Question: How can I find out what additions I am able to make to a property, before purchasing?
Answer: Many buyers I am working with lately are looking at the future potential of homes and considering properties that they will add additions to — either before they move in or in their long-term plans.
This week’s Q&A column is written by Sallie Seiy of McEnearney Associates Realtors®, the leading real estate firm in Alexandria. To learn more about this article and relevant Alexandria market news, contact Sallie at 703-798-4666 or email [email protected]. You may also submit your questions to McEnearney Associates via email for response in future columns.
Question: I’m just starting to think about buying a house. Are open houses a good place to start? What are the best practices to attend an open house?
This week’s Q&A column is written by Karisue Wyson, Director of Recruiting & Agent Support at McEnearney Associates Realtors®, the leading real estate firm in Alexandria. To learn more about this article, contact Karisue at 703-615-0876 or email [email protected]. You may also submit your questions to McEnearney Associates via email for response in future columns.
Question: How do I get my real estate license and what happens next?
This week’s Q&A column is sponsored and written by Brian Bonnet, Senior Loan Officer (NMLS ID# 224811) of Atlantic Coast Mortgage, LLC (NMLS ID# 643114). To learn more about current mortgage rates and the home loan process, contact Brian at 703-766-6702 or email [email protected]. You may also submit your questions to McEnearney Associates via email for response in future columns.
Question: What’s the status of the mortgage industry this fall?
Question: When I fall in love with a house, should I discuss it with my agent while in the home?
Answer: With today’s amazing technology, it’s increasingly likely a home may have a security system or other recording device in use. Homeowners regularly use cameras and sound recording devices for many reasons. Sometimes it’s a security concern, while other times it’s just to see who’s at the front door. Some use cameras and listening devices to check on their children while the babysitter is there or to make sure their puppy is not misbehaving. Whatever the reason, when you’re buying or selling a home, home recording devices should be considered.
Question: Where in the World Wide Web can I settle on my new home?
Answer: It started in March 2020 — my first “drive-by” settlement in a parking lot with sellers getting a clipboard, papers and a clean pen through their car window. I was in another car watching with my phone on speaker. The buyers copied the process 15 minutes later — same parking lot, same paperwork plus loan documents. It worked. One-time event, right?
Question: How can I buy a house before selling my current one?
Answer: After skipping a year, the real estate market is playing out its usual late summer to fall softness. It’s hard to call it a slowdown since sales in many areas remain brisk. Last year, however, during the COVID-19 rush to buy social distancing via one’s home, we did not have this traditional softness. So, what does that mean for people who are considering selling a home?
Question: Is the number of home sale contracts in Alexandria City closer to normal levels this year than in 2020?
Answer: In August we wrote about our mid-year Market Report, which takes a look at closed sales in Alexandria City for the first half of 2021 compared to the same months of 2020. As expected, there were substantial improvements this year compared to the peak months of shutdowns and isolation due to COVID. But 2020 was definitely not a normal year as far as traditional spring and summer markets are concerned, so this week we decided to go a little further back and compare contract activity for this year with both 2020 and 2019, which was a more “normal” year for Alexandria real estate.
Question: What updates should I consider if I’m thinking about selling my home in a year?
Answer: This is a frequently asked question and one I am happy to address here. It is also a service I provide to my friends, neighbors and potential clients on a regular basis.
Question: How much is my home worth?
Answer: Whether you just bought your home or you have owned it for years, it’s always fun to keep up with the current value and to see how your investment has appreciated.
Question: Are there benefits to listing my home on the MLS vs. selling it privately?
Answer: In today’s hot real estate market, some sellers may be tempted to sell their home privately, though a private sale does not include full exposure to the market through the multiple listing service (MLS), the internet, and the thousands of agents and brokerage companies who work in this region. We’ve heard a number of possible reasons for wanting to do so, including convenience, privacy and security.
