Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

Whether you’re planning on selling soon or just want a comfortable home to live in now, here are five projects that increase your Alexandria VA home’s comfort and value:

1. Uncover hardwood floors.  Is there a hardwood floor lurking under your Alexandria VA  home’s carpet?  If you’re not sure, pull up the carpet in an unnoticeable corner and investigate. If you find wood floors, you’ll probably need to refinish them, but that’s a lot less expensive than installing new hardwood flooring. 

2. Add ceiling fans.  Everyone likes to save money, and adding ceiling fans can reduce your electric bill considerably.  Central air conditioning costs about 70 times more to run than a ceiling fan.  In the summer, fans can make you feel 3 to 8 degrees cooler, allowing you to reduce the use of your A/C and still feel just as cool.   Use your ceiling fan in the winter too.  Just reverse the direction the blades rotate so the air flows up toward the ceiling, and keep the fan on low.  This circulates the warm air around the room without creating a chilly draft.

3. Install a new bathroom floor.  Installation is typically the most expensive part of this home improvement, so if you can do it yourself, you’ll save quite a bit of money.  Choosing a neutral-colored tile adds the most value.

4. Update bathroom and kitchen fixtures.  Replacing outdated or unattractive fixtures is a low-cost, high-impact renovation project.  In bathrooms, put in new spa-style showerheads and towel bars.  In both rooms, put in new light fixtures, sink faucets, switch plates, outlet covers, cabinet knobs and drawer handles.  Choose items in colors and finishes that appeal to a wide audience.

5. Power wash your Alexandria VA home’s exterior.  Make your home look almost as good as new by power washing away the grime.  Clean the siding, driveway, walkways and patio.

Want more home-improvement ideas like these?  Subscribe to my blog.  It’s free and easy.

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

Picking up the phone book and letting it fall open to the real estate agency page is not the best way to find a great Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent.  Here are several other pitfalls to avoid when looking for a real estate agent:

• Impulse: Just because you walk into a busy, bright, and productive looking office doesn’t mean all the agents who work there are also busy, bright and productive. Take the time to get to know the agents you’re considering working with.  Interview them, like you would any other professional you hire, to determine their abilities and knowledge of the community in which you want to live.

• Easy Agreement: If you finally find an agent who instantly agrees with everything you have to say about the selling price of your home without question, beware. This is especially true if you’ve been to others who disagreed with your price.  Consider why this one agent is so agreeable. As in any industry, there are people out there who will tell you anything you want to hear to get your business.

• Trusting Your Judgment: While you may very well be a great judge of character, make sure you get at least three references from all the Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents you’re considering.  Then, take the most crucial step and contact those references. 

• Lowest Commission: Don’t go with a real estate agent just because they have the lowest commission on the block. Remember the old adage “you get what you pay for.”

These are just a few of the considerations when choosing a Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent, but they will get you started on firm footing.

If you’re looking for a knowledgeable Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent, I’d be honored if you’d interview me.  To schedule an interview, call me 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

Choosing a professional real estate agent can be a very imposing task.  This person is responsible for finding your new home or selling your home, guiding you through the home inspection process and negotiating a good price and terms.  These are important tasks that should be taken seriously.  That’s why finding a skilled real estate agent is key to a successful real estate transaction. 

Here are several tips for interviewing Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents: 

• Interview at least three agents.  Even if you love the first or second agent you interview, promise yourself you’ll interview all three.  You learn more from each interview, and you never know when that third agent is going to be the perfect match for you.

• Ask all three agents the same questions so you can compare their answers and ability to communicate.  Write out your questions so you don’t forget any, and take notes during the interviews.  You think you’ll remember what they say, but the specifics will begin to blur as you interview the second and third agent.

• Ask the Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents how long they’ve been in business and how many homes they’ve helped people buy and sell during the last year.  An agent with experience is a very valuable asset, but with the current fluctuations in real estate, an agent with recent experience is even more valuable.   Also ask how long they’ve been helping people buy and sell homes in the area in which you want to live.  You want a real estate agent who is an expert on that neighborhood.

Get at least three references of past clients from each of the Fairfax County Virginia real estate agents.  Then follow up with those references.  Ask a variety of questions such as:

1. What was it like to work with the agent?
2. Would you work with him or her again? 
3. What was your least favorite thing about working with the agent?
4. What was the best thing about working with the agent?

If you’re looking for a professional Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent, I’d be honored to be interviewed for the job.  Call me at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com to schedule an interview.

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

One of the most important maintenance procedures for the exterior of your home is cleaning the rain gutters. Cleaning the gutters can be a tedious task, especially in Arlington VA homes that have trees hanging over the roof.

Cleaning the Gutters

1. Gather your gutter cleaning tools.  You’ll need a good pair of gloves to remove the gunk from the gutters, as well as a steady ladder tall enough to put you at a comfortable working height to the gutter. If you have the type of gutters that won’t snag and tear your gloves, you may prefer rubber gloves to keep water from seeping through.  If you don’t like using gloves, consider using a trowel or other tool to scoop the gunk out.
2. Remove all debris from the gutter. Anything removed from the gutter can be placed in a garbage bag, bucket or other receptacle for disposal or mulching. Leave as little gunk as possible in the trough as any little bit may provide an anchor for leaves and other debris.
3. Remove any obstructions from downspouts. This may require “snaking” clogged spouts with wire or a plumber’s snake tool. Pull any overgrown plants near the mouth of the spout that may grow roots into it, as these can prevent debris from washing out.
4. Repeat at least twice a year. The best time of year varies according to climate, but it’s typically in the fall.   It’s best done before heavy rainfall and after leaves have fallen from the trees. Many owners of Arlington VA homes with trees above the roof choose to clean the gutters several times a year.

When the entire gutter and all of the downspouts have been freed of large debris, take a garden hose and run water through the entire system. This washes out any remaining dirt and smaller debris. Keep an eye open for any leaks in the system and watch to make sure water flows properly away from the house. Improper gutter maintenance causes unbelievable damage to Arlington VA homes that could easily be prevented.

Want more home maintenance tips like this?  Subscribe to this blog.  It’s free and easy.

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

Buying a home used to be celebrated. It was a sign of growing up and “getting somewhere.” Yet, tell someone you bought Fairfax County Virginia real estate now days and you might just get wide eyes and a gasped, “You did WHAT?”

If you’re still trying to decide if buying Fairfax County Virginia real estate is for you, consider all the reasons why people are still buying homes. 

• Well, first, you have the reasons that have stood the test of time:
• Once you buy a house, it’s yours until you decide to sell it.
• You experience pride of ownership. 
• There’s also a sense of security in owning your own home, which is something missing in renting.

While those traditional reasons are tried, tested and true, there are others:

• Mortgage rates hit an all-time low, which became a big incentive for some buyers.  Potential buyers looked at the interest rates and figured they could never get a better deal on a mortgage.
• Home prices are lower too. Yes, the media says home prices may decline more, but the key word is “may.” The experts can predict all they want, but you don’t know for sure until it happens. Some first-time buyers looked at the prices, weighed their decision on “what if the prices start rising again” and signed the deal.

What about you? If you’re looking at the possibility of buying Fairfax County Virginia real estate, what would get you to sign on the dotted line? Put your requirements and goals in writing, and make them realistic. When all the cards are right, there’s nothing left to do but play your hand.

If you’re looking for a great property to own, I can help. 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

Do you have a small room in your condo in Arlington VA that’d you’d like to make larger, but you don’t have the money in your budget to tear down a wall or add on to the room?  By using a bit of creativity, you can make that tiny room look larger without breaking the bank.

Here are 8 low-cost decorating tips to make any room in your condo in Arlington VA look bigger:

1. Leave open space.  Place taller pieces of furniture along a wall rather than out in the open space.  To prevent blocking the view into a room, use shorter pieces of furniture like an ottoman or a low table.   The more open space you can see, the larger the room will look.

2. Brighten the room.  A well-lit room looks larger, whether it’s brightened with natural or artificial light.  Remove heavy, dark draperies to let the natural light into the room.  Install track lighting or recessed spot lighting, which is perfect for a small space.

3. Lighten up the floor and ceiling.  Open up the room by using a white or very light color on the ceiling.  Use light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet to make the room appear bigger.

4. Reduce the amount of furniture.   This goes back to leaving open space.  Keep only those pieces of furniture that you really love or really need in the room.  Get rid of everything else.

5. Switch to glass.  Using a glass-topped dining table, end table or coffee table gives the appearance of an open space, even though there isn’t.

6. De-clutter.  Too much stuff makes even a large room seem small.  Organize anything you must keep.

7. Choose light colors.  Light, cool colors like pale blue and light green can make the smallest space feel open and airy.

8. Use a monochromatic scheme. Take those light colors one step further by using colors all in the same family. When you look around a room that has the same color scheme for the furniture, flooring and walls, you believe there’s more space than there really is.  Contrasting colors break up a space. Furniture is less interrupting and blends with the space if its color matches the wall.

Want a condo in Arlington VA with large rooms?  I can help.  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

There are a few misconceptions about buying Fairfax County Virginia real estate for sale by owner (FSBO). 

Sellers aren’t Serious

Some buyers think that the seller isn’t serious about selling the house, that they’re just testing the market.  While this is true in some cases, most sellers are serious and will accept an offer that is close to the asking price.

There’s Something Wrong with the Home

Sometimes Fairfax County Virginia real estate for sale by owner sits on the market for a while.  Generally, it isn’t because there’s something terribly wrong with the house. 

It may be because the owner isn’t open to negotiations on the sale price.  More often, it’s because the owner doesn’t have the experience marketing and showing homes to potential buyers that a real estate agent does.  A typical owner isn’t likely to have the time to properly market the house.  If there aren’t enough buyers looking at the house, it’s going to be harder to get a good purchase offer.

Real Estate Agents can’t Help

Some buyers believe that real estate agents can’t help them negotiate the purchase of a FSBO.  That’s not true.  If you find a FSBO you’re interested in, whether you find it because you drive by it or see it in an advertisement, let your Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent know.  Real estate agents can represent your best interests when purchasing FSBOs, just like they do when purchasing homes listed with a real estate agency.

If you’re interested in buying a home, whether or not it’s a FSBO, I’d like to help you.  Call me 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

On first thought, selling your home by yourself seems to make perfect sense. It doesn’t look all that hard, right? So you decide to sell your home the FSBO way (For Sale By Owner). You figure that you can put up a sign. Let people come to look at your house. Review all the offers you are sure to get and pick the best one and you’re done. That’s all there is to understanding the Fairfax County Virginia real estate market—right?

Well, not quite. One of the most difficult things for a person trying to sell their own home to do is understand the Fairfax County Virginia real estate market in order to price their home correctly. All of the above steps will stall without setting a price that will make you happy and get a buyer to sign on the dotted line.

The Price is Right

In some ways selling your home as a FSBO will seem a little like the television game show “The Price Is Right.” Some buyers will walk around your home and have no idea what local values are, but they will still do their best to talk down your price.

Others that come to view your FSBO will have a very firm grasp on local real estate values and how your home stacks up against the competition.

In either case, you must know what comparable homes in your area are selling for so that you can argue your own case and know when you are being under bid.

Overpricing is Costly

The temptation to want more than true market value for your home is common but counterproductive to selling your home.  It’ll set on the market so long that people will begin to wonder what’s wrong with your home.  Then, when you drop your price, you’ll appear desperate.  Potential buyers will devalue your house in their own minds, which decreases the chance of you getting a fair market price for your home.

If you have questions about the current Fairfax County Virginia real estate market, 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

Unless elaborate decorations, gourmet food and mountains of mess are your idea of fun, I have some suggestions for you on how to make your holidays simpler and less stressful this year.

Use Fewer Decorations in Your Alexandria VA Home

While National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a fun holiday movie to watch, keeping up with the Griswolds isn’t something you should aspire to. If you’re not sure what to eliminate from your heap of holiday decorations, here are a few tips:

• If it flashes or makes a noise, just say no.  Decorations like that increase stress.
• Display only your most treasured items.
• This year’s mantra should be “less is more.”
• Decorate only those rooms in your Alexandria VA home that are used during celebrations.
• Instead of filling every inch of a room with decorations, use fewer items and group them in noticeable spots around the room.

Spending less time decorating your Alexandria VA home gives you more time for your friends and family.  It also means wasting less time after the holidays putting away all those decorations.

Entertain Simply

It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on food or entertainment in order to have a good time.  Some of my most enjoyable gatherings were spent listening to holiday music, playing games and eating a bowl of popcorn with friends and family.

Here are few more ideas to make entertaining easier:

• Don’t cook all the food yourself.  Host a potluck party or pick up already prepared food from your local grocery store.
• Reduce the number of guests.  Do you really need to invite the entire neighborhood?  Invite only those few who you sincerely want to spend some time visiting with.
• Send electronic invitations.  It’s free, fast, easy and fun.

The holidays aren’t about your house, food or furniture. They’re about your heart.  Open your heart, relax and truly enjoy your loved ones this holiday season.  Happy Holidays!

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

At this time of year, we typically don’t think a lot about safety.  We’re all too busy running around shopping and decorating our Arlington VA homes.

Have a fun, merry and safe holiday this year by implementing these 10 safety tips:

1. Never use lighted candles on a Christmas tree, whether it’s an artificial or live tree.
2. Purchase artificial trees with a Fire Resistant label.  This label doesn’t mean the tree can’t catch fire; it means the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
3. Check for freshness when purchasing a live tree.  Needles that are hard to pull away from branches and that do not break when bent indicate a fresh tree.  Sticky resin on the tree’s trunk is another sign that a tree is still fresh.  Old trees can be fire hazards in Arlington VA homes.
4. Chop a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.  Water your tree regularly.
5. Avoid sharp or easily breakable decorations and small, removable items that children can swallow.  Eliminate decorations that look like food or candy.  Children may try to eat them.
6. Limit the number of standard-size light sets plugged into one extension cord to three.
7. Turn off all Christmas tree lights before you go to bed or leave your home. The lights could short out and start a fire. 
8. Don’t burn wrapping papers in your Arlington VA home’s fireplace. A flash fire may result, as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
9. Remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from around the fireplace before lighting a fire.
10. Check labels on lights you’re planning to use outside to be sure they’re certified for outdoor use. 

I hope you and your family have a very Merry (and safe) Christmas!

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