7 Shortcuts to Internet Home Buying in Northern Virginia

Will Nesbitt, Principal Broker
Will Nesbitt, Principal Broker
Searching for a home is becoming easier every day with more access to web sites across the country Realtor.com is the king of real estate listings. There are real estate company sites such as nesbittrealty.com where you can access the local affiliates and all their listings in Northern Virginia. Or a little back door play is to go to the state board of realtors where they list all the local realtor boards and the local MLS sites. 1.nesbittrealty.com – The number 1 real estate web site. Has easy access to its real estate listings around the world. The “maps”  "coverage areas" "find your perfect home" "just listed" "featured properties" website allows you to enter in your criteria and will notify you of any updates or new listing you can select to have the emails sent daily or weekly. Nesbitt Realty's system is state of the art in high tech features when you request information on any of their listings your request goes one stop and then directly to the agent’s phone who listed the home. During normal business hours you should get a return call within minutes with all the up to date information directly from the listing agent. No other real estate company or lead source has anything that approaches this system.Continue reading

What is the MRIS?

The MRIS in a Few Words The Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS), which was founded in 1993, is one of the nation's largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems.  The MRIS is respected for its customer service and powerful data base.
Mount Vernon manor
Nesbitt Realty serves Mount Vernon VA
The MRIS also routinely keeps up with a changing market with their growing portfolio of technical solutions and software, including apps, designed to assist the broker and agent in their pursuit for excellence. The MRIS serves more than 46,000 real estate professionals and has over 69,000 listing that are active today. The MRIS provides our local MLS.  What is an MLS?

8 Reasons Why Buying a Home or Condo is Good for You

The mareket is heating up and now is a great time to buy. And, what's more, tomorrow will be a great time to own, because the fundamental strength of homeownership hasn't changed.
Julie
Julie can help you with all your real estate needs.
Here are 10 reasons:
  1. You can get a good deal. Prices are as low as they are going to get for a while. And prices are at a level that makes sense for people's income.
  2. Mortgages are cheap. At 3.75% on average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, your costs to own are down.
  3. You can save on taxes. When you add up the deductions for mortgage interest and others, the cost of owning can drop below renting for a comparable place.
  4. Your money is not wasted on rent. The one benefit to owning that never changes is that you can paint your walls orange if you want (generally speaking; there might be some community restrictions). How many landlords will let you do that?
  5. You can get a better home. In some markets, it's simply the case that the nicest places are for-sale homes and condos.
  6. Home buying offers some inflation protection. Historically, appreciation over time outpaces inflation.
  7. It's risk capital. If the economy picks up, you stand to benefit from that, even if you're goal is just to have a nice place to live.
  8. It's forced savings. A part of your payment each month goes to equity.
There are few purchases in life that carry the financial and psychological weight of buying a home. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing your home and your life after the kids have gone, it is important to understand the ground rules for success in the world of buying a home in {Location_Name}. Making the wrong decision in buying a home can have devastating and long lasting effects, while making a wise decision in home buying can greatly enhance the overall value of the investment in {Location_Name}. It is necessary to learn all you can about the world of home buying and mortgages before setting out to purchase the home of your dreams. While there are plenty of web sites designed to help first time homeowners learn all they can, most financial experts say that there is no substitute for the good old one-on-one learning. Fortunately, Nesbitt Realty can provide this kind of one-on-one learning. [learn more about buying real estate]   For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.
Husband and wife discuss Real Estate at the office
Husband and wife discuss Real Estate at the office
Alexandria real estate agents
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Alexandria

Why Hire Nesbitt Realty as Your Property Manager?

Relocation

Are you leaving the area, but not quite ready to part with your Clarendon townhome? Are you active duty military, with upcoming orders for assignment in Germany? Regardless of your circumstances, property management is a great way of safely and effectively renting out your property. You could use your rental property income to put towards the mortgage, if you haven’t paid it off yet.
Realtor Stuart Nesbitt chats with a handyman
Realtor Stuart Nesbitt chats with a handyman
 

Separation between Clients

Tenants and landlords each have their own wishes that they each want met (e.g. timely rent payments, proper repairs / maintenance, thorough unit inspections, etc.) Having a property manager can make this process a walk in the park, especially for the landlord. Without a property management service, there is the potential to have quarrels over issues, which can lead to undesirable leeway being extended (i.e. late payment). For example, what if your tenant would like to paint the walls? Will you let them smooth talk you and guilt trip you into having it their way? Nesbitt Realty can enforce your rules and keep a diplomatic barrier between both parties.

Legality

Nesbitt Realty can file all of the legal paperwork (e.g. lease, pets addendum, lead based paint disclosure, etc.) involved with renting out your property. This documentation can provide a great preventative safety measure for the landlord, in case of a breach of terms. Nesbitt Realty has several NVAR licensed Realtors who can put your property into the MLS (multiple listing service) and thus reach a much larger audience, than say, using craigslist.  

Reliability and Accountability

Whether we like it or not, sometimes homes need maintenance and sometimes they need maintenance at the worst of tim es (e.g. the dead of winter, early Sunday morning, in the hot and humid summer, etc.) Nesbitt Realty has top notch accountability with handling maintenance issues – from sinks needing snaking, to hardwood floors needing updating, to lost keys needing replacing. If you need to get a hold of the Nesbit Realty, you can call and either a.) Get a hold of someone or b.) Get a call back from someone in a very timely manner. Not everyone has this level of reliability and accountability.

Market Knowledge

Outside political and economic forces can seriously affect the market conditions in the area. CMA’s (competitive market analysis) can help estimate what you can charge for you rental. On the other hand, Zillow estimates, can be very distorted and misleading. Additionally, Nesbitt Realty’s Principal Broker, Will Nesbitt, keeps a very up to date informed eye on the trends affecting the area. This can help to create an appropriate price to get your place rented quickly, preceding a harsh rental market.

Investment Properties

Readying for Spring
Readying for Spring
Some smart people are aware of the fact that you can use your money to make more money. One way to do this is to buy choice properties, when the conditions are right. Will Nesbitt regularly surveys listings all throughout the Northern Virginia area, to find these assets for clients. Also, the combination of his experience with the vast array of properties, combined with his moral ethical outlook for your best interest, leads to a good partnership for everyone involved.

Properties in Focus

     

Selling your condo? Don’t forget the basics.

Use a Realtor

When it comes to selling your condo, it is always a good idea to enlist in the help of a Realtor. With the help of a Realtor, you will be able to reach a broader number of potential buyers through the MLS. A good Realtor will help to make sure all of the paperwork is in proper order for the sale to be complete. A Condo Alexandria Realtor specializes in condos and understands the benefits of condo living.

Make a list, sell it twice.

Make a list of the benefits of your condo. What makes your condo special? Why did you buy this condo? Where is the Metro? What's so great about your location? What are your favorite nearby restaurants and attractions? What do you love about your condo? What are the amenities at your condominium association? List all the benefits of your condo. Then, share that list with your realtor. Post it on your refrigerator. Make sure everyone who visits your home knows why it's a good buy.

Market your condo!

If your condo is for sale by owner, you'll need to prepare a marketing campaign. Start with the list you created above. Put this on index cards that you can post in offices, grocery stores and anywhere that a buyer might see your ad. Bold lettering that says,

Walk to Metro!

Close to museums?

Amenities galore!

Your Condo Alexandria Realtor will handle marketing the property. Although you can attempt to do this on your own, you could also cut your own hair, change your own oil and do your own dental work. Sometimes, it just makes sense to hand things over to a professional A Realtor usually has marketing experience and knows what works. So your realtor will be able to create more effective marketing methods and will be able to reach a larger number of potential buyers.

Work your network.

Once you have decided to sell your condo, it's time to spread the word. The goal is to sell your condo in a short period of time at the price you are asking for. So, tell your neighbors, friends, and family that the condo is for sale. Let your Facebook buddies know. Don't keep your condo a secret, even if you have a Realtor helping you out. These days every little beit helps! Condos are special. When you sell a condo, you're not just selling a bedroom and kitchen, you're selling a lifestyle. The people who are attracted to your condo are people who don't want the benefits of home ownership without the aggravation of maintaining a yard or other problems that are commonly associated with home ownership.

Properties in Clarendon

 
Will Nesbitt About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

70 Percent Say Buying Now is Good

A survey by Fannie Mae shows that 70 percent of Americans believe it is a good time to buy a home. Fannie-Mae That is up from 64 percent in January 2010. Still, 33 percent–up from 30 percent in January–say they’ll rent next time around. About 67 percent believe housing is a safe investment, down from 83 percent of people questioned in a similar survey in 2003. Source: Reuters News (09/16/2010)
Arlington Realtors
For real estate in Arlington VA contact Nesbitt Realty

Major League Sports Venues for Locals in the Northern Virginia Area

Are you thinking of moving to Northern Virginia? You might be wondering what you do after you move into your new home.  Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County are part of the Washington DC area, and this area provides a whole host of Major League Sports Venues for all types of sports fans in the area. Check out what this great area has to offer below! The Washington Redskins Established in 1937, the Washington Redskins are a professional American football team based in Washington D.C. that plays for the National Football League (NFL). The Washington Redskins play at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The team's headquarters and training facility are at the Redskin Park in Ashburn, a community in Loudoun County, Virginia, near the Dulles International Airport. The Redskins have won five professional American football championships including two NFL Championships and three Super Bowls.   The Washington Wizards Established in 1961, the Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. and were previously known as Washington Bullets until 1995. The Washington Wizards play for the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the team plays at the Verizon Center located on 7th Street in downtown Washington D.C.   The Washington Capitals Established in 1974, the Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. and are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Washington Capitals play at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C.'s Chinatown neighborhood on 7th Street. Since their founding in 1974, the Caps have won their division title five times and the conference championship once.   D.C. United Established in 1995, D.C. United is an American professional soccer club located in Washington, D.C. that plays for Major League Soccer (MLS). The team's home field is at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK), owned by the District of Columbia and located near the Anacostia River.   The Washington Nationals Based in Washington D.C. since 2005 as a replacement for earlier teams which had moved to Minnesota and Texas, the Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. and are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball (MLB). The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium, also occupied by D.C. United. The new park is located in Southeast D.C. near the Anacostia River. No matter where you buy a home in Northern Virginia or D.C., the area has plenty to see and do for any and all sports fans alike! If you want to learn more about buying real estate in Northern Virginia contact us at 703 765 0300.

Listings of homes and condos for sale in Northern Virginia

Are you searching for real property in Northern Virginia? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Condos
Condo Alexandria is Northern VA's condo expert
Condo-Alexandria.com is the official site of Nesbitt Realty . Our real estate agents provide this site to help educate and assist home buyers with their real estate needs. Please don't hesitate to take advantage of our  comprehensive real estate guides, real estate news, mortgage calculators, links to real estate market conditions, and wisdom from our team of skilled realtors. If you’re in the market for homes for sale or if  you're seeking a condo in Northern Virginia, Condo-Alexandria.com is the real estate website for you. Condo-Alexandria.com puts real estate listings for thousands of homes and condos for sale at your fingertips in communities across Northern Virginia. We provide focused hyperlocal information taken about communities and condo associations right here in Northern VA. We also provide listings from one of the largest MLS providers in the country. Our listings from the Multiple Regional Information System can access every single home listed for sale or rent in Northern Virgina. We are realtors and real estate agents that care about hour clients need and we believe in sharing (not hording) information.  As such, Condo-Alexandria provides the means to search by map, by community, by mls or just browse by text listings. We even provide a page where you can find condo listings and homes for rent. So whether you’re looking for Alexandria VA real estate or detailed Arlington real estate listings, look no further than Condo-Alexandria.com. Each real estate listing provides comprehensive details about the property so you have a clear picture of what features and amenities are included. Condo-Alexandria.com goes beyond real estate listings, however, with access to real estate tools and resources such as calculators, moving guides, real estate buying tips. Our site doesn't provide information for everyone.  We cater to folks who are interested in Northern Virgina, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City and Kingstowne. If you are moving to Northern VA, Condo-Alexandria.com provides you with everything you need to find the perfect home for you.
Nesbitt Realty
Nesbitt Realty sells homes in Northern VA