Homeowners: Beware of These 6 Costly Mistakes

There are certain, costly mistakes that all homeowners should avoid. Let’s take a look at the top six of these mistakes.

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When it comes to homeownership, there are six costly mistakes that people tend to make.

1. Going with the lowest bid for home repairs. Of course, cost is a factor where home repairs, maintenance, or upgrades are concerned, but the main focus should actually be on value. Look at reviews, talk to the professionals you might be working with, and ask for referrals from people you know can provide credible recommendations.

2. Making improvements without checking the ROI (return on investment). I’ve discussed this subject in a previous video, but it’s important to reiterate it. When you make improvements or upgrades to your home, you should check what kind of return they will actually bring when it comes time to sell. 

3. Going on a furnishing spree. When people first purchase a home, they sometimes become overzealous in their efforts to furnish the space. They get excited and end up purchasing more furniture than the home can hold. Sometimes, less is more.

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Cost is certainly a factor where home repairs, maintenance, or upgrades are concerned, but the main focus should actually be on value.

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4. Throwing away receipts from work done on the home. Receipts are a record of what you’ve done to the home, so it’s important to keep track of them. If you want to sell or refinance the home, these receipts will serve as a kind of report card. Also, these receipts provide proof of work done to the home in the event that an issue arises down the line.

5. Remodeling without doing research. This point is similar to the second one I listed, but remodeling is a much bigger undertaking and therefore demands a greater degree of careful consideration.

6. Buying cheap tools. I get it, you’ve just spent a good amount of money buying a new home. But when things eventually go wrong, it will be important for you to have high-quality tools available.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Which Home Improvements Will Add the Most Value?

Do you plan on selling your home? If so, there are six tips you can use to add more value to your listing.

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If you plan on listing your property, there are six home improvements that will bring you the biggest return.

1. Make cosmetic updates to your bathrooms. This has been proven to bring an approximately 102% return on your investment.

2. Work on your landscaping. First impressions matter, and the landscaping around your property will serve as a buyer’s first impression. This improvement can bring a 100% return on investment.

3. Make cosmetic updates to your kitchen. Like bathrooms, kitchens are a huge selling point. You don’t need to overhaul the entire room, but strategic improvements can bring you around a 98% return on investment.

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First impressions matter, and the landscaping around your property will serve as a buyer’s first impression.

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4. Improve your deck or patio. Especially in the summer months, many people like to sit outdoors and enjoy the weather. Cleaning and repairing your deck or patio can bring about a 91% return on your investment.

5. Remodel your basement. This is a slightly bigger project, but it has been shown to typically bring around a 90% return on investment.

6. Replace your windows. Buyers don’t want to have to worry about these details when they purchase a home. So, this relatively simple improvement can often bring around an 89% return on your investment.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

4 Must-Visit Breweries in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia is a great place for craft beer, and I have four breweries that you should check out.

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If you’re like me, you know that we’ve had a lot of new breweries pop up here in Northern Virginia. Here are a few that I recommend checking out:

• 2 Silos Brewery in Manassas at Farm Brew Live. I’ve been to Farm Brew Live, and it’s a fantastic venue which features live events and lots of great food as well.
• Adroit Theory in Purcellville. This is a smaller brewery that focuses a lot on barrel-aged beers. One in particular that I recommend you try is called War Cannibal.

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Richmond is a bit of a hike for those in our area, but it’s worth it for good beer.

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Richmond, Virginia was recently voted as the No. 1 beer spot in the world. Richmond is a bit of a hike for those in our area, but it’s worth it for good beer, and here are some Richmond watering holes you won’t want to miss out on:

• Center of the Universe Brewing Company in Ashland. Some of their good beers include Orange Is the New Stout and Ray Ray’s Pale Ale.
• Castleburg Brewery and Taproom. This venue has a medieval theme, and two beers I recommend there are the Black Knight IPA and the Executioner’s Porter.

There are plenty of other great brewing spots in Virginia and I’m always ready to try one out, so if you have any places you’d recommend or you just want to talk beer, feel free to give me a shout.

If you have any other questions or real estate needs, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’d be happy to help you.

Looking Back on Our 2017 Market and Looking Ahead to 2018

2017 was a great year for our market, and I see it staying hot in 2018.

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The Northern Virginia market had a fantastic year in 2017.

There were a total of 36,597 home sales, which was an increase of 4.3% from 2016 when only 35,089 homes sold. During that same time span, the median sales prices increased 3.5% from $430,000 to $445,000. From 2016 to 2017, the average days on market dropped from 22 days to 14 days, which is fantastic. People were putting their homes on the market and selling them rather quickly. 

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In 2017, people were putting their homes on the market and selling them rather quickly.

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In 2018, I see the market staying hot for a little while. It’s still a good time to sell, and interest rates are still good. Toward the middle and end of the year, I think we’ll see a bit of a shift toward a buyer’s market. 

If you have any more questions about our market moving forward, you’re curious how much your home is worth, or you’re thinking of buying a home soon, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

Getting a New Construction Home? You Need a Realtor's Help

There are many reasons to work with a Realtor when buying new construction. Today, I’ll go over just a few.

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If you are buying a new construction home, it’s important to be represented by a Realtor during the process.

Sometimes people believe they’re helping themselves by forgoing representation during a new construction transaction. They may think they’re going to get a better deal, but this simply isn’t the case. There are a couple of reasons why this is.

First of all, a builder will not lower their price by the percentage they would pay a Realtor. If they did, it would cause a fluctuation in their record. They want their comps to all look fairly similar.

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When buying new construction, help yourself out by hiring a Realtor.

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Also, builders typically want good relationships with Realtors. Builders know that homebuyers often start their home search with Realtors. So they know that since these agents are the ones bringing them clients, they need to maintain a positive relationship with them.

Realtors also have the skills to negotiate on your behalf. They keep your best interests at heart when they enter any transaction with you. When buying new construction home, help yourself out by hiring a Realtor.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Check Out the Best Light Displays in Northern Virginia and D.C.

Today, I have a list of some of the best holiday light displays in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area. Get out there and spread some holiday cheer!

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I hope you’re in the holiday spirit! Today, I want to share some of the best holiday light displays in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area.

The first local favorite is the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville. This is a quick 2.5-mile drive and there are some great light displays.

The Amazing Farm Fun Festival of Lights in Chantilly features hayrides, walking tours, s'mores, and more. Bring the family, make a night of it, and enjoy all of those lights.

During the Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights in Vienna, the botanical gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland. Take a walking tour and enjoy those gorgeous displays.

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It’s fun to go to Light Up the Zoo and see the zoo transformed into a winter wonderland.

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Finally, there’s Light Up the Zoo at the National Zoo in D.C. This is a free event. They decorate the zoo with all kinds of lights and have a winter festival. It’s amazing to see this year-round favorite spot get a new look.

In addition, I always suggest just driving around your area and seeing what your neighbors have done. It’s amazing to see what our neighbors do to decorate their homes this time of year!

All of the light displays I mentioned are up through the New Year, so get out there when you can.

If you have any questions or if you have a favorite light display to add to the list, just give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to speaking with you.

Happy Holidays!

The Top 5 Places to Eat in Occoquan, Virginia

Today I’ve got a countdown of the five best eateries in Occoquan, Virginia.

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Today I’ve got a countdown of the top five places to eat in Occoquan Virginia:

5. Mom’s Apple Pie and Bakery. This is a great little place that features all sorts of pies and other baked goods, so if you need a sweet treat, head on over to Mom’s and grab one.

4. Bottle Stop Wine Bar. This place has a wide selection of wines and spirits, as well as a great line up of hors d'oeuvres and is a great place for date night with your special someone.

3. Cock and Bowl. This is a Belgian-themed restaurant that is known for its mussels, great selection of regional beers, and a waffle with your choice of sweet toppings for dessert.

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There’s something for everyone on this list.

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2. Madigan’s at the Waterfront. This is a great seafood restaurant that is known for their fun events and if weather permits, kayaking and canoeing from the back dock.

1. Bistro L’Hermitage. This is a nationally-renowned French cuisine restaurant that is great for special occasions and offers a wide array of incredible dishes.

There’s something for everyone on this list, and any choice will sure to impress. If you have any questions for me or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, give me a call. I’d be happy to help!