Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers: So Your Moving To The Northern Virginia Area and You Want To Find an Affordable Place To Live.

"So You Are Moving To The Northern Virginia Area and You Want To Find an Affordable Place To Live"

I have been assisting home buyers relocating to the area for over two decades. Yup, I started my real estate career in 1991. I was a New Home Sales manager for NV Homes at the time. I sold everything from condo's, townhouses and luxury single family homes in the five years I worked there. However,  New Homes sales were is a massive slump and I needed to make a living, so I jumped into the residential real estate market and never looked back.

Back then we always sat down with clients in our office for what we called the Initial Interview. Upon your arrival we would sit down in front of a big map of the Beltway around Washington DC and explain in great detail what you could find where, how long it would take to get to work. From there we would head to the computer to look at the MLS. Back in those days consumers did not have access to MLS Listings.

Link to map 

Fast forward to 2011. How do you best plan your move to the Northern Virginia area when you want to find an affordable place to live.

1. Get pre-approved. The most stressful thing to do is look at homes on the internet, fall in love only to learn you can't have it. That's like going grocery shopping without your wallet. A big waste of  your time! Marita Aldridge Woods or Tom Halfpap are local loan offices who offer Conventional, FHA or VA Financing. Learn what you don't want to do! Watch.
2. Make sure you align yourself with a local Buyers Agent here in Northern Virginia who will start sending you MLS Listings that match what you are looking for. For example this is what we do for our clients. Search for homes right now. Learn how to set up that MLS search watch this video I did to show you how to do it!
3. Talk to your Realtor of choice. Share with them what you want, what you need and what your lifestyle is like or what you want it to be like. We can't help you if we do not know. Just call us, we don't bite, in fact you might just learn that we are a Family Real Estate Team that really cares.
4. Schedule your househunt. The very best way to find your new home is to come to Virginia for 3-5 days and do a househunt. Your Realtor can help you figure out your timing. Here in Virginia you can contract for a home and be moving in thirty to fourty five days. Unless of course you fall in love with a Short Sale home, then it is anyones guess. ( typically 3-6 months) Now, if you are considering a new home. Just know that builders build by contract and require a hefty contract deposit ( in many cases up to $10,000) and delivery times are anywhere from 90 to 120 days from contract ratification. So it pays to start early if you are relocating to Northern Virginia.
5. The next step..."Relax You Will Be Treated Like Family!" You have stumbed onto a family real estate team that has been together for twenty years serving home buyers and sellers. We know the area well, have help hundreds of families relocate here.

Our office is located in one of the most affordable area's and centerally located in Woodbridge Virginia right off I-95 next to three hotels and many places to eat and shop. Perfect for those relocating. The last thing you want to be doing in the Northern Virginia area is waisting precious house hunting time stuck in the traffic around the Washington Beltway. Align yourself with Realtors who understand your time is valuable and you have a goal to accomplish while here in the Northern Virginia area.  Click here for more details.

• Courtyard Marriott
• Holiday Inn Express
• Residence Inn
• Other Hotels

 Other related posts

Visual Snapshot of Home Values Around The Beltway

What you need to know about buying a new home

Buying in Fairfax County Versus Prince William County VA

Do You Have PCS Orders to Quantico?

Learn more about VA Financing and Getting a Loan

      Do need real estate help?Please don't hesitate to contact me by email  or call 703-851-3085.

Contact Peggy Jamesor Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office).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, Garrisonville and Triangle area's .