Real Estate Blog 
A Good Real Estate Agent is Critical
Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 12:58pm. 8 Views, 0 Comments.
What’s for sale? How much is my home worth? How’s the market? How do I choose a real estate agent? Sound familiar? All good questions. Whether you are looking for homes in Fairfax, Arlington, Reston, Centreville, Chantilly, Ashburn, Vienna, or Prince William, these are questions that are asked thousands of times day on search engines. This article is about trying to help you understand that the easiest way to get consistent answers to these questions is to address that last question. If you succeed in finding an experienced, professional agent, you have a partner for life. Unfortunately my industry is filled with many used car salesman and those who simply are inexperienced, leaving a general lack of trust towards those in my profession. But for…
Sell Your House with Low Cost Remodeling Projects
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 4:14pm. 14 Views, 0 Comments.
It’s a question I get from my clients perhaps more than any other when I sell a house. What can we do to our home to increase its value that won’t cost very much? I know what you’re thinking…if there were such a list of suggestions everyone would do it. You would think that would be the case, but if you’ve been through as many Fairfax homes as I have you’d soon realize that sellers do not do the simple things that will increase the offers they will receive on their house. For the record I’m talking about truly inexpensive projects. The biggest bang for your buck on the higher cost projects continues to be kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, basements, windows and siding. No, I’m talking about simple things that show well and stage a property to maximize…
Fairfax Homes has a new magazine
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 9:55pm. 17 Views, 0 Comments.
Well with all of the snow I understand the homes buying and selling market is probably not on your mind, but hang in there...Spring is right around the corner.
The purpose of this is simply to make you aware that Fairfax homes will be receiving the first issue of my magazine within the next couple weeks. As you know, it is my desire to be your one source for all things real estate here in Northern Virginia, and part of that includes a copy of my magazine titled 'American Lifestyle.' It is a wonderful collection of topics and pictures that cover the lives we live here in this country, and particular in Fairfax. I do hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback.
Remember, I work completely by referral. I rely on those that know and trust my…
Trends in Housing Year End 2009 Report and Highlights
Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 1:26pm. 21 Views, 0 Comments.
Hey there,
Well it's time to send you the attached multiple listing report of the state of the current Fairfax Homes climate.
As you'll see, year-over-year data improved for once in a long while as we continue to see decreased inventory, shorter days on the market, pricing stability (although arguably at the bottom of the market) and continued, historically low rates.
With the new tax credit for qualified owners of homes that want to make a move, it serves to reiterate the point I've made to you before. Folks that want to sell and purchase Fairfax homes within the same geographical area such as Northern Virginia feel it necessary to wait until home values increase so as to maximize the profit on their current home...sometimes forgetting that the value…
Buy a Home in 2010 for Goodness Sake
Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 9:40am. 28 Views, 0 Comments.
I know, it sounds self-serving, given I am a real estate agent in the Fairfax area. So let me do what I always do; I’ll focus on the data and let you come to the obvious conclusion. The first point to make which is critical is to dispel the continued myth that this is a buyer’s market. The general belief in the public is that unless homes prices are rising substantially and the news supports that, it’s a poor time to sell and a great time to buy. Incorrect. Currently I see it as a neutral market, at least here in Fairfax, Arlington vicinity. For example, home prices rose more than 18 percent over the previous year for the Greater Northern Virginia region, which extends west and north or Fairfax County. Not bad, huh? How has this happened…supply and…
Fairfax and Arlington, VA Homes Sales Statistics
Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 2:23pm. 64 Views, 0 Comments.
Fairfax and Arlington, VA Homes Sales Statistics Let’s look at this chart. 2009 2008 % Change
Total Sold Dollar Volume:
$ 12,914,943
$ 10,914,052
18.33 %
Average Sold Price:
$ 368,998
$ 389,788
- 5.33 %
Median Sold Price:
$ 354,000
$ 372,500
- 4.97 %
Total Units Sold:
35
28
25.00 %
Average Days on Market:
38
72
- 47.22 %
Average List Price for Solds:
$ 375,769
$ 418,199
- 10.15 %
Avg Sale Price as a
percentage of Avg List Price:
98.20 %
93.21 %
This is for October only. The average sold price for a home in the heart of Fairfax, VA in 2009 is $368,998, decreased from $389,788 in 2008, a 5.33% decline. Now, the data verifies another year with a decline in the average price of homes sold, which is the statistic most consumers concentrate on. …Homebuyer Tax Credit extended AND expanded
Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 4:18pm. 71 Views, 0 Comments.
How are you? I hope you've had a good week. I just wanted to get some key real estate information in your hands as it's truly good news and my guess is it's going to mean a very busy first half of 2010 for buyers and sellers.
As you may know, what prompted a lot of activity in the Northern Virginia real estate market this past year has been the tax credit of $8000 for first-time buyers or those that haven't owned a home within three years. Well, Congress just passed legislation lengthening that program through the first half of 2010. Those seeking to qualify MUST CLOSE by June 30.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, Congress has responded to those of us on political action committees in EXPANDING A CREDIT TO CURRENT HOMEOWNERS. For homeowners that a home they've used…
Week Through 10/2/09 Fairfax homes update
Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 12:33pm. 78 Views, 0 Comments.
Sep 29 – Consumer confidence unexpectedly dipped in September, as Americans grew more concerned about the economy, their job prospects and their incomes.
Sep 29 – The Case-Shiller home price index indicated that in 18 of 20 major cities, home prices were up 1.6% in July compared in June, the third monthly increase in a row. Whether the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit or increased number of foreclosures will reserve this trend will be seen in the months ahead.
Oct 1 – The pending home sales index 6.4% in August to its highest level since March 2007. The index, which tracks sales contracts signed on existing homes is designed to forecast actual sales has risen seven months in a row.
Oct 1 – Spurred by government subsidies to buy cars, consumer…
Week Through 9/25/09 Arlington homes data
Sunday, September 27th, 2009 at 1:37pm. 73 Views, 0 Comments.
Sep 21 – For the fifth consecutive month, indicators have as the recession appears to be bottoming out and a recovery is very near.
Sep 24 – Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke announced that it would extend its program to buy mortgage-backed securities into the first quarter of 2010 from December. He confirmed that the conditions would warrant continuing to keep short-term interest rates low for an extended period of time.
Sep 24 – Existing home sales dropped 2.7% in August, the first decline in five months. Nationally, the supply of unsold homes stood at 8.5-months, the lowest since April 2007. Locally, inventories continue to remain low.
Sep 25 – The recovery in the manufacturing sector stumbled in August, as a big decline in orders for new airplanes…
Week Through 9/18/09 Centreville homes information
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 11:57am. 81 Views, 0 Comments.
Sep 15 – Retails sales jumped 2.7% in August due in large part on the Clunkers program. Excluding autos, retail sales up 1.1% in August.
Sep 15 – Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke said the recession has ended – at least based on the numbers. He cautioned that the labor markets could remain weak through 2010.
Sep 16 – Consumer prices increased 0.4% in August, pushed higher by gasoline prices. In the past 12 months the CPI has fallen 1.5%.
Sep 18 - Oil closed the week at $72.04.
Rates continue to stay low despite the expectation that the recession is over and we are headed for better conditions. Refinance activity has picked up once again for those that missed out during the last dip in rates during the spring. Contact me for the current market for…