Carolyn's Blog

OK, so here is my new proposal to Uncle Sam, in an interest to keep the housing industry on the road to recovery let's provide an $8,000 Federal Housing Tax Credit to sellers! Don't get me wrong, I wasn't thrilled about the idea of the Tax Stimulus when it was introduced. I mean, did we not learn...

There is good news for the local real estate market. Sandy Paul, National Research Director at Delta Associates, reports that first quarter 2009 home sales were up 15% in the Washington Metropolitan market. He reported that while the number of houses that sold increased, the average sold price of...

While the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers may not be an incentive for home buyers in the Great Falls, Virginia area, historically low interest rates and seller incentives may. Interest rates on jumbo loans hover around 6% and the average sales price sits 6.5% lower than the list*. Fo...

  FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT   Thanks to Uncle Sam and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, first time home buyers can now received up to $8,000 on the purchase of their home. The incentive behind this credit is to encourage buyers who are sitting on the fence to make the dec...

Understanding the FHA Loan Program & Take Advantage of a Buyers Market Traditionally, the 20% required down payment was the biggest hurdle for buyers contemplating a home purchase, especially the first time home buyer. But even in today’s market with more stringent lender requirements then those ...

In this economy, purchasing (from small items to large) is all about options and making better purchasing decisions. Today's buyers want options, but not just any options, they want "smart" options.  Nowhere is this more true than today's housing market. Despite dire reports in the housing market...

Herndon, Virginia single family home sales showing signs of stability? We're focusing on a small but significant section of the Herndon, Virginia Real Estate Market - detached homes sales activity for 2008. To date, the total dollar volume of detached home sales in Herndon have exceeded $143 mill...

Do you know the signs of a healthy real estate market? I am curious what metrics people would use to answer this questions. 1. What percentage difference, if any, between list price and sold price? 2. Average Days on the Market? 3. Seller concessions, if any? 4. Other contingencies or concessions...

Reston real estate rebounding? Home sales activity gains but prices still weak.   As a Realtor one is constantly asked how the real estate market is performing. All year the story has been consistent, the market seems to be picking up. And it is true. While we do not have the price strength of 20...

Great Falls, Virginia is home to the much loved Great Falls National Park, a treasure for locals in and visitors to the Washington D.C. area. Why is it that some of the local treasures in one's own backyard never get visited? I've lived in Washington DC for over 35 years and can hardly remember ...