The Checklist Before You Buy

Finding a home that you can see yourself in for the next five to twenty-five years is a great feeling. Don’t let that feeling cloud your judgment and leave you with unexpected issues after the closing.
Here are a few things to consider before you buy:
1. Hire an expert to do your own home inspections and attend them if possible.
2. Evaluate possible repairs/immediate improvements. Ask the seller to repair them or include the cost into your bidding.
3. Purchase an environmental report.
4. Know all of the vital systems that connect to the house (electrical, sewage, heating, air conditioning, garbage disposal, and water.) Investigate the ins and outs of these systems.
5. Perform an energy audit. Confirm that your budget will match what your new home is going to cost on a monthly basis.
6. Examine potential neighborhoods with a 24 hour perspective. Are there any dogs howling late at night? Again be sure there are no regular surprises.
7. Do multiple practice commutes. One day is not enough time to judge the next 5+ years of driving to work. 8. Consider your furniture, electronics and appliances. Will they fit into the new home or will you need to purchase new home furnishings?
9. Know the local political landscape. Are there any issues you should know about? Make sure you understand how utilities, schools and public services are funded.
10. Research the local area to understand its economics, climate, and variables that will be part of your long-term lifestyle.

If you're considering a move, or hear that any family, friends, neighbors or colleagues are, please feel free to contact me.

Loudoun's Bed and Breakfast Tour

Have you ever wondered what the rooms look like in some of the local Bed and Breakfast Inns. This Sunday is your chance to find out. I can't wait to get a first hand look at the local B and B's and decide which ones I want to convince my husband to take me away to for our next wedding anniversary. Sunday is going to be a beautiful day and the drive around Loudoun's countryside is an added bonus to the wine and treats that are hosted out at some of the local stops. For more information click on the link below. I promise you will not be disappointed.

http://www.visitloudoun.org/events/details?id=138982

In The Land of Multiple Offers

The real estate market in Northern Virginia is busy. It's so busy that many of my clients have been competing against multiple offers. My buyers and I have run up against multiple offers on condos, townhouses and single family homes and getting that dream home just became a little more challenging. The buying power has increased and the homes priced well and in good condition are selling higher than their list price. I realize as buyers that it's a hard concept to grasp going over the list price on their offers since they are sure we haven't hit bottom yet. The point I try to explain to all my buyers is that there is no way to predict the bottom and it will have come and gone while they have been debating it.

I know that I preach that it's a perfect time to be a buyer, but it is. You get an $8000 tax credit and the ability to enjoy interest rates that are historically low. You can buy more house than ever before and you have a guarantee that you home will go up in value over the next few years.

With inflation alarms quietly sounding in the background of the Federal Reserve, we can be sure that our historically low interest rates will not be sticking around for ever. Please don't miss your opportunity to take advantage of a down market like we haven't seen in over a half of century.

Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival

Spring will arrive in Leesburg this weekend with the Annual Flower and Garden Festival. This is a wonderful event for the whole family to take part in. This is a perfect event to help you finally decide what to do about your own backyard. Please see the link below for more information.

http://www.idalee.org/parks/events/FlowerGarden/