There are more than 350,000 homeowner’s associations in the United States that oversee over half of all owner-occupied homes, so chances are, if you’re shopping for a new home, yours is bound to have an HOA, but can you opt-out of an HOA? With HOAs so prevalent, one might imagine joining one would always be […]
Home Buying Tips
What a Lumber Shortage Means for Home Prices
Lumber is a basic construction material for building new homes as well as renovations of existing homes. It may seem like lumber is an abundant resource, but in fact, there is currently a nationwide lumber shortage that is bringing many construction projects to a standstill. Lumber shortages are also driving up price, which is then […]
What Are ‘Comps’ When Selling Your Home?
If you’re thinking of selling or buying a home in Northern Virginia, you’ve no doubt heard the term “comps.” So what are comps, and why are they important to know and understand when either pricing a home for sale or considering the terms of your offer? What Are Real Estate Comps? Real estate comps — […]
“Pandemic Greed” — Is It Real?
Pandemic Greed is a new term and something you should understand. It’s rather unique and maybe you’ve heard of it or maybe you haven’t. Maybe you heard that vintage cookware was selling well on online auction sites and started scouring your cupboards and basement. Or perhaps when the GameStop stock started rising you considered getting […]
What’s the Actual Cost of Buying a Home?
First-time homebuyers often underestimate the cost of buying a home. When it’s time to start shopping for a new home in Fairfax, you should know what it will actually cost you. Not only will there be a down payment and closing costs, but there are other costs, as well. Some of the costs are up […]
Why Realtors Request Pre-Approval Letters
So many first-time homebuyers think they should find a home before they get pre-approved for a mortgage. However, it’s common for Realtors to ask for pre-approval letters before showing a home. While some agents might still show the home, others won’t without pre-approval letters. Before we get into the reasons why real estate agents want […]
Get Pre-Approved Before Your House Hunt
Real Estate Agents used to counsel that it would be a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you even started the house-hunting process, but now it’s not just a good idea, it’s practically essential! Sure, you could try to make an offer on a house without a mortgage pre-approval, but List With […]
Why You Can’t Qualify for A Mortgage
When you’re ready to buy a home in Fairfax, you need to make sure you can qualify for a mortgage. Unless you have the cash to buy without a lender, this will likely be the first step you will take. When you can’t qualify for a mortgage, it’s important to know why. If you skip […]
