of the top producing professionals in the Northern Virginia and DC areas, I have created a professional network in the industry over the past three decades. It's helpful to tap into this network when the time comes to buy or sell Northern Virginia real estate and hiring a trusted industry expert can do just that.

They handle the paperwork
Think of all the paperwork that comes with buying a home in Northern Virginia. Many purchase agreements can run 10 pages or more and with me as your real estate agent, I will walk you through step by step. In hiring a real estate agent, you have someone who's done this before and knows each step in the process.

They negotiate and buffer
Real estate agents are there to negotiate the deals, making sure you are getting a great one, and buffer out the builder's agents and other industry insiders that might try to take advantage of a homebuyer or home seller in your position. Your real estate agent acts with your best interests in mind to help you get what you want.

They answer questions
Because this is undoubtedly the biggest purchase you will make in your life, you will have questions. And you should have answers. Your real estate agent will be there to answer questions before, during, and after the closing, ready to assist you with whatever you might need.

Photo via KCM


I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore