Remember that there is no right time to buy a house in Arlington
If you want to find your perfect home in Arlington now, don’t risk losing it while you’re trying to figure out where the housing market and interest rates are going. Such factors don’t change fast enough to influence change in the price of an individual home in Arlington.
Don’t waste time by asking for too many opinions.
Buying a home in Arlington or anywhere else is a big decision. It is natural to want reassurance before making such a huge step. However, too many ideas from too many people will only make it much harder for you to make a decision. Save time by focusing on the needs and wants of the people who will actually be living in that home in Arlington.
Accept that there is no perfect house.
You may find a home in a perfect location in Arlington, but the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. By making a list of the things that are the most important to you, you will be able to disregard those that are simply not worth focusing on. Also, accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will most likely pass with time.
You don’t need to be a killer negotiator.
Negotiating is great and it is definitely a part of the real estate process. You want to get the best bargain price possible for your Arlington home. However, don't overdo it by trying to get an extra-low price or by refusing to budge. This may work against you and cost you the home in Arlington that you loved.
Remember that your home in Arlington doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
You may find the perfect house in Arlington. But, don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself that you forget about important issues. Things such as noise level, access to amenities, and other aspects that have a great impact on the quality of life in Arlington, should always be on your mind.
Always plan ahead.
Don’t wait until you’ve found your perfect home in Arlington, to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance, or consider a moving schedule. When you are well prepared, your bid will become more attractive to sellers.
Choose a home that you love in Arlington; then think about appreciation.
A home in Arlington will always be a great investment. However, it should also be a comfortable and safe place to live in.
kitchen in Huntington duplex
We аll wаnt tо find оur drеаm hоmе аnd wе thіnk іt іѕ easy. However, аftеr dоіng thе ѕеаrсh bу оurѕеlvеѕ, we ѕlоwlу bесоmе fruѕtrаtеd аnd tіrеd. When this hарреnѕ, wе ѕеttlе fоr ѕоmеthіng less. Finding thе rіght home fоr uѕ ѕhоuld nоt bе that difficult. Thеrе are simple wауѕ tо find them. First, wе need tо set criteria. Aftеr thаt, we lооk for іt ѕуѕtеmаtісаllу whіlе соnѕіdеrіng thе іmроrtаnt factors іn сhооѕіng a hоuѕе.
Sеttіng thе criteria
In order tо fіnd the right hоmе fоr уоu, уоu ѕhоuld knоw whаt уоu are lооkіng for. Fіrѕt, whаt dо уоu need? If уоu have сhіldrеn, you nееd your home tо bе child frіеndlу. It ѕhоuld nоt have ѕhаrр edges. Thеrе ѕhоuld bе mіnіmаl glаѕѕеѕ as wеll. The еnvіrоnmеnt оf thе hоuѕе ѕhоuld bе ѕаfе fоr the kids. If уоu аrе someone whо works аt hоmе, уоu nееd a ԛuіеt рlасе fоr your hоmе оffісе. It ѕhоuld bе реасеful so thаt уоu саn concentrate оn thе thіngѕ you nееd tо do.
Aftеr lіѕtіng уоur needs, уоu can ѕtаrt соntеmрlаtіng on whаt you want. Dо уоu lоvе tо cook? If уоu do, уоu mіght wаnt to hаvе a nісе аnd ѕрасіоuѕ kіtсhеn. Yоu рrоbаblу wаnt a wоndеrful gаrdеn оr a pool аѕ wеll. Lіѕt thе luxury уоu wаnt tо еnjоу at home and dесіdе whісh of thеm іѕ іmроrtаnt tо уоu.
Finding уоur іdеаl hоmеThe condos at Midtown Alexandria Station are located at the Huntington Metro Station.
It іѕ еаѕу tо fіnd thе home оnсе you hаvе identified whаt уоu nееd and wаnt. First, it wоuld bе best tо hаvе a real еѕtаtе аgеnt. An agent is a bіg help. Hе hаѕ access tо thе MLS аnd саn present уоu hоmеѕ thаt meet уоur сrіtеrіа. Addіtіоnаllу, hе саn gіvе you hоnеѕt оріnіоnѕ about thе real еѕtаtе рrосеѕѕеѕ. Hоwеvеr, it іѕ аlѕо роѕѕіblе tо find уоur іdеаl hоmе оn уоur оwn. Cоnѕіdеr these ѕtерѕ to hеlр уоu оut.
Whаt іѕ your budgеt? It is іmроrtаnt that уоu knоw how muсh уоu саn аffоrd. Go tо уоur lеndеr first аnd check hоw muсh уоu will bе able tо bоrrоw. It is important thаt уоu knоw thе price range оf thе рrореrtу уоu can аffоrd as it can bе vеrу dіѕарроіntіng to fіnd уоur drеаm hоmе, only tо find оut thаt you саnnоt afford іt.
Where dо уоu want to lіvе? Lосаtіоn іѕ vеrу important, whісh is why you hаvе tо decide where you wаnt tо lіvе first. If уоu wаnt tо stay in a сеrtаіn community, drive аrоund thе different nеіghbоrhооdѕ. Yоu саn аlѕо dо a rеѕеаrсh оnlіnе.
Onсе уоu hаvе dесіdеd where уоu want tо lіvе, ѕtаrt looking fоr thе property that fіtѕ your criteria. There are several sites оnlіnе thаt уоu can visit. Yоu саn tуре іt іn ѕеаrсh еngіnеѕ. Include thе сіtу аnd ѕtаtе where уоu wаnt to live whеn ѕеаrсhіng tо hаvе more соmрrеhеnѕіvе rеѕultѕ.
Stone cottage with porch and dormers
Looking fоr a hоmе ѕhоuld nоt bе dіffісult аѕ lоng аѕ уоu knоw what you want. Bеfоrе уоu jumр into уоur саr аnd drіvе аrоund thе vаrіоuѕ nеіghbоrhооdѕ, ѕресіfу уоur needs and wants fіrѕt. Yоu саn also visit online sites. Dоіng this wіll save you tіmе аnd mоnеу.
Not all real estate practitioners are enthusiastic about the effectiveness of open houses, but here are five good reasons to consider holding one:
Julie sold another!
The odds are low but sometimes open houses lead to a sale.
Home sellers like them. They like seeing their real estate professional working hard for them.
Visitor feedback is good for sellers.
Other real estate practitioners tour open houses and they sometimes produce sales.
Open houses engage people, including friends and neighbors who might bring in a buyer.
Source: Inman News, Mary Umberger (02/17/2010)
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…
The best deals on homes are often on properties that aren’t perfect, but how do you spot a home with potential? These are the 5 factors we've found:
Home shoppers looking for a great deal should keep these factors in mind when they are looking for a place with potential:
Location, location, location. You can fix a home's condition, but you can never change it's location..
Less than 50 years old. Properties older than a half century are likely to have more fundamental problems — like aging wiring, inadequate plumbing and sagging foundations. But when examining a home take care to note the difference between a home's actual age and it's age since it was refurbished or renewed. You may find that a home in Old Town Alexandria which was built in the 19th Century is "newer" than a home built in 1990 in Kingstowne.
Livable floor plan. Paint and carpet are relatively cheap, but moving walls can quickly get expensive.
Light. Houses with the most potential have plenty of natural light.
Good storage. Adding storage isn’t cheap, so it’s smart to choose a property that already has it.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.
Nesbitt Realty helps first-time home-buyers realize their home-buying dreams.
Insurance is usually the last thing people worry about when they are buying a new home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, that's a mistake, because it will be an expense a buyer will have as long as they own the property.
Here are some key issues that the institute urges every buyer to consider:
What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems? Older and poorly maintained systems cost more to insure.
How far is the home from the fire department? A location close to the station usually means lower insurance costs.
Does the property meet current building codes? Up-to-date properties are safer and also cheaper to insure.
What about wind damage? If insurance against windstorms is required, is private insurance available or will the buyer have to rely on a state-run program? If there a windstorm deductible, how high is it?
Is the home vulnerable to flooding? Floods aren’t covered under a standard homeowner policy, although most major insurers will provide it through the National Flood Insurance program. How much the insurance costs depends on where the property is. More information is available at FloodSmart.gov.
Is there earthquake risk? Earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.
“Using a real estate agent is a very good idea,” says the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "All the details involved in home buying [and selling], particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier."
Selecting the right professional is the key to a successful real estate transaction. Better than working with a simple real estate agent, you’ll want the services of a Realtor®.
What’s the Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor?
More than two million people have earned real estate licenses but only a small percentage of these are Realtors. Realtors are members in good standing of the National Association of Realtors, their state association of Realtors and a local real estate board. Realtors are held to high standards of ethical behavior and must undergo continuing education annually to remain accredited.
All agents of Nesbitt Realty are Realtors!
What Does a Realtor Do?
Realtors in {Location_Name} are required by law to:
perform necessary and customary acts to assist in the purchase or sale of real estate.
perform these acts in good faith and with reasonable care.
properly account for money or other property placed in his or her care.
disclose “adverse material facts” which are, or should be, within the agent’s knowledge.
Realtors can help buyers pre-qualify for mortgages and keep abreast of the latest home listings. They can assist sellers in preparing their homes and screening potential buyers. They can show investors the properties that fit their risk profiles and long-term investment strategies.
Nesbitt Realty in {Location_Name} can quickly locate the perfect home for you, or sell your home in the shortest possible time frame. Our agents can efficiently organize and coordinate meetings with potential buyers and sellers.
A Nesbitt Realty Realtor will be well acquainted with the important things you'll want to know about the neighborhood you may be considering:
the quality of schools,
the safety of the community,
traffic volume,
price,
Metro accessibility
nearby parks and attractions
Our agents have immediate access to homes as soon as they are put on the market, saving you hours of wasted drive-around time. When you’re ready to make an offer on a house, our Realtor will help structure the deal to save you money. He or she will explain the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages and guide you through the mounds of paperwork.
When it comes to selling your home, a Realtor will save you time and aggravation. Their commission will vary depending on your location. Realtors pay for all advertising, schedule all open houses and make sure potential buyers are qualified. The money they can save you is often more than the cost of their commissions.
These neighborhoods have that special mixture of luxurious homes with a desirable location. Many of these neighborhoods are served by the area's best public schools.
Arcturus -- Along the Potomac River near George Washington Parkway
It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transaction. Ask what type of agency relationship your agent has with you:
Seller's representative (also known as a listing agent or seller's agent)
A seller's agent is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a listing contract.
Buyer's representative (also known as a buyer’s agent)
A buyer’s agent is hired by prospective buyers to represent them in a real estate transaction. The buyer's rep works in the buyer's best interest throughout the transaction and owes fiduciary duties to the buyer. The buyer can pay the licensee directly through a negotiated fee, or the buyer's rep may be paid by the seller or through a commission split with the seller’s agent.
Subagent
A subagent owes the same fiduciary duties to the agent's customer as the agent does. Subagency usually arises when a cooperating sales associate from another brokerage, who is not the buyer’s agent, shows property to a buyer. In such a case, the subagent works with the buyer as a customer but owes fiduciary duties to the listing broker and the seller. Although a subagent cannot assist the buyer in any way that would be detrimental to the seller, a buyer-customer can expect to be treated honestly by the subagent. It is important that subagents fully explain their duties to buyers.
Disclosed dual agent
Dual agency is a relationship in which the brokerage firm represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real
estate transaction. Dual agency relationships do not carry with them all of the traditional fiduciary duties to clients. Instead, dual agents owe limited fiduciary duties. Because of the potential for conflicts of interest in a dual-agency relationship, it's vital that all parties give their informed consent. In many states, this consent must be in writing. Disclosed dual agency, in which both the buyer and the seller are told that the agent is representing both of them, is legal in most states.
Designated agent (also called appointed agent)
This is a brokerage practice that allows the managing broker to designate which licensees in the brokerage will act as an agent of the seller and which will act as an agent of the buyer. Designated agency avoids the problem of creating a dual-agency relationship for licensees at the brokerage. The designated agents give their clients full representation, with all of the attendant fiduciary duties. The broker still has the responsibility of supervising both groups of licensees.
Nonagency relationship (called, among other things, a transaction broker or facilitator)
Some states permit a real estate licensee to have a type of nonagency relationship with a consumer. These relationships vary considerably from state to state, both as to the duties owed to the consumer and the name used to describe them. Very generally, the duties owed to the consumer in a nonagency relationship are less than the complete, traditional fiduciary duties of an agency relationship.
your Realtor Julie Nesbitt
A small survey of first-time home buyers found that more than half of the families were surprised at how expensive it was to own a home, even though 88 percent believed they had done a good estimate of the costs.
The study for BBVA Compass, a lender based in Alabama, concluded that most lenders don’t warn buyers that there will be costs beyond principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
Among those costs are utilities. The U.S. Department of Energy reported that the typical family spends $1,900 a year – $158 per month – on things like heat, air conditioning and power.
The National Association of Home Builders calculated that the typical buyer of a new home spends about $8,640 within the first 12 months for furnishings, appliances, and home repairs and fix-ups, while the typical buyer of a resale home spends $6,540. Many real estate owners also have to pay home owners association fees or condo fees. Lawn care expenses will arise through the warmer months and in Virginia, leaf removal is also an expense to consider. Finally all homes will require maintenance.
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…
Is a E M D asked for when the other party doesn 't believe the buyer is serious? Also if I refuse to put down a earnest money deposit do I risk ending negotiations for the property?
City Park Homes in Falls Church 22043
A buyer should always ask his or her own agent questions like this. If you don't trust your agent to give you the right answer you probably have the wrong agent. When you question your agent's judgement you can always ask for an explanation from the agent's broker. That said, what follows is not a specific answer to your specific situation, but some general advice about EMD's.
EMD stands for earnest money deposit. Earnest money deposit literally means money that you've deposited to show you are earnest. Nearly every real estate offer these days will include some amount of earnest money to show that the buyer is serious. Offers without any earnest money generally mean that the buyer lacks the capacity to actually make the purchase or that the buyer doesn't want to risk any money in the transaction.
Nobody likes risk. So what is the risk of putting up an earnest money deposit. An EMD check is in practice often not cashed if the offer is not accepted. An EMD check is usually only cashed when the buyer and seller agree to terms and price. Once that check is cashed it is deposited into an escrow account. That means that the money is NOT in the broker's bank account. That money is in a separate account that does not comingle with the brokerage's funds. Once the money is in that account the money generally only comes out one of four ways:
When the transaction closes. When the sale happens the money is applied to the buyer's expenses and/or down payment.
When a judge gives the money to someone. If the sale doesn't happen and parties cannot agree who to give the money to, a judge will decide who deserves the money.
When both parties agree to distribute the money. Both parties must agree who to give how much money to.
When a sale is canceled. There are many reasons a sale might not happen. Sometimes the buyer can't get financing. Sometimes the home won't appraise. Sometimes buyers and sellers mutually agree to cancel the sale. When that happens the money is returned to the buyer.
So where is the risk? If the buyer acts fraudulently or negligently the EMD is put at risk. That means that if the buyer lies or attempts to defraud the seller then the sale won't happen and the money might be forfeit to the seller or the brokerages involved. This doesn't mean the seller can just take your money if he thinks you've lied. The seller can't take that money. But a judge can take the money and give it to the seller. And the buyer and seller can negotiate to give some or all of the money to the seller.
The Purpose of Earnest Money
High-rise condominium
When a seller accepts a buyer's offer, the seller takes some risk. The seller takes some risk because when the property is under contract, he cannot sell the property to other buyers who might be interested. In other words, if the seller agrees to a price with some joker who is just playing around and who won't buy the house, the seller might miss out on someone who really wants to buy the house. So sellers want to know that if they are risking something then the buyer is risking something.
How much the buyer is willing to risk is usually a good indication of how solid the deal is. We usually advise our buyers to put down 1% of the purchase price as escrow money, but some buyers put down more . . . sometimes much more. The bare minimum you'll see in most contracts in Northern Virginia is $500 to $1000. Offers with those minimal amounts are rarely accepted, or get a counter offer asking for more earnest money. Very rarely the lower EMD is accepted when the buyer is a veteran using a VA loan, because a VA loan might be more then 100% of the purchase price.
A buyer who puts up a larger EMD is saying to the seller, "I am rock solid. If you accept this deal, you will sell your house." It sort of like when you buy a car and you pull out the cash and show it to the seller. Then the seller knows you are serious. A buyer who puts up a smaller EMD is saying to the seller, "I don't have that much money on hand. I don't want to risk much money because I might not be able to hold up my end of the bargain."
How to get your EMD back.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Northern Virginia.
Are you selling a home this Spring? You might want to consider these tips to improve the value of your home by improving the value of your bathroom. Potential buyers may walk away if bathrooms are outdated and unappealing. Here are some low-cost ways to give the facilities a facelift:
Scrub-a-dub-dub. Give everything, including drawers and cabinets, a deep cleaning.
Paint the walls. Remove aging wallpaper and paint the space with a bright semi-gloss shade made for use in the bathroom.
Replace aging fixtures. Put a tub liner over the old tub and update sinks, toilets, and faucets.
Accessorize. Buy fresh, new linens, rugs, and shower curtains.
5 Sure Signs That Its Time To Sell Your Home
When should I sell my home? This is not always the easiest question to answer. A lot of people don't plan on living in their first, second, or even third home forever, but still knowing when to let go and move on can be tricky. It can feel like ending a long term relationship, it's…
6 Budget Tips For Staging A House To Sell In Arlington
If you are trying to land a great deal for your property in Arlington, then you can't afford to overlook home staging. You'll want to hold a terrific open house- one that leaves the attendees entranced. And the good thing is, you can do that without having to break the bank.
original kitchen at Montebello
One of the biggest questions every condo buyer and home buyer has to ask is, "How much work am I willing to take on?"
Some folks want a turnkey residence. Some folks want a residence that has brand new modern appliances and cabinets. Some people want appliances and cabinets that have never been used.
Some people don't mind an older kitchen. Some people like the feel of a kitchen that was put in long ago.
Others like an older kitchen because they like the idea of ripping out the old and putting in the new. It can be very gratify---not to mention financially rewarding---to completely remake a residence. As a homeowner, or condo owner, you are the ultimate authority. It is your domain to decide what will stay and what must go. This can be a lot of fun.
Brand new kitchen at the Eclipse
But, remodeling can be a lot of work. Living through the dust and the inconvenience can be a hassle. If you don't know where to turn to, it can also be very expensive. But no matter how you personally resolve the issue, it's important to consider before you actually start shopping.
Kitchen at Huntington Club
Some kitchens need a little TLC.
Kitchen
Traditional touches add a colonial feel to this kitchen at River Towers
The best deals on homes are often on properties that aren’t perfect, but how do you spot a home with potential? These are the 5 factors we've found:
Home shoppers looking for a great deal should keep these factors in mind when they are looking for a place with potential:
Do you need a house for your ride? Use this search to find your perfect home with a garage.
Are you seeking a water-view or waterfront home? Try our map search below.
Looking for a bargain? You might find one in the foreclosures.
Condo shoppers might want to check out these resources:
