Learn About Manassas Real Estate

DC METRO REAL ESTATE

Serving the Real Estate needs of the communities of Manassas, Bristow, Haymarket, Warrenton, Gainesville and Culpeper  in Northern Virginia


Dave Scardina  
Broker / Owner

703-829-SOLD

866-909-0900

Learn About Manassas Real Estate

Manassas FAIR MARKET VALUE


Setting the right price is an important first step in getting a home sold. Sellers often wonder if they should spend $200 to $400 for a professional appraisal of their Manassas real estate before placing it on the market.

WAYS TO DETERMINE VALUE IN Manassas


A professional appraiser's opinion of a property's market value is based on the recent sales of similar Manassas real estate. Different appraisers could come up with different numbers. Even if all of them agreed on a value, there is no guarantee that you would receive that amount for your property. An alternative to a professional appraisal is to ask a professional Realtor for a written market analysis of your property. This analysis will include information about recent home sales in your neighborhood, as well as how those homes compare to yours.

Manassas Real Estate Contract Options


Finally, the Exclusive Agency Listing allows an agent to list and market your Manassas real estate. The agent will earn a commission if he/she or any other agent sells the property but not if the homeowner finds his/her own buyer. Very few if any agents are willing to agree to spend time, money and know-how on promoting a home without the guarantee of a commission when the home sells.

Many people imagine that the agent who lists their home begins an immediate search for likely homebuyers for Manassas but this is not always the case. The real skill of a good listing agent is her/his ability to market your home to other agents. Usually as soon as your listing agent returns to the office, your home is entered into the MLS and is now available to hundreds, maybe thousands of other agents.


Manassas: Art and Science


Buying a piece of Manassas real estate is a science but buying your Manassas home is an art. The science part involves getting the legal and financial parts down while the art is finding the Manassas property that you’ll be happy with.

The total universe of possibilities within the universe of Manassas real estate is quite diverse but narrowing your search ahead of time will help keep things in perspective.

In general there are two phases to any Manassas real estate search. In the first phase, you get a feel for the different areas and an idea of what is being offered at what price. In the second phase, you search for the Manassas real estate that meets all or most of your specifications.


Buying Manassas Below Market


On most real estate Websites you can enter the parameters you want for your Manassas. Include the price, size, features and location and the technology will notify you automatically the moment a property that meets your needs comes on the market. Now if what you are looking for is a particular type of property for a price that is significantly under market, you’d better be prepared to act quickly because you aren’t the only one who’s looking for a bargain.

Often times, when a home comes on the market priced under the market there are extenuating circumstances. Maybe the house needs maintenance. Maybe the yard needs work. If you are prepared with a certain amount of knowledge about the costs of roofing, painting, landscaping and other types of deferred maintenance, you will be in a position to evaluate whether or not the Manassas is priced well enough that it truly is a bargain and not a fixer-upper nightmare.


Buying Manassas Below Market


While the perfect Manassas option at the right price might come on the market within a couple of weeks, don’t expect that kind of time frame. You must be prepared to wait months for right property, and the Manassas is no exception. Remember, most sellers tend to ask MORE than their property is worth, not less so bargains don’t pop up every day. Often times, homes that are on the market for too long a period of time will come down in price as the homeowners get tired of having their house for sale but unless the seller is really pressed, home prices tend to come down is small increments unless there is an unfortunate circumstance that might cause the homeowner to price the Manassas under market for the specific purpose of getting a fast sale.

Manassas ADVANTAGE


The advantages of buying in any particular city or area depend on the buyer’s individual needs. Factors include proximity to schools, work, shopping, recreation, cultural opportunities and health care. Affordability is another important factor. So your first step in considering Manassas or any other city is to determine which of your needs are met and which are not met.