Local counties in Virginia and Maryland top a list of the happiest places in the United States. SmartAsset ranks Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia, as well as Howard County, Maryland, in the top 10. #1: Loudoun County, Virginia Loudoun County has grown rapidly in recent years. The population has… read more →
Getting a mortgage can mean keeping track of a lot of moving parts. Savvy shoppers know to ask lenders about interest rates, closing costs and how much they can borrow. But even seasoned buyers may not know to dig a little deeper. Here’s a look at five key things that… read more →
Ideally, you would sell your current home and buy your new home on the same day, moving from one mortgage to the next. While this seamless transition has worked out for some repeat homebuyers, others have managed to sell their homes and rent them back until they find a new… read more →
With more than 1 million U.S. homes in some phase of foreclosure, great deals abound — if you know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. The No. 1 reason to buy a foreclosure is the potential for a good bargain.RealtyTrac figures show the average short sale fetched $192,129… read more →
Buyers have the upper hand when purchasing a home in a down market. Sellers need to make the best possible impression to appeal to these picky buyers. When possible, sellers should avoid making changes that will devalue their home or cause buyers to pass on purchasing it.Before you decide to… read more →
Purchase agreements have been hammered out, inspections have been done and issues that were uncovered are being addressed, and the closing date has been set. There’s just one last hurdle to clear before certainty that you are moving: the appraisal. Over the past three months, real-estate appraisals have held back more… read more →
Like the iPhone 3G, a fast closing is a thing of the past. Or is it? In today’s massively regulated, monstrously documented, down-to-the-last-decimal-point, tabulated process, you should count on your mortgage-closing timeline reaching or perhaps even exceeding two months depending on your lender and banking rules.Here are 9 bits of… read more →
Redskins Training Camp July 30-August 16, 2015. Redskins Park, Richmond, Virginia. Fans are invited to watch the Washington Redskins gear up for the season. Citi Open Tennis Classic August 1-9, 2015. This is an annual men’s tennis tournament held in Washington, DC.
Interviewing candidates serves two purposes: You get an education about your local market while learning how the agent proposes to represent you. Ask detailed questions! Here are the most-important areas to investigate: May I See Your Resume? Since you’re searching for an above-average agent, look for evidence of advanced training… read more →
There’s something special about a good old-fashioned county fair. The counties of Maryland and Virginia that surround Washington, DC each host a summer fair, complete with carnival rides, live animal shows, musical entertainment, arts and craft exhibits, and lots of food. Each county fair has its own specialty, so check… read more →