I was reviewing some historical averages in order to put some perspective on where we stand in today’s real estate market and wanted to share with you some interesting points: Historical Trends Imply Prices are Undervalued Going back to 1989, when the average home price nationally was $95,000 and adjusting from there at the historical rate of 4% appreciation annually, the average home price now would be $231,000 – However, the national average is currently $176,600 – This implies, based... Read Full Post

Having a good business idea is a great thing, but when you don't know how to turn it into a successful venture, it may just be worthless. While there are some things that have to be done in starting a business, there are also other things which are simply not important at the beginning. Here are the most fundamental issues you need to take charge of as you set off in your business venture. Write Down Your Overall Goals & Objectives People always have different reasons for wanting to set u... Read Full Post

Selling privately is not as hard as many property sellers think it is. The availability of different marketing tools allows for individuals without real estate background to sell their own home, even without help from an agent. But that is not the only reason it can be better to sell on your own rather than hire a real estate professional. Less cost, more profit. Using a real estate agent to sell your home can cost you thousands of dollars. Remember that agents are paid on commission, usually... Read Full Post

The first time homebuyer tax credit made it possible for many people to finally own a house. Originally first time homebuyer tax credit gave buyers tax credit with up to $7,500 but now that tax break has been expanded and the new credit limit is $8,000 for first time home buyers. It is $6,500 for home buyers who are seeking to move into another place of residence. However, just like everything else related to tax, if you want to get all you can out of this tax benefit then you must follow the... Read Full Post

The best times of the year to sell your house are typically the spring and the fall. The summer brings with it many challenges. Between vacations and an abundance of outdoor activities, prospective buyers have a lot of things that can distract them from the home buying process. That does not mean that it's impossible to sell your house in the summer though. Here are some ways to have more success selling your house in the summer. Create a summer curb appeal- The first thing the buyer is going... Read Full Post

Nestled among the old oaks near Charlottesville, Virginia lies the beautiful equestrian property of Ashanti Farms. Stretching out over 394 acres, Ashanti Farms features the world class amenities you expect. Featuring a manor style home, a manager's cottage, three barns, and two arenas, there is more than enough here to satisfy even the most demanding equestrian. If you're ready to retire or looking for a new place to hang your saddle for the night, then come and join us for our auction. It wi... Read Full Post

There are plenty of different websites out there that all have tips for how to sell your house. Here are some home selling tips that you might not already know. List your home on a Friday- Listing your home on a Friday can increase your chances of selling the home faster. By listing on a Friday, you will be featured as one of the new listings over the weekend, which is when most people do their home buying research. Pay attention to price breaks- Many real estate websites use price breaks to ... Read Full Post

I have been a Realtor for about 8 years now, and what brought me into real estate was my background in marketing and design. Prior to working as a real estate agent, I developed advertising, branding and marketing for many top Realtors and brokerages. During those years I was able to take in and learn the main concepts that made many of these top producing agents successful. One reoccurring theme I saw often, was how these agents worked with sellers. I saw two main differences. There were the... Read Full Post

Buying a home can be a very exciting time. However, when something goes wrong it can be very stressful. Here are some things that can cause the pending sale to fall through. The home fails inspection- Hiring a home inspector can aid in knowing what needs to be fixed in the house. Repairs can usually be negotiated in the contract, thus saving you money. However, there are times when the inspector finds something that is just too large to repair. You are unable to obtain financing- Sometimes a ... Read Full Post