Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

When you choose to buy Fairfax County Virginia real estate to build a new home, you will experience a wide range of emotions while your home is being built. Seeing your home take shape is exciting. Yet, the pressures of shopping for items and the invariable delays create stress in your life.

Have no fear, though, once you’ve selected a good builder you can survive building your new home.  Here are some tips to help:

1. Look for small signs of progress. Rest assured that even when you don’t see the progress, each day brings you closer to your moving day.
2. Buy in stock items. Don’t add to the pressure of finding just the right sink by special ordering everything. Purchase in-stock items whenever possible. This will help you keep the construction going.
3. Be kind to your work crew. A little kindness goes a long way toward speeding up your construction. Bring them food or cold drinks. Speak politely to them. People want to do good work for those who treat them with respect.
4. Plan for more time than you think it will take. There are going to be delays: supplies won’t arrive, work won’t be approved by the governing authorities, and weather will delay progress. If you expect delays, you won’t be as frustrated when they occur.
5. Protect your budget. Know exactly how much money you have to spend, and make sure you don’t go over your construction budget. There’s no reason to create more stress in your life by spending more money than you have.
6. Have a comfortable place to live. Part of the frustration you feel during your home’s construction is the sense of not having a home. To counter this, make sure you and your family has an intermediate home that is comfortable for everyone. You need your own sanctuary during this stressful time.  

If you haven’t found the right Fairfax County Virginia real estate to purchase, let me help you through the search for a lot or land to build your new home on.  Give me a call today, that way I can help you negotiate a good contract, saving you time and money.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 or email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com now!

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

“There’s always something to be thankful for.  If you can’t pay your bills, you can be thankful you’re not one of your creditors” – Author Unknown
With Christmas and New Year holidays just around the corner, I find myself thinking about everything I have to be thankful for.  For instance, I’ve been one of the Arlington VA real estate agents for some time.  And it is a position that I love and enjoy.  I’m also grateful to be able to share the knowledge that I’ve learned throughout the years with my clients and those of you who read my blog.  It’s a wonderful and rare thing to do something that you love for a living.
Most of us are so busy reaching our goals, making plans for the future, pushing and struggling to rise to wherever we feel our position in life should be, that we very rarely take the time to look back at where we started.  While it’s always a good idea to have goals, to visualize and work towards them, if you never take the time to appreciate what you’ve done then it becomes a constant, maddening race to the finish line.  Intangible things, such as happiness and satisfaction, fall by the wayside, considered unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
With the holidays drawing closer, as one of your Arlington VA real estate agents, I invite you to think about what you have to be thankful for.  Whether big or small, you’ll find yourself savoring all the good things in your life. 
So what are some of the things that you’re grateful for?  It doesn’t have to be a big thing to be appreciated.  Was the sky particularly beautiful today?  Maybe you caught the bus on time, or you’re throwing the family holiday dinner this year and everyone is coming.  If it brightens your life, brings a smile to your face, lightens your mood or warms your heart, be thankful for the experience. 
Enjoy each moment as if it were your last, sipping from the cup of gratitude and appreciation; you may find that your heart is constantly filled with happiness.  As one of the top Arlington VA real estate agents, I invite you to make every day a special day.  If I can be of assistance to you in the New Year, please let me know.  Happy Holidays!
Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939

When you’re talking about renovating, there’s a fine line between historic Alexandria VA homes for sale and money pits.  It’s easy to get so attached to a house that you can’t get past “what has been” to see “what is.”  If you’re thinking about renovating an historic home, you might want to read these tips first:

Renovating Tips

• Have a home inspector come out and look at the house you’re interested in.  The inspector should be well versed in older homes.
• Have a contractor come out and give you an estimate on repairs, based on their experience and the issues pointed out by the home inspector.
• Be aware that older homes may have issues with lead paint, asbestos and mold.  Have these issues checked out and add them to your cost.
• Set extra money aside for unforeseen issues.  For instance, the older the house, the more likely it is that the wiring and plumbing may need to be replaced.
• Be aware that upkeep on historic Alexandria homes can be expensive.  Plaster walls and wood floors, for example, need constant care.

Depending on where the house is located, you may be limited to the type of renovations you can do.  Before beginning, find out if the house is in a historic district or listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

• If you feel that you just have to have the house, no matter what, have someone with a more objective view gather the information together on cost, time and requirements.
• Understand that sometimes it’s not possible to fix major structural problems, or the repairs are simply too costly.
• Make sure the house is in a good neighborhood.  It’s not worth the effort and money to make a house nice in a neighborhood that will always be horrible.
• Be realistic about what you can afford.  Don’t put yourself so deep in hock that you’ll never be able to climb out.

Buying one of the historic Alexandria VA homes for sale and renovating it can be very satisfying work.  However, the key is to do your research and keep as objective a view as possible.

Need help finding or negotiating for one of the historic Alexandria VA homes for sale?   As your  neighborhood specialist, I can help you find the ideal historic home in the finest neighborhood.  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com now!

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

No doubt you’ve heard about the number of foreclosures in Fairfax County VA.  If you’re thinking that now would be a good time to jump on the bandwagon by purchasing one of the foreclosed Fairfax County VA homes for sale, here are a few tips to help you find (and buy) your dream home.

Arrange for Financing
Know how much home you can afford so you can determine your price range.  You don’t want to waste any time looking at property that won’t fit your financial needs.  If you do, you might even miss the deal you’re looking for.  Many lenders will pre-qualify you.  The process doesn’t take long and you’ll be able to look at Fairfax County foreclosures with confidence.

Get a List of Foreclosures in Fairfax County VA 
Most banks and other lenders have a list of their properties that are in foreclosure. Some government agencies and mortgage brokers have access to current foreclosure lists.  Your number one best resource for foreclosures in Fairfax County VA is your real estate agent who is able to guide you to the properties that best fit your needs as well as show you the properties.

Research Your Favorites
Narrow down the list of foreclosures to your favorites.  Then, investigate the properties and the areas they’re in because the neighborhood has an impact on the value.  In addition, carefully assess the foreclosed properties for any damage and calculate the cost of the repairs. After you’ve done the math, pick the house that suits your needs.  If you don’t want to do all the assessments and make all these decisions on your own, work with a professional Fairfax County real estate agent who can guide you through this process.

It’s Time to Make a Bid
Okay, you’ve found the foreclosed property you want to buy.  What should you do now?  It’s time to put in a bid on the property.  If you aren’t comfortable negotiating (or if you aren’t good at it), let your real estate agent place your bid and negotiate the deal for you.

Ready to get a great deal on foreclosed Fairfax County VA homes for sale? I can help you find and buy the right home for you.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 or email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com now to get started!

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

With the prices of property so low, you may be thinking of buying one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale for investment purposes.  These three tips can help cut down on possible mistakes:

Tip #1 – Decide how long you want to own a property before you buy it.
The longer you plan to own a property, the more you’ll want to spend to fix it up.  For instance, if you’re keeping the property for 20 years, you’ll probably be doing some major repairs: new appliances, a new roof, etc.  However, if you’re only planning on keeping the property for a few years, you probably don’t want to make major improvements unless you’re sure you can make back the cost.

A shorter time also means more investment risk.  In 20 years, your Fairfax County real estate will be more likely to appreciate, while it might lose value in the next two years. 

Long-term ownership makes the most sense for many investors.  You have time to deal with any shifts in the market and rental income can make a nice supplemental income.

Tip #2 – Get your credit in shape.
In general, lenders require bigger down payments, higher interest rates and stronger finances for buying rental property than they do for primary residences.  This is because people are less likely to default on their homes than they are on investment property.  The less consumer debt you have, the better your credit score; the better your credit, the better chance you have to get a decent loan.

Tip #3 – Build a cash reserve.
It pays to have a substantial cash reserve after buying real estate for the purposes of investment.  This reserve can help pay for unexpected repairs, remodeling to raise the value of the property and rental vacancies.  A good start is to set aside at least a month’s rent per unit, then build from there until you have 6 months worth.

Along with basic common sense, following these three tips can help you along the path to investing in one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale with the maximum return on your investment.

Are you thinking of buying one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale as an investment property?  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com. I’m an expert at negotiating the best price and terms for your real estate investments.

Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com

Candles and candle accessories are very popular, especially during the holiday season. However, when candles are not used properly, they can be extremely dangerous, resulting in property destruction and even injury or death. If you own one of the condos in Arlington VA, here are some candle safety tips to help keep you and your home safe.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Walking away from an open flame inside your Arlington home is just not a good idea. You never know what may happen while you’re out.
• Never burn a candle near something that can catch fire. This includes drapes, lampshades, furniture, bedding, books, and carpet. A flame in your home can quickly turn into a destructive fire.
• Never burn a candle in a cracked container. A burning candle is filled with hot liquid wax that can burn you or damage your property. Only use sturdy, heat resistant candle holders. 
• Keep the flame in the center of the candle.  If the flame touches the candle holder, it can quickly crack or shatter the container.
• Never let a candle burn over night. Candles are not nightlights. Make sure you extinguish all flames completely before going to bed each night. The flame is out when the wick stops glowing.
• Never burn a candle within the reach of pets and children. The glowing flame of a candle is attractive to children and pets. They can easily knock over candles, which can lead to serious burns or a fire in a matter of minutes.
• Never touch hot candle wax. Liquid candle wax is hot, and it can burn you. Teach your children to follow this rule.
• Never burn a candle near a draft. The draft will shift the direction of the flame which will cause the candle to burn unevenly or start a fire in your home. If the candle flame is not burning in an upward direction, you need to move it.

If you follow common sense, the ambiance of candles can be enjoyed in condos in Arlington VA.  

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Are you looking for one of the condos in Arlington VA for sale?  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

When you buy Alexandria VA homes for sale, you need to be aware of your rights.  Not everything is as cut and dry as some may want you to think.  The following is a list of many of those rights:

• Nondiscrimination – In this case, discrimination means being denied unfairly.  If you can afford a home, you have the right to buy it no matter what neighborhood it’s in.  The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate because of race, handicap, whether you have children or not, and many other issues.
• Fair lending – This goes hand in hand with nondiscrimination.  To be denied a loan, there has to be a fair reason, such as insufficient income or an unacceptable credit history.
• Forceful measures – You can’t be threatened, coerced or intimidated into not buying Alexandria VA homes for sale.
• Good Faith Estimate – Thanks to RESPA (the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974), you can ask a lender to give you a “Good Faith Estimate.”  A Good Faith Estimate is the lender’s best estimate of settlement costs. 
• Hidden fees – Sometimes lenders have fees that aren’t refundable to you if you cancel a loan agreement.  If this is the case, the lender has to let you know what fees won’t be refunded.
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – This is the yearly costs of your loan.  It includes up-front fees and interest, as well as finance charges, payment schedules and late payment charges.  Your lender must provide you with a Truth In Lending Statement that shows you a list of items that have been added to your APR. 
• Inspection report – You have the right to have a home inspector visit the property to identify any major problems.  Based on this report, you can get out of the sales contract if any serious problems are identified.  Or, you can adjust your bid to compensate for the problems.  If you sign the contract before getting the property inspected, make sure it’s worded so you can leave the deal if any major problems are found.

Buying Alexandria VA homes for sale can be exciting, and you may be tempted to scan over the paperwork.  Read everything before signing, and know your buyer rights!

If you’re considering an Alexandria, Virginia real estate purchase, I’d love to talk with you.  I can make the purchase process easy and safe.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 or drop me an email at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

When buying Fairfax County VA homes for sale, you may find some unexpected problems.  Generally, these issues revolve around plumbing, wiring or sticking doors and windows.  Although they aren’t as expensive to fix as other issues, there’s always a possibility that they indicate bigger problems. 

Sticking Doors/Windows
Spotting wear and tear on doors and windows is fairly easy.  Check the hinges and locks.  Squeaking hinges or locks that stick indicate wear on seals and metal. 

Although sticking doors and windows aren’t a big deal in and of themselves, these issues can be indications of moderate to severe foundation problems. If you find these issues in Fairfax County VA homes for sale that you’re looking at, make your way to the basement and look for cracks or dips in the floors and walls.  Pay attention to how the floors of the house feel when you walk.  If you’re at all uneasy, have an inspector look at the house before you buy.

Plumbing Problems
Sometimes, plumbing problems aren’t so easy to find.  Sellers have been known to use temporary fixes, which does a good job of hiding the issues.  However, there are places to look that make the problems easier to find.

• Look up in the corners where the walls connect to the ceiling.  Spackled ceilings make issues especially easy to spot, as they pick up water stains or crack and flake. 
• Another place to check is the bathroom, along the bottom of the wall. 
• Tile grout has a tendency to crack or flake, become discolored or loosen with continuous proximity to water. 
• Finally, check the closets.

People who use temporary fixes will generally work hard to cover up the problems in lived-in rooms, while forgetting to fix walls and ceilings in closets.

Faulty Wiring
Spotting faulty or old wiring depends on the size of the issue and where it’s located.  For instance, a bad socket can be found by looking for darkened spots around the holes.  However, it’s impossible to look through the walls to find faulty or old wiring behind them.  An electrician will be able to give you a better idea of the wiring in Fairfax County homes.

Remember, if you’re thinking of buying one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale, it’s best to have a professional do a home inspection for you.     

Are you considering purchasing a new home?  Let me help you get your dream home at the lowest price.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 or email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

If you’re thinking of buying one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale, it makes sense that you might also be looking at mortgage loans.  There are several types of loans, but they all fall into two categories: government loans and conventional loans. 

Government insured loans are FHA, VA or RHS (Rural Housing) loans and have specific criteria to be eligible.

Any loan that doesn’t fall under FHA, VA or RHS are conventional loans; conventional loans can be conforming or non-conforming. 

• Conforming Loans follow guidelines set out by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which establish suitable properties, maximum loan amounts, borrower credit and income requirements and down payments.
• Jumbo Mortgage Loans are above the maximum loan amount established by the guidelines, and are non-conforming loans.  They’re bought and sold on a small scale, and often have higher interest rates than conforming loans.
• B/C Loans don’t meet the borrower credit requirements set out by the guidelines.  This type of loan is offered to borrowers that filed for bankruptcy, foreclosure, or have late payments on their credit reports.  What interest rates and programs you qualify for depend on your financial situation and credit history at the time you apply for a mortgage.
• Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM) have a fixed interest rate and monthly mortgage payment for the period of the loan.  In general, you can get a lower interest rate for a shorter loan term.  FRMs are available for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years, though 15 and 30-year loans are the most popular.
• Balloon Mortgage Loans are short-term FRMs, usually based on a 30-year schedule, with a lump sum payment at the end of a 3, 5 or 7-year term.
• Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) have fluctuating interest rates and monthly payments.  The lender makes periodic adjustments to the interest rate, based on changes in a defined index that is established at the time of your application.

When looking at the different types of mortgage loans, remember that it’s important to choose the right mortgage for your situation.

Find thousands of Fairfax County VA homes for sale and shop from the comfort of your own home on my website at www.HomeSearchWebsite.com.  Or, let me do the searching for you.  Just give me a call today at 703-909-3939 and I’ll put together a list of homes that meet your criteria.  Or email Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com now!

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