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Month: December 2010

Nesbitt Realty & Property Management > About Nesbitt Realty > Updates > 2010 > December

Zipcodes of Northern VA

Sell my home now!

It’s easy to sell property. The hard part is selling real estate now. When there are more sellers than buyers, properties still sell. Staging your home is important, but not so important as some might lead you to believe. Advertising your property is critical and brochures can be beneficial. Ultimately, the most important factor is to get the home in the MLS and to price the home properly.

If a home is priced too high, few potential buyers will even see your house. After the home has sat on the market for a long time, buyers will expect a price drop even if the price has already dropped! For this reason it’s important to price your home at a point where it will attract attention.

In a tough market like the services of a good Realtor are needed more than ever. Your agent should be a hard worker who has the temperament to guide you through the process. You agent should be your advocate, actively negotiating your best deal. Sometimes this means getting top dollar. But sometimes this means know what to trade-off to get what you really want from a deal.

Selling your home quickly.

Here are a few quick tips to sell your house quickly.

  • Choose a selling agent that cares about you and your situation.
  • Price it right. Price is the biggest differentiator in a tight market. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.
  • Put your house in order. Your property should be ready for the market before you begin showing it.
  • Be flexible about showings. Home selling is often disruptive to daily life. And it’s a lot of work to have your house ready to show on the spur of the moment. But prospects that can’t see your house won’t buy your house. The more often your home is shown the greater your chances of selling the property.
  • Be ready for all offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. Don’t take offense at a ludicrous offer. Respond with a counter-offer to keep the ball moving.

In addition, Will Nesbitt has devised unique strategies to overcome the buyer’s market and to sell your home quickly. Ask him how he can save you money and sell your home quickly at the same time!

Net Proceeds

To find out how much money you’ll net from your house, add up your closing costs and subtract them from the sale price of the house.

Closing Costs for Sellers

Mortgage payoff and outstanding interest

Prorations for real estate taxes

Prorations for utility bills, condo dues, and other items paid in arrears

Closing fees charged by closing specialist

Title policy fees

Home inspections

Attorney’s fees

Survey charge

Transfer tax or other government registration fees

Brokerage commission

Total

2011’s Strongest and Weakest Markets

Masonic Temple
Carlye Towers looking toward Masonic Memorial in Alexandria VA

Home prices are expected to rise in 40 percent of major metropolitan areas, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions, a research firm that provides information to the mortgage industry.

The markets Veros expects to be strongest are:

1. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, Calif.
2. Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, Wash.
3. Pittsburgh
4. Fargo, N.D.
5. Washington, D.C. metro area

The five markets Veros expects to be weakest are:

1. Reno/Sparks, Nev.
2. Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.
3. Boise City/Nampa, Idaho
4. Deltona/Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach, Fla.
5. Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce, Fla.

Source: HousingWire.com, Kerry Curry (12/22/2010)

  • Inlet Cove is near Fort Belvoir and Potomac Mills

    Inlet Cove outside Belvoir
    Inlet Cove is alongside Route 1 This neighborhood of townhouses is near grocers and eateries Inlet Cove is close to Fort Belvoir, Alexandria, and Potomac Mills shops, in the city of Woodbridge Interior to these properties are multilevel Inlet Cove is serene

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  • Pending Home Sales on an Upswing

    home inspector
    Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.3 percent to 102.9 from 97.7 in February, and is 21.1…

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  • A Good Time to Buy a High-End Home

    Station Square
    Some of the best housing deals are on high-end homes, many over $1 million. Some of them need TLC or they aren’t in the most-coveted locations. But there are plenty of desirable properties and lots of sellers who are getting impatient. Buyers with cash have the best opportunities. Buyers who need a mortgage should move…

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  • Who is today’s homebuyer and why are they buying?

    Nesbitt Realty 703 765 0300
    The National Association of Realtors recently did a study about the characteristics of home buyers. Some of the findings might surprise you. Thirteen percent of buyers purchased a home with one or more parents and grandparents together with adult children. There were several reasons given for purchasing a multi-generational home. Cost savings; Children over the…

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  • Learn more about living in Alexandria VA.

    a chilly day in Old Town
    If you are considering buying or selling property, planning to relocate, looking for Alexandria homes for sale, Alexandria condos for sale or looking for any other information about real estate in Alexandria, or the surrounding areas, you have come to the right place.This complete Alexandria real estate resource for offers everything you will need: access…

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Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Serving the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport or BWI Airport is situated in Anne Arundel County and was ranked second for “Best Food and Beverage Program” in North America by Airports Council International of North America in 2010 and was named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2007, BWI was ranked as one of the ‘Top 10 Easiest U.S Airports to Get to’ by Aviation.com.

BWI Airport used to be Friendship International Airport, but when the State of Maryland purchased it from the City of Baltimore in 1972, upgrades and modernization were made for all Maryland airport facilities, the airport was renamed Baltimore Washington International Airport in 1973. In 1980, the BWI Rail Station was opened to provide a rail connection for passengers of the Northeast Corridor though Amtrak making BWI Airport the first airport in the U.S to be served by an intercity rail station.

With Southwest Airlines presence at the airport, more renovations and expansions went underway and a new facility was then opened on May 22, 2005. In October1, 2005 it was renamed Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

BWI houses 2 airline lounges operated by British Airways ‘British Airways Chesapeake Club Lounge’ available to passengers of all international concourse airlines and USO for United States Military personnel and their families.

BWI has also been a backdrop for several films such as ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘Goldfinger’ ‘Broadcast News’ and ‘Twelve Monkeys’.

Airlines at BWI:

  • Air Canada Jazz
  • AirTran Airways
  • American Airlines
  • American Eagle
  • British Airways
  • Cape Air
  • Continental Airlines
  • Continental Connection
  • Continental Express
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Delta Connection
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • US Airways
  • US Airways Express
  • USA3000 Airlines

The National Christmas Tree and The Pageant of Peace

The National Christmas Tree and the Washington Monument
The National Christmas Tree and the Washington Monument

The first national Christmas celebrations began in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson and over 20,000 visitors gathered together at the Capitol with a lighted community Christmas tree that began the national event.

In 1923, Vermont’s Middlebury College had presented the first official National Christmas Tree as a gift. It was decorated with 2,500 red, white and green lights and was lit by President Calvin Coolidge on the Eve of Christmas at President’s Park situated to the south of the White House also known as the Ellipse. Through the years, the National Christmas Tree had been relocated to several areas such as in 1923 when it was relocated to Sherman Plaza and to Lafayette Park years after, and was returned to the Ellipse in 1939.

On December 17, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower started the lighting of the National Christmas Tree for the Pageant of Peace, permitting more visitors to view the lighting and celebrating Christmas Eve at home with family.

From a single Christmas tree, the National Christmas Tree now is accompanied by 56 smaller Christmas trees representing each state, territory and the District of Columbia. The National Christmas Tree is lit with reflection of the current events such as when the lights were turned off for a moment in support of the American hostages in Lebanon and their families on Christmas Eve in 1985 as instructed by President George H. W. Bush, and the lighting in 2001, when the children of the September 11 attack victims of the Pentagon had assisted in the lighting.

An array of trees, such as the Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Engelmann Spruce and Red Cedar were constantly donated for the event till 1973, when the National Arborist Association then donated a 42 foot blue spruce intended as a permanent National Christmas Tree till it began to die and thus a 40 foot tall living Colorado blue spruce was donated from Maryland and served as the National Christmas Tree. Standard filament burning bulbs had long ago decorated the National Christmas, then Solar energy was then used in 1995 to light the tree, in 2007 energy efficient LED lights are now used as a reminder to everyone that energy can be saved to decrease carbon footprint.

Every year, the tree lighting ceremony begins the festivities of the National Christmas Tree program or “Pageant of Peace”, with re-known performers and a military band and a message of peace by the President dedicated to everyone worldwide. Entertainment and musical performances provided by volunteer choirs, bands and dancers are for free.

For the “Christmas Pathway of Peace”, the National Christmas Tree and its accompanying 56 smaller trees shall be lit every night at dusk till 11pm all through the 1st of January. While model trains surrounding the base of the National Christmas Tree are provided by the National Christmas Tree Railroad.

Are the ‘Burbs Still Worth It?

Some suburban neighborhoods are not as attractive as they once were because of changing demographics and rising poverty, according to research by the Brookings Institution.

“We’re seeing a radical transformation,” says Chris Leinberger, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and professor of real estate at the University of Michigan.

Before home buyers pick a neighborhood, here are three basics they may want to check out:

  • Crime stats: Is there a rise in property crimes like breaking and entering and vehicle theft?
  • Are the schools still good? National sites like City-Data.com, GreatSchools.org, and SchoolDigger.com rate them and list test scores for comparison.
  • Have services been cut back? Check library hours, condition of public parks, and ask the neighbors what they think.

Source: SmartMoney.com, AnnaMaria Andriotis (12/15/2010)

  • 5 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector in Northern VA

    home inspector
    Home buyers in Northern Virginia are well advised to interview a home inspector before hiring that inspector. What should you ask if you’re going to hire a home inspector in Arlington, Alexandria or Fairfax County? Here are a few ideas for questions.

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  • What Is Title Insurance?

    Title insurance protects the policy owner against loss in the event that the property’s title or legal ownership is something other than insured. It helps ensure that the property owner is assuming clear title for the real estate being purchased. Title insurance is different than other types of insurance in that it offers protection against…

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  • We rebate money to buyers.

  • Are You Looking To Buy A Home In Alexandria?

    Today we’re featuring this property for sale at River Towers in Alexandria Virginia. We highlight properties that are interesting, unique or just good deals. This 1 bedroom property is listed for $168,000. We like to keep our eyes open for home buying opportunities for our clients.

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  • A Buyer’s Expert in Reston

    One of the most important aspects of any home that you move into is, without a doubt; the area. Homes may look fantastic online, but there is always the possibility that the area this fantastic home is in may be less than desirable. Before you move to any new town, subdivision or city, its a…

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Lake Ridge Park

Lake Ridge Park features a golf course, mini golf course and a marina to the public including arts and crafts, nature, science and scout programs for everyone. Other activities offered at Lake Ridge Park are fishing, boating and hiking while picnics can be held in rented tents and picnic tables.

Boating is launched into the Occoquan Reservoir where fishing is permitted at the deepest end. Boats and canoes can be rented at Lake Ridge Park with bait being sold on site.
Golfing is enjoyed at the 9 hole course and miniature course with membership and training offered.

Lake Ridge Park
12350 Cotton Mill Drive,
Woodbridge, VA 22192

Julie J. Metz Wetland Bank

Julie J. Metz Wetland Bank
15875 Neabsco Road
Woodbridge VA 22191
Contact Number: 703 792 6666

Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank offers 227 acres of preserved forested, shrub scrub and emergent wetlands of adventure with an array of wildlife with homes in the marshy areas, situated on the borders of Neabsco Road and Neabsco Creek, just 24 miles south of Washington D.C. A variety of bird species can be seen at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank throughout the summer till winter.

During the time when John Smith had mapped out Neabsco Creek in 1608 , the surrounding land was of tobacco farming and lumbering. Being the first wetlands bank approved by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Northern Virginia, Julie J.

Metz Wetlands Bank was named after an environmental scientist, Julie J. Metz.
Sightings of great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, sparrow, red winged blackbirds, gulls, woodpeckers and hawks in Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank are sought after by visitors along with the views of the river banks. Summer features a large number of songbirds and winter sends an array of grass birds to the grassy and dry area of the wetland. A wood chip and boardwalk nature trail with looping paths provide visitors convenient bird watching at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank.

Ben Lomond Regional Park

Ben Lomond Regional Park
7500 Ben Lomond Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
Contact Number: 703 361 4451

Ben Lomond Regional Park offers excitement and an array of activities for everyone including their 11 acre Splash Down Water Park situated between Old Town Manassas and Manassas National Battlefield including other expansions and upgrades.

The Splash Down Water Park features 5 water areas with 2 4 story water slides, children water slides, lazy river, boat slide, lap pool and zero entry depth beach area including water raindrops and bubblers and pavilions. The trail found at Ben Lomond Regional Park offer suitable hiking – walking path along Bull Run.

Ben Lomond Regional Park provides a variety of facilities to enjoy :

  • Updated Soccer Fields
  • Softball Field
  • Tennis Courts
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Horseshoes
  • Playground
  • Picnic Areas
  • Hiking Trails

While Ben Lomond Regional Park provides fun filled activities, the nearby restaurants can provide nourishment after a long day of fun.

  • Great American Buffet at 8365 Sudley Road, Manassas 20109 that serves homemade dishes and baked goods.
  • Red Lobster at 7505 Broken Branch Lane in Manassas 20109 that serves their seafood specialty.
  • Taste Buds at 10421 Balls Ford Road in Manassas 20109 that serves traditional breakfast and lunch meals.

Selling Homes With Pets

Good ole Fritz

Owning a pet, which six out of 10 U.S. households do, can be a problem for both sellers and practitioners seeking buyers.

Sellers with pets should do their best to eradicate pet odor. “Odor is the biggest obstacle,” says Trudy Severa, an associate with Long and Foster’s North Hills office in Reston, Va. “Anyone who is sensitive or with allergies is going to be put off.”

Pet hair is another turnoff for fussy people or those with allergies. A professional cleaning as well as frequent vacuuming can help.

It is also a good idea to remove the evidence of pet residents, including getting rid of dog doors, linoleum in unlikely places, even pet crates.

During showings it is smart to relocate pets because some potential buyers may find them objectionable, no matter how cute they are or where they are contained.

Source: Washington Times, Lisa Rauschart (12/03/2010)