Manassas Homes Guide / Tips for Buyers and Sellers

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

Manassas Homes Guide / Tips for Buyers and Sellers

Adjustable Rate Loans for Manassas


ARMS may be called by various names including, variable-rate loans, adjustable rate loans or adjustable mortgage loans for your Manassas home. They all feature an interest rate that can vary over the rate of the loan.

Advantages: The monthly payment on a typical ARM is lower in the early stages than the fixed rate loan. This may make it easier for the buyer to afford the Manassashome.

Disadvantages: As interest rates increase, your monthly payment may increase or the amount of your payment applied to the principle may decrease which means that you must gamble on property appreciation to offset this increase in your indebtedness.

Manassas Homeownsers Insurance


Bundle your Manassas insurance policies. Some companies that sell homeowners, auto and liability coverage will take 5 to 15% off your premium if you buy two or more policies from them.

Reduce Your Risk. Find out from your insurance company what steps you can take to make your Manassas more resistant to natural disasters. If you live in an older home, look into modernizing your heating, plumbing and electrical systems to reduce the risk of fire and water damage.


Manassas Housing Patterns


Manassas Housing patterns tend to be homogenous, meaning homes worth $100,00 are located in $100,000 neighborhoods. It is important for properties to be within the general pricing patterns of their neighborhoods because over-valued homes, even if they are exceptional, are sometimes difficult to sell at full market price. Remember, lenders want to compare your home to nearby homes. If your Manassas real estate is located in a neighborhood of $100,000 homes but you have added another $100,000 in improvements, you may have over- improved your property in that lenders will be reluctant to lend the higher amount.

Many sellers think that the price of their home is determined solely by what they are willing to accept and what the buyer is willing to pay. However, the lender’s appraisal in Manassas is one more variable and it can complicate the sale of your home. In these cases, it helps to have a knowledgeable REALTOR working on your side.


Manassas Disclosure Rule


If you are contemplating the purchase of an existing home or any Manassas, I strongly recommend that you utilize the services of a trusted home inspector. The final purchase of any home should be based on obtaining a favorable home inspection. Manassas is no exception to this rule.

What if the home inspector discovers a problem? That happens and as long as it happens before the sale is final the seller can fix the problem or the buyer who agrees to take the property as is can negotiate the price. Any questions regarding Manassas, just give me a call.


Bitten by the Manassas Home Improvement Bug?


Money isn’t everything however so that if the most important consideration for remaining in your Manassas home happens to be the school where your children attend or the proximity to your work or to a particularly attractive recreational opportunity then remodeling may be the best option. On the other hand, if the idea of having your Manassas house torn up for weeks at a time makes your blood run cold, it really doesn’t matter how much money you might make turning a fixer-upper into a model home. You will be far better off selling the home you have and moving to a home that better fits your needs.

Manassas DEDUCTIONS


One of the advantages of home ownership is that while most other types of interest are not tax deductible, the interest you pay on your Manassas loan is deductible on your Federal and State income tax. This fact alone gives homeowners a distinct advantage over renters.