Associate Broker, Long & Foster Real Estate
Many have opted to sit out the process of buying a home in 2023 and 2024 due to higher mortgage interest rates, the thought being that they will enter the market when rates come down. What those buyers are not considering is the other buyers that will also be entering the market when, and if, Read More ...
Selling a home can be a stressful process. How we live is not how we sell. Home owners usually know their properties need polishing, but may not know how much. From the moment I meet future sellers I help them evaluate the projects they should be taking on prior to listing, and just as importantly, Read More ...
When is a Private Listing Appropriate? The one constant in my business as a real estate agent is that no two situations are the same. There are always similarities between buyer journeys and the paths sellers take when listing their homes. In the case of the Manassas listing pictured above, the choices made by the Read More …
Keeping the Furry Family Members Safe When Selling When meeting with sellers about the prospect of listing their homes for sale, there are many things to consider. Price and what preparation projects are always top of mind. Ideal time frame is another. Hitting the market is often a combination of optimal market demand and convenience Read More …
The Pulse of Buyer Activity (Spring 2025) As I prepared for National Open House Weekend April 26th-27th, expectations were high. Buyers have been out in full force in Northern Virginia since early 2025. Now with weather supporting the arrival of spring, listing agents like myself expected cherry listings that were priced right and presented perfectly, Read More …
Navigating a Home Purchase Post NAR Settlement As if the prospect of buying a home was not daunting enough, there is plenty of misinformation about what the process post NAR lawsuit settlement means for buyers. In the digital age, anyone with access to social media or the internet in general can come across as an Read More …
New Buyer Clients Always Wonder… Whenever I meet new buyer clients, there is anticipation in the air, measured by nervousness. As we talk through the home buying process and I ask questions to make sure we getting a game plan together to meet their goals, the new buyer client will inevitably ask, “What is the Read More …
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone When Selling Over the course of years when meeting with sellers, the message is given time and again, “You don’t sell a home the way you live in a home.” What does that mean? Your day to day drop zones, clutter and habits need to be transformed. Spaces suited Read More …
Beware This Scam if You are a Homer Owner While not a new scam to hit home owners, local police are warning against individuals posing as driveway paving contractors who offer great deals on a paving job while seeking deposits up front. What happens in this scam is that a contractor offers a great deal Read More …
A Costly Real Estate Myth In my career as a listing agent, I have helped hundreds of home owners sell their properties. As many as I have helped, you could double easily that number to reflect the number of home owners I have met with that believe a real estate myth that is costing them Read More …
HOA & Condo Capitalization Fees Having worked in the Gainesville/Haymarket area real estate market since 2005, one time capitalization fees are a normal part of a buyer’s real estate fees, most typically seen in gated communities and in condo buildings. Also known as capital contribution fees, these capitalization fees are disclosed in the HOA or Read More …
The Gifts of the Season What a wonderful holiday season! December is always one of my favorite months, despite the shortened hours of sunlight we experience this time of year. The sights and sounds of the holiday season always brighten the darkness. This year was no different. This year, I made it a point to Read More …