Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

Here are five tips to help you identify the best Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent to get your home sold as fast as possible and for the most money.

1. Hire a full-time Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent.  Part-time agents typically have less experience and fewer sold properties under their belts than full-time agents.  Because part-time agents usually have another job, they don’t have as much time to take care of your needs and market and show your home to potential buyers.  Full-time agents have bigger networks they can enlist to help find a buyer for your home.
2. Find a skilled negotiator.  A seasoned Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent understands the psychological nature of selling a home.  They advise you during the contract negotiations to ensure you get the best deal while alleviating your stress.
3. Pick an aggressive marketer.  Without a well-implemented, far-reaching marketing program, your house will sit on the market these days.  You want an agent who promotes your home both online and offline, in order to reach the greatest number of potential buyers.  Simply having your home listed on Realtor.com is no longer enough of an online presence.  You want your home showcased on multiple websites with a lot of professional photos and, ideally, a video tour.
4. Choose an agent who knows your neighborhood.  Each neighborhood has different pros and cons which must be promoted or overcome by the agent.  An effective agent knows how to price your property because they know the local competition, which homes that have closed recently are similar to yours and how much they’ve sold for.
5. Ask for home staging services.  Home staging is no longer a “nice to have;” it’s now a “must have,” if you want to sell your home for the most money in the least amount of time.  Many agents are now professional stagers or have a home stager on their teams.

Choosing a powerful listing agent is your first step toward a successful home sale.

If you’d like to work with an agent who is a skilled negotiator, an aggressive marketer and works full time, 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

Now is the time to make your dream of owning a second home come true.  Whether you want to buy one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale for income property or as a vacation home, you may never encounter a more perfect time to get a great deal on your dream home.

Here are five reasons why now is the time to buy a second home in Alexandria Virginia:

1. The housing market is stabilizing.  Home prices are stabilizing and are not predicted to drop much past their present point.  This means homes will once again gain equity making them a good long term investment.
2. Inventory is high.  There are Alexandria VA homes for sale available in all price ranges and neighborhoods so finding that perfect second home is well within reach.
3. You get more for your money.  With all the homes currently on the market, many sellers are adding upgrades to help their homes to stand out from the competition.  Additionally, home prices are at their lowest point since the Great Depression.  This adds up to you getting much more for your money.
4. Interest rates are at an all-time low.  Experts predict interest rates to increase in the very near future adding thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale.  This can make buying a second home more difficult or even impossible.   Although no one can predict exactly when this might happen, one thing is certain:  interest rates are not going to drop any lower.
5. Lending requirements are getting stricter.  The lending requirements are changing and mortgages are becoming much harder to qualify for.  The days of zero down payments are a thing of the past and the amount of down payment required is expected to increase, along with interest rates.  Right now, you can still find home loans that allow a 3% down payment, but they are becoming harder to find and harder to qualify for.  In addition, in order to qualify for a loan, credit scores must be higher than just a year ago.

If you’re ready to buy a second home in Alexandria VA or Fairfax County, I can help.  Call me today at 703-909-3939 or send me an email at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

When planning on moving from your current condo in Arlington VA, does it make the most sense to buy first or wait until your current property sells? There are a lot of factors that go into that decision. Hashed out below are the pros and cons of each, so that you can decide which factors are higher on your list of priorities.

Buy first if …

• It’s the home or condo you’ve always wanted. If you’ve absolutely found your dream home, you should consider buying it now — even if your current property hasn’t sold. You might regret it later if you let the opportunity pass you by.  Just make sure the home is truly worth it.
• It’s too good of a deal to pass up. If you’ve researched the comparables and you know the property you want to buy is a great deal, then you should consider going ahead with the purchase. Waiting to sell your condo in Arlington VA might cost you more in the long run if you lose out on this bargain.
• There’s more demand than supply. In a seller’s market (not right now in most places), you won’t need to worry about selling your property.
• You have the money.  Check with your real estate agent to find out how long it’s taking to sell condos comparable to yours these days.  Then, do the math to determine if you have enough in savings to make the down payment on your new home or condo and pay the mortgages of both properties while you’re waiting for your current condo to sell.

Sell first if …

• You want to get the most money for your condo. If you’re not in any hurry, you’ll be less tempted to take a lower offer. You also have negotiating power.  It’s hard to hold firm on a price, if you’re carrying two mortgages.
• You can include a contingency clause in your contract. Add a contingency that allows you to remain in your condo until you close on a new property. It may be difficult to get the buyer to agree, but if they do, you’ll have plenty of time to find the perfect new property.  This one may be very difficult to accomplish because you certainly do not want to lose a buyer in this real estate market just to be able to stay in your condo longer.
• You can handle moving twice.  If you sell your condo in Arlington VA first, you can always live in a short-term rental until you find your new place.
• You don’t want to be stressed about selling. The idea of carrying a second mortgage is enough to cause many people to reach for their blood pressure medication.

Give me a call at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com, if you need help deciding the right timing to sell or buy Fairfax County Virginia real estate.

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

Getting from “I want to sell my house” to “SOLD” is often a long and stressful process.  The last thing you want to do is find someone who wants to buy your Fairfax County Virginia real estate and then lose him or her.  Here are five ways to avoid deal-killing surprises:

• Get a home inspection.  If you truly don’t want any surprises, get a home inspection before you put your home on the market.  Then make all repairs needed; or disclose the problems up front, and tell the potential buyers how much you’ve reduced the price instead of making the repairs.
• Do not ask for favors.  You don’t want to suddenly ask the buyers if you can delay closing for six months or if you can keep the crystal dining room chandelier.
• Go over the Fairfax County Virginia real estate contract in detail.  Ask your agent to have the buyer’s agent go over the details of the contract with the buyers before they sign it.  Even if the buyers say they understand the contract, ask the agent to discuss the details with them.  This prevents misunderstandings and provides time to make contract changes well before the closing, if needed.
• Be honest.  If your hot-water heater breaks two days before the closing, don’t pretend that you love cold-water showers.  Tell the buyers what happened and that it’ll be replaced before closing.  Being honest up front builds trust.
• Remain calm.  If the buyers ask questions or make comments about the house that make you feel like they don’t love the house as much as you do, let it go.  This is a business deal.  You need to sell the house; they want to buy it.  Who cares what they say?  Remember the childhood saying about sticks and stones…

If you’re ready to sell your Fairfax County Virginia real estate, I’d love the opportunity to interview for the job.  Give me a call today 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

You’ve been watching the news, reading blogs and you know this is the perfect time for you to buy a piece of Fairfax County Virginia real estate.  You want to do all the right things to get the best deal, and you know one of the first steps is to line up your financing.

To help you pick a mortgage that matches your goals and financial situation, here’s an overview of three of the most popular mortgages available today.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

If you plan on keeping your new Fairfax County Virginia real estate for more than 10 years and you don’t expect your income to change, this is probably the loan for you.  Although fixed rate loans charge a bit more interest, the rate will never change.  This provides financial stability and the security of knowing what your monthly mortgage payment will be.  By locking in the current low interest rates, you’ll save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)

With the ARM loan, the interest rate is usually very low at the beginning but can increase over time.  If you plan on keeping your Fairfax County Virginia real estate for only a few years, up to 7, or you expect your income to increase, then this might be a better choice for you. If you expect your income to increase, an ARM loan can allow you to buy a more expensive home now. The drawback to this type of loan is that you do not know what your mortgage payment is going to be; if the interest rate jumps dramatically, then so does your payment.  A particularly popular ARM is the 5/1 ARM.  The interest rate of a 5/1 ARM is fixed for a period of 5 years.  In the 6th year, the loan becomes a typical Adjustable Rate Mortgage.  So if you plan to own your home for less than 5 years, the 5/1 ARM may be your best choice.

FHA Mortgage

If your credit is a bit shaky, an FHA loan may be a good fit for you.  The qualifying criteria for FHA loans are not as strict as for traditional mortgages.  Also, because these loans are guaranteed by the FHA, lenders often allow you to provide a smaller down payment than they would allow for other types of mortgages.  If you’re in a time crunch, an FHA loan may not be right for you; processing times are typically longer than other types of loans because of the government paperwork involved.

If you have any questions about mortgages or need a referral to a lender, 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

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save energy this summer. Some improvements to your Alexandria VA home will make your home more comfortable and save energy. Here are some examples.

• Make sure your air conditioner is the right size for your Alexandria VA home. Many people think bigger is always better. Not so. If your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will not reduce the humidity sufficiently. Lower humidity equals comfort in the summer. You may find that you can keep the thermostat a few degrees higher and be just as comfortable, as long as humidity is low.
• Shade your air conditioner. It will have to work harder if it’s out in the sun.
• Keep a/c filters clean.
• Use your window treatments wisely. Always try to close drapes or lower shades on the sunny side of the house. In the morning, you’ll want to keep sun out on the east side, and in afternoon you’ll need to block sun on the west side.
• Minimize sun exposure on the west side of your home. If you’re not home in the daytime to raise and lower shades, the most important thing to do is to keep out that afternoon sun. If you have large windows or sliding glass doors on the west side of your home, be sure to use some kind of insulated window treatment that keeps out sun and heat. There are many options these days, including cellular shades, solar shades, roman shades, as well as the more traditional curtains and drapes.
• Shade the outside of your Alexandria VA home. Yes, keep the sun out before it hits the glass and causes heat to build up. Plant trees on the west side of the house, or for a quicker fix, erect an arbor and plant fast-growing vines. If neither of these is an option, you can invest in some exterior shades. These are all-weather shades that keep out the sun but allow enough light through for an unobstructed view out the window.

If you’re looking for a new home in Fairfax County, Virginia where you can be comfortable and save energy, give me a call 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

Summer time and the livin’ is buggy. But before you run and start spraying pesticides, wait! Do you really want those nasty chemicals in your condo in Arlington VA, where you live, eat and breathe? Here are some non-toxic alternative methods to control bugs:

• Keep it clean. Just like your mother said, don’t let dirty dishes pile up, and don’t leave spills and crumbs on kitchen counters. If you do, you’ll be inviting ants and worse into your condo in Arlington VA.
• Use boric acid. You can get this odorless powder at any drug store. It can be hard to find though, so just ask the pharmacist where it is. It’s cheap, safe and effective. Just sprinkle it lightly wherever you’ve seen critters, especially along cracks and crevices.
• Trap them. When it’s fresh fruit and tomato season, it’s fruit fly season. Who knows where they come from, but there they are. Here’s how to make a simple fruit fly trap: Put a dash of beer, wine or sugar water and yeast in a jar. Then cut the very corner off of a plastic bag and poke that corner down into the jar, keeping it above the liquid level. Secure the bag to the jar with a rubber band, and you have a funnel leading fruit flies in, but they can’t find their way back out.
• Live and let live. They may be hairy, they may be scary, but spiders are doing you a favor. They’re every other bug’s worst nightmare. But ok, you don’t want them inside. Here’s the safest, most nonviolent, good-karma way to get them out: Get a clear glass or jar and place it over the spider. Then use a stiff card like a postcard to slide under it. This acts as a lid on the jar to keep the spider in. Simply take it outside and release the spider to live another day. Show the kids how to do this, and you won’t find any more bugs smashed on your walls.

If you want more handy tips like these to use in your condo in Arlington VA, subscribe to my blog. It’s free!

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

What’s the best thing about owning your Alexandria VA home?  Many people say it’s their yard.  No matter your lifestyle, there are things you can do to improve your outdoor space and your quality of life. Here are a few ideas to help you get more enjoyment from your yard:

• Relax:   Buy a lounger for sun bathing or a hammock for shade bathing
• Enjoy meals outdoors:  Add a picnic table to make eating outdoors easier.
• Grow a garden:  Whether it’s a vegetable, herb or flower garden there is nothing more rewarding than eating food or smelling flowers that you grew yourself. Start small if you’ve never gardened before. Like anything else, it’s easy to get burned out if you bite off more than you can chew. A few of your favorite vegetables and herbs will ensure success this year and have you planning more for next year.
• Install a water feature:  You can put in a fountain or a pond. These needn’t be elaborate constructions, as there are small ready-made versions available.
• Go green by adding a clothesline: Believe it or not, there is something very satisfying about hanging your clothes out on the line and letting nature do its job. It’s using low-tech solar and wind energy to save you money. Your clothes, towels and sheets will have a truly fresh smell, as opposed to the cloying smell left by fabric softener.
• Invest in Solar-powered lighting:  Options range from path lights that have built-in solar collectors, to string lights, to glow-in-the-dark globes that make your Alexandria VA home’s yard a magical nighttime delight. With no power cords to trip on, installation is a snap, and, of course, none of these features will add to your electric bill.

Day or night, there is nothing like having your own outdoor space. If you’re looking for a new Alexandria VA home with a yard you can make your own, 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

With people gathering for summer pool parties and barbecues, it’s time to spruce up your Arlington VA home. Almost every house could use some remodeling here and there, but if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in the near future, you’ll also need to consider investing in updates that will provide a return.

So, before you fire up your grill, below are a few quick repairs to spark motivation, kindle a good investment and put fire behind a speedy sale of your Arlington VA home.

• Flooring.  Consider refinishing hardwood floors, if they haven’t been done in a while; it’s worth the investment. Carpet should be in great shape. If not, replace it with a new neutral color. Also, make sure there aren’t any noticeable cracks in tile floors.
• Kitchens. Consider updating your countertops. Granite is great, but most markets still appreciate nice laminate. You can refinish cabinets with paint or stain, if they’re looking old and tired. If nothing else, a few dollars worth of drawer pulls will go a long way to sprucing up the look of your kitchen. Finally, consider replacing a worn-out faucet — it’s easy, and most home owners can probably do it themselves.
• Paint and wallpaper. Remove your wallpaper. Even buyers that like wallpaper will hate yours — it’s just a fact of life. Also, make sure every room looks freshly painted. Most buyers want a finished house, not a bunch of projects.
• Roof. Consider replacing your roof, if it needs it. You’ll get most of your money back, and your house will sell a lot faster. Buyers will likely move on from properties needing large repairs.
• Exterior. Patch cracks in the cement, plant flowers and replace dated door hardware. These are all inexpensive fixes that will pay off with a quick sale for more money.

If you’d like a professional opinion on which updates you should make for the best return on your Arlington VA home this summer, 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

With home prices nearing their bottom, now might be a great time to buy Fairfax County Virginia real estate as income property. Many more people will be looking to rent now that pre-approved mortgages are harder to come by. But, before you become a landlord, you’ll want to make sure your potential rental property won’t remain vacant for long.

6 tips to help you evaluate your Fairfax County Virginia real estate investment:

1. Determine if your area has a strong rental market. See what kind of homes are for rent and track how long they remain vacant. If the same properties are listed week after week, it might not be the best area to purchase a rental.

2. Get a feel for the stability of the population.  It’s good to find a rental property in a transient community because residents are less likely to purchase their own homes, and more likely to rent, if they know they’re only going to be there for a couple years.  In particular, look for areas with military installations or colleges nearby.

3. Keep an eye on Craigslist and the local Classifieds. Track how many rentals are available at any given time, and get an idea of the size of houses most commonly listed. You won’t want to be trying to rent a 1-bedroom house in a neighborhood that is full of young families.

4. Make sure your potential rental property is located in a good school district. Potential renters with children could be turned off by the quality of the local schools if they have a poor reputation.

5. Check around with local property management companies. They’ll often have the best information about what sort of properties are the easiest to rent out. You can also check their websites to see the properties they have available.

6. Find a house that’s in good shape. Would you live there? If not, either move on to a different property or immediately fix it up to good, livable conditions.

Owning a rental home can be a great investment. Do your homework, and purchase a home people will be clamoring to rent — not one that continues to sit vacant.

If you have questions about purchasing Fairfax County Virginia real estate as income property, please 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