Archive for November, 2008
Northern Virginia REO “Mythconceptions”
November 12th, 2008 Categories: Buyers Corner, NOVA Foreclosures
It never fails when you get a group of buyer’s together in Northern Virginia the talk turns to REO properties and the rumors that they have heard from their friends. From experience this year working with buyers on REO purchases I’ve encountered the following “mythconceptions.”
Banks will not turn on the utilities-FALSE
Very few banks refuse to turn on the utilities and most of the larger banks such as Countrywide and IndyMac have the utilities on. If they aren’t a call to the listing agent should take care of the problem. Don’t take no for an answer and if they continue ask them to show you the listing agreement where it says utilities will not be turned on.
Banks will not allow inspections-FALSE
REO properties can be inspected and most banks encourage you to do so.
Banks will not make repairs-FALSE
You can not go to the bank with a laundry list of items will an expectation that they will make the house as good as new. However they will in most cases remediate mold or other environmental hazards, fix broken major systems and repair leaky pipes.
You Can’t Use A VA Loan to Buy a Foreclosure-FALSE
Yes you can use a VA loan to buy most foreclosures. The home you are buying must be your primary residence. If the VA appraiser indicates repairs see the above myth and ask the bank for the necessary repairs.
Banks will not provide HOA or Condo Documents-FALSE
This may vary by state but in Virginia this is not true. If an agent tells you that the bank has said they will not provide the documents suggest that they re-read their listing contract. They can not do anything that is in violation of State Law and it is the seller’s responsibility in Virginia to provide the documents.
Buyers Must Use the Banks Settlement Company-FALSE
The banks may give you a “deal” to use their settlement company but they can not require that they use their company. Again this may vary by state but in Virginia our contracts clearly state that buyers have a choice of settlement company and the bank can not force you to use theirs.
If you are thinking about purchasing a foreclosure in Northern Virginia give me a call. I understand the difference between truth and “mythconceptions” in REO sales.
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Relocation is never easy. It doesn’t matter how many times the PCS orders arrive there are the usual questions about your new area and this on-line guide is here to help you answer a few of them.
What is the BAH rate for Fort Belvoir? Use zip code 22060
Where is Fort Belvoir Located?
Northern Virginia
Fairfax County
What’s On Post?
To know everything about the post you need to check out the official Fort Belvoir website. In addition here are a few posts on my personal perspective of Fort Belvoir:
Fort Belvoir Housing
Fort Belvoir Accotink Trail
Fort Belvoir Not Your Usual Army Post
DeWitt Hospital
What types of neighorhoods are there close to the post?
Since housing is a very personal choice providing you information on every neighborhood in the area without knowing your needs could be confusing. Once you have your orders in hand we can talk about your housing needs and find the neighborhood that best suits your needs. Here is a sample of some local neighborhoods that are popular with military families in our area.
Belmont Bay
Burke
Kingstowne
Lorton
West Springfield
Westridge
You can also check out my Fort Belvoir interactive map on with photos of some of these neighborhoods as well.
What attractions are there close to post?
Northern Virgina and DC are full of great things you can do, many of them for free. Here are a few that you can consider for anytime of year.
Mount Vernon and Woodlawn
Five Great Local Attractions
Free Things to do in DC
Do you have any recommendations for places to eat?
You can find plenty of great places to eat around the area. Whether you want formal or casual here are a few that our family frequents when we want to eat out.
Alexandria Pastry Shop and Deli
Dixie Bones
Madigan’s In Occoquan
Sunflower Café
If a transfer to Fort Belvoir is in your future give me a call. I’ll be glad to answer your questions about the area and give you a tour. I’ve been in your shoes many times and understand the complexities of a PCS move.
©Cindy Jones. “Your Fort Belvoir On-Line Relocation Guide”
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Fort Belvoir-Base Housing A New Look
November 5th, 2008 Categories: Focus on Fairfax County, Military Relocation
The first question you might ask is why would a Realtor® write about base housing? Don’t you want to sell me a house? Certainly it would be nice if everyone who moved to Fort Belvoir would buy a home but in reality many families make the decision to live on base for a variety of reasons.
Our family had to make the same decision both in the US and overseas. We lived both on and off base depending on what housing was available for us and our location. Our 700 square foot house in Okinawa with neighbors who owned a water buffalo was an experience you don’t have everyday and one I won’t ever forget.
Anyone headed to Fort Belvoir will discover a wide variety of housing options. Recent construction has replaced many of the older duplexes with new townhouses and detached homes. Add in the town center and you might have a hard time distinguishing the neighborhoods on post with some outside the gates of the post. Obviously the Fort Belvoir housing office will be the official place for you to learn about which neighborhood and type of house you may be eligible for should you decide to look at post housing.
Driving around post you will find the base housing divided into 12 villages with homes ranging from the historic older brick homes in the Gerber and Belvoir Villages to the brand new “green” homes in Fairfax Village. Fairfax Village is the site of a LEED-Platinum certified neighborhood center. Platinum LEED-Certification is the highest award and the neighborhood also features a native species butterfly garden.
With the close by Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge for families to enjoy, aFairfax County elementary school on post and multiple recreation centers, living on post has certainly improved. If you decide that off post housing is a better fit for you please give me a call. I’d be glad to help you look at nieghborhoods that will meet your needs.
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Did you like to trade baseball cards when you were a kid? Did you flip over the back of the card to read your favorite players stats from last year? If so then before you list your home with a Northern Virginia Realtor ask to see their listing statistics for 2008.
This has been one of the toughest real estate markets our area has ever seen. Hundreds of homes come on the market everyday and hundreds go unsold. One of the major reasons a home in our area doesn’t sell is due to improper pricing. If you overprice your home with the idea that you can just lower the price later you have lost critical marketing time and the sharks start to circle to see if you get desperate.
Some Realtors® will still tell you whatever you want to hear to get your listing. A few years ago you could throw a price up against the wall and it didn’t matter. Someone would buy your home faster than you could put the sign in the yard. Today buyers are smarter, loans are harder to get and appraisers are looking at every detail.
Besides all of the terrific internet marketing, multiple MLS photos and color brochures you also need to ask the Realtors® you are considering hiring to show you their list to sales price statistics for 2008. How have they done with pricing their listings this year? Not last year or 10 years ago but this year in a market where every day counts. If they don’t come prepared to show you the numbers for 2008 then you need to question why and ask for the report before you sign a listing agreement
The saying “you only get one chance to make a first impression” can in Northern Virginia be extended to say “you only get one chance to price your home right” to sell.
If you are looking for a Realtor who isn’t afraid to you show you their listing stats for 2008, give me a call. I’d like to show you how to put the SOLD sign in your yard.
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