Purchasers of second homes should be aware that, according to the IRS, taxpayers who are married and filing jointly can’t deduct interest on more than a combined total of $1 million of “home acquisition debt” for a primary and a secondary residence.
Entrance to the Torpedo Factory condos on a snowy day
Taxpayers also may deduct up to a combined total of $100,000 of home-equity debt on their first and second homes.
After refinancing, a home owner can only deduct interest on the original amount of the loan at the time they refinanced, plus $100,000.
Buyers and refinancers also can deduct loan fees – "points” – if the money was used to buy or improve their home. They can’t deduct them if they refinanced to lower the interest rate.
Source: Inman News, Tom Kelly (04/07/2010)
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…
Eighty-seven percent of Americans recently surveyed say that owning a home is something they dream about, according to a survey by JPMorgan Chase.
"Owning a home is at the heart of most Americans' dreams," says Kevin Watters, CEO of mortgage banking at JPMorgan Chase. "And people are saving as much as possible to achieve home ownership."
Sixty-six percent of Americans surveyed say that they believe home ownership is a good financial investment. Seventy-five percent say it’s a crucial part of raising a family.
First-time home buyers are getting more optimistic about being able to achieve home ownership too. The number of potential first-time home buyers who say they are optimistic about being able to put money down on a home over the next six months doubled in the last six months, compared to previous survey results.
"First-time home buyers are crucial to the housing market and the overall economy—and to their communities," says Watters. "As families buy their first home, they are investing in their communities and enable other families to move up. That will eventually spur more new construction, generating additional jobs."
Source: “Survey shows homeownership is still the American Dream,” HousingWire (March 15, 2013)
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…
Pocket listings -- off-market listings that are marketed directly by the seller’s real estate agent or broker -- are growing in number, according to news reports.
Sellers must agree to "pocket listings"; otherwise they aren’t permitted. Some sellers agree to such arrangements to “test the waters” first with selling or to avoid a large number of people from entering their home, or they may seek privacy, like in cases of celebrities or public figures.
Some real estate professionals argue the rise in pocket listings is hurting the housing market because these homes are given limited exposure and are making it more difficult to compare homes and prices.
Usually with pocket listings, brokerages complete the entire transaction in-house, thus collecting both the seller and buyer commission.
“Pocket listings are a good segment of our business,” writes one real estate professional on the RISMedia Facebook page. “Regarding cons with agents taking in full commissions ... we charge a flat rate for our pocket sales, much less than a full-percent commission.”
But many agents note that the majority of pocket listings are eventually entered into the MLS.
Source: “Pocket Listings: Helpful or Harmful?” RISMedia (March 14, 2013)
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage. We appreciate every client and we'd love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you or to get a free assessment of your property's value. Nesbitt Realty has received numerous awards and recognitions for client satisfaction because we get results that make our clients in {Location_Name} happy.
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this week that it plans to shut down for seven days sometime between May and September due to the forced government budget cuts to reduce spending known as sequestration.
During that seven-day shutdown, HUD says it will furlough more than 9,000 of its employees. It will spread out the shutdown days to limit the impact. It has not yet determined when those days will be.
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan told a Senate panel last month that government spending cuts would have harsh consequences for housing programs. “The ripple effects are enormous because of how central housing is to our economy,” Donovan told the Senate panel.
Source: “Housing Department plans 7-day shut down due to sequester cuts,” Reuters (March 11, 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…
3 of Top 10 Wealthiest Counties Are In Northern VA
The nation’s wealthiest counties are all suburban retreats outside of large cities, according to an analysis by Forbes magazine.
The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, which examines the average incomes in 1,889 counties.
Of the top 25, 19 of these counties are on the East Coast – just outside of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Williamson County, outside of Nashville, Tenn., and Forsyth County, outside of Atlanta, are the only Southern counties on the top-25 wealthiest list. California has only two of the wealthiest counties, Marin and Santa Clara.
Here are the top-10 wealthiest counties on the list:
Loudoun County, Va.
Fairfax County, Va.
Howard County, Md.
Hunterdon County, N.J.
Somerset County, N.J.
Fairfax (city), Va.
Morris County, N.J.
Douglas County, Colo.
Arlington County, Va.
Montgomery County, Md.
Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (03/04/2010)
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…
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
Julie Nesbitt1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
Decks5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
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…
1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.
entrance to Midtown Alexandria Station condos
2. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.
3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.
4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.
5. Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.
6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.
7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.
Julie Nesbitt
8. Get help from a REALTOR®. Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.
9. Check out Nesbitt Realty. Our search tools and tips are among the best you'll find in Northern Virginia.
Do you know what "HOA Fees" are?
HOA stands for Homeowners Association, which is an organization that sets by-laws and restrictions in some neighborhoods. The fees associated with this, called homeowners fees, are usually paid annually and cover certain services and amenities associated with a neighborhood. These fees may include services such as landscaping, maintenance, and water and sewer; or amenities such as pools, fitness centers, neighborhood recreational areas, and valet parking. HOA fees usually range from $100-$1000, depending on the location of the home, and can be changed yearly.
A board of directors is usually voted in, and they decide the cost of the fees. Specific by-laws and restrictions are also associated with an HOA. These rules vary from neighborhood to neighborhood and are meant to keep your neighborhood safe and beautiful. Understanding all the by-laws and restrictions before purchasing a home is important so that you know that they are rules that you can live with.
Condominiums are found in all shapes, sizes, prices and types. Are you looking for a high-rise condo, a mid-rise or a garden-style condo? Maybe you'd prefer a townhouse?
The term "garden-style" condo usually refers to a condominium residence in a building that has less than three stories. Most garden-style condos have balconies or patios for each residence. Many garden-style condos have a main entrance that opens to a common-area hallway. Additional common areas include the green space and "gardens" surrounding the structures. If you're interested in garden-style condos you'll have a lot of options in {Location_Name}.
1. Be prepared. This works for negotiators just as it does for Boy Scouts. Be sure all facts are available and verified before you begin. Postponements for fact-finding can bog down the negotiation.
2. Present a united front. You might not agree with your clients’ position but don’t share that with the other side during the negotiation. Privately, you can try to get your clients to change their mind.
3. Leave your attitude at the door. Don’t let your personal opinions of the parties or the situation cloud your judgment; that could endanger the transaction. Treat everybody with respect; if you disagree, disagree with an idea, not with the person.
4. Hold something back. Plan beforehand what concessions your clients are willing to make and then use them when the bargaining gets under way.
5. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Never let a negotiation bog down over a minor point. If you can’t agree, put the point aside and come back to it later. Concentrate on getting agreement on major points like price and terms.
6. Get all the decision makers together. Nothing is more frustrating than to think you have an agreement, only to find that somebody else must sign off on it.
7. Avoid distractions. Choose a location that’s pleasant. Ask everybody to turn off phones and pagers, and don’t accept calls until the negotiation is complete.
8. Don’t share information unnecessarily. Knowledge is power in a negotiation, so giving the other side extra information may weaken your position. Conversely, learn as much about the other parties as you can.
9. Just keep quiet. Greeting an offer or concession with silence undermines the other side’s power and often prompts an immediate reaction.10. Leave something on the table. Remember that a successful negotiation is not the same as grinding the opponent into the ground. No one should leave a negotiation angry; you never know when you might have to negotiate with the same people again.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Do you have a home lingering on the market? MSN Real Estate recently polled real estate professionals to find some of the most common reasons why some properties won’t sell, besides trying to overcome a poor location.
Here are four common reasons listings don’t sell in a timely manner, according to the MSN survey:
Closet Connected to Bathroom at Park Place
Unreasonable price: “It’s always price for condition or price for location,” says Kathy Opperman, a broker-owner with Century 21 Alliance in Philadelphia. “That’s one of the main reasons [homes] sit.” Some sellers are just unrealistic about what their house can truly fetch, or they may be underwater and just unable to lower their price tag. “In my market, the only reason a property would stay on the market for longer than three months would be that the price is too high,” Ron Redfern, a real estate professional from Greeley, Colo., told MSN Real Estate. “Price will overcome any objection.”
Bad decor: Loud patterns, bold colors, and dated decor styles can distract home buyers. For example, agents say that mirrored walls, cheap wood paneling, and 1970s kitchens can be turn-offs. To try to appeal to the widest buying pool, agents advise clients to stay neutral with their design, give buyers a “minimalist canvas” for them to project their own tastes on.
Awkward floor plan or missing necessities: Strange or dated floorplans may also make a home linger, such as older homes where you have to walk through a bedroom to get to a second bedroom, MSN Real Estate notes. One home in Catskill, N.Y., has lingered on the market for more than four years because it’s missing a driveway.
Awful photos: If your listing has yet to sell, you may want to revisit the photos you're using to present it on the MLS. For example, one Chicago listing showed dirty clothes and clutter in the photo, which may prompt buyers to question the hygiene of the rest of the home, as well as assume it has a lack of storage. Be choosy about the photos you upload to the MLS, and remember that less can be more, Opperman says. Have photos showcase the best rooms and features of the home. "If a buyer isn't excited about a home after seeing it online, they won't want to see it in person," Opperman says.
If you're planning to sell your home, Nesbitt Realty can help. Our Realtors are familiar with the real estate market in {Location_Name}. A Realtor can determine the best listing price for your property. We know how to market your home to get the best price as quickly as possibly. Nesbitt Realty knows how the home selling process works, so we are ready to assist you every step of the way. Nesbitt Realty has access to the MRIS (our local multiple listing service). MRIS is the MLS database that agents use to find homes for sale in the area. Our agent will add your property to it. Working with a Realtor will make the home selling process run smoothly and much simpler than if you attempt to do it on your own.
Learn more about selling your 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…
