Northern Virginia Homes and Buyers’ Home Size Preferences according to the National Association of Home Builders’ “What Home Buyers Really Want” Survey

The median home size most highly desired among home shoppers is 2,226 square feet, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ “What Home Buyers Really Want” survey.

The size of home most desired can vary greatly depending on the buyers’ age, race, and ethnicity, the study found.

As buyers’ ages increase, they tend to want less space, the study finds:

• Buyers younger than 35 said they most desire a home size of 2,494 square feet.
• Buyers 65 and older, they want a home that is 2,065 square feet.

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The Federal Housing Administration plans to raise its FHA mortgage fees in 2013 in order to help avoid a taxpayer bailout

The Federal Housing Administration plans to raise its mortgage fees in 2013 in order to help avoid a taxpayer bailout, the Obama administration announced on Friday, November 16, 2012.

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Seven Ways to Give Your Home a Budget-Friendly Makeover – Northern Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate with Your Realtor Vivianne Rutkowski

The sound of “home makeover” makes some people excited or it makes some people cringe. The idea of spending lots of time and money painting the house, shopping for new furniture, and replacing the carpet is something few people want to do during their free time.

But not every home makeover has to be so exhausting. In fact, there are many small alterations and additions you can make to your home that have big results for very little money and effort. Here are seven simple suggestions:

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Peace of Mind and Additional Protection for Your Home with Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance offers added homeowner liability protection that kicks in after homeowners insurance reaches its coverage limits.

Understand homeowner liability

Liability insurance covers homeowners in the event you get hit with a lawsuit. Some of the liability risks faced by homeowners are more apparent than others. For example, a house guest takes a tumble after slipping on your hardwood floors, or a neighbor’s kid falls off a swing in your backyard. Insurance agents call swimming pools, jungle gyms, and trampolines “attractive nuisances” because they draw children unable to appreciate their dangers.

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Mortgage Interest Rates Hover Near Record Lows the Week Ending October 11, 2012 – Home Financing and Homes for Sale in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Arlington County VA, Fauquier County Virginia

Mortgage rates held steady for the most part the week ending October 11, 2012, remaining near all-time record lows set the previous week, Freddie Mac reported in its weekly market survey.

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American Home Ownership Rate Stands at 65.5 Percent According to 2011 Census Bureau – Purchasing a Home after a Short Sale or Foreclosure in Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Area and Northern Virginia, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Arlington County VA, Fauquier County VA

American people favor home ownership over renting.

The U.S. home ownership rate continues to remain around 65.5 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau reported in October 2012. The home ownership rate is nearly the same as it was in the second quarter of 2011 at 65.9 percent.

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10 Unexpected Energy Savers for Greener Homes and Lower Energy Bills – Northern Virginia Homes and Real Estate

Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this winter season.

Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.

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Home Owners Must Implement at least Five Energy Efficient Projects to Save Energy and Lower Their Energy Bills – Green Energy Efficient Homes in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Arlington County VA, Fauquier County VA

REPRINTED from HOUSE LOGIC – Part II

To read Part I

It’s not just which energy efficiency projects you implement at home that will make a dent in your bills — it’s how many.

This is the second part of our Q&A with Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO of Shelton Group, a marketing agency specializing in sustainability and energy efficiency. Shelton Group’s annual Energy Pulse research report tracks consumer attitudes toward energy-related topics. 

HouseLogic: (In Part I) you told us why we’re so disconnected from our home’s energy use. Tell us what we should be doing differently to make our homes more energy efficient. 

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Saving Energy the Right Way – Green Energy Efficient Homes For Sale in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Arlington County VA, Fauquier County VA

REPRINTED from HOUSE LOGIC – I hope you’ll find many useful ideas. 

Do you see your energy bills rising even if you’ve implemented up to three projects to save energy? In the first of our two-part Q&A with an expert on consumer attitudes toward energy efficiency, we look at the energy-saving truths many of us ignore. Hint: Replacing windows isn’t your best bet.

Suzanne Shelton is president and CEO of Shelton Group, a marketing agency specializing in sustainability and energy efficiency. Shelton Group’s annual Energy Pulse research report — released last fall — tracks consumer attitudes toward energy-related topics. 

HouseLogic: So our energy bills are going up? 

Suzanne Shelton: Yes, for many of us, even though we may think our energy use is going down.

HL: How come?

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ARMs, Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans vs Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans in Northern Virginia – Home Financing and Homes For Sale in Fairfax County VA, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County Virginia

30-year Fixed-Rate loans are at historically low interest rates. However, some home buyers and home owners choose adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs.

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Lets look at the risks and rewards of using ARM mortgage: 

REWARDS:

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Give Your Home a Modern Sophisticated Look and Make Buyers Come Back For a Second Preview

Certain dated design features in a home can really make some home buyers cringe.

Among the items making their list:

1. Popcorn ceilings: The speckled ceilings can attract dirt and be impossible to paint. Plus, if the home was built prior to 1980, the ceiling may contain asbestos and need to be tested by an inspector.

Fix it: Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for removing popcorn ceilings; it can get messy. It’ll have to be scraped off and the ceiling then will need to be repaired. Plus, you’ll want to have it tested for asbestos before scraping. Home owners will likely want to consider hiring a professional to do this.

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How to Make a Woman in Your Life Happy? Purchase a Home – 2012 TD Bank Study: Women Rate Home Ownership Higher Than Men

A Home Buyer Poll conducted by TD Bank of more than 1,300 Americans revealed that:

• 64% of women say home ownership is essential in achieving the American Dream,
• 52% of men say owning a home is a vital component of achieving the American Dream.

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Brambleton Land Bay of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes and Home Sale Prices in Brambleton Land Bay of Ashburn VA 20148 for the month of August 2012

BRAMBLETON LAND BAY of Ashburn Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics. Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BRAMBLETON LAND BAY of ASHBURN VA 20148 for the month of AUGUST 2012. 

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Brambleton Landbay of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale, New Construction & Resale Homes For Sale, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes, Home Sale Prices and Days on Market in Brambleton Landbay of Ashburn VA 20148 for the months of July 2012 and August 2012

BRAMBLETON LANDBAY of ASHBURN Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics - BRAMBLETON LANDBAY of Ashburn Virginia New Construction and Resale Homes for Sale. Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BRAMBLETON LANDBAY of ASHBURN VA 20148 for the months of JULY 2012 and AUGUST 2012. 

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Ashburn Farm of Ashburn Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes, Home Sale Prices and Days on the Market in Ashburn Farm of Ashburn VA 20147 for the month of August 2012

ASHBURN FARM of ASHBURN Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics.  Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in ASHBURN FARM of ASHBURN VA 20147 for the month of AUGUST 2012. 

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Ashburn Village of Ashburn Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes, Home Sale Prices and Days on the Market in Ashburn Village of Ashburn VA 20147 for the month of August 2012

ASHBURN VILLAGE of ASHBURN Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics. Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in ASHBURN VILLAGE of ASHBURN VA 20147 for the month of AUGUST 2012. 

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Belmont Country Club and Belmont Landbay of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes, Home Sale Prices and Days on the Market in Belmont Country Club of Ashburn VA 20147 for the months of January 2012 thru August 2012

BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LANDBAY in Ashburn Virginia Real Estate Statistics  - click here for BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LAND BAY in Ashburn VA 20147 real estate and homes for sale.

Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LANDBAY in ASHBURN VA 20147 for the months of JANUARY 2012 thru AUGUST 2012. 

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Belmont Greene of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes and Home Sale Prices in Belmont Greene of Ashburn VA 20147 for the months of June 2012 thru August 2012

BELMONT GREENE of ASHBURN Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics. Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BELMONT GREENE of ASHBURN VA 20147 for the months of JUNE 2012 thru AUGUST 2012. 

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Belmont Country Club and Belmont Land Bay of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes, Home Sale Prices and Days on the Market in Belmont Country Club of Ashburn VA 20147 for the month of August 2012

BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LAND BAY in Ashburn Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics – click here for BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LANDBAY in Ashburn VA 20147.
Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LAND BAY in ASHBURN VA 20147 for the months of AUGUST 2012.

The SOLD LIST below applies only to properties in BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB in Tax Subdivision of BELMONT LAND BAY in Ashburn VA 20147 that were SOLD during the months of AUGUST 2012 through the MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, MLS, and does NOT take into account For Sale By Owner, FSBO, and other privately sold properties.

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Belmont Ridge of Ashburn Virginia Homes For Sale and Real Estate, MLS Listings and Open Houses Search, Realtors and Real Estate Agents, Vivianne Rutkowski – Real Estate Statistics, List of Sold Homes and Home Sale Prices in Belmont Ridge of Ashburn VA 20147 for the months of January 2012 thru August 2012

BELMONT RIDGE of ASHBURN Virginia Homes for Sale and Real Estate Statistics. Below is a LIST of SOLD Homes and Home Sale Prices, Seller Subsidy, Days on the Market, and Age of the Sold Homes in BELMONT RIDGE of ASHBURN VA 20147 for the months of JANUARY 2012 thru AUGUST 2012.

The SOLD LIST below applies only to properties in BELMONT RIDGE of ASHBURN VA 20147 that were SOLD during the months of JANUARY 2012 thru AUGUST 2012 through the MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, MLS, and does not take into account For Sale By Owner, FSBO, and other privately sold properties.

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