Free First Time Home Buyer Class in Arlington, VA
February 8, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Are you a first time buyer thinking of starting your search? Low pries, historically low interest rates, and the $8000 tax credit have many people in our area wondering if it’s time to buy. Join us for a free educational session at Arlington County Library.
Wenesday, March 3
7:00pm – 8:15pm
Arlington County Library
1015 N Quincy [...]
Giving a Facelift to a Dated Exterior
February 6, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Hard to believe, isn’t it? But look closely and you’ll see the remains of the original home. On the main level, the owners added a welcoming front porch, and swapped the window out for a bay window. Then they “popped the top” and added a second floor, and extended the chimney up. Then they [...]
Tips for Newly Engaged or Married Couples Buying a Home Together
February 3, 2010 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
I often work with couples who are newly, or soon-to-be, engaged. Being a first time homebuyer is overwhelming enough, without bring another set of opinions in to it! But there are some tips and tricks that I recommend to my buyer clients to help smooth the process:
1) Do you have a home (or two) to [...]
Is Buying a Home One of Your 2010 New Year’s Resolutions?
December 27, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Get started by attending a free, no obligation first time home buyer class at Arlington Central Library on January 26 at 7:00 pm.
Our first time home buyer classes are educational sessions designed to give an overview of current market conditions and the home buying process. We cover a recap of the market, current trends and [...]
VHDA Loans Allow Financing of Down Payment
December 15, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
The Virginia Housing Development Authority has extended its Homebuyer Tax Credit Plus program to match the deadlines of the Federal First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit.
VHDA’s program lets borrowers use a second mortgage to finance up to 5% of the sales price (enough to cover FHA’s 3.5% down payment requirement) by using the $8000 first time home [...]
Short Sale Statistics for Arlington
December 13, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Our local MLS has added a field to specify short sales (though “Undisclosed” is still an option), which makes it a little easier to get a handle on the current state of the market.
So where are the short sales in Arlington?
As of the date of this post, there are 46 active short sales in Arlington. [...]
FAQ: High Investor (Low Owner-Occupancy) Ratio Condos: How Can I Buy or Sell?
December 2, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
One of the most common issues a condo buyer or seller faces in obtaining financing is meeting the owner-occupancy ratio required by lenders or the FHA. Owner-occupants means the units are actually occupied by their owners as primary residences, rather than those owners who choose to rent out their units. Renting units out is [...]
FAQ: Why is the Buyer’s Agent Called the Selling Agent? Buyer Agency Agreements Explained.
November 29, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, listing agents and selling agents…just how many agents are there in a real estate transaction?
Usually two. But to understand the nomenclature we need to go back a few years, before the rise of “buyer agency.” Years ago, there was no such thing as a buyer’s agent. There were, however, still two [...]
FAQ: Why Would A House For Sale Still Have a Sign Up Even If It’s Under Contract?
November 18, 2009 by Katie Wethman · Leave a Comment
Buyers are often frustrated when they drive past a great house for sale, only to go online and find that it’s “Pending” or “Under Contract.” So why is the sign still up?
First: Free advertising for the listing agent. They’re hoping you call the number on the sign so that they can say [...]
