Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

You don’t list your Alexandria VA home for sale on a whim; you don’t just decide you don’t like the one you have. Selling a home carries significant financial, emotional and family repercussions. Selling your home is one of those life decisions, the ones you discuss with your spouse, look over with professionals and use experts to move forward.

While you might have been able to list your Alexandria VA home for sale and have it sold quickly at the beginning of the decade, that’s no longer the case. Now, you have to be truly motivated in order to get your home sold. Unmotivated sellers, those without concrete reasons, are not serious sellers.

If you’re a motivated seller, on the other hand, you have several new marketing weapons at your disposal. These include government incentive programs, short sale practices, state-of-the-art technology and creative marketing plans to help consummate the transaction.

Are You A Motivated Seller?
So, think about it. Are you a motivated seller? There are a number of reasons people are motivated to sell. These reasons include:

1. Lifestyle Change – The time for a quieter way of life has arrived. The nest may be too empty. You may want more freedom and less household commitment. In any case, a change of lifestyle is a very strong motivation to sell.
2. Relationship Changes – Partners get together and partners divide. Marriage, divorce and newborns all set the stage for household change.
3. House Too Small – As families expand, it can be more cost effective to move rather than over-improve. For example, it can cost over $10,000 for a room extension on your home.
4. Time to Upgrade – Prior to the recession, American families moved an average of seven times per marriage. Although those numbers have dropped some, we do still seem to seek the greenest pastures.
5. Changes in Neighborhood – Many homeowners move because of local community issues. A school system may trim budgets or the homes may not be increasing in value. A desire for neighborhood change could be your motivation.
6. Health Issues – People with health issues who cannot continue or afford household upkeep are moving to smaller, more protected and service oriented communities. If this is you, you can definitely consider yourself a motivated seller.

If you’re motivated and have a Alexandria VA home for sale, you already know the market is competitive. However, professional representation, an astute marketing plan and expanded reach can help you locate the perfect buyer.

Are you a motivated seller? This professional real estate agent would be honored to help you get your home sold. 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

If you’ve been looking at your finances to see if you can afford a Fairfax County VA home for sale, or a home in any area for that matter, a new report from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo says, “Yes, you can!”

According to this report, the prices for over 72% of the homes purchased in the first quarter of  2010 were affordable for families making an annual income of $63,800 (the median national income).  One of the main reasons for this is because of the national median price: just $175,000. Adding to that is the still historically low interest and mortgage rates, as well as companies once again beginning to hire new employees.  These “affordability” numbers are based on 28% or less of a family’s take-home pay.

Many new homeowners agree. The National Association of REALTORS® released the statistics for existing home sales on May 24.  April saw a 7% increase in sales from March, and Freddie Mac reports that 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage commitment rates rose to 5.10% in the same month.

What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?
While this still means slow going for those with a Fairfax County VA home for sale, this means an incredibly hot market for buyers.   With over 4 million homes available for sale, sellers are definitely competing with each other.  In many places across the country, homeowners have dropped their prices 10% to 50%, in an effort to attract attention.

Can You Afford a Home?
If you’re looking at the real estate market and wondering if you can finally afford the home of your dreams, it’s time to quit wondering. Start doing your research.

Before you begin shopping for a home, shop around for a lender. Finding a good lender with reasonable rates is one of the best first steps of buying a home.

Next, get pre-approved for a mortgage.  Pre-approval lets you know how much you really can afford and whether your credit is acceptable for a mortgage. As well, if you do find the home you’ve always wanted, being pre-approved gives you a strong standing in negotiations, because the seller knows you’re seriously looking for a home.

Finally, if you can afford a Fairfax County VA home for sale and have been waiting for the best time, you’ve reached it. There’s never been a better, more affordable time for buyers in the last 50 years.

If you’re looking for your dream 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

As you may be aware, there are two primary ways to sell and buy Fairfax County VA homes. One, FSBO (For Sale By Owner), means just what it says – the owner sells the home. The second, of course, is selling the home through one of the Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents. What you may not be aware of is the main reasons why so many choose to hire an agent, whether selling or buying a home.

Should you hire an agent? Of course, I’m going to say yes. However, what I really want you to do is make up your own mind after reading. Only you can answer this question because only you know your situation, but you need to know the facts:

Fact #1, for buyers – Real estate is one of the biggest areas of fraud in the U.S., and a fraud in which the scammer is less likely to be caught. Instances abound where an unsuspecting buyer has bought a home that still belonged to someone else.  Someone else who had no idea their home was up for sale in the first place. You won’t be able to get your down payment back, because the con artist will be long gone with it. Agents deal directly with the homeowner whose name is on the title.  If a licensed Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent represents a home, you know it’s really for sale.

Fact #2, for sellers – Real estate agents have access to many marketing venues that individuals don’t. FSBO sellers are limited to a few websites on the Internet versus the multitude of websites agents use to advertise homes for sale. With the knowledge agents gain through training and experience, the marketing available to agents, and the resources agents have at their fingertips, you have a much better chance of selling your home with an agent than on your own. If you don’t mind having your home sit on the market for awhile, FSBO may be the way to sell. However, if you need your home to sell sooner rather than later, you need an agent.

Fact #3, for buyers and sellers – Selling or buying a home isn’t as simple as “yeah, I’ll take it” and throwing money down. Selling real estate includes everything from negotiations and contracts to assessments and legalities. If either side doesn’t complete the steps correctly, actually closing the deal may be impossible. To be blunt, Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents are trained to handle the pitfalls of selling or buying a home and ensure that the sale goes smoothly.

Should you hire an agent to sell or buy Fairfax County VA homes? To me, this isn’t the real question. The real question is:   Can you afford not to?

If you’d like to work with a knowledgeable, experienced agent to buy or sell a home, I’d love to have the opportunity to interview for the job. 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

In bygone days, the key to closing many of the deals on Alexandria VA homes for sale often relied on an agent’s networking skills. Those of us with a successful real estate history knew where to go to bring Alexandria VA homes for sale, financers and buyers together.

In fact, the real estate community became so used to “the way things were done,” the standards for home purchasing and financing became a little lax. Today, regulators have taken aim at any less-than-transparent practices by, quite simply, changing the rules.

Were the “good ole’ days” competitive? Most definitely. Were they as competitive as they are today? Not even close.

Now, in order to complete contracts on Alexandria VA homes for sale, you have more transparency and a stricter set of industry standards, particularly when it comes to working with lenders. The good news is the changes in transparency and industry standards are designed to protect you as the seller and your buyer.

With Change Comes Education
With all the changes to the real estate industry, we, as real estate agents, have to stay informed in order to serve your best interests. After all, would you really want an agent following outdated rules from 10 years ago? Probably not, especially if you knew that outdated rules might make your sales contract useless.

How do we stay informed? One way is through the NAR. The National Association of Realtors®, the nation’s largest trade organization, has started several programs to keep agents updated on exciting developments and market trends. Some of the most beneficial programs include:

• Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR)
• Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
• Green Principals
• Graduate Realtor® Institute
• Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
• Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification (SFR)

Without continuing educational courses like these, staying updated on the real estate industry would be a lot harder. Most of us already have the experience, but ongoing training is also important. Why? So we know all the ways to attract buyers to your home, no matter what they’re looking for. In other words, learning what they’re looking for helps us to better understand what selling points your home has, and how best to market them.

Now, real estate deals are upfront and hidden agendas are (mostly) a thing of the past. Your goal, as owner/seller of one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale, is to make sure the agent you hire is up-to-date on any changes that may affect the sale.

Don’t be afraid to ask about their education and training. The best agent is the one who doesn’t hesitate to answer with a list of certifications and current courses.

If you’d like to sell your home and want an informed Alexandria VA real estate agent, look no further. Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for a complete list of all my certifications and education.

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

Like most industries, the Fairfax County Virginia real estate industry changes with the times. We still have the same mind-set, but the strategies we use differ from, say, before the internet. As the Fairfax County Virginia real estate industry improves with the use of online and mobile tools, “change” translates to a better result on the sale of your home.

Changes to the Real Estate Industry
Due to uncertain lending practices and unregulated appraisal services, the real estate game needed to change.  The National Association of Realtors® pushed for change, appraisers pushed for change,  the government pushed for change and, of course (it’s the government, after all), change happened.

The government mandated new regulations for lending practices. They poured tax incentives into the economy and, simply by chain of reaction, changed the real estate industry.

What This Means to You
This isn’t bad news.  In fact, it’s rather good news. The emphasis on education, a new code of ethics and advanced technology is a boon to today’s Fairfax County Virginia real estate market and you, as the home seller. Why? Because you have a broader reach than ever before. As well, we, the successful agents, must keep our competitive edge on any lending, marketing and technical advantages and turn that edge into advantages for you.

The focus of the new-age real estate agent is on – not just one or two things – but on everything and anything that can bring buyers to your home. 

Today’s Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents evaluate, market, create strategies, work with technology and are in constant contact with hundreds of potential buyers. We know you need expert representation to sell your home.   You expect it, and we provide it.

When you’re ready to sell your home, call me at 703-909-3939 or contact me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for expert representation you can rely on.

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

If you pay attention to national and Fairfax County Virginia real estate at all, especially if you access news on the internet, it has to be confusing. I read stories online, and I’m amazed by the conflicting information, and I worry about how it must come across to individuals trying to buy or sell Fairfax County Virginia real estate.

For instance, only a month or two ago, experts were concerned that we didn’t have enough of a housing supply. Now, online sites like the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the U.S. actually has 103 months worth of foreclosed homes – a heavy load that would take 9 years to get rid of. Honestly, it often gives me a headache. Occasionally, it makes me laugh – in a slightly horrified, appreciating the irony type of way.

I felt the need to lighten the load a bit and share something humorous with you. The idea for this blog came from a friend of mine, who asked her 10-year-old son what he’d learned in Social Studies that day. He replied, “Nothing. We’re still looking for the government.”

Yesterday, I came across a page from Kensington Realty Advisors on which they share a bit of real estate humor. Here’s an excerpt: “LODGING – All employees are encouraged to stay with relatives or friends while on Company business. If weather permits, public areas such as parks and parking lots should be used as temporary lodging. Bridges may provide shelter in periods of inclement weather.”

Will this help you sell your house? Probably not, but it might.

You have to keep a little humor going. Tons of clichés fill our vocabulary: “when the chips are down,” “when life gives you lemons,” “look on the bright side.” They all add up to the same message, that you can’t take life too seriously – even the life of real estate. 

So – when a buyer walks into your piece of Fairfax County Virginia real estate, looks around and notices a big puddle in the back yard, you can always tell them you were starting a pool.

Want to work with a professional real estate agent who knows how to get the job done while keeping life in perspective?  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

The Federal Government envisions a secure and stable marketplace for national and Fairfax County VA homes for sale, thus their involvement. We may or may not like the politics, but the fact remains that the marketplace has stabilized somewhat, and prices are leveling in anticipation of an upward turn.

No matter the actual state of the market, the simple fact is that motivated buyers and sellers for Fairfax County VA homes for sale do still exist. If not, a lot less people would visit this site. 

If you market your home correctly, the opportunity to sell is still promising. After all, interest rates are favorable, prices are realistic and the government has thrown some interesting incentives to buyers, sellers and lenders alike.

You and your real estate agent have the ability to induce buyers to act.  If your agent is experienced, he or she will work with you to develop incentives and add appeal to the transaction.

Step 1:  Provide Factual Information

Facts outweigh rumor, and having provable information helps get rid of the buyer’s reservations.  Here are some of the main facts you and your agent need to have at your fingertips in order to induce buyers to act:

• Knowledge of all local, state and federal tax incentives available to residents of your area
• Knowledge of all projected closing costs 
• An understanding of the buyer’s financial and domestic qualifications
• Complete knowledge of the school system and all community services and costs
• Expertise concerning the history and composition of the home
• Knowledge of any planned growth in the area

Step 2:  Provide Incentives

The “incentivizing” (no, that’s not a real word) of your home involves several factors. Some incentives may be more creative than others.  Here are a few ideas:

• Offer a one-year home warranty program through a third party provider.  This is a popular way to relieve buyers of some of their reservations. The idea is based on getting rid of unexpected expenses and the possibility of hidden costs.
• Have the seller pay part of the closing costs.
• Combine the above two incentives with a flexible closing date to make Fairfax County VA homes for sale that much more attractive.

Want help “incentivizing” your home to get it sold?  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com to find out how I can help sell your home.

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

You placed your Alexandria VA home for sale on the market weeks ago, but it seems no one is interested. What you may not realize is that the most desirable, most treasured buyers arrive at your home every day. They may not knock; they may not schedule an appointment; they may even need Map Quest to figure out where you are, but they’re viewing your home.

Buying habits are changing rapidly. More than 70 percent of today’s buyers find the house they want to buy through online resources. Why aren’t they just getting into their cars and coming by for a visit? Because a large part of your potential buyers are looking at your Alexandria VA home for sale from states away…

The Invaluable Relocation Buyer
You want the relocation buyer. In fact, every seller, every agent and every community wants the relocation buyer. Why? Relocation buyers are those who have to move. They’re incredibly motivated to buy, and the chance of them buying a home in the community is high.

Your Buyer’s Profile
Your relocation buyer is probably an educated professional in his or her field. Relocation buyers usually know exactly what they’re looking for, and aren’t willing to budge much. They’ve commonly moved before and are knowledgeable home buyers.

If you’ve never sold a home, they’ll most likely understand the buying/selling process better than you do. They also know that real estate activity and values are different in every area. As well, they know how their companies’ relocation assistance programs work, which affects their moving budgets.

Reaching buyers is a competitive process. If you want highly motivated buyers like these knocking on your door, you need a well-organized marketing strategy.

Talk to your real estate agent about your online presentation. Perhaps a video tour would be the best strategy to attract buyers to your Alexandria VA home for sale. Whatever you decide to do, if your marketing strategy doesn’t include a well-put-together online presentation, you’ve already lost the relocation buyer.

Are you missing a large buying market for 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

Europe, or more correctly, Greece, is having a debt crisis that may end up being a great boon for national and Alexandria VA homes for sale. The euro, Europe’s currency, dropped drastically and Europeans responded by exchanging euros for the American dollar.

Help for Alexandria VA Homes for Sale
As more money pours into the U.S. “safe haven,” interest rates drop. Although interest rates may rise again once global economies begin to recover, the real estate market will benefit during this period of European instability. In fact, the mortgage markets are already benefiting.

On May 20, Bankrate.com, known for its accurate reporting of average national mortgage rates, reported the lowest 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in almost 25 years. At the time of the report, national averages hit at 4.96% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 4.34% for a 15-year fixed and 4.14% for a 5-year ARM (adjustable rate mortgage).

Pessimists vs. Optimists
Pessimists believe that the low mortgage rates won’t affect home sales, because of the large influx of buyers who beat April’s tax credit deadline. In short, their view is that all the eligible homebuyers have already signed closing papers.  They think that a few more buyers may trickle in before the busy season for real estate is over, but their general attitude is that the fat lady has already sung.

Optimists, as usual, have a much brighter point of view about the economy. Banks, they say, are finally letting some of the much-talked-about shadow inventory into the light. Unemployment seems to have slightly reversed, retail sales are up and manufacturing inventories are increasing – all of which indicate a stabilizing economy. Although even optimists aren’t betting on a huge real estate boon, they do point to an uphill trend.

Questions for You
Which are you, an optimist or a pessimist?  And, how can there be such a big difference in real estate market outlook when all the experts are looking at the same information? Lastly, if you’re trying to sell your home, can you really afford to be pessimistic?

Here’s a hint: the attitude you have about your chances of selling will carry over to the results you achieve. Think positive, even when you hear about downturns.  You’ll have a better chance of getting your home sold than other Alexandria VA homes for sale!

If you’d like 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

“Buyer’s market” means that the buyers have the upper hand; there’s more supply than demand. When it comes to selling your home, it’s safe to say that you’re competing in one of recent history’s toughest real estate markets.  This is a true buyer’s market, where supply far outweighs demand. So how do you go about selling your home in these conditions?

Interview Fairfax County Virginia Real Estate Agents
Don’t pick an agent based on looks. An agent who drives an expensive car may very well just be someone who lives beyond his or her means. Instead, create a list of the top Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents in the area and interview them. Ask:

• About their experiences in selling homes in your area this year and last year – not in years gone by
• What they’d recommend to make your home more marketable 
• How they would market your home

If, after interviewing, there is more than one with excellent experience and great marketing plans, choose the one you feel most comfortable working with.

Fix it up
While interviewing, Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents will look at your home (otherwise, how could they answer two of your questions?). They may tell you that your home is out of date. They may tell you that the cracks in the wall don’t “add character” to the house. No, neither does the wild 70’s style carpeting in the living room.

You might even take an extra step and hire a home inspector to get a better idea of any issues.

Then, build a list of needed home improvements – and then improve. If you need to hire a contractor, again, interview!

Set a good price
These days, most buyers want the deals, and some are willing to compromise on interior decorating in order to get them. Sit down with your agent; find a high and a low selling price. Set the best price you can afford based on what homes are going for in the area, and be willing to negotiate. 

The worst things you could do are hire a poor agent, leave your home repairs up to the buyer and overprice your home. Follow the three simple tips above and you’ll get your “Sold!” sign!

If you’re ready 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