This topic makes me think of a record. Remember back in the day, watching records spin while you listened to your favorite music? The housing market, especially when it comes to affordability, almost makes me think of those spinning records. A question many of us are asked as realtors is “when is the market going […]
Tag Archives: realtor in fairfax va
Home Affordability Through Buydown
“It’s a fact that many households are impacted by higher mortgage rates as they no longer earn the qualifying income for the median-priced home.” Nadia Evangelou, NAR Economist. What this means is that the rapid rise in mortgage rates during 2022 is coupled with continued appreciation of home prices. This has limited the number of […]
Should You Pause Your Decisions?
I’m sure you’ve heard, but mortgage rates are still rising. It’s causing some would-be buyers to pause their decisions until they determine whether rates are going to come back down. It may be possible, but the probability is that prices are going to continue to increase. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate on December 23, […]
Five Factors that affect the Sale of Any Home
An Increase For The Limit On Tax-Free Gift Amounts
In 2021, the tax-free gift amount was $15,000. In 2022, that has risen by one thousand dollars, making the limit for tax-free gifts in 2022 a total of $16,000. Tax free means that no tax is due to the donor or the donee. There are provisions that would allow gifts higher than this amount providing […]
Indecisive? That Might Be An Expensive Decision
The “Up” To An “Up” Market
Been thinking of downsizing? This actually could be a good time to put those thoughts into gear. Especially right now, selling and buying a lower priced home in an “Up” market can be to your advantage. See, the advantage is to maximize the sales price on your existing home and replace it with a less expensive […]
What Should You Ask A Mover?
Ever moved and wished you had done a little more research on the moving company you selected? I think we’ve all had that experience. Here are some questions you should ask your mover, to make you feel more comfortable in making the right decision. Fees What is the charge for packing? Does it include boxes? […]
It’s Hard If It Isn’t For Sale!
If you’ve been searching for a home for a while, you’re probably well aware of this stat. Many buyers are getting frustrated and discouraged because there aren’t enough homes on the market. This is especially true with certain price ranges. And, when you do find something that you want, it seems like a war takes […]
Negotiations – When Are They Over Anyway?
So when exactly does the primary negotiation when purchasing a home take place? Quite simple actually, it takes place when the contract is signed and agreed upon – including the price, closing date and when possession will take place. One issue especially over the past year is inventory was down 19%, which made multiple offers […]