It's time to celebrate another military family making a PCS move from Northern Virginia to a new duty station. The good news the home was SOLD with the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers-Homeowers Assistance Program (HAP).  It is often said that timing is everything and in this case it was even more critical. The owners needed to get to their new duty station immediately as the husband, an active duty Marine will be deploying to Afghanistan within a few days.  Getting the family settled before he leaves was a top priority.      If you are a Northern Virginia military family eligible for the HAP program give me a call at 703-346-2213. If you have upcoming PCS orders for the summer of 2010 now is the time to talk about your options.  The current timeframe for HAP benefits with P... 01/19/2010

Parks at Piedmont is a Lovely Condo Community in Gainesville, VA.  Can YOU Buy There?  The answer is anything but obvious. You see, Parks at Piedmont condos were constructed by Engle Homes.  And sadly, the construction hit the tail end of the boom, and languished in the beginning of the bust.  Engle Homes declared bankruptcy without finishing two pad sites that would house twenty more condo units. There are many short sales and foreclosures that hit the market in this community.  Here's where a first time buyer runs into problems buying these fantastic condos. Investor ratios that are allowable for HUD condo certification are thrown out of proportion by the number of absentee owners.  At first these were banks that were holding foreclosures.  And as a result of this limitation that was ... 01/19/2010

 If you are looking for an extended stay facility in Gainesville, Virginia.. Value Place is just what you are looking for.  Newcomers to our area, who are assigned here temporarily, relocating to our area, or in transition, need a place to stay and a hotel can just be too expensive.  Value Place offers the convenience of a hotel, with the comforts of home.  A great location, secure building and clean affordable rooms, make Value Place the extended stay place of choice.             SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE    Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached... search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia www.ManassasHomeSearch.com  If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virgini... 01/18/2010

Gainesville Virginia - Homes For Sale - Foreclosures and Short Sales – January 2010 The rise in foreclosures and short sales has even touched the homes for sale in the Gainesville VA market. Since September 2008, monthly foreclosure filings decreased by 10 percent across Virginia. Overall, in September 2009, Virginia ranked 17th in foreclosure rate amongst the 50 states, according to RealtyTrac. According to the Virginia Association of Realtors, in the 3rd Quarter of 2009 median sales prices were down by 1.3% over the same period in 2008 while they increased 2.2% over the previous quarter (2nd Quarter 2009). Currently there are 162 Single Family Homes listed for sale in the Gainesville VA MLS in January 2010. 5 Foreclosures (33.1% of current homes) 56 Short Sales aka Preforeclosure (34.... 01/18/2010

Most people think that the hardest park of being a Northern Virginia Short Sale seller is getting the bank to approve a contract.  While getting short sale approval can be lengthy and seem to test even the patience of a saint, for many, that is not the largest hurdle to jump.  There are many home owners facing short sale that major hurdle to get beyond: EMBARASSMENT. I can not tell you how many times I have sat across from a potential short sale seller and been through my listing presentation to find this mental roadblock.  Maybe there has been a job loss.  A devastating illness.  Perhaps it's a death in the family.  No matter what the scenario, the shame of not being able to pay off a mortgage is a great embarassment to many short sale sellers. It doesn't help for that short sale selle... 01/09/2010

Gainesville, Virginia - Homes for Sale - Current Market Conditions - January 2010 Real Estate Price Trends The average sold price for a single family home as of January 2010 for Gainesville is $399,259. Home Sales and Demand Trends The average time for a property in Gainesville to go under contract as of January 2010 has been on the market for about 64 days.  The average time for a property in Gainesville sold in the last 30 days as of January 2010 has been on the market for about 42 days. Price Per Square Foot The median price per square foot for homes in Gainesville as of January 2010 is about $132. Homes for Sale There are about 176 properties on the market in Gainesville as of January 2010.     Linda Coffey, Realtor®Long & Foster Realtors 7526 Limestone DriveGainesville, VA 20155 Li... 01/08/2010

Gainesville Virginia Real Estate:  Meadows At Morris Farms is a master planned community located in Prince William County, Virginia Located  approximately 3 miles off of exit 43, (route 66) Community Amenities included:  Community Park, Walking/Biking Trails, Bath house, Playground, Picnic areas, Tree Lined Walkways and commuity pool. Recent sales:  In the last 30 days, 4 Single Family homes have sold in the Meadows At Morris Farms ranging in price from $290,000 to $363,390.  There are currently 5 active single family homes on the market ranging in price from $265,000 to $539,000.  There is also ongoing new construction of single family homes.  For more information on New homes for sale or resale homes for sale in Gainesville, VA call me Konnie McKee 703 407 7088 to set up automatic ema... 01/05/2010

LAKE MANASSAS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 11 "ACTIVE" Single Family Homes for sale in the Lake Manassas community of Gainesville. These homes are priced from $529,900 up to $1,399,900. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 217 days. Currently, there are 9 Single Family Homes in the Lake Manassas community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are 2 Single Family Homes available for rent at this time priced at $800 and $3,495 per month. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Search Gainesville Virginia Real Estate Listings * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Receive Gainesville Foreclosed Home Listings by Email * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Receive Gainesville Short Sale Listings by Email* * * * * * * *... 01/02/2010

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 2 "ACTIVE" Single Family Homes for sale in the Bridlewood community of Gainesville. These homes are priced from $199,900 and $439,900. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 10 days. Currently, there are 5 Single Family Homes in the Bridlewood community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are NO Single Family Homes available for rent at this time. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Search Gainesville Virginia Real Estate Listings * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Receive Gainesville Foreclosed Home Listings by Email * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Click Here to Receive Gainesville Short Sale Listings by Email* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "I'm never too busy to help you look for a new... 01/02/2010

Gainesville, VA:  Virginia Oaks Tour of Holiday Lights On Christmas Eve my husband James and I like to drive through some of our favorite communities and look at the holiday lights.  Virginia Oaks is always a favorite.  They have a holiday lights contest through their own Home Owners Association, so there is guaranteed to be plenty of festive homes. I hope you enjoy a handful of the photos we took on our drive through Virginia Oaks this year.  If you'd like to see the photos we took in Greenbriar (Fairfax, VA) just click the link. 12/26/2009

When Will You Make Your Very Own HOME for the Holidays?  Time has run out for Bristow, Gainesville and Haymarket buyers to be in their new home for the holidays for 2009.  Still, maybe this holiday season and all the  sentimentality that comes along with it, has you thinking of making your own home for the holidays. With the extension of the $8,000 tax credit, the early part of 2010 would be a great time to get out there and find that very first home.  Of course, if your family has expanded beyond the size of the home you own now, the addition of the $6,500 tax credit for move up buyers is there for the taking in early 2010 as well. The tax credit is set to expire in July1, 2010, but your sales contract for purchase of that home must be ratified by April 30, 2010.  From today, that give... 12/21/2009

The Words That Strike Fear into the Heart of Northern Virginia:  SNOW STORM! I have been a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia.  I can attest to the one thing that will throw our area in utter panic: AN IMPENDING SNOW STORM. Doesn't need to be a upcoming blizzard, or white out conditions that send fear into the hearts of Northern Virginians.  As soon as one of our local meterologists utter the words "snow storm" there is a palpable panic that turns our Washington, DC suburbs into drama queens.  And our meterologist play into this.  They have the dramatic sounds that serve as the intro music into the "Storm Center" or the "Winter Weather Experts."  I've never understood this. Look out when the white stuff starts hitting the roads.  One inch of snow will have folks abandoning their car... 12/18/2009

Gainesville Virginia - Homes For Sale - Foreclosures and Short Sales - December 2009 The rise in foreclosures and short sales has even touched the homes for sale in the Gainesville VA market. Since September 2008, monthly foreclosure filings decreased by 10 percent across Virginia. Overall, in September 2009, Virginia ranked 17th in foreclosure rate amongst the 50 states, according to RealtyTrac. According to the Virginia Association of Realtors, in the 3rd Quarter of 2009 median sales prices were down by 1.3% over the same period in 2008 while they increased 2.2% over the previous quarter (2nd Quarter 2009). Currently there are 209 Single Family Homes listed for sale in the Gainesville VA MLS in December 2009. 4 Foreclosures (2.3% of current homes) 61 Short Sales aka Preforeclosure (34... 12/15/2009

Gainesville, Virginia buyers have a few neighborhoods coming on their radar where they can choose a short sale or new construction sale.  As a Prince William County Short Sale Listing Agent, I am baffled when buyers will discount new construction because of the time frame it takes before they are in their new house. In these newer communities, short sale purchases may take just as long, if not longer, than waiting for new construction. If a short sale is priced in line with the recent sales of a new neighborhood, it will automatically be priced at new construction prices.  So if if there is no price difference, why wait for a short sale?  At the end of the process you may not even have a home.  At least if you write on new construction, you are guaranteed the home, providing your financ... 12/14/2009

Keep your eye on the Weather Channel if you are working with Wells Fargo on a home equity Line short sale.   As it turns out, Wells Fargo's negotiators for home equity line short sales are located in Iowa.   While I don't live in Iowa, I don't watch the weather there. I did find out the weather when I called to check the status of a home equity short sale with Wells Fargo on Wednesday.   The entire department was closed due to blizzard conditions. The rest of the week the phone lines to the department were either jammed with phone callers who had tried to reach them on the day of the blizzard, or the department was still closed. I don't know about you, but as a Gainesville, Virginia Short Sale Listing Agent that regularly works with Wells Fargo home equity second trusts,  I will be pray... 12/12/2009

No, I never thought I would say this, but if you are a First Time Home Buyer, now  is a great time to buy a "short sale". Why?  Well, for 2 reasons.  First and foremost, if you are are First Time Home Buyer, in Northern Virginia, you are up against some pretty stiff competition.  Let's go to the videotape, or in this case the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, or its more common name, the MLS. In the last 30 days, ten detached single family homes were sold in The City of Manassas, between $150,000-$250,000.  Of those ten, 5 were "bank owned", 3 were "short sales", and 2 were "traditional sales".  What does that mean? Again, let's go to the MLS.  I culled over some data, (well I am single, what else am I going to do), and at this time last year, 21 detached single family homes we... 12/01/2009

In the ongoing saga of Short Sales and Foreclosures, the Obama Administration plans to announce this week a carrot and stick approach to deal with the issue. 650,000 borrowers have signed up for temporary loan modifications under the federal Making Home Affordable program enacted earlier this year.  However, it is estimated that only a fraction of the borrowers who are eligible for the program have a "permanent" loan modification, and that many individuals are being told that their bank "doesn't participate" in the program. In addition, short seller's, who have a legitimate hardship such as a job loss or medical issue, are being told "that's not my department", and "I will get to it later", when dealing with big banks. With an estimated 20% of all home owner's currently owing more on th... 11/30/2009

Listing and selling short sales are easier when you have systems in place.  As an experienced Gainesville, VA short sale listing agent, I can tell you that there are certain practices that are a matter of routine that make getting that short sale approval much easier. Even something as simple as household chores are easier, and faster, when you have systems in place.  Take the Cleland family morning routine:  a routine that serves two adults, five indoor cats and one outdoor cat. There are several things happening at once, but in a relatively small space.  Indoor cat dishes are cleaned and replenished, outside cat dish is replenished and outdoor cat given morning lap time.  The kitchen sink is cleaned out and the dishwasher is emptied.  Recycle is taken out, coffee is made, along with b... 11/30/2009

Wells Fargo's home equity short sale call center must not realize that I, and others that may be calling them, own clocks.  Why?  I called at 11:15am, Eastern Time, and received the following message: We're sorry.  Wells Fargo's call center is closed.  Please call back during our regular business hours:  Monday thorugh Friday, 8am-6pm Central Time. Admittedly, I'm not the genius that Albert Einstein was, but I think I know how to tell time across time zones.  Central time is one hour behind Eastern time.  So I was calling at 10:15am Central time.  That's over TWO HOURS past the start of their regular business hours. Wells Fargo's primary mortgage short sale department works like a well oiled machine.  If only their home equity short sale department had the same work ethic, business sens... 11/30/2009

Today was an off balance day in the life of this Gainesville, VA short sale agent.  Mentally, I'm in holiday mode.  All my clients are tucked in with their contracts until next week.  Any buyers not under contract are taking a breather for the Thanksgiving holiday.  So I stayed in my pajamas longer than normal today.  Imagine my surpise when the phone rang and it was a reporter for WAMU radio. HE WANTED TO INTERVIEW ME TODAY ABOUT SHORT SALES. They also wanted to interview a short sale seller.  No luck.  People either like their privacy about the issue or are out of town.  So I set an appointment, jump in the shower and get ready.  As I am putting the finishing touches on my outfit (two tone hoop earrings) I hear a thud going down the stairs.  I have five cats.  Unless they are chasing ... 11/24/2009