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. 
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

What to Do This Memorial Day Weekend in Northern Virginia

Just as we've been anticipating here in Northern Virginia, the unofficial start of summer will arrive this weekend! Memorial Day typically kicks off the season with a long weekend of barbecues, beach visits, pool time and afternoons spent in the sun. 

 If you'll be in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, McLean, Mount Vernon or the surrounding communities this weekend, here are a few events that you will want to add to your calendar:

 Memorial Day Observance Arlington National Cemetery. May 30, 2016; 10:30 AM. Arlington, VA. Around 5,000 visitors are expected to attend each of the two ceremonies planned for Memorial Day in the amphitheater beginning at 10:30 AM. After, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 11 AM, followed by an observance program in the amphitheater.

 Star-Spangled Sing-Along. May 28, 2016; 2 PM. Reston, VA. Everyone is encouraged to attend this free patriotic sing-along with the Reston Chorale. This event will be held at the Reston Town Center Pavilion and include kids activities and refreshments.

 ViVa Vienna! Memorial Day Festival. May 28-30, 2016; 10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday. Vienna, VA. This local NoVA event is free to attend and 100% of the proceeds go to support charitable and community organizations. Attendees can expect rides, over 300 vendors, food, crafts and more! 

 39th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival. May 30, 2016; 1 PM to 5 PM. Alexandria, VA. Free to attend, this popular festival celebrates the holiday with jazz by the river. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. This year's festival will hold performances on the hour beginning at 1 PM, with the last beginning at 5 PM.

 Memorial Day Festival and Parade. May 30, 2016; 9 AM. Falls Church, VA. With more than 10,000 visitors expected to gather on the City Hall grounds, the Memorial Day Festival in Falls Church includes a Fun Run (9 AM), veterans' ceremony (11 AM), kids activities, food, vendors, parade (2 PM) and more!

 As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions about the Northern Virginia real estate market— I'm here to help! I wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! 

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 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, May 3, 2016

3 Mortgage Myths to Correct Before Buying a House in Northern Virginia

Did you know misconceptions and myths are what holds would-be homebuyers back most in Northern Virginia? Buying a home is indeed one of the biggest steps you will ever take, but don't allow what you assume is true or required to become fact without first doing the research.

 As your local real estate expert in NoVA, I'm happy to help you clear a few things up! Below are three myths surrounding mortgages that may be keeping you from purchasing your dream home in Alexandria, Arlington, Centreville, Falls Church and the surrounding areas:

 Myth: Your best credit scores will be used
When you apply jointly with another borrower for a mortgage in Northern Virginia, your lender will take the middle of three credit scores from the three credit reporting bureaus, then use the lowest score between the two borrower's middle scores. For instance, if your middle score was 780, but your co-borrower's middle score was 700, many lenders' decisions would be based on the 700. 

 Myth: Your quoted rate is the one you'll secure
I've emphasized the importance of shopping around for a mortgage rate in the past, but it is important to note that your quoted rate is not necessarily the one you will secure. Unless you are locking in the rate that day, the rate quotes are subject to change. You will find you need to gather quotes throughout your home buying journey until you've found the right property and are ready to lock down a rate.

 Myth: Fixed-rate mortgages are the only option
While 30-year fixed-rate loans are common among homebuyers, they are not the only option and may not be the right option for you. The rate and payment with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will never change, but keep in mind that the longer the loan is stretched, the higher the rate. Ask yourself how long you will stay in the home you're planning to purchase as an adjustable-rate mortgage could be a better fit.

 Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about buying a home in Northern Virginia!
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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