Tag Archives: Home Sales

Creating Your Own Backyard Oasis

Creating Your Own Backyard Oasis

With the current pandemic, most of us are spending a lot more time at home, and it’s also summer, so that means more time outdoors. Many people are also turning their backyard into their own little paradise. Why not do the same? If you already have a patio or deck, there are things you can do to enhance that space and make it more enjoyable. Even if you don’t, adding a waterfall or a garden to your backyard can make it a respite for you and your family. Continue reading

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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

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Tri-Merge Credit Report

Tri-Merge Credit Report

When you apply for a loan to buy a house, the mortgage lender, in order to protect their interests, will check your credit to determine how likely you are to pay back the loan. The credit check the lender does is different from the credit check that’s done if you are buying a car or applying for a student loan or other personal loan. Mortgage lenders rely on a special type of credit report called a tri-merge credit report. Continue reading

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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

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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

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Prince William County's 2019 Real Estate Market Review and 2020 Forecast

Prince William County’s 2019 Real Estate Market Review and 2020 Forecast

In 2019, the real estate market saw low interest rates for home buyers, but also low inventory, especially for those looking for start-up homes. 2020 is shaping up to be very similar. Here’s a look at where we’ve been and where we’re headed in Prince William. Continue reading

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Online Estate Sales Versus Traditional Estate Sales

Online Estate Sales Versus Traditional Estate Sales

If you need to clear out many of your belongings due to downsizing your home, a divorce, moving to another country or if you’re clearing out the belongings of a loved one who has passed away, you need to hold an estate sale. An estate sale is different than a garage sale, where fewer items are cleared out for very low prices. You can hold a traditional estate sale or an online estate sale to liquidate many items at once. Learn more about what’s involved with each kind of sale to decide which is right for you. Continue reading

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A Unique Closing Cost Fee for Northern Virginia – What it Means and How it Helps

A Unique Closing Cost Fee for Northern Virginia – What it Means and How it Helps

If you’ve spent any time driving — or parked on the highway — in the Northern Virginia area, you know there is a massive need for transportation improvements. To improve congestion in the area, legislators need to raise funds. One way they do this is by the Regional Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Capital Fee. Formerly known as the Congestion Relief Tax, this fee helps provide the funds to improve our roads. Continue reading

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Staging Your Home – Think Neutral and Minimalism

Staging Your Home – Think Neutral and Minimalism

When it comes time to selling your home, staging it can play an important role in getting it sold. Home staging is all about showing how the space can be used and to help buyers envision themselves living in this space. Essentially, you’ll want to remove most of the personal elements and make the space as neutral and minimalist as possible. Here are some tips for staging your home. Continue reading

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