Just reduced $95,000 this custom built detached home at 6025 Chapman Road in Hallowing Point River Estates is ready for the new buyer.

• Move-in condition
• Private lot, home is surrounded by mature trees
• Just one block short walk to the Potomac River waterfront
• Two-car side load garage.

Be sure to put this one at the top of your list!

This home is a short sale and requires third party approval. Listing agent, Tamara Inzunza is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), and Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS), knowledgeable and experieneced in successfully listing and selling short sales.

Come along as I take you on a real estate tour of Manchester Lakes in Alexandria, Virginia 22310.  Condos include Tiers I and Tiers II, Essex House, Surrey, and Victoria Crossings.  Townhomes include Manchester Commons, Manchester Oaks, and the townhomes in Manchester Lakes.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My opinion is that the second quarter of 2009 will have numbers more worth talking about.  With the First-Time Homebuyer tax credit in play, and the busy rental renewal season of April, May, and June, I expect to see more buyers take advantage of the lower pricing, interest rates, and tax credit as opposed to riding it out one more year and renewing a long-term lease.

The busy season also stirs competition among buyers.  Sellers who brave the wild of a buyers market may still have the luxury of cherry picking from multiple offers. If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, here's how you can help nudge your offer out in front:

• Earnest Money Deposit - There is no industry standard for how much an earnest money deposit has to be. A good rule of thumb is for it to be 1% of the sales price or higher. The higher your earnest money deposit, the more confidence the seller may have that you won't just walk away from a deal.
• Financing - The market has successfully weeded out many bad (predatory) lenders, and others lenders have simply failed. Sellers and their listing agents are looking for a mortgage approval letter from a local, reputable lender stipulating the type of financing for which you've been approved.
• Closing Date - If you're stretching your closing date beyond 45 or 60 days, that can actually you out of the game.  A buyer who can close quickly gives the seller the impression that financing is secure, and a commitment can be made and kept.  Extended closing dates allow too much time for issues to arise that can affect financing, or other previously agreed upon terms of the contract.
• Inspections - It's normal to have a home inspection in this market.  You may put yourself ahead of the pack by completing a pre-contract inspection. Recently, one of my colleagues was one of 29 buyer contracts, and he WON because his buyers did a pre-contract inspection and only asked for certain things, as opposed to using the home inspection as another negotiating point in the sale.  The seller was relieved because there was one less contingency, and repair requests were made up front and addressed with the offer.
• Sale of Home - If you have a home to sell, make sure that your home is actively on the market and under contract with a stong buyer.  Most sellers will not feel comfortable taking their house off the market and waiting for you to find a buyer.

Did you notice that I didn't mention price?  That's because price is not always the strongest term in a sales contract.  For example, an offer that is $5,000 less than the asking price but the buyer is willing to close in three weeks, is more attractive than a full price offer with a 90-day closing.

In Northern Virginia, the spring real estate market is usually very competitive. As your Realtor, you'll benefit from my twelve years of experience to help you successfully buy or sell a home in any market.

• A CLOSE-IN location
• CLOSE to metro
• Newer kitchen appliances
• Built-in microwave
• Elevated balcony or walk-out patio
• A washer and dryer
• A walk-in closet
• Garage parking
• Community amenities

Not only do most buyers want these wish list items when searching for Alexandria VA real estate and Alexandria Virginia (VA) short sales.  But they'd like to have it all....FOR UNDER $250,000!

If you're a real estate agent working in the Alexandria VA real estate market with buyers, you may be tempted to laugh.  But, hold on, a stylish 1BR/1BA home just became available that fits this exact description.  And at an affordable price of $204,900, there's still lots of breathing room for the first-time homebuyer.

Are you in the market for Alexandria VA condos for sale and would like to be walking distance to metro, or buying a home in Alexandria VA that offers shuttle service during rush hour to the metro?  Then, call me at 703-623-8759 to see 4852 Eisenhower Avenue #341.  It will put an end to your search for a new place to call home in Alexandria.

This home is an Alexandria VA short sale and requires third party approval.

Because the distressed market has violently collided with the traditional Alexandria VA real estate market, it has become necessary that real estate agents become more prepared and more involved with helping homeowners prevent foreclosure.  With twelve years of real estate sales experience in Alexandria and the Northern Virginia area, Tamara Inzunza is one of less than 2,000 agents nationwide (out of over 1.2 million Realtors in the U.S.) who holds the CDPE designation.

"Most people have options when it comes to foreclosure, and sadly as many as 7 out of 10 homes go to foreclosure without any intervention," explains Inzunza.  That means that there was no effort made for a loan modification, refinance, forebearance, or any other alternative that may have proved successful.  Foreclosure can happen to any home owner, no matter what the income bracket, years of ownership, loan type, or property type.  When workers are laid off by the hundreds, or thousands, we see an increase in foreclosures in the under $400,000 price range.  When companies, businesses, and corporations go under, upper bracket homes can also become distressed.

Alexandria VA real estate in Kingstowne and Manchester Lakes has been more protected because of its location.  However, we are seeing more distressed properties including short sales and bank owned (REO) homes for sale in the current inventory. Alexandria homeowners can rely on a real estate agent with the CDPE designation to accurately explain the consequences of a foreclosure.  "We live in an area where a lot of the population is employed either by the military or government.  Most people don't know that if you have a top secret security clearance, a foreclosure can challenge your security clearance and you could lose your job.  In addition to that, you will likely have to disclose that you've previously lost a home to foreclosure when applying for any new job," says Inzunza.

Before just 'walking away' from a home in Kingstowne or Manchester Lakes, owners in distress should see if they qualify for an Alexandria short sale.  A short sale means NO FORECLOSURE on your credit report.  Even if a mortgage payment has been missed, and the bank has delived a notice of default, a successful short sale can stop the foreclosure process on your Alexandria VA home and save your credit.

The CDPE network is a close-knit network of agents across the country who share resources and information on foreclosure prevention strategies to help KEEP home owners in their home, and exhaust all resources to avoid foreclosure.  Tamara Inzunza can be reached by email at tinzunza@McEnearney.com.

 Most people have options when it comes to foreclosure. Very few people know exactly where to go or who to call...until now.

Extremely low monthly condo fee of $250 includes a shuttle to the Van Dorn metro that runs every half hour during rush hours. Enjoy carefree living at The Exchange at Van Dorn. Come and see how affordable home ownership can be.  This third floor move-in ready unit at 4852 Eisenhower Avenue #341 is aggressively priced at $204,900 and you'll enjoy a gym, outdoor swimming pool, business center, lounge/party room, garage parking, and secured building entry. 

Save money by leaving your car at home and catching the shuttle. No more gym fees because a high-tech state-of-the-art gym is included. New kitchen appliances including gas stove, built-in microwave, and refrigerator with icemaker. Separate laundry room with full sized, side-by-side washer and dryer. The master bedroom has an oversized walk-in closet, and you'll enjoy tranquil courtyard views from the third floor balcony.

Conveniently located inside the Beltway, just before Kingstowne, and less than five miles from Old Town Alexandria.

If you're looking for real estate and condos for sale in Alexandria Virginia that are walking distance to metro, then contact me today for a showing.

Here are the numbers to support how we did, for the month of December in the Northern Virginia area:

While December is often viewed as a slow month when it comes to real estate activity, the statistics show that area buyers were not slow in submitting offers on properties. Specifically in the condo market, in Arlington, 30 condos went under contract in December '07, whereas 47 condos went under contract in December '08. Likewise in Alexandria City, 21 condos went under contract in December '07, and 50 went under contract in December '08. And in Fairfax County, 81 went under contract in December '07 and 127 went under contract in December '08.

In all three areas (Arlington County, Alexandria City, and Fairfax County) there were 612 homes that went under contract in December '07, and 1117 in December '08, an increase of 82.52%.

Price is still the #1 determining factor when it comes to getting homes sold.  Lower priced condos are being absorbed in higher volumes than townhomes and single-family homes in our area. In Alexandria City, 7 homes under $100k were sold, 18 priced between $100,000-$199,999 sold; and 14 priced between $200,000-$299,999 sold. The remaining price points all sustained single-digit sales activity.

The year 2007 introduced short sales and bank foreclosures, and in 2008, a lot of these distressed properties were absorbed.  You should expect to see more short sales in 2009, and bank foreclosures that get sold quicker because the banks are catching on to working with agents to get homes sold.

As short sale specialists, we work with a team of agents and attorneys to negotiate with banks.  And to help non-distressed sellers, we offer a 131 Point Marketing Plan to get your home sold quickly.

We look forward to working with you in 2009 to help you with your real estate needs. Please continue to use our free tools to search the MLS for homes for sale, stay informed of homes sold in your neighborhood, get your home sold!

The loss of a job, medical bills, or an unexpected hike in monthly payments can all make a mortgage unaffordable. But ignoring the bills will not make them go away. It will only make things worse.

We specialize in helping Alexandria homeowners prevent foreclosure. If you are facing a financial hardship, your home may be approved for a short sale. We have the tools and resources to negotiate on your behalf to help you avoid foreclosure, save your credit, and make a new start.

Log on today to learn more about what options you have when it comes to stopping foreclosure. We'll help you determine if a short sale is the best option.

Your Christmas shopping days may be over, but if you're shopping for real estate in Alexandria VA and feel like your finances are spiraling out of control, here are eight wasy steps to whip your finances into shape and prepare yourself for home ownership.

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of pretending to be a drill sargeant and being unrealistically harsh on yourself, review what you've spent over the past six months and use that as your starting point.  It's human nature to want to prove that you're disciplined and start strong, and gradually go over your budget and ultimately give up.  You'd be surprised at how realizing how much you're wasting (for example on coffees, teas, muffins, movies, etc.) can be a better way to help you save more for a down payment for your new home in Kingstowne.
2. Reduce your debt. Lending guidelines are getting tighter and mortgage companies want assurance that you will make your payments on time.  If your credit cards are close to the limit, concentrate on paying them off.  Reduce the temptation to "save an extra 10% by opening an account" the next time a department store representative makes the offer. When qualifying for your new Kingstowne or Manchester Lakes home, a good rule of thumb is to have your total debt total no more than 36% of your total income.
3. Track your expenses. Become your own CFO, or chief financial officer.  Give yourself a title, and report to yourself monthly. There are tons of free downloads for you to simply plug in your numbers, and autocalculate and sort your expenses. Create a recurring appointment in your PDA or online calender to input your numbers from the previous month and review your totals. After just three months, you'll have your first quarterly report and you'll start to see trends that will help you adjust. 
4. Increase your income. Get qualified for your new Kingstowne or Manchester Lakes home quicker by bringing in more money. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want. 
5. Start saving for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to buy a home in Kingstowne or Manchester Lakes with no money down through a VA loan, or a VHDA loan, after January 1, the minimum down payment for an FHA loan will likely increase from 3% to 3.5%.  While the jury is still out on this change, plan for the higher down payment, and be prepared.
6. Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever’s left toward a downpayment for your new Kingstowne home. Instead decide on a certain amount per month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills. 
7. Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate. With the tighter lending guidelines, a stable job history will increase your chances of obtaining a mortgage approval at a more competitive rate.
8. Establish and maintain your good credit rating. If you don't have any credit, get a credit card and pay off the balance in full each month.

For more information, visit HUD's new consumer dedicated website.