Buyer Strategies
Painting your home’s interior as preparation for selling? Check out this tool.
March 7th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
If you are starting to get your Northern Virginia home ready to put on the market, this is a tool that may be helpful.
A little paint can go a long way toward refreshing a home’s appearance. It is one relatively cost effective way to add curb appeal
But it is a challenge to imaging how the room will look with any particular color. This is also true if you are a home buyer and are wondering how a certain color would look in your new home.
If you are in either situation, or just getting ready to do some painting on your current home because it needs to be done, there is a very helpful tool at the Better Homes and Gardens website that you should know about. You can apply various color combinations to get a sense of what the room would look like with your new color.
This could save you a lot of time and regret.
Using the Color This! product suite does require a basic registration process. But it’s worth the few seconds it will take. Exteriors and window treatments are included. This helpful tool will take some of the guess work out of your project.
We can also take the guess work out of the current market value of your home, if you are painting in preparation for selling. Visit our Market Snapshot tool and find out what homes in your Northern Virginia community have actually sold for, or just Contact Us for a quick read on the market value of your own home. We are always here for you!
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Getting Up-To-Date Mortgage Rate Information
February 23rd, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers who are on the lookout for the best interest rate, may have noticed some of last week’s hesdlines proclaiming that mortgage rates were down 0.04 percent, on average, since the week prior.
Other headlines proclaimed the same thing:
- US Mortgage Rates Drop For 2nd Straight Week (Reuters)
- Mortgage Rates On 30-year US Loans Fall To 4.93% (Business Week)
- 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate Falls Farther Below 5% (Marketwatch)
The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), has been collecting are reporting mortgage rate data for nearly 40 years.
But here is the point: mortgage rates are far too dynamic and fluid to expect that even good data from the PMMS will let you know when and where you will get the best mortgage rate.
Remember to, as we have discussed on Chantilly Radio when we talk about mortgage issues, that the interest rate you are getting is not the only consideration to evaluate when you are mortgage shopping.
When you are on the lookout for the right time to “pull the trigger,” the best person to give you up to the moment information is a mortgage officer you trust.
Stay in contact with them because things can change hour-to-hour, if not minute-to-minute.
As always, if you need a few references, I can always give you the names of several reputable mortgage professionals. Let me know if this would help.
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Outer Banks Investor Video Series: Rental Investment Property vs Full-time Living
February 5th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Outer Banks Focus
If you have ever thought about investing in property in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but did not know where to begin, this video series on the communities of the Outer Banks is a good place to start.
In this third video of the series we focus on buying Outer Banks property as a rental investment vs. buying an Outer Banks home for full-time living.
If you missed either of the previous videos we invite you to visit our Outer Banks Focus section and check them out.
What are the common mis-perceptions buyers have about buying a home with an eye toward living in the property at a later time? In this episode we tackle that scenario.
The Kathy O’Neal Team of REMAX Premier in Fairfax and our Outer Banks strategic partner, Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty, have put together a video series just for investors, and second home buyers, as well as those interested in full-time living in the Outer Banks.
Don’t miss this insightful introduction to investing…and living…in OBX.
And if you have not yet listened to our 6 part series on “Investing in the Outer Banks” on Chantilly Radio, do take the time to listen to each show. We will take you through frequently asked questions about the OBX real estate market and give you answers that you definitely need to know before you begin the process of finding the OBX property that is right for you.
By the way, if you live in the Northern Virginia area and have a special interest in the Outer Banks, you have an established team that will help you get what you need. Just let us know!
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What home buyers and home sellers should know about roofing – Part 3
February 1st, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 32 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
We continue our series on roof repair and replacement for home buyers and sellers in the Chantilly, Centreville, or Northern Virginia area.
In this series on Chantilly Radio we interview veteran Home Inspection professional, Reggie Marston.
If you are a buyer, you will want to have a basic understand of what you should be concerned about. Likewise, as a seller, you will want to know what roofing issues are important for the effective sale of your home.
Reggie is inspecting homes every day, and his insights can help you avoid loss and make more informed judgments about potentially costly roof repairs.
In this episode we focus on what sellers should consider before they put their property on the market. What is the one thing most buyers will be very concerned about? When are the services of a roofing contractor needed? What common sense preventative steps can you take as a seller to help ensure your roof won’t be a Home Inspection issue?
If you plan on buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, check out this series (Part 1 and Part 2). It may save you time and money.
By the way, if a home buy or sell is in your future, and you are wondering about the selling prices of other homes in your neighborhood or community, by all means take advantage of our Market Snapshot.
It will give you immediate access to actual selling prices. Any questions or comments, just contact us anytime!
Download this episode (right click and save)
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Relocating or living in Fairfax County Area? Know about “Visit Fairfax!”
January 30th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life
Here at the Kathy O’Neal Team, as I work with home buyers who are relocating from other areas, the question always comes up, “What should I know about living here in the Northern Virginia area?” Real estate issues come up first of course, but close behind is the desire to know about the community and quality of life issues that everyone is concerned about.
If you are moving into the area, there is a wonderful resource that I want you to know about. Even, or should I say especially, if you already live in the Fairfax and Loudoun area, you will definitely want to know about Fairfax County’s official destination organization, “Visit Fairfax.” When it comes to giving you fast and comprehensive information on cultural and community related activities, and describing what an amazing place we call home, nobody does it better.
We often get immune to the attractions and charms of our immediate environment, but if you check out the Visit Fairfax website you will get a quick reawakening on just how special it is to live in this part of the world. There is an unending set of attractions, shows, historical sites, and community happenings to enjoy. Check the Events Calendar as well as the local community spotlights, for examples.
If you are relocating to Fairfax County or surrounding area, you will find relocation information on my other website, but don’t forget to check the Visit Fairfax Visitor Toolkit. It is an excellent resource to acquaint you with the wonders that are in our own backyard.
Providing leadership for Visit Fairfax, Barry Biggar (along with his dedicated staff) is always ready to talk about the thousand and one reasons anyone should either visit or relocate to Fairfax County. We hope to interview Barry on a future Chantilly Radio show, but until then check out their website and enjoy the many attractions that bring tourists from all over the world into our home turf.
By the way, if you are in or near Tyson’s Corner, and you’d like to see the “Visit Fairfax” Visitor Center pictured below, it is located inside Tyson’s Corner Center, on the second floor, just under the escalators up to the food court level.
As always, if you are moving into the Fairfax or Loudoun area, and need any real estate related information, just contact us and we will get you whatever you need.
"VISIT FAIRFAX" VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
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What home buyers and sellers should know about roofing – Part 2
January 25th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 31 -REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
We continue our series on what you need to know before getting your home’s roof repaired or replaced, for home buyers – and sellers – in the Chantilly, Centreville, or Northern Virginia area.
In this series on Chantilly Radio we interview veteran Home Inspection professional, Reggie Marston.
If you are a buyer, you will want to have a basic understand of what you should be concerned about. Likewise, as a seller, you will want to know what roofing issues are important for the effective sale of your home.
Reggie is inspecting homes every day, and his insights will help you avoid typical glitches and blindspots that can hurt both buyer and seller.
In this episode we discuss specifics on how to decide what level of quality you want, how to find a reputable contractor, how to get a good price, and what are the red flags to watch out for to help ensure you don’t get a vendor or a price that is not right for you.
If you plan on buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, check out this series. It may save you time and money.
By the way, if a home buy or sell is in your future, and you are wondering about the selling prices of other homes in your neighborhood or community, by all means take advantage of our Market Snapshot.
It will give you immediate access to actual selling prices. Any questions or comments, just contact us anytime!
Download this episode (right click and save)
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Outer Banks Investor Video Series: Corolla
January 20th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Outer Banks Focus
If you have ever thought about investing in property in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but did not know where to begin, this video series on the communities of the Outer Banks is a good place to start.
In this second video of the series we focus on the Outer Banks community of Corolla.
If you missed the first in the series on the Four Wheel Drive Area, we invite you to watch it as well.
The Kathy O’Neal Team of REMAX Premier in Fairfax and our Outer Banks strategic partner, Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty, have put together a video series just for investors, and second home buyers, as well as those interested in full-time living in the Outer Banks.
In the video series we’ll give you brief but informative highlights of what to be aware of regarding the distinctives of major OBX communities from top to bottom.
If you are considering investing in OBX property you probably have lots of questions. What are the investment options? What do I need to be aware of before looking at possible rental properties? How do the Outer Banks communities differ, and what is special about each one?
Don’t miss this insightful introduction to investing…and living…in OBX.
And if you have not yet listened to our 6 part series on “Investing in the Outer Banks” on Chantilly Radio, do take the time to listen to each show. We will take you through frequently asked questions about the OBX real estate market and give you answers that you definitely need to know before you begin the process of finding the OBX property that is right for you.
Have questions on any aspect of Outer Banks real estate? Let us know. We are here for you!
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What home buyers and sellers should know about roofing – Part 1
January 20th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 30 -REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
Home buyers – and sellers – in the Chantilly, Centreville, or Northern Virginia area know that the condition of the property’s roof is always an issue of concern.
In this series on Chantilly Radio we interview veteran Home Inspection professional, Reggie Marston to discuss what home buyers and sellers need to know about the condition of the property’s roof.
If you are a buyer, you will want to have a basic understand of what you should be concerned about. Likewise, as a seller, you will want to know what roofing issues are important for the effective sale of your home.
Reggie is inspecting homes every day, and his insights will help you avoid typical glitches and blindspots that can hurt both buyer and seller.
If you plan on buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, or even it you are not a home buyer or seller now, check out this series. It may save you time and money when the time does come.
By the way, if a home buy or sell is in your future, and you are wondering about the selling prices of other homes in your neighborhood or community, by all means take advantage of our Market Snapshot.
It will give you immediate access to actual selling prices. Any questions or comments, just contact us anytime!
Download this episode (right click and save)
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Real Estate in Chantilly and Centereville Area: Buy, Sell, or Wait?
January 18th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Real Estate Psychology, Seller Strategies
Working with buyers and sellers every day, I get a sense of the “mood on the street” that is not necessarily reflected in national statistics.
Here is a quick impression of what I have been seeing lately in working with Northern Virginia home owners and buyers, as well as those moving here from other areas.
I’d summarize the mood this way: “I am going to get on with my life!
After four plus years of non-stop bad news, people are tired of having their real estate life on hold.
Of course, reality is ever present, and some people have circumstances that simply prevent them from doing what they would like to do. Some things you can not, and should not ignore. No point in making a real estate move that will make your situation worse.
But “distress” is not the only reality that is out there. There are many buyers and sellers on solid financial ground. They have been watching the national drama, and trying to figure out when is the right time to do whatever it is they planned on doing, real estate wise.
So what point do I want to make from this? Let me offer a few ideas to any of our readers who may be thinking through a real estate decision.
First, make rationally-based decisions, not fear-based decisions. To me, this means not being overly optimistic or pessimistic. It means looking honestly at the key factors that are part of your decision.
Second, get really good professional advice. Never work with someone who you feel is trying to exert pressure on you to make their preferred real estate decision. I have made this point from time to time in this blog: choose a really outstanding real estate agent.
Third, if the finances add up for you, do remember that you are living through a time of special opportunity. At some future point, who knows when, the real estate market will be much different than it is today. Add just enough contrarian thinking to see beyond what the “crowd” sees.
And if you do happen to be looking for someone to help you make that next move, we invite you to watch a different kind of testimonial video…in the voice of our clients.
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Video: How to Select the Right Real Estate Agent
January 8th, 2010 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
If you are a home seller or home buyer in Northern Virginia, and you don’t already have an agent that you will work with, you have an important decision. You
will be very wise to engage in “due diligence” with this selection.
In my opinion, based on working in the industry for over twenty years now, this is one of your most important real estate decisions. Do this right and you are far more likely to have a good experience. Do it wrong and you may have consequences that will be emotionally and financially painful.
If you already have a person that has done a good job and served you well, work with them again. You know what they can do.
If you don’t have that trusted agent, and you will need to find someone, invest a little time watching this video.
Just go to our VIDEO CENTER, then scroll down to “The Right Real Estate Agent For You”
The video is not entertainment, and it is not a sales pitch. It is a set of easy to understand ideas that will enable you to be a very smart real estate consumer and make a choice that will help you get a top agent who is seasoned, professional, and capable of getting you to your desired goal.
Sure, we’d love for you to give us a call after you watch the video. But that is not the main objective. The objective is to help you get the best agent for you. And this video will definitely help you in that process. Once you learn these principles, you can use them for years, whenever you need to find a really first-class agent.
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