Take Advantage of the Market with my Northern Virginia Real Estate Update


There are many great Northern Virginia area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (703) 831-4131 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Thanks again for tuning in to my blog. Today I am going to be discussing what is happening with the 2014 real estate market here in northern Virginia.

  • For January of this year, home values went up by 3.5%
  • However, the statistic that really captured my attention was that new homes under contract were up by 7%
  • Through my communications with settlement companies, I've learned that they've noticed a high number of transactions opening in January that are closing in February and March. This is a good sign for the year to come.
  • I've also spoken with lenders, and they have noticed a significant increase in the amount of buyers submitting applications for new loans. Obviously these are buyers preparing themselves for a spring market, which is good news just on account of the sheer number of them preparing for real estate transactions.
Overall, I believe we are prepping for a great year here in the northern Virginia area. If you need any assistance finding a home or selling one, please be sure to contact me by calling (703) 915-1377 or email me at herrickteam@gmail.com

My easy steps for getting your home ready to sell

 

Now that we are officially in the spring season for real estate a lot of sellers are starting to ask the age-old question “how do I prepare my home for sale?” and we’re here to help answer! While there are many things sellers can do, ranging from repainting the walls to giving your home a facelift, to updating outdated appliances or sprucing up a fireplace – there are a few areas that consistently gain a lot of attention from buyers. If you follow our tips in the three areas below, we are very confident you will sell your home and sell it with great success!

Make a Great First Impression With Curb Appeal
The secret to getting your home sold faster for more money is to spruce up your curb appeal, pull buyers in and keep them interested by giving more of what they expected once they come inside. Pay attention to the condition and quality of siding, outdoor lighting, trees and flowerbeds, weeds, the grass and main entrance through which potential buyers will enter. Nothing beats that first impression when people are actively shopping for the perfect home.

Highlight the Home’s Center – The Kitchen!
The kitchen is the gathering place for most families. So it is critical to make an important first impression with clean fixtures, updated color schemes, modern accessories and a light, bright outlook. Often small things tend to get missed - but a fickle buyer will point them out with ease. An attractive kitchen sets the stage for the rest of the house. People generally believe that if kitchen and bathrooms are well maintained, the rest of the house will likely be in impeccable condition too.  Make sure you clean off the appliances and the counter tops to give the kitchen a more polished look.  Keep dishes put away, a dry sink can add a pop of color.

Focus on the Final Rest and Relaxation Spot
Most buyers that view a home are the ones that will end up using the master suite, so for that reason it is critical to make the master suite as warm and inviting as you can. Imagine setting food in a luxury hotel and spa. If you can afford to purchase some fresh towels, roll them up and display them creatively with some (lightly) fragrant bath crystals or candles nearby. Light is an important factor in showcasing the master suite.

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If selling a home is on the horizon for you, we invite you to contact us today!

703-915-1377
herrickteam@gmail.com