Is the First Time Home Buyer Credit Coming Back?
August 30, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
With the precipitous 27% drop in July housing sales, the first time home buyer credit is getting renewed interest from some heavy hitters in Washington, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, according to The Hill. Though admitting that just one month of numbers was too little data to say whether the credit [...]
Free First Time Home Buyer Seminar in Arlington
August 26, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Monday, September 20, 2010 from 7:00 – 8:15 Arlington Central Library 1015 N Quincy St 2nd floor meeting room Ballston (Orange Line) Though there is no cost to attend, you must contact us to register for the First Time Buyer Class since seating is limited and so that materials are available. Educating Home Buyers to Enable [...]
Best DC Real Estate Blog
August 23, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
We’re honored to be nominated as one of DC’s Best Real Estate blogs! If you’ve enjoyed reading our posts, please take a moment to click below and register your support for http://blog.wethmangroup.com You can vote once a day all this week. Thank you! [Poll closed] Tweet This Post
This Month in Real Estate: August 2010
August 17, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
This month in real estate explores why waiting for a further price drop–at the risk of rising interest rates–may not be the best plan. Rates are at a 50 year low today, at approximately 4.6%. On $179,000 purchase (I bet you DC area readers would love that price for a home?!) at 4.75% and 20% [...]
Just how important are today’s low interest rates?
August 12, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
I work with a lot of first time buyers, who often ask me “How do we know the market won’t drop further? I think I should wait to buy.” My answer is always the same: I don’t have a crystal ball, but I look to the job market as a reliable leading indicator for the [...]
FHA Loans Getting More Expensive – Again
August 10, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Bill HR 2981 was passed by both the House and Senate, paving the way for higher charges for FHA borrowers. The majority of FHA loans are 30 year mortgages with a loan-to-value of at least 96.5%, which will see an increase in the monthly fee from 55 bps to a whopping 90bp, but on the [...]
Northern Virginia & Washington DC Real Estate Market Update: August 2010
August 4, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Though August is typically pretty slow, there’s still plenty of buzz in the real estate world, as well as the TV world, where Katie is making her TV debut on an episode of HGTV’s “My First Place.” Be sure to set your DVR to catch the Emmy-worthy performance this Thursday August 5 at 8:00 pm [...]
Herndon Metro Stations – Planning Workshops Begin
July 19, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
According to the Washington Post, a public planning workshop is scheduled for today at 6:00 pm at the Herndon Senior Center. The workshop is part of a year-long study to update Herndon’s land-use plan, including the plans for Metro’s new Silver Line rail extension station scheduled to open in 2016. The station, though planned for [...]
Mortgage Rates Hit Historic Lows: Should I Refinance?
July 16, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Back in 2008, I wrote a blog post about refinancing, and given that rates are once again reaching (new) historic lows–in the 4.5% range for 30 year fixed money up to $729,750!–I thought it was time to revisit, and update, the post. When deciding whether to refinance, the best thing to do is calculate the [...]
Lyon Village Playground & Sprayground – A Summer Treat for Kids!
July 13, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Arlington residents know that one of the ‘coolest’ places to be on a hot summer day is the Lyon Village Spayground, located at 1800 N Highland St in Lyon Village, just off of Lee Highway. According to Arlington County’s website, “the 1.5 acre park was completely redesigned with the help from Lyon Village Civic Association. [...]
