Showing posts with label selling a home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selling a home. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

How to Lower Your Northern Virginia Utility Bills This Summer

It won't be long before the start of summer is here in Northern Virginia! And while we're all certainly looking forward to warmer temperatures, the summer heat can bring about a rise in utility bills for NoVA homeowners.

 There are dozens of ways to keep mounting utility costs at bay this year and as your Northern Virginia real estate expert, I'm sharing some with you below!

 Clean your air filters
It's important to clean your air filters to keep your heating and cooling bills down this summer. When filters are dirty, these systems have to work much harder and use much more energy to function properly. With clean filters, your home can run as it is meant to and help bring down your utility bills.

 Install a new thermostat
If you haven't already, consider installing a new thermostat in your NoVA home. A programmable model can control your home's temperature at various times of the day—for instance, when you're sleeping or out of the house—to keep costs low. These types of thermostats can reduce your energy usage drastically this summer.

 Add mulch
Summer is a popular season for planting flowers, vegetables and herbs, but that also means you'll be watering more often. Adding mulch into your landscaping will help to slow evaporation, keep the water on the ground longer and allow you to water less frequently.

 Apply window film or curtains
To keep the hot summer sun out of your home and reduce cooling costs, NoVA homeowners can install curtains or window film. Installing window film is as simple as measuring your window size, cutting the film and applying it to your window; this will help to block the heat from entering your home.

 If you're ready to begin house-hunting in Northern Virginia this summer or contemplating selling your 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, 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. 
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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

What Exactly Is Curb Appeal for a Northern Virginia Home?

When selling your home in Northern Virginia, one term you may have heard time and time again is curb appeal. But what exactly is curb appeal for a NoVA home and does it really make a difference?

 Think in terms of first impressions. What is the first thing you notice when you are browsing homes for sale in Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, Falls Church, Herndon, McLean, Springfield and the surrounding communities? Most likely the listing photos you found online and the exterior of the home. It is the exterior of the home that will force homebuyers to decide if they would like to view the inside and ultimately, set up a showing to view in person.

 Buyers may never step foot inside the door if you cannot wow them first in listing photos. Curb appeal is the landscaping, paint color, mailbox, front door and exterior walkways that really make these photos pop. If a buyer doesn't like what they see from the curb, they may decide to move on to the next house.

 So what can you do as a NoVA home seller to grab and keep buyer interest this spring and summer? Below are three tips for creating intriguing curb appeal:

 Clean Up
A well-manicured lawn that is not strewn with broken branches, leaves and overgrown weeds or flowers shows a buyer that you care about your home. It will also give them the idea that you've probably maintained the inside as well. While you're on clean-up duty, take the time to power wash your home's exterior, sidewalks and driveway to remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated over the past months.

 Focus on Landscaping
Seeding a lawn that has become sparse or patchy, trimming shrubs and bushes, removing weeds, mulching plant beds and planting new flowers are all ways to draw a buyer's eye to your NoVA home. You might even consider installing window boxes or placing pots on either side of your front door to create a focal point in the entryway.

Choose Paint Colors
One of the best ways to give your curb appeal a quick boost is painting. Give the front door a fresh coat of paint in a new color or take on the project of painting the entire house. Look at what other colors are common on your street and when in doubt, stick to a neutral, traditional palette.

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, March 29, 2016

What Does A Seller's Market Mean in Northern Virginia and DC?

By now, you may have heard about a lack of inventory in the real estate market or noticed it for yourself as you begin house-hunting in Northern Virginia and DC. Inventory has been trending on the lower side for months and while it may be frustrating for buyers, it has contributed to what's called a "seller's market."

A seller's market is one in which homeowners have the upper hand, which can lead to quicker and easier sales. For buyers, it likely means more competition for the house of your dreams in the NoVA area.

If you are a home seller this year in Northern Virginia and DC, mind the following ways you can prepare for a successful sale:

Inspect and disclose
As a homeowner, it is wise to disclose any known issues associated with your property from a roof leak to a plumbing problem. Once you have a deal with a buyer, the control becomes theirs and it could be more costly to you than repairing the problems ahead of time or making the buyer aware prior to the deal so they can factor that in their offer.

Decide how to deal with offers
In a real estate market with lower inventory, you may find that multiple offers are on the table. Devise a plan for how you will deal with them or wisely defer to your real estate agent for assistance. Each strategy is dependent on the specific area— for instance, it may make more sense to accept an offer right away in one area versus waiting a given amount of time to review all offers in another.

Analyze the competition
This is one perk of working with a real estate agent! Prior to listing your NoVA home, I will analyze comparable properties in the area to find the best listing price. I have decades of experience in helping sellers price their homes competitively so buyers will take notice!

Questions about selling your home? Give me a call today! I'm happy to help walk you through what it takes for a successful sale! 

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, March 8, 2016

5 Things to Avoid That Will Turn Off Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax VA Homebuyers

With the majority of buyers today starting their home search online, it is important to wow them during this initial look. If NoVA buyers see something they don't like just from flipping through listing photos, they are less likely to ever make it to the front door for a showing or visit an open house.

 So how do you pique the interest of buyers in Northern Virginia without turning them off? Below are five things you will want to avoid as a home seller in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean and the surrounding areas:

 Do not convert your garage
Keep in mind that a large number of buyers who will begin house hunting this spring are first-timers who are tired of renting, with others simply in the market for more space (which includes a place to park their car). Avoid converting your garage to anything other than what it was intended for— that means no living room, gym or media space.

 Do not convert your spare bedrooms
If you have multiple bedrooms in your NoVA home, you can get by with keeping one as an office space while it is on the market as this can easily be changed back. But if you have built-in media equipment, wine storage, craft or workbenches in additional bedrooms, it could be a major turn-off for buyers who are looking for more space for their family.

 Do not lay carpet over hardwood
Buyers today love wood floors, so don't cover them up if you have them! Older homes are more likely to have a layer of carpet over wood flooring and you might consider removing it before buyers arrive.

 Do not leave out your dog accessories
Of course you love your pets, but a potential buyer may not. Pick up any toys or beds that are scattered around the house and consolidate them to one area.

 Do not install bold fixtures
A helpful rule of thumb for Northern Virginia home sellers this year is to create a neutral space that appeals to the majority of buyers. That means swapping out your over the top light fixtures with those more on the simple side. 

 Selling your home may seem like uncharted territory, but I have decades of experience in assisting homeowners! Give me a call today with any questions you have about listing your home or how you can prepare your property for the busy spring real estate market. 
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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