Tuesday, July 28, 2015

4 Reasons to Sell Your Northern Virginia Home This Summer

There is no doubt that now is a beneficial time for NoVa homebuyers to make a move and purchase their dream home— mortgage rates will be up nearly a percentage point next year, home prices are rising and the cost of renting is significantly higher.

 However, it's also a great time for home sellers in Northern Virginia to jump into the market and take advantage of the increasing buyer activity and demand! 

 If you've been thinking about moving, here are four reasons that might convince you to sell your Annandale, Falls Church, Springfield, Alexandria, Arlington, McLean home this summer:

 Buyer demand
As I mentioned above, buyer demand right now is soaring! Homes are selling quicker and foot traffic of those ready to purchase a home is the highest it's been in two years! Home sellers in NoVa can take advantage of the number of buyers in the market and list their property now.

 Home prices are rising
According to the president of RealtyTrac, 2015 sellers are realizing the biggest gains in home appreciation in eight years! In June alone, homeowners were able to sell above market value for the first time in two years. One reason for it? The lack of inventory available to buyers, which brings me to the next point.

 Lack of inventory
A lack of inventory in the real estate market means less competition for you, home sellers! Not only does this drive up the final sales price, but it allows your home to move faster pending the home was prepared well for listing. Oftentimes, with lower inventory numbers, buyers find that they are not the only ones interested in a property and thus, the sales price is driven up!

 Great time to move
If you've been dreaming of a move in Northern Virginia, now is the time to do it! Mortgage rates and housing prices will be up significantly by this time next year and you will only end up costing yourself more money by waiting.

 With my decades of expertise in the Northern Virginia real estate market, I can help you achieve a successful home sale and find your next dream home! Give me a call today!
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. 
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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

5 Museums Where You Can Beat the Heat in Northern Virginia

It seems those hot, dog days of summer have set in here in Northern Virginia! The rising temperatures no doubt have NoVa residents turning up the AC and searching for ways to cool off away from the glaring sun. And I've got just the thing!

 One of the reasons that makes Northern Virginia such a great place to call home is the abundance of museums and culture available to residents. Below are five local museums where you can enjoy a summer afternoon, cooling off and soaking in the information available at the exhibits.

 Carlyle House
Alexandria, VA

 Carlyle House was built in 1753 by Scottish businessman John Carlyle and quickly became a popular destination for politics. Visitors today can take tours and enjoy the numerous events and exhibits in place to detail this NoVa hotspot.

 Gunston Hall
Lorton, VA

 George Mason, known as the Father of the Bill of Rights, lived in this colonial mansion that is now open to experience! Guided tours are available to educate visitors on the mansion's decor, grounds, outbuildings and more. 

 National Air and Space Museum
Chantilly, VA

 View thousands of artifacts from planes, jets and spacecraft in this newer museum located in Chantilly. The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian and also boasts an IMAX theater, food court and Wall of Honor that notes experts in air and space.

 Manassas Battlefield Park
Manassas, VA

 This park located right off I-66 is one of Northern Virginia's most historic sites. It is the home of an early Civil War Battle and full of exhibits, statues, weapons and videos to learn more about this key part of our nation's history.

 The Lyceum
Alexandria, VA

 Also known as Alexandria's History Museum, the Lyceum gives visitors a chance to uncover the community's rich history. The museum is located right in Old Town and is filled to the brim with exhibits and galleries on different eras in history. Here you can also find over 5,000 relics to deepen your experience!

 If you're new to Northern Virginia or simply deciding which community would be the best place to buy a home, give me a call! With my years of experience in the NoVa real estate market, I can guide you through the homebuying process and the area!
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. 
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Should You Wait Until Next Year to Buy a Home in Northern Virginia?

There are many questions for homebuyers in Northern Virginia this summer— one of which may cross your mind as you're browsing available properties. Is now really the right time? Should you wait until next year to buy a home instead?

While only you can know what's right for you financially, it's important to remember that there will be a cost associated with waiting to buy. And it will be hundreds of dollars higher than this year!

Let's take a $250,000 house in Northern Virginia, for instance. With mortgage rates currently around 4 percent, your principal and interest will come out near $1,100. However, you decide to wait until next year to make that same purchase. Home prices are projected to appreciate by 5 percent over the next year which means that home will soon cost nearly $263,000. Interest rates will be higher also, meaning your new mortgage payment will be $1,400 instead of that initial $1,100!

Depending on your financial situation, the difference could be as high as $300 per month! Over the course of a year, with a new mortgage rate of 5 percent, the annual extra cost will come out to $2,600 or more!

What does that mean for your wallet? Think of it this way:

  • It's your morning coffee ($2) every day and $10 spent for lunch
  • It's dinner out every Friday night ($50, 4 nights per month)
  • It's a new car with a monthly payment of $215-300 per month
  • It's your yearly family vacation ($2000)
  • It's a new deck or similar home renovation
If you don't have this much extra money in your budget to purchase a home next year, it may be wise to invest now! With my expertise in the Northern Virginia real estate market, I'm here to help you make smart home buying decisions and enjoy a stress-free process!
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. 
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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Moving Your Northern Virginia Closing Process Along This Summer

Buying a home in Northern Virginia is a process that ultimately ends with your closing. However, there can be some bumps along the way that cause the closing date to be pushed back. 

 Closing delays can be caused by both the NoVa home seller and the homebuyer— but, don't be dismayed! There are steps you can take to ensure the process moves smoothly this summer:

 Have your agent help
Once your property is under contract in Annandale, Fairfax, McLean, Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield, your real estate agent can check in with all of the parties involved once (or more!) per week. An expert real estate agent can notice surprises or changes in the transaction and work ahead to prevent any delays. 

Keep in touch with your lender
Buyers in NoVa should check in with their lender often, as much as once per week. With so much paperwork involved in today's real estate transactions, lenders can need the same information over and over again. When lenders ask for documents or signatures, do your best to get it to them right away!

 Keep your finances on track
If you're in the process of obtaining financing for your Northern Virginia home, do not make any major changes as even the littlest one can affect your closing status. Buying a new car or applying for a credit card can affect your loan and could cause you to lose the loan entirely or delay the home purchase. 

 It's an exciting time in the real estate market for both buyers and sellers, so don't let a closing delay get the best of you! More often than not, closing delays can be avoided by planning and exercising financial care during the home purchase period. Simply stay on top of the parties involved in the transaction and your home closing should move along swiftly this summer!

 Have questions about the closing process or buying a home in NoVa? Give me a call today!
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. 
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