Home Buying 
There are currently 9 blog entries related to this category.
A Sense Of Place - Build A Magical Space That Reconnects With The Earth
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 at 8:27pm. 99 Views, 0 Comments.
We are pleased to deliver this month's issue of the MaxAvenue Homeowners Club LOCALE™ Magazine.
This issue begins with From the Earth, Architect Henry Panton creates magical spaces with the environment in mind.
Our second feature, The Best of You, Interior designer Carol Willard is always seeking the very best version of herself in her own home
This month's LOCALE™ closes with Rustic Ramblings, a vacation adventure piece that offers a unique combination of camping in the beauty of Mother Nature with the unapologetic pampering of a luxury resort!
I hope you enjoy this month's issue of LOCALE!
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The Upside and Downside of Alexandria Mortgage Life Insurance
Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 9:15pm. 148 Views, 1 Comments.
Thanks to mortgage life insurance, losing a loved one, while heartbreaking, does not have include the additional financial disaster many mourners face.
With the scares of our earthquake and hurricane, many of us here in Alexandria and the Greater DC Area have had the specter of death, however fleeting, pass through our minds. This can be positive, if such thoughts lead to planning for our families.
It is a wonderful thing that the quake did such little injury. If there had been a serious death toll, how many dependents of homeowners would not only have lost a parent, but several months later lose their house too?
Most Alexandria home buyers want to make sure their loved ones get to keep their home. One option is mortgage life insurance. But is it…
Where You Buy Can Trump What You Buy
Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at 3:02pm. 143 Views, 0 Comments.
When buying a home in Alexandria or other areas, we naturally focus on the actual dwelling place, how much we like it and whether or not we can afford it. However, just as important as what we buy is where we buy it. Having a house we love in a neighborhood we hate is not the American Dream.
From an article on the MSN Real Estate site, here are five ways to make sure the location of your next home will make you as happy as the home itself.
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Take a Long-Term Approach – Don’t just think about your life right now; think about where you’re headed. Are you planning a family? You’ll feel more connected in a neighborhood with other young families. If you’ve recently lost a spouse, you might fare better in a place where you can…
To Buy or Not to Buy…WHEN is the Question
Friday, August 12th, 2011 at 8:23pm. 126 Views, 0 Comments.
“Is it the right time to buy?” prospective home buyers in Alexandria may ask. For many the answer is “Yes!” In spite of (and even sometimes because of) these times of grim headlines and statistics, there are awesome prices for excellent homes here in Alexandria and the Greater DC Area.
No matter how great a deal is, however, wise buyers consider how financially ready they are for the commitment of a mortgage. Is now your time to buy? Ask yourself: How reliable is your income? What is your debt to income ratio? If these have good answers but you still are nervous, you can have more confidence home buying if you have:
- A specific emergency fund set up to survive multiple months without income should there be a job loss or other…
Benefits of a Big Down Payment on Your Alexandria Home
Thursday, July 28th, 2011 at 10:41pm. 287 Views, 0 Comments.
For many, the dream of home ownership requires financing. Generally this means a mortgage and a required down payment of 20% of the home’s purchase price. In the end, your mortgage payment will be determined by how much you have saved for the down payment. While determining that amount can be tricky, patience in saving for a big down payment will prove to be beneficial.
Here are several reasons why you should save 20% or more for the down payment on your Alexandria home.
- Reasonable mortgage payments.
By saving more money for your down payment you will be able to have mortgage payments that are manageable. As an added bonus, later down the road you will notice how you saved thousands in interest. - A better interest rate.
That big down payment…
Do You Need a Buyer’s Agent?
Thursday, July 14th, 2011 at 10:51am. 335 Views, 0 Comments.
Thanks to the internet, today's housing market has taken a different direction from proven methods of the past. If you are looking for houses to buy on the market in Alexandria, you are likely to go solo after seeing homes with virtual tours on the internet, area sales figures on the internet, and plenty of home buying tips there as well. You feel nearly as well versed as an agent, so you are likely to bypass having a buyer’s agent to look after your interests.
When you go to open houses, the Realtor® on duty may thrust a card in your hand and try to follow up with you. They want to see if you are interested in the home you saw, plus may offer to show you others. This can give you some of the help you need, but if you are interested in a home the…
When and How to Apply for Your Alexandria Home Loan
Friday, July 8th, 2011 at 1:42pm. 185 Views, 0 Comments.
When buying a home in Alexandria, many buyers wonder which comes first - house hunting or loan shopping. Applying for a mortgage, no matter how it is presented, is a lengthy, detailed process. Some buyers prefer to postpone it until they find their house, but this isn’t always the best decision.
Here in the D.C. and Alexandria housing market, some buyers have found more bargaining power if they’ve been preapproved for a loan. Sellers in a hurry to close a deal may be less inclined to deal with someone who is at the beginning of the loan process. Their logic: “Why should I take your offer if you don't even know if you will be approved?” A seller's nightmare is taking the house off the market and losing other prospects only to find the buyer that…
Real Estate Deal Breakers to Avoid in Alexandria
Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 8:43pm. 209 Views, 0 Comments.
Purchasing a home is understandably stressful due to the monetary investment and the complicated, confusing buying process. As a buyer, you must fully understand the underlying value of your Alexandria dream home before you decide to purchase it.
Once you have found the home that meets your personal and financial ideals, it is important to persevere until the property closes. Here are some minor roadblocks to be aware of as you go through the process so you can end up living in the home you really want.
Property Condition
Don’t let the aesthetics of the home keep you from buying your perfect home. For example, appliances and decorative themes can easily be changed to reflect your taste.
Focus on the future potential of the home. For…
For the Ideal Alexandria Home, Create a Home Vision
Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 10:39am. 195 Views, 0 Comments.
There’s a saying, “If you don’t know what you want, it’s harder to get it.” This can be especially true if you’re a first-time home buyer navigating the many choices of today’s market in Alexandria and elsewhere. And if you’ve never owned your own home, it’s hard to know what will make you happy once you buy one. This is where creating a home vision can help, says USNews.com.
A home vision is a written, detailed statement of the ideal home and life you want to have, from mortgage payments and number of rooms to a town’s community programs. You should take this statement with you on house tours to remember what you want and why you want it. This in turn can keep you from wasting time on houses and areas that don’t fit with…