How Important is the List Price in Selling a Home?

The listing price in selling a home is extremely important.  If a home is priced too high,  the buyers often shy away from the property and don't make offers.  If a home is priced too low, the sellers might not receive an offer reflective of the true value of the home.

Once a home sits on the market for a bit with no offers, it becomes "stale" so to speak.  Often, the property ends of selling for less than it would have sold had it been priced correctly in the first place.

What is a home worth?  Supply and Demand determine the value of a home.  A certified market analysis by a local realtor is the best way to determine the worth of a home.  The data in the local multiple listing service is very valuable. It is used by local appraisers and realtors to compare properties and ascertain value.

If you are planning on selling in the near future, call me today for a free certified market analysis.  I hope to hear from you soon!


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

Happy Mothers Day!

                                                        Happy belated Mothers Day to all!
                                  The apricots are from Costco and need a little help ripening...

Is 2012 the year of the Short Sale?

Remember when the real estate market started cooling in the second half of 2005?  It seems like just yesterday...  In reality, it was 7 years ago.

In 2006, no one knew what the real estate values would do except  that they were declining.  It wasn't until the second half of 2008 when the banks announced that they were really in trouble that the cat was out of the bag.  Serious declines in home values had occurred overnight it seemed.

  Housing inventory was piling up, homes were being abandoned, sold on the courthouse steps, and some short sales were happening.  Many realtors did not want to participate in the short sale transactions due to legal liability and their experience with the banks in the previous housing downturn  (the late 80's and early 90's).  Nevertheless, the short sale has emerged as a viable and cost effective way for the distressed homeowner to release their real estate holding(s).

A short sale is defined as the sale of a property for less money than what is owed to the banks on that property.  Banks typically make 20% less on the sale of a foreclosed property than on a short sale property.  This is one of the main reasons that the banks are now willing to do more short sales.

There are advantages to the defaulting homeowner as well.  The homeowner usually stays in the home (rent free) until the short sale is complete and sometimes is given a settlement by the bank to pay for their imminent move.  They, in turn, take care of the property while the short sale is being negotiated.  This is good news for the bank since they are not in the business to be caretakers of real estate.   Short sales are not as damaging to one's credit (in most cases--if negotiated properly) as a foreclosure.

If you are a buyer or distressed homeowner interested in the short sale process give me a call today, I can point you in the right direction for advice on the process.

                                                         Carla 
                                                    703-577-4960
                                                                 brkslong@aol.com

ps all photos are a courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Save on energy costs by installing a timer on your Hot Water Heater today

Thanks to advanced technology, one can save as much as $30-40 a month on their utility bill by installing a timer on the home hot water heater.  Apparently, our hot water heaters do their job over and over whether we use the hot water or not.  So why heat water that we are not going to use immediately?

By installing a timer on your hot water heater one can regulate when they turn on and off.  If you rise at 6 am, for example, the timer can be set for 5:45 so the water is toasty for your morning shower.  If you leave for work shortly thereafter, simply set the timer for when you return in the evening.  And then turning it off again before retiring for the evening.

The type of timer that your hot water tank will need depends on whether you have an electric hot water heater or a gas hot water heater. So be sure and consult with an expert before you make a decision on what to purchase.

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


ps all photos are courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Interest rates fall once again!

USA today reported today that interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgages have fallen once again to a new low of 3.84%.  This new low represents the lowest rate out there since mortgages came into being in the 1950's.  Less than impressive economic reports spurred the latest drop in mortgage interest rates.


Ironically enough, many homeowners that would like to take advantage of these wonderfully low rates will not be able to do so with the rigid mortgage qualification standards today.  Additionally, it is estimated that the rates will climb back up to 4.25%-4.5% very shortly.



If you are in a position to buy a home or investment property and/or refinance, look into the matter today so the opportunity to finance at  historically low rates does not pass you by.

If you want 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


PS pictures are a courtesy of:  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

How's the real estate market doing this Spring?

There is plenty of activity in sales of real estate for Northern Virginia.  Regular sales, combined with short sales and bank owned properties continue to be posted across the board.

This coming weekend is "National Open House Extravaganza" weekend.  So if you're in the market to buy a home then most likely most properties will be held open.  If you see something you really like and want a more private showing call me today and I will arrange one!

There were approximately 22 properties in 22181 and 15 properties in 22181 that went under contract between April 11 and April 25th (today).

 The spring market has been very active since January and part of the reason is the wonderfully mild weather.  Another reason is "pent up demand".  Many buyers have been sitting on the fence for a long time and now they are ready to buy.  Pricing is reasonable and the interest rates are ideal.

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!


                                                         Best regards,


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


ps photos are a courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Is is time for Spring Cleaning? (the dos and don'ts)

Its about that time of year for all of us to re vamp our closets with lighter clothing choices and to pack away all the winter gear (gloves, hats, wool scarves etc).  Its also a time when the warmer weather inspires many of us to "lighten" the load of "stuff" we choose to keep in our homes.

De-cluttering (as it is called) takes time and energy.  It also takes a plan to get it done successfully and efficiently.  I know I've had days that lead me to ask myself,  "Where do I possibly begin?".  Every room it seems needs to be gone over with a fine toothed comb.

Well, the best way to approach the situation is to tackle each room separately.  Set aside a block of time (at least 2-3 hours) to go through a room and decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away.   The items to be removed should be taken away that day and the room put back together.  That way there is a sense of accomplishment before proceeding to the next room.

 If you decide to reorganize the books or games on a new shelf or magazines in new containers etc. then make that a project for another day.  Its probably not the best idea to buy a bunch of organizational containers ahead of time.  Wait until you know what is staying and what is being disposed of.

Of course, each space will not be "totally done" since each space will require regular maintenance.  We continually need to organize and spruce up spaces as they are used on a daily basis.  Our needs change over time and our equipment will change as well.  So allow time in your weekly schedule for maintenance and attention to detail to keep your newly organized and decluttered spaces in tip top shape.

While you're at it don't forget to have fun.  Revamp a room with a favorite color or furniture item that makes you happy and comfortable in your surroundings.  After all, its your home and your life and your mood.....  Some ones elses color and furniture choices are not necessarily going to make you happy.  Maria Killam in Vancouver (Canada) is the owner of the wildly successful blog,  Color me Happy.  Yellow is her color of choice and she believes that each personal space should reflect the owners choices. 

And, remember, if your home is kept in a reasonably decluttered and attractive state, there will be less stress when it comes time to entertain or move!

Have a great day and call me today if you're planning on buying or selling real estate.  I am here for you and will treat your transaction as if it were my own. 

                                                               Best

                                                              Carla
                                                         703-577-4960
                                                     brkslong@aol.com