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!

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.