Real estate

March 2021 Market Update

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It’s hard to believe that one year has passed since our world changed with the Pandemic. There have been so many changes in our daily routines, the way we interact with each other, how we conduct business, and so much more. The hardest part for many of us was that we lost loved ones or could not visit them due to restrictions. Let’s hope this all changes soon with the vaccine. 

As far as the real estate world goes, it has remained resilient and has even thrived. To some, it may be hard to believe, but true. Historically low-interest rates, crazy low inventory levels, and high demand resulted in a frenzied market over the last year. Housing gained over $3.1 Trillion in equity in 2020 as prices escalated in almost every market around the country. We are only a little over two months into 2021, and we continue to see a strong housing market. Inventory remains extremely low, rates have ticked up slightly but are still very attractive, and buyer demand remains very robust. The biggest concern remains the low inventory. We continue to see multiple offer situations in all price ranges throughout Northern Virginia. Many times, contracts are being submitted without the buyers even seeing the home! Crazy but true. Buyers are conducting pre-offer home inspections, waiving all contingencies, and are bidding 10-13% over the list price to get into a home. I believe we will be in this type of market for the next few years. Unfortunately for buyers, I don’t see a flood of houses coming on the market to cover the demand that is out there today.  Interest rates will remain low to help keep the market moving. We continue to have low unemployment relative to other parts of the country, so people are continuing to relocate to our area. Couple all of this with the Millennials entering the market as home buyers; it’s quite the tsunami.

If you are considering selling or buying a home, it is more critical today than ever to have a professional representing you. Expert negotiation skills and market knowledge are essential in this aggressive market. Please feel free to call me to review your situation in more detail or allow us to help someone you know. I am always happy to help.

I am looking forward to warmer weather and more hours of daylight, and I hope you are too.  Happy Spring!

February 2021 Market Update

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Again, I have said it before, and I will repeat it, inventory levels on homes for sale in Northern Virginia are critically low! We currently have just 1,701 homes for sale in all of the counties we serve in Northern Virginia. The amazing fact is the number of condos that are currently for sale – 792 – which represents just under 50% of the total inventory. Condos typically do not reflect nearly 50% of the inventory levels … more on this later. 

Continuing with the numbers; there are only 646 single family homes currently on the market. Are you kidding me? There are only 235 townhouses total, again, WOW! Do you know what this means? The chances of multiple contract situations are possible on virtually every home on the market. We have had as many as 30 contracts submitted on one house in Gainesville priced at $635,000. It escalated above $700,000. We had another home in Aldie that had 78 showings and 62 visitors at the open house. This one was priced at $772,000 that had 21 offers and escalated to $831,700. It is insane – I cannot think of another word to describe it. 

A question I am frequently asked is when will it end? I think it will be a long time, as I believe it will be rate driven, and rates will remain low for the foreseeable future. Once rates rise to the 4 or 5% range, we will see a slowdown in contracts/purchasers, but not an inventory increase. Another question is, when will buyer burnout take them out of the market? My answer: it depends as this is and has always been an individual question. I have heard about prospective buyers writing as many as 15 contracts (on different homes) and still in the fight, while others are not even entering the market because of these “bidding” war situations. Typically, buyers will write until they win a bid on a property.  Usually, in a market like this, it has been between 3-5 times in my experience. 

One more question I hear is how do I buy if I must sell my house first? This one is more complicated, but I can give you details if you are interested. We have nine ways to make this work!

If you or someone you know would like to discuss their situation with me in more detail, whether it is purchasing or selling a home, please feel free to call me.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Peak Performer Series – Weekly Motivation

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In this weekly motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. Will you weather the storm? 

Resiliency is the key to success in weathering the storms of life. Learn why I feel this way in my latest Peak Performer message. 

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

Peak Performer Series – Weekly Motivation

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In this weekly motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. Are the goals you set for 2021 SPECIFIC?

Setting goals every year is imperative for growth – both personally and professionally. But are the goals you set SMARTY ones? Learn more about this concept in my latest Peak Performer Message. 

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

Peak Performer Series – Weekly Motivation

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In this weekly motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. In 2021, I have a NEW challenge for YOU! 

Are you looking to make a TRUE impact in people’s lives this year? Learn more about my latest challenge for YOU in my latest Peak Performer message and let me know if you are going to accept this challenge ⭐

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

January 2021 Market Update

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Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2021!  I predict this will be yet another exciting year with lots of new challenges, adversity, change, and so much more. The good thing to note is out of these situations come positive outcomes for many if you keep the right mental attitude, stay adaptable, and take care of yourself and those around you. We do not know what lies ahead but keeping strong is as vital as ever.

I have been asked, “what is going to happen with real estate in 2021”?  It depends on whether you are a buyer, seller, renter, landlord, or investor. Inventory levels in Northern Virginia continue to decline. We ended the year with only 1,737 houses for sale in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, and Fauquier Counties and all the cities located within this area. As you can imagine, this number is extremely low, historically speaking. This makes purchasing a home extraordinarily difficult for buyers. I am currently working with a buyer where we have bid $30,000 over list, $40,000 over list, and $50,000 over list and on three separate houses, and we have lost out on each of them. They are in the $400,000 – $500,000 price point. The listing agents said they were overwhelmed with offers and calls – one had 17 offers in hand in less than 24 hours. So, you can see the buying environment is uber-competitive. On the flip side, this makes it a great time to sell a home if you are looking to move. Depending on the price point, location and condition, sellers can expect multiple showings as well as multiple contracts with purchasers paying more than the sales price and waiving many, if not all, the contingencies associated with a sale. Renting houses is also a challenge as there is a .4-month supply of homes available, and of those, 40% are single-family or townhouses. Again, this makes being a landlord easier to get results as there is a brisk rental market in Northern Virginia. Most investors like houses that cash flow, and with prices being bid up, many investors are choosing to wait on the sidelines to see if more inventory comes on the market prior to getting into bidding wars. Time will tell if we get more inventory or not, but I believe we will experience low inventory throughout 2021. Call me to discuss your situation in more detail so we can help you make the right decisions.

So, the market that is struggling the most right now in our area is condos. In Arlington County, 84% of the resale inventory is condominiums. The average days on the market for a condo in Arlington is 76 days and the average overall days on the market for all properties in NOVA is 16. Quite a difference, right? The rental market is remarkably similar in all of NOVA – condos are on the market for 126 days, and single-family and townhouses are on the market for 42 days. Be careful when considering an investment in condos right now.

As always, I am happy to speak with you about your situation as each one is different.  Happy New Year, and as always, be safe, make wise decisions when you go in public, so you

Peak Performer Series – Weekly Motivation

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In this weekly motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. Are you in the right seat, on the right bus going in the right direction?

Now is a great time to determine if you are in the right place, doing the right things for a successful year. Check out my latest Peak Performer message for my thoughts on this important topic, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. 

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

A Quick Minute of Motivation

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In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. As we close out 2020, its a great time for you to focus on the “R’s”: Refocus, Recharge, Rejuvenate and most importantly Reflect on your accomplishments of 2020. Check out my latest Peak Performer message for my thoughts on this important topic and ideas to focus on for 2021.

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

A Quick Minute of Motivation

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In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. I know I have said this before, but now that we are in the holiday season, I thought I would send a little reminder…. you are what you consume – in all aspects of life. Check out my latest Peak Performer message for my thoughts on this important topic. 

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/ 

A Quick Minute of Motivation

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In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how YOU can become a Peak Performer. Are you staying relevant? With all the misinformation out in the world these days, how are you supplying your clients and customers with the necessary information they want and need? Check out my latest Peak Performer message and let me know what it is you are doing to remain relevant. 

​Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net 

FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips, and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/