Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

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

Home improvement shows tell you that you can add 20 to 40 thousand dollars to the value of your Arlington VA home by doing a simple remodel on virtually any room or outdoor space in your home.  While you can get a return on your investment for most remodeling projects, the increase to your home value is not always as high as the home improvement shows claim.

Myth #1: If you put 20 thousand dollars in a kitchen remodel, your home will increase 40 thousand dollars in value.
Fact: The average kitchen remodel costs 40 thousand dollars.  This is on a mid-range remodel, not a high end remodel.  The average return you can expect is 80 to 95 percent or about 36 thousand dollars on a 40 thousand dollar remodel.

Myth #2: Updating a bathroom can add as much as 20 thousand dollars to your bottom line.
Fact: The average bathroom remodel will net about a 70 percent return.  To gain the type of return some of the home improvement shows claim, you would need to add another bathroom to your Arlington VA home.

Myth #3: Hardwood floors return 100 percent of the money you invest in them.
Fact: Hardwood will get you a big bang for your buck, but not every buyer wants the upkeep associated with hardwood.  Children and pets can be tough on wood floors.

Myth #4: Adding an outdoor space will be counted as living space when you resell.
Fact: Although outdoor space is wonderful, it is not considered living space by appraisers.  The living space or square footage that counts in a home appraisal is the space at grade (ground) level.

For help on what to do to improve the resale value of your Arlington VA home, 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

Across America, the decision to live with roommates in later years is becoming more common as the economy stagnates. According to the Census Bureau, from 2009 to 2010 the number of thirty-somethings living with non-family roommates rose from 10.6 million to 12 million, which is an increase of 13 percent.

If you’re considering sharing a Arlington VA home with others, here are some of the benefits you could reap:

• Lower monthly payments: Whether through divorce, widowhood or empty nest syndrome, many people are left with too much house and way too much mortgage debt. One solution is to invite a compatible friend or two to move in and split that mortgage payment. It will also mean splitting the utility bills: win-win.
• Companionship: Sure, you have friends, but after hanging out with them, it can be a bit lonely to come home to an empty house late at night, if not downright scary. Most people enjoy sharing a meal rather than eating alone.  And if you get sick, it’s really nice to know somebody will be around to check on you and take care of household basics until you get back on your feet.
• Shared responsibilities: This runs the gamut from cooking, cleaning, home maintenance,  yard maintenance… you get the picture. Being the sole proprietor of your Arlington VA home can be very demanding; it can be a real relief to share the chores and decision-making with others.
• Better health: Studies show that loneliness leads to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Even if you don’t feel lonely, psychologists say that having less interaction with others can raise stress hormones and blood pressure. These are measurable physical effects of social isolation.
• The chance to live in a nicer home or neighborhood. When you split the bills, you can afford a nicer place than when you’re on your own. (Remember Golden Girls?)

If you’re looking for one of the Arlington VA homes for sale to share with friends, 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

The change of seasons is always a good time to pay attention to home maintenance. Here are some tips to get your Arlington VA home ready for winter.

• Put away garden hoses and turn off outdoor spigots. If you don’t, the first hard freeze could cause your hoses to burst, or even worse, freeze the water in outdoor pipes. This is a headache you can easily avoid.
• Clean out gutters. After the leaves have fallen is a great time to do it. While you’re at it, consider installing downspout extensions, which are inexpensive and easy to install.
• Pick up all outdoor extension cords and check all cords for potentially dangerous nicks or frayed spots. Store extension cords neatly in the garage or basement. Extension cords are for temporary use only.
• Find those air leaks. To find leaks in Arlington VA homes, turn on all of the exhaust fans in the house (including any kitchen fans that vent outside), and put the clothes dryer on the air dry setting. Then, light an incense stick. Use the smoke to detect drafts around windows, doors, and other gaps so you know where to caulk.
• Check around the furnace. Before you turn it on, make sure no flammables (like paint, turpentine and sealants) are being stored near the furnace. These create a fire hazard. While you’re there, go ahead and change the filter before heating season.
• Clean the filter in the hood of your kitchen range. You can just throw it in the dishwasher, and it’ll be as good as new.
• Check the toilet. Put some food coloring in the toilet tank. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color without flushing, your toilet is leaking and probably needs a new flapper or other seal.

For more handy tips like these for your Arlington VA home, subscribe to my blog. It’s free!

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

You may have considered a few DIY renovation projects for your Arlington VA home. Instead of plunging right into costly home renovations, you might want to take a long weekend to consider the following tips about gaining insight before getting down to work.

• Talk to your parents. Give your elders a call to see what they think about your renovation plans. Older generations have usually lived in many houses and did a lot more fixing up than most property owners do today.
• Consult a professional. Talk with a professional who specializes in the type of renovation that you’re planning, such as a carpenter, plumber or electrician. They might charge you for an hour of their time, but you’ll gain valuable insight and maybe even tips on which building materials to use and where you should purchase them.
• Plan for a permit. Check with your city or township before you do any major renovations or additions to your Arlington VA home. You’ll want to ensure you get a permit if one’s needed; otherwise you might be required to undo your hard work and the repercussion could be severe when you eventually try to sell. They’re not out to get you — they just want to ensure everything is up to code with the latest safety and security standards.
• Seek advice from a real estate agent. Before you invest any money into your property, ask a real estate agent to come over and give you advice on which renovations get the best return.  Also, the real estate agent will be able to provide you with tips on trends, buyer’s wants and new features you might not have heard about.

Don’t rush right into the renovation. Do your research, make plans and talk to experts who’ve had years of experience. You’ll learn from their mistakes and avoid making building blunders of your own.

If you need help deciding how to renovate your Arlington VA home, 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

Buying one of the Arlington VA homes is both easier and harder these days. Yes, it’s a buyer’s market, which implies prices are lower, but it also means there are tons of homes for sale that you have to weed through to find your jewel.  Purchasing a home is a lot easier when you know how to be a savvy home buyer.

Follow these five tips to get the Arlington VA home of dreams with less hassle and at a great price:

1. List your home before looking for another home. Contracts contingent on selling your existing home complicate the buying process and reduce your chance of getting a great bargain. Sellers are often unwilling to give any concessions if they have to wait for you to sell your home.
2. Get pre-approved for a loan.  Sellers prefer to negotiate with buyers who are pre-approved for a loan large enough to purchase their home.  The pre-approval may save you money because you’ll have more leverage to negotiate a lower price.  Additionally, you’ll save time by looking exclusively at homes within your price range.
3. Ignore easy-to-change design issues. If the shag carpeting isn’t your style, you can easily change it after purchasing the home. Don’t like wallpaper? Remove it after you own the home. Envision what the home can look like with your personal touch.
4. Get a professional home inspection. Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, so be sure the structure is in good condition. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes a thorough, unbiased look at the property. The home inspection contingency is one you do want in your contract.
5. Make a serious offer. Listen to the price guidance your real estate agent provides and make an offer that won’t offend the seller. Most sellers expect an offer lower than the asking price, but they don’t want to feel insulted. You’ll get much closer to what you want to pay for the house if you treat the seller like you want to be treated – with respect and courtesy.

If you’re ready to buy a home or condo in Arlington VA, let me help you get it at the best price and with as little hassle as possible.  Give me a call today at 703-909-3939 or email me at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com to get started.

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

In the recent downturn of the economy, many homes nationwide as well as homes and condos in Arlington VA have taken a dive in value. As a result, they may not be the nest eggs that potential retirees were hoping for. Now, retirees need to know their options and what to do with their homes and condos in Arlington VA.

If you find yourself in this predicament and aren’t sure what to do, speak with your financial expert and review the following options for your financial future so that you can retire on time — and enjoy it!

• Wait it out. Most retirees want to try this tactic and are hoping that the housing market will rebound. However, if your property’s upkeep costs, such as taxes, insurance and utilities, continue to rise, you might need to consider other options.
• Pay down the mortgage.  If you have the extra dough, start investing in your property by paying off your mortgage faster. You’ll build more equity and soon see that extra money each month going straight into savings. To come up with some extra money to pay down your mortgage, you could refinance to take advantage of lower interest rates, or cut back on consumer spending. Whatever your plan, just know that most financial experts agree that you should not stop contributing to your retirement fund or take money out of your retirement investment accounts to be mortgage free.
• Sell and downsize.  If you’re still living in the home in which you raised your children, chances are it’s probably too large for your retirement life. Consider selling and downsizing, especially if you have a good amount of equity built up in your current property. You could have your newer, smaller and cheaper home paid off quickly, and could start contributing more to your retirement fund.

Whatever your current financial situation as you approach retirement, consider all of the options. Retirement is for relaxation — which is hard to do when you’re stressed about monthly finances.

If you’re weighing your retirement options and want to see at what price point homes and condos in Arlington VA are currently selling, 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

You want a new Arlington VA home, but you’re not sure whether it’s best to build a new one or buy an existing home.  The first thing you should do is identify your priorities.  Do you dream of a customized house built from the ground up with the latest trends, or is living near all the action in your ideal neighborhood most important to you?

Before you make up your mind or put in an offer, take the time to prioritize the following:

• Location – Can you find land to build on in your desired location? If not, are you willing to consider a different area if it means you’ll get a house tailored to your specifications? If you’re extremely location focused, you might have to give up the idea of building your perfect house and concentrate on available homes in the area.
• Timeline – How flexible is your timeline? If you absolutely need to be moved into your new Arlington VA home on a certain date, don’t even think about building. Building a house always seems to extend past the estimated completion date. If your timeline isn’t flexible, it might be time to start looking at existing homes.
• Renovation – Are you willing to renovate an existing house? With property values staying consistently lower than the cost of new, custom construction, renovating an older house may get you a lot more bang for your buck. However, do your homework first to find out exactly what needs to be done and at what price because renovation costs can skyrocket if you run into unexpected problems.
• Communication – Do you want to deal with builder headaches? Sometimes, even the best contractors can be difficult to work with. You’ll need time to drop by the building site on a regular basis to make sure everything is going according to your plan.
• Resale Value – Are you likely to re-sell your new property in the relatively near future? If so, you might be better off buying an existing house. In new construction neighborhoods, most potential buyers will be thinking about building instead of buying.

Ultimately, you can get a lot of satisfaction from either choice — just make sure you know what you’re getting in to. If you need help deciding whether to build or buy your new Arlington VA home, 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

Today’s buyers generally want modernized, updated properties. In a lot of markets, features like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops are almost expected, especially in higher price ranges. As your Father’s Day gift this June, help your dad add value to his Arlington VA home.

Five renovation tips that are great gifts and will increase value:

1. Windows and doors – Almost any upgrade to windows, exterior doors or the garage door will add value to a property and increase its security. However, if you want to make a big impact, splurge for energy-saving windows. These will be especially appealing to buyers looking to lower their carbon footprints and those looking to lower their utility bills — which is everyone!
2. Curb appeal – The outside of a house is the first thing buyers see, so it makes sense to spend money to keep it looking its best. With a few new plants, a hedge trimmer, a paintbrush and a shovel, even the most inexperienced DIYer can make a significant impact on a property’s curb appeal.
3. Kitchens and baths – Everyone uses them daily and would like them to be as nice as possible. Any money spent updating the kitchen and bathrooms will see a positive return when your Dad decides to sell his Arlington VA home. 
4. Don’t overdo it – Almost everyone wants granite counters, but maybe you live in a laminate neighborhood. Don’t spend so much on updates that your house is far and away the most expensive per square foot in the neighborhood. As a general rule, it’s always hard to sell the most expensive property on the block.
5. Sweat the small stuff - A few bucks spent on new light switches, faucets and doorknobs can go a long way to improving the look of a house, without any major investment.

Would you like more renovation ideas that would make great Father’s Day gifts for your Dad’s Arlington VA home? 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