If you are looking to buy or sell a home, I'm sure you have used Google to do most of your research. In a recent conversation with a REALTOR colleague in Falls Church, Virginia, she shared how home buyers walking into her Sunday open-house already knowing the tax assessment, local school scores, neighborhood comparables and much more. They were Continue Reading
The Real Estate Consumer has changed…
Okay consumers… did you know that people buy homes differently today than ten years ago? Today’s real estate consumer has so much information available that is specific, in depth and literally on demand that it has transformed the role of the real estate agent… for the better. The way consumers get mortgage information is better too as home Continue Reading
It’s a race to finish the Home Buyer Tax Credit for 2010?
REVISED for the extension (see new post below) (expired in 2010) If you are or have a friend who is thinking about buying a home and taking advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, then there are some facts you need to know, and we need to talk today. Especially since everyone and their little brother/sister knows about the Continue Reading
Your Maryland lockbox doesn’t work in Virginia
In the past two weeks, I have shown up at two vacant homes in Fairfax, Virginia with clients wanting to take a look-see, only to find that the SentriLock lock-boxes did not work. You know, SentriLock's are the little blue boxes on the front door handles of homes for sale. In the Washington D.C. metro area, we have Realtor Associations in Continue Reading
McLean Home Sales Stats, Hyper Local Sept ’09
Yes, I get tons of free data too but here we go, hyper-local real estate sales numbers: they aren't pretty! Numbers for 22101: Total Units Sold in September 2009, 40 vs. 18 in 2008 (up 122.22%) Average Sold Price in September 2009, $866,373 vs. $924,386 in 2008 (down 6.28%) In the $700,000 to $799,999 range, 4 sold with 16 active Continue Reading
HvCc appraisal flu hits Northern Virginia…
Home sellers and buyers in Northern Virginia have felt the pain of the HVCC, the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. These new guidelines (May, 2009) dictate how real estate appraisals are conducted for all mortgage loans that will be sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Government insured loans such as FHA or Veterans Administration (VA) have not Continue Reading
A sick home seller strategy…
This is an angle that many real estate agents have yet to discuss with their seller clients because it may sound a little harsh. Some subjects like current market activity, reductions in asking or list price, keeping the house clean, proper staging, repainting, repairing, de-cluttering, re-carpeting, curb appeal, sanitizing, lighting, scenting, Continue Reading
Figuring out the McLean Real Estate Market – August 2009
There have been some impressive claims about the real estate market in August, but there is a sharp dividing line between McLean 22101 and 22102. Yes, 22101 saw some good real estate sales numbers. The strength of the McLean home market is its strategic location keeping this area in demand since access to D.C., Tyson's, Arlington plus Dulles and Continue Reading
