Showing posts with label tips for home sellers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips for home sellers. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Why You Should Sell Your Northern Virginia Home This Summer

If you're a homeowner in Northern Virginia and thinking of moving on this year, you may be wondering the best time to list your home. Should you list this summer or wait until fall rolls around? Should you take your time to make updates and list toward the end of the year? Well, the answer is don't wait! 

 Summer is an ideal time to list your home in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Centreville, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean and the surrounding areas for numerous reasons— and I've listed a few of them below!

 Demand is back
Buyer demand has remained relatively strong over the past few months and doesn't seem to be winding down! Listing your home in Northern Virginia now will allow you to be seen by the buyers that are now ready and financially able to make a move on a new home!

 Things will move along quickly
It is just the beginning of summer and believe it or not, the market is just beginning to heat up for the season! By late summer, home sales are expected to surpass their highest levels in nearly a decade and banks, as a result, will be busy with loan inquiries and applications. Selling your home now will put you ahead of the rush and help speed up the process!

 You have less competition
Inventory is still trending on the lower side, still under the 6-month supply mark, and for home sellers, that means less competition. With buyer demand, the number of homes for sale cannot keep up! But that doesn't mean it will stay this way— just as I mentioned above, home sales are expected to rise and along with that increase, comes additional inventory. Don't wait for more properties to hit the market and risk putting your home in the shadows— now is the time to list!

 Are you ready to list your NoVA home and move on this summer? I can help walk you through the home selling process and help you find your next dream 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, 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, 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, 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 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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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Where Will Northern Virginia Home Values Go in 2016?

While mortgage rates continue to drop to record lows, there has been much speculation about where NoVA home values will go over the next year. 

The latest Home Price Expectation Survey found that values will appreciate by 3.7 percent in 2016, 3.3 percent in 2017 and 3.2 percent in the following two years and 3.1 percent in 2020. These predictions equate to an average annual appreciation of 3.3 percent over the next five years.

 On a similar note, many homeowners are holding back from listing as they underestimate their home's value and the amount of equity they have acquired. However, the truth is that they have more equity than they might realize! 

 According to a new study of 1,000 homeowners, 80 percent of homeowners underestimate the amount of value their home has gained since the housing recovery.

 And while their outlook about gaining equity is growing increasingly optimistic, still nearly half of homeowners believe they will see an equity gain this year. Over half say they expect their equity to increase between 1 and 5 percent and only a quarter of those surveyed expect an increase between 6 and 10 percent. 

 "Economists have largely predicted equity gains to be between 2.3 and 4.7 percent this year," reports Realtor.com. 

 It is now a great time to look into your Northern Virginia equity position as "home ownership can be an asset that [you] can now leverage to realize many dreams," says the chief financial officer of loanDepot who conducted the survey. "Whether [homeowners] choose to leverage their home equity now or reserve it for future needs, millions of homeowners have choices today not available just a few years ago."

 If you are thinking about selling your Northern Virginia home this year, do not hesitate to give me a call! 

 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, February 9, 2016

Features Buyers Are Looking for in Northern Virginia Homes This Spring

Homebuyers will soon be out in droves as the busy spring real estate season gets closer in Northern Virginia. If you've already taken the steps to list your property in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean or the surrounding communities or are planning to soon, the next step involves highlighting your home's key features that buyers will love.

 The following elements of your home may seem like nothing to you, but to buyers, they could be just what they are looking for! 

 Location
You've heard the phrase "location, location, location" before and it never holds more true than when assessing your home's value. Is your home located near restaurants, shopping and entertainment? Do you have an excellent commute time from your neighborhood? Buyers will want to know! And as your real estate agent in NoVA, I can help identify such selling points this year!

 Storage
Many NoVA buyers are diving into the real estate market simply because their current home lacks storage; this is also one of the reasons current renters will make the transition to homeownership over the next few months. A large garage, walk-in closet or pantry just might spark the interest of a Northern Virginia buyer whose sole purpose for moving is to gain more space.

 Layout
While Millennials are expected to make a big impact on the real estate market this spring, another group ready to make a move is seniors. Those whose children are all grown and out of the house will be looking to downsize and features like a ranch-style layout, zero exterior steps and minimal upkeep will be high on their list.

 I have decades of experience in helping home sellers attract the right buyers to their Northern Virginia properties. Contact me today with any questions about the home selling process, your home value or the current 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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