Your Guide to Keeping your Home Safe this Summer

With the real estate market of Northern Virginia becoming more active every day, there is a constant surge of property in demand. If you're a prospective buyer, CLICK HERE for a Full Home Search, or if you're interested in placing your property on the market, obtain a Free Home Value Report RIGHT HERE. For any other questions about current market conditions or the value of your property, contact me at (703) 909-3939.

School is out and summer is here! It's getting stuffy in the office and you probably have an itch to get outside and get away. That's great, but while you are gone, you need to make sure that you protect your home and all your valuables. Here are 10 ways to do so:

1. Don't post to social media
 Wait until you get home to share pictures of your vacation. Don't jeopardize your home just so you can let everyone know you are having a great time.

2. Set timers for your lights 

If burglars see the same light on all day and night, it's not hard for them to figure out that you aren't home.

3. Don't let your mail pile up 

This is a dead giveaway. Either have a neighbor pick it up or go to the post office to put a hold on it

4. Disconnect your electronics 

Most devices will still sap energy if they are plugged in, even if they are off. If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, this could save you a lot of money.

5. Keep your lawn looking nice
 Either mow before you leave or get someone to mow your yard when you're gone. An unkempt yard is an easy sign for a burglar to see you aren't home

6. Remove spare keys
 Don't keep your spare key hidden in a secret location outside your home. Put them in the house to avoid someone snooping around your property for a spare key.

7. Ask someone to watch your home 

This is your best option. This person can take care of most of this list for you and you will have a set of eyes inside the house just in case anything goes wrong

8. Test your smoke detectors
 Make sure your smoke detectors are working to prevent a fire or to alert neighbors if there is nobody home.

9. Notify your neighbors that you are gone
 Let them know you will be gone or that somebody else will be watching it

10. Leave your car in your driveway
 If you have a second car, leave it in the driveway, This will give outsiders the impression that you are still home.

Hopefully these tips will make your vacation more fun and less worrisome. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to give us a call or send us an email!

How we helped Nadeem buy his home with his negotiation skills

"When we bought our home a few years ago, Steve really helped out with the negotiations. There was some difference of $20,000 that the sellers were having issues with and Steve somehow came up with an idea that he presented to them. It worked out and went well. We’re on very good terms with him and anytime someone we know needs a real estate agent, we give them Steve’s name without hesitation."

How we helped Jackie buy her Virginia home by keeping her hopes up

"I had been looking for a while and I didn’t really see any houses that I liked. Steve kept my hopes up throughout the process and even came and picked me up to show a house since I didn’t want to drive in the snow!"

We were willing to go out of our way to help Farida with her real estate needs

"Steve was a genuine gentleman. He worked very hard for us and we got what we were looking for. When we wanted to see a property, he would pick us up to drive us to the showing and let us make our own decision when we got there. He wouldn't lead us into anything we didn't want and was always willing to go out of his way. "

Having Trouble Selling Your Home? These 6 Tips Might Help.

With the real estate market of Northern Virginia becoming more active every day, there is a constant surge of property in demand. If you're a prospective buyer, CLICK HERE for a Full Home Search, or if you're interested in placing your property on the market, obtain a Free Home Value Report RIGHT HERE. For any other questions about current market conditions or the value of your property, contact me at (703) 909-3939.

 As part of our commitment to educate you about real estate, we want to be sure you avoid some of the pitfalls many fall victim to. Today, we'll discuss the 6 mistakes that people make while selling their property.
 

1. Over-pricing the property: This can ruin a perfectly sellable property. By listing your home at too high a price, it can sit on the market indefinitely. Luckily, we have a good handle on Northern Virginia homes and can effectively price yours for a fast sale, at a premium price. 
2. Inability to show a home: You need to make your home available to as many consumers as possible. If you can't show your home to a large audience, your chances of selling decrease substantially.
3. Cluttered and personalized home: When showing your home, it should be well-organized and free of personal items - such as artwork, posters, and family pictures. Neutralize your home so buyers can see themselves living there comfortably. If you're moving out anyway, it's best to have the clutter taken care of ahead of time.
4. Unpleasant odors: Don't smoke inside your home or cook fragrant food, like cabbage or curry. Even pleasant smells should be avoided, as they carry personality - which works against the neutrality of your home. If you have pet stains or odors you can always consult a professional to remove them.
5. Unwillingness to negotiate with buyers: Real estate agents are professional negotiators and always have your interest in mind with everything they do. No deal is made without a hitch, so expect negotiations and trust that your agent is working in your favor. Always remember, concessions are often necessary for the sale to occur. 
6. Unwillingness to make repairs: Choose your battles wisely. Some repairs are more necessary than others, so you should ask your agent which ones are most crucial.

Just knowing what you need to avoid in order to sell your home isn't enough. It's crucial to have a professional help you through the process. We'd love to help - give us a call or send us an email for all your buying and selling needs here in Northern Virginia.