The Latest Market Trends in Northern Virginia

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We’ve compiled some statistics about November’s market. I saw some interesting trends on this report I’d like to share with you today.

Inventory decreased by 25%. We had around 10,800 listings at the end of October. A month later, the MLA only had an inventory of 8,000.

There’s less competition among sellers. Home values increased 1.5%. Your home has the opportunity to be seen by more people. It also has the potential to sell quicker and for top dollar. Plus, a lot of sellers remove their homes for the holidays, which gives you a seasonal advantage.

There are amazing rates for buyers. It’s an opportune time to act on your decision to buy a home while rates are historically low.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, please reach out to me today by phone or email! I’d be happy to discuss your real estate needs.

Tips for Holiday Decorating on a Budget

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The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
2. Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
3. Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

How to Sell Your Home in a Shifting Northern Virginia Market

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Today, we'll offer advice on preparing your home for sale during a market shift. While the number of homes on the market decreases, it can take quite some time to sell your property. That's why we employ the 3P2F marketing technique.

The 3 Ps stand for plants, paint, and pictures. Plants add curb appeal. Make sure the trees and the bushes are trimmed and the grass is cut. You never have a second chance at a first impression, so you need to pay attention to your curb appeal. As for paint, make updates to both the interior and exterior of your home. Painting is the most cost effective way to transform a space. The third P stands for pictures. Go through your home and remove any personal photographs from the walls or shelves. Intimate family portraits can distract prospective buyers from the house itself.

The 2 Fs stand for fixtures and furnishings. If you have an older home, you may have a gold finish on doorknobs or light fixtures. Brushing up on old fixtures will transform and modernize your home. When it comes to furniture, be sure your home is staged properly. Organize some pieces in storage and rearrange others to maximize space within your home.

Our 3P2F marketing technique will help sell your home anytime, even in a shifting market. If you have any questions for us, please give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Are You Struggling with Your Credit Score?

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A lot of people always ask me how their credit score is calculated, so today I'm going to briefly explain it.

About 30% of your score comes from your available credit, 10% of the score is based on the number of inquiries for your credit, 10% is the type of credit you have, 35% is based on your payment history, and 15% of your score is the length of history with your credit.

As you can see, the majority of your score is based off your payment history and your current credit, so focus on improving those areas before anything else. It's extremely important to have a good credit score in our local market, especially when it heats up.

As a buyer, you need to do everything possible to stand out to a seller, and having a great credit score will give you a competitive advantage over other buyers.

If you have questions or want more information on how you can improve your credit score, please don't hesitate to contact me!

I look forward to hearing from you!

What Trends Are We Seeing in Northern Virginia?

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Today we are here in Kingstowne to discuss the current market trends we are seeing in Northern Virginia.

Right now in Kingstowne, we are seeing market levels increasing. Inventory is the highest it has been in the last 5 years, and pending contracts are decreasing. Earlier in the year, we had more of a seller’s market, but now things are starting to level out a little bit. 

So we aren’t in a buyer’s or seller’s market, but there are opportunities to be had out there for all. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I’d be glad to help you out!