City vs. Suburb: More Americans Favor Living Closer to the City in 2012 – Northern Virginia Homes and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

More Americans are showing a preference for living closer into the city than the outer suburbs, according to newly released U.S. Census data. The annual rate of growth in American cities and surrounding urban areas recently surpassed exurbs for the first time in two decades. . Residential exurbs on the edge of metro areas once [...]

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Conforming Loan Limits and FHA Loan Limits at $625,500 for High Cost of Living Areas in Northern Virginia and Arlington County VA, Fairfax County VA, Fauquier County VA, Loudoun County VA, and Prince William County VA as of October 1, 2011

Senate Passed Loan Limit Extension Amendment – FHA loan limits back at $729,750 - click the link for more information: http://viviannerutkowski.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/conforming-loan-limits-for-conventional-mortgages-and-fha-loan-limits-at-729750-for-high-cost-of-living-areas-in-northern-virginia-and-arlington-county-va-fairfax-county-va-fauquier-county-va-lou/ . On October 1, 2011, mortgage loan limits for the government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) dropped from temporary levels to reduced limits based on permanent criteria established by Congress [...]

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Investors Chose Renting to Tenants Over Flipping in July 2011 – Foreclosures, Auctions, and Investment Opportunities in Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, and Prince William County VA

The days of flipping houses for big profits have all but vanished in many markets as more investors see bigger profits in rentals, according to an article by CNNMoney. Investors flipped only 50% of their purchases in July 2011, down from 75% a year earlier, according to Tom Popik, research director for Campbell Surveys, which [...]

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Home Owners Become ‘Accidental Landlords’ While Waiting for Market to Recover – Rental Properties and Homes for Rent in Arlington County VA, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, and Prince William County Virginia

Many home owners who are unable to sell their home or cannot afford to drop the price any more  – and who do not want to hurt their credit by short selling or do not qualify for a short sale  -  are opting to rent out their homes until the market improves. The number of formerly [...]

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Arlington County VA, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA Real Estate Investments and Rental Homes – Protecting Vacant Rental Property

Zillow posted a good article for investors and owners of rental properties with 5 simple steps that should be taken to protect a VACANT rental property – or any vacant home. Take down the “For Rent” signs – advertise online, do not use word “vacant” Keep up the yard – make the house look occupied, not [...]

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Fannie Mae Raised Loan Limit on Investor and Second Home Borrowers from 4 to 10 – Policy Took Effect March 1, 2009

 At the urging of NAR, Fannie Mae announced a new policy to allow investors and second home buyers to obtain up to 10 loans which in practice allows to purchase up to 10 financed properties. The new policy took effect on March 1, 2009, and replaced the 4-loan limit. The restriction applies to the total number of loans, not [...]

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