The Stepping Stone Group Real Estate Video Blog with Betsy Voegtlin: 2014

How to Determine the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home

There are many great Fairfax area homes for sale! Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at 703-798-9882 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions

A question that we get asked all the time is, "When is the right time to put my home on the market?" The answer to this question is simple: Whenever you are ready, that's the time to put your home on the market.

There isn't a special season or month that you need to wait for. Luckily, living in Northern Virginia, there are always people looking for homes. Whether it's people from the military, the government, or technology firms, people are constantly moving in and out of this vibrant economy we have.

The real questions you need to ask yourself are: When do you want to sell? And when will your home be market ready? Before putting your home on the market, you will want to make sure your home is clean, neutral, and de-cluttered. The only other piece of the puzzle is looking carefully at recent sales in your neighborhood to know where to price your home. As long as we price your home to market comparable ones, there really is no bad time to put your home on the market. It comes down to when does it work for you and your family.

No matter when you decide to put it on the market, we will get your house sold, Just let us know what you need when you need it and we'll be there to help you. We are here to serve you with all your real estate needs, no matter what that is. At the Stepping Stone Group, we will be with you every step of the way!

Conditions for investing in real estate have never been better

If you are looking to build your long-term financial portfolio and grow your wealth, purchasing real estate is one of the best investments you can make. The questions is: What constitutes a good investment property? For one, you need to know what is appealing to potential renters. Things such as location, great commuter options - such as bus stops, the VRE, etc. - and it's proximity to good schools and shopping areas. If you make the right moves and buy a desirable rental property, you will make money in the long haul.

Now is an ideal time to make this investment because interest rates are still spectacularly low. But as the economy improves, interest rates will gradually rise - which will have a negative impact on your purchasing power. If you invest now, you can take advantage of low rates, in addition to the appreciation in home value that accompanies a stabilizing market.

If these fantastic conditions have piqued your interest, give me a call or shoot me an email. I would be happy to discuss in further detail the ideal investment property, or answer any general questions you may have about Northern Virginia real estate.

What's the difference between a home inspection and a home appraisal?

When I get questions about home inspections and home appraisals in Northern Virginia, a lot of people assume they are the same thing. This could not be any further from the truth. They are very different components of the real estate transaction, each with separate processes that are important to know about if you are selling your home or purchasing a new one.

Home inspections are usually done 7-10 days after an agreement has been made on the sale of the home. It is conducted by the buyers at their own expense. During the home inspection, the inspector will be looking for problems with the structure and functionality of the house so that parties can agree on final terms for the home.

A home appraisal is a similar process with some technical differences, usually taking place 3-4 weeks after the principle agreement of the home sale. Appraisals are ordered by the home buyer's lender. They want to make sure that before they hand over the money to the purchaser, the home is worth what the buyer is about to pay. The lender will come out, view the property, compare it to other homes in Northern Virginia, and 3-5 business days after the lender views the property, they will determine whether the price on the particular home is fair so that the sale can close.

If you are selling, it is very important you list your home within the corresponding price range of other homes that our comparable to yours . If you are even entertaining the notion of selling your home, give The Stepping Stone Group a call and we'd be glad to walk through the property with you, give you information about pricing, and offer you any kind of assistance we can. At the Stepping Stone Group, we are with you every step of the way!

Don't Get Caught Up with Cosmetics When Buying a New Home

What to Look For in a Home as a Buyer
With summer approaching, I wanted to help all of my buyers in Fairfax with their home searches. In this short video, I will be discussing what is important to look for. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect home. Unless you're building a custom home on a new lot, there will be some compromises that you have to make.

Having said that, you should have an idea of some things that you will not be willing to compromise on when it comes to your new home. Cosmetic issues like the color of the paint or the carpeting can be changed after the fact, so don't sweat these things so much.

What you really need to worry about are the things that you cannot change. Some examples would be the floor plan or the location of the home. Instead of focusing on whether or not there is granite in the kitchen, you should be considering the structures that surround the home because these things cannot be changed.

This is just something to keep in mind as you walk from home to home. Of course, you may have to compromise here and there because no house is perfect, but make sure you stick tight to the things that are really important to have in your home.

We always tell our clients to focus on the bones of the house and not to get distracted with the siding. You can always put some extra TLC into the home after you buy.

As always, if you have any questions about this topic or about real estate in Fairfax, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Time is of the Essence If You Plan on Buying in Fairfax

Tips for Buyers in 2014

Today I'm just going to share a few tips for all of my prospective buyers this year. The market is going to be competitive this year in Fairfax, and you need to know some ways that you can stand out from the crowd.

Get Pre-Approved: This should always be your first step when you're buying a home. It will make you look like a serious buyer in the eyes of a seller and it will increase the likelihood that your offer is met with positive feedback.

With low inventory and high demand from buyers in Fairfax, you will need to act quickly. If you're pre-approved to buy a home it will increase your chances of getting the home that you want. Before you buy a home, you have to prove that you have the financial wherewithal to do it.

Let Your Realtor Know What You Want: This makes it much easier for us to find you a suitable home. Determine a price point, a number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or even a particular neighborhood that you find suitable. Research school districts and the amenities of different neighborhoods. Finding out what you actually want takes a lot of guesswork out of the process for us, and it allows us to find a more perfect fit for you.

We can also insert search criteria into the MLS, so that when a property comes onto the listing with features that match your interests, you will be notified by email as soon as it hits the market.

The bottom line here is that you need to know what you want, and be prepared to act when you find a property that is suited towards your needs. Just let us know what you want and we can map out a strategy to get you the home that you need.

Give me a call and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about Fairfax real estate. You can call me at (703) 798-9882 or email me at betsy@steppingstonegroup.com

Maximize Your ROI on Home Repairs with my Expertise

Know Which Renovations will Excite Your Buyers

Today I'm going to be talking with you about your Return on Investment (ROI) when you sell your home. There are some repairs that you can make that will benefit you much more than others. So, before you pick up a paint brush or even consider listing your home, have me come take a look at your property to see what can be done to maximize your ROI.

I will walk with you in your home, and we will go room-by-room and talk about things you can do to prepare your home for a sale. I will cover the overall appearance of your home both inside and outside.

When I come do this walk-through, I will be focusing on repairs that usually yield the highest ROI. Repainting and installing new carpeting are among the best repairs you can make to your home in order to get the highest return on an investment. Kitchen and bathroom repairs are also very appealing to potential buyers.

I can also help make sure that your home is as appealing to buyers as it can possibly be. I am aware of recent design trends and can recommend certain changes that will excite and attract buyers. I would hate for you to spend a lot of money on a repair that will not get you anywhere in the selling process. Not a lot of home sellers ever think about which repairs will net the most money, but it's a nuance of the real estate business that I am well aware of.

Contact me with plenty of time to plan these things out, because the sooner we talk about them, the better off you will be when you sell your home. You can call me at (703) 798-9882 or email me at betsy@steppingstonegroup.com

Thinking about Buying? What an Excellent Idea...

Lately I've been receiving a lot of questions about whether or not now is a good time to buy. Before I give you a long, drawn out reason, let me just tell you: YES, now is absolutely a good time to buy.

Why Now is the Time to Buy
With spring approaching in Fairfax, I expect the market to warm up dramatically.

Typically spring is when inventory is up, so consequentially, more buyers will be vying for properties. More inventory is great since Fairfax has not seen a deep inventory for the last 8-12 months.

However, with more inventory and more buyers comes more competition.

Be prepared to act quickly in this type of market.

Have your Pre-Approval Letter ready.

Do your research beforehand: If a listing pops up in an area that you like, be sure that you are comfortable with the school district and the neighborhood. Knowing these things beforehand will make your decision much quicker and easier, allowing you a better chance to get the property you want.

If a home is priced well and is in good condition, it is going to sell very quickly in our Fairfax real estate market.

Also keep in mind interest rates: These are expected to rise significantly by 2015, somewhere around 5% compared to our current 4% or 4.5%. This means that you will be paying significantly higher monthly mortgages if you wait another year. It could literally cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars to delay on this decision.

If you need help making an offer or want me to help walk you through the home buying process, please do not hesitate to give me a call. My phone number is (703) 798-9882 and you can email me at betsy@steppingstonegroup.com

3 easy home staging essentials that'll help you outshine the competition when listing

As more and more homes come on the market this season, sellers are anxious to get their homes prepared for the expected flood of buyers hitting the market. Here are our three tips for home readiness that we suggest:

Clean It From the Inside, Out
A clean home is essential when selling because not only does it allow buyers to see everything for its full potential but also it leaves buyers with a great first impression. Remember, you only get that one opportunity to leave that first impression and you want to do it well. You never know how many homes the buyer will be viewing, so you want yours to be memorable. Aside from cleanliness, work to make the home attractive. Also, pay attention to the home’s exterior; there are some easy ways to achieve curb appeal without spending lots of money online.

Go Neutral, Both In Color and In General
Buyers like to feel like they are walking through a home that they can make their own. By choosing colors that are easily changeable or at least in muted beige and soft neutral tones will allow them to paint their own imaginary canvas. Rather than allowing too many personal influences take over buyers’ view of the home, make an effort to depersonalize, particularly the interior, by removing personal items such as family photos, personal effects like toiletries, excess books and other items of personal nature.

Reduce Clutter and Simplify
The best thing you can do to prepare your home plus make it warm and inviting for buyers is to de-clutter the home and remove excess items that become overbearing. Too much stuff will hinder the buyer’s ability to actually see the home for its beauty and features. There is an added benefit of being able to get a head start on your move since you will be able to pack boxes ahead of time. This is a great time to either throw away old unused items, or donate things that you no longer have a use for.

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All these tips will support your sale price, foster strong buyer interest and drive better offers. If you or someone you know is considering selling a home now or in the future, we invite you to contact us today. We would be glad to walk through your property to provide customized insight, share information specific to your home and share pricing and comparable property information that will help build a selling strategy.

703-798-9882
betsy@steppingstonegroup.com

Why Hire Betsy Voegtlin to Sell Your Home?

Simply put, our objective when selling your home is to get you the most money, in the least amount of time, with the fewest inconveniences. No matter where you are selling in Northern Virginia, our team is relentless in ensuring we achieve your every home sale or home buying goal.

That is why, through the years, our clients turn to us again and again for real estate representation. We have built the Stepping Stone Group, one client at a time…earning their trust, leading with integrity, and building successful long-term relationships.

At the Stepping Stone Group, we’re with you every step of the way. That’s not just our slogan. It’s our promise.

Betsy Voegtlin

Keller Williams
Stepping Stone Real Estate Group

10300 Eaton Place Suite 120
Fairfax, VA, 22030

Betsy@steppingstonegroup.com

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