Archive for July, 2011
Pending Home Sales Up For 3rd Straight Month
July 31st, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Whenever I notice some positive news for Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers, I like to share it.
Here is an interesting fact that you may not have heard about.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the Pending Home Sales Index rose 2 percent last month to reach its highest level since March.
A “pending home sale” is a home under contract to sell, but not yet closed.
The forward-looking Pending Home Sales Index is up 11 percent from its low of the year.
Of course,these stats are not necessarily useful for Chantilly area home buyers. To get more locally helpful info the Pending Home Sales Index report includes a region-by-region breakdown.
Between May and June 2011, the results were uneven:
- Northeast Region: -0.4%
- Midwest Region : -3.7%
- South Region : +4.4%
- West Region : +6.4%
Even the regional data does not tell the full story.
For example, the West Region showed big gains in June, but it is comprised of multiple states containing thousands of cities and towns. Some areas did well, others did not.
It is the highly local data that matters.
And for that, we are always a resource to provide you with a clear sense of what is going on in the areas of Northern Virgina where you have an interest. Let us know how we can help. And by the way, we invite you to use our free MARKET SNAPSHOT tool to get a fix on actual selling prices of homes in your Northern Virginia neighborhood of interest.
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Keep Your Front-Loading Washing Machine Fresh
July 30th, 2011 categories: Home Life
Chantilly home owners with front-loading washing machines probably realize that they have several advantages in making this choice:
- They wash more clothes per cycle, helping lower energy costs.
- They use less water per cycle.
- They are easier on clothes, preserving color and fabric.
But they do require a bit more cleaning care. They can pool water in their drums, which creates complications like bacteria and mildew build-up, along with the odor that this creates.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the benefits and avoid the liabilities of front-loading machines.
First, use High efficiency detergent. The lower volume of suds from these detergents will mean less chemicals and other elements within the detergent to remain in the drum.
Second, about once weekly wipe the inside rim with a dry cloth. You typically will find a plastic tube where water settles.
Your unit may have a drain filter around the lower edge of the front of the machine. If it does, remove it so the water can drain.
Third, occasionally run a cycle with the machine empty, with only water and bleach. If the machine has a smell, this will help remove it.
You can also leave the front door open after you finish a wash load, to circulate fresh air and help the excess water to evaporate.
As always, we are here to serve Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers with our signature personal and state-of-the-art service. Let us know how we can help!
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With 3.7 Million Homes For Sale, Is Your Home Standing Out?
July 19th, 2011 categories: Seller Strategies
If you are considering putting your Chantilly home on the market, it is important to be aware that you are in competition with other home sellers.
Nationally, there are more than 3.7 million homes for sale this month. You can see home important it is to have your Northern Virginia home be presented in its best light.
This 4-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show, titled “5 Mistakes Sellers Can’t Afford To Make” has lots of practical advice to help your home show well.
In the current market, it really is critical to have an effective strategy to sell your home, and its appearance is one vital dimension of getting it sold for your best price.
Some of the insights include:
- Why you should list your home at a price within 5 percent of its “true value”
- How to respond to “low ball” offers
- How to select the right agent to sell your home (also…check our video on “How To Select The Right Real Estate Agent“)
There are also some terrific points about how to effectively use good images for your online marketing.
It can be tough to find buyers in any market, but if you follow the tips outlined above, you can get more showings, and do more with them.
If you do see the sale of your Northern Virginia home in the future, please know that we are here to support you in any way possible. Also, you can take advantage of MARKET SNAPSHOT to discover the actual selling prices of homes in your Northern Virginia neighborhood.
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Painting your home before you sell: Easy stain removal
July 15th, 2011 categories: Home Life
If you are getting your Chantilly home ready to sell, you may be considering doing some of your own painting.
If you have paint, tape, tarp and some brushes, you can do a lot.
Remember that some rooms call for a complete sand-down, and when that is the case, Rule #1 is that your walls must be stain-free before adding the next coat of paint.
You may have “industrial strength” stains, but most spots can be treated with a damp rag or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. For the big stuff, you’ll need something more.
For example, “grime” is the most common stain type . To remove ground-in dirt and oil, start with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket, then add 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
Rub in gently and follow-up with a clean water rinse.
Here are a few other very common problems and possible solutions:
- Permanent Marker : Blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow to air dry.
- Mildew : Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 4 cups of water. Spray and allow to air dry.
- Crayon : Dust a damp sponge with baking soda and scrub. Baby wipes are another option.
Also be aware of “water stains”; the result of a leak or something similar. Make sure the water source is corrected prior to painting. Then, to remove spots, mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, thoroughly rinse the stain, and use a hair dryer to dry the solution on the wall.
This preparation makes all the difference. If the walls are not well prepped, you can waste a lot of time and expense with a paint job that just does not look right.
If you are painting in order to sell you home, and you are considering what the current market will bring for your property, by all means take advantage of our free MARKET SNAPSHOT service for those living in the Northern Virginia area. And if you need any other insights or have questions regarding current market conditions in your Northern Virginia neighborhood, we invite your contact so that we can be of help.
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Where are the 25 Least Expensive U.S. Cities?
July 12th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life, Seller Strategies
If you are a Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home buyer, you know that our area in not the least expensive place to live.
But have you wondered where the least expensive cities are located? Turns out they are identified in a BusinessWeek article titled “The Cheapest 25 Cities In The U.S“.
The study analyzed costs across 340 urban areas as compiled by the Council of Community & Economic Research, and discovered that cities in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma ranked consistently high. Hawaii, as you might guess, was not at the low cost end.
Keep in mind that a low cost of living does not necessarily mean a high standard of living.
For example, Harlingen, Texas has a poverty rate nearly triple the national average.
There were other cities in the list that were similar in terms of poverty averages.
The Top 10 “cheapest cities”, as identified by BusinessWeek are:
- Harlingen, Texas
- Pueblo, Colorado
- Pryor Creek, Oklahoma
- McAllen, Texas
- Cookeville, Tennessee
- Commerce-Hunt County, Texas
- Brownsville, Texas
- Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Muskogee, Oklahoma
- Springfield, Illinois
And, at the other end of the spectrum, the top 5 most expensive cities/areas were, in order, Manhattan, New York; Brooklyn, New York; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, CA; and Queens, New York.
Manhattan’s cost of living comes in at twice the national average.
You can find the complete list at the BusinessWeek website.
And if you are home buying or home selling in the not so inexpensive Northern Virginia area, I can still help you get the best value in town. Most of our business is from repeat and referral clients and it is because we treat everyone with respect and totally focused care. Let me know how we can help you!
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Super Sharp Franklin Farm Home for Sale: 3300 Flintwood Court
July 10th, 2011 categories: Featured Listings
Searching for homes in the Herndon, Chantilly, or near-by areas?
If so, this exceptionally sharp Dartmouth model located at 3300 Flintwood Court in Herndon, Virginia (MLS #FX 7622389) is definitely worth a good look.
Super sharp Dartmouth model at 3300 Flintwood Court in Herndon VA - very impressive!
This is a home that gives you the immediate feeling of being in an exceptionally clean and well cared for property. It is spotless all the way around. There is a long list of nice features, and you can get a quick view by taking a Visual Tour, and then let us know if you would like more information.
If you have questions or want to see the home in person, just contact Kathy.
This home is a normal sale property…no foreclosure or short sale hassles. In the current market, this could make your home search much, much less stressful.
Price: $549,900
MLS#: FX 7622389
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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