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Welcome to my blog about all things Northern Virginia! Visit often to get my take on Northern Virginia real estate, information on buying and selling homes, local and national housing statistics, and life in Northern Virginia.
I hope you enjoy the adventure as much as I do!
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703.624.7848
MargieKMacDonald@gmail.com Categories
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Category Archives: Buying a Home
So you’re thinking about buying a home? What an exciting time! There are very few things that are more important than home and very few things that are a more important investment than home. My goal is to make sure that each of my buyers buys the home of their dreams, and I am committed to putting in the time, effort, research, and knowledge to ensure this happens.
I am very good at discerning the kind of neighborhood, home, and environment each of my buyers is looking for. I grew up in Northern Virginia, lived in many different areas, and have shown and listed houses from the outer western counties to the immediate DC Metro area. I know the area well and am familiar with values and trends. I can help you find a loan officer and loan program that meets your needs, update you regularly as new homes come on the market, be available to show you these homes when it is convenient for your schedule. When the time comes, I will help you negotiate an offer that meets your needs and is in line with current market values and help you successfully navigate the steps from contract ratification to settlement when you receive the keys to your new home!
Below are articles that I have written to help buyers understand the buying process and current market conditions.
You Ratified a Contract to Purchase a Home. Now What?
Once you have a ratified contract, here are the next steps to purchasing your new home. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged buying a home, buying a house, loan process, northern virginia, ratified contract, settlement process
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Firepit, S’mores, and House Buying Wish Lists
The days of buying and turning around and selling at a profit are long gone. I’m glad we were patient and made sure we checked the items off of our “must have” list but also checked most of the items off of our “wish” list. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged backyard entertaining, buying a home, firepit, Labor Day
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Don’t Commit Mortgage Sabotage
Lending standards have gotten much tighter as a result of the mortgage crisis. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now require a credit “refresh” no more than three days prior to closing . Since most mortgages are sold to Fannie and … Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged applying for a mortgage, buying a home, buying a house, home buyer, home buyers, house buyer, mortgage, qualifying for a mortgage
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Payroll Tax Cut Will Increase Mortgage Fees
Congress voted to raise the guarantee fees that Fannie and Freddie charge beginning April 1, 2012 by 10 basis points, and these funds will be used to pay for the payroll tax cut extension. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged buying a home, guarantee fees, mortgage interest rates, payroll tax cut extension
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Buying a Home Now Protects You Against Inflation Later
Buying a home today will protect you against tomorrow’s inflation when prices and interest rates are higher. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged buying a home, buying a house, inflation, northern va real estate, northern virginia real estate
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Watch Out For This Mortgage Scam
Scam artists are taking advantage of the common practice of originating lenders selling a borrower’s loan to a new servicer. Find out how to protect yourself. Continue reading →
Will New Loan Limits Cause Home Values to Drop?
Read why the new $625,500 loan limit should not have an adverse affect on home values in our area in the long run. Continue reading →
Don’t Commit Mortgage Sabotage
Fannie and Freddie have instituted new quality control guidelines that require a second review of a borrower’s credit report just before settlement. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged applying for a mortgage, buying a home, buying a house, mortgage loan approval
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Consider a Home Warranty
What are a buyer’s options if a home has old appliances that are still in “normal working order?” Consider a home warranty. Continue reading →
What Happens If Home Inspection Repairs Are Not Completed?
What happens if home inspection repairs are not completed prior to settlement? Here are some solutions. Continue reading →
2 Upcoming Decisions That Might Affect Housing
The upcoming decision on the QRM requirement for a 20% down payment and the expiration of higher government backed loan limits will likely impact housing. Continue reading →
8 Questions to Ask Before You Put an Offer on a Short Sale
A short sale is when a homeowner lists their home for sale, contingent on receiving approval from their lender(s) to sell the home for a price that falls short of the amount owed on the mortgage(s). If you are considering putting an offer on a short sale, here are eight questions you should ask first. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged buying a home, buying a house, buying a short sale, home buyer, home buyers, house buyer, Northern VA, northern virginia, short sale
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Waiting for the bottom to buy a home may not be the best strategy
When will we know we have hit the bottom of the housing market when prices are at their lowest? Probably not until we can look back and see this bottom. If you “wait for the bottom” to buy a home, the reality is that you will probably be purchasing once prices are already starting to inch up. This chart explains why waiting is probably not the best strategy. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home
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Tagged bottom of market, buying a home, buying a house, lowest housing prices, Northern VA, northern virginia
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Buying a new home from a builder? Why you need a real estate agent.
Clearly it makes sense for a buyer to be represented when they purchase a home, but does any savings a buyer might receive by not being represented outweigh the benefit of being represented? Removing the agent does not lower the price for the buyer; it raises the net price for the seller and leaves the buyer without an advocate. Continue reading →
7 ways to survive the housing market
The housing market downturn has lasted longer and gone deeper than any other downturn in the history of this country–certainly longer and deeper than anyone predicted. Here are 7 ways to survive the housing market whether you have to sell your home or not including information on the effect a short sale or foreclosure will have on your credit and/or ability to buy a home again. Continue reading →
Posted in Buying a Home, Selling a Home
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Tagged buying a home after foreclosure, buying a home after short sale, credit after foreclosure, credit after short sale, northern va housing, northern va real estate, northern virginia housing, northern virginia real estate, surviving the housing market, surviving the real estate market
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