More Taxes for Sellers to Pay

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Nesbitt Realty is licensed in Virginia.
Virginia House Bill 2313 which recently was approved by the Virginia General Assembly. Among other provisions, each designed to facilitate statewide transportation funding, the Virginia Grantor's tax charged to all Sellers of real property will increase from $1 per thousand (in the greater of the sales price or assessed value) to $3.50 per thousand. Consider this a pyrrhic victory, as the original proposal called for an increase to $5 per thousand. Unlike a number of years, this Bill will not be struck down as unconstitutional. This change will take effect July 1, 2013, and should be factored into your seller's net sheets for all transactions sent to record on or after that date.
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8 Steps to Selling Your Home

Sean
Advice from Northern Virginia's littlest agent.
  1. Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move or a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your Nesbitt Realty real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.  Continue reading

What’s the Best Day of Week and Month to List?

Friday is the best day of the week to sell a home. Homes listed on Friday sell for 99.1 percent of their original asking price, a higher percentage than homes listed on any other day of the week, according to a study by real estate broker Redfin, which analyzed more than 500,000 home listings and sales records. The best month to sell? April, according to the analysis. Homes sold in April tended to sell closer to their asking price. In April, homes were found to sell for a 99.2 percent sale price-to-list ratio, compared to a 97.3 percent ratio of homes listed in December. Springtime is still a good time to sell for a higher price and also in the fastest time too, according to the study. Homes tended to sell within 90 days of being listed during March through June, according to the study. Redfin also found that pricing the home competitively from its debut is critical because that’s when it’ll receive the most traffic. During the first week a listing debuts on the market, it receives nearly four times more visits on real estate Web sites than it will a month later. Number of sold homes in Alexandria Source: Redfin

Who will you choose to sell your condo?

serving condo owners, sellers and buyers in Northern VA
Nothern Virginia Condo Experts
It should be obvious, but start by choosing a selling agent that cares about you and your condominium. The agent you choose should also understand the benefits and challenges of the condominium lifestyle. An agent who has never lived in a condo or owned property in a condo might not appreciate the benefits of life without guttering, lawn care or exterior maintenance issues. Your Condo Alexandria agent knows how a condo community functions and just how great it is to own a condominium. A Condo Alexandria agent understands why some units are more than others. A Condo Alexandria agent can help others understand what a great view you have or how nice it is to be close to the parking lot. Each condo has it's own benefits. We find your unit's benefits and make it obvious so that seller who want your condominium can find it.
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10 Projects to Improve the Value of Your Home That Don’t Break Your Budget

This is the 15th year that Remodeling magazine has released the Cost vs. Value Report. The purpose of this report is to compare the cost of an improvement versus the value the improvement will likely add to the sale of your home. If you're thinking of selling this year, take a look at this list and see what might best benefit your home and family. This year’s survey included more than 3,900 appraisers, sales agents, and brokers across the country who provided their opinions and estimates.

Top 10 Midrange Projects

1. Entry Door Replacement (steel) Job Cost: $1,137 Resale Value: $974
brick house
Comfortable brick home with enclosed porch and dormers
Cost Recouped: 85.6 percent 2. Deck Addition (wood) Job Cost: $9,327 Resale Value: $7,213 Cost Recouped: 77.3 percent 3. Garage Door Replacement Job Cost: $1,496 Resale Value: $1,132 Cost Recouped: 75.7 percent 4. Minor Kitchen Remodel Job Cost: $18,527 Resale Value: $13,977 Cost Recouped: 75.4 percent 5. Window Replacement (wood) Job Cost: $10,708 Resale Value: $7,852 Cost Recouped: 73.3 percent (tie) 6. Attic Bedroom Addition Job Cost: $47,919 Resale Value: $34,916 Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent (tie) 6. Siding Replacement (vinyl) Job Cost: $11,192 Resale Value: $8,154 Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent 7. Window Replacement (vinyl) Job Cost: $9,770 Resale Value: $6,961 Cost Recouped: 71.2 percent 8. Basement Remodel Job Cost: $61,303 Resale Value: $43,095 Cost Recouped: 70.3 percent 9. Major Kitchen Remodel Job Cost: $53,931
kitchen
Here's a kitchen where we managed a very cheap kitchen refurbish.
Resale Value: $37,139 Cost Recouped: 68.9 percent 10. Deck Addition (composite) Job Cost: $15,084 Resale Value: $10,184 Cost Recouped: 67.5 percent

Turnberry Tower condominiums are ranked number one

Turnberry Tower is currently the number one, top selling condominium in the DC area for the second consecutive year in a row. The units here have extravagant floor plans including private elevator entry and 9-11 ft. covered ceilings. The floor to ceiling glass walls and the expansive balconies provide sweeping views. Turnberry Towers features the ultimate 24 hour concierge, valet, and security services. Inside there is a fitness center, a indoor swimming pool, a theater / screening room, a social room, and a cafe.   South Florida based developer Turnberry, Ltd., one of the county's leading real estate development firms, created this ultra luxurious 26 story tower. It is located in Arlington County's emerging downtown just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown. The residences here are all constructed with the finest material and an unparalleled attention to detail including: Snaidero Italian cabinetry, exotic granite countertops, Miele European cooking appliances, Sub-zero refrigeration, classic marble baths, jacuzzi hydrotherapy tubs, Dornbracht plumbing and Valli & Valli door lock sets are just a few of the standard amenities that await Turnberry Tower residences.  
Turnberry
Turnberry Tower illuminating high class luxury living
 

Avoid Sellers’ Worst Mistakes

Homes in Belmont Bay
Homes in Belmont Bay
In a buyer’s market, sellers have little room for error when putting their home on the market or they risk having their property linger. Sellers should take caution to avoid the following common traps, according to a recent article at MSNBC.com.
  1. Overpricing the home. Home values have dropped considerably since its peak in 2006, but sellers still are often tempted to list a home based on what they paid for it. Eventually they realize their error and have to reduce their price, sometimes several times. In the past month, 23 percent of homes listed for sale on Zillow have reduced their price.
  2. Relying too much on just comps. Size up your competition currently on the market, not just the homes that have already sold. Evaluate homes with a listing price similar to yours to see how well yours stacks up against the competitions and how you can differentiate.
  3. Failing to take into account the home’s web appeal. Photos are key when marketing a home online. Be sure to include lots of high-resolution photos of the interior, including of the areas in a home that buyers most care about, such as kitchen, living spaces, and bathrooms, experts say.
  4. Hovering during showings. Sellers certainly shouldn’t be home for showings, but as a seller’s agent, either should you. Lurking sellers or seller agents may make buyers nervous. Other real estate agents often want privacy with their buyers so they can gather true feedback about the house.
Source: “Six Common Mistakes That Home Sellers Make,” MSNBC.com (April 11, 2011)

Survey: Sellers Fare Better With Agents

Sellers have a better chance at getting their house sold by using a REALTOR® than opting for the do-it-yourself approach, according to a survey of 1,000 home owners by HomeGain.com, an online real estate resource. Nearly 60 percent of home owners who used a REALTOR® to sell their home were successful compared to 39 percent of FSBOs, the survey found. In the survey, 83 percent of home owners said they used a REALTOR® to sell their home, whereas 17 percent said they tried to sell it themselves. This corresponds to results from NAR's 2010 Profile of Buyers & Sellers, which found 88 percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent. (Additionally, 83 percent of buyers bought their home through an agent.) “It is especially striking that home owners fare significantly better in selling their homes using a REALTOR® than selling on their own,” says Louis Cammarosano, general manager at HomeGain. “Due to that relative success, the level of satisfaction in the home selling process is also higher for home sellers utilizing the services of a REALTOR® than those who try to sell their homes on their own.” Among the findings in its For Sale by Owner vs. REALTOR® survey:
  • 88 percent of home owners who sold their homes using a REALTOR® said they would use a REALTOR® again.
  • 24 percent of FSBOs eventually contacted a REALTOR® to help sell their home.
Source: “HomeGain Survey Finds Home Sellers Fare 50% Better in Getting Their Homes Sold Using a REALTOR® Than Selling on Their Own,” HomeGain.com (Feb. 24, 2011)

Sell my home now!

It's easy to sell property. The hard part is selling real estate now. When there are more sellers than buyers, properties still sell. Staging your home is important, but not so important as some might lead you to believe. Advertising your property is critical and brochures can be beneficial. Ultimately, the most important factor is to get the home in the MLS and to price the home properly. If a home is priced too high, few potential buyers will even see your house. After the home has sat on the market for a long time, buyers will expect a price drop even if the price has already dropped! For this reason it's important to price your home at a point where it will attract attention. In a tough market like the services of a good Realtor are needed more than ever. Your agent should be a hard worker who has the temperament to guide you through the process. You agent should be your advocate, actively negotiating your best deal. Sometimes this means getting top dollar. But sometimes this means know what to trade-off to get what you really want from a deal.

Selling your home quickly.

Here are a few quick tips to sell your house quickly.
  • Choose a selling agent that cares about you and your situation.
  • Price it right. Price is the biggest differentiator in a tight market. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.
  • Put your house in order. Your property should be ready for the market before you begin showing it.
  • Be flexible about showings. Home selling is often disruptive to daily life. And it's a lot of work to have your house ready to show on the spur of the moment. But prospects that can't see your house won't buy your house. The more often your home is shown the greater your chances of selling the property.
  • Be ready for all offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. Don't take offense at a ludicrous offer. Respond with a counter-offer to keep the ball moving.
In addition, Will Nesbitt has devised unique strategies to overcome the buyer's market and to sell your home quickly. Ask him how he can save you money and sell your home quickly at the same time!

Net Proceeds

To find out how much money you’ll net from your house, add up your closing costs and subtract them from the sale price of the house.
Closing Costs for Sellers Mortgage payoff and outstanding interest Prorations for real estate taxes Prorations for utility bills, condo dues, and other items paid in arrears Closing fees charged by closing specialist Title policy fees Home inspections Attorney’s fees Survey charge Transfer tax or other government registration fees Brokerage commission Total

2011’s Strongest and Weakest Markets

Masonic Temple
Carlye Towers looking toward Masonic Memorial in Alexandria VA
Home prices are expected to rise in 40 percent of major metropolitan areas, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions, a research firm that provides information to the mortgage industry. The markets Veros expects to be strongest are: 1. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, Calif. 2. Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, Wash. 3. Pittsburgh 4. Fargo, N.D. 5. Washington, D.C. metro area The five markets Veros expects to be weakest are: 1. Reno/Sparks, Nev. 2. Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla. 3. Boise City/Nampa, Idaho 4. Deltona/Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach, Fla. 5. Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce, Fla. Source: HousingWire.com, Kerry Curry (12/22/2010)
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