Choosing a Neighborhood for Your Northern Virginia Home

In a recent post, I highlighted how Northern Virginia homebuyers this year are growing increasingly interested in the neighborhoods these homes fall into. Homebuyers are looking for neighborhoods with the right balance of homes and stores, the perfect mix of living and entertainment. 

In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors 2013 Community Preference Survey, those in the market to purchase a home (60 percent to be exact) were found to favor neighborhoods with a mix of homes, stores, and other businesses that are easy to walk around. 

Ready to purchase a new home in Northern Virginia this year? With the busy spring buying season coming up, it's important to know if you might need to act quickly to beat other buyers on your dream home in a desired neighborhood. I've included some tips below for choosing the right neighborhood, including how to know when a neighborhood is about to take off in terms of popularity.

New Homes Going Up
New homes being built in the area is a great sign that the area is about to take off— not only residential housing, but retail as well. When you begin to see large-scale developments in an area of Northern Virginia, that can be a tip-off that there is progress happening and an interest among those who live nearby to spend more time there.

One real estate expert also advised, "on a smaller scale, the big tip... is look for a Starbucks going in." The coffee giant spends a lot of money on market research to determine their new locations.

Trendy Places Going Up
It's not just the amount of retail or entertainment establishments going in, but the quality of them that matters in Northern Virginia real estate. If you're a homebuyer, look for new spaces like juice bars, organic restaurants, boutique hotels and the like to determine how an area will function. These types of places tend to mimic the type of neighborhood they're surrounded by.

Location, Location, Location
Again, this real estate mantra holds true for Northern Virginia homebuyers looking for the next big thing in neighborhoods. Being that communities like Arlington are on the cusp of a major metropolitan area like DC, more people tend to take interest. For instance, many homebuyers get priced out of major metropolitan areas and look for homes in Northern Virginia to be close to the hubbub, but at a better price.

Want more tips on choosing the right place to live or finding the right Northern Virginia homes for you and your family? Let's discuss what areas will fit with your homebuyer needs and wants!

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

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Earle's Homes for Sale in Northern Virginia

3856 Glebe Rd N, Arlington VA 22207

4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 1 partial bath 

Square feet 1,700

Price: $725,000

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This Arlington, VA home includes features like built-in bookcases, wood flooring, and floored attic space. Call today to come see this beautiful farmhouse style home.

Click here for information on this listing:
http://www.bestofnorthernvirginia.com/virginia-real-estate-listings/arlington/3856-glebe-rd-n-122790.html

6859 Cypress Point Rd, Alexandria VA 22312

2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 2 partial bath 

Square feet 1,236

Price: $387,500

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A great lace to call home in Alexandria, VA! Amenities including granite counters, attached master bath, full finished walkout basement, fireplace, and more. 

Click here for information on this listing:

http://www.bestofnorthernvirginia.com/virginia-real-estate-listings/alexandria/6589-cypress-point-rd-121788.html

805 Howard St #321, Alexandria VA 22304

2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 0 partial bath 

Square feet 1,016

Price: $230,000

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Inside The Plaza, this Alexandria home includes attached master bath, master walk-in closet, stacked washer and dryer and more! 

Click here for information on this listing:

http://www.bestofnorthernvirginia.com/virginia-real-estate-listings/alexandria/805-howard-st-321-122556.html

Looking for a new place to call home in the Arlington County, Fairfax County, or Alexandria City areas and enter the busy Northern Virginia real estate market this fall? To begin, homebuyers can take a look at my homes for sale, start your home search, and let me and my decades-long real estate experience go to work for 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.

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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How Buying a Home in NOVA Differs by Age

With a big senior citizen housing boom on the horizon and a current flood of millennial homebuyers entering the real estate market, it's quite obvious that trends in buying a home in Northern Virginia will differ by age. For instance, while Gen X is the largest group of recent homebuyers in the country, what they want in their homes is different from what Gen Y desires.

According to the National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report released today, "Gen Xers (31 percent) were followed in numbers by Gen Y buyers (28 percent), and then younger Baby Boomers (18 percent), older Baby Boomers (14 percent), and the Silent Generation (10 percent). The Greatest Generation, also known as the G.I. Generation, represented less than 1 percent of recent buyers."

The survey, which included a 8,501 recent homebuyers, showed that 80 percent of homebuyers aged 57 and younger purchased a detached, single-family home last year. Homebuyers over the age of 57 were more interested in purchasing a townhome or condo, according to the survey. In addition, like many NOVA homebuyers today, the report also found that a majority began their home search online, looking for houses for sale.

Gen X seems to be the dominant group in real estate right now, on both the buyer and seller front, and are the least likely of those surveyed to finance their home purchase. However, when they do finance their NOVA home, the amount of the home they financed is typically smaller than that of younger homebuyers.

The common denominator in the survey? Both groups were likely to use a real estate agent, with younger sellers more likely to use the same agent in future home purchases than the older sellers. Both groups reported benefits from using a real estate agent.

Ready to buy a NOVA home? I'm ready to help! Begin your search online or contact me to discuss your real estate options.

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Your NOVA Home May Checklist

Now that summer is on the horizon, May is the month to get your Northern Virginia home for what lies ahead. Start at the very top with your attic, work your way out with a stop in the kitchen, before heading outside to tackle the outdoor projects. According to Bob Vila, these are the 5 most important projects for your NOVA home to prepare for the dog days of summer.

1. Prepare for the Heat
While the weather has been enjoyable as of late, we tend to forget just how warm it can get during the summer months. If you prepare ahead of time, you can enjoy the summer with comfortable indoor temperatures without breaking the bank. No unnecessary cooling bills for the NOVA homeowner here!

The first step is addressing your attic insulation. Think about installing an attic fan to sweep out the heat and keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape. Next up, ceiling fans. These should be installed in rooms where you spend the most time— kitchen, family room, and bedrooms— and using these instead of the AC will save you money in the long run.

2. Update the Kitchen
For this season's update, it doesn't have to be a total renovation. Want a quick change? Think about swapping out your old tile for a new backsplash. Or if your ready for a more lengthy weekend project, try refacing your kitchen cabinets. A new wood or a bright coat of paint can instantly brighten up the kitchen in your NOVA home.

3. Yard and Garden Sprucing
May is the time to prepare to spend your days outside in the summer. Improve your landscaping with edging, or plant container gardens or flowers that will cheer up your walkways. For some added fun, try creating your own outdoor pots out of everyday items. Old shoes and even appliances make interesting yard embellishments.

4. No Summer Pests
The best way to deal with outdoor pests in the summer is the natural way. For instance, mice cannot stand the smell of peppermint and cockroaches will flee from Tabasco sauce. Find natural ways to scare off these critters and your summer in the Northern Virginia area will be one of the best yet.

5. Get Ready to Barbecue
Spruce up your deck and patio before barbecue season. Make any necessary repairs to the patio surface and check that your grill is in working order. It's best to clean off old residue and dirt before you fire up the charcoal!

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Staging Secrets for Your NOVA Home

Staging is a key part to the success of selling your home in the Northern Virginia area. Did you know even the little things like clearing clutter from bathroom counters, replacing catalogs and mail with a simple fruit bowl in the kitchen, and removing family photos from your living spaces can make a big difference to a potential buyer? They can! Below are house-selling secrets that you can use to maximize your chances of intriguing buyers and selling your home.

Start with the Front Door
Starting with the first thing buyers see when they enter your home, make sure all holiday lights have been removed if the occasion is over, chipped paint and window repairs have been tended to, and that dingy door in a bland color has been updated to welcome guests inside. Even adding new sconces can really intrigue buyers from the very moment they visit.

Take Care, Organize
Buyers don't want to see your struggling, unruly house plants or an untidy office corner. Take the overflow of books from the floor and put them into storage, replace those tall, hap-hazard plants with a simple arrangement on a dining table or desk, and hide that huge TV inside a media cabinet.

Want more storage options for your NOVA home?

Hide the Clutter
If knick knacks and toys are hiding behind sofas and armchairs, find a space for them to relax like a chest or storage ottoman. When a living space feels crowded, buyers will not want to stay for long. Add a simple vase of flowers or small sculptures on a mantle. The bathroom is a likely culprit too— remove toothbrushes and toiletries, even cleaning products, from countertops to ensure a visually appealing space.

Kitchen Chaos
In the kitchen, remove all unnecessary mail, catalogs, and papers and replace them with a fruit bowl or candle. If your table is the gathering space for all trinkets and keys, find a bowl and keep them secluded to one spot. When buyers can't visualize eating in the kitchen or on the table due to clutter and chaos, they lose interest.

Too Bare is Bad
Don't go so far as to remove too much furniture from the space. Clean and simple is great, but when a space is lacking room staples like a sofa, bookshelf, or chairs, buyers may find the space to be bland and uninviting. Add some colorful throw pillows if your space feels like it's lacking in decor or bold accents. Finding the happy medium is key in the staging of your NOVA home.

End with the Basement
Think how you would feel when touring a home— piles of junk and disorganized keepsakes are a major turnoff. Even if your basement is unfinished, add a bicycle or weight bench (if you have them in storage) to help buyers visualize other uses for the space.

Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Add a Splash of Color to Your Northern Virginia Home!

Decorating your Northern Virginia home doesn’t have to be a hassle. It’s probably the most fun part of buying a new home! So many people are afraid to add bold colors because they’re afraid that their home will look tacky. What you need to realize is that there is a way to tastefully integrate color into your decorating scheme.

As the premier real estate experts in Northern Virginia, we have an eye for what makes a home stand out to visitors and potential buyers alike. Here are a few quick tips for decorating your home in the most dynamic, colorful way possible:

Stick to the 60-30-10 Rule. This rule refers to how domineering certain colors should be in a room. The room should consist of 60% of a dominating color, typically a neutral, 30% of a secondary color, typically something brighter, and 10% of an accent color. If you stick to this scheme, you can get away with adding pops of bright color to your room and livening up your space.

Choose a color scheme. In order for your home to look cohesive and classic, you need to choose a color scheme. You can go with an analogous scheme, which refers to colors that are next to each other on a typical color wheel. When you go with this kind of color scheme, your tones should be more muted and it should be used in a more casual, restful space. A complementary color scheme refers to colors opposite from each other on the color wheel. Since these are often more visually challenging and contrasting, they’re often used on more formal areas of the property.

Add a little black. Having elements like a black lampshade or table enhances all of the other colors in the room and clarifies their tone. Don’t believe us? Give it a try.

Always pull from the pattern. Take the most prominent pattern in the room, whether it is an upholstery or curtain, and pull the rest of the room’s decorating scheme from it. You don’t want to have colors that clash or overpower. Factor in the pattern for your 60-30-10 rule.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can up the ante in terms of your home’s color. While sticking to black, white and grey might be within your comfort zone, adding color will brighten up your space and make your home a happier, healthier place to live.

Questions about buying or selling a Northern Virginia home? Feel free to contact us at any time. We’d be happy to help you in any way that we can. We hope to hear from you soon!


Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Front Doors Speak Volumes In Northern Virginia Homes!

When you think about the focal point of a Northern Virginia home, what comes to mind? For many, it’s the front door. It symbolizes entry and the portal into someone’s living space. Residents and guests go in and out many times each day. With that sort of meaning and significance behind a front door, it’s no wonder that people often get a first impression of a home based upon the color of its entryway. As a Northern Virginia real estate agent, I find that without realizing it, many home buyers actually take away different impressions from various properties based upon the color of the front door.

This can actually be useful information to know if you’re a seller. Depending on your Northern Virginia neighborhood and target buyer, you can use a simple can of paint to create a certain impression about your property. It’s a unique, creative and cost-effective tactic for controlling the first impression prospective buyers will have as they walk up to come inside.

Here are some color schemes that you can use and the meaning behind them:

Blue indicates a place of refuge or retreat.
Green projects health, tranquility and harmony.
Black is a clear indication of strength, power and authority.
Red conveys passion, energy and excitement.
Brown gives off a natural vibe that conveys reliability, warmth and stability.

Now that you know what each color means, here are the questions that you’re going to want to ask yourself before selecting the appropriate color:

•    Which color would look best with my home?
•    Who is my target buyer?
•    What do I want them to feel when they enter my home?
•    Which of these colors best represents the character of my neighborhood and community?
•    What statement do I want to make to potential buyers?

As trivial as paint color might seem, many psychologists have asserted that the color of a front door makes a strong statement about both the owner of the home and the property itself. As a Northern Virginia real estate agent, I always recommend giving your front door a fresh coat of paint as part of the process of preparing your home for showings. It gives it a newer and well-maintained look. Re-painting is also an opportunity to give your home a personality that you’d want it to have and reel prospective buyers in based upon what color you choose.

This is just another fun and creative marketing tactic to think about as you prepare your Northern Virginia home for sale! As always, if you have any questions about your Northern Virginia real estate needs, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask. I’m happy to put my many years of experience to work for you and guide you through your entire transaction, from contract to close. I hope to hear from you soon!


Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Have a Stress-Free Holiday Feast in Northern Virginia!

You have all the ingredients you need for your Thanksgiving dinner. The guests know what time to arrive, and you’re busy preparing your home for a wonderful feast when all of a sudden, disaster strikes. Several homeowners in the Northern Virginia area have faced predicaments similar to this one, and it can cause a lot of stress during a time when you’re supposed to be giving thanks for the blessings in your life. Hosting a holiday is stressful enough without the sudden issues at home.

We’ve compiled a few ideas that will help you prepare your Northern Virginia home for hosting a Thanksgiving celebration. If you take action now, you may actually be able to ENJOY your Thanksgiving dinner, despite being the host.

Can your appliance really make it one more year? Thanksgiving is just as good a time as any to consider getting that new stove or microwave. The last thing you want is for your oven to go on the fritz when you’re trying to cook the turkey. If you’re going to have to replace an item in your kitchen, now would be the time to do so! That way, you can rest easy knowing that everything will actually work when you start preparing your culinary specialties.

Is your oven ready to go? Many people think that the best time to run your oven’s self-cleaning cycle is in the days before Thanksgiving. This isn’t true. The process is actually very draining on the appliance and could cause it to break down as you put the turkey in the oven. Instead, use a damp cloth, wipe out your burners and do some basic cleaning and run the cycle AFTER the holiday.

Do your basic appliance maintenance and cleaning. Make sure your refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher are all in good working order by performing some basic maintenance.  Ensure that your refrigerator coils are clean, remove caked-on foods from your microwave and clean your dishwasher tubs. These will help your appliances run more efficiently as your prepare and clean up your meal.

Clean out your refrigerator. Just like you can guarantee that you’ll be in a food coma after dinner, you know that there will be leftovers. The last thing that you want is to have to juggle and shuffle items all over your fridge for the extra space. Cleaning it out beforehand will give you the room to store your leftovers and allow you to get rid of old and expired items in one shot. It’s worth the extra time and effort when you’re cleaning up your meal!

These are just a few of many pre-meal preparations you can make in order to ensure a smooth and successful Thanksgiving dinner. As your Northern Virginia real estate agent, I think that the ability to host large family gatherings is just one of the many benefits of being a homeowner. However, this privilege also comes with a bit of stress, and these ideas can help you relax during the anxiety-provoking preparations.

If you need any help with your Northern Virginia real estate needs, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help in any way I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Buy Your NOVA Home in the Off-Season!

Happy Election Day, Northern Virginia! November has arrived, the weather is getting a tiny bit cooler, and the time to buy a home this year has passed…right?

Not exactly. Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to start the home buying process during the holiday season. You just need to know what to expect. As a Northern Virginia real estate agent, part of my job is to help people find the home of their dreams at ANY time of year. I certainly make it a priority to tell my buyer clients the pros and cons of starting their search in the off-season, but know this: it IS possible. Here are a few things to expect when you enter the real estate market at this time of year:

Lower inventory. Fewer homes are listed in the Northern Virginia real estate market during this time of year, which can be one of the pitfalls of starting your home search in the off-season.

More serious buyers. While the number of homes available on the market might be a bit smaller, one of the major benefits of starting your search now is that the sellers who ARE listing their homes are serious about moving. Nobody is going to list their home in the off-season unless they are trying to move as quickly as possible. As a buyer, this puts you in a great position. It ensures that you’re entering into negotiations with a serious seller and that you can work with them to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Sellers who aren’t as serious can be unreliable when you go under contract. In this season, however, that obstacle is less likely to become an issue.

You won’t have to compete with as many offers. Since fewer buyers will be searching for a new home during the off-season, you won’t have as much competition when you decide to submit an offer. Buying now could help you avoid a bidding war in the spring.

The holiday season is the perfect time to start over. Think about it: there’s no better time to start thinking about your future than during the holiday season! Pretty soon, people will be giving thanks, wrapping presents and listing out their New Year’s resolutions. It’s really a time when you can start thinking about making changes in your life. Having a new home provides the perfect setting for you to start improving the livelihood of your entire family.

These are just a few of the emotions, obstacles and benefits to expect if you choose to start searching for your dream home during the off-season. As a Northern Virginia real estate agent, I try to prepare my clients for their transaction as thoroughly as possible. There are several benefits to starting your home search now, but you do need to know what to expect and use the market conditions to your advantage.

If you have any questions about buying a home in the Northern Virginia real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to guide you throughout the entire transaction, from contract to close. I hope to hear from you soon!


Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Being a Homeowner is the Right Choice in the Northern Virginia Area!

The recent economic slump and hardship that many people across the nation have faced over the past few years has made several question whether or not they should buy or rent a home in the Northern Virginia area. As a Northern Virginia real estate agent, of course I am a bit biased toward homeownership; however the recent economic statistics suggest that buying a home is actually cheaper than renting in most metropolitan areas in today’s market.

Other studies have shown that homeownership is actually a better option for people who are looking to raise families. It is commonly believed that for children, growing up in a home that’s owned is more positive overall. Here are some of the other benefits of homeownership:

You have more stability. Rents are skyrocketing nationwide. Each year, your monthly rent can fluctuate depending on the economy and demand for rental units or homes. When you have a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly payment is the same year after year, which will give you more financial stability within your living situation.

Right now is the time to buy. Nationwide, it is less expensive to buy a home than rent in this economy. Combine that with the fact that mortgage rates are at an all-time low and home prices are still on the affordable side, and you have the ideal scenario for a home buyer. Lending restrictions are still tight, however many lenders are actually starting to loosen their grip on loans.

Typically, it’s a positive, long-term investment. The market might not be at its highest right now, but if you’re planning on buying a home for the long-term, now actually would be the time to buy. We have reached recovery mode in the local housing market, and while it may take years for the market to fully stabilize, there’s also a high likelihood that your property will appreciate in value between now and the time you sell it. You have to think of your home as an investment that you will one day profit from.

You get tax benefits. There’s no doubt that one of the biggest benefits to owning a home is the tax write-off that you get. The deductible is beneficial to most homeowners in the country.

These are just a few of the many benefits to being a homeowner in the Northern Virginia area! If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in the Northern Virginia real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help in any way I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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