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January 2022 Market Update

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Happy New Year to you and yours! We are kicking off the new year with a serious demand for housing in the Northern Virginia real estate market. The weekend before Christmas, I wrote a contract for clients on a house in South Riding – it was the only house for sale in all South Riding at the time. In three days, there were over 150 showings and 34 contracts submitted. The house was only 2,500 square feet, had an unfinished basement, and was priced at $750,000 – crazy! The Monday after Christmas, I put a home on the market in Virginia Run. The sellers positioned the house in great condition to maximize their price. In the end, we decided to price it at $800,000. It was one of only two homes in all of Virginia Run for sale at that time. In two days, we had over 30 showings and multiple contracts resulting in a sale in which the buyers waived all contingencies, paid way over the list price, and offered settlement in just two weeks.

I believe we are entering yet another frenzied market as we head into 2022. On New Year’s Eve, I ran the numbers for our market once again, and we are now at another all-time low for inventory of resale homes in Northern Virginia. In the counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier, there are only 1,119 properties for sale. People say, “oh, it is just that time of year; inventory is always low now.” Looking back over the last five years, we have averaged 2,901 houses for sale this week – a huge difference, especially with all of the demand. I believe we will be in for quite a ride in real estate in 2022.

Here are my predictions for 2022 in real estate:

· Inventory will remain low –  if you have nothing to buy, you won’t sell, so inventory will stay low

· Homeowners will continue to renovate/remodel as a result of low inventory

· Demand will remain strong – 45 million Millennials between the ages of 26 and 35, which are prime home-buying years

· New home sales will be flat as construction costs, and labor constraints will hold sales down

· Prices will increase once again – it was 9.5% in 2021; I think we will be in the 6% range in 2022

· Interest rates will increase but only slightly – 3.11% at year-end 2021; I think they will go to 3.75%, which is still below pre-pandemic levels

· iBuyers will continue to increase their market share in all areas of the country

· Inflation will remain high…I think in the 6-7% range in 2022 – hopefully no higher

· Demand for rentals will remain strong, and prices for rentals will continue to rise

· Covid will continue to be an issue as well as a threat and continue to impact supply chain, which will impact the overall US economy. This, in turn, will influence people’s home buying and selling decisions.

So, there you have it – let’s check back in January of 2023 to see how I did on my predictions.

Happy New Year!

December 2021 Market Update

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year….

Wow, it is the holiday season already! This year has gone by so fast. I hope you had a great time with your family over Thanksgiving and continue to enjoy this month full of fun for the upcoming holidays and into the New Year.

As I run into family and friends at neighborhood events and gatherings, the conversation frequently turns to the real estate market. The most common question I am asked is, “how is the market today?” My latest response is a good one; from a historical perspective, it’s insane (in my opinion)! Inventory of homes for sale in our area has dropped to only 1,886 homes for sale for the first time during this time of year. Additionally, new sales contracts written the previous seven days were the second-highest ever; only 2020 had more contracts written.

Typically, approximately 415-460 contracts are written during Thanksgiving week; we had 653 this year! Demand continues to outpace the supply by a wide margin. So, this leads me to the next question I usually get asked, “should I sell my house during the holidays?” My answer remains; it depends. If you really need to sell, now is a great time as inventory levels are low and demand is high. Houses typically “look” festive this time of year which is an added staging bonus.

The important aspect to keep in mind is that pricing still needs to be on point for a house to sell, even in the environment we are currently experiencing. If you are looking to “cash-out” and take advantage of the market, now is not the best time to sell as buyers are still being very selective when choosing a home, and price is always high on the list along with condition. This is not the time of year to push prices. If you want people coming through during the holidays, it is 100% up to you. So, if you are considering a move now or in the future, please call me.  We can get you positioned for success.

Have a great holiday season with your family and friends!

November 2021 Market Update

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Groundhog day in November?? It seems that way to me in the day-to-day operations of running a real estate business. What we continue to hear over and over is – “wow, the market sure has slowed down,” but I am here to tell you that it hasn’t. The number of sales is higher today than at any other time in Northern Virginia during this same time in previous years. The pace is not as frenetic as it was early in the year, but the numbers are still strong (versus any other year since I started keeping track of the numbers in 2005). Houses are staying on the market for an average of 18 days now versus 14 days previously. Does this mean the market is slow? Not at all.

In 2008, we had an 11-month supply of houses – nearly 330 days on market. That was a slow market; this one is not. It is important to keep everything in perspective and have the right expectations when selling your house. If the house is in the right condition and priced properly, your house will sell. It may not have double-digit contracts, it may only have one, and it may take a couple of weeks, but it will sell as we continue to have a high demand for housing. 

So, what does this mean from the buyer’s perspective? With low inventory levels, some buyers are still facing challenges. As I mentioned, we are not seeing many double-digit contracts on listings. However, we still see some homes receive multiple offers, so it is essential to put your best foot forward when making a strong offer. We can give you the right advice to make your offer stand out, so call me to discuss your plans for moving. 

Interest rates are creeping up, and prices are creeping up, so the cost of ownership is increasing. If you are considering a move, don’t delay. Instead of waiting a few months, buying now could make a few hundred-dollar difference in your mortgage payment. It’s time to get off the fence.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the start of this holiday season.

May 2021 Market Update

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The real estate market reminds me of the great Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day. It seems like every month I am conveying the same story. Housing inventory levels are still low, we continue to have multiple offer situations, interest rates continue to stay modest, and prices are rising. Sorry, but that’s the story in Northern Virginia today, and I believe it will be for years to come. 

The good news is we continue to see additional inventory come on the market. The issue is, in most cases, we have more demand than the supply that is coming onto the market. This has some buyers experiencing “buyer fatigue” as they cannot waive all contingencies or go high enough in price to win in a multiple contract situation. In some instances, this has resulted in fewer contracts submitted in what could be a multiple contract situation and, in some rare cases, only one or two offers are received. For today’s buyers, patience is critical, but the speed of writing the offer is the key to success. If you are thinking of buying, let’s meet to discuss your plans in more detail.

If you are a seller, it is extremely important to be realistic and do the right things to get your house sold. We have seen some sellers trying to take advantage of the market by not completing the finishing touches typically done when preparing to sell their home. They are not painting, replacing carpets or flooring, making minor repairs such as caulking in bathrooms or repairing rotten trim, etc. and worst of all, overpricing their properties. Greed is not good; being sensible is as the market is not like it was in 2004-2006, where you could price properties for tens of thousands of dollars above the last sale. People who do the right things such as staging and proper pricing see the market take their sales prices higher because buyers are willing to pay premium prices for properties in the right condition. If you are considering selling, let’s get together and see what we can do to help you maximize the market.

Enjoy the spring weather and all that May has to offer.

April 2021 Market Update

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The Northern Virginia real estate market continues to amaze me. Inventory levels remain extremely low, demand remains extraordinarily high, and this is still occurring even though rates have increased slightly over the last few weeks. I do not believe this will change or slow down any time in the near future. The level of demand is just too high.

We continue to see multiple contract situations as the new normal throughout much of Northern Virginia. It is common to see all contingencies being removed and prices set way above the original list price in these situations. In early March, I wrote a contract on a house in North Arlington that was listed for $935,000. It was a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home, and just 1,280 square feet. The offer was cash, close in two weeks with no contingencies, and my buyer offered $1,026,000. According to the listing agent, we were not even close! One of the 23 received offers went up to $1,081,000. Insane! This leaves 22 other active buyers still looking to own in that price point in Arlington – so again, I don’t see this market slowing any time soon. All the being said, the condo market is the only anomaly as most condos are sitting on the market.

So, what is going to happen is what I am often asked. My belief is that inventory will remain low for the foreseeable future as people have purchased or refinanced at exceptionally low rates. As rates increase, there will be little, if any, motivation to move. If someone has a $500,000 mortgage with an interest rate of 2.75%, what will motivate them to move to a home with a $750,000 mortgage at 4% or even higher? I think this is what will stagnate inventory levels over the next few years. People will only move if there is a genuine need to do so – like marriage, kids, schools, job, divorce, death, etc.

Speaking about interest rates, they have inched above 3% for the first time in several months, but please keep this in mind, they are still below where they were this same time last year and are still below historical lows mortgages. Earlier I mentioned rates at 4% or higher; I don’t believe we will be there for some time, so no need to worry about this happening. I foresee we will be in the low to mid 3’s for the remainder of the year.

As always, I am more than happy to speak with you about your situation in more detail as each situation is unique and personal.

Happy Spring!

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!

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/ 

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

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/