Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

The Fourth of July is an exciting – and delicious – time of year for owners of homes and condos in Arlington VA.  There’s swimming, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, and, of course, fireworks.  While the lights are pretty and it’s a blast to set them off, a moment of carelessness can ruin a good time.  Following this list of common – and not so common – safety tips will help ensure that you have a safe and happy July 4th.

1.  Get rid of the weeds around your house.  Although most homes and condos in Arlington VA are well taken care of, a lot of them have a little bit of weed growth here and there.  Making sure the weeks are cut short (less than 3 inches) or destroyed will lower the risk of stray sparks setting them on fire.

2.  Water your roof and the ground around your house.  Stray bottle rockets and roman candles are the culprits of many a house fire.  If you hose down your roof and the ground around your house in a strip about three feet deep before the fireworks start going off, these mindless arsons won’t have a chance.

3.  Keep a bucket of water handy.  As a safety measure, a bucket of water close by can’t be beat.  Many a ground firework has had a stray spark left in it even after the light display is over.  Sprinkling a little water on them when they’re done can stop fires before they start, and lower the chance of little hands getting burned.  

4.  No pointing.  Is there anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a Roman candle war?  Fun as it may be, pointing fireworks at each other is highly dangerous.  Point them toward the sky where they belong!

5.  Only light them once.  If you get a dud, consider it a spent firework and throw a little water on it.  Several people have lost fingers due to trying to relight a firework that didn’t explode the first time.
 
Practicing fireworks safety and a little bit of common sense can go a long way toward homes and condos in Arlington VA surviving one of the most fire-filled days of the year.  Be safe, and have a happy Fourth of July!

If you’re ready to buy or sell, and you’re looking for one of the best Arlington VA real estate agents, give me a call 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

Summer is gearing up, and the great summer holidays are right around the corner. From 4th of July picnics and fireworks to Labor Day barbeques, and every sunny day in between, a little preparation can make Fairfax County Virginia real estate homes a spot for summer fun.

Clean Up the Grill

One of the most popular pieces of outdoor party equipment is the barbeque grill. Over winter, it can accumulate a lot of dust.  Propane tanks may need recharging and even the tires might need filling. If the grill wasn’t cleaned and stored properly, last summer’s leftovers may be hanging on for dear life, and be really hard to get rid of. A good oven spray can help a lot. Spray on a generous amount and let your grill sit in the sun for a few hours before attempting to scrub the food surface clean.

Clean Up the Yard

Clutter is not only unsightly it can also be hazardous. Along with making sure toys are picked up and put away, check for branches that could have been knocked down by storms.  Also check for holes or uneven areas in the grass where a guest could twist an ankle.

Decorate Appropriately

Different holidays have themes that can be used to make your Fairfax County Virginia real estate home’s yard and patio look its best. For everyday fun in the yard, situate tiki lamps in strategic spots to keep away flies and mosquitoes. Use brightly colored serving dishes, plates and napkins.  You’ll find an amazing array of them at your local discount store.

Invite Friends and Family to Share the Fun

Parties are only as good as the people around you. Invite friends and family to make a fun Fairfax County Virginia home party even better.  One final tip:  Have plenty of games on hand for all age groups.

If you would like more tips like this, subscribe to my blog.  It’ll only take about 30 seconds, and you’ll automatically receive tips like this in your email about twice a week. 

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

From birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and weddings, your home has seen many great days. But, you also may find yourself making repairs more often, and you could begin to get the feeling you need a change. This change can come by remodeling your Fairfax County Virginia real estate home or selling it. But before you make a decision, consider a few very important factors. 

• What does remodel mean to you? — If your idea of a remodel is as simple as replacing flooring and adding fresh paint, that should be an easy fix. But if a complete demolition job is involved, you’ll probably save yourself money and a lot of headaches by buying a new home.
• Factor in finances – Whether you plan to remodel your Fairfax County Virginia real estate home or move, money is involved. Figure out if it financially makes more sense to make updates to your current home or move into a new already updated home. You’d be surprised how quickly renovation costs can add up, so keep that in mind.
• Assess your neighborhood – Do you still recognize the area you once knew? Are your neighbors still “neighborly?” An important point to consider is whether or not the neighborhood still has value. You want to make sure it is well kept and safe. If not, selling could be the answer.  You also don’t want to price yourself out of the neighborhood.  If updating your home would make it the highest valued home in the neighborhood, you’d be better off moving into a neighborhood where you can purchase one of the lowest valued homes.
• What about the children? Most times, when kids practically grow up in a home, many strong friendships are made. Think about how moving can affect your kids. Starting over in a new neighborhood and a new school can be life changing for children.  In this case, remodeling your home could be the better option. 

Do you own Fairfax County Virginia real estate?  Bottom line, when trying to figure out if you should remodel your home or sell, take your time. You should exhaust every possibility to ensure you make the right choice for you and your family.

Thinking about buying or selling Fairfax County Virginia real estate?  I can help!  Give me a call at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com today.

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

In spite of problems in the housing market, experts agree this is a great time to buy Fairfax County VA homes for sale. First-time home buyers can take advantage of the many tax breaks allowed by the stimulus plan, and everyone can benefit from the fact that the stimulus package includes help for banks so that they can provide mortgages. There are other reasons the current market is good for new home buyers, too.

Mortgage Rates
Because so few mortgages were being issued, the rates are very low. This gives home buyers, especially those with good credit, a big advantage. Just a two point difference in mortgage rates can mean saving several hundred dollars a month on payments.

Low Prices
If you’re considering buying one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale act now so you can take advantage of the amazingly low prices.  When you buy a home at today’s exceptional prices, you’re very likely to quickly add equity to your home when prices bounce back. 

Less Construction
Having less construction happening may not seem like a great thing, and for many areas of the economy it is not, but a lack of new construction is a real plus for new home owners. The fact that there are fewer new homes on the market will help real estate prices bounce back over the next few years by creating more of a supply and demand situation for existing homes. Rising home values will provide that equity bump back to more modern levels.

If you’re thinking about purchasing one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale and want more advice on the pros and cons, please give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

If you’re tired of renting but don’t want a huge home to manage, consider purchasing one of the condos in Arlington VA. You can enjoy the benefits of home ownership and leave your renting days behind you.

By owning a condo, you can:

Build equity
When you make payments on a condo you own, you are constantly building equity in the property. With renting, you pay for years and own nothing.

Avoid payment increases
Unlike renting, when you own your Arlington condo and have a fixed mortgage rate, you can feel confident that your monthly payments will remain the same. No more surprise rent hikes. You can just sit back, relax and plan your finances around that peace of mind.

Make upgrades
As a renter, you probably never had the pleasure of painting the walls any color that suited your style. Your only choices were white and builder beige. As a condo owner, you have the freedom to do what you want to the interior of your home without worrying about penalties from the landlord.

Break away from landlords
Now’s your chance to escape the watchful eye of your landlord and start living life the way you please. As a property owner, you call the shots. And best of all, you don’t have to be concerned with your landlord selling the property and leaving you without a place to live. Now you can secure your future as condo owner.

There is an array of benefits to owning one of the condos in Arlington VA. All you have to do is get out of the renter’s mindset and step out on your own. You’d be surprised how great you’ll feel once you do.

If you’re ready to search for condos in Arlington VA (and homes) for sale, click this link: http://homesearchwebsite.com/property_search.html.  Or, let me do the work for you.  I’d be happy to send you a list of available properties that meet your criteria.  Just give me a call now at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

The thought of losing your home due to foreclosure can be a devastating experience. If you’ve been late on payments or missed them altogether, foreclosure could be in your future. However, it doesn’t have to be. There are varieties of steps you can take to prevent foreclosures in Fairfax County VA.

1. Contact your lender
   In order to sort out the situation, you need to involve your mortgage lender as soon as possible so you can figure out the next plan of action and keep your home.
2. Set up a repayment plan
   Usually, repaying your missed payments is the start of fixing the problem; that’s why contacting the lender is so important. Depending on what you work out, your repayment costs may only be a little bit more than the cost of your current mortgage.
3. Try to get forbearance
   Depending on your specific situation, you may be able to put your loan in forbearance. This means, you could be allowed to make smaller payments or you could be free from payments altogether for about a year.
4. Modify your loan
   This is also known as a loan modification. The plan involves reducing your interest rate, resulting in cheaper payments. This can help you get back on track and avoid foreclosures in Fairfax County VA. 
5. Refinance
   Refinancing your loan could also result in a lower interest rate, therefore, helping you keep your home. For example, if you have an adjustable rate mortgage that keeps going up each year, refinancing to a fixed-rate loan would be tremendously helpful.
6. Sell your home
   Although this option is not ideal, it is better than foreclosure. When you sell your home, you have the chance to keep your credit score intact.

There are never any perfect choices when facing foreclosure. But before you think all is lost, examine your options. 

Are you ready to sell your home now?  If you need to sell your home as quickly as possible, give me a call at 703-909-3939. I am driven to get you Superior Results in Real Estate and I’ll do everything I can to sell your home faster and for more money.

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

Whew—you’re finished! You’ve signed all the forms and the race is won, you think. Okay, go ahead and sigh that huge gasp of relief that your purchase of one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale is finally over and the home is yours. That’s enough. Now, get yourself up and realize the heavy work is about to start. Oh yeah, you have to move all that stuff you’ve managed to accumulate over the past however many years you’ve been alive. Stuff doesn’t ever die; it just continues to follow you around.  So, how do you get it to your new home?

Send out invitations:
You would do it for any other big event in your life. Send out invitations to your family and friends and invite them to help you on your big day. Make it sound like fun by promising a picnic in your new backyard either the day of the move or soon after. It doesn’t have to be a big complicated affair.  Order some take out fried chicken or pizza and have plenty of beverages for sweaty tired helpers.  Make it a real event that everyone can enjoy while laughing about the day’s adventures.

Store it:
If you’re like most people, you have plenty of things you rarely use but can’t bear to get rid of. Now that you bought one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale, take advantage of the fact that you’ll be packing all your things and put those items you never use into boxes and tote them to a storage unit. You get to keep them, at least for now, but they won’t be cluttering up your brand new home.  In six months, if you haven’t missed the items, take the boxes (without opening them) to your favorite donation location.

Safeguard your pets:
Moving day is hectic and can be frightening for your pets. Board your cats or dogs at your veterinarian for the day. It will be worth the expense to make sure they don’t escape through doors propped open for moving.

For more tips like this, subscribe to my blog.  It’s fast, easy and free.  Just fill in your name and email address in the subscription form.  A couple of times a week, you’ll get tips like this automatically sent to your email inbox.

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

When buying a home, of course everyone wants to work with a dynamic real estate agent. But sometimes, it’s hard to know not only what talents you want in a real estate agent but also what you really need. While Arlington VA real estate agents differ, there are five traits you definitely want the agent you choose to work with to embody.

1. Marketing skills – You need to work with an agent who knows the ins and outs of real estate marketing. If you have a house to sell, your agent should know how to market your home both online and offline. If you’re buying a home, your agent should be aware of the latest and greatest homes on the market.
2. Negotiating flair – Once you decide on a property, you don’t want to overspend. A good agent will have the skills to get you the best deal around. With a good negotiator, you can have peace of mind knowing you won’t be taken advantage of.
3. Experience – This is understood. If you’re working with Arlington VA real estate agents, you want them to be experienced. While there are some good people who are just getting started, nothing beats years of on-the-job training.
4. Good listening skills – If an agent doesn’t listen to exactly what you want, then there’s no way he or she can give you the service you deserve. An agent with excellent listening skills is necessary if you want your goals met.
5. Dedication – No matter how much experience or skills an agent has, it’s essential that you choose someone who is ready to put in the time and commitment needed to get your deal done.

There are many Arlington VA real estate agents from which to choose.  And you’ll want to interview several agents to figure out the one who’s right for you.  I’d be honored if you’d allow me to interview for the job of representing you as a buyer or seller.   Click to learn more about me.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 to schedule an interview or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

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

Just when you think you’ve done everything you need to do to get your home ready for the market, months pass and your home or condos in Arlington VA doesn’t sell. Consider a few factors that can effect your goal of selling your home.

• Priced Too High – If your home has an excessive asking price, it will be harder to sell. With so many homes and condos in Arlington VA available today, a big price tag may turn buyers off. And, your competition down the street may have the same home or condo but a better price.
• The Market – No longer can you simply put a home on the market and watch the offers roll in. Nowadays, you have to be diligent and knowledgeable in your approach. Research the market value of homes and condos in Arlington VA in your neighborhood and know what kind of competition you’re up against.  And, understand today’s buyers and what they need in order to make a good offer on a home or condo.
• Unfavorable Location – No matter how gorgeous a home is a bad location can hurt sales. Although you can’t change the location, you can be creative in figuring out ways to appeal to buyers. Offer incentives to attract buyers or lower your asking price.
• The Appearance – Does your home need some work? If so, you want to attack those issues first before putting your home on the market. Things like dirty carpets and broken appliances can turn buyers off. Try staging your home. Staged homes usually sell faster and for more money.  If you stage your home it will help to ensure your home dazzles potential buyers.
• You Didn’t Consult a Professional – Trying to sell a home yourself can be an extremely daunting task. That’s why you need a real estate professional who knows the ins and outs of the industry and can market your home in the right way.

The good thing is that you can make changes that will improve the situation. Go over all the points listed and address any problems. Once that’s done, you’ll have a better chance of watching your home sell.

Let me give you a free analysis of your home’s value in today’s market.  Just click this link and fill out the short form now to find out the current worth of your home.  

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

These days, the thought of taking a vacation can lead to more stress than relaxation. If you own one of the condos in Arlington VA, instead of worrying about booking hotels, buying plane tickets and taking time off work, you can enjoy a wonderful vacation without leaving your condo.

1. Turn off the news. Rent a video instead.
This is a great way to escape for a while without all the hassle. Think of places you’ve always wanted to go, but couldn’t. Rent travel videos of a few of the places you’d like to visit and sit back, relax and let your mind wander.

2. Get lost in your favorite novel.
Do you enjoy the world of mystery, romance or even science fiction? Well, now’s your time to relax in your condo in Arlington VA and get lost in another world. Just visit your favorite bookstore or library ahead of time and stock up on some good reads.  

3. Send the kids to the grandparents.
There’s never been a better time to let kids bond with family than the present. Pack up their favorite toys and goodies and send them on their way. Remember – you’re on vacation!

4. Take a bubble bath.
Instead of hopping in and out of the shower, take some time and revisit your bath tub for a long, refreshing bubble bath. Light some scented candles, put on soft music and just let stress drift away.

5. Get a massage.
You may be thinking you’d need to leave your property for this, but you don’t! Plenty of massage therapists  make house calls. Book one in advance and have him or her visit you on your vacation at your condo.

When you’re thinking of your next vacation, owners of condos in Arlington VA can take some time to explore their own surroundings. With a little planning, a lot of imagination and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a wonderful, affordable vacation in the luxury of your own condo.

Tell me about your stay-at-home vacation.  What did you do?  Did you enjoy it as much or more than an “away” vacation?  Post a comment here and help us all learn how to vacation at home.

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