Tag Archives: Buying Home

The Home Inspection: What Should You Expect?

The Home Inspection: What Should You Expect?

Once a buyer has made an offer on a home they want to purchase, they will typically do a home inspection to identify any potential health, safety or mechanical issues with the home before closing. If you are the seller, you might opt to do a pre-market inspection to deal with any problems before putting your home on the market.  Continue reading

1,677 total views, no views today

Earnest Money Deposit, or “Good Faith Deposit”

Earnest Money Deposit, or “Good Faith Deposit”

In today’s tight real estate market, if you’re looking to purchase a home, you will most likely have to make  an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), also known as a “good faith deposit.” You are not required by law to make a good faith deposit, especially if you are using no-money down Virginia financing, but if you want to show the seller that you are really serious about buying, it’s highly recommended.  Continue reading

2,070 total views, no views today

Pre-Market Home Inspections Give Sellers Peace of Mind

Pre-Market Home Inspections Give Sellers Peace of Mind

If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, you may want to consider a pre-market home inspection. Knowing what condition your home is in and having a chance to make repairs before you list it will avoid surprises down the road and make a smoother transaction once an offer has been made. Continue reading

1,950 total views, no views today

Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter

Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter

Though spring is the most popular time to sell a home, there are quite a few benefits to selling in the winter. There’s typically less inventory, so there will be less competition for buyers. A baby boom tends to happen around September, meaning new parents will be looking for a larger home during the winter months. These buyers and those who are relocating due to a job change tend to be more serious buyers. If you find yourself needing to sell your home during the cold months, here are some tips to do so successfully. Continue reading

1,546 total views, no views today

How to Improve Your Credit Score

ABR Certification and What It Means

As a realtor, I want to have as much credibility as possible with my clients. I also want to be in the best position to help you through the home-buying process. Being an ABR (Accredited Buyers Representation) Certified realtor helps me give you the best home-buying experience. Continue reading

1,990 total views, no views today

Scariest Historic Sites in Prince William County

Scariest Historic Sites in Prince William County

Halloween is approaching, and if you’re the kind of person who likes a good scare, Prince William County is the place to be. Our area is rich with history dating back to before the Civil War, and according to witnesses, that history still inhabits some of the old homes and historical sites in the form of ghosts! Here is a list of some of the spookier places that Prince William has to offer. Continue reading

32,870 total views, 4 views today

Life in the Suburbs of NOVA vs. Life in the City

Life in the Suburbs of NOVA vs. Life in the City

As millennials get older and start having kids, they are leaving the bright lights and all the excitement of the city to reap the benefits of suburban living. Washington, D.C. may be where a lot of the jobs are, but you just may decide that living in Northern Virginia meets your family’s needs far better than living in the city. Continue reading

1,650 total views, no views today

How to Improve Your Credit Score

How to Improve Your Credit Score

If you have a FICO® score of 650 (which is considered “fair”) or below, it can affect your ability to purchase some of life’s bigger transactions, like buying a car or getting a mortgage for a house. That’s a position no one wants to be in, but there is hope in that there are steps you can take to improve your credit score. Keep in mind, building good credit takes time. It won’t happen overnight, but if you take these steps, you’ll be well on your way to better credit. Continue reading

2,397 total views, no views today

Radon and The Importance of Testing Your Home for It

Radon and The Importance of Testing Your Home for It

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It is found all over the country but especially in areas along the east coast, and in Northern Virginia.

The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third level especially if there is an in-ground basement or little ventilation on the lowest level. The EPA also recommends testing before you buy or sell a home. Continue reading

2,138 total views, no views today

Customary Closing Costs for a Buyer on a Real Estate Transaction

Customary Closing Costs for a Buyer on a Real Estate Transaction

If you’ve been through the process of buying or selling a house or you’ve refinanced your current home, you’ve had to pay closing costs. In the state of Virginia, title companies are used for closings. During your transaction with them and settling on the house, you most likely got a document from them that looked like this, listing out everything that you’d be paying for at closing. Maybe you didn’t quite understand it, or maybe you’re a first-time homebuyer and need to know what all you’ll be paying for at closing. Here’s a breakdown of many of the costs for buyers. Continue reading

2,649 total views, no views today