Market News

There is a difference between a client and a customer. Realtors owe certain duties to each. Which on are you? The Code of Ethics’ demand for high standards of professional conduct protects the interests of clients and customers, and safeguards the rights of consumers of real estate services. Article 1 states, “When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other …

There is a shortage of homes for sale so buyers need to “step it up” to get their offers accepted. Realtors must be sharp and sellers need to be ready. There may have never been such an important time to be represented by a Realtor as there is now. The buyer’s perspective The first step is choosing a Realtor you …

Many Realtors have letters after their name. They are called designations and each one is earned through education and experience. Realtors get designations to demonstrate they’ve acquired considerable knowledge about certain niche areas, such as representing buyers and sellers, commercial real estate, running a brokerage and running real estate teams. GRI: GRI stands for Graduate of Realtor Institute. It is …

Home warranty plans can save you time, energy and money in repairs. It can be a great way to minimize risks whether buying or selling your home. Some Realtors have used and recommended home warranty plans over the years for their clients, yet other Realtors don’t. Ask your Realtor for advice. Every home and client are different, so home warranty …

A lot of money has been made improving homes and selling them at a much higher price. You can’t just paint, carpet and plant some bushes and expect to make a 20% profit. Here are four things you should be ready for before “flipping’ a house. 1. Expert help. The assistance of an experienced, educated Realtor is a must so you …

John decided it was cheaper to buy than rent and he wanted to make a good investment. He asked his friends and associates about a Realtor and after talking to a couple agents, he chose one to represent him. His Realtor referred him to a lender who preapproved him and recommended the right loan. After figuring out what he could …

Home prices have hit record highs in many parts of Virginia, and many homebuyers face stiff competition and significant price escalation. It is easy for a homebuyer to get caught up in the “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and wind up in a bidding war they did not expect. Homebuyers should be cautioned about pushing the limits of what they …

What is your first step to buying a home? It is not recommended you just start looking at homes for sale until you know what you can afford, and certainly do not make an offer on a home without being preapproved for a loan. Experian.com says, “Prequalified is when you [the consumer] agree to provide your credit information to a …

Are you planning on listing your home? Here are 10 things you should do. 1. Remove odor Be sure your home doesn’t smell. Oh, and don’t think you can cover it with air freshener. Clean the litter box daily, smoke outside and clean! 2. Clean  There is no such thing as a home that is too clean. Dust, polish, shine …

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, when we recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. The Asian Americans and Pacific Islander population is an important and growing part of the real estate market in Virginia. There are more than 700,000 Virginians who are Asian or Pacific Islander, including those who are Asian …