Will's Blog

Tips for Home Sellers

When it's time to sell your home here are a few simple tips for realtors and home sellers alike. 

Turn on your heart light.

Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside. Whether you are showing your home in the evening or in the day, lights add color and warmth. Prospective owners feel welcome in spaces that are bright and airy.

Don't crowd your buyers.

Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter your home. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, prospects are likely to hurry through. When the homeowners are present people often feel uncomfortable looking in closets and laundry rooms an other private areas. Additionally, rooms filled with people give the impression that the space is small.

I love pets ... but not your pet.

Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. Some prospects are allergic to some animals. Sadly, many people love their pets, but they don't like your pet. It's in your best interest to keep the animals outside or out of the way of potential buyers.

Don't create distractions

Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. Most of us love music, but not all of us love your music. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the music. Turn off your TV because the last thing you want is for one of your buyers to watch the game while his wife falls in love with your house.

Give a wide berth.

A smiling seller is a welcome site, but a pesky seller will chase a home buyer away. It's important to be friendly but avoid being conversational. Anything you say could be construed to imply a warranty or could cost you thousands in negotiations.

Put things in perspective.

Some buyers will point out shortcomings or flaws in the property. It's best not to respond orally to these challenges. Utterances like these are seldom personal in this context. So, never take offense. Understand that these statements might be an indication of the buyer's ignorance, but sometimes the buyer attempting to frame negotiations with these statements. To engage the comment is to agree with the premise of the utterance.

Here's a humorous take on today's predicament

Yes ... that's right.

I hit the jackpot. I won the lottery. Mine is the lucky number.

I won't be giving up my blog or my real estate business because I won the jackpot. In fact, I'll be working harder than ever.  But today, I pause to give thanks to God and family and friends and clients for this wonderful life of mine.

To tell the truth, I didn't hit the lottery today. I won the lottery on the day I was born and I've been reaping the benefits ever since. The best part is ... I didn't even have to buy a ticket.

You see, I was born in the United States of America, which means that I already have life better than most of my fellow man. I've never known war, or famine or pestilence. I've enjoyed an ever increasing standard of living since the day I was born.  If you were born in North America you probably won the lottery too.

But ...

It gets better than that.

I was born in the Commonwealth of Virgina, the Mother of States, the Mother of Presidents, the Capital of the Confederacy and the Pride of Dixie. The Commonwealth of Virginia, where Captain John Smith founded Jamestown. The state where George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and James Monroe and William Henry Harrison and John Tyler and Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson all called home. The state where Robert E. Lee fought and eventually surrendered.

The home of the Pentagon and the USPTO and the epicenter for the technology revolution. The Commonwealth of Virginia, most beautiful state in the Union, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling beaches of the Eastern Shore.

The Old Dominion cradled me as she cradles the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest and most important estuaries on the Atlantic.

It gets better than that.

I was born in Fairfax, one of the most prosperous counties in the nation. I make my home where where the Piedmont meets the Tidewater, on a ridge overlooking the Potomac River in a place called Belle Haven---one of the nicest neighborhoods in Fairfax County and Alexandria.  My trusted, loyal and beautiful wife is busy making a Thanksgiving feast. My sons are healthy and headed for home. Life could be better ... but I really don't know how.

So, today, I give thanks. Thanks to God, family, friends, clients and country for all that I have been given. I rededicate myself to the purpose of good and wish you and all of yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your Christmas is merry and expect you to have a prosperous and healthy New Year.

I met with a first-time buyer over the weekend. She was prequalified by Condominium Mortgage. Prequalifying helped frame her choices. It's a waste of time and energy to look at homes that are outside of the budget, so prequalification is the first step for any home buyer. Here are the steps that we'll be taking on the road to home ownership.

1. Tour properties --- We took a top level tour of some of the properties that are in her budget. This gives the client something concrete and real to think about so that she can decide whether this home ownership thing is for her or not. In addition to the units we saw, I can think of a number of places that would also fall within this client's budget and still offer a very reasonable commute to Ft. Belvoir. But I wanted to get her impressions of these places before going on a bit deeper.
2. Revisiting --- We'll revisit those communities that hold the greatest interest and look at everything available in those communities.  (So far we just did a top level search.)
   
   • A few more choices --- If none of these really feel right, we'll find a few more to consider and continue with the search.
3. Make an offer --- When we've found the property that stirs the soul, fits the budget and feels right, I'll write up an offer. At that time I'll collect "earnest money".
   
   • The earnest money is evidence that the seller is serious about the purchase and is held in escrow until the sale is completed. We'll submit a preapproval letter, a copy of the earnest money deposit and the signed offer for the seller to consider.
4. Negotiations --- Sometimes there is a difference between the asking price and the selling price. The selling price is determined by negotiation. We'll pass drafts of the contract back and forth until the buyer and seller have agreed on all terms.
5. Loan processing --- Julie at Condominium Mortgage will then collect documentation from the client. This documentation will serve the purpose of proving the representations made in the loan application process. The buyer will produce pay stubs, bank statements etc. Julie will also order an appraisal as required by all lenders.
   
6. Settlement --- Settlement is the word used to describe the actual transfer of ownership. We'll settle on the property in a timely fashion on an agreed upon date. Settlement will occur at a title company's office and a settlement agent will ensure that funds are present as is marketable title.
7. Ownership --- Here's where the fun begins ... as does the responsibility of home ownership.

This weekend I toured a number of condos with a client who was prequalified at around $200k. On her budget, she can afford a fixer-upper townhouse in a neighborhood like Bucknell Manor. She briefly considered the idea of buying a duplex townhouse. The idea of a duplex in a quiet 1950's neighborhood is quite appealing. The reality of owning that townhouse involves maintenance and upkeep that a young single gal probably wouldn't enjoy.

So instead we turned to focus on one and two bedroom condos, preferably under $200k. She has a number of choices, all in decent neighborhoods and with an easy commute to Ft. Belvoir. Here's where we stopped:

• Huntington Walk --- Huntington Walk is a tiny little garden-style condo community on Rt. 1 accross from Target. The units are very nicely priced and in good shape. The one she looked at had a nice new kitchen and a patio.  The laundry is common, but the building is nice sturdy brick.
• Huntington Run --- Huntington Run is the younger sister of Huntington Walk. The units are about the same size, which is to say, very generously proportioned. The unit has laundry in the unit, but the building is siding. Huntington Run and Huntington Walk are well within this client's budget. 
• Huntington Club --- Huntington Club is at the Huntington Metro. The condo fees here are a bit high, but the condo fee includes all utilities, heating, cooling and cable TV.  Huntington Club offers a good deal of space and many units are in very good shape here. Some of the beat-up units have remarkably small price tags.
• Midtowns of Alexandria --- Sparkling, new, granite and fine cabinetry is what you'll find here. The roof-top deck is pleasant and the proximity to the metro is unbeatable. Easily the nicest of what's in the budget for this client, the downside is the size: the Midtowns will offer a small studio for slightly more than what my client wants to spend. Of course, every unit in the Midtowns has laundry facilities in the unit.
  
• Hunting Creek Club --- Hunting Creek Club condos are hi-rise apartments with large balconies. Most units here have very pleasant views, hardwood floors and large windows. Hunting Creek Club is in the middle of this client's budget and she was taken by the views afforded by the one bedroom here. When buying a condo it's important to remember that you can always change fixtures and wall coverings, but you can never change the view or the location.  Hunting Creek Club has a laundry room on each floor. The unit that we viewed at Huntington Creek Club has a stunning view of the Potomac. The unit overlooks the Belle Haven Country Club. Hunting Creek Club is about 4 blocks from the Metro, close to Old Town and has easy access to the Beltway. Hunting Creek Club is right in my client's budget.
  
• Montebello Condos --- Montebello condominiums are hi-rises that sit on Mount Eagle at the Huntington Metro. The 37 acres of Montebello are surrounded by fences with 24 hour security roaming and at the gates. One of the big appeals of Montebello is the collection of amenities. Montebello has an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tubs, sauna, work-out rooms, convenience store, dry-cleaning, bowling, billiards, ping-pong and more. Every unit at Montebello has a balcony and most of these balconies are enclosed with sliding glass doors. Montebello has a washer and dryer in the unit. Montebello is walking distance to the Metro and has a shuttle if you don't want to walk. Montebello is at the upper end of my client's budget. 
• Belle View Condos --- Belle View is a gem on the Potomac. These brick garden-style condos are only a few steps from the Belle Haven marina and the Belle View Shopping Center. They have the feel of grandma's house, most with hardwood floors, gleaming kitchens and windows on 2 or three sides. The exterior of Belle View is cute as a button and you can't get a better neighborhood anywhere and for any price. Belle View has laundry in the basement. Belle View is a bike-ride from the Metro and from Old Town, but it well served by the Fairfax Connector. A one-bedroom at Belle View is currently selling at around $210k, which is a little pricey when you consider the size. The price of Belle View puts it in the same category as Montebello and the Midtowns, but with a different value offered.
• River Towers --- Our last stop was River Towers. River Towers is nine-stories high and abuts Belle View condos. River Towers is unique in Northern Virginia because of its greenery. River Towers sits on 26 acres of land and is adjacent to a national park and a county park.  The 1 bedroom units at River Towers are big and bright; many have brand new kitchens. The laundry room is on the first floor and has a dozen or more machines. The prices at River Towers are well-within this client's budget.
  

We took in a lot over the weekend and set an appointment for a closer look on a future weekend. It's a good idea to digest what was seen.  And see how you feel about it after you've seen the properties.

I can think of a number of places that would also fall within this client's budget and still offer a very reasonable commute to Ft. Belvoir.  But I wanted to get her impressions of these places before going on a bit deeper.

Here's one good reason to consider a resale condo rather than a brand new condo in today's market. A resale condo has a track record and clear and obvious financial standing as opposed to a brand new condominium. I found this article

There are many types of condominiums, some condos look like houses or townhouses, most look like high-rises or garden-style apartments. Even though a condo can look look like a townhouse or house, owning a condo differs from owing a fee simple property in many ways. There are aspects of condo living that some may view as advantages or disadvantages, and you should be aware of these before you buy.

Here are a few basic benefits and considerations of condo living to help you make your decision.

The City

Busy folk who love being close to the action often choose a condominium because condo developments most often occur in the city. In the Carlyle District, in Arlington and places like Skyline Square, land is at a premium. But in all these examples, your condo is well served by public transportation. These condos are also close to the culture and opportunities of the city.

Of course the downside to being in town is that you're in the city---that means traffic, hustle and bustle and other disadvantages of living downtown. For example, the USPTO is crawling with people during rush hour. Crystal City is a pass-thru for many many commuters. Most homes and townhomes have a lawn or yard of some kind, but few condo owners have a yard or personal green space.

Community Living

A condominium owner is part of a community. The community lifestyle has many advantages. For example, the owner of a condo can leave things on a whim. There is no yard to worry about and the building is secure. Neighbors and condo staff will watch the property while you're on travel or vacation. Most condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Crystal City and Falls Church have security features such as buzzers, a concierge or a guard service. If you travel often for business or pleasure (or if this is a second home), there are no worries while you're out of pocket. Many condos have clubs, activities and the opportunity to socialize with neighbors.

But, shared walls and common areas mean that you are more likely to hear your neighbors. If you need your home to be a hideaway where you can escape from people, you have to deal with the fact that you might encounter neighbors in the hallway. Nosy neighbors are found everywhere, but it's a lot easier for them to keep tabs on you as you come and go in a condo. The community will set standards and make decisions about common areas. For example, many condo association have rules about pets so that the common areas are not over-run with pets and pet debris.

The Association

You can take part in the decision making (by voting or by being a board member), but you must abide by the rules of the community. As you may know, condos are governed by a set of rules called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). This can include restrictions on noise levels, pet ownership, renovations, and even what kind of curtains you can put in your windows.

Every unit owner is a member of the condo association, which also has an elected board. The association serves to enforce bylaws, handles maintenance and repair issues, etc.Because the condo association is made up of homeowners rather than property-management professionals, the association may be weak and inefficient. Most associations oversee a paid management firm.

Also, if you want to make renovations to your unit or rent your unit out, you may have to get approval from the condo association.This purpose of this oversight is most usually designed to make sure that you don't remove any load bearing walls or short circuit community electricity.

Maintenance

Homeowners have a lot to worry about, but condo owners on the other hand ...

Condo owners generally don't mow lawns. They don't clean gutters. They don't even have to hire or pay landscapers. In a condominium someone else takes care of the exterior, the common areas, the snow removal and moreSomeone else makes sure there's money enough to pay for the new roof.

Of course, that service comes at a price: the monthly condo fees. The association collects these fees to pay for maintenance and repair of the common areas. All homeowners pay for maintenance, but the owner of a single family residence can save money by mowing his own lawn. The owner of a single family home can defer payment a little longer if money is tight. Of course, by aggregating the fees of maintenance, condominium owners often have enough money to pay for amenities that are not common in a single family residence. For example, a swimming pool is pretty standard in a condo.

Affordability

Some condos in Nothern Virginia list are every bit as expensive as single family houses elsewhere. Condos in Crystal City, condos in Arlington and condos in Alexandria (especially in the Carlyle District) can be quite pricey. But some condos are surprisingly affordable. This makes a great option for first-time buyers and singles who may find single-family houses unaffordable. Condominiums are more sensitive to trends in the real estate market than single-family homes. Now that the prices have dropped there are some tremendous bargains for shoppers.

Amenities

Most condominium developments offer a range of amenities in the common areas. It's pretty standard in Northern Virginia to have access to a swimming pool, gym or tennis courts in most condo complexes.

With the election of our first African-American President, I thought it might be a good time to take note of Alexandria's Black History Museum. African Americans have been an important part of the Alexandria's history and vibrant community back to the city's founding in 1749. Both as slaves and as free men, African-Americans have contributed to the city's tapestry of life benefiting the community of Alexandria with rich economic and cultural contributions. Alexandria was a key city during the US Civil War and though Robert E. Lee is one of the city's sons, the city was quickly occupied by the Union and remained in Federal hands through-out the war.

After the war the city was segregated but a defining moment in the history of segregation in Alexandria occured in 1939 when five young African-American men staged a "sit-in" at the city's segregated Queen Street Library. The young men brought focus to the issue of the inequality of educational opportunities and as a result Alexandria built the Robert Robinson Library in 1940. This library was used by African-Americans until desegregation in the early 1960's. Today, that structure is a foundational element of the Alexandria Black History Museum.

Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 838-4356
Fax: (703) 706-3999

In time, additional sites were added to the museum. At the eastern bound of the Carlyle District one will find the Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Next door to the Museum, the Watson Reading Room houses a non-circulating collection of books, videos, documents, and periodicals on African-American life and culture.

The African American Museum is a source of pride for all Alexandrians. The museum has a calendar of events and rotating exhibits, so check back even if you have already been to the museum. From Benjamin Banneker in Alexandria's earliest days, to Dr. Albert Johnson to Samuel Wilbert Tucker during the Civil Rights Movement, Alexandria is a focal point in that courageous and audacious journey that led to the diverse, vibrant and prosperous Alexandria of today.

Richmond Highway Express, nicknamed "REX" is a bus route operated by the WMATA (the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) in partnership with Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Government. The REX is a limited stop express bus that serves the Richmond Highway corridor. Before the REX, riders from Fort Belvoir had many stops to make along Richmond Highway enroute to Huntington Metrorail Station and to the King Street Metrorail Station.

REX buses operate every 15 minutes in both directions on Richmond Highway during weekday rush hours. During non-rush hours and on Satuday the REX comes through every 30 minutes. Then on Sunday the bus only operates every 60 minutes. Buses operate between 5:30 AM and 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Sunday.

The REX uses special technology which allows REX buses to sustain green lights in order to move more quickly up and down Rt. 1. The REX bus has low-floor buses for quicker boarding and SmartCard for quicker paying. In addition the REX has only a limited number of stops:

• King Street Metro (Alexandria)
• Dulaney Street/PTO (Alexandria)
• Eisenhower Avenue (Alexandria)
• Kings Highway
• Beacon Center
• Lockheed Boulevard
• Arlington Drive
• Belford Drive South
• Ladson Lane
• South County Center
• Frye Road
• Lukens Lane
• Sacramento Drive/Cooper Road
• Old Mill Road/Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway
• Dewitt Hospital (Fort Belvoir)
• Langfitt Loop (Fort Belvoir)
• 16th Street & Belvoir Road (Fort Belvoir)
• Jackson Loop (North) & Gunston Road (Fort Belvoir)

REX passengers may transfer at any Richmond Highwaystop to Fairfax Connector routes, and may transfer at Huntington and King Street Metro stationsto rail service as well as other local bus service such as Alexandria’s DASH.

To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX busses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.