Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers

So many folks have been calling since the New Year alerting us that they would like Erick and myself help them find a home in the local area.

With that said, the first question they ask is"When should we schedule our house hunting trip?"

My knee jerk response is a question "when do you have to report to work and where?"

If you are being relocated to the Northern Virginia area. Plan ahead. Places such as Washington DC,Fairfax, Alexandria, Fort Belvior, The Pentagon, Quantico, The FBI Academy, The Navy Yard, or the Dulles corridor are all popular destinations for government and private sector jobs. Add to that the BRACC realignment. This year is already off to a brisk start. 

Note:the spring market in the Washingtong DC, Northern Virginia area typically runs from March 15th through May 31st.

That is when most sellers will put their home on the market in the hopes of attracting prospective home buyers who will be heading this way.However, that my not be the case this year, especially with the BRAC movement in full swing. Since inventory is low, the serious homeowners are already calling their Realtors and getting their homes listed early this year since inventory is so low.

So if you can plan on arriving before the spring break time frame you may have a better luck in finding your new destination home before others even arrive.The reason, the homeowners who have equity and can sell, are getting homes on the market early this year since inventory is low and demand is high. The last thing you want to do is wait, and only be left with two options or fighting over the few Healthy homes sales available.

Let me explain your options here in Prince William County Virginia. We are located between Fort Belvior and Quantico. The Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Dumfries and Manassas area are very attractive to relocating buyers who must commute to DC daily. Why? Affordabilty!

Than said, many homeowners who need to sell or who have been relocated themselves must sell by the method called short sale.Short Sale homes listed For Sale are sold just like any other home, except the buyer must remain flexible on contract price, terms and settlement date. Everything with a short sale is contingent upon the sellers mortgage company granting the seller short sale approval. But....if you know you do not have flexibility in your situation. Stay away from short sale listings or you could be in for a very stressful move to Virginia.

My best advice is to work with a local Realtor who will scour the MLS Database daily for healthy homes.

Healthy homes are homes where homeowners are current on payments, and have enough equity to sell. These are best for someone who is looking for a door to door move or a controlled delayed settlement or a quick settlement with a rent back situation.

Another option is planning your house hunting trip early so that we can show you all of the New Home options you have. Here in Virginia, the builders built based on contract. There are very few immediate delivery, spec homes in our region. The builders average time frame from contract to completion is between 120 - 190 days. Most builders right now are quoting April, May, June deliveries. So if you wait until March to house hunt, you may find yourself looking at a late summer delivery. 

Confused? Worried? Well try not to be. 

Let's talk about your personal situation and let me see how I can help you.

Have a real estate question? Need help finding or selling a home? 

 Feel free to contact me by email  or call 703-851-3085  

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have  buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Quantico, Fort Belvior, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . 
                                
         

Moving to a new area, buying a home can be scary. How do you know who to trust, where to go? How do you do it all in a week? The key is to do your homework. Yes, homework!

Currently there are so many tricky situations in real estate in 2009 heading into 2010 that could potentially cause you the relocating buyer a great deal of stress." No longer can a relocating buyer just show up in town and take a look around at houses and pick one and move in 30 or 60 days without a lot of preparation."

What kind of preparation?

Well let me share with you that the world of Real Estate here in Prince William County Virginia is fast and furious. It reminds me of how it was in 2005 and 2006. All those bidding wars and those escalating princes. Well it's happening again.  The only thing that is different, is prices are more affordable. What you need to know is not all homes are equal when it comes to relocating buyers.  I know that sounds harsh but it's true. This is especially true for Military folks who have sepcific time lines! Did you know that in Virginia,New Home Builders have up to two years to build you a new home? Will that happen? Realtors can help you figure that out. Then there are Short Sale Homes For Sale. If you get caught in one of these situations, you may be moving here, looking for a temporary rental while you are waiting the homeowners bank to tell you if they will let you buy the home. Then there are the Foreclosure Homes.  When a buyer submits an offer lets say on the third day of your trip hoping you have an answer by Friday before you leave are shocked to learn,that the answer may take a week or more. It's always good to have a Plan B just in case. This is why it's critical, that you align yourself with a Realtor who is proficient in helping Relocating Buyers maneuver through all the challenges the current real estate market has to offer.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK before you just show up in town!

Homework:

• Google the area, check to see what Buyer Agent works the area you are relocating to and contact them. For example in Woodbridge VA this is the result
• Get pre-approved. Tip:One of my recent relocating buyers intended to use NAVY Federal Credit Union.However he  learned he would have to pay $250.00 up front for the mortgage application fee and he was told, if you plan on using FHA Financing then Navy Fed's policy is we need 45 to 60 days to close the loan. I love Navy Fed, I'm a member. Just know their limits of what they can do.
• Keep in mind, here in Prince William County VA the market is extremely competitive market. A 30 day delay in closing can be the difference in you winning the bid or not.  If another buyer bidding on the same home can close in 30 days,your offer will not win. Time is money to sellers (especially banks!)
• Interview Realtors and pick one before you arrive in town. (this is critical to your success)
• Take the time to sit down with your Realtor of choice and spend time learning the lay of the land, and spend time on the MLS with your agent.Virtually you can eliminate a lot of homes that do not meet your needs right in the office. Erick Blackwelder give buyer "The Talk"
• Plan on staying in or very near the place you plan to house hunt. Woodbridge VA Hotels
• Make sure you bring your checkbook.This is very important!
• If your plan is to select a home, plan your move and go door to door. An experienced Realtor can coach you on all your options and help you avoid a potential stressful situation.

Remember a local Real Realtor who knows the area well, who works full time and is able to start sending your homes for your review prior to your arrival is your best choice. Someone who will listen to what you want and who knows right where to find your dream home and knows how to help you get it. You want someone who will help alleviate your stress, help you use your time wisely and who will show you everything that is available in your price range. Take a look at how I recently helped a relocating buyer decide where to buy. If you would like my help, feel free to contact me.

Our Family Real Estate Team Has Been Helping Families Relocate For Decades.

When it's time to  Relocated, give us a call at 703-590-2252 or contact me by email 

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Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have  buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we serivce  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's