Planning to sell in 2026? Start the prep now
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Selling your home in Woodbridge, VA-What you need to know before you list
selling your home in woodbridge, VA-what you need to know before you list Thinking about selling your Woodbridge VA home? Learn expert tips on pricing, prepping, and marketing your home for the best results in today’s market. If you’re planning to sell your home in Woodbridge, Virginia, you’re in a great position — this Northern
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2026 Housing Market Outlook
2026 housing market outlook After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same. More Homes Will Sell With
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Sellers Don’t Make This Mistake-Unrealistic pricing
Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move
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Why October is the best time to buy a home in 2025
If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, now’s the time to lean in. It’s officially the best time to buy this year. According to Realtor.com, this October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025: “By mid-October, buyers across much of the country may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and
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why now may be a key 2025 moment to sell your house
Mortgage rates are finally heading in the right direction – and buyers are starting to jump back in. According to the data, buyer demand picked up considerably once mortgage rates hit a new low for 2025. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that applications for home loans were up 23% compared to the first week
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Top 7 date night ideas in prince william county
Top 7 Date Night Ideas in Prince William County Sunset Picnic at Leesylvania State ParkPack a basket, spread out a blanket, and enjoy waterfront views of the Potomac as the sun goes down. Simple, scenic, and romantic. Kayaking + Dinner in OccoquanRent a kayak or paddleboard on the Occoquan River, then stroll through Old Town Occoquan
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Top neighborhoods in Woodbridge, va for first time home buyers
Top neighborhoods in Woodbridge VA
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Northern Virginia Real Estate Update! End of summer
🏡 Northern Virginia Real Estate Update: Late Summer Market Trends & Tips As we head into the last stretch of summer, the Northern Virginia real estate market is showing its seasonal shifts—but also a few surprises. Whether you’re considering selling your home in Northern Virginia or thinking about buying a home in NOVA, here’s what’s
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Ways your home can generate passive income
Surprising Ways Your Home Can Generate Passive Income Your home isn’t just where you live – it’s a potential source of passive income that can boost your finances. Here are some creative ways to make your property work for you: Rent Out Extra Space Leverage Your Yard Solar Energy IncomeIf you’ve installed solar panels, you
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How to budget for homeownership
Becoming a homeowner is an exciting milestone, but it takes thoughtful financial planning. With evolving market trends, budgeting for homeownership in 2025 is essential. Here’s how to get started. Understand Your Total CostsBe prepared for these common costs: Assess Your FinancesBefore you start house hunting, evaluate your financial health: Determine What You Can AffordUse the
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How to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar
While the average time on the market varies significantly by region and neighborhood, by following these key steps, you can shorten that timeline while still getting top dollar. Price It Right from the StartOverpricing can drive buyers away, while underpricing leaves money on the table. The key is finding the right balance to attract serious
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Homeownership with an HOA
NAVIGATING HOMEOWNERSHIP WITH AN HOA If you’re considering buying a home in a community governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA), you’re not alone. HOAs are common, offering a structured community environment with shared amenities and well-maintained surroundings. However, navigating life with an HOA can come with its own set of challenges and benefits. Here’s a
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How to budget for homeownership in 2025
Becoming a homeowner is an exciting milestone, but it takes thoughtful financial planning. With evolving market trends, budgeting for homeownership in 2025 is essential. Here’s how to get started. Understand Your Total CostsBe prepared for these common costs: Assess Your FinancesBefore you start house hunting, evaluate your financial health: Determine What You Can AffordUse the
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Wonderful time to Buy (or sell your home)!
Is It the Most Wonderful Time… to Buy or Sell Your Home? As the holidays approach, the real estate market may not be the first thing on your mind. But contrary to popular belief, this festive season might offer the perfect opportunity for both buyers and sellers. So, is it really a good time to make a move in
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What NOT to do when buying a home!
Buying a home is one of the most exciting and significant investments you’ll make. But the process can be full of potential missteps that could cost you time, money, and even your dream home. Here’s a list of what NOT to do when purchasing a home. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll move through the buying process
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Buying a Vacation Home? What to know!
Buying a Vacation Home: What to Know As peak vacation season kicks off, many people dream of owning a vacation home to escape to for long weekends or extended stays. Whether you envision beachside barbecues, serene mountain retreats, or bustling city getaways, purchasing a vacation property comes with its own set of considerations. Here are
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Rental Investments: Short-Term vs. Long-Term
Rental Investments: Short-Term vs. Long-Term If you’re exploring the idea of investing in rental properties, understanding the difference between short-term and long-term rentals is a key starting point. Both paths offer unique opportunities and challenges depending on your investment goals and lifestyle. Let’s start with some essential steps to consider before starting your investment journey.
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The Transformation of Empty Offices
The Transformation of Empty Offices One of the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is that over 25% of households have at least one person working remotely. This leaves a lot of vacancies in office buildings that were previously bustling with in-person workers. While many of these offices have remained empty for months, some have
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Should I wait for mortgage RATES to come DOWN to buy a home?
Should I wait for mortgage rates to come down to buy a home? Many buyers today are thinking this question. Some are deciding to wait and some a deciding to move forward. Here’s a quick thought that could help answer this question: When rates are up, the buyer pool tends to go down which creates
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Cash offer for your home! Learn more!
CASH OFFER for your home: I have partnered with a top rated company in NOVA who consistently exceeds customer expectations (only was I would have it!) who offers instant cash offers! Why would I sell this way? 👉Flexibility, move & sell on your schedule 👉No or lower closing costs 👉No public showings 👉No preparation, no
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2024 Market Prediction- Will Home Prices Drop?
2024 Market Predication? Will home prices drop? Before delving into the trends, it’s important to say that general market dynamics impact individuals differently based on their personal situations and needs. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for personalized recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances.With home values and interest rates still being relatively high,
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Realtor Home Staging Tips by Lisa Joy
When it comes time to sell your home, you want to make sure that you make the best impression on potential buyers. One of the most important steps to prepare for private showings and open houses is to STAGE your home. By properly staging your home, you’ll be able to present your home in the
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CASH OFFERS- May be the best option for you….
There are many reasons not to sell a property the traditional way. Maybe you need the flexibility to sell on your schedule, maybe you do not want many people visiting your home, maybe you do not want to make any repairs or do any staging or keep a tidy home for weeks, maybe your facing
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Why Home Owners are Not Selling
Why Home Owners are Not Selling Now
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Deciphering Mortgages: A Guide to Various Home Loan Types
How about some easy to understand mortgage info? When it comes to buying a home, the world of mortgages can seem like a labyrinth of options. But don’t fret; I’m here to break down these financial puzzles in a way that even a real estate newbie can appreciate. So, let’s dive into the world of
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Why fall is a great time to buy a home
Why Fall is a Great Time to Buy a Home Many people think late spring is the ideal time to buy a new home. The thinking being, if you make an offer in the spring, you can move in by early summer, giving your kids time to get used to the area before school starts.
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Are You Waiting For Mortgage Interest Rates To Go Under 3% ?
Are you waiting for the rates we saw in 2021 which went under 3%? Well, you may never buy. Almost every economist has predicted that the 3% and under mortgage rate will probably never return. This is because the tremendous low rates were triggered by a unique, unforeseen set of circumstances that began with a
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The Timeless Appeal of Homeownership! First-time Homebuyers and Why It’s Worth It!
The Timeless Appeal of Homeownership: Why Buying a Home is Worth It Owning a home has long been considered a significant milestone and a cherished dream for many. Beyond the tangible benefits, there’s a sense of pride, security, and belonging that comes with homeownership. In this blog post, we explore the enduring reasons why buying
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How to prepare if buying or selling
Spring is believed to be the busiest season of the year in the real estate market. For sellers, listing in the spring provides an opportunity to take advantage of the notable increase in buyer demand. As for buyers, there’s much more inventory to select from in the spring. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for
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BUYERS ARE BACK- It’s a Sellers Market Again
The spring housing market can fierce and competitive for home buyers. In a competitive market, it’s essential to be flexible. That could mean going with a fixer-upper, even if you imagined a move-in-ready dream home. There are just more of them out there. The number of starter homes on the market is shrinking, but there
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What are Essential vs Cosmetic updates?
What are Essential vs. Cosmetic updates? Many factors determine the value of your home. These include plumbing, roof, siding, and cosmetic updates such as paint color and appliances. Essentials are items to ensure your home is safe and will last. Cosmetics are the things that make your house feel like a home. This season, look
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Why you might not want to get too excited (or nervous) about a housing crash
Why You Might Not Want to Get too Excited (or Nervous) About a Housing Crash (2/17/23) Rising interest rates and slightly lower demand in the market has caused many people to believe that a housing crash is imminent. Despite some signs that the market is slowing down, you shouldn’t get too worried or excited about
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Northern Virginia Market Update
Northern Virginia Market Update: This past week buyer activity went up by 6.6% Buyers are coming back into the market from the sidelines, some to capitalize on the declining interest rates! New homes listed are up 2.2%. The average list price to the actual sold price is down but with more buyers coming back into
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CURRENT HOME PRICES- WHAT SELLERS SHOULD KNOW
CURRENT HOME PRICES- WHAT SELLERS SHOULD KNOW Should you sell your home? There is a lot of talk about the housing market. Housing price growth is down from the past few months but the percentage of growth from last year is still up. A normal level of housing appreciation is 3-4%, we are currently at
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Market Update December 2022
Mortgage rate dip brought many buyers and sellers back into the market. Inventory is still higher than last year and days on market keep increasing. Sellers are adjusting to the current market – 40% of active listings have reduced their original asking price. See full report here: https://brightmls.com/article/12040 Please reach out to me if you
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remodel or move? Should you stay or should you go?
There are many factors to consider when deciding to remodel or to move. Here are the top pros and cons to both: REMODEL Pros: There is a lot of satisfaction in doing the work yourself. It can a fun project and very rewarding. If you are not the, do it yourself type it still can
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escalation clause real estate
Escalation Clause Real Estate: Many have been asking me lately what is an escalation clause attached with an offer to purchase a home. An escalation clause is an addendum attached to your sales offer for a home you would like to purchase. This addendum should only be used when a home has multiple offers and
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how to deal with increased mortgage rates
Increase your credit score Pull your credit and do all you can to raise your credit score. The better your credit score the better rate a lender will give you. Mid to upper 700’s will open the door for lower rates! Shop around for lenders and financing options Lenders set their own rates, some are
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Increase your home’s value
Exterior average ROI 75%-95% First impressions are everything! Overgrown landscaping, broken up walk ways, beat up front doors, are not appealing. Power washing and fresh paint are huge improvements too! Kitchens average ROI 80%-85% Many buyers walk in and immediately head to the kitchen. Kitchens sell homes! Buyers start to make quick decisions if they
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iBuyer vs. realtor
iBuyer vs. Realtor comes down to one main focus. Do you need convenience or prefer more money? Convenience has a cost.
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Starter homes in northern virginia
Starter homes are hard to come by in Northern Virginia, is it the death of the starter home? Starter homes are so hard to come by in Northern Virginia. It is truly such a bummer that the starter home is not what it once was. There is no real definition of a starter home but
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Many buyers in the Northern VA area have halted their search
Many home buyers in the Northern Virginia area have halted their search. Bidding wars have eased and homes are on the market longer. Realtor magazine has reported that 4 in 10 home buyers said they have stopped looking. The top reasons were that the market was too intimidating and they have lost out too many
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Northern Virginia Real estate demand
Inventory is still super low, buyer demand fell but is creeping up again. Still a good time to sell. If you are thinking about selling, let’s chat about your plans and the market! #lisajoyrealtor #lisajoyrealtor
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Home improvements when you are thinking about selling
If you’re seriously considering selling but still want to make improvements while you’re still living there, let me make two important suggestions. Home improvements with the largest return on investment are: (remember to check homes near you to ensure you are not over improving). Manufactured stone veneer Kitchen remodel or update Garage door replacement Deck
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The Why it is a good time to sell or buy
Low housing inventory and appreciation! Before the coronavirus crisis began, the U.S. housing market was already low on the supply of homes available for sale. These levels remain low, causing more competition and less time on the market for the homes that are for sale. In addition, home prices have steadily risen, as reported recently
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Selling Your home, what buyers want!
If you are thinking about or planning to sell your home, it is important to know want buyers want. Move in Ready! Many want a shiny, clean, no work needed home to move into. Very few are looking to put time, money, scheduling contractors or energy to get a home move in ready. Homes that can
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