Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

The temperature is starting to drop, leaves are beginning to fall and autumn is getting closer. For those with Fairfax County VA homes for sale, this is a good time to make sure all your t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted. Why?

Fall brings nostalgia for most people across the United States. Between Halloween,  Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, the last part of the year brings the most family-oriented, warm thoughts. It brings memories of days gone by when families met over turkey or ham around a table, young cousins played together in the yard and, in general, everyone had a wonderful time. In other words, it brings thoughts of home.

Often, these thoughts cause a yearning in potential buyers to own one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale. Renters often become homeowners because of these nostalgic feelings. How can this benefit you?

Go ahead and decorate.
Don’t hold off just because your house is for sale. However, be careful not to over decorate. A few pumpkin gourds can add a warm, homey touch to a porch, but a slew of snarling jack-o’-lanterns can turn a buyer off. A tasteful Christmas wreath on the door can welcome cheerful potential buyers into your home, but using enough lights on the house to cause a blackout may not be the best idea.

Run from scary decorations.
When decorating, stay away from cobwebs, fake spiders and skeletons in the closet. Use other things to enhance the “nostalgic buying” mood, such as plug-in scents in Apple Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice. Simple bowls of potpourri add an inviting aroma without being overstated. Whatever you use, it really doesn’t take much to turn your house into a warm, inviting place that potential buyers may want to call home.

While decorating for the holidays can increase buyer appeal for Fairfax County VA homes for sale, remember “all things in moderation.”  Although it’s a little early, let me wish you happy holidays for the end of the year season, and good luck!

If you’re considering selling your home, whether this season or next, 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

With the many auctions here and throughout the U.S., you may be wondering if it’s worth buying Fairfax County VA homes for sale this way. Auctions let you bid at a public sale.  Some property is being sold by the owner, but most properties are foreclosures being sold by banks.

Like any endeavor, there are pros and cons in buying Fairfax County VA homes for sale at an auction. For instance, a pro for auctions might be the price; you can often get great discounts on nice homes through an auction. However, you may get caught up in the fervor of the bidding process and pay more for a home than you ever intended.

The Condition of the Home may be Questionable 
When you work with a real estate agent to buy a home in the traditional manner, you go through the home inspection process.  This ensures the home is in sound structural condition.

In an auction, you have to go with the timeframe of the bidding process and most likely will not have time to get a home inspection performed.  In fact, homes sold at auction are sold “as is.”  That means no improvements will be made to the home, even if you had it inspected and found something wrong.  Additionally, there’s no warranty and no legal recourse to get your money back if you find problems later.

Tax liens can be Costly 
In foreclosure auctions, a property may have a tax lien. If you win the auction, you may then become responsible for the payment of the tax lien. It could be a small or large amount of money, but no matter the size, you may not be able to afford it on top of the cost of the house.

Large Payments in Short Timeframes
Lastly, consider that full payment may be required at the close of the sale; if not full payment, earnest money will at least be required. Because closing usually happens within a month of the auction, it’s always best to be pre-approved for your loan before you start bidding.

If you’re looking for your dream home at auctions with Fairfax County VA homes for sale, do your homework first. You could end up with a fantastic deal, but, without enough information, you could also end up with a dead end.

If you’re looking for a great deal on a wonderful home, I can help. 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

Setting the asking price for their Fairfax County VA homes for sale is one of the most important decisions homeowners have to make in the selling process.  Why is it so important?

1. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.  With so many competing Fairfax County VA homes for sale, yours has to pop out immediately as a good value or buyers will move on, unlikely to return. You get one stab at your home’s debut, and it’s easy to blow it.

2. Set the price too high and you could hurt your chances of selling your home.  The amount of traffic a home gets in the first week on the market is about 5 times what it gets the following weeks.  The traffic continues to decrease every week. You might say, “Well, I’ll just lower my price.”  This hurts almost as much as it helps.  It conveys to buyers (the few who are still considering your home) that your home was overpriced and may still be.

3. Setting the price too low can be almost as harmful. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag.  They assume it will not fulfill their needs or worry that there’s something wrong with it.

How do you know what that magic number should be for your home?  Here are 3 factors to take into consideration when setting your asking price:

1. Neighborhood sales prices:  Recent closed sales in your immediate neighborhood offer the most pertinent data for predicting the sale price of your home.  List prices of homes still on the market should be taken into consideration also, because they show the current pricing trend.  A professional real estate agent will do all this research for you as part of their services.

2. Condition of your home:  If your home has been better maintained, is more up to date and shows better than the other Fairfax County VA homes for sale, it will sell faster and for more money. Updates, even those as minor as having current paint colors, impact pricing.  Updated kitchens and baths are especially important to buyers.

3. Appraisal value:  As the seller, you can get an appraisal on your home before putting it on the market.  You’ll have to pay for it, but it may be worth it to get access to this pricing tool.

Ready to sell your home?  Let me do the research for you and help you set the best price to get your home sold.  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

You’ve repaired, de-cluttered, deep cleaned and polished your Fairfax County VA home for sale until it shines.  But how do you keep it that way when you and your family have to live in it every day?

Here are 5 tips to keep your Fairfax County VA home for sale ready to show (without driving yourself crazy):

1. Decree some rooms off limits.  There are a few obvious rooms that can easily be declared off limits such as the formal dining room and living room.  But there are others you may not have considered.  If you have 3 bathrooms, proclaim 1 or 2 of those bathrooms off limits.  Have a guest room but no guest?  Shut the door and forget it.

2. Hire a maid service.  You may not be able to afford a cleaning crew on a regular basis, but to reduce your stress while your Fairfax County VA home is for sale, consider hiring a housecleaner to come in once or twice a month.

3. Leave your shoes at the door.  Sure, it’s inconvenient, but it really does keep your floors clean much longer which means less vacuuming, sweeping and mopping.

4. Clean as you go.  Anytime you get something out, put it away when you’re done with it.  Persuade every member of your household to do the same.

5. Use potpourri.  You may have read some tips I’ve given about baking cookies to make your home smell great for showings.  That’s an excellent idea for people who have lots of time or just love to bake.  But for the rest of us, put out a bowl of cinnamon scented potpourri and avoid cooking smelly foods such as liver, fish or anything fried until your home is sold.  If you can’t do without your fish, go out to eat.

Need to sell your home?  Let me help you get it sold so you can relax.  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

Has your Fairfax County VA home for sale been victimized by DIY remodeling projects? Did they not quite turn out like you thought they would? You aren’t alone; I’ve walked into houses with cabinets hanging at a slant and the owner proudly telling me they did it themselves.

Leave it to a pro.
Not everybody can be a remodeler. Not everybody is handy at everything. For instance, I can change the oil on my car, but I leave engine overhauls to the professionals.  Why? Because that’s what they do, and they do it well.

Now, many people choose to do remodeling themselves because they think it’s cheaper – and it often is when done right. However, knowledge is power. It’d be cheaper for me to do my own engine overhaul, too, but I’ve never done it before and don’t know how. I’m not going to start learning on my own car, either.

Consider the quality.
If you’re considering a major remodeling project to add value to your Fairfax County VA home for sale, I strongly recommend hiring a professional remodeler. I especially recommend this if you don’t know anything about plumbing, wiring or building standards. Keep in mind that your house will have to pass inspection. If your remodeling project doesn’t stand up to building codes, it won’t pass inspection.

As well, when you remodel to add value in order to sell, quality is of utmost importance. The first DIY project you do very seldom ends up looking right, and – although you may be understandably proud of sloping countertops or unevenly stained molding because you did it yourself – it won’t help sell your home.

Start small.
If you’re remodeling and you plan to stay in your home, I strongly suggest – if you must DIY – that you start small. Here’s a hint: expanding your bathroom or kitchen isn’t considered a small project. A small project is like fixing a squeaky stairway or replacing a door.

DIY sites like This Old House and Do It Yourself make big projects look easy, I know. However, if you want to, say, strip your wooden kitchen cabinets, try starting with a piece of furniture. Go buy a cheap wooden chair from a flea market and see how it turns out first.

Whether you’re remodeling to get more value from your Fairfax County VA home for sale or just to make it a more comfortable space to live, I implore you – your home implores you – at least think about a professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your home may end up as just another victim of random DIY.

Are you good at remodeling and looking for a home with potential? 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

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

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

If you’re anything like me, you’ve driven through neighborhoods, admiring the Fairfax County Virginia homes and immaculate lawns.  You’ve pictured your dry, brown yard, wondering how these homeowners managed to get their lawns looking so great. 

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help achieve that plush, green grass that everyone hopes for:

1.  Choose a type of grass seed that’s right for your climate zone. 

There are three climate zones:  Warm, transitional and cool.  Warm season grass is better for lawns in the South, cool season for the North, and transitional for Central.  The best bet for the transitional zone is either a mixture of warm and cool season grass or using the same seeds as the warm zone. 

2.  Plant at the right time.

Throw grass seed on the ground at the right time, and it’ll grow.

• Warm zone grasses – sown in the spring, once the soil is warm enough for sprouts to grow.
• Cool zone grasses – sown in the fall, generally between August 1 – 15 for the far North, and August 15 – 30 for the warmer areas.

3.  Cut at the right height.

No matter what zone the Fairfax County Virginia homes with gorgeous green lawns are in, you may notice that the lawns all seem to be about the same height.  There’s a reason for that.  Lawn care experts say you should never cut your grass shorter than two inches.

4.  Use the right mower.

You want to use mulching lawnmowers, replacing the blades every season to keep them sharp for cleaner cuts.  These lawnmowers turn the clippings into perfect grass-feed, which takes care of about half of the feed for the season. 

5.  Have a good watering schedule.

The best time to water a lawn is first thing in the morning.  You want to water all at once instead of in short spurts, soaking your lawn with about one inch each time you water.  Cool zone lawns should be watered whenever it’s been dry for a week.  Lawns for warm zone Fairfax County Virginia homes should be watered twice a week during the summer.

Want to buy Fairfax County Virginia real estate that has a lush lawn?  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

Good credit is more important than ever, if you want to get a loan to buy one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale. Knowing what’s on your credit report and how lenders view various aspects of your report is crucial.

First Things First

Get a copy of your credit report from all three of the credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are entitled to one free report every year from each of the three credit reporting companies.  Whether you’re considering getting a loan or not, you should always take advantage of that opportunity to make sure your credit reports are accurate.

Range

FICO® scores range from 365 to 840. While the standards for what lenders consider a “good” FICO® score changes constantly and varies by lender, here’s a general breakdown of today’s standards:

• Over 750 is excellent and should get you the best terms and rates.
• Under 600 might get you a loan to buy that Fairfax County VA home for sale you’ve been looking at, but you’ll want to shop for the lender who’ll give you the best rates and terms.
• Under 500, you need to brace yourself for waiting until you get your credit in better condition.

What Determines Your Score

There are many things that can affect your score.  Magically (or not), each of the three companies tend to view things just a little differently, which means your score will not be the exact same for all three. That’s why it’s so important to get copies of your report from all of them. However, the two main things that all companies consider in rating your credit score are delinquencies and debt-to-income ratio.

What You Can Do To Immediately Improve Your Score

• Check the entries: Make sure any debts or delinquencies listed are true. Report any errors.  
• Pay off debts: But do not close accounts. Having available credit is good as long as it doesn’t look like you’re over-extended by having your credit maxed out. The lender may worry that you’re living off your credit and can’t afford your bills.

If you would like more tips on how to improve your chances of getting a loan to buy one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale, I can help. 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

The real estate market is shifting toward some definite trends that may affect your Fairfax County VA home for sale.  Since 2006, the median cost of a home has dropped almost 30%. The good news, according Moody’s Economy.com, is that most of the nation’s metropolitan areas are expected to see less than a 5% drop in prices a year from now. Even better news, 10% are expected to see modest increases. 

If you have one of the Fairfax County VA homes for sale, keeping an eye on the trends can greatly increase your chances of selling, no matter what the area. Here are two of the biggest trends:

Trend #1:  Home Prices Staying Down
Home inventories are slowly creeping back up, and another 3 million distressed homes are expected to be foreclosed on this year. As well, one-fourth of current homeowners are now underwater with their mortgages, and 18% of borrowers are choosing to walk away. In short, stressors on the current housing market may very well push national median prices down another 5%, as mentioned above.

How can I take advantage?
With the glut of foreclosed homes, they’re likely to be your highest competition.  That means competing in price could be disastrous. Instead, play up the advantages of your home. For instance, foreclosed homes may need a lot of fixing up.  To compete, make sure your home is inspected and fixed up before it’s listed. Once you know there aren’t a lot of problems add a one-year warranty for the buyer that covers fixes such as the furnace or water heater. It’s inexpensive and may very well make the difference in how quickly and at what price you sell your home.

Trend #2:  Small Homes Selling Faster Than Large Homes
Larger, more expensive homes now have a 20-month backlog in inventory. They cost more and require a larger financial commitment. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the median home size dropped from 2,300 to 2,100 square feet since 2007.

How can I take advantage?
If you have a large home, don’t wait until prices dip further; put it on the market now. The major key to getting it sold now is price.  Keep the price competitive, and start out low enough so that you won’t have to drop the price more than once. This is a red flag for buyers.

If you have a smaller Fairfax County VA home for sale, you’re already set to take advantage. People also want to lower their energy bills, which usually happens with a smaller home.  Market these advantages for a better chance of selling.

If you want to sell your home, it helps to keep up with the housing trends and look at each one to see how you can take advantage of it.

If you’re trying 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