What features of a home do buyers love best?

Each buyer is unique and has their own set of preferences.  Some features stand out, however ,as highly sought after by the general public.  Holding an Open House and/or touring homes with buyers is an excellent way to receive feedback.

Finished basements with media rooms, gourmet kitchens, luxurious baths and outdoor spaces come to mind as the top features.

What features are important to you as a buyer?

If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I am here to help.

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

PS photos are a courtesy of free digital photos

What features are important to Millenials?

First of all, who are the "Millenials"?

Millenials are defined as those individuals born between 1980 and the mid-2000's.

The Millenials are the largest household formation group in the country at the present time.

The KCM blog has a post on the factors important to the Millenials when they consider a home for purchase.  You and read it here

Each generation has their own set of preferences when considering a home for purchase.  Demographics and preferences change over time.  Currently, there is a move to be closer to the city and jobs.







If you are looking to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I am here to help.

                                                           Thank you

                                                        Carla Brooks
                                                       703-577-4960
                                                     
                                                    brkslong@aol.com

PS photo is a courtesy of free digital photos

Open House Sunday in South Village Retreat

This lovely home is Open to the public tomorrow from 1-4.  There is approximately 5000 square feet on 3 levels, with a solarium addition and soaring two story family room.

This home sits on a corner lot with 1/3 acre of land.  Maturing trees and front porch give it great curb appeal.

Quality hardwoods on the main level with graceful staircase entryway.

Incredible views and lots of light in this family room.

Spacious kitchen with upgraded cabinetry, 5 burner gas range and eat in breakfast area.

Master bedroom with sitting room and 3 sided gas fireplace.

Huge master bathroom with bronze fixtures, built ins and double walk in closets.

Hope you can make the Open House.  (43335 Hollybank Place, Chantilly,Va 20152) 

Call me today if you would like to buy or sell a home, I am here to help!

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

What will the future hold for 2015 Real Estate?

                            2015 is bound to be an interesting year for real estate.

                                Home prices are set to rise and so are interest rates.

                                 Here is one economists' view on the 2015 forecast.

                     If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, call me today.

                                                           Thank you

                                                          Carla Brooks
                                                          703-577-4960
                                                        brkslong@aol.com

PS photo is a courtesy of free digital photos

Dulles Metro Project updates

The Fall September/October 2014 newsletter for the Dulles Rail Metro Project is now available here.

Updates in the Fall Newsletter include information on: the widening of the Saarinien Circle at Dulles Airport, the ridership totals for the new Silver Line to date, the low interest Tifia loan for the Dulles Toll road (to hold tolls at current levels) and more....

The full extension of the Silver Line Metro to Dulles Airport is expected to be completed by 2018.

If you would like to get automatic updates on the project via monthly newsletters, sign up on the Dulles Metro website.

If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I am here to help.

                                                           Thank you,

                                                          Carla Brooks
                                                         703-577-4960
                                                     brkslong@aol.com

Sewer Line Insurance with Dominion Power

Previously, I wrote a post regarding water line replacement with Dominion Power.   I purchased the insurance based on the age of my home and the materials used by the builder of my home.  My original water line was not copper.   My new water line is copper and has a 10 year warranty supplied by the Plumbing Company that replaced the line.  You can find that post here

Another insurance homeowners can invest in is the sewer line repair insurance with Dominion Power.  From the information I am reading on the website for Dominion Power, this insurance is for repair , not replacement of the sewer line.  This is important to know since some sewer lines actually collapse and need replacement.

For this reason, an inspection by a qualified plumber, at the time of your home inspection is a very good idea if your sewer line is old and made of a material known to collapse.  There are several local plumbing companies  that will send a camera down the sewer lines and verify that the line is not becoming detached for any reason and that there is no sign of collapse or cracking.  This usually runs around $300-350.   This inspection is typically not part of a regular home inspection, it is in addition to a home inspection.  Most home inspectors are not plumbers and do not have the equipment to examine the sewer lines.

  Replacement of sewer lines is expensive.  The expense increases exponentially if your sewer line goes into the street street (or a neighbor's yard).  If your sewer line goes into the street, VDOT then becomes involved in the line replacement.  The website for more information on this insurance is here.

Buying  a home is a great investment.  Making the right decisions along the way is important.  If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.

                                                               Thank you,


                                                             Carla Brooks
                                                         brkslong@aol.com
                                                            703-577-4960
P.S. All photos are a courtesy of Free digital photos

How is Real Estate doing across the country?

Northern Virginia is known for a brisk paced lifestyle, a great job market and pricey real estate.  As wonderful as all this sounds, the pricing of real estate remains a tricky topic for many homeowners and buyers.

Taking a look at the recent comparables can bring the most optimistic seller back to reality in a heartbeat.  Comparables matter.  Its that simple.  Buyers are savy and informed.

Most buyers have learned from the financial meltdown and the bursting of the real estate bubble.  They want to be sure they are not paying too much and they want to be sure they can afford their monthly payment.  This is a good thing.

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To put Northern Virginia in proper perspective, let's take a look at the country as a whole.  The KCM blog has a great map of the country with the corresponding current day pricing compared to the pricing at the top of the market in 2005-2006.  The map references specific cities in each state.

Recoveries take time.  The housing shortage in Northern Virginia is fueling the real estate recovery.  Take your time in purchasing your real estate investment.  It will pay off in the years to follow.

If you are ready to buy and/or sell a home,call me today.  I am a Northern Virginia expert and am ready to assist you with your real estate transactions.

                                                       Thank you,


                                                     Carla Brooks
                                                    703-577-4960
                                                   brkslong@aol.com

The Silver Line is Open and business is Flourishing!

From the inception of Silver Line Planning, Marcia McAllister, of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, has kept us updated on the progress, setbacks and recent opening of the Silver Line Metro.

The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is part of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  Their website is here.  From there one can read the updates or go straight to the Dulles Metro website : Silver Line.

Recent news reports suggest that retails sales at Tysons Corner Mall have increased by double digits since the opening of the Silver Line Metro.  How exciting for Tysons Corner!

All the photos above are from the Dulles Metro website.

Have you had a chance to ride the new Silver Line Metro?

Thank you for visiting,

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

Real Estate is a Service Industry

Many years ago, before the computer revolution and the information explosion on the internet, all property listings were tracked of on paper within each real estate office.

Today, available properties are common knowledge to anyone who has access to the computer.  Educated consumers have made it possible to streamline the real estate process.  The buyers have already researched properties of their choice online.  They understand the location and features and commensurate pricing associated with each property.  The role of the agent has grown into more of a service provider than an information specialist.

The KCM blog has written a great post on this topic today Here.

Enjoy the nice weather!

If you would like to buy or sell a home call me today.  I am here to help!

Thank you

Carla Brooks
703-577-4960
brkslong@aol.com

Home Inspection Tips

Buyers should always have a home inspection before purchasing real estate.  Costly necessary repairs, not visible to the eye at initial walk through, may be needed.  A home inspector will point out these items and they can be negotiated for repair before settlement at the sellers' expense.

The buyer chooses the home inspector.  An excellent resource for home inspector referrals is the buyer's realtor.  A realtor works closely with home inspectors to resolve home inspection items and knows who to call.  Generally speaking, a realtor should refer 3 home inspector companies to the buyer.  From there, the buyer should carefully interview each company and hire the one that suits their needs.  If the buyer does not feel comfortable with the referrals from their agent, they can go on the internet and do some research to find one that satisfies their criteria.

The buyers should be present at the home inspection.  The home inspection is an excellent time to get to know the property and learn how the major applicances and HVAC systems work. ( The buyer will be expected to check on these systems at the final walk through before settlement.)  The buyer should ask as many questions as possible during the home inspecgtion.  The home inspector moves from room to room and outside to inside and the buyer should be at his/her side.  Learn as much as you can at the home inspection.  It is your time and your money and hopefully your future property!

Home Inspectors are hired to find items that need repair and safety-related concerns.  Cosmetic items are not normally addressed by home inspectors.

Virginia is a "buyer beware" state.   If a seller knows of a particular deficiency they should relay this information to the potential buyers.  Otherwise, the burden is on the buyer to uncover deficiencies that affect the value of the property and/or enjoyment of the property.

 The home inspector is not responsible for the condition of the home and is not a party to the contract of sale.  They do not go behind walls or under flooring or move furniture.  It is quite possible that a serious problem may not be detected provided the appropriate "red flags" are not raised during the home inspection.

All in all, the home inspection is a "must do" before buying real estate.  Home Inspection techniques are constantly being upgraded with minimal issues popping up after settlement.  This brings peace of mind to buyers and sellers.

Home Inspections, combined with home warranty programs, are a great way to reduce the occurance/impact of a post settlement issues.

If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today for expert advice.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.

                                                                       Thank you

                                                                    Carla Brooks
                                                                brkslong@aol.com
                                                                   703-577-4960    

Tips for DIY Maintenance

 Tired of having a monkey wrench thrown in your monthly budget plans?

  Here some ideas for home maintenance that are bound to save the homeowner some $$.

Hiring a contractor for every project around the house is costly.

  If you are a real estate investor, consider troubleshooting some of issues yourself to save money as well.

If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I am here to help.

Thank you

Carla Brooks

brkslong@aol.com

703-577-4960

PS photo is a courtesy of free digital photos

What do buyers need from their agents?

Are you in the market to buy a home?  Wondering what to ask of your realtor in the home buying process?

Some of these questions you may already have the answer to, particularly if you have purchased a home in the past.  If this is your first home purchase, this post by the KCM Blog may help.

Discuss your questions, fears and concerns with your realtor.  This is your purchase and you deserve to be happy!

If you are ready to purchase a home, call me today.  I have experience, integrity and understand how to make the process enjoyable and satisfying....

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

PS picture is a courtesy of free digital photos

Another beautiful weekend!

Not all the hydrangea blossoms were destroyed by latent frost....

Enjoy the weekend.  If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today. I am here to help.

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

Giving Thanks Today

SEVENTY YEARS AGO TODAY, tens of thousands of American soldiers, sailors and airmen, along with thousands of allied troops, stormed the beaches of Normandy in Operation Overlord — D-Day — and saved the world. We remember, and give thanks to everyone who preserved freedom and our country.

God Bless America!

Carla Brooks

Clematis Love

Ran into this bush today, thought I'd take a few photos for you to enjoy.

If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I am here to help.

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

Interest Rates are still at an all time low

My first home was financed at 13% plus.  It was a small, two level townhome in Prince William County.  Eventually, it increased in value and we were able to afford a small, two level rambler with a yard for our kids to play in.  The rambler mortgage was financed by the seller along with a down payment from our townhome sale proceeds.  We saved alot of money by securing the seller financed loan since interest rates were 12% plus at the time we moved.

We made our mortgage payment directly to the seller each month.  This mortgage payment plus social security income was the sellers retirement income.  Today, seniors on fixed income are struggling to make ends meet.  A 10% rate of return in unheard of!

Interest rates on residential mortgages are incredibly low today.  Home prices, on the other hand, have steadily increased over time, despite the financial downturn in 2008.

The KCM blog has a graph of the cost of money over time.  It can be viewed here

It is always interesting to look back on the past and use that information to make sense of the present.

If you are interested in qualifying for a loan call me today.  I can refer you to an experienced lender.

                                                                 Thank you

                                                                Carla Brooks
                                                           brkslong@aol.com
                                                               703-577-4960

PS the picture is a courtesy of Free digital photos

Should I move up to a bigger home today or tomorrow?

 Now, this is an interesting topic.  The KCM Blog has a great post about "moving up".

If you are contemplating a move up, check out the post here .

If you thinking of selling your home or buying a home, call me today for a free consultation.  Its a complicated world and I can assist in clarifying the details!

                                                    Thank you

                                                   Carla Brooks
                                               brkslong@aol.com
                                                    703-577-4960
                                               
                                                 

Space is a friend of the Rhododendron bush

The ability of the rhododendron bush to trail off into any and every direction is amazing.  That is why I prefer the rhododendron to be planted in a part of the yard that can accommodate unlimited growth.  Here is a rhododendron bush in my back yard that is is full bloom:

I am quite certain this bush has never been trimmed.  The pictures do not do justice to the scope of the branches.

One common mistake that landscapers and homeowners make is to plant trees and bushes too close together.  It is important to anticipate the eventual growth area of the planting and allow enough space for the planting to reach its potential.

My next door neighbor has a massive purple rhododendron on the side of his house. It is a real beauty and grows quite nicely in the shade.

This white beauty grows in an area of my back yard that is full of trees and leafy mulch.  It was nice to work in the yard this weekend and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I hope you had a relaxing weekend.  If you would like to buy or sell a home call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.

Thank you

Carla Brooks

brkslong@aol.com

703-577-4960

Let us Remember

Carla Brooks

brkslong@aol.com

703-577-4960

Lovely Property in Silentree Neighborhood, Vienna

Call me for more details on this split level home in Silentree Neighborhood.  The address is 2203 Goldentree Way.   It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms on 3 levels.  There is an Open House today from 1-3.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, call me today, I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!  

Thank you

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

Hardwood Floors vs Carpeting

One day on the road with buyers touring homes will undoubtedly lead to a discussion on wood floors versus carpeting.  In fact, when I was out scouting for  a new family home 20 years ago, the house with the wood floors on two levels won my heart.  I came across this article on the topic and thought I would share it with you- Hardwood floors vs carpeting

Enjoy the wonderful weather and the holiday weekend!

Oh, by the way, I am never too busy to assist with real estate.  Call me today if you need help.  Thank you for visiting my blog.

                                                     Carla Brooks

                                                 brkslong@aol.com

                                                     703-577-4960

PS photos are a courtesy of free digital photos

Never let money define you

Linked In is a great resource for articles written by professionals across all walks of life.  Today, they are running a series on looking back to when you were 22 years old and what you would do differently if you were able to do so.  Hindsight is always 20/20 yet it's never to late to reflect back on our lives and see what we can still change for the future to make our lives more enjoyable.  It's also interesting to see how many major decisions are made on the "fly".  Life is not a chess board yet sometimes we make moves without thoroughly weighing the consequences and these moves shape our lives to come.

Anyway, Susy Orman (picture from article on LinkedIn) wrote an interesting piece on her life and attitude toward money.  You can read it here.

Thank you for visiting the Silver Lyne.  Call me today if you have a real estate question or want to buy or sell a property.  I am here to help.

                                                            Carla Brooks
                                                         brkslong@aol.com
                                                           703-577-4960

New Construction versus Existing Homes

Ever wonder why consumers choose new construction over existing homes?  Or vice versa?

The KCM blog has an interesting article on this topic here

Hope you stay cool today.  If you would like to buy or sell a home, call me at your earliest convenience.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                               Thank you

                                                             Carla Brooks
                                                          brkslong@aol.com
                                                            703-577-4960

Enjoy the day, Enjoy the bounty of spring!

Thank you for stopping by.  Virginia is a colorful state!  If you would like to buy or sell a home or have a real estate question, call me today.  I am here to help!

Carla Brooks

brkslong@aol.com

703-577-4960