Step 1: Defining What You WantInside the Consultation Room at Nesbitt Realty
Start by creating a prioritized list of features you want in your home and the reasons why. Use it as your search guide, but remember that depending on your budget and funding, you will probably need to make some compromises.
Your Nesbitt Realty real estate professional can you information about communities which fit your criteria. Of course, location is a huge part of any move. If you're new to the area, keep in mind the distance traveled during your commute is not so important as the time traveled. Traffic patterns favor some neighborhoods while some areas regularly suffer with gridlock. You Nesbitt Realty real estate professional can tell you about area amenities, culture and shopping.
Step 2: Figuring Out What You Can Afford
Now that you have an idea what you'd like, it's time to see how that marries up to what you can afford.Often the preapproval process takes less than an hour, and can be handled over the phone.
Your mortgage professional can tell you how much condo you can afford and what your monthly payments would be. Additionally, a pre-approval letter demonstrates to the seller that you can afford to buy their home. When the seller knows you can move quickly, this often gives you more negotiating power. By definition, a pre-approved buyer has an approved mortgage subject to an appraisal of the property.
Step 3: Shopping For Homes
Once you know what community you'd like to live in and have an idea of how much house you can afford, it's time to start checking out some actual communities. You can beginning this search online and save time since it can help you target homes that meet your search criteria. You can view virtually every property listed by all real estate companies in the area on this web site. It's one way Nesbitt Realty makes home shopping easier for you. We will even notify you by email when properties come on the market that meet your search criteria.
Next, begin visiting homes in person. Ask your Nesbitt Realty real estate professional to arrange home showings that are in your target area and price range. If you are not currently working with one of our agents contact Nesbitt Realty at 1 703 765 0300 . We will arrange to have a knowledgeable agent assist you.
Step 4: Making An Offer
Once you find the home you want, you need to complete a purchase agreement for the house. Typically this is a very difficult and trying time since both buyers and sellers have totally different goals. In most cases it is better to have a third party, such as a Nesbitt Realty real estate professional, negotiate the offer.
If you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, don't give out any information about your move, your current housing status, financial status or your feelings about their property - positive or negative. This could hurt you in future negotiations.
Step 5: Closing
In most cases you will also have the option of a "walk through" within 3 days of the closing. This is your chance to make sure that all of the items that you and the seller have agreed upon meet your satisfaction.
Before you arrive at the closing, make sure all the necessary paper work and deposits have been completed. If the mortgage, title work, homeowners insurance and other items necessary are not completed and brought to the closing table, the closing may not happen on time. Once you close, it's official - you own the home.
Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
Most people have heard of the MLS, but many are unclear as to exactly what it is. MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.The MLS is a database of homes listed for sale.
The Multiple Listing Service is probably your best tool as a home buyer and your best friend as a home seller.
But what exactly is the MLS?
The MLS is a database.
In the old days MLS databasing was done on filing cards and notebooks. Today that information is aggregated on computers. MLS data includes information about what properties are for sale and certain details about those properties such as condo amenities, number of bedrooms, garage parking. Almost everything you'd want to know about a given property is cataloged on the MLS.
Much of that information is public, such as the selling price and the address. Some of that information is private, or reserved for those who have professional access to the MLS. For example, real estate agents know which properties are vacant. The general public doesn't need to know this information as sharing that information might pose a risk to some property owners.
Yes, the MLS is a database, but it is also something more.
The MLS is a marketplace.
The collection of information on the MLS serves as the primary repository of details about real estate for sale or rent. MLS data is the foundation for most websites, and it is the primary reference point for most real estate professionals. As properties are contracted and sold, the data is constantly updated. Today, most agents and websites have data that is practically up to the minute.
The MLS is not free, but it's free to you the consumer. Agents and brokers pay fees for access to MLS data and to fees to maintain and improve the system. Professionals like me make that data available to the public for the purpose of helping buyers and sellers connect.
The MLS is a tool.
Like all tools, the MLS gives the best results when wielded by a professional. (More on this below.)
The MLS is for sellers.
Home sellers want access to the maximum number of buyers, in the most cost effective manner. When compared to the expense of newspaper, radio or other ads, the MLS is incredibly targeted and very affordable. The professionals who use this data will only bring qualified buyers shopping for property in your price range. It doesn't get better than that.
When a seller chooses a real estate agent with MLS access, the seller's sales force is equal to the number of agents who are using the MLS. The larger pool of prospective buyers the greater the chance that the property will sell quickly and for a fair market value.
The MLS is for buyers.
The MLS makes home shopping extremely convenient. MLS data does not cost the buyers a dime. Thanks to the internet and sites like NesbittRealty.com you can search MLS listings 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Many consumers find that a "self-search" through the MLS is a good starting point for finding the right home.
A real estate agent is for you.
In the old days consumers needed an agent to help them look through the data. These days its easy for the public to access most of the data available. So, you can do it yourself.
But if you try to find a home on your own or you try to sell without an agent, you'll quickly discover why most people choose to employ a professional. It's true: you could probably cut your own hair, change your oil filter and fill your own cavities. But why would you?
These days the problem isn't that the data is hard to find. The data is often up to the minute. These days, the problem is that there is too much data. Buyers are overwhelmed with choices. Sellers are drowned out by the noise of available information.
That's one reason why when it's time to get serious about buying or selling, a real estate professional can help guide you through the process.
Most agents know the tricks and secrets of the MLS.
As an agent, I have access to more complicated tools and search processes not available to the consumer. I work with the MLS every single day. The MLS is one of the most important tools in my toolbox. Once you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, I can employ the MLS in ways that you haven't imagined.
Sometimes a lender will try to pressure the agent/broker to take a commission cut in order to make a short-sale happen. Most usually this occurs at the 11th hour after all parties have invested a lot of time and effort making a deal happen. It's one thing to negotiate a lower fee before the work starts. It's quite another to wait until after the work is done to start negotiating a deal. So what when the lender tries to pinch the broker?
The Ramsay House in early Spring
Scottish Merchant William Ramsay's built his now famous house in 1724. Many believe that the house was constructed in Dumfries but nearly 15 years later the structure was barged up the Potomac River to its present location on King St. in Old Town Alexandria. One reason for this belief is that the building was built in 1724, but Alexandria was established in 1749.
William Ramsay was Alexandria's first postmaster and the city founder. His residence was opened as a Visitors Center in 1956. Today, the Ramsay House offers much for visitors and residents of Alexandria. Stop by to view an orientation video, or to pick up maps and brochures. At the Ramsay House, one can make reservations, view foreign translations of materials. At the Ramsay House, one can purchase tickets for special events and for Mount
Vernon. Seasonal walking tours, "Footsteps to the Past" depart from the Ramsay House. This so-called "ghost tour" guides visitors through Old Town telling the tales of ghosts and local hauntings. The tour treks through about 6 blocks of Old Town's most beautiful streets. This is a fun way to learn more about the history of Old Town Alexandria.
Alexandria is a great place to work or live. Alexandria is home to numerous non-profits, associations, Motley Fool, the United States Patent Office and more. Old Town Alexandria is filled with shops and restaurants, a beautiful waterfront and has easy access by Metro or trolley. Whether your preference is historic or a bright shiny new condo, it's all here in Old Town.
Backlick Plaza is located at 6901 Hechinger Drive Springfield, VA 22151. Backlick Plaza is a shopping center. Backlick Plaza hosts Gamasot and Fresh World Supermarket amongst other businesses. Backlick Plaza also hosts an occasional flea market.
Some of the shops at Backlick Plaza
A busy day at Backlick Plaza
For real estate in Springfield VA contact Nesbitt Realty
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
More Americans are once again on the hunt to snag a home at bargain prices, fix it up, and then try to resell it for a quick profit. Home flippers mostly vanished from the market during the housing downturn a few years ago. But with home values inching up, flipping is coming back.
RealtyTrac says flipping increased for the second year in row, rising a slight 0.33 percent in 2012 from 12 percent in 2011. The company defines flipping as buying and selling a property within six months.
RealtyTrac reports the average gross profits for these types of transactions was $37,375 in 2012. According to the company, some of the best places to flip homes in 2012 were Orlando, Fla.; Richmond, Va.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Charlotte, N.C.
For example, homes flipped in Orlando were purchased for $100,397, on average, and then for $174,895 — earning a gross profit, on average, of nearly $75,000, RealtyTrac reports.
Investors are showing signs of being more cautious with flipping than they were during the housing boom. More investors are coming in with all-cash deals to purchase the homes. They also are holding onto the properties longer than they once did. On average, the flipping time from purchase to resale stands at about 106 days today, according to RealtyTrac.
"That seems to be the sweet spot for a profitable deal," says Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. "Back in the housing bubble, many flippers were solely relying on price appreciation, sitting back and selling for big profits within a month or two."
Source: “The New Rules of House Flipping,” Reuters (April 18, 2013)
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
If you're in the market for a condo, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to by a newly built condo, or to by a previously owned condominium. Both have advantages and both have pitfalls. Here are a few thoughts to consider.
The majority of condos that are sold are existing condos. This is
neither an advantage or a disadvantage---simply a fact. The majority of
marketing materials and advertisements you will see for condos is for
new construction. This means that it is easier to find ads, pretty
pictures and floor plans for new condos.
One of the advantages of buying an existing condo is what you see is
what you get. There will be no surprises, good or bad. There will be no
change orders. You won't have to look at a model and a floorplan to
get an idea of what you are buying. Instead, you can tour the property
that you will actually buy.
You can move into an existing condo as soon as your loan and title
work are finished. There will be no construction delays. Construction
delays can be sizable and in today's market it is even possible for
the builder to fold-up shop before the project is completed.
All properties, condos included, have kinks. That is to say, there
are unexpected problems with the construction, lay-out or plan. In an
existing condo, the owners have already discovered, identified and
usually solved those problems. In a new condo, you never know what the
problems will be. If anyone could have predicted that unexpected
problem it wouldn't exist!
Existing condos are in established neighborhoods. The traffic
patterns are set. The views are what they will be. Established
neighborhoods have a tendency to have "enough" shopping outlets.
Established neighborhoods have very predictable values in the future.
New neighborhoods can have unexpected increases or decreases in value.
One of the disadvantages of buying an existing condo is that you
might not have some of features you want. This can be simple things
like have the cable wired on the wall where you prefer to put your TV.
You might have to compromise on your laundry room and be forced to
share a community laundry. You might find that the layout is not
exactly as you would like it. A newly built condo always has the latest
features and if it is brand new construction the builder can sometimes
tailor the unit to your demands.
Let's face, brand new buildings are often more appealing than old condos.The materials, the stylings, even the smell
of a new condo is enticing. New condos are fun and bright and designed
to appeal to the latest notion in the buying public. A new condo will
not require any special assessments or repairs. It's in perfect shape.
To weigh your options between new and previously owned condos, contact Will Nesbitt with Condo Alexandria.
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
Home prices will likely climb 10 percent in 2013 and 8 percent in 2014, according to Barclays analyst Stephen Kim, who recently upgraded his view of the housing market from neutral to positive.
Kim told The Wall Street Journal recently that low mortgage rates are helping to make buying more affordable than renting in many markets.
About “18 months ago, the industry was nothing much to look at: dilapidated foreclosures were flooding the market, home equity had suffered the worst retrenchment in a generation, and housing starts and sentiment were far below historic troughs levels,” Kim notes. “But after stabilizing in 2012, both new and existing home prices are now accelerating much more rapidly than in the 1990s cycle.”
Source: “The Housing Market: Not Your Analyst’s Oldsmobile?” The Wall Street Journal (April 23, 2013)
Home Prices In Arlington Continue To Hike
The housing market in Arlington County is getting more and more expensive as potential buyers continue to have fewer homes and condos to choose from.
Inlet Cove is alongside Route 1 This neighborhood of townhouses is near grocers and eateries Inlet Cove is close to Fort Belvoir, Alexandria, and Potomac Mills shops, in the city of Woodbridge Interior to these properties are multilevel Inlet Cove is serene
Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.3 percent to 102.9 from 97.7 in February, and is 21.1…
Some of the best housing deals are on high-end homes, many over $1 million. Some of them need TLC or they aren’t in the most-coveted locations. But there are plenty of desirable properties and lots of sellers who are getting impatient. Buyers with cash have the best opportunities. Buyers who need a mortgage should move…
The National Association of Realtors recently did a study about the characteristics of home buyers. Some of the findings might surprise you. Thirteen percent of buyers purchased a home with one or more parents and grandparents together with adult children. There were several reasons given for purchasing a multi-generational home. Cost savings; Children over the…
With memories of snow and cold fading, it’s time to remind home owners to take stock of important work to be done for themselves and potential buyers down the road. Keeping on track with seasonal maintenance will lower costs and raise value.Continue reading
I have a tip for condo sellers out there. As most of you may know, in the Commonwealth of Virginia (and in other states) the buyer must be allowed an opportunity to review the condo docs. From the time the condo docs are delivered, the buyer has 3 days to cancel the contract without cause, other than to say the condo docs contained information which caused the cancellation. The buyer doesn't have to explain why or what the problem was.Continue reading
The majority of condos that are sold are existing condos. This is
neither an advantage or a disadvantage---simply a fact. The majority of
marketing materials and advertisements you will see for condos is for
new construction. This means that it is easier to find ads, pretty
pictures and floor plans for new condos.
One of the advantages of buying an existing condo is what you see is
what you get. There will be no surprises, good or bad. There will be no
change orders. You won't have to look at a model and a floorplan to
get an idea of what you are buying. Instead, you can tour the property
that you will actually buy.
You can move into an existing condo as soon as your loan and title
work are finished. There will be no construction delays. Construction
delays can be sizable and in today's market it is even possible for
the builder to fold-up shop before the project is completed.
Kim told The Wall Street Journal recently that low mortgage rates are helping to make buying more affordable than renting in many markets.
About “18 months ago, the industry was nothing much to look at: dilapidated foreclosures were flooding the market, home equity had suffered the worst retrenchment in a generation, and housing starts and sentiment were far below historic troughs levels,” Kim notes. “But after stabilizing in 2012, both new and existing home prices are now accelerating much more rapidly than in the 1990s cycle.”
Source: “
