Arlington's Home Selling Expert

Archive for the 'Wednesday's Blog - Buying a Home' Category

Colonial: The Most Sought After Arlington, VA, Home Type

Perhaps you were not aware that colonials are the most sought after home type in Arlington, VA.

There are many reasons, quite possibly. In my experience, in working with buyers and sellers, I have noted several reasons.

1. Almost all have 2 -3 bedrooms up, which is highly preferred by purchasers. Read the rest of this entry »

Current Arlington Home Statistics

Here are some great Arlington Home statistics to chew on in this incredibly strong seller’s market.

On The Market

Arlington Single Family (Detached) Homes – 117 total

I ELIMINATED the two lowest and the two highest, which actually made very little difference in what the AVERAGE PRICE WAS CALCULATED AT in the statistics.

Minimum  $500K Read the rest of this entry »

Captivating Colonial in Arlington, OPEN HOUSE, Sunday, March 17, 1pm-4pm

Come see this Captivating Colonial in Arlington!

6257 22nd St, N, Arlington, VA 22205

The spring market is here and we have just barely over 100 homes total for sale in all price ranges.

Here is a great, new, wonderful one!

Updated and upgraded in 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

TIPS FOR BUYERS IN ARLINGTON, VA’S, SELLER’S MARKET

You may have heard that the US real estate market, in general, has become a “seller’s market” recently, with the DC area, INCLUDING ARLINGTON, VA, right at the top. There are fewer houses on the market which results in multiple offers, escalation clauses and competitive bidding. Great news for sellers, but what about if you are a buyer? Here are some tips for being a savvy buyer in today’s market:

1. Put down a large down payment. ARLINGTON sellers often like to see that. It may give them a feeling of comfort. Their perception is that you can afford the house and that a bank will approve you. In order to do this, you should plan ahead, getting your financing in order in advance of your home search. That way you can move quickly when you’re ready to make an offer.

2. Pick a great lender. Make sure you’ve selected one who responds to your calls and emails promptly. That will be a good indicator that he or she will be ready to move quickly when the time comes to make your offer.

3. Get a top notch agent who specializes in the Arlington market. Specialization generally means more focus on and  more knowledge of an area. Then, be prepared to make an offer on a home that you like. You’ll want to see houses the same day they are first listed. This will require you to rely on the expertise of your agent. He or she has access to homes often immediately when they come on the market and can keep you posted on houses you may be interested in, if you cannot see them right away. If your agent is working diligently in their market and are well-connected in the real estate community and in their neighborhoods of speciality, they may even know about homes coming on the market – before they come on!

4. Be flexible. This means being especially flexible with contingencies. Offering shorter contingencies like a home inspection, appraisal and financing can entice sellers to choose your contract over another in a competitive situation, if timing is important to them.

As always, I’m here and ready to help you buy, or list and sell, your home. We are specialists in Arlington, and work in the rest of VA, MD and DC as well, if your search is taking you elsewhere. 

Ken Courtade

The Yes I Ken! Team

703.981.4646

Tags: agent, down payment, housing market, lender, loan, seller's market, selling a home

Valentines’s Day in Arlington

Who doesn’t enjoy a great meal out on Valentine’s Day? We’re lucky, because here in Arlington some of our best restaurants are having Valentine’s Day specials tomorrow night. So grab the one you love, or somebody you love, and head on out to one of these great local restaurants:

cityhouse: $99 per couple, 4 course meal with a bottle of wine or cava.

Eventide: will serve their entire dinner menu as well as a few “Hearty” specials.

La Tasca: $70 per couple includes two starters, two desserts and two movie tickets.

Lebanese Taverna (Pentagon Row and Westover locations): $29  per person includes unlimited tasting portions of over 30 mezza dishes.

Legal Seafood: Oysters, champagne, shrimp cocktail and baked stuffed lobster dinner.

The Liberty Tavern:  Valentines Dinner specials Thursday, February 14, Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16.

McCormmick&Schmick’s: Personalized menu, sweet heart bouquet and special chocolate bag dessert.

Me Jana: $49 per person, glass of champagne, dinner.

Ping by Charlie Chaiang’s: $65 per person, four course dinner including wine pairings.

Pinzimini: $60 per person, 3 course dinner, live jazz band, $20 wine pairings.

Piola: prix-fixe dinner, includes complimentary drink and homemade chocolate dipped strawberry.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $46.95, filet and lobster.

Tara Temple: $75 per couple, 4 courses of Thai and Japanese cuisine with glass of Prosecco.

Happy Valentines day from Ken Courtade and the Yes I Ken! Team!

Getting it SOLD – for YOU!

703.981.4646

Tags: Arlington County, restaurants, Valentine's Day