Manassas Real Estate News

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 Real Estate News

Manassas Dream Home


As you can see, the lot you choose for your Manassas Dream Home could have
either a negative or a positive effect on your overall building costs. A large, square lot in the middle of a graded subdivision in Manassas is the easiest type of building site to work with. The further your lot deviates from the ideal, the higher your building costs will be. Building on a hillside or on a lot with varying topography and irregular shape is expensive.

Manassas Fixed or Adjustable?


The fixed rate mortgages offer Manassas real estate buyers peace of mind with predictable monthly payments. Taxes may go up but the principle and interest will remain fixed throughout the life of the loan. When interest rates were rising rapidly in the late 1970s, lenders came up with ARMs or Adjustable Rate Mortgages. With an ARM, the borrower assumes the risk of rising interest rates. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Manassas Real Estate Cycles


One problem with attempting to time your purchase to the business cycle is that even experts have problems accurately predicting the future economy. Even when they can, the Manassas market does not necessarily move in tandem with the stock market or the economy as a whole. Manassas is a unique situation.

When the economy is doing well, interest rates are generally higher. The result is that fewer people can afford houses, and Manassas is no exception. When the economy slows down, interest rates fall, the "affordability index" moves up and more people can afford houses. The Manassas market will take the lead.


Manassas Disclosure Rule


Tell All is definitely the rule for anyone who is selling Manassas real estate in today’s market. Let the Buyer Beware can easily come back and bite you in a delicate spot—your pocketbook.

Today, those selling a home or any Manassas are expected to disclose all known material defects that are not readily apparent to the buyer. A Material Defect is usually a physical condition that would affect a buyer’s decision to purchase the home or what price to pay for the home. A leaky roof is definitely a Material Defect. If a Manassas seller tries to disguise the leak by painting the interior ceiling and walls without fixing the leak, the truth will come out the next time it rains. Chances are the first call the buyer makes will be to his attorney.

Bitten by the Manassas Home Improvement Bug?


Maybe, like millions of Americans, you can’t help it! You live in your Manassas home for several years and before you know it, you find yourself thinking about how the kitchen would look with new cabinets and a granite countertop. Should you start with the kitchen or would it be better to add a home office to give the family a little more room? There seems to be endless options for the creative Manassas homeowner bitten by the Home Improvement Bug. Once you get started thinking along these lines, it usually doesn’t take long before the ultimate question pops up. Is it better to improve your current home or simply sell and buy a bigger, newer or more desirable Area home? Here are some issues to help you make that all-important decision.


Bitten by the Manassas Home Improvement Bug?


Before you finalize your decision regarding remodeling versus moving, it is wise to get a professional estimate of your Manassas home’s current value, the actual costs of moving to a different home and the estimated return on investment of the most common types of home improvement. I’ll be happy to provide you with a complimentary analysis of your home’s current value. Simply call or E-mail me whenever you are ready. As for improvements that traditionally bring the highest rate of return on investment, here are some statistics. Kitchen remodeling and adding a bath tends to bring rates of return with averaging anywhere from 85% to 95% return on your dollars spent. Compare that with the 64% return on investment for adding a home office.