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

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Getting Your Northern Virginia Home Ready for a Showing in Minutes

When you've decided to list your home in Northern Virginia, it may seem like your to-do list grows longer and longer. You will need to start searching for a new home, clearing the clutter and packing up to make your move a bit easier when the time comes. But it doesn't end there! One more added stress for you may be keeping your home buyer-ready for showings.

 There are dozens of little tasks you can check off to prepare your home for a showing in minutes and as your local real estate expert in NoVA, I am sharing a few with you below!

 Mop or vacuum
Complete a quick cleaning of the floors in your entryway, kitchen and bathrooms. If necessary, spot clean debris on the floor with a sponge or towel.

 Dust screens and furniture
The last thing a buyer wants to see if dust lingering in the air or on your furniture. Dust your coffee table or end tables, TV screens and computer monitors before they arrive.

 Remove clutter from counters
Small appliances, knick knacks, mail and other miscellaneous items should be cleared off of counters and stored elsewhere. After you've removed these, wipe down all of the counters to ensure they are clean.

 Make the beds
This task takes just a few minutes and can make a world of difference in helping a room look put together. 

 Empty trash cans
You do not want any lingering odors in your home when buyers arrive for a showing, so make sure all trash cans have been emptied.

 Turn on the lights
Letting light into your Northern Virginia home can help it feel lighter, airier and larger. Turn on all of the lights in your home and open the blinds or drapes to let in more sun. If necessary, clean your windows so they are free of streaks.

 I have years of experience in helping homeowners sell their properties and move on to their next dream homes in Northern Virginia! I was even named a Top Real Estate Agent to Have on Your Side by Washingtonian Magazine!

 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, September 29, 2015

Finding the Right Listing Agent for Your Northern Virginia Real Estate

Choosing the right real estate agent in Northern Virginia is a decision that requires careful consideration, research and even gut instincts. You should feel confident that your agent has your best interests in mind, but many home sellers often ask exactly how much they need to trust them.

 Trustworthiness is key to a successful real estate transaction in Annandale, Alexandria, Arlington, Burke, McLean and Springfield, to name a few. So as you set out to choose a real estate agent, contemplate if you trust them enough to accomplish the following:

 Sell the biggest asset you have
For most families in Northern Virginia, their home is the largest asset they own. Many times the equity they have in the property is also the largest percentage of their wealth. Ask yourself if you trust your agent enough to negotiate the sale of an asset with this much importance. 

 Find the right price
In my last blog post, I outlined the value of pricing your home from the beginning. The right real estate agent will suggest a price point that drives competition and interest, not one that places it outside of buyer affordability.

 Agree with your schedule
Selling your home in Northern Virginia typically comes with a timeline attached. Do you know when you'd like to be out of your current home and into the next? Your real estate agent should be trusted to coordinate the home selling process to match a certain schedule.

 Negotiate on your behalf
Real estate transactions involve many different parties and different negotiations. For sellers, one such negotiation is agreeing on the best price and terms with the buyers. NoVA homeowners should feel at ease with their agent handling these exchanges.

 You can count on me to walk you through every step of the process and answer any questions you have along the way. I stake my reputation on each transaction and make it my priority to pursue what is best for each person. That is something you cannot always count on with the average agent!

 Give me a call today to discuss how we can work together to sell your NoVA home!

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 17, 2015

NoVa Home Sellers: March Is One of Best Times to Sell Your Northern Virginia Home

You may have read in an earlier blog post that selling your Northern Virginia home is best done early in the year. What exactly does "early in the year" mean for homeowners? The period of time after the holidays have calmed down and... now!

 Based upon supply, demand and home seller success, mid-March to mid-April is considered a magic window of time to sell your home. 

 The best time to list your home tends to follow weather patterns which, in Northern Virginia, may be ideal from late March to early to mid-April. This is the time where homeowners tend to sell their homes faster and for more money than any other time of the year.

 Data shows sold from mid-March to mid-April sell about 15 percent faster and for 2 percent more than the average home listed. Why is this so? It has a lot to do with avoiding the rush of homeowners listing their properties in the weeks before.

 There tends to be a rush of homes coming to the real estate market in late February and early March, therefore homeowners who listed after them allow their homes to take precedence. Homes can quickly become outranked and pushed lower in online searches—the first place today's homebuyers look—so it is important to avoid periods of high competition.

 Homebuyer confidence has also been shown to surge in early April. This is a great time to list if you want to attract serious buyers and get your home sold quickly, not to mention for a higher price.

 As your local real estate expert in communities like McLean, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Springfield and Mount Vernon, I can help you find the best time to list your home in the local real estate market. The spring season is just getting started and it's sure to be a lucrative time for NoVa home sellers!

 Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions! I have decades of experience to put you at ease and provide more information on selling your home and moving on to the next!
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 3, 2015

Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Has New Competition, Ready to Spring Forward

After many weeks of snow and cold weather, Northern Virginia residents are ready to speed up the clocks toward springtime. One more reason to speed up time? The spring real estate market! 

 The housing market is about to "spring forward," especially for home sellers. With rising demand and competition from new construction homes, it's crunch time for NoVa homeowners.

 Tight inventory has been a strong factor in holding back the market and many homeowners are now catching on, soon to list when they believe the most homebuyers will be ready to make a move. While we still have two weeks until the official start of the new season, listing your home now could beat the rush of homes that may soon inundate the market. 

 Typically, sellers believe waiting until spring is their best interest due to buyer demand. However, this year is an exception. 

 Buyer demand has not fallen off during the winter months as it has in the past. In fact, demand this year is three times as strong as it was last year at this time. 

 Competition is also a major factor to consider for NoVa home sellers. Aside from the homes that will come to the market in the next few weeks and even months, new construction properties are the new competitors. 

 New home sales made up 16% of all homes sold last year, according to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. New construction homes, over existing homes, are attracting more buyers this year for their ability to customize design and avoid renovations— as well as their providing an alternate option to the tight inventory we're seeing.

 Home sellers that act quickly and list their homes now can benefit from the exposure to buyers before the additional competition hits the market. Contact me today for information about selling your home in Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield, Centreville, Reston and beyond. 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, January 27, 2015

Easy Ways to Increase Your Northern Virginia Home Value

With more homeowners regaining equity—now up to 85 percent of homeowners nationwide—we may soon see an influx of competition for home sellers. These homeowners could be thinking of selling and if you're on the same track, your Northern Virginia home will need to stand out! 

The most important factor in selling your home and thus, attracting homebuyers is pricing the property well. But that's not all you can do! Increasing your home's value with a few easy, inexpensive upgrades can push it to the top of a buyer's list and beat other comparable homes in Fairfax, McLean, Alexandria or Arlington.

Keep curb appeal a priority
Even in the winter months, increasing your home's curb appeal should be on your to-do list. Be sure to clear the pathways to your door, removing all snow and ice, and clean the windows. It's also crucial to highlight your home's outdoor features, whether they be an outdoor fireplace, patio or deck. Make sure homebuyers can view these features from indoors!

Adding a new front door, mailbox and fence are also simple ways to spark homebuyer interest.

Revamp the bathroom
Bathrooms and kitchens are two places Northern Virginia homebuyers will desire renovations. However, that doesn't mean you need to plan a complete overhaul. Small changes like replacing fixtures, wallpaper and re-grouting tile can do the trick just as well.

Change out light fixtures
Some Northern Virginia homebuyers look for older homes, but not the light fixtures that can quickly date them. Swap out older light fixtures for new and consider increasing the wattage in darker rooms with little natural light. This a quick fix that allows rooms to feel fresh, larger and open.
 
With nearly 3 decades of experience in real estate, I can answer any questions you might have about homebuyer wants and selling your home in Burke, Centerville, Falls Church, Mount Vernon and beyond. Contact me 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, October 7, 2014

3 Reasons to Sell Your Home in Annandale, Centreville, Arlington Virginia This Fall

Summer is widely recognized as a great time to sell your Northern Virginia home given the weather, the kids being out of school and generally, more time to devote to moving. However, what many Northern Virginia homeowners don't notice is that fall is equally as great a time to sell!

 The weather is getting cooler and with the holidays just around the corner, you'll want to move now to avoid that holiday hustle and bustle later. If you've been thinking about selling your home in Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax City, Centreville or Mount Vernon, here are three solid reasons to do so this season.

 Homebuyers are motivated
When compared with homebuyer traffic over the past year, including this past spring, there are more motivated homebuyers in the market now than there have been at any other time. Not only are these local homebuyers ready to move, but they are able to purchase a home which can make the process much more enjoyable.

 The process will be smooth
One of the reasons many home sellers shy away from making a move is the amount of time it takes to close. As banks require more paperwork to obtain a mortgage, there can be obstacles, most of which can take long during the holiday season. But you're in luck! Selling your home before the holidays roll around can bring about a smoother, quicker transaction. 

 You have less competition among other sellers
While inventory is slowly rising, the supply of homes is still historically low. What does that mean as a Northern Virginia home seller? It means that for the number of homebuyers in the market, there are not enough homes to meet demand. Not only is this great news for home prices, but also for sellers as your home will be allowed to take the spotlight.

 Many sellers are also coming out of an equity dilemma and are now able to sell their homes— so don't delay! Your competition among sellers is low now, but won't be for long!

As your Northern Virginia real estate expert, I can help you navigate the home sale process! Contact me today to chat about how you can get started.

 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
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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Simple, Summer Updates for Your Northern Virginia Home

Summer is here in Northern Virginia and with many homebuyers motivated to snag a great deal, it might be time to give your home a necessary makeover. Curb appeal is just one way to transform the overall feel of your home in Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, or Fairfax or simply give it a quick update. From the front door to the patio, these easy ways to add curb appeal just might get homebuyers through the front door, boost your home value and even take your home off the real estate market quicker than you expected.

 The Front Door
Start at your Northern Virginia home's front door and work your way back. This summer, you can give the door a pop of color like red or blue to make it stand out and catch a homebuyer's eye. "Your home's front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal," said Better Homes and Gardens. Aside from paint, shine the door's hardware and consider replacements if the knobs are outdated or damaged. In addition, remember you always want to make a homebuyer feel welcome— adding a wreath can do the trick and complete the look.

 Think of Symmetry
Symmetry might not have crossed your mind when you were planning your outdoor or landscaping projects this summer. However, it's worth a mention. Symmetry is pleasing to a Northern Virginia homebuyer's eye and is simple to arrange. If you've added a flower pot on one side of the door, do the same to the opposite side. If you've added outdoor lighting or sconces flanking the doorway, consider matching them to the door's existing hardware.

 Gutters and Downspouts
Even these two features play a role in your Northern Virginia home's curb appeal. If your home is older, chances are the gutters and downspouts are seeing peeling paint, rust and other problems that can come from years of wear and tear. "Replace the old system with newer, snap-fit vinyl gutter systems that go together with few tools and require no painting," added Better Homes and Gardens.

 The Driveway
Your home's driveway is one of the first features homebuyers will notice as they approach the property. Be sure the driveway is not cracked and doesn't have weeds growing inside. To update this area of your home in McLean, Fairfax, Mount Vernon, or Arlington, you can take a weekend and reseal the drive, repair the cracks, kill the weeds and even widen the path by adding flagstones or pavers to the sides.

 If selling your Northern Virginia home is on your to-do list this summer, first take some time to get your home in order. Boosting curb appeal is important for every homeowner, especially in terms of adding to your home value. If you have questions about what it takes to sell this time of year, I'm here to answer!

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
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Northern Virginia Home Sellers, It's Your Market!

The Northern Virginia real estate market is heating up for summer! And while you may have seen some changes recently—rising mortgage rates, rising housing prices, changing inventory— the fact remains that it's a great time for sellers to break into the market. More homebuyers are now serious about purchasing a home in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and McLean and as a result, more home sellers now have their pick of offers. Below are just a few more reasons why now is the right time to sell your Northern Virginia home:

 Properties in Demand
Inventory is indeed rising nationwide, but as it continues to build, Northern Virginia properties are in demand. Many homebuyers pushed off buying a home this winter due to extreme weather and sat back during spring to see where the market was headed. Now, buyers are out with confidence and motivation and home sellers can really benefit from listing while the market is hot.

 The Process is Quicker
According to Keeping Current Matters real estate, "one of the biggest challenges of the 2014 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing." Banks have ramped up the paperwork they require to approve a mortgage and as the summer moves forward, will soon be swamped with application and loan inquiries which draws out a closing time. However, Northern Virginia home sellers can beat that now and taking advantage of a quicker, simpler process.

 There's No Time Like Now
There's no time like the present and that is especially true if you consider how much prices will appreciate just in the next few years. Is your current home just not big enough anymore? Moving up has never looked more appealing. "Prices are projected to appreciate by over 19% from now to 2018," reported KCM. "If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait."

 There's a lot to consider when selling your Northern Virginia home and I'm here to answer any questions you might have. With nearly 3 decades of experience, I know we can work together to find you your next dream home.

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
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