The spring 2011 housing market in Northern Virginia has exploded!  Saturday, I wrote a full priced offer for a beautiful townhouse in Falls Church, 40% down, quick contingenices - a clean contract in a normal market.   Well, I got the call this morning that we were one of 3 and should submit best and final by 2:30 this afternoon.  This house was actually a bit underpriced - the comparable home my client thought about buying was priced $26K more, was about 1000 square feet smaller and needed more work.   It was in a different, but comparable community about a mile away.    This house, had major upgrades and was in move-in ready, immaculate condition: In a word - GORGEOUS! But I could see why the agent priced where she did, as the comps in that actual community were a bit lower.   So, we ... 03/28/2011

The Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP) loan is the perfect blend of Federal Government money granted to those in the State Government who know how it needs to be used and driven by the private marketplace so the money goes where it is needed. The money is intended to assist borrowers to buy their own home. The Homeownership Opportunity Program Loan is priced weekly above first mortgage rates and it must be taken out in 120 days to avoid penalty.  A ½ percent fee will be charged to extend the loan from 120 to 180 days but there will be no extension beyond 180 days.  HOP Fees are ½ percent origination fee to the HOP lender, inspection and Rehab Advisor fees passed through to the borrower, appraisal fee, title Insurance and other fees required by lender. The following are the list of ... 03/23/2011

Section 203(k) program managed by the FHA provides funds to prospective and current homeowners to make repairs and/or do renovations work.  In Section 203(k), the borrower can get just one mortgage loan, at a long-term fixed or adjustable rate, to finance both the acquisition and the rehabilitation of the property. To provide funds for the rehabilitation, the mortgage amount is based on the projected value of the property with the work completed, taking into account the cost of the work. Section 203(k) can be used by people who are looking to purchase a new home, or by existing homeowners wanting to do repair or renovation work on their current home.  The following describes a typical step-by-step application process for a transaction involving the purchase and rehabilitation of a prope... 03/09/2011

The market activity at Idylwood Towers has been up this year. While there were 12 homes sold last year - 2010 saw 19 homes sold. The lowest price was a 1br/1ba at $175,000. The highest price was an updated 3br/3ba property at $310,000. As can be seen by the graphs above, the percentage of distressed sales seems to have peaked in 2009 and was down in 2010. In 2009 the average sales price for a 1 bedroom unit was $177,550. The average price for a 2 bedroom unit was $213,600. As mentioned earlier, a single 3 bedroom unit sold for $315,000. For 2010 the average sales price for a 1 bedroom unit was $188,500. The average price for a 2 bedroom unit was $229,750. 3br/2ba' are $288,500 and 3br/3ba's sell on average for $301,000. Homes on average sell for 95% of the original list price. They sell... 02/20/2011

The sales activity in Pimmit Hills did as well in 2010 as in 2009. In 2009 49 homes sold compared to 50 homes sold in 2010. With the activity remaining the same, what is happening to the prices? There were some expectations that the homebuyer credit would affect the prices and/or activity for the first half of the year. However it doesn't really look like it had much effect - purchasers may just have moved up their purchase a few months.   The amount of distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have been in the 25%-35% range the last few years. In 2010 the number of distressed sales went down to 10, as opposed to 16 in 2009. That is a good thing for homeowners in the community. 2010 was also supposed to be the year of the short-sale - it doesn't look like those are taking off in P... 02/17/2011

This week another Northern Virginia military family headed to closing on their Falls Church Virginia home thanks to the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).  In this case the owners had been gone for awhile and the home was rented.  Closing coincided with the end of the tenants lease.  The buyers had been renters in the area for a long time and were excited to be moving into their first home.This was another sale where I never met the owners.   Everything was done with electronic documents, emails and a few phone calls.  The HAP office in Savannah sent the check directly to the settlement attorney and I headed to settlement to meet the buyer's agent and the buyers to make sure there were no last minute issues.The Department of Defense Homeonwers Assistance Program ... 01/21/2011

I recently went to dinner at 2941 located at 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. It wasn't my first time eating there but, I am always so impressed by their service that I wanted to share with everyone what a great local spot this is for fine dining. I called to make a reservation at 3:00pm due to a change in travel plans at the last minute and needed a private dining room for five at 7:00pm. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating and took care of every detail.  Their food is phenomenal, atmosphere fit for a king but, what really sets them apart from other 5 star restaurants I have visited is their SERVICE. Careful attention to detail right down to remembering which coat you checked without having to look at your ticket or ask you. If you're a wine enthusiast they... 01/13/2011

HOMES FOR SALE IN FALLS CHURCH, VA: HOLMES RUN ACRES 7800 Sycamore Drive FALLS CHURCH, VA Gorgeous contemporary, remodeled home, Granite counters, hardwoods on main level, Skylights, Excellent Condition....Fantastic location...less than a m 4BR/2BA Single Family House $599,000 Year Built 1952 Sq Footage 1,032 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking None Lot Size 10,994 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month Property Features Central A/CFireplaceHigh/Vaulted ceilingWalk-in closetHardwood floorFamily roomLiving roomDishwasherRefrigeratorStove/OvenMicrowaveGranite countertopWasherDryer Community Features Covered parking Additional Photos Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1 Contact Info Konnie McKeeRealty Direct0225079749(703) 407-7088 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing 12/30/2010

Advertising in the newspaper is one thing.  Publicity is a whole different matter. One costs money.  The other's free.  One's fleeting.  The other's archived forever (or at least for a very long time). For the second time in just as many months, The Washington Post has published a neighborhood profile in it's "Where We Live" Saturday edition, that #1 quotes me as the REALTOR and #2 is a neighborhood where I've got a home on the market for sale.  This type of publicity is priceless for me and more importantly for the sellers of those homes! Here's a photo of yesterday's Washington Post profiling the Great Oak Square community in Falls Church:   Here's the link to the full article online: "In Great Oak Square, the roots go way back." and here's a link to the home I have for sale there: 28... 11/21/2010

It's Halloween and the children in Sleepy Hollow Woods are on the lookout for the Headless Horseman to ride through the neighborhood tonight. Alright that may be a bit of a stretch but perhaps the quiet as you drive through a neighborhood just minutes away from major commuting routes to DC might seem a bit eerie. First you need to know that there is more than one neighborhood with Sleepy Hollow in its name in Northern Virginia. In fact there are a number of them in the same area with either a Falls Church or Annandale postal address. Sleepy Hollow Woods was designed by Dewberry and Davis architects and the first of the 300+homes that make up the community were built in 1959 by Community Builders and I.L. Lewis Realtor Associates. Just like their neighbor Lake Barcroft the area which bec... 10/31/2010

OPEN HOUSE 1-4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24TH Konnie McKee | Realty Direct | (703) 407-7088 7800 Sycamore Drive, Falls Church, VA Gorgeous contemporary, remodeled home, Granite counters, hardwoods on main level, Skylights, Excellent Condition....Fantastic location...less than a m 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $599,000 Year Built 1952 Sq Footage 1,032 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking None Lot Size 10,994 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Fireplace - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Family room - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Washer - Dryer COMMUNITY FEATURES - Covered parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1Photo 1 C... 10/20/2010

Homes For Sale In Falls Church, VA:  Holmes Run      Konnie McKee | Realty Direct | (703) 407-7088 7800 Sycamore Drive, Falls Church, VA Gorgeous contemporary, remodeled home, Granite counters, hardwoods on main level, Skylights, Excellent Condition....Fantastic location...less than a m 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $599,000 Year Built 1952 Sq Footage 1,032 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking None Lot Size 10,994 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Fireplace - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Family room - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Washer - Dryer COMMUNITY FEATURES - Covered parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1Photo 1Photo ... 10/08/2010

Falls Church Homes for Sale Priced Under 375K Opportunities abound in the Falls Church real estate market these days.  We have great prices on Falls Church homes for sale, and the mortgage rates could not be better!  Sellers want a sale and are willing to negotiate, and buyers are looking for the most home for the dollar!  Can you blame them?  Everyone in today's economy is looking for value today and buying a homes listed for sale in Falls Church VA is no exception to that rule.  The good news is that there are homes for sale in Falls Church priced under $375000.  You will find them in Falls Church VA homes, town homes and condos.  That is a fantastic opportunity given the location of Falls Church in relationship to Washington DC, and all of northern VA and access to mass transit at th... 10/07/2010

Falls Church VA Homes for Sale Update Falls Church VA real estate update for Thursday October 7, 2010* Just a quick note to share to all, I noticed that inventory of Falls Church single family homes that are listed in our MLS system MRIS is way off from December 2008.  However, as of today Thursday October 7, 2010 there are currently 165 homes for sale in Falls Church VA in our MRIS MLS System.  These are fee simple Falls Church VA homes for sale and detached single family homes.  Falls Church Virginia is located west of our nations Capitol in  Washington DC in Fairfax County Virginia.  Falls Church is easily accesed by road or mass transit. Falls Church VA has great homes, neighborhoods, and some great subdivisions with reasonably priced single family detached fee simple homes for sale... 10/07/2010

FairFax- one of the best places to live in Virginia: If you are looking for a nice home within minutes of the Nations Capital, Falls Church, VA is the prefect place to be. Just to the west of the big city, Falls Church makes you feel like you are living in a small town. Nice place to live and work if you like urban life. This city is part of the Washington, DC metro area. Falls Church VA is an excellent community with wonderful amenities for residents of all lifestyles. In addition to single family homes in Falls Church, there are different ranges of condos like Highrise condominiums in Falls Church, VA, Midrise condominiums in Falls Church, VA and Luxury condominiums in Falls Church, VA. Perfect place to raise your family: The area surrounding Falls Church, like most in the greater DC ... 09/16/2010

The #1 Rule of Real Estate is Location, Location, Location. A Close Second is: READ THE (insert favorite expletive) CONTRACT! The real estate contract is the beginning and end, the authority, and the document with the most importance in any real estate transaction.  You've heard it said that "an oral contract is worth the paper that it's printed on!"  In Virginia, there's a clause in our Regional Sales Contract that states that "All contracts for the sale of real property must be in writing to be enforecable.  Upon ratification and Delivery, this Contract becomes a legally binding agreement.  Any changes to this Contract must be made in writing for such changes to be enforceable." In other words, if you want it to be part of the deal, you'd better write it down.  Moreover, when it's bee... 09/14/2010

Sleepy Hollow Homes For Sale Falls Church VA Buying and Selling Homes in Sleepy Hollow SLEEPY HOLLOW HOMES Sleepy Hollow is an established single family detached homes community that is located in close in Falls Church VA which is located centrally in northern Fairfax County VA.  . Sleepy Hollow has a great location for those that want to live inside the 1-495 Beltway and offers easy access to Washington DC, the Pentagon and Metro since Falls Church is just 11.5 miles west of Washington DC.  Sleepy Hollow is a great place to live enjoy life and own a home.  The Sleepy Hollow neighborhood is convenient to all of the Washington DC area because of its access to the Washington Area Mass Transit Authority - WMATA. Metro - Metrorail System Map. If you are looking for homes for sale in Sleepy... 09/12/2010

This older Burke and Herbert bank building in the Baileys Crossroad area of Northern Virginia looks like just about any other bank in the area.  Nothing about it necessarily stands out.  Yet it holds an interesting part of history on it's roof.The odd looking lights that you might think are an old security system or fire alarm are actually the remaining becons that marked the building for incoming planes to the Cross Roads Airport.   As you can see by the highrises behind the bank no pilot today would want to attempt a landing in the area.  The original agreement to operate an airport in the area was approved in 1942 but due to WWII the airport license was not issued and named until 1946.  In 1947 the Cross Roads Airport opened and appeared on flight maps.  By 1949 the name on the areon... 09/01/2010

Thinking of buying a home in Prince William County to avoid those high Fairfax County prices? You may want to check out this Lake Ridge home in Woodbridge that is approximately 10 minutes fromCommuter busesCarpoolsAll K-12 grade levelsFour shopping centersTwo liibrariesYear round rec center with poolMembership pool Karen Kruschka | RE/MAX Olympic Realty | (703) 690-6569 13227 Sturbridge Road, Woodbridge, VA Lake Ridge - Custom 2 car garage, level lot, minutes to shopping, commuter bus and recreation, eat-in kitchen, large deck, gas heat. 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $340,000 Year Built 1971 Sq Footage 2,134 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 12,209 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A... 08/28/2010

MyFairfaxCountyRealEstate.com    June 2010 Falls Church Real Estate Sales Market Report Search Crime Stats by Zip Code Contact us if you are thinking about buying or selling in Falls Church Single Family Homes Falls Church Sold Falls Church Homes in June 2010: 76 homes Average Sold Price: $519,536 Median Sold Price: $530,000 Homes sold for about: 98.3% of asking price Average Days on Market: 41 days  Out of the 76 Falls Church home sales in June - 18 (24%) were distressed (foreclosure, bank owned, short sale).  Townhomes in Falls Church Sold Falls Church Townhomes in June 2010: 27 homes Average Sold Price: $453,630 Median Sold Price: $470,000 Homes sold for about 96.9% of asking price Average Days on Market: 52 days Out of the 27 Falls Church townhomes that sold in June - 2 (7%) were di... 08/18/2010