Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

Have you ever shopped around for a used car and found something that looked like it belonged on the floor of a showroom only to take it for a drive and find it was really a clunker?  Alexandria VA homes for sale, like cars, can also be very deceiving.  They can look absolutely pristine externally, but internally be a disaster waiting to happen.  That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced REALTOR®, one who will point out both good points and potential problems with a home.

When you’re looking for a home, it’s important to look beyond the glitz and glam.  Anyone can splash on a coat of paint on the walls, do a bit of cleaning and turn a home in need of repair into what looks like a showplace.  But, buyer beware!  Looking for these following signs will help you unveil a disaster and save you from the financial heartbreak of buying a money pit.

Things to look for when you’re purchasing Alexandria VA homes for sale:

• Floors
  Look under throw rugs and mats whenever possible.  Look to see if the flooring below (whether it’s hardwood or carpet) is in good shape.  Especially look under rugs which appear to be placed in odd areas.  These could be hiding some defect.
• Walls
  If the walls have been recently painted, it will be hard to tell if there’s been any water or termite damage.  However, if you see any discoloration along a floor board or along the wall, lightly press the wall to see if there’s any give (there should not be).  Also, try to look at walls that have furniture standing against them.  While you can’t move someone else’s things, try to look behind as many pieces as you can to examine the condition of the walls.
• Ceiling
  Like walls, ceilings will have discoloration when there has been water damage.  Look to see if there’s any buckling as well.

These are just a few things to check when looking at Alexandria, VA homes for sale.  The most important thing you, as a buyer can do is have a home inspection before making any home purchase.  You’ll find a real estate home inspection is money well spent!  A home inspector will go over a house with a fine tooth comb and find problems which may translate to a lot of money in the long run.  So take your REALTOR® along with you and be there during the home inspection process.

Are you thinking of moving or relocating to the Alexandria VA homes for sale area?  If so, you’ll need a knowledgeable Alexandria, VA homes for sale REALTOR®.  I know the local area like the back of my hand and welcome answering any question you might have.  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or drop me an email at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.  You’ll be glad you made the choice.  

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939

The topic of staging your home to sell and its importance is one of the hot topics in real estate today.  It’s one of the best ways Fairfax County VA homes for sale sellers are competing in sometimes saturated markets; where they need their homes to stand out and look like a buyer’s dream home.

Home staging throughout a house is important, but nowhere is it more evident than in the kitchen.  A staged Fairfax County, VA homes for sale kitchen will stand out in a buyer’s mind and increase the chances of an offer being made.

So how do you stage a kitchen? Following are some tips:

• Countertops
  Clear all countertops of appliances and knickknacks.  A clean and clear countertop will make a kitchen appear larger and will appeal to buyers.  If clearing a countertop of all items is not possible, make sure the items which remain are clean and do not draw negative attention.  For example, if your coffee maker has to stay, make sure it’s free of coffee and clean.  Nothing turns buyers off more than seeing personal items, such as food or drinks, in a home.
• Cabinets
  Organizing and cleaning out cabinets can help show a kitchen in a very favorable light.  Fairfax County VA homes for sale buyers want to purchase a home with room to store things.  Even if you have a very small kitchen, consider cleaning out your cabinets, even putting things in storage if possible, to give the appearance of room.  Also, organizing cabinets will make the storage appear neater and will give a favorable impression of the way you take care of your home.  Buyers are more likely to make offers on homes they believe are well taken care of than homes that look unkempt.
• Floors
  Always have clean kitchen floors before prospective Fairfax County VA homes for sale homebuyers come for a showing.  Sweep and run a light mop to make the floors shine.  There’s no bigger turn off than dirty kitchen floors.

Staging your Fairfax County VA homes for sale, especially your kitchen, will help increase your odds getting the attention of potential buyers along with the chances you’ll receive an offer!

Are you thinking of selling your Fairfax County VA homes for sale?  Need some helpful tips on staging your home to sell?  You’ve come to the right place!  I’d love to talk with you about listing your home and getting it ready to market.  Just drop me a line at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com or call me now at 703-909-3939.  Contact me today.

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939

A long distance homes and condos in Arlington VA relocation can be an exciting, adventure-filled prospect for you and your family.  The promise of a better job, a new home, and new city to explore may be just the thing you need.

But even after you’ve researched the community and found the perfect homes and condos in Arlington VA REALTOR®, who has found you the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood – don’t let the hidden relocation costs of moving  burst your bubble. 

They lurk everywhere during a homes and condos in Arlington VA relocation, especially if you are moving from out-of-state.  So, factor them into your budget ahead of time and they won’t take you by surprise.

Here are a few relocation costs that are easy to forget:

Moving supplies – This includes everything from boxes to tape to bubble wrap.  Whether you are moving yourself, or being moved professionally, these items will cost you extra.

Transportation – including gas, hotel and meals.  Factor in the potential for delay when you are adding these dollars to your budget.

Automobile license and registration –  most states require you to make the switch within 30 days of your move.  Check the local Virginia DMV for offices, hours and rates.

Stocking the Pantry  –  chances are, you didn’t bring food or cleaning supplies with you so…you’ll need to drop more than a few dollars to replenish these items.

Deposits and connection fees  –  from cable TV to electric service, this hidden cost can really add up.  Again, check your local utilities for rates.

Taxes  –  don’t forget to research the income, sales and property taxes of your new community – these can figure significantly into your cost of living.

Keep your spirit of adventure as you prepare for your long distance relocation, and don’t let the hidden relocation costs of moving sneak up on you.

If you’re considering relocating to homes and condos in Arlington VA, Alexandria VA homes for sale, or Fairfax County VA homes for sale, you’ll need an experienced REALTOR®.  Drop me a line today at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com or call me direct at 703-909-3939.  I’ll be glad to assist you with all of your relocation needs.  

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939

A lot of homes and condos in Arlington, Virginia, sellers think their work is done once their agent puts the “for sale” sign up in the front yard.  And for some, this is true.  But for others, those whose houses are still on the market without a contract after thirty days, the work can just be beginning.

When a house is still without a contract after the first thirty to sixty days, a homes and condos in Arlington VA, seller can wonder what’s going on.  This is especially true if other homes and condos in Arlington neighborhoods are selling.  

If you’re one of these sellers, consider the following when trying to diagnose the problem.

• Is your home properly priced?  The biggest reason for a home sitting on the market is an inflated sales price.  Hopefully you’ve discussed price with your real estate agent before your house goes on the market, but if you haven’t, talk about it now.  Find out what homes, comparable in size and condition, are selling for in your homes and condos in Arlington, VA, neighborhood.  Doing this will help show you whether or not your home is overpriced.
• Lacking curb appeal?  A lot of sellers make the mistake of thinking their homes and condos in Arlington, VA, are ready to put on the market once they’ve cleaned the inside.  But it’s the outside that’s going to catch people’s eye.  If your front yard and house exterior is appealing, people will be interested in seeing the inside.  If it’s dull or in poor condition, buyers will usually pass it by.
• Too customized.  Do you have wallpaper hanging in your kitchen that you love?  Are your children’s bedrooms painted their favorite colors like red and purple?  A big selling no-no is not neutralizing a home before putting it on the market.  Homes and condos in Arlington, VA, buyers want to imagine themselves in a home.  Not you in their home.  Go through each room in your house and see if there are ways to take your personal touch out and put a more inviting, neutral tone in its place.

When a home doesn’t sell quickly, sellers will start to wonder what’s wrong.  The best thing sellers can do is have an experienced  real estate agent come into their home and look at it with new eyes.  A good agent will know what things need to be changed and what things can be improved to bring in more traffic and increase the odds of selling your home.

If you’re ready to sell your homes and condos in Arlington VA it’s important to hire an experienced Northern Virginia REALTOR®.  I’m totally driven to get superior results in real estate!  I’ll listen to your needs and provide you with a FREE current market analysis of your home’s worth.  With my marketing plan, I’ll help you price your home right, and work to sell it as quickly as possible, with the most net to you.

Call me at 703-909-3939 or, email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.  Don’t wait, contact me now!

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939

Are you looking for the perfect Fairfax County VA homes for sale? It can sometimes seem like looking for a needle in a haystack.  One Fairfax County VA homes for sale may have a great layout, but no yard to speak of.  Another might have a spectacular yard, but too few bedrooms. Yet another might be too big or too small.  The list goes on and on.

So when you do find a Fairfax County VA homes for sale that meets your criteria and is in good shape, you need to be ready to make an offer.  Unfortunately, many homebuyers make the mistake of waiting too long or even passing on a great house because they can’t look beyond their first impression.

Let’s face it.  We’re all drawn to pretty things.  No one wants to live in an ugly home.  The problem with home appearances, however, is that what looks good to one person may not look good to another.  That dark blue country wallpaper hanging in a kitchen may have been the most beautiful thing in the world to one homeowner and be a deal breaker to another.

Before you begin your Fairfax County VA homes for sale search, take a few minutes to write down specifics of what you’re looking for in a house.  Include:

• Square footage
• Area of town
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Proximity to schools and playgrounds

These things make up your true wish list for a home. 

When you start your search, take this list with you and judge all homes by your criteria, ruling out anything that doesn’t match.  If you find a Fairfax County VA homes for sale that meets your criteria, but doesn’t look exactly like you would like, consider what cosmetic changes could be made to turn this house into your home.  You might be surprised to find that a few inexpensive gallons of paint can make a huge difference for just a little effort!

A knowledgeable Fairfax County VA REALTOR® will be valuable in assisting you in your Fairfax County VA homes for sale search.  You’ll need someone who knows the entire Fairfax County VA homes for sale area.  I not only know the area well, but I also understand the current Fairfax County VA homes for sale market.  I’ll be glad to work with you to find the perfect home for your family.  Together, we’ll find the homes that meet your criteria and as we tour them, I’ll not only point out any items of concern, but I’ll also point out any hidden potential. 

I’m prepared to help you obtain the best price and financing terms for your Fairfax County VA homes for sale.  If you’re ready to purchase a Fairfax County VA homes for sale, give me a call at 703-909-3939 or, email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com. Contact me today!    

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939