Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge into homeownership, before you even start looking, talk to a qualified mortgage professional to get preapproved for a home loan. Armed with that information, you can make better decisions on the type of Fairfax County Virginia real estate you can afford to buy.

Follow these steps to get preapproved for a mortgage:

1. Get referrals. Ask family, friends, neighbors and your Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent for referrals to a lender with whom they have had a good experience. Talk to several lenders to compare service, rates and other options.
2. Review your credit report. If anything unexpected appears on your report, do what you can to resolve the issues before you apply for preapproval.  Lenders will review your credit report before preapproving you for a home loan.
3. Provide financial information to the lender. This usually includes documentation of your income, recent statements for all your checking and savings accounts, assets and debt (for instance, credit card debt and car payments).

Even though the preapproval process is rigorous, obtaining a preapproval still does not guarantee that the lender will ultimately fund your loan. Lenders still need to look at property appraisals, verify your information and potentially check your credit again before agreeing to give you a mortgage.

Preapproval helps you narrow the focus of your Fairfax County Virginia real estate property search to properties that are within your financial reach. It also helps you check out lenders to find one that is the best match for your situation.

When you find the Fairfax County Virginia real estate of your dreams, you’ll be ready to move to the next step!

If you’re looking for more information on the home buying process, 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

If you want to get great bargains on Alexandria VA homes for sale, buy this winter. Who cares that it’s cold and wet outside if you can save thousands of dollars on a home?

There are an abundance of beautiful, well-maintained Alexandria VA homes for sale right now. But there are very few buyers looking at them because it’s cold and dreary. They’d rather wait until spring. That means great prices for you right now!

Here are a few tips to help you catch a winter bargain:

• Ask to see summer photos: Want to know what the yard is like in the summer? Look at photos from last summer.
• Try light therapy: This makes everything look better. It’ll boost your mood and help you make a rational (not emotional) decision on which home is right for you.
• Use your imagination: If there’s something you don’t like about the house, imagine what it will look and feel like in warmer weather. The natural light will be brighter, the air will be fresher and the grass will be greener.
• Offer less: If the homeowners want to get the home sold this winter, they’re going to be more open to considering your offer, even if it’s several thousand dollars less than the asking price. If they’re unwilling to go as low as you’d like on the price, ask for other concessions. You might get the seller to pay for part of your closing costs, buy a home warranty plan or to leave the pool table that fits so perfectly in the family room.

If you’re willing to brave the cold and ignore the winter blues, you could save a bundle when buying one of the Alexandria VA homes for sale. Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com and tell me what you want in a home. I’ll put together a list of great buys for you.

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

Love it or hate it, winter is here. If you’re having a hard time appreciating that fact, there are some things you can do to make your condo in Arlington VA more comfortable this winter, without running up your heat bill. Here are some to try:

• Check and lock windows. Even if you think your windows are shut, go around and check each one to make sure it’s snug – and lock it.
• Use ceiling fans. Consider adding ceiling fans to every room; they truly make a difference. Set them spinning in the correct direction to pull air up this winter so they displace warm air at the ceiling and send it down the walls. Set on the lowest speed, a ceiling fan evens out indoor temperature without creating drafts.
• Invest in insulated window treatments. Stop the costly escape of household heat and absorb solar heat during the day.  Thermal window shades can stop up to 80% of heat loss.
• Close drapes/shades at night. This keeps the cold out and the warmth in.
• Bake! Remember when it was too hot last summer to even think about cooking? Now is the time to indulge in home-baked goodies.
• Drink warm tea.  There is a tea for every constitution. If you haven’t discovered the soothing comforts of tea drinking, start exploring!
• Dress for winter. Don’t be in denial and run around in a T-shirt. It’s winter! Wear layers, wear wool, wear corduroy, wear flannel—then you can turn down the thermostat.
• Humidify. If you heat with wood, don’t forget to place a decorative ceramic container of water on the stove to increase indoor humidity. You can place a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the water for nice ambience.
• Sleep in flannel sheets. There is nothing cozier or more inviting. Flannel bedclothes mean instant warmth.
• Get a programmable thermostat. You can set it to drop the temperature a few degrees while you sleep, and bring it back up before you rise.
• Get off the couch! If you hibernate too much, you may get the blues. Be sure to dress warm and get outside—walk, ice-skate, sled, ski—whatever you enjoy, just get some fresh air and exercise. Then you can scurry back into your comfy condo in Arlington VA, feeling refreshed and grateful to have shelter from the cold winds.

If you’re looking for a snug home or condo in Arlington VA to purchase, I can help. Contact me at 703-909-3939 or Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

Here is a painless way to reduce your energy use and your heating bill: Set your thermostat to go down 5 to 10 degrees while you’re gone all day and while you sleep at night. This could reduce your heating bill by 15% without compromising comfort.

Programmable thermostats cost anywhere from $30 to $150, so they quickly pay for themselves. By programming your thermostat to return to  your comfort level before you arrive home or get up in the morning, your Alexandria VA home will be just as comfortable as what you’re used to, and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint.

Here is how easy it is to install a programmable thermostat:

• Turn off the circuit breaker for the thermostat. Since you will be handling wiring, you must cut off the electricity going to the thermostat first of all. If your Alexandria VA home has electric baseboard heat, don’t do this update yourself–the wiring carries higher voltages and should only be worked on by a qualified electrician.
• Remove the old thermostat. Older thermostats contain mercury, so handle it carefully and do not throw it into the trash. Check with local recycling centers or waste handlers to learn how to safely dispose of mercury.
• Tape wires to the wall. You don’t want the wires to fall inside the wall. Note where they were attached to the old thermostat and label them accordingly.
• Mount new wall plate. Follow the instructions that came with the new unit to mount the plate over the area of the old base.
• Connect new thermostat to wiring. Again, follow the instructions included with your new unit.
• Mount the new thermostat onto the new base.
• Turn the circuit breaker back on.
• Program the thermostat following manufacturer’s instructions. Digital devices can be hard to program, so hang onto those instructions and keep them where you can find them.

Now your Alexandria VA home can be greener, more economical and more comfortable. Want to buy a home that’s green, energy-efficient and comfortable? 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

If you need (or want) to sell your Fairfax County Virginia real estate this winter, you’ll have to step up your game a bit. People tend to be less likely to buy in the winter because the weather keeps them indoors rather than house hunting. And, let’s face it, most homes just don’t look as good in the brown, drab winter as they do in the spicy spring and summer.

If you’re one of the lucky owners who has a home for sale in an area that stays beautiful all year long, you can still find a few tips here to help get your home ready to sell.

Six tips to help you sell your home this winter:

1. Keep it cozy. You want your home to be warm so people can comfortably take their time viewing your Fairfax County Virginia real estate. Saving money on heating costs isn’t worth it if it means freezing out your potential buyers.
2. Turn up the light. Keep curtains and blinds open during the day. Turn on your lights, both inside and out, at night. Put your lights on timers if you won’t be home until after dark. Use motion detectors to light up in the evening when a potential buyer approaches your doorstep.
3. Point out cold-weather benefits. Have mass transit within walking distance? That’s a big benefit in bad weather because you don’t have to de-ice or dig your car out of the snow in order to get to work.
4. Take advantage of good winter locations. If your home is in a location that people flock to in the winter, such as an area with great outdoor winter sports such as skiing or a warm-weather area like Florida, now is the time prime time to promote your house! Put all you’ve got into marketing the benefits of living where it’s always sunny or where winter living is fun.
5. Set the mood. Play soft, classical music. Toss afghans or throws across the back of your sofa. Hang plush robes in your bedroom or bathroom.
6. Clear away snow and ice. Shovel a path through the snow so potential buyers don’t have to get out their snowshoes. De-ice your driveway, sidewalk, steps and porch to prevent slips and falls.

If you’re ready to sell your Fairfax County Virginia real estate this winter, I can help. Give me a call 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

Is there anything cozier than enjoying a warm fire inside during the winter months? There is something primal about watching the flames of a contained fire that reaches back into our ancient human past.

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace or woodstove in your Arlington VA home, please follow these precautions:

• Call in a chimney sweep. Every year, you should have your chimney cleaned to remove creosote   buildup. This keeps air flow unobstructed and prevents a chimney fire, which would be devastating to your Arlington VA home. A professional chimney sweep should also check for cracks in the flue liner and proper functioning of the damper.
• Inspect your chimney cap. The chimney cap keeps the rain and snow out of your flue. It also prevents birds or other animals from entering the flue. The sides of the chimney cap are wire mesh, which also needs to be kept clear of creosote. Otherwise air flow will be hampered and smoke will enter your home instead of being properly drawn up the chimney.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Wood that has not been aged long enough will sputter, smolder and smoke, causing excess build up of creosote.
• Burn only untreated wood. Do not burn treated wood, plastic or other debris in your fireplace or woodstove. These give off toxic fumes you do not want inside your home.
• Wait until ashes are cool before removing them. If you try to clean out the fireplace or stove while there are live coals or embers in the ashes, they will give off smoke into your home while in the ash bucket. They could also result in burns, if dropped on the floor.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas produced during incomplete combustion. The only way to know if it is in your home is by using a detector.
• Keep the damper closed when not burning a fire. This will prevent the warm air from going up the chimney.

If you’re looking for a Arlington VA home with a fireplace, I can help you buy one. Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

If you’re looking to purchase Fairfax County Virginia real estate, you’ll probably come across many terms you don’t know — including concurrent ownership. This essentially means that more than just one individual can own property. You might be extremely interested in the details of concurrent ownership if you’re purchasing a property with another person, are married or have children.

It’s always good to educate yourself, so that you can assess all the options and maybe show off to your Fairfax County Virginia real estate agent and loved ones if you happen to come across this term during your house hunt. Below is the basic breakdown of the four main types of concurrent ownership.

1. Joint Tenancy with the Right of Survivorship – This means that owners retain equal share of the property. In the event that one of the owners dies, their share of the property is distributed equally among the remaining owners. Be sure to use specific language in your deed or will, otherwise the property might be considered tenancy in common.
2. Tenancy in Common – One or more people own the property, but the shares might not be equal. Also, if one owner were to die, the property would be passed by will or inheritance, and not necessarily to the other owners.
3. Tenancy by Entirety – This type of concurrent ownership is usually between a husband and wife. It states that the entirety of the property passes to the spouse upon one of their deaths. A divorce in most cases will change the tenancy of entirety to tenancy in common.
4. Community Property – Not all states recognize this type of joint ownership. However, if your state does, then all property acquired during a marriage is communal, while anything owned before the union or that has been inherited or gifted would remain separate property in the case of divorce.

By knowing the definition of concurrent ownership, you’ll be able to ensure that any communally owned property will be distributed the way you see fit in the case of an unexpected death.

Whether you’re thinking about purchasing Fairfax County Virginia real estate by yourself or with multiple people, I’d love to help. Please 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

Of the many joys of property management, good tenants top the list.  The top of the headaches list? Bad tenants. Problems from failing to pay the rent in a timely manner to inadequate cleanliness to inconsiderate community habits plague the rental world of Fairfax County Virginia real estate.

You can find the best tenant for your vacancy by following these few steps.

1. Advertise
Having plenty of applicants to select from means that you can find a good match for the vacancy. So advertise to collect a crowd of prospective tenants.  It’s worth the extra time of showing the property to more people to find a reliable tenant.

• Spread the word among your friends and family that you have a space available. Through personal connections, you are most likely to find a good match for your space.
• Put a sign up outside the unit. People living near the neighborhood, or visiting family or friends in the area, are most likely to want to rent there.
• Put listings for your Fairfax County Virginia real estate in your local newspaper and online sources (such as craigslist).

2. Review Rental Applications with Care
While there are no guarantees, a few practices can help you screen applicants for your Fairfax County Virginia real estate vacancy.

• Check Rental History: If your prospective renter has moved every three months, it’s worth asking why.  When you call to verify rental history, check with former landlords to find out if there were any issues.
• Check Credit Reports: Your prospective tenant might proclaim that he is independently wealthy, but even if he is, that doesn’t mean he pays his bills on time. That said, remember that credit reporting agencies aren’t always accurate, so do allow for issues to be explained.
• Verify Income: Your tenant should have a steady means of meeting his rental obligation. Request copies of recent pay stubs or other income to ensure that the tenant can reasonably afford the rent you are charging.
• Check Job References:  Ideally, you want a tenant who has a stable history in his profession.

Of course, as a landlord you already know that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

If you are investigating new rental property purchases or looking to sell some of your current assets, 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

As the new year starts, pursuing your dream of buying a Fairfax County VA home for sale may be on your list of resolutions. Prices and interest rates are extremely low, which means 2012 could be the perfect year to buy a home. As exciting as that is, I bet it can also feel a little overwhelming.

One of the best ways to attack a big goal is to break it down into smaller goals. So here are four smaller goals you can tackle to accomplish your larger goal of buying a home:

1. Prepare for battle: Before you begin looking for a house, look at your financial situation. Do what you can to clean up any credit blemishes, pay off debt and save toward a down payment.
2. Check your qualifications: There’s no sense looking for million dollar mansions if that’s not in your budget. Talk to a mortgage professional, or preferably several, to get an idea of what loan amount is available to you. Get preapproved for your mortgage so that you’re ready to make an offer when you locate your perfect Fairfax County VA home for sale.
3. Build your army: Finding a real estate agent that you click with can make all the difference in navigating the home buying process successfully. He or she can save you tons of time by pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of neighborhoods and homes so that you only look at places that truly fit your needs.
4. Define your perfect space: It’s worth spending some time considering which characteristics of a home are most important to you. Think about the neighborhood, school system, and commute times, along with basics like number of bedrooms and square feet.

Once you have a clear understanding of your financial situation, what you’re looking for, and have the help you need to find the perfect Fairfax County VA home for sale, you will be amazed at how much more prepared you feel to take on the next steps in the process.

If you want to discuss more details on the home buying process, contact me today at 703-909-3939 or Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com.

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

While we all know that the economy has taken a hit on the real estate market, that doesn’t mean that purchasing one of the homes or condos in Arlington VA and putting down roots has turned into an out-of reach dream. In fact, you can grasp it quite easily, and there are many benefits to doing so.

Start 2012 off right by setting new life and financial goals for yourself. If you’ve been renting and are planning to remain in Arlington VA, then it’s definitely time for you to consider buying a house or condo. Here are some benefits you should take into account:

• You’ll build equity. If you take out a loan, you’ll be using someone else’s money to turn your property into a piggy bank and eventually make money as your home or condo in Arlington VA appreciates. Plus, when you sell down the road, you don’t have to share the proceeds — what’s not to like about making money with your bank’s money!
• You’ll receive tax breaks. The government supports purchasing houses (and condos) by giving you significant tax breaks on your federal taxes. And when it comes time to sell, you don’t have to pay capital gains taxes either, until you hit a certain ceiling.
• You’ll be able to count on consistent payments year to year. If you can get a fixed-rate mortgage, you won’t need to worry about an annual increase in your payments. When you’re renting, you never know what your payments could be from lease to lease, which makes it hard to determine if your current residence will always be within your budget.

While the appreciation on a property you purchase might not shoot up as fast as it did a decade ago, buying a home is still a wise long-term investment. Paying rent is no investment at all.

If you’re on the fence about the benefits of purchasing one of the homes or condos in Arlington VA in the New Year or would like to see what’s available, please call 703-909-3939 today 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