Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

Everybody has a horror story of some kind, when talking about Fairfax County Virginia real estate. There are just some things most people don’t think about when searching for property to buy or sell, whether you’re the buyer, the seller or even, yes, the agent.

Exhibit A
Sheryl (name changed to protect the innocent) is exhibit A. Now, she thought she’d bought a nice house at a good price. Everything seemed to be perfect. The one place that Sheryl went wrong was forgetting to do a home inspection on that beautiful piece of Fairfax County Virginia real estate.

After a pleasant day of moving in, she went to take a shower. Turning on the faucet, she noticed the water pressure wasn’t what it should be. Ignoring the indications of worse yet to come, she flipped from faucet to shower. Only a few lonely, sad drips came from the showerhead. To compound the issue, she discovered that the washer didn’t have enough pressure to get her clothes clean; washing dishes was an exercise in futility and if a hose was turned on in the garden the second story toilet wouldn’t flush.

After much ado, many phone calls and two plumbers, Sheryl found that the beautiful tree in the front yard that had sealed the deal had also burst the pipes. She now had to pay to have the tree removed (it couldn’t be saved), as well as the pipe dug up and replaced. In addition, she owed the water company for all the water lost through the break.

The moral: Don’t skimp on the details just because you’re under pressure.

Exhibit B
Bob, a real estate agent (again, name changed), still loves open houses. They’re a big deal for him and he makes plenty of contacts that way. However, even Bob, who has been in the industry for years, forgot to do a last walk through before a certain open house started. Unfortunately, he and the potential buyers found an unpleasant surprise in the upstairs bathroom, deposited thoughtfully by the current owner. In trying to take care of the surprise, he found the toilet was blocked and the bathroom fan didn’t work. Needless to say, the potential buyers didn’t stick around to tour the rest of the house.

The moral: A short walk-through can save a lot of embarrassment.

With any Fairfax County Virginia real estate, there’s always the chance that you’ll miss something. A homebuyer’s checklist or home seller’s checklist is a great way to make sure you don’t. If you do, try to take what comes with a grain of salt, a lot of patience and as much of a smile as you can muster.

If you’re trying to find a great home without the horror, I can help. For more information, call me 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

July saw the largest increase in home sales in at least ten years, which brings hope for all the Alexandria VA homes for sale. What’s the culprit for this more-than-expected rise? The first-time buyers tax credit!

The $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers expires November 30, 2009. Buyers that otherwise may have stood on the side lines are rushing to find the home of their dreams in time for the closing to happen before the deadline. Thanks to that deadline, one out of three homes for sale are getting that coveted “Sold” sign.

So why should buyers beware?
If you’re holding off for a better time to buy one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale, you might never see it! Mortgage interest rates are at a historical low; housing prices are also much lower than they have been.

The tax credit is another excellent reason. If you’re a first-time buyer and close the deal before November 30, you get a 10% credit on the purchase price. That percentage caps out at $8,000. What can you do in a new house with $8,000?

Many buyers are looking at foreclosures, due to lower costs. While the foreclosures may not be in the best condition, the tax credit has helped them make repairs without taking a huge bite out of their wallet. You may have a foreclosure with $15,000 off the initial price and $7,000 in needed repairs. If you receive the full $8,000 tax credit, you actually end up saving $16,000!

So, if you’re honestly looking for a home to buy, go ahead. Take your time; make sure it’s a home you want. However, don’t take too long, because the Alexandria VA homes for sale are rapidly disappearing. Take advantage of the tax credit and the number of possibilities!

If you’re looking for a great home, I can help. Click to: Search for homes and condos for sale in Fairfax County Virginia now.  

Ready to purchase a home or need more information?  Call me 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 think homes and condos in Arlington VA are in style, you just might want to look around.  The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more.  Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.

Smaller homes – Mansions are out and, believe it or not, matchbox houses are in.  Some buyers want downright tiny homes, and are even willing to build their own to get it.  If you own one of the homes or condos in Arlington VA with a lot of square footage and want to sell, you might start counting.  How many of those rooms do you really need?  Can you knock out a wall to create larger, more open spaces?

More storage – Flat walls are out, closets are in.  Homebuyers are demanding storage spaces, from walking closets to built-in storage systems.  If you’re looking to sell and have issues, it might be due to the lack of storage space.  Look around; see if you have areas that can be maximized for storage.  Consider turning that small fourth or fifth bedroom into a walk-in closet.

Living outdoors – Over the years, the rise in individuals that want an extended outdoor space has gone up.  If you have a porch or patio but it’s exposed to the elements, look into screening it in.  Outdoor spaces that can be used year-round (or close to it) are big sellers.

Home office space – The need for a home office is rising as well.  Windows and space are essential for working in a relaxed environment.  If you have a room that can be converted into a comfortable office space with ease, don’t forget to add it to your sales pitch.

Green and healthy – Green homes are no longer a trend; they’re more the norm now.  Buyers want efficient homes and features that reduce utility costs.  Better insulation, recycled materials, carpets with no/low gas emissions and paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are all the rage.  This is one trend that doesn’t seem likely to go away.

If you own a home or condo in Arlington VA, pay attention to the building trends.  They aren’t just what buyers say they want; these trends are what they’re buying. 

If you’re thinking of selling your home or condo but aren’t sure whether you need to update it first, I can help.  Call me 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

Even, perhaps especially, in an economic downturn, people are trying to make a living in the real estate market. “Flipping” houses used to be a great way to make a little cash, but not now. Many are now looking at long-term cash prospects, such as renting property, and foreclosures in Fairfax County VA seem to be a good start. But are they? Let’s take a look.

Finding a good rental property isn’t easy. It’s not like shopping; you can’t go into a real estate store and grab the first house off the rack that looks good on you. It’s a process of investigating, gaining knowledge and being realistic. This is especially true when looking at some of the foreclosures in Fairfax County VA.

Homeowners who suffered foreclosure were unable to pay the mortgage. We all know that.  What people usually don’t think about is that the homeowners were probably also unable to pay for upkeep. This means that you, as the buyer, have a larger possibility of buying a money pit rather than a moneymaker. Keep this in mind as you look over a few tips for finding good rental property:

1)  Location – Since you’re looking at foreclosed properties rather than properties that are already set up for renting, you can’t check established rental records. However, you can ask your real estate agent for a list of areas with less people moving out and more moving in. As well, look at areas with surrounding retail development. New shopping malls, theatres and restaurants will bring in more people to an area.

2)  Addition and subtraction – It’s time to do the math. Ask your real estate agent for what the going rental rates are in the area you’re looking at. You’ll need to find out if the rent you can charge will take care of expenses as well as bring you profit. Figure the yearly income you can expect to make and then subtract mortgage payments and operating expenses. If your math produces a negative balance, don’t buy the property.

3)  Taxes – Once you pay expenses, your income is taxable. Now, while you can depreciate rental property,  you can’t depreciate the land it’s on. Talk to a real estate agent or accountant to decide whether it’s worth it or not.

If you follow these three tips and remember to pay attention to the amount of repair needed, you might just find some fantastic deals on foreclosures in Fairfax County VA. Take a little time to make sure renting is for you, and then get started.

If you’re looking for potential rental property, I can help. Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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

When you’re looking to buy a home, and especially when you’re looking at foreclosures in Fairfax County VA or anywhere else, title searches are important.

Many buyers make the mistake of settling for a quitclaim deed without doing a title search. Unfortunately, the person who signs the quitclaim deed may not be the actual person holding the title. If there are any liens on the title, the new owner may get an unpleasant surprise at closing. With foreclosures in Fairfax County VA, the possibility that there is a lien on the title is even greater.

What is a title search?
Title searches are performed by title companies or lawyers. These companies and attorneys search the public records for information on the property’s ownership. The goal is to find out if there are any problems with the title.

What kind of information can a title search give you?
A complete title search will cover such things as:

• How many mortgages the property has
• Any liens, such as judgments or mortgages, on the property
• Taxes owed on the property

The purpose, other than finding current information, is to establish chain-of-title - who owned the property at what time, who they sold it to and so on. Title companies look for proof that any encumbrances have been taken care of, as well as easements, rights-of-way and anything else that can affect the title.

Why get title insurance?
Most title companies also offer title insurance. Title insurance, depending on the company, provides a guarantee that the title is clear, as well as insuring that you can’t be held accountable for forgery, fraud, defective records or incorrect signatures that occurred before you received the title. It also guarantees that there is no encumbrance or judgment on the property.

Foreclosures in Fairfax County VA are a good bet for a great home or investment property. However, make sure you know what you’re getting by having a title search done. As well, spend the money on that one-time fee for title insurance. It may be the best investment you’ve ever made!

Thinking of buying a home?  Let me guide you easily through the entire process, from negotiating the price to having a title search performed to signing your closing papers.  Call me 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

Purchasing one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale, especially as a first-time buyer, is incredibly exciting. However, just because your offer is accepted doesn’t mean the deal is done. Lots of things can still cause the deal to fall through. Here are just a few things that might slow or stop your purchase:

1)  Termites – Most lenders will insist on having a pest inspection to make sure termites or carpenter ants haven’t seriously damaged the home. Even if your particular lender doesn’t require an inspection, it’s best that you get one done anyway. If the pest inspection shows there is a severe problem, you can either ask the seller to pay to have the problem fixed or walk away if your purchase agreement allows it. At less than $100, a pest inspection is definitely worth the cost.

2)  Bad Title – During the escrow process, have a title search done by a title company and purchase title insurance. The search makes sure that there isn’t a lien or claim against the property, while the title insurance guarantees that there aren’t any issues with the title. If there are issues, they have to be taken care of before you can receive the keys to the Fairfax County VA home for sale.

3)  House Defects – Make sure that your purchase offer has a home inspection contingency. If the inspection reveals big issues, you can back out without any penalties. Otherwise, you might lose your earnest money. If you don’t want to back out, you’ll have to negotiate the cost of the repairs with the seller. This can delay closing.

4)  Uninsurable Home – Sometimes previous homeowners will have made a major insurance claim, which shows up on insurance records. In this case, insurance companies may claim the house to be uninsurable, which means you won’t be able to get a loan for the home.

Before looking at Fairfax County VA homes for sale, make sure you’re acquainted with the closing and escrow processes, and be prepared for any problems that may arise. The more equipped you are for any eventuality, the better your chances of moving into the home you want.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, let me help you negotiate a contract that protects you from potential problems. Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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

Are you looking at Alexandria VA homes for sale and feeling overwhelmed by the choices? Back in the Dark Ages before the Internet (1986 or so), if you wanted to look at a house, you had to call a real estate agent, find out the address and then physically drive to the house. Thanks to the Internet, however, you can start narrowing down your choices before you ever talk to your agent.

What do you need to know?
Looking online can give you the information you want to know about the Alexandria VA homes for sale. However, if you just go surfing on the Web, that information can be as overwhelming as the number of choices. Before you start shopping online, make a list of the things that are important to you about the city or neighborhood in which you want to live, such as:

• What are the average property taxes in the neighborhood?
• What is the average utility cost for the home?
• What is the neighborhood like?
• How high is the crime rate in the neighborhood?
• What is the average climate of the city?
• What is the unemployment rate of the city?
• How good are the schools?

Once you have your list of questions, go online with an eye to answering them. Here is a list of links that might help you on your quest for information:

My Government Website – Sunshine Review: 
Here you can find a list of cities with official websites. Choose the city you’re looking for and be magically transported by way of the Internet to that city’s official website. You’ll find all the great stuff that calls people to move to a particular city, including attractions, businesses, restaurants and beautiful housing developments.

City Data: City Data is just that – a website with nothing but data on U.S. cities. You’ll find the nice and not so nice information about any city. Crime rates, shortest commute, weather patterns and more, all at your fingertips. The only drawback is that the information is two years old.

Interest: Interest.com will show you the current mortgage interest rates for the area you’re interested in.

By gathering all this information, you have a much better chance of choosing one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale that fits your needs. Once you have it all, you can search online or take the information to your real estate agent and get help with your house hunting.

Are you looking for the perfect house?  Let me help. Call me today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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

Are you thinking about adding your home to the list of Alexandria VA homes for sale?  If you’ve ever sold a home, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” more times than you care to count from your real estate agent. Well, it’s time to hear it again, but maybe in a way you hadn’t considered.

With curb appeal, you might think of cutting your lawn, trimming bushes and getting rid of weeds.  Have you considered that creating a beautiful landscape for your home can add resale value?  Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Planting Frenzy
A beautiful landscape adds increasing value over time. That doesn’t mean you go on a planting frenzy, however. As a landscaping do-it-yourselfer, you don’t want buy a whole bunch of plants and throw them in the ground. You need to purchase the type of plants that will give your home the best resale value.  The types of plants that add more resale value to Alexandria VA homes for sale are trees and long-living flowering shrubs. Others, such as perennials, add less resale value, and still others, like vegetable gardens that need to be replaced yearly, add the least amount of value to a home.

Steps to Take
By following these steps in order, you have a much better chance of getting the best resale value out of your landscaping work:

1. Talk to the experts
   Local nurseries, gardeners and professional landscapers can help you with what to plant, how to plant and where to find them.
2. Check grading and drainage
   Bad drainage can ruin a lot of landscaping work, as can a poorly graded lawn. Pay attention during a heavy rain and make sure there is no erosion in your planned area, and no standing water. Both conditions can make a mess of landscaping.
3. Remove local plant pests
   Local plant pests include such things as eucalyptus, scotch broom, pampas grass and certain types of ivy. These plants can quickly overgrow your garden, lowering your property value. If you have any plant pests, check online or with professionals to find out how to remove them.
4. Design
   As any good landscaper knows, always start out by drawing out a landscape design on graph paper. Pay attention to the spacing needed for each plant, as well as such things as when the flowers will bloom and what the colors will look like together.
5. Prepare the soil
   Not every yard has soil that’s perfect for planting. Make sure you have a good soil mix and make sure the plants you use match the PH of the soil.
6. Start planting!

Alexandria VA homes for sale with beautiful landscapes have a much better chance of selling, and selling well. Turn your thumb green and get to work on your home’s curb appeal.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, with or without a beautiful landscape, I can help. Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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

Not everybody is dealing with the worry of buying or selling Fairfax County Virginia real estate. Some are quite happy where they are, have no intention of moving, and selling is the last thing on their minds.

However, there are a lot of incentives out there to do something in Fairfax County Virginia real estate, and many are itching to dip into those incentives. So, if you’re not selling or buying, what can you do? Here are a few ideas:

Upgrades
Upgrades are something you can do to your home at any time. However, with the many government incentives out there, you can upgrade your home to be more energy efficient for less. For example, thanks to federal tax credits, you can install solar panels or a geothermal heat pump and get 30% back once you file your federal taxes.

Instead of just jumping in on upgrades, it’s best to start with an energy audit. An energy audit will tell you where your problem areas are in order of priority, as well as what incentives and credits are available to help you compensate for the cost.

In addition to getting you incentives and credits, these upgrades will raise the resale value of your home.  They’ll also lower your utility bills – sometimes by as much as 70%, depending on the size of the problems and the upgrades you make.

Remodeling
If you’ve always wanted to remodel, now is a great time to do it. Contractors and remodelers aren’t as busy as they have been. For you, this means the chance to save money. Bargains are available on materials, labor costs and overall remodeling costs. Be aware that there are some shady companies, so make sure you investigate before signing a contract with anyone.

Refinancing
Although home refinancing isn’t the best thing to do for everyone, it’s something to look into if you’re struggling with mortgage payments. Talk to your lender and see what your choices are. If you can get better financing than you currently have, this may be a great option for you!

Just because you aren’t selling your Fairfax County Virginia real estate doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the down market. Look around, investigate, and see what options you have open as a homeowner to increase the property value or get the best out of the home you do have.

If you’re looking for the best upgrades and remodels to increase your home’s resale value, I can help. Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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

There’s a group of individuals constantly overlooked when someone has one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale. It’s not just newlyweds, families and women looking for homes. Men are on the look out, too. So what are they looking for? Here are a few points on the list:

1)  Location, location, location – Most men want a place close to their job. No long commutes, no hours on the highway. In fact, it’s one of their biggest considerations when choosing a home.

2)  The Man Cave – Is your Alexandria VA home for sale set up with a man cave? Many men dream of having an extra room that can be converted into a place for recreation and entertainment. If you already have a man cave, you’re ahead of the competition!

3)  Surrounding area – In a fun survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces examined America’s cities and marketing trends to find the “Top 50 Manliest Cities” in the U.S. Believe it or not, Nashville took the top place as the Mecca of manliness. Why? A few reasons:

1. High number of NASCAR fans
2. High number of BBQ restaurants
3. Popularity of hunting and fishing

What other things did Sperling’s look at to decide “manliness?”

• Major league sports teams in a city, nearby NASCAR events, monster truck events and local drag racing strips, among other sports venues
• Memberships in motorcycle owner groups, bowling, hunting, woodworking, DIY home improvement
• Number of manly retail stores, such as steak houses, sports bars, general hardware stores, sportsman stores, etc.
• Percentage of houses subscribing to manly magazines

So what does all this mean to you? If you have an Alexandria VA home for sale with a manly decor as well as surrounding attractions, you have a match made in heaven for the busy bachelor. Okay, so women like monster truck events, motorcycles and DIY, too. And, okay, so the survey is a little silly. However, if you’re trying to sell that house and are having no luck, it’s definitely something to think about.

If you’re trying to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for more information.

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