Showing posts with label NOVA homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NOVA homes. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

What You Need to Know About Homeowner's Insurance in Northern Virginia

When you buy a new home in Northern Virginia, one of the next steps you take will be protecting it with homeowner's insurance. However, this can be a major source of stress for first-time buyers who have never navigated the process before. 

 But don't worry! As your local real estate expert in NoVA, I've included answers to a few common insurance questions below so you can cross this task off of your list of homeownership to-do's!

 Question: How much will I pay every month?

 Your monthly payment is determined by the following:

  • Your credit score
  • Your home's location and age
  • The costs to rebuild your home
  • Your distance to a fire department and hydrant
  • Your pets— certain breeds may mean you need more coverage
  • How much coverage you choose
  • Your claims history

Question: What is covered by my insurance?

 Typically, homeowner's insurance policies include coverage for damage by fire, hail, lightning, vandalism, windstorms and the like. Water damage is also commonly covered, whether it be from burst or frozen pipes. But be aware, earthquake and flood damage may not be included and could require a separate policy.

 Question: Do I need to secure insurance before I buy a home?

 You do not technically need to purchase homeowner's insurance before you buy a home, but your lender may require proof of your insurance before you can secure your loan. 

 Question: How much coverage will I need?

 Your coverage will be based on your assets and their value. It may help to take inventory of your home, writing down each item and how much you paid for it. Keep this inventory list in a safety deposit box or other safe area outside of your home in order to access it in case of emergency or loss. This list will also help your insurance agent determine how much coverage you need.

 Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you have about buying a home in Northern Virginia this year! I can help you find the best home and assist with your timeline to becoming a homeowner. I look forward to hearing from you!

 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Northern Virginia Home Buying Advice You Should Ignore This Year

While you are shopping for a home in Northern Virginia this year, your friends and family will likely offer all kinds of tips and advice relating to the purchase— things they learned from their experience with home buying or information they've heard about the current real estate market. But that doesn't mean you should follow every tip they give you; in fact, it is always best to consult your real estate agent with any questions you have.

 As your local real estate expert in NoVA, I've included four pieces of home buying advice NOT to follow this year to help steer you in the right direction and avoid any regrets later:

 Wait until prices drop to buy a home
When it comes to talk of timing, you may hear you'd be better off waiting until prices drop to buy a home in NoVA. However, that just isn't the case! Home prices are not expected to go back down, instead they are predicted to rise over the next 12 months. Don't put off buying a home over this idea, you'll only cost yourself more money.

 You don't need to use a real estate agent
The thought of cutting out commission may sound appealing to you, but don't be too quick to act alone. The home buying process is best navigated with an experienced real estate agent that knows the market, what you're looking for in a property and how to put together the best offer. You won't regret working with a pro!

 Start with a low offer and work up
Making a low ball offer is not always the best move, in fact, you could risk losing the home to another buyer if you don't start with your best foot forward. Your real estate agent will know how low is too low and the offer that will help you score a successful sale.

 Let the listing agent work for you
It may seem like an easy route to let the listing agent represent you as well, but remember that they do not have your best interests in mind. The seller's agent represents the seller first, so take the time to find an agent you trust that will work for you!

 If you have questions about buying a home this year in Northern Virginia, do not hesitate to give me a call! I will put my decades of experience to work for you to help you find the best possible home for your needs!

 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Real Estate Dealbreakers for Home Buyers in Northern Virginia

As you're shopping for homes in Northern Virginia, you're likely taking note of features like paint color, flooring, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and even yard size. These are all essential in determining whether a property is for you, but there are also a few others that should ultimately raise red flags and cause you to move on to the next home in your search.

 With over three decades of experience in helping buyers in Northern Virginia find their dream homes, I have included three deal breakers below to ensure you're not purchasing a home that will be a source of stress later.

 Floor plan
Cosmetic elements like paint colors and flooring can easily be changed, but altering the floor plan of a home may not be in the cards— and may be extremely costly. For instance, a small, enclosed kitchen is not ideal for many homebuyers and opening up the space into the living room oftentimes requires a large budget, construction crew and installing overhead beams to re-distribute the weight of the home. If you love only certain aspects of the home, but the floor plan is not for you, move on.

 Location
Many times homebuyers think they find "the one" in terms of updates, floor plan and square footage, but the location leaves much to be desired. Homes that are located near major highways, busy intersections or even next to shopping centers can be valued much lower than similar properties away from the hustle and bustle. If you're considering the home for the school district, you'll want to weigh the pros and cons of the area before deciding, otherwise, it's best to keep looking.

 Placement
Older homes tend to have different placement on their lot than newer homes— for example, close to the street, in busy areas, or on corner lots. If you prefer to have more privacy with a home set back on the lot, or in a place where you don't need to drive by your neighbor's home to get to yours, you'll want to pass on these ill-placed homes. Not only will it affect the value, but it may keep you from feeling truly at home.

 Questions about buying a home in Northern Virginia or what should make or break a deal? 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Why You Should Sell Your Northern Virginia Home This Summer

If you're a homeowner in Northern Virginia and thinking of moving on this year, you may be wondering the best time to list your home. Should you list this summer or wait until fall rolls around? Should you take your time to make updates and list toward the end of the year? Well, the answer is don't wait! 

 Summer is an ideal time to list your home in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Centreville, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean and the surrounding areas for numerous reasons— and I've listed a few of them below!

 Demand is back
Buyer demand has remained relatively strong over the past few months and doesn't seem to be winding down! Listing your home in Northern Virginia now will allow you to be seen by the buyers that are now ready and financially able to make a move on a new home!

 Things will move along quickly
It is just the beginning of summer and believe it or not, the market is just beginning to heat up for the season! By late summer, home sales are expected to surpass their highest levels in nearly a decade and banks, as a result, will be busy with loan inquiries and applications. Selling your home now will put you ahead of the rush and help speed up the process!

 You have less competition
Inventory is still trending on the lower side, still under the 6-month supply mark, and for home sellers, that means less competition. With buyer demand, the number of homes for sale cannot keep up! But that doesn't mean it will stay this way— just as I mentioned above, home sales are expected to rise and along with that increase, comes additional inventory. Don't wait for more properties to hit the market and risk putting your home in the shadows— now is the time to list!

 Are you ready to list your NoVA home and move on this summer? I can help walk you through the home selling process and help you 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

3 Things to Do Before Buying Fixer Upper Homes in Northern Virginia

So, you think you want to buy a fixer upper home? While your dreams of renovating a property may be driven by what you've seen on television shows, it's important to remember that the reality of updating a home from start to finish can be much more time-consuming, tedious, expensive and drawn-out than you realize.

 As your local real estate expert in the Northern Virginia and DC area, I am sharing below three things to do before you commit to buying a fixer upper home this year:

Research the location
Not only should you research the location of a home before purchasing, but also look into the zoning. What you may not know is that every community has zoning districts and restrictions surrounding what can and cannot be done to homes within their limits. You will want to take a close look at the zoning of your future property before you become too set on what renovations you will do once you get the keys.

 Speak with a contractor
Unless you are confident in your ability to do all of the work on your fixer upper home yourself, it is wise to speak with a contractor or architect who can assist you in carrying out your vision. One rule of thumb— gather quotes and opinions from several contractors in the area prior to choosing one for your projects.

 Bring a home inspector on board
It is a home inspector's job to look into any structural problems, in addition to pointing out what needs to be replaced— the roof, for instance. The last thing you want when you begin your renovation projects is to find that your foundation is unstable or a major operating system like the plumbing has failed. If you need recommendations for a home inspector in your area, do not hesitate to reach out! Remember, your real estate agent is a wealth of resources!

 Feel free to give me a call with any questions you have about buying a home in the NoVA area! With my decades of expertise, we can find the perfect home for your needs!

 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

3 Worthwhile Compromises When Buying Northern Virginia Real Estate

You've made a wish list of all of the features you want in a potential Northern Virginia home and now it's time for the house hunt to begin. However, after viewing a few properties, you  may notice that not every one of your must-haves can be fulfilled in a single home in your price range.

 What now? Compromise. While it is not always a word NoVA homebuyers like to hear, there are worthwhile trade-offs you will want to consider as you view available properties this summer.

 Square footage
A potential home in Northern Virginia could have everything you're looking for— an updated kitchen, the right school district, proximity to family and friends—but that could also mean giving up a playroom or guest bedroom. A compromise on square footage should only be entertained if you don't anticipate your space needs growing in the near future, otherwise you could find yourself needing to move all too soon.

 Location
If a compromise on square footage is not in the cards for you, many buyers find they are willing to budge on location. Oftentimes, a home within walking distance to entertainment, shops and restaurants is smaller than you would like— but moving a bit farther away could open you up to more homes that meet the criteria on your wish list.

 Backyard
Suppose a home fits the bill with the right amount of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as your budget, but you step outside to find a smaller yard. A compromise on yard size may be worthwhile if the home's interior succeeds in providing the space you are looking for this summer. 

 I have decades of experience in helping NoVA homebuyers find their dream property, identifying what is most important in terms of features, location and size. Do not hesitate to contact me today for more information about the current real estate market or available homes in 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. 
Connect With Us On LinkedIn 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Why May Is the Best Month to Sell Your Northern Virginia Home

Homeowners in Northern Virginia have many decisions to make when it comes to selling their property, but one that I'm happy to answer is when to list. The timing surrounding the listing of your NoVA home is important and as it turns out, this month is idyllic. 

 May is one of the best times to sell your home— with homes typically selling faster and for more than the national average. If you've been considering listing your home in Alexandria, Arlington, Chantilly, Falls Church, or the surrounding areas, below are three reasons why you might like to consider this month:

School is almost finished
Many homeowners base their move around the school year and with school almost finished for the year, now is the time to make it happen. Moving before the end of the summer allows homeowners to avoid changing school districts mid-term and settle in before the new year begins.

 The weather is favorable for moving
Late spring and early summer bring a wave of warmer weather that we've been missing for months and for homeowners, that means excellent moving conditions. Few desire to move in the snow and rain, but May presents a prime opportunity to move in the clear, cool temperatures.

Tax season has just ended
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, tax refunds offer homeowners the option to either channel the money back into their property with upgrades or in this case, into a new property altogether. Homeowners listing their property this month have the opportunity to put their refund to use as a down payment and to cover closing costs on their new home.

 Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about selling your NoVA home this year! I'm here to help!
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. 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)