Buying a Home in Northern Virginia with Nesbitt Realty: A Step-by-Step Guide

Purchasing a home is a significant milestone in one’s life, especially in the vibrant and diverse region of Northern Virginia. Partnering with a Realtor from Nesbitt Realty can streamline this complex process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the journey of buying your dream home in Northern Virginia.Generated by DALL·E

1. Set Your Goals and Priorities

Before diving into the housing market, it’s crucial to define what you’re looking for. Determine your budget, which should be a balance between your financial capability and your needs. Consider the location, keeping in mind factors like commute, schools, and community amenities. Decide on the size of the home and list down any must-have features, whether it’s a backyard, a certain number of bedrooms, or proximity to public transportation.

2. Research and Choose a Realtor from Nesbitt Realty

The next step is selecting a skilled Realtor. Nesbitt Realty boasts professionals well-versed in Northern Virginia’s real estate market. Look for an agent with a proven track record and experience in the areas you’re interested in. A good Realtor can provide invaluable guidance and insights that go beyond just finding a property.

3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Obtaining pre-approval for a mortgage early in the process is beneficial. It gives you a clear picture of your budget and demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious and prepared buyer. Work with trusted financial institutions and consider different mortgage options to find one that best suits your financial situation.

4. Start Your Home Search

With your Realtor’s assistance, begin searching for homes that align with your criteria. Utilize online tools and your Realtor’s network to discover listings. Schedule viewings and open houses to get a real feel for the properties.

5. Make an Offer

When you find the right home, it’s time to make an offer. Your Realtor will be instrumental in this phase, helping you determine a competitive but fair offer based on current market conditions and comparable sales in the area. They will also guide you through the negotiation process.

6. Home Inspection and Appraisal

After your offer is accepted, a professional home inspection is crucial. This step ensures the property is in good condition and identifies any potential issues. An appraisal is also necessary to confirm the home’s value meets or exceeds the purchase price, a requirement for most mortgage lenders.

7. Finalize the Mortgage

Work closely with your lender to complete the mortgage process. This stage involves submitting necessary documentation, finalizing loan terms, and understanding all financial aspects of your mortgage. Your Realtor can help clarify any real estate-specific details.

8. Close the Deal

Finally, the closing process involves signing a myriad of legal documents, paying closing costs, and officially taking ownership of your new home. Your Realtor will guide you through this process, ensuring everything is in order and you understand all the paperwork.

Conclusion

Buying a home in Northern Virginia with the assistance of a Nesbitt Realty Realtor can be a smoother and more efficient experience. By following these steps and leveraging the expertise of a professional, you can confidently navigate the complexities of the real estate market and find a home that meets your needs and dreams. Welcome to your new home in Northern Virginia!

3 Things That First-Time Buyers In Arlington Should Know About Home Inspection

If you are a newbie buyer, a home inspection can seem like a terrifying process: What if your dream home in Arlington has some major issues hidden beneath that shiny fresh coat of paint? But there is no need to panic just yet. Here are three important things that you need to know about home inspection and how it can protect you from a really bad deal.
home inspector
A home inspector
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Closing Costs When Buying A Home

Closing costs are often the last thing a person thinks of when buying a home. While closing is the joyous moment the home becomes yours, the costs can be surprisingly aggravating. When you purchase a home, condo or other property, you will go through a period known as escrow. During escrow, various issues related to the property transfer are worked out. The last day of escrow is known as the closing day and you are going to be paying closing costs. Closing costs come in many forms. Some involve significant dollars while others are relatively painless. Here’s a list of typical costs: Continue reading

Buying a home in Alexandria VA

Alexandria VA
Market Square at City Hall
Buying a home in Alexandria VA can be one of the best feelings in the world. Nothing beats that feeling of security and satisfaction when you open the door to a new home and are happy with your purchase of your own residence. The question is, how can you best ensure that feeling is going to happen? There are a lot of pitfalls in the real estate world and naturally you want to be able to avoid them and end up with a great home. Here are some great tips on how to streamline your home purchase and keep those little headaches from cropping up. Continue reading

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score: 1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.Credit Cards photo credit: Andres Rueda photo credit: Andres Rueda 2. How much you owe. If youowe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits. 3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years. 4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly. 5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example. For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

Properties in Braddock District

**Open House Thursday 3/28 5-7pm ** Saturday 12-4pm ** Sunday 1-3PM** Welcome to your new home! This beautifully updated rambler is move in ready.

7714 Elgar St

With over 0.3 acres inside the beltway, this private lot and home features an abundance of updates throughout. As you enter the home, the fully renovated kitchen will wow you with the oversized island, stainless steel appliances, beverage fridge, and many cabinets, several of which include built in lighting. The 2022 kitchen remodel included the process of removing the original fireplace in the main living area and opening up the space to include a large dining area. As you continue to walk through the home, the light filled living room provides a perfect space to overlook the large, private and fully fenced backyard. To the side of the living room is a space that would be a great office or could be used as an additional bedroom. The family room, to the side of the kitchen, is cozy and a great area to curl up and relax in. The 3 bedrooms at 7714 Elgar are tucked away at the other side of the home, providing some serenity and space to escape. The additional room that is adjoining the bedrooms provides an opportune flex space for additional storage, office or a space to create a walk in closet. Additional upgrades at 7714 Elgar Street include a new roof (2019), dual HVAC systems (2021), bathrooms (2021/2), electrical replaced (2016), patio (2020). Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! [North Springfield - $650,000]

You clients will fall in love with this well-maintained home in in a wonderful neighborhood.

8126 Briar Creek Dr

Conveniently located minutes to all commuter roads 495, 395, 66, and 50! Short drive to Dun Loring metro or the Mosaic District with plenty of options for food and entertainment. Home features 5 well sized bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Laundry is both upstairs and down. Downstairs living room with bar and fireplace great for entertaining. Good sized lot with plenty of trees and bushes. Extra storage rooms in the basement and large patio. Seller prefers as is clause and no repairs. Expected on Market Date 3/28. Open House scheduled for Saturday 3/30 from 1-3pm. [Chapel Square - $839,900]

Beautifully renovated two level Townhouse Condo with large fenced rear yard and shed.

8111 Kingsway Ct #262

Highly Desirable West Springfield. Brand new kitchen with granite and new appliances, also new washer dryer updated HVAC system brand new fully renovated bath. Brand new flooring throughout, fresh paint throughout whole house. Lots of Natural Light on main level. Large Sliding glass doors look out on to patio area that is fully fenced and private, also includes large storage shed Wonderful Community with easy access to commuter routes and shopping and restaurants and Recreation facilities. Act fast because this one won't last very long. [Cardinal Forest - $349,900]

Welcome to 4304 Argonne Dr.

4304 Argonne Dr

, a charming home with great potential in Fairfax. This as-is property boasts good bones and is fully liveable, offering the perfect canvas for your personal touch and creative vision. The home features hardwood floors on the main and upper levels. The spacious backyard provides ample space for relaxing and entertaining. Conveniently located in Rutherford and in the Woodson pyramid, this property offers easy access to Rutherford Park, Rutherford Area Swim Club, downtown Fairfax and 495. With a little TLC, this home has the potential to shine as a comfortable and inviting space for its new owners. OFFERS DUE MONDAY, APRIL 1 AT 12 NOON. [Rutherford - $715,000]

*Open Houses: 4-6 PM Thursday, March 28, 4-6 PM Friday, March 29, 1-3 PM Saturday, March 30, 1-4 PM Sunday, March 31* Lovely Lake Braddock colonial in a private cul-de-sac … the promise of this home is everything! Beautifully landscaped appeal from curb welcomes one into this 5 bedroom 2.

5208 Wenlock Way

5 bath 3 level home with attached garage! The rooms in the main level are wonderfully multi-functional so you can have your formal living and dining rooms or convert the space to your home office because you know you will want to use the eat-in kitchen and family room and above all that delightful, bright and airy sunroom to truly relax and share meals and entertain! From this space the eye is further drawn to that charming back yard for more al fresco dining and fun to enjoy the verdant and wooded view soon to explode with spring time colors and blooms! The upper level with five bedrooms and 2 full baths provide comfortable space for all and once again multi-functional rooms to work or study as well. Head on down to the brand new finished space in the lower level, with brand new walls and luxury vinyl tiled flooring for movie viewing or cardio/strength training or good old fashioned fun and relaxation. No shortage of space for storage in this level as well. Located in the Lake Braddock community which has tons of amenities, a private 27-acre lake exclusive to residents, fishing and boating, pools, playgrounds, soccer field, walking trails, tennis, and pickleball courts. Very convenient to the VRE Express train and bus service to and from Washington DC and Pentagon and will have direct access to Braddock Road, Little River Turnpike, I-495, I-395, I-95. This home has been well loved and is so full of wonderful memories … time to make it yours and make your own! [Lake Braddock - $835,000]

**OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY 3/28 4-6PM, FRIDAY 3/29 4-6PM & SATURDAY 3/30 FROM 12-2PM- JUST STOP BY!!** Welcome!! Step into this inviting home that features 5 bedrooms, 2.

5524 Eastbourne Dr

5 bathrooms, fully updated with luxurious flooring and exquisite finishes throughout. The main level boasts a spacious family room, a versatile office/bedroom with large walk-in closet, half bathroom, utility room, and a brand new professionally designed kitchen with Alan & Roth soft-close cabinets, upgraded quartz countertops, new Samsung stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, and a full counter to cabinet backsplash! Step outside onto the covered patio - perfect for family gatherings, or simply to enjoy the beautiful weather. Upstairs, discover the primary suite with an abundance of natural lighting, and a fully remodeled primary bathroom featuring Alan & Roth double sink vanity, quartz countertops, and large walk-in shower. Three additional great size bedrooms, fully renovated hallway bathroom, and an additional living room/family room that leads to a large back patio & private yard. This home comes with numerous upgrades including a new roof, gutters with covers, energy-efficient windows, sliding patio doors with built-in blinds, a new front door with entry lock deadbolt, and all new interior doors. Enjoy the newly refinished hardwood floors, LVP flooring on the first level, and all new renovated bathrooms. Additional highlights include new ceiling fans, interior light fixtures, DECORA switches and receptacles, fresh paint, and a newly sodded backyard and side area. Located in Springfield, this home offers a convenient & quiet location with access to a variety of amenities, including shopping centers, dining options, and recreational facilities. Easy Pedestrian Access to Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Close to Rolling Road VRE, Metrobus Stop with Service Direct to Pentagon, Close to I-495, Braddock Road, FFX Parkway - A Commuters Dream!! Don’t miss out on this beautiful home! [Kings Park - $849,900]

Welcome home to the Cardinal Forest Community! This lovely first level 2 bed 1 bath unit has amazing contemporary upgrades and so many custom-built ins.

5900-L Queenston St #L-503

Upon entry you'll see a cozy living space open to the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is equipped with newer stainless steel appliances and beautiful customized countertops as well as customized cabinets, shelving, and pull out pantry. The kitchen/dining area also offers a rolling kitchen island, customized solid wood built in breakfast nook, and gorgeous built in wine rack! New 2022 Stacked washer and dryer are in the generously sized walk-in closet! The unit has a newer HVAC and Water Heater. The community is very pet friendly, and you will have your own private walk out patio leading into the courtyard with a peaceful wooded view. One assigned parking spaces conveys(#503) and plenty of unassigned guest parking as well. So much is included in the monthly condo fee: gas, water, sewer, trash, snow removal, building maintenance, 2 Community Pools, 2 saunas, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, party room and storage available to rent, and 4 playgrounds! Convenient location here with dining and shopping close by, grocery store and other retail available! Ideal location for commuting- I-395, I-95, I-495. If you like the outdoors, Fairfax County Parkway is close in proximity and there’s even a path to Lake Accotink! Gorgeous neighborhood and community, you don’t want to miss this opportunity! [Cardinal Forest - $330,000]

Property conveys AS-IS.

4645 Holly Ave

Great investment opportunities! Property situated on a private 1acre lot & backing to trees. This 3 BR/3BA home is ready for you! 2 finished levels & 1842 sq ft of living space. Huge yard & shed. Surrounded by new customer homes, this home can be expanded as well to make it your dream home. Property conveniently located near the Fairfax County Government Center, Fair Oaks Mall, Costco, Lowes, Walmart, Wegmans, Fairfax Corner, & more. [Glen Alden - $879,000]

Large 1348 SQFT Condo, with elevator access and private garage! Near commuter routes.

11506 Sperrin Cir #80

Two living areas each with its own gas fireplace. Eat in table space. Both sliding glass door off the dining area and single door entry from the living room to the balcony. Family room off the kitchen. Kitchen with stainless steel appliance and a pantry for ample storage. Primary bedroom with walk in closet. Luxury bath has tons of storage. All closets have custom organizers to maximize space. Storage units available for rent in building. Garage entry near elevator for easy access up to the unit. Must see!! Tenant occupied. Tenant would like to stay if investor buyer agrees. Occupancy date: May 15th, 2024, maybe sooner if current tenant finds a place to move to. [Courts At Wescott Ridge - $462,500]

*Open Houses: 1-3 PM Saturday, March 30.

4001 Taylor Dr

* A must see New Build Luxury Home by Palladium Homes Featuring 6 Rooms and 5 full baths! An amazing gourmet kitchen with Thor appliances.. Beautiful quartz countertops with island sink and main apron sink make food prep a breeze. A butlers pantry with a built in wine cooler adds additional counter space for drink and cocktails. Enjoy breakfast in the natural light from the morning room or relax near the gas fireplace in the 2 story great room. Main level offers a room with full bathroom, perfect for guests, parents, or au pair. Beautiful hardwood floors, a separate dining room , office, powder room and mudroom with builtin storage completes the main level. Take the stairs to the upper level as you pass the beautiful chandelier, pause and look out from the mezzanine down to the great room or continue on to the Spacious Primary Suite featuring shadowboxing accents, Coffered ceiling, sitting area and a wall of windows. Huge Primary Bathroom with dual sink vanity, roomy shower, and free standing tub. Capacious walk-in closets conceals a private "hidden" room perfect for an office, work-out, or hobby space. Upper level touts 3 additional rooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a convenient laundry room. You'll find a theater room prewired for 11 speakers in the lower level, 2 more bedrooms, 1 full bath, and walk-out access. This Amazing Luxury home also features High speed internet wired rooms, 2 zone heating and cooling Carrier HVAC systems. Main level and lower level one zone, upper level 2nd zone. Gas heating, Fiberglass front door, PVC outside trim, 25 yr shingles, LT Smart Siding, Covered Porch, Stone Walkway, Storm drain system, and more. [Lee Meadows - $1,849,888]

Simple Steps to Buy a Home

Will Nesbitt sits in the consultation room
Will Nesbitt in the consultation room
I'm going to buy a home, what's the process?
  1. Go to your bank or lending institution to obtain pre-approval.  As part of this you will discover what amount it is willing to lend.  This is important both to know your budget and to ensure that your offers are accepted.  Failure to pre-approve can ruin your chances for success later.
  2. Sit down with a Realtor to see what's available, what meets your needs, and to discover the hidden dangers in home buying.
  3. Once you have found a property you wish to buy you can proceed with an offer.  Your Realtor will provide invaluable assistance by performing a competitive market analysis, a snapshot of recent home sales and their amounts, to determine what will make an offer that gets you the best possible price, without having the seller walk away.
  4. The seller reviews the offer; if it is rejected, the seller may make a counteroffer.  This process can continue back and forth until both parties ratify and accept the offer making the offer a ratified contract.
  5. A ratified contract then puts into motion a host of background tasks that proceed invisibly to ensure your new home is in good order:
    1. Home inspected for condition, damage and hidden surprises
    2. Appraisal to ensure the banks investment is covered by the value of the home
    3. Loan approval to secure funds for the purchase of your home
    4. Title Search to ensure the seller really has full right to sell your home
    5. Walk-through inspection to ensure nothing changes at the last minute with the property
  6. At settlement the lender's money and the title transfer come together to deliver you ownership of your new home.
  7. Now it's time to move in!
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.

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What to Know About Credit Scores

In preparation for buying a home, it's a good idea to understand credit scores. Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
  • Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card bills on time? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also affect your history.
  • How much you owe and where. If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, spreading debt among several accounts can help you avoid approaching the maximum on any individual credit line.
  • The length of your credit history. In general, the longer an account has been open, the better.
  • How much new credit you have. New credit—whether in the form of installment plans or new credit cards—is considered more risky, even if you pay down the debt promptly.
  • The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit—such as installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage.

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Contact us to get a free no obligation list of similar properties or to be notified when properties become available with your criteria.


7 Reasons to Own A Home

  1. Tax benefits. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home.
  2. Appreciation. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.  The recent housing crisis has caused some to question the long-term value of real estate, but even in the most recent 10 years, which included quite a few very bad years for housing, values are still up 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 10 to15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
  3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
  4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
  5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-rate mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will likely increase.
  6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.
  7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community. It also offers children the benefit of educational and social continuity.

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