Real Estate Information

Alexandria VA Home Buyers And Home Owners
Rewarded With Tax Credit Extension And Expansion

Just a few moments ago, President Obama signed a bill extending and expanding the homebuyer tax credit.

The federal government has officially extended the tax credit for first-time home buyers, and expanded the tax credit to include existing homeowners who qualify.

The amendment extends the tax credit through April 30, 2010, with an extension of 60 days available if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. The $8,000 credit will be extended to income limits from $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers to $125,000 and $225,000. Also included in the amendment is a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current residences for at least five years. The home’s purchase price must be below $800,000.

For complete details on the recent updates to the federal home buyer tax credit, click here.

First Time Buyer Get Tax Credit Opportunity With
Lender Approved Short Sale | Alexandria VA Condo Under Contract

When it comes to buying short sales in Alexandria VA, it doesn't hurt to have a little bit of patience.

On average, short sales can take 30-90 days to process, or longer depending on the number of mortgages, liens, judgments, etc. that are attached to the property.

This Alexandria VA short sale condo for sale at 4852 Eisenhower Avenue #341 has been under contract since March, and has just received short sale approval.

Also, a homeowner doesn't have to be behind on the mortgage to qualify for an Alexandria VA short sale.  A financial hardship such as divorce, unemployment, death, inheritance, job relocation, military reassignment, or any other life changing event that prevents you from being able to make your mortgage payment, can help you qualify.

First-time buyers who are now looking at Alexandria VA real estate, and hoping to purchase a home in time to qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, have little time to identify a home.

Here are two other condos for sale in Alexandria VA that may fit the bill:

This two level penthouse condo at 301 S. Reynolds Street, in The Lofts boasts over 1100 square feet, gleaming hardwood floors, two bedrooms + den, washer and dryer, balcony, fireplace, skylight, and two assigned parking spaces, for only $292,000.

Want to take a look inside, click here for the full video walk-thru.

Located just off of Duke Street, and less than 10 minutes from Old Town Alexandria VA, this home is perfect for the telecommuter.  Secure building entry without the high condo fees of a high-rise condo.

Still having that 'new home smell', this well appointed condo at 2451 Midtown Avenue is perfect for the commuter who prefers to leave the car at home in the assigned garage space. Located directly across the street from Huntington Metro, this 15th floor contemporary home includes granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, washer and dryer, and amenities including multiple lounges, internet cafe, billiards, pool, gym, massage room, and more!

Alexandria VA CDPE Agent Lists Short Sale Luxury Homes| Mason Neck Short Sales | Hallowing Point River Estates
6025 Chapman Road, Lorton, VA 22079

When it comes to short sales, luxury homes are also included in the mix.

This beautiful custom detached home in Hallowing Point River Estates, in Mason Neck (Lorton), Virginia is only a short block and a half to the Potomac River.

Listed for $724,900, 6025 Chapman Road is sited on a landscaped and mature, level yard, and is also surround by other luxury homes and estates on secluded and waterfront lots in tucked away Hallowing Point River Estates.

Once you step inside, you'll see that this is not what you might typically see when you're looking for real estate and luxury short sales in Lorton, Virginia.  Gleaming hardwood floors adorn the main level, and all of the room sizes are comfortable and spacious.  Inside and out, there's a sense of warmth and tranquility.

The formal living room has a fireplace and is large enough to host and entertain, not just greet your guests.  As is the dining room, and open kitchen.

Living in Mason Neck and Hallowing Point River Estates offers Fairfax County living and schools, close proximity to Fort Belvoir, but is definitely off the beaten path.  Here at 6025 Chapman Road, it's the perfect place to call home if you're looking for privacy without the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you're looking for real estate and luxury homes for sale in Mason Neck or Lorton VA, be sure to use my website to view all luxury homes listed in the MLS including Lorton VA foreclosures, Lorton VA short sales, and traditional sales.

If you are facing a financial hardship and would like to know if you qualify to sell your Lorton luxury home as a short sale, click here for a confidential analysis and consultation.

Kingstowne VA Condo For Sale At Eton Square And
Open House This Sunday 1-4 PM

The Kingstowne Condos at Eton Square have always attracted buyers because of their contemporary look and feel.

If you're in the market for real estate and homes for sale in Kingstowne, don't overlook the condos at Eton Square.

This unit at 6974A Ellingham Circle is a ground floor move-in ready home that has been professionally painted, includes a gas fireplace in the living room, granite countertops in the kitchen, and two patios.

If you're all about convenience, then you'll enjoy the benefits of this close to metro location.  This Kingstowne Condo for sale at Eton Square is a short distance to the Franconia-Springfield metro station, which is the end of the blue line.

Other conveniences of Kingstowne living include the close proximity to the Kingstowne Towne Center which offers a wide variety of fine dining, including:

• Macaroni Grill
• Uno Chicago Bar & Grill
• Panera Bread
• Bonefill Grill
• Johnny Rockets
• Noodles and Company
• Chipotle

The Kingstowne 16 movie theatre is a great addition to the Kingstowne Towne Center.  See all the newest releases without driving across town.  Make a night out on the town even better by staying close and minimizing your drive because everything is close by.

Don't forget to stop by and visit us at the Open House This Sunday, September 13th from 1-4 PM.

Old Town Alexandria VA Short Sale Under Contract | Woodbridge VA
Short Sale Sold | Alexandria VA Short Sale Listing Agent Helps

As a CDPE listing agent in Old Town Alexandria VA, my mission is to inform distressed homeowners about their options when it comes to preventing foreclosure.  Do you know anyone facing a financial hardship?  Perhaps a friend who is still looking for a new job, or someone whose circumstances have recently changed but not for the better, or even a friend who has found a job but now has to relocate and sell their home and they're upside down?

Please don't let people you care about face foreclosure alone.  Foreclosure is not just financial, it's emotional.

A successful short sale can help a family rebuild and start over, financially and emotional.

My listing at 901 Bashford Lane in Alexandria (Old Town) is now under contract again, pending bank approval.  My listing at 17760 Avenel Lane in Dumfries (Southbridge) just settled, and the seller was able to get approved to buy a new home.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be behind on your mortgage to qualify for a short sale, but you must have a true financial hardship and be unable to maintain your current mortgage payments.

Did you know that seven out of ten foreclosures could have been successfully sold as short sales.  Short sales help maintain property values, and help maintain the quality of the neighborhood because the home is usually still lived in and maintained.

If you know of anyone who could use my help, please have them call me, or email me with their information, and I promise a prompt and confidential response.

Short sales have penetrated the Alexandria VA real estate market, and are now common place.  Popular Alexandria neighborhoods of Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes all have their fair share of short sales.  Now, our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has recently made short sales and foreclosures required fields when listing agents create a new listing.  Finally, agents have the ability to include and exclude short sale listings when searching the Alexandria MLS for homes.

Until recently, Alexandria VA buyers were usually strung along after submitting an offer on a short sale property.  Months would go by, and nothing would happen.  The home would either go into foreclosure, or the deal would just die.

Now, short sales are becoming more palatable to both buyers and buyer agents in Alexandria VA, and with good reason.  Extensive short sale information and training is now available to agents, and banks have increased their short sale labor force to service the mounting volume.

But many Alexandria VA buyers are still confused as to how to approach these types of properties.  As a CDPE agent, when assisting a seller with a short sale, my goal is to obtain the highest possible price the market will bear.  This means analyzing the most recent sales, and suggesting a list price that is in line with what has most recently sold in the neighborhood that is NOT a distressed sale.

A short sale listing is not an open invitation to a low ball offer.  As an Alexandria VA short sale listing agent, I encourage my sellers to counter low-ball offers so that we can show the bank that we are making a good faith effort to obtain market value for the home.

Contrary to popular belief, you’re not doing the seller or the bank any favors with a low ball offer on a short sale.  What many buyers don’t realize is that once the bank has received the purchase offer with the complete short sale package, the bank will order an appraisal for the home.  If the purchase offer is lower than the appraised value, then the bank will counter the offer to the appraised value.

I’ve seen many Alexandria VA home buyers get discouraged when their initial low offer is countered, or rejected by the listing agent.  But it is in the seller’s best interest to present a purchase offer of fair market value to the bank, to increase the chances of their application for an Alexandria VA short sale to be approved.

If you are interested in homes for sale in Alexandria VA and would like to speak to an agent about buying a short sale in Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, or Manchester Lakes, please contact me.

Woodbridge VA Short Sale | Dumfries VA Short Sale |
Brick Front Avenel Model Home In Southbridge
17760 Avenel Lane

Beautiful brick front home in popular Southbridge community in Dumfries VA, just south of Woodbridge.

Located at 17760 Avenel Lane, this short sale home has been gently lived in, and offers an extended island in the kitchen with granite countertops, and a rear morning room extension.

If you are looking at real estate and homes for sale in Woodbridge or Dumfries, VA, make sure to stop by 17760 Avenel Lane.

Lorton Virginia Short Sale Agent and CDPE |
New Short Sale Listing Under Contract In Less Than A Week

Helping homeowners by facilitating a short sale enables me to offer a unique service.  When we successfully negotiate a short sale, we are also helping to protect real estate values, and we prevent the home from becoming part of the ever growing REO inventory.  Our short sale listing at 7362 Ardgass Drive in Lorton is successfully under contract.

If you are a homeowner facing a financial hardship such as a recent death in the family, divorce, unemployment, reduction in income, or any other situation where you can no longer afford to make your mortgage payments, please contact me about your options.  I'll help you determine if you are eligible to short sale your home.