This is a great time for buyers and sellers to get off the fence and make the move they have been dreaming about.

For one thing, interest rates are at an historical low point.  Pricing is still below the peak of the housing boom (2005-2007), yet pricing will probably not reach that level for years to come.  Northern Virginia continues to attract national and international firms to the area.  The % of people moving into Northern Virginia versus moving out is a positive one.  This demand for housing in Northern Virginia has made the real estate market one of the most stable markets in the country today.


The KCM blog recently provided some excellent graphs and a pie chart depicting the characteristics of the First time Home Buyer:

54% are married couples
12 % are unmarried couples
12% single males
21% single females
1% Other

The highest %  of buyers are in the Under $50,000 income range and the just under $100,000 income range.  This makes sense since many couple purchase when they get married and the single purchasers are roughly making half of what their married counterparts are earning per anum.

The link to this post is here:

http://www.kcmblog.com/2012/03/23/first-time-buyers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingCurrentMatters+%28The+KCM+Blog%29

How can these statistics help you as a seller?

Remember, if you are selling a home that will most likely be purchased by a first home buyers then it might make sense to tailor your staging items to the 25-34 age group since they are the ones that will most likely purchase your home.  Likewise, if your home is most likely in the price range to appeal to a move up buyer that should give you an idea of what staging items will most likely appeal to that particular group of buyers.

I can assist you with staging suggestions, color choices and so forth.  Call me today for expert real estate advice.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                            Carla
                                                                           703-577-4960
                                                   brkslong@aol.com


PS the picture above is from the My Bookhouse series by Olive Beaupre' Miller.

What new on the market for Sale?

Detached homes: 22181

9856 Hidden Estates  $799,000
9622 Verdict Drive $610,000
2310 Tanglevale Drive $759,000
9814 Brightlea Drive $499,000




Townhomes : 22181

8288 Roesh Way $565,000



Detached homes: 22182

1628 Crowell Road $985,500
1348 Hunter Mill Road $899,900
10305 Browns Mill Road $1,800,000
1431 Rosewood Hill Drive $799,900
1723 Abbey Oak Drive $899,900
1810 Batten Hollow Road $795,000
1822 Creek Crossing Road $735,000
10303 Hunt Country Lane $765,000
8204 Westwood Mews Court $949,900
1351 Verrier Court $2,500,000



Townhomes: 22182

8005 Gina Place $575,000

If you'd like to see postings of new listings in other areas please let me know what areas interest you.  I will gladly post in the zip codes requested.

Call me today if you're interested in buying or selling in Northern Virginia.  I continue to reinforce my knowlege of the local market and am here to assist you.  Remember, I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                           Carla
                                                                             703-577-4960
                                                        brkslong@aol.com

Foreclosures by State

Its good to know that the number of foreclosures in Virginia are under the national average.  In fact, Virginia has one of the lowest national averages.  Yeah!! We are so lucky, truly.  I realize this does not help those that are underwater.  Thats a whole different issue.  Yet, think of it this way.   The shadow inventory is part of the reason prices are being kept as low as they are today.  Once the shadow inventory is eliminated, this clears the way for price increases!

The states that are above the national average in foreclosures are as follows: 

Nevada, South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

The KCM blog has a nice map showing the country and the rate in each state.  For more information please visit their site:http://www.kcmblog.com/2012/02/24/foreclosures-in-process-by-state/

If you'd like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today.  I am here for you and will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                                 Carla
                                                                                   703-577-4960
                                                           Brkslong@aol.com

What went under contract in the last 7 days?

Single family 22181:

10232 Vale Road
10024 Cody Court
2650 Five Oaks Road
2608 Meredith Drive E
2537 Meredith Drive W
2247 Loch Lomond
2428 Riviera Drive
2907 Langholm Place
9906 Snowbound Court
2567 Rambling Road
2311 Stryker Avenue

Townhomes 22181:

2730 Glengyle Drive
9873 Sweet Mint Drive
9814 Oakdale Wood Court

Single family 22182

8307 Wolftrap Road
9629 Percussion Way
9694 Farmside Place
8436 Reflection Lane
9003 Lupine Den Drive
1753 Nevar Court
2046 George Washington Road
8708 Westwood Drive
9824 Fosbak Drive
9306 Shouse Drive

Townhomes 22182

8016 Merry Oaks Court
7899 Tysons Oaks Circle
7981 Tysons Oaks Circle
8232 Goldstream Court

If you 'd like to make the most of your real estate experience, call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                                                      Carla
                                                                                                            703-577-4960
                                                                               brkslong@aol.com

New to the market!

Detached single family homes in 22181:

2663 Oakton Glen Drive $714,900
10511 William Terry Drive $1,197,000
9802 Meadow Knoll Court $740,000
2019 Spring Branch Drive $1,125,000


Detached single family homes in 22182:

1819 Midlothian Court $739,000
10315 Hunt Country Lane $699,900
1411 Rosehill Drive $749,900
2359 Cedar Lane $550,000
1922 Byrd Road $749,000
1606 White Pine Drive $538,890
1740 Proffit Road $565,000
10415 Silk Oak Drive $650,000
9107 Ridge Lane $1,400,000
8402 Tysons Trace Court $1,010,000
10002 Cloverdale Place $989,000
9727 Cinnamon Creek Drive $819,900

If you'd like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today,  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.


                                                                   Carla
                                                                703-577-4960
                                                                                 brkslong@aol.com

New to the market!

What's new to the market in 22181 & 22182?

22181 (detached)

2523 Rambling Road $1,179,000
2404 Newton Street $699,000
9906 Snowbound Court $498,500

22182 (detached)

9824 Fosbak Drive $775,000
9805 Leesburg Pike $1,450,000

22182 (townhomes)

8863 Ashgrove House Lane $657,500
8130 Madrillon Court $715,000
7981 Tyson Oaks Circle $444,000

22102 (Condominiums)

1600 Spring Gate Drive #2203 $389,900

In addition to the properties above (for sale), there are lots of rentals on the market as well.  The rental market is competitive.  Many "newbies" prefer to rent so they can get to know the area.  The generally buy after a year of two.

Have a great weekend and remember I am here for you.  Call me today for the best real estate experience, I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                     Carla
                                                                 703-577-4960
                                               brkslong@aol.com

What sold in the last 7 days?

Its always interesting to take a look at what properties went under contract in the last 12 days compared to what was available (see previous post).

The following properties received contracts in the last 12 days and are no longer active listings:

22181  Detached
9814 Meadow Valley Drive $629,000
2907 Langholdm Place $825,000
9804 Meadow Dale Court $629,000
2120 Statute Lane $662,500
9801 Meadown Valley Drive $649,900
2730 Glengyle Drive #6 $230,000
2630 Meredith Drive $810,000
2567 Rambling Road $450,000

22181 Condominiums

2416 Glengyle Drive #273 $215,000

22102 Condominiums 

7720 Treymayne Place #213 $274,900
1361 Hardison Lane $2,249,000
1570 Spring Gate Drive #713  $315,000
8380 Greensboro Drive #1007 $380,000
1515 Lincoln Way #103B $180,000
1645 International Drive #220 $419,000
8340 Greensboro Drive #808 $399,500
1800 Old Meadow Road #1519 $385,000




22182 Detached

9603 Thistle Ridge Lane $1,649,900
9601 Thistle Ridge Lane $1,499,900
8307 Wolftrap Road $949,900
9603 Timberview Court $991,879
9315 Robnel Place $815,000
2305 Idylwood Mews Lane $998,900
8708 Westwood Drive $669,900
9306 Shouse Drive $750,000

There is lots of activity out there as you can see.  Many buyers have been sitting on the fence waiting for the "right" time to buy. Now is the right time.  Interest rates are low and pricing is stable & rising somewhat (depending on the location).

If you'd like to make the most of your real estate experience, call me today. I am here for you and remember, I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

                                                           Carla
                                                       703-577-4960
                                                                     brkslong@aol.com