NOVA Homes Blog: 4 Things Northern Virginia Buyers Must Do Before House Hunting This Spring

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

4 Things Northern Virginia Buyers Must Do Before House Hunting This Spring

Spring is typically the busy season for real estate and this year will be no exception in Northern Virginia. Some residents are finally prepared to make a move as equity returns to more homes, some are now in a position to stop renting and buy their first home and some are ready to move up before mortgage rates increase.

We're getting closer to the start of the new season, but there are still a few tasks you must-do before you even start your spring house-hunting.

File your taxes

It is tax season after all! Lenders will want to see your most recent tax return to show your income when you're preparing to buy a home in Northern Virginia. If you are making payments now or are filing an extension to file your return later, the lender will require additional documents to confirm your income. Regardless, the bank will want to see your federal tax return prior to your purchasing a home.

Get other financial documents ready

Preparing to buy a home this spring is a process that will require documents like W-2's, 1099's and old tax returns to show your income for the past two years. The more assets you can show, the better. What lenders want is the proof that you have funds to cover at least two months of mortgage payments, plus insurance.

Check on your credit

Credit scores are important to homebuyers in NoVa, so look into your report now. Any errors you find can take months to fully correct which is why working slightly ahead of your home buying timeline is always advised.

Research the market

Before you can start house hunting in Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield or Annandale, it's helpful to get pre-approved, research how much you can comfortably afford and take note of home prices in the area.

Start shopping smarter for homes in Northern Virginia this spring. Don't wait until you find a home you love to do the prep work— I'm here to help! Have questions? I have years of experience in real estate to answer them!

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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When you first meet Earle, she greets you with a firm handshake and a broad smile. She has a certain charm and friendly nature that immediately set you at ease. As you talk to her, she listens intently. You can see by the earnest look on her face that she’s already developing ideas and strategies to accomplish your goals. By the end of your conversation, you’re surprised that someone can have such a clear understanding of your needs after just one meeting. This is the essence of Earle’s real estate service. She’s a straightforward businesswoman who doesn’t let up until her clients are satisfied.
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Northern Virginia is a thriving area consisting of several communities that thrive with historical and cultural richness as well as physical beauty.
With all that the Northern Virginia area offers, there’s never a shortage of things to do, natural beauty and great schools. From the ocean to the mountains to the nation’s capital, this is a part of the country that has it all!
Earle has assembled some helpful resources to help you with finding your new home. From her comprehensive list of Local Links, her Home Style Guide, or hands on personal help, described below, you know you can count on Earle.