Northern Virginia Real Estate Podcast

Steve Hawkins

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Steve Hawkins- your professional Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent.

Episodes

  1. 10/28/2014 ·  Video

    Can You Refinance When Switching Careers?

    .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } 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 you've probably heard, Ben Bernanke was recently denied financing when he tried to secure a new mortgage. Why was this? Well, now that he has retired from the Federal Reserve, he doesn't necessarily have a clear source of income. He plans to be a speaker and author, but since he hasn't yet established himself in that field, he was denied. Because he was shifting careers, lenders determined that he didn't have enough job security for him to qualify for a loan. These standards apply to everyone, so switching jobs while trying to acquire financing can be risky. Hopefully these standards will be loosened up soon to help home buyers in a similar position. If you are thinking of buying a home and changing job fields at the same time, we highly recommend you reach out to us. We can run everything by our lender and see what your options are - sometimes you have to wait a while to buy a home when you switch job fields. The bank often wants to see that you're secure in your new field before lending to you.  If you have questions about this or any other real estate topic, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to give you a hand!

  2. 08/29/2014 ·  Video

    Where Can You Find the Most Reliable Real Estate Information?

    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. One thing we get asked about a lot is the accuracy of the data produced by home search engines like Zillow and Trulia. While these sites can be a huge asset to your search, it's important to take their information with a grain of salt. These websites use algorithms that have specific variables such as square footage, number of bathrooms, and number of bedrooms - but they fail to take many other important factors into account. Having an actual Realtor look at your home is the best course of action to make sure the information is accurate. The last thing you want is incorrect information to negatively affect the buying and selling process. Keep in mind that these search engines don't know where the market is headed, either. They don't know if it's on the rise, on the decline, or neutral. Where the current housing market is at in your area can significantly impact the value of your home. In some cases, Zillow reported a home as being worth nearly 50% less than what it sold for. So call a Realtor, find out what's happening in the market and how it affects your home price. Always be sure to call me if you're interested in buying or selling a home. Thanks for joining us, hope to hear from you soon!

  3. 08/14/2014 ·  Video

    How You Can Avoid Reducing the Price of Your Home

    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. We have noticed a trend recently in Northern Virginia that has left us wondering what's going on. We've seen a handful of homeowners reduce their listing price, despite what appears to be a hot market. Is the market cooling down, or are folks simply overpricing their homes because of their confidence in the strong market? We're thinking it's the latter. Pricing your home too high is dangerous for two reasons: you look greedy in the marketplace and buyers start avoiding your property like the plague. If you are in this scenario, it is likely this was unintentional - you wanted a certain price for your home so you thought you'd try for it. The problem is that once you reduce the price of your home, people don't come back. Typically, overpricing your home results in having to dramatically reduce the price to a point it wouldn't have reached otherwise. But how can all this be avoided? First, you need to look at our Northern Virginia market and see how other homeowners are pricing their property. Working with an agent who has your best interests in mind is another important step. They will help you utilize competitive pricing to gain market momentum and drive your price up. If you are interested in working with an agent that has a feel for all the nuances of our market, give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to help you form a competitive pricing strategy so you can get the most from your home sale.

  4. 07/30/2014 ·  Video

    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!

  5. 07/09/2014 ·  Video

    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.   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.  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. 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. 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. 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.  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.

  6. 06/23/2014 ·  Video

    What Kind of Mortgage is Right for You?

    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. When buying a home in northern Virginia, it's important to know you have options when it comes to the type of mortgage you buy. We want to share some information that will help you decide what kind of mortgage is right for you. Some mortgage economists are predicting conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to rise to 5.5% before 2015. Because of the higher rate, you may want to consider a hybrid mortgage if you are thinking about buying a home this year. Here's why: It provides a fixed-rate for a predetermined period, anywhere from 5 to 10 years.  You can convert to a rate that can change annually. There is a potential for substantial monthly savings. It's important to remember that there's still a case to stick with a conventional fixed-rate mortgage, because interest rates remain at historic lows. The question to ask yourself is how long you plan to stay in your new home. If you are a new buyer looking to buy a smaller home and upgrade to a larger one down the road, the hybrid may be your best bet. As always, the best choice is ultimately the one you're most comfortable with. If you're unsure about these options, give us a call at (703) 909-3939 or email us at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com for advice on which mortgage is right for you!

  7. 06/04/2014 ·  Video

    How to stand out as a serious buyer in a competitive market

    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. How to stand out as a serious buyer in a competitive market In a competitive market with a very small amount of inventory, like the one here in Northern Virginia, you need to stand out as a buyer in order to get the homes that you desire. One of the ways in which you can accomplish this would be to make a confident and trustworthy offer on a property to prove to the seller that you're serious about purchasing a home. While most buyers get a pre-qualification letter, we require our buyers to get a Pre-approval letter with a direct under-writing report. This essentially turns you into a cash buyer, and this is much more desirable in the eyes of a seller. You will also want to put down a large Escrow payment in order to show good faith. The more that you put down, the more trustworthy you will appear to the seller. Shoot for $5,000-$10,000 depending on the purchase price, not $500 or $1,000. Also, be careful with appraisals because a property is really only worth the amount that the buyer is willing to pay for it. In my experience, two different appraisers can have wildly different prices for a property. If you waive the appraisal and agree to cover any shortfalls, you will become a much more desirable buyer. Hopefully these tips will help you to be competitive in our real estate market here in Northern Virginia. If you're serious about buying, my best suggestion to you would be to contact me and my team of professionals. We can help guide you through this crowded market. Thanks for tuning in!

  8. 04/30/2014 ·  Video

    When You Work with Me, You Get Only the Best

    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. Why You Should Hire the Hawkins Real Estate Group Thanks for tuning in to my real estate video blog where I will be updating you with important information so that you can make better decisions in regards to real estate.  From making the All-American Trap Shooting Team 10 years in a row to running an award-winning business, I am driven to succeed. I've always pushed myself to reach higher levels of success, and this is why more and more people are turning to me to make the most out of their real estate opportunities in Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria. When you work with me, you will see that it is in my nature to put the needs of my clients first and foremost. You'll find that I'm down-to-earth and friendly, but I will always get the job done.  Whether you're looking to sell your home for top dollar or if you're looking for your dream home in Arlington, I will always be your top choice.  If you're in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, or Prince William County, then you can count on me as your #1 resource for real estate. I will always fight in your best interests and my service will always leave you satisfied.  Call or email me today if you are interested in buying or selling property in Northern Virginia.

  9. 04/10/2014 ·  Video

    Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent: Spring Market Update

    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. Welcome to My New Real Estate Video Blog! Twice a month, you can expect to receive a real estate market update for Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William and the surrounding areas. I will also be answering any real estate questions you may have – my goal is to provide you with the best information for our market. This allows us to maximize our success together for your next real estate transaction! Let's Run the Numbers. Over the last few years, we’ve experienced a steady increase in closings – numbers have almost tripled over a 7 month time period. In December 2012, there were 971 closings and when you compare this with March 2014, there were 1,496 closings. When looking at July 2013, there was a dramatic increase of closings in Northern Virginia - 2,496 to be exact! Northern Virginia’s market continues to soar and will easily surpass 2013’s results. Just in February 2014, we had 1,812 closings accounting for a 13.11% increase over January 2014. You can expect this number to continue climbing through March and April. You can also expect numbers in those months to outperform 2013’s results. When a market is hot, you should expect the competition to be fierce. How can you prepare yourself for this? By watching my videos! I will not only keep you up-to-date on the current results of the market, but you can also expect useful tips for the home buying and selling process. Let's Work Together! Feel free to reach out to me by phone, or email me with any questions you may have. Thanks and have a great day!

  • 9 Episodes

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If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Steve Hawkins- your professional Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent.

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