Short Sale Settlements are Best Split. As a Gainesville, VA short sale agent, I am happy to report that I have been to many short sale settlements in 2009.  (Yes, these short sales do indeed get approved and go to settlement.)  As I usually represent the short sale sellers, I know that the emotions are bittersweet. Most short sale sellers do not want to sell their house.  They love their house.  However, the home has become unaffordable and the sellers will generally find themselves financially insolvent.  If they could stay in that house, they would.  Short sale is the best possible solution for them to have a chance at not ruining their credit by allowing the home to go to foreclosure.  So at settlement, they are happy to have avoided foreclosure, but sad to have to sell the house. Mi... 11/23/2009

When it comes to short sale approvals, Wells Fargo's timelines are among the most desirable in the short sale business.  That's coming from a Gainesville, VA short sale agent!  From the time a complete short sale package arrives to Wells Fargo's short sale department, the days start ticking off to short sale approval.  The target is thirty business days, though lately it's been more like 45 business days.  And that's if there is only one loan you are working with.  The time frame can easily double when you are working two loans, whether they are both with Wells Fargo or not. Despite the well spelled out timelines and procedures, Wells Fargo short sale sellers can often find themselves at a loss for patience.  The days go by and they hear nothing.  Even if their short sale listing agent ... 11/20/2009

Treat Yourself to a Gainesville Area Home for the Holidays! With Thanksgiving just one week away, visions of that dream kitchen are no doubt coming to mind.  I'm sure you are just wishing you had more counter space, maybe a center island and definitely double ovens.  What else is in your dream kitchen?  Granite counters?  Stainless steel appliances? Cherry cabinetry? Ceramic tile? No matter what your dream kitchen consists of, there is a good chance that we can put our head's together in between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to find it for you, wrapped up in a Gainesville, VA home.  With the first time buyer $8,000 tax credit extended to the Spring of 2010, and expanded to give $6,500 to homeowners of five years or more, there is no reason to not treat yourself to a Gainesvill... 11/19/2009

Long & Foster Gainesville is hosting an annual Coats for Kids Drive.  If you are a resident of Gainesville, Bristow or Haymarket, Virginia, here's your chance to make a difference in someone's world this winter.  Bring in your donation of a new or clean, lightly used coat, mittens, gloves, scarf, or hat to our office.  Adult outwear is also welcome.  The Long & Foster Gainesville office is located at 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA.  From the intersection of Route 29 & Linton Hall Road; take Linton Hall Road South; at the 3rd traffic light turn left onto Wellington Road; take a left onto Limestone Drive.  Long & Foster Gainesville will be on the corner of the strip of shops, across the street from 7-Eleven. Donations will be taken through March 31, 2010.  Call 571-261-1400 for off... 11/19/2009

Long & Foster in Gainesville, VA is happy to be a collection site for Toys for Tots.  Simply stop by our offcie to drop off your donation of a new, unwrapped toy. The Long & Foster Gainesville office is located at 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA.  From the intersection of Route 29 & Linton Hall Road; take Linton Hall Road South; at the 3rd traffic light turn left onto Wellington Road; take a left onto Limestone Drive.  Long & Foster Gainesville will be on the corner of the strip of shops, across the street from 7-Eleven. To check our business hours, please call 571-261-1400. Toys will collected until December 18th.  Bring a smile to a child's face this Christmas.  Drop off your new, unwrapped toy and know you have made a differnce in someone's life this holiday season.   11/19/2009

Gainesville Virginia - Homes For Sale - Foreclosures and Short Sales - November 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 November 2009. 2 Foreclosures (1% of current homes) 77 Short Sales aka Preforeclosure (36.8... 11/16/2009

As of last week, a new version of the tax credit has been signed into law. Originially it  was only available to first-time buyers and was set to expire on Nov. 30. The $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, as long as they have lived in the home they are selling as a principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. Time has been added to allow for closing the home purchase. As long as buyers have a binding contract by April 30, they will then have until June 30, 2010, to close the transaction. Income limits for eligible buyers were increased to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The  is very positive news for anyone looking t... 11/11/2009

Gainesville, VA - Homes for Sale in Gainesville, Virginia - Homebuyer Tax Credit   For buyers who have looking at homes for sale in Gainesville, VA here is the status of the Homebuyer Tax Credit:   Homebuyer Tax Credit has not only been extended, but it has also been expanded to include current homeowners. The following are features of the new bill   Deadline for current credit is November 30, 2009 New Deadline for Homebuyer Tax Credit is April 30, 2010, as long as the home is under contract by that date. Must close within 60 days   Eligibility and amount of new credit: $8,000 for first-time homebuyers (those who have not owned a home in the last three years). Up to $6,500 credit for homeowners who have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as a principal residence for five ... 11/05/2009

The congress has approved a 1 year extension of higher loan limits for the FHA loans and an amendment to extend the 1st time homebuyer tax credit was incorporated on the bill to prolong the unemployment benefits. With the amendment to the bill introduced last Thursday by Sen. Harry Reid the extension looks like will pass.  The vote should take place sometime this week, so keep your eyes open for HR 3548 11/02/2009

Reporting numbers obtained from the MRIS as of October 1st, 2009.         10/30/2009

HOMES FOR SALE IN GAINESVILLE, VA  Gainesville is located in Prince William County, Virginia off of route 66, a major commuter route in Virginia.  This area has exploded with new construction and commercial construction. If you are looking for a home for sale in Gainesville, Virginia... call Konnie MAC to set up automatic emails or SEARCH FOR HOME In GAINESVILLE, here using my FREE, no strings MLS Search 10/28/2009

Don't miss the model home furniture sale in Gainesville's Heritage Hunt on October 31, 2009.  This is a one day only sale, starting at 9am and ending at 2pm.  Buy designer selected furniture, art and accessories from this Key West Style Condo plus more from another condo.  Cash and Checks Only, ID required. Directions to Heritage Hunt in Gainesville (for those unfamiliar) are as follows: Take Route 66 West to Exit 43B (Route 29 North.)  At the exit, bear left.  At the traffic light cross Rt. 29 Lee Hwy onto Heathcote Blvd. Turn right at first traffic light at Heritage Hunt Dr.  Sign in with the gate guard.   Follow the Lennar signs to the condo models, first building on the right.  Parking is in front of the building both condo buildings.  The sale is in unit 103.  For more information ... 10/21/2009

Gainesville Virginia - Homes for Sale - Foreclosure and Short Sales - A Tale of Two Sellers   This past spring I went on two separate listing appointments. Both clients were behind on their mortgage payments and I explained to them how a short sale works and advised they speak with a lawyer before they proceeded so they were fully advised on their situation. Client 1 opted to go ahead and list the home for sale and price it right. Client 2 talked to a lawyer who advised to have the home go to foreclosure. Client 2 felt that they would just wait for the bank to foreclose and that would be the end of it. I advised Client 2 that based on their situation that I felt that Short Sale was the best way to go as you are showing the bank that you are trying to work something out. Client 2 did not... 10/21/2009

GAINESVILLE, VA HOMES FOR SALE: LAKE MANASSAS is a beautiful gated golf course community in Gainesville, VA... The community, not only has a beautiful golf course....but also Lake Manassas as a back drop.. There are currently 10 single family homes on the market in Lake Manassas ranging in price from $649,000 to $1,375,000, 6 homes under contract and 1 sale in the last 30 days. For more information on Homes for sale in Gainesville, VA: Lake Manassas call me..Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or to search for homes in gainesville, va, use my NO STRINGS, mls search.      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.M... 10/19/2009

GAINESVILLE, VA Homes For Sale:  Virginia Oaks is a golf course community is located in the heart of Gainesville, Virginia.. The location, approximately .50 miles from route 66, close to shopping  and public amenities, make this community... a great choice.. There are currently 4 single family homes on the market in Virginia Oaks, ranging in price from $315,000 to $625,000, 4 homes are currenlty under contract, and 2 have sold in the last 30 days.. If you are looking for a home in the GAINESVILLE, VIRGINIA area.. call me Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or search for homes for FREE...no strings, MLS Search..          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 Di... 10/19/2009

Gainesville, Virginia - Homes for Sale - Foreclosures and Short Sales The rise in foreclosures and short sales has even touched the homes for sale in the Gainesville VA  market.  Since July 2008, foreclosure filings are up nearly 12 percent across Virginia. Overall, in July 2009, Virginia ranked 14th in foreclosure rate amongst the 50 states with one foreclosure filing for every 511 households, according to RealtyTrac. Currently there are 193 Single Family Homes listed for sale in the Gainesville VA MLS in October.    1 Foreclosures (1% of current homes)  80 Short Sales aka Preforeclosure (41.5% of current homes)  79 Regular Resales (41% of current homes)  32 New Homes To Be Built (16.5% of current homes) Based on current average homes sold in Gainesville VA per month we currently have ... 10/16/2009

PANORAMIC VIEWS OF LAKE MANASSAS! ~ $1,599,900 STUNNING BRAND NEW Home by one of Northern Virginia's PREMIER CUSTOM Builders * UNMATCHED PANORAMIC Views of LAKE MANASSAS & Golf Course from ALL Levels * OVER 8,800 Finished Sq Ft of SUPERIOR QUALITY Craftsmanship, ELEGANT Design & EXQUISITE Detail * EVERY UPGRADE Imaginable * GRANDE Formal Areas * SMASHING PROFESSIONAL Kitchen * Dual Staircases * LAVISH Master Suite w/Balcony * FABULOUS FINISHED Walk-out Level Basement! CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL LISTING   10/11/2009

Gainesville Real Estate Lake Manassas Lake Manassas offers it residents community amenities include three stocked ponds, hiking trails, wooded nature trails, basketball court, child’s playgroundand of course, GOLF! There are single family homes and townhomes for sale in Lake Manassas. Lot sizes for the single family homes for sale will range from one quarter of an acre to one acre. Many of the homes for sale in Lake Manassas will be perfectly sited on Golf Course lots allowing for stunning panoramic view of the golf course. Many other homes for sale in Lake Manassas will be sited on lots that offer quiet solitude and back to wooded settings or common areas. Lake Manassas is bordered by Lake Manassas and by the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Lake Manassas is also home to Stonewall Golf Cl... 10/02/2009

Gainesvill Real Estate: Heritage Hunt ~  Heritage Hunt has been honored by the National Council on Senior Housing as the “Best Active Adult Community” in the Country. Heritage Hunt is a gated, adult golf community that is located in beautiful Gainesville, Virginia. A beautiful presence throughout the community, and a backdrop for many of the homes, the 18 hole championship golf course defines Heritage Hunt as the only true country club community for active adults in the Washington, D.C. area. Homes for sale in Heritage Hunt currently range in price from $199,900 - $611,000. There are currently 23 homes for sale in Heritage Hunt. 2 homes for sale in Heritage Hunt received and ratified contracts this week. 1 home for sale in Heritage Hunt "Sold & Settled" this week. There is currently a 2... 10/02/2009

I was on a business trip to Wichita, KS about 15 years ago.  While I was there, I saw this really neat sign at a craft store.  It was a watering can with the phrase, "Grow Where You Are Planted" arched above.  I still love that phrase, and it's come to mean so much more as I grow into my career as a Realtor. Growing where I'm planted meant becoming a Short Sale specialist these past two years.   Many of the homes in the Linton Hall corridor between Gainesville and Bristow, where I am located, were built during the real estate boom.  It was also a time when 100% Interest Only ARMs and Option ARMs were really being pushed by the builders.  Many people may have bought as much home as they could, but when the market turned, they had more of a mortgage payment than they could afford and a ho... 09/28/2009