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How to Get Multiple Offers On Your Home For Sale In Northern Virginia

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Unlike the weather, the real estate market is HOT!

WINTER SCENEWe currently have a 1.8 month supply of houses on the market in Northern Virginia.

Interest rates remain low so buyers are buying homes and jobs in the DC Metro area continue to be created so people are looking for housing in our market.  We expect this trend to continue for the next several months.  Sellers are in the proverbial driver seat if they do the right things to their property before putting it on the market.  If you are considering selling your house, read more below…

As I mentioned, right now our biggest issue is finding houses to sell.  We currently have 3,850 properties for sale in all of Northern Virginia – down from a high of the last year when we had 6,005 in the second week of October.  That is a 36% decrease in houses for sale in just 3 months.  We expect more properties to come on the market as the ice and snow melt, as well as, into the spring market but we have a lot of people looking so I don’t see that it will have a huge impact in regards to our inventory level moving forward.

The low inventory situation has resulted in multiple contracts on properties that are in great shape, priced well and show well.  As properties come on the market that are in the same situation, they too will have multiple contracts.  Therefore, buyers need to be prepared.  We have developed a strategy to help buyers position their contracts to win when in competitive situations – check out my blog to learn more – www.scottymacsblog.com simply search for multiple contracts or click the link here.  Sellers need to seek our advice when selling so we can help stage the house, give direction on what improvements/repairs need to be made and to price the home properly so they can take advantage of the market.

REMAX FOR SALE SIGN SOLD

As always, I am available to answer any questions you may have in regards to your personal situation so feel free to contact me anytime.

Scott MacDonald

RE/MAX Gateway, LLC

(703) 652-5777

scottmacdonald@remax.net

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Is it over yet? Why Northern Virginia Home Sales Went On A Wild Roller Coaster Ride

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October took the real estate market roller coaster ride.

Rates went up, rates came down.  Sales went down, sales went up.  Inventory rose, inventory came back down.

Real Estate Market Roller Coaster Ride 31OCT2013

In some areas, the number of multiple contracts went down, then they went back up.  Inventory of short sales and foreclosures were down, then they rose but luckily by not too much.  The government shut down and the government opened back up – luckily, it was not too long and did not have a tremendous impact on the housing market.

Our emotions went up, our emotions came back down, as there was a lot of concern about delays in closings associated with the shut down because of the reduced number of employees at FHA and the IRS, but we avoided a potential disaster there.  Additionally, we were worried about the government defaulting on their debt which would have sent interest rates skyrocketing, and again, fortunately, this did not happen.

Even though there were so many ups and downs, the market in October this year was still better compared to a year ago.  There were more home sales, higher home prices and more homes for sale for buyers to choose from, although the uncertainty skewed people’s perception.  So now you know why October was such a roller coaster for real estate.

What lies ahead on the horizon as we enter the winter market?  My belief is we will be in our typical winter market.  Homes will come off the market for the holidays.  Motivated, savvy buyers will be out buying homes.  Interest rates will remain in the low 4% range.  Home prices will continue to stabilize throughout the Northern Virginia area.  Houses that are priced right, in the right condition and right location will see multiple offers and our market won’t be as up and down as it was in October.  Basically, we will continue to have a robust housing market locally.

To learn more about your situation, please feel free to call me today. Scott MacDonald (703) 652-5777.

Scott MacDonald

RE/MAX Gateway, LLC

What You Need To Know When Buying or Selling a House In Northern Virginia This Summer 2013

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The real estate market continues to be hyper-local today.  We are seeing multiple contracts in many areas and yet houses are sitting on the market in others.  Prices are rising in many areas while we see price reductions in others.  We see houses staying on the market for mere hours to just a few days in some areas while other markets see houses staying on the market for over 30 days to even longer further out from Washington.  If you are buying or selling it is important to seek the advice of a professional so you know what the market is like in your area of interest to give you the right advice.

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There are some aspects of the market that are not hyper-local.  These areas that are influencing the market are interest rates and distressed property inventory.  Interest rates have been on the rise for nearly the whole month of May.  Don’t get me wrong, interest rates are still great and people shouldn’t be concerned but if you are waiting for them to come back down to make a move, the sage advice is to do something now and don’t delay as it will cost you more in the future.  As far as short sales and foreclosures are concerned, their numbers continue to dwindle in Northern Virginia which is great news for everyone who owns a home.  As of the end of May, only 6.1% of the total inventory was made up of distressed homes and they represented only 8.2% of sales in the region.  How does this affect the market?  These numbers have help aid in the rising of prices throughout our area as there are fewer blighted properties, more people caring for their yards and homes so everybody wins.

Our real estate market continues to be one of the best in the country because of our low unemployment rates, increasing property values, tourism, plus we have easy access to water, mountains and all the Washington DC metro area has to offer.  Please let us know how we can help you or someone you know looking to buy or sell a home.  (703) 652-5777

Scott MacDonald

RE/MAX Gateway, LLC