Are you ready to learn how to prepare for home hunting in the merciless Alexandria, Virginia real estate market?
Know that there’s no “ideal” time to acquire a home in Northern Virginia.
If you find the most compatible 2-bedroom Contemporary-style garden-style condo today, you don't want to risk losing it because you’re trying to predict where the housing market in Alexandria is headed. Factors like market price and interest rate usually don’t change fast enough to make a significant difference in an individual garden-style condo’s price. Much more important than macro-economic factors, is the actual garden-style condo you're looking at. Every single property in Alexandria is unique. So, an opportunity missed today could be gone forever.
The only opinion that matters . . . is yours.
Everyone likes a little reassurance from friends or relatives, but who is the house for? You or your advisors? Concentrate on your desires, and not the needs and wants of people who won't be living in the home.
Accept that there are no perfect houses in Fairfax County.
There are many examples of compromises that buyers have to make every day. Consider a few of these possibilities. The association doesn't have enough amenities, but the association fee is low.Maybe it's close to the Metro but far from the school you want. I can help you sort out your priorities, so that we focus in on things that are most important to you.
Don't expect negotiations to be a give-away.
If you pay too much, relax. I'll put an appraisal contingency in that will allow you to kick-out of the deal at no penalty if the home sales price is too high. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or refusing to budge may cost you the home you love.
Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself that you forget about important issues such as:
walking/jogging paths
how close the neighborhood is to friends and family
waterfront or waterview
Make plans now.
Don't shop for homes before you:
consider a moving schedule
list your priorities
to get approved for a mortgage
investigate insurance
I can help with the purchase process. Even if you just need to talk to learn more about how to go forward, please don’t hesitate to call. Connect with me if you’d like to learn more about 5940 Founders Hill Dr #103.
5940 Founders Hill Dr #103, Alexandria VA 22310 || $315,900
Will is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. He is licensed in anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but focuses on those communities found in and around Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon and Springfield/Franconia.
Will has been involved in real estate management, sales and investment for more than twenty years. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. While in the army, he studied Russian at Monterey's Defense Language Institute. He is also a "veteran of the dotcom wars" and built most of the sites associated with NesbittRealty.com
Will currently resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Old Town, overlooking New Alexandria. He is a former president of the Mount Vernon Youth Athletic Association and founded the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group. Will is the author of BattlestorM, a tabletop fantasy game, which was published by Ral Partha Publishing in the late '90's, and Arthur's Realm, a boardgame available at the Gamecrafter.
Are you ready to learn how to prepare for home hunting in the merciless Alexandria, Virginia real estate market?
Know that there’s no “ideal” time to acquire a home in Northern Virginia.
If you find the most compatible 2-bedroom Contemporary-style garden-style condo today, you don't want to risk losing it because you’re trying to predict where the housing market in Alexandria is headed. Factors like market price and interest rate usually don’t change fast enough to make a significant difference in an individual garden-style condo’s price. Much more important than macro-economic factors, is the actual garden-style condo you're looking at. Every single property in Alexandria is unique. So, an opportunity missed today could be gone forever.
The only opinion that matters . . . is yours.
Everyone likes a little reassurance from friends or relatives, but who is the house for? You or your advisors? Concentrate on your desires, and not the needs and wants of people who won't be living in the home.
Accept that there are no perfect houses in Fairfax County.
There are many examples of compromises that buyers have to make every day. Consider a few of these possibilities. The association doesn't have enough amenities, but the association fee is low.Maybe it's close to the Metro but far from the school you want. I can help you sort out your priorities, so that we focus in on things that are most important to you.
Don't expect negotiations to be a give-away.
If you pay too much, relax. I'll put an appraisal contingency in that will allow you to kick-out of the deal at no penalty if the home sales price is too high. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or refusing to budge may cost you the home you love.
Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself that you forget about important issues such as:
5940 Founders Hill Dr #103, Alexandria VA 22310 || $315,900
