Everything You Wanted To Know About Real Estate
So, we know that the housing market hasn’t really been that great over the last couple of years. There are a lot of people still underwater on their mortgages and yes, unemployment is also still a huge problem but all that, in my opinion, is changing and changing fast! A combination of a strong regional job market (after all real estate is local), crazy low interest rates (my last buyer secured a 3.75%, 30 year fixed rate VA loan), and low housing stock in the Northern Virginia … [Read more...]
In the governments never ending odyssey to put an end to the current housing crisis FHA has put in some new guidelines to the FHA Streamline FHA process in hopes of helping homeowners refi into today’s lower rates. As with all the alphabet soup programs out there this program sounds great on paper but will it work? Here is a quick snapshot of what this program does and doesn't do: Does: If your loan is a FHA backed loan you can refi at today's low rates. Look to see if your mortgage is … [Read more...]
What’s cheaper, renting or buying a home in the Loudoun and Fairfax County area? This is a common question asked by many prospective homebuyers. The answer to the question really depends a lot on the buyers( or your) goals. Recently, Tulia rated the Washington DC area as a 12 on a sale of 1-35 as being cheaper to buy then to rent. Another similar report by Inman news recent reported that in 74% of cities nationwide buying is cheaper then renting. Washington DC area was one of the … [Read more...]
"The economy is in a free fall"; "people are losing their houses by the bushel"; "unemployment is at record highs etc, etc, etc". You would think with these types of headlines there would be foreclosed homes on every block! Right??? Not if you are looking for foreclosures in the Northern Virginia area more specifically in the Loudoun and Fairfax county areas. If you are lucky enough to find a foreclosed home don’t be surprised to see multiple offers all above asking price. So, if … [Read more...]
Having worked in the Real Estate business for almost 10 years I’ve had a chance to hear some really wacky Real Estate claims. Some of these claims are made by unscrupulous individuals who are not licensed Realtors or lenders(for good reason). Most of the scams target unsuspecting individuals on late night infomercials promising fast cash and a track to riches for only 3 payments of $45! Over the last 5 years with the tanking of the Real Estate market various scams have exploded on to the … [Read more...]
Chuck Rifae Associate Broker PenFed Realty Group 571-207-6390 Entrepreneur, Real Estate Broker, Avid runner, and soccer dad! Check out my about.me profile!
