DIY Guide to Decluttering Your Northern Virginia Home

The new year causes many of us to reflect on the previous year and set goals to improve. For some, they decide to go to the gym more often or eat better. Others set work or professional goals to achieve.

This post is for the people who want to take back their homes from the clutter in the new year. Clutter often builds up slowly over time until you look around and wonder how it all got there. Fear not! There is a simple 3-step method to make it all go away.

Define Your Goals
Before beginning, you want to take the time to make a plan. Go through each room of your house and decide what needs to be done in each location. Track this either with pen and paper, or use something like Google Docs or Evernote to ensure you don't forget the details.

Once you know what has to be done, determine the priority of each area. Is your office overflowing with outdated paperwork? Are your kitchen cabinets bursting with cookware you never use? Decide which location will give you the most satisfaction when it is not full of clutter, and make that your #1 priority. Rank the other areas in relative importance from high to low.

The last (and often overlooked) part of goal-setting is choosing a timeline. If your kitchen is the first location to tackle, maybe you want to sort out all the old cookware by Sunday evening, so you can cook without the clutter through the workweek. Whatever the timeline is, make sure you stick to it so you complete the other items on your list.

Decide How to SortSorting as you go through the clutter is important. You can make your sorting process very simple by dividing everything you encounter into 3 categories: Keep, Trash, and Storage. 

Keep - these are items that you use on a regular basis that are functional or items that bring you joy. What does that mean? Anything that you can instantly recall the last time you used it and you know it works, keep it. If you have something that you would use if it wasn't broken, but it just sits on a shelf waiting for you to fix it for months and months, just get rid of it. An item that brings you joy could be anything from a sports jersey to a toy from your childhood to a family heirloom. These items might not be very practical, but their existence makes you happy.

Trash - If an item is broken and can't be easily fixed, trash it. If you haven't used something in over a year (and it's not a seasonal item), trash it. If you're keeping a horrible gift solely out of obligation to Great Aunt Mildred, trash it. Trashing it doesn't have to mean you fill endless garbage bags as you go through your house, however. Many items can be recycled or donated, or you could have a yard sale. 

Storage - For seasonal items, or for things with emotional significance that don't fit elsewhere in your home, storage is the way to go. Whether it's your own attic/basement storage, or you pay for a storage unit, take the time to organize what you store. Items that you pull out for holidays should be easily accessible. If you are keeping things because you plan to buy a larger house one day, those might not need to be as accessible.

Set Aside Time to Work
Even if it's only 15 minutes a day, or 1 hour on Saturdays, commit to that time. If you skip it, the clutter will stay. If you struggle with this, make it a game. Get someone to join you in the activity and make it a contest, or give yourself a reward for keeping to your schedule. However you do it, you just have to make sure that it gets done. The best reward to keeping to your schedule will be the new, clean look your home has when you are done. 

Thinking of selling a home in Northern Virginia in 2016? Contact Preferred Realty Partners today to get started.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home in Northern Virginia before the New Year

The New Year is approaching quickly, but there's still time for you to find your dream home in Northern Virginia this year. Many buyers take time off at the holidays if they haven't found a home, so for the serious buyer, it is an ideal time to ramp up the home search. Here are 5 reasons why you should buy a home in Northern Virginia before January:

#1: Competition is low
Serious buyers will be looking at homes no matter the time of year, through rain, sleet, snow, or hail. Not all buyers are serious, however, or at least not serious enough to keep up the same pace through the holiday season. If you are still actively searching around the holidays, you will be one of the few.

#2: Sellers are motivated
If a home is still on the market during the holidays, chances are it's been there for a while. Usually that means the house was overpriced for a time and missed the "sweet spot" to sell quickly. What that means for you is that you can get a great house that may have been overlooked when the market was hot, and you can get it at a lower price from the motivated seller.

#3: Rates are going up
Just this month, the Fed upped the mortgage rates for the first time since 2006, and every prediction has them going even higher in 2016. Secure a lower monthly payment for yourself by making an offer on a house now. Waiting for the spring market could cost you more than you realize.

#4: Inventory will go down
New Year's Eve brings about many thoughts for change in the new year, and many sellers decide that they will wait for the spring market to sell if they haven't sold their home in December. It serves you well to take the time to search for homes now before the inventory is too low and your selection is limited.

#5: Start the new year fresh
While it's important to make sure your new home meets your needs, it will also be a huge weight off your shoulders to know that you are under contract on your new home and well on your way to a brand new home for a brand new year. You will have beat the rush, earned a great value on the new house, and bought yourself some peace of mind. What a great way to start 2016!

Are you buying a home in Northern Virginia? Whether it's this year or next, contact Preferred Realty Partners to help you get the best value of the season!

8 Reasons to Stage Your Home for Sale [Before and After Photos]

When you decide to sell your home, you are making a huge change in your life. Most likely, you are selling your largest investment, so it is vital that you take the necessary steps to get the best value for your home.

Hiring a great Realtor is the first step, but not the only thing you can do to get your home sold. Hiring a professional home stager can greatly increase the value that buyers find in your home. Keep reading for the 8 reasons to stage your home for sale. We've included some before-and-after photos of one of our recent listings that was staged by RoomAntics.

Reason #1: The cost of staging will be returned to you in the sale of your home.

According to a 2015 National Association of Realtors report, more than half of buyers think a staged home is worth at least 1% more than an otherwise equal home. That means for a $400,000 home, staging adds at least $4000 to the value, and only costs an average of $675 per home!

Reason #2: You will make more money on your home sale if you stage your home.

That same NAR survey revealed that only 4% of Realtors feel that staging does not impact a buyer's view on the value of a home. That means that 96% of buyers will view a staged home in a more positive light.

Reason #3: A picture is worth 1000 words, and yours will be better looking than the competition.

More than 90% of buyers now search for homes online. That means that if you don't have amazing photos, your home will be overlooked by many buyers. Your home's photos are truly the first impression of your house-- don't you want them to be the best they can be?

Reason #4: Stagers give an objective viewpoint to your home and its features.

Your home is your refuge from the world. Even if you never thought you would live there forever, chances are you have made some memories there. It is difficult for many sellers to detach themselves from their homes enough to de-personalize and de-clutter enough to attract buyers. That's where the stager comes in to help.

Reason #5: Your home will look bigger and brighter after staging.

Professional stagers know how to arrange your furniture to set your rooms at their best advantage. They know if you should add light fixtures to a space, change the curtains to let more light in, or paint the walls to make everything look bigger and brighter. That means better photos and a better look when buyers enter your home for the first time.

Reason #6: Staging will help your home sell faster.

There are 3 factors that impact the sale of a home: location, condition, and price. Your location is fixed, and your Realtor will advise you on the price that will result in a successful sale based on the condition of your home. If you can improve the condition of your home through staging, you will be able to sell quickly and for a higher price than before.

Reason #7: If you don't stage your home, you are helping the competition. 

While every home is unique, making your home stand out in a good way will put it ahead of other homes in buyers' minds. If you choose to sell your home as-is, there's a good chance you are helping another home in your area sell faster, because the buyers didn't see your home in its best light from the beginning.

Reason #8: You can relax knowing that you have done everything you can to sell your home.

The combination of a great Realtor and talented staging team means you have hired the best people to help you sell your home. The responsibility now falls to their talents, and you just have to sit back and review the offers that come in.

Are you selling your home in 2016? Contact Preferred Realty Partners today and take advantage of our decades of combined experience in the Northern Virginia real estate market. Our homes sell for 3% more than average!

Sell Your Home Quickly with Preferred Realty Partners! Here's the Proof

If you are planning to sell your home, the most important thing you can do is choose a great Realtor. In 2015, Preferred Realty Partners has helped dozens of families to buy and sell their homes.

Below you'll find the homes that we sold in 2 weeks or less for 99% of list price overall. The average listing price to sale price ratio is closer to 96% in our area.

$525,500 - SOLD in 1 Day

43443 Quigley Lane
Chantilly VA 20152
Closed March 6th

4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 2185 sq ft Single Family Home

$440,000 - SOLD in 6 Days

5557 Sequoia Farms Drive

Centreville VA 20120

Closed May 15th

4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1592 sq ft Single Family Home 

$538,000 - SOLD in 6 Days

26083 Nesbit Lane

Chantilly VA 20152

Closed May 18th

5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 2914 sq ft Single Family Home

$816,400 - SOLD in 2 Days

105 Pearl Street

Herndon VA 20170

Closed June 1st

4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 4125 sq ft Single Family Home

$690,000 - SOLD in 8 Days

13128 Bradley Farm Drive

Herndon VA 20171

Closed July 30th

4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 2446 sq ft Single Family Home in Bradley Acres

$570,000 - SOLD in 5 Days

42930 Tippman Place

Chantilly VA 20152

Closed August 28th

5 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Single Family Home in South Riding

$450,000 - SOLD in 5 Days

3812 Tedrich Boulevard

Fairfax VA 22031

Closed September 9th

4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2072 sq ft Single Family Home in Fairview

$634,400 - SOLD in 5 Days

25767 Rawley Springs Drive

Chantilly VA 20152

Closed October 15th

5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 5087 sq ft Single Family Home in Chantilly

$322,000 - SOLD in 11 Days

6129 Stonepath Circle

Centreville VA 20120

Closed October 22nd

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2118 sq ft Townhouse in Centreville

$225,000 - SOLD in 3 Days

11835 Shire Court #32C

Reston VA 20191

Closed October 27th

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1073 sq ft Condo in Hunters Woods Village

$460,000 - SOLD in 8 Days

20773 Cross Timber Drive

Ashburn VA 20147

Closed November 2nd

3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Single Family Home in Belmont Ridge

Whether it's winter, summer, spring, or fall, you can depend on Preferred Realty Partners to sell your home for a great price in the shortest amount of time. Contact us today to get started!

Spacious Townhome Condo is Move-in Ready

20370 Hawick Terrace, Sterling VA 20165

Beautiful 3-bedroom condo townhome is ready for you! Enjoy the outdoors on all three levels: a ground level patio, a balcony off the eat-in kitchen, and a private balcony off the master suite! 

Brick-front Townhouse Condo

The 2-car garage shares space with the large recreation room on the lower level, and the gas fireplace will keep you warm in the winter. 

Upstairs, the bright and open layout welcomes you to the heart of the home. Your dining and living room boast gleaming hardwood floors and ceramic tile covers the kitchen and breakfast area. 

The kitchen includes granite countertops, maple cabinets, a built-in microwave, and a gas stove. This layout is perfect for entertaining!

A second gas fireplace warms the family room with hardwood floors. The open floor-plan means you can interact with everyone in the kitchen and breakfast area. 

Spacious master suite features a walk-in closet, balcony, and attached luxury bathroom. 

Relax in your giant soaking tub across from the double vanity. You'll find ceramic tile in both upstairs bathrooms, and brand new carpeting in all three bedrooms! 

You'll never tire of the view from your private balcony off the master suite. Relax and enjoy this wonderful home! 

This listing is presented by Lisa Alonso of Preferred Realty Partners, Keller Williams Realty. Click here for more information and photos!

Two Open Houses for You Today

13109 Pennypacker Lane, Fairfax VA 22033
Beautifully updated single family home in Greenbriar! NEW windows installed in 2011 and HVAC replaced in 2013! Large kitchen features ceramic floors, granite countertops, maple cabinets, and NEW stainless steel appliances. Walk out the sliding door into the huge fenced back yard. Separate Laundry Room on main level. Master suite includes two walk-in closets and an attached bathroom! Other bedrooms are large and  bathrooms are updated in neutral tones. Storage shed has electric! Located minutes to Rt 50 and Fairfax Co Pkwy! Close to schools, parks, and shopping!

24616 Nettle Mill Square, Aldie VA 20105
Bright and open gorgeous garage townhouse in Stone Ridge! 2-level bump-out with over 2400 sq ft of finished space! Hardwoods on main level, Granite Counters, Cherry Cabinets & Ceramic Backsplash in the eat-in kitchen. Master suite features vaulted ceilings, a walk-in closet, double vanity, separate soaking tub & shower. Finished basement has a gas fireplace, half bath, and walk-out to paver patio. Fenced yard and deck. Close to shopping and dining.

New Home for Sale in the Ridings at Blue Spring

25767 Rawley Springs Drive, Chantilly VA

Classic Brick Exterior with a 2-car garage

Live in luxury at the Ridings at Blue Spring!  Preferred Realty Partners of Keller Williams Realty has just listed this amazing brick-front home that has over 5,000 square feet of finished space. The classic exterior includes a 2-car garage and beautiful landscaping. The neighborhood is quiet and there is no through traffic on the street. You can have peace and quiet in this home!

Dramatic open floor plan with upgraded moldings has hardwoods and new wall-to-wall carpeting throughout. The main level includes a library, living and dining area, family room, half bath, and the gourmet kitchen. 

Living and Dining Space with Gleaming Hardwood Floor

The living and dining space features shining hardwood floors, large windows, and elegant paneling in both rooms.

Elegant Family Room with Gas Fireplace

Gourmet Kitchen has New Granite Counters

Master Suite with Sitting area and 2-sided Fireplace

The gas fireplace is the heart of the spacious family room. Located off the kitchen, this is a perfect place to gather with friends and family.

Cook, bake, and entertain in this kitchen! New granite countertops are draw the eye, and the updated stainless steel appliances and ceramic floors complete the look. 

Massive Walk-out Basement with New Carpet

The huge master suite features tray ceilings, a sitting area, a walk-in closet, and a 2-sided gas fireplace. The master bathroom has a double vanity, large jacuzzi tub, and a separate glass shower.

A fully-finished lower level includes a 5th bedroom and 4th full bathroom. Walk out from the basement to the patio in your fully fenced backyard. This home has it all!

This is one of the many homes that Preferred Realty Partners of Keller Williams has for sale. Contact us today for more information about this property or to sell your home in Chantilly VA.