Showing posts with label homes for sale washington dc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homes for sale washington dc. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Handling an inherited property when you're the executor of the estate



There are many great Reston area homes for sale. Click here toperform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (703) 564-4026 or (301) 660-6272 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

As real estate agents that deal with estate planning and related concerns on a regular basis, we are often asked specific questions regarding the handling of property transfer. A common question we receive deals with the way to handle a property that is inherited by the executor of the estate. Many people want to know if it is better to sell the property while it is still in Probate.

The short answer is this: it depends.

Since every real estate transaction and every situation is different, there really is no right answer. However, there is one factor to keep in mind. In our many years of experience in dealing with these types of situations we have learned that there is a certain level of protection that you will get from the court. The courts do understand that you are the assistant to the estate. That is why they do not want to put any further liability on top of you. 

There is another aspect to the Probate court factor that also adds protection; by allowing a court to oversee a sale much of the family dynamic and guesswork that can ensue is eliminated. As soon as the property has gone through probate all the other beneficiaries become parties and each of them have a say in the property.

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Only estate attorneys or real estate agents that specialize in estate sales should handle dealing with these and other issues regarding estates. For all your questions regarding probate, we invite you to contact us today.


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Is the Smart Seller's Program Right for You?



Welcome back. As a coauthor to the best selling book, “Cracking the Real Estate Code” and a member of the Tania Ivey Team, I take pride in bringing you the best information and services.

When it comes to selling, one system doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why we have the Smart Seller’s Program. What is it? It’s a program that allows you to sell your home on your own without any commission.

A lot of people have questions about the program, so let’s go over the top 5:

1)  Who are we?
We are with Keller Williams, the #1 real estate firm in the nation. There are more than 80,000 agents!

2)  Why haven’t you heard about the program before?
The Smart Seller’s Program is one-of-a-kind in this market. No one else offers it!

3)  How can we help?
We have almost 7,000 buyers in our database and we will match our buyers to your home.

4)  What is the program?
We market your home and you market your home. That’s double exposure and it makes a fun competition to see who can sell your home first.

5)  Are there any costs?
There are no upfront costs at all. If you sell your home, there aren’t any fees. If we sell your home, it’s just the commission fee.

If you are interested in the Smart Seller’s Program, give me a call today at 301.660.6272 Let’s get your home sold!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Happy New Year!



Happy New Year! The real estate market saw huge activity in 2013 and we expect great things from 2014, so don't wait to make your move. If you're thinking about buying, get ahead of the game. Don't get caught in a bidding war. Watch my latest video to find out how you can ahead of your buying competition!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

7 Fire Safety Tips



Welcome back. Thank you for joining me today. It’s the holiday season and that means lots of lights, candles, decorations and cooking. Who doesn’t love all those things?

While these are all fun and festive, it’s important to keep in mind your safety. Many of those things are the leaders in accidental home fires. I want you and all your loved ones to be safe this holiday season and the rest of the year. I have a list of tips to help protect your home and your family from fires.

1. Change the batteries in your smoke alarms. There is a new fire alarm that has a special warranty battery in it that you don’t need to change for 10 years. Look into setting those up in your home.
2. Never leave cooking unattended. I’ve seen a lot of fires started by cooking something low in the oven and leaving for church, or heating up a pan of grease and leaving the room.
3. Never leave candles unattended. Kids, pets and even just a breeze can knock a candle over.
4. Have multiple fire extinguishers in your home. The two most important areas are the laundry room and kitchen.
5. Arrange a family meeting place. Set a designated spot your family will meet in case of emergencies, that way you can get a headcount and immediately leave.
6. Teach your children fire safety. Make sure your children know to check doorknobs before opening doors, go out the second window rather than trying to jump across flames.
7. NEVER go back into a fire. Do not reenter your home to collect items; this is dangerous and potentially fatal.

These are seven simple tips, but they could ultimately save your life, your families’ lives and your home. If you have any questions, please give me a call. Thanks for watching and have a safe holiday season!

Bill Barker
Liberty Mutual Insurance
703-229-9128
William.Barker@libertymutual.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!



The holiday season is here and I wanted to take this time to thank you. Because of you and your referrals we've had a great year. I can't wait to help you buy, sell or invest next year. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

10 Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Sell Your Home

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10 Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Sell Your Home

Traditional school of thought dictates that selling a home during the holidays is a bad idea. People are busy celebrating with their families and will hardly go shopping for a home, right? Not so! There are numerous advantages to listing a home during this season and below are ten great reasons to put a home on the market now.

More serious buyers – Less time wasted
These are people who are interested in buying so there is a far greater chance of actually selling the property. Nothing is more promising to a seller than a motivated and qualified buyer that knows what they want and is actively seeking to get it.

Fewer Homes On the Market
The less competition there is, the higher the chance there is for homes on the market to sell. Where during the peak season sellers might be dealing with some interest from buyers on their home, nonetheless there is more selection for buyers to choose from and they can stray to another property.

In January Inventory Increases – Chances of Selling Decreases

With so many homeowners assuming the holidays is a taboo time to sell there is a plethora of new listings in January, resulting in a diminished chance of your home selling. Also, there is a risk that the price you may receive on the home can be less.

Decked Halls Look Great!

Homes are very appealing to prospective buyers when they are decorated for the holidays. With all the festive décor, lights, greenery and added beauty of the season – the home shows very well and attracts buyers faster than if shown during other times of the year.

More Time To Browse Homes

Buyers have extra time off from work and are on vacation, which translates to a more aggressive buying pattern and more chances of your home being viewed.

More Emotional Buyers
Because of the high stress of the holidays, buyers tend to be more emotional during this time than in the summer months. A more emotional buyer will tend to pay more for a new property, so selling your home during the holidays could make you more money.

Show The Home With Flexibility

Sellers that have their home listed prior to the holidays have the added advantage to be able to “pause” the process so they can celebrate the holidays, essentially not showing the home during a period of time during the break. When the festivities die down, things can pick up again and the seller has not only managed to save potentially lost time but can also jump right back into the market.

Transferred Employees
January is typically the month where employees are transferred into new position. In order to capture this demographic of buyers, your home must be on the market since these buyers cannot wait until the spring to buy.

Sell Now For More Money Then Delay Closing
Extended occupancy can be negotiated, leaving both parties the leniency to get through the holiday season and past the New Year so that all sides can rest assured the deal is done but it can follow through at a more convenient time. For sellers this option is great because they are able to secure a higher selling price on the property before the market is inundated with new listings come January when the selling values drop.

Fewer Foreclosures On the Market

Many banks will suspend foreclosure listing during this time of year, especially on properties where there are still families occupying the home. As a result of this, some of the competition that arises for sellers from low-priced foreclosures can be avoided during the holidays.

Keep in mind that the idea of your home’s value increasing significantly over the next several months is a myth. The truth is that housing values likely only go up when consumer income rises. Pay rates increase at a rate of three to five percent each year and that is about the maximum yearly increase we can expect to see in a home as well. So if you are wondering whether or not to put your home on the selling market now, or to wait – one important factor is that waiting will not provide much benefit.

Monday, September 16, 2013

The Pre-Approval Process



Hey, guys! I wanted to follow up with the next step in purchasing your dream home!

That next step is pre-approval. Pre-approval is different than pre-qualification. During the pre-approval process a lender may ask you for the following:

1.    Social Security Numbers: If both you and your spouse are applying for the loan, the lender will require both social security numbers to run an accurate credit report.

2.    Copies of your past checking and savings account statements.

3.    Documentation of other assets such as stocks and bonds.

4.    Documentation of your recent earnings and contact information of someone who can verify.

5.    A list of all credit card accounts and their current balances.

6.    Copies of your past tax returns.

Each lender is different and they may ask for more documentation. If you have any questions, please give us a call. We’d love to help!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

More Homeowners Today Are Making the Choice to Stop Paying Someone Else's Mortgage



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It’s a part of the American Dream; get a good job, buy a nice house, build a family and enjoy life. But as the past six or seven years have demonstrated, not always do the forces that be make it possible for everyone to achieve that American Dream.

Today, as we move into the summer of 2013, things have changed drastically when it comes to owning a home. Where just a few short years ago people were unable to hold on to their homes, many were forced to move into rental homes or apartments. Today, it’s a new day in the housing industry.

Interest rates are low. Houses are still affordable. Mortgages are easier to obtain than they were during the past few years. All these signs point to a great time in real estate.

There are numerous advantages to owning your own home, ranging from tax breaks to autonomy, better amenities and more. Consider this: for the cost of what you might be able to rent an average-sized single-family home you could easily buy the same or more, depending on the loan product you choose to go with. Before interest rates begin their expected climb back upward, now is a great time to buy a home.

There are several lending options available for buyers these days; some allow financing with no money down, others have a minimum of 3.5% down and yet others are designed for buyers with more up-front cash. Regardless of which option best suits you, one thing is certain; if you can do it – buying a home is by far the best option and it certainly helps to build your future as your strengthen the equity in your home.

If you’d like to start looking for homes to find your dream house, contact us today! We’ve helped countless buyers realize their American Dream!