If you’re looking to buy a Reston home right now, you know it’s an unusual and challenging time in the real estate market. Right now, the Reston real estate market is tilted heavily toward sellers. What does this mean for buyers? First of all, do some careful calculating to make sure this is really a good time for you to buy. You will most likely pay top dollar and may have to forgo certain contingencies. If now really is the time to buy a house, buckle up.

A sellers market tends to move quickly, so you’ll need to have your financial documentation in order. Start by researching mortgage brokers. Look at banks, credit unions, and see if there are deals offered online. Make a list of questions to ask each institution. Compare the possibilities to make sure you have the best deal.

You also want to put some serious thought into what would make an ideal Reston home for you. Most sellers are putting up detailed photography and video tours, since pandemic restrictions make it hard to have many in-person tours. What is available? What are your needs? Because houses can sell so fast, you might start to feel worried that you’ll never find one. But you don’t want to get stuck with a home that doesn’t meet your needs.

Work With an Experienced Reston Real Estate Agent to Navigate a Sellers Market

Finally, research and interview several local agents who have a lot of experience. You need someone with lots of knowledge to help you navigate not only quarantine restrictions but also the speed of a sellers market. An experienced agent will have a large network of contacts with fellow agents and other professionals involved in real estate, like mortgage brokers and home inspectors. Your agent can help you stay focused on your housing needs and narrow your search to only houses that meet your criteria.

Give our office a call, and let’s see if we can work together to find you the house of your dreams!

If you are thinking about selling Reston real estate, it’s never too early to start getting your home ready for the sale. There is much to do to spruce up the house and make it shine for potential buyers. Making some improvements before getting the home on the market can help to make it more desirable to buyers and also fetch more money. Here are a few ideas for ways to get started.

A great place to start is to begin getting rid of the clutter. Start a stash of items to donate and get rid of whatever you don’t need. This will be essential when staging your Reston home, so why not start now?

Other little things that can be done as you have time are to fix any minor issues with your house. These could be loose doorknobs, dings in the walls, or a damaged piece of siding.

If there are major problems, like a roof leak or a problem with the HVAC system, call in a professional.

Get Your Reston Home Sparkling to Sell It Fast

Look around and see if anything looks outdated or dingy in your home. Replacing light fixtures and light bulbs can really change the look of the room.

Scrub your grout if it has become dirty and replace any caulking that is in bad shape.

When it gets close to time to get your Reston real estate on the market, you will want to give all of the walls a fresh coat of paint. This will make your rooms look clean and crisp. Along these lines, you will also want to either clean or replace the carpets.

Think about curb appeal and first impressions. Do a little landscaping. Trim bushes, plant some bright flowers, and spruce up the entryway to your home. Make sure your front door looks amazing and try to provide a wow factor when someone first steps into the home.

If you want to take a little trip to Tuscany without leaving Herndon real estate, check out Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano. Located conveniently to any Herndon home in the charming historic downtown, Zeffirelli offers a delicious and wide-ranging menu of authentic Italian cuisine. Currently, hours are limited to dinner only due to COVID-19. However, they hope to be open for lunch soon. Open hours are Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Start with one of the delicious appetizers. If you love seafood, you’ll love cozze alla liguria. Enjoy fresh mussels tossed in garlic, Italian parsley, and a lemon-Chardonnay wine sauce. Salsicce alla San Gennaro is a great hearty choice. Succulent Italian sausages are served with sweet peppers, onions, and tomato sauce along with crostini. Warm up with a bowl of the daily soup or have some of the minestrone. On the lighter side are the crispy salads. L’Insalata di Finocchio is a fennel salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and white truffle oil.

See the Full Menu and Order Takeout or Delivery to Your Herndon Home

For the entree, there are too many choices to list! From the pastas, you might try Cannelloni Fiorentina. These are pasta crepes filled with veal, ricotta cheese, and spinach with a cream sauce. If you prefer chicken, try the melt in your mouth pollo alla Romana. Chicken breast is topped with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese with a white wine and mushroom sauce. You can also try something off the veal and beef section of the menu. You can’t go wrong with the classic scaloppine alla marsala. The veal is pan seared and served with shiitake and porcini mushrooms in a marsala wine demi glaze. Finally, enjoy the gifts of the sea from the seafood choices. Branzino capri is a mediterranean sea bass grilled with tomatoes, green onions, and a white wine sauce.

Visit Zeffirelli online to see the full menu, make a reservation, or order delivery or pick-up. Herndon real estate owners can make a meal at Zeffirelli a memorable night out or night in. 

A pandemic is a tough time to purchase a Reston property. It is true that interest rates are historically low, but home prices are soaring across the country because of low inventory. Many people are hunkering down in their homes. Some people are spending more time in their homes and realizing how it doesn’t work for their needs. Those that have found themselves working from home may be coveting a real office space. Families might be realizing just how much nicer it would be to have more space for kids to play. Therefore, there are buyers out there and bidding wars are happening. Some people are capitalizing on the high prices and are prepared to sell, but times are uncertain.

In times of uncertainty, it can be best to sit back and put yourself in a better position to buy once the economy gets straightened out. It could be best to continue renting in Reston and focus on the things that will help to put you in the best position to purchase a Reston property at a later date when prices are more stable and it makes more sense.

While Renting in Reston, Save Up and Plan for Your Home Purchase

There are many things that can be done while you wait. A great place to start is to work on your credit score. A better credit score will mean a better interest rate. Work on paying down your other debts and save as much money as possible. Live simply and cut out unneeded expenses to save up as much of a down payment as you can. The larger your down payment is, the less money you will need to borrow and pay interest on. If you have extra time, get in touch with a mortgage lender and start the process. Also watch the homes that are going on the market and visit different neighborhoods so that you will know exactly what you are looking for when you are ready.

If you’re hunting for a home in Reston, be sure to check out Regency Square Cluster homes. The cluster is made up of 90 patio homes. They have two to four bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. Typically, there are two main levels and often a finished basement. The interiors are light and airy with windows that give views of the surrounding woodland area. These homes have been carefully maintained, and many have been upgraded with new carpet, flooring, and kitchens with new appliances and finishes. Each house will have a large deck off the kitchen. The deck is a great place to throw a summer time barbecue or just enjoy a family meal alfresco. The basement will also have a walkout patio and access to the backyard.

Reston Homes Offer Plenty of Activities in a Great Community

Regency Square Cluster homes are a great choice for people who like to be outdoors. There’s a tot lot where kids can play and adults can relax. Several pathways wind around the cluster, and it’s little over a mile on the Blue Path to get to Lake Anne. Lake Anne Village Center is a fun place to get coffee or hang out at a pub and eat out. When the weather is nice, people enjoy gathering at the outdoor tables. Lake Anne is also the location of a farmers market, as well as art,craft, and music festivals throughout the year. Community fitness and yoga classes are held at the lake as well. There’s also an annual cardboard boat regatta.

Residents can enjoy a swim at Uplands Pool. Baron Cameron Park is nearby as well. Kids will love the playground. There are athletic fields, a community garden, and a dog park, too.

Anyone shopping Reston homes and planning to commute to Washington DC will be pleased to know that the Wiehle-Reston East station is about two miles away from the cluster.

The spirit of giving is alive and strong and those who call Reston home are stepping up to the place to help families in need. The 2021 MLK Celebration is coming up. It will be an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate and also to give back to those living in Reston real estate. The event will last three days, spanning from January 16th through 18th, 2021. There will be special performances by Akua Allrich and the Tribe and the Reston Community Orchestra. The event will also include community service projects and the chance to volunteer with the festivities.

Community service projects will be available on Saturday, January 16th. Small, socially distanced projects will take place sorting items from the Closet and making bag lunches for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. If the weather stays decent, volunteers will also clean up the paths that surround RCC Hunters Woods. These projects will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Reston Community Orchestra will present Keeping the Dream: 15th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This performance will take place online on the RCC YouTube Channel and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your Reston home.

Come to Reston Real Estate for Live Music and Fun

On Sunday, January 17th, Akua Allrich and the Tribe will perform at the CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets early for this event, as seating is limited. The cost is $15 for Reston residents and $30 for non residents. The festivities conclude on Monday with more service projects in partnership with Reston Association and Cornerstones. Projects will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods. Throughout this time, a toiletries drive is taking place. Bring toiletries to RCC Hunters Woods and RCC Lake Anne anytime between now and January 18th.

Learn more at the Reston Community Center website. 

As 2020 approaches its end, a lot of people are starting to think about possible resolutions for the new year. One of the lessons that 2020 has underscored is how economically fragile so many Americans are. Perhaps you’re thinking of ways you can shore up your financial security. If so, the new year is the perfect time to start. Getting your finances in order is also vital if you’re considering putting your house on the Reston real estate market.

1. Make a budget. A good way to start is to round up your bills from the last few months and get an average payment for each one. In order to start saving, look for places where you can cut expenses. You don’t have to eliminate all fun spending. A budget allows you to set your priorities so you spend on what’s important to you. So budget for an emergency fund and a fun money fund. There’s no contradiction there!

Get Credit Card Debt Under Control Before Buying a Reston Home

2. Plan to pay down credit card debt. The average household owes nearly $8,000 in credit cards. That takes a big bite out of the budget every month. As you become more aware of your spending, you’ll be able to use credit cards less to cover emergencies, since you’ll have an emergency fund. You should also make sure that you’re paying more than the minimum payment each month. Use a credit card calculator to figure out how much to pay each month to get the card paid off in a time frame that makes sense. When you go to get a mortgage for a new Reston home, having a low debt to income ratio will help you get a better deal.

3. Make sure your credit cards are working for you. You don’t want credit card debt to weigh you down. Check out cards that offer 0% APR on balance transfers for at least 12 months. This will help you pay it off more quickly. The other thing to look for is a card that offers rewards you can use. Maybe you want cash back on purchases. Or points to use to travel (when that’s safe again!). Do a little research and find cards that will be a help to your financial goals.

If you’re planning on buying or selling Reston real estate this year, having a strong financial plan will help you find the home of your dreams.

Now that we’re nearly at the end of December, many people are thinking about resolutions for 2021. Maybe it’s the year to get fit or get enough sleep. Or maybe this is the year you want to get your Reston home in really great shape. But how? Most of us have experience with making lofty resolutions only to abandon them in a few days or weeks. Making lasting change is challenging. One of the best ways to ensure success is to have a plan.

Reston Real Estate Owners Make a Plan to Clean the House from Top to Bottom

Don’t start randomly attacking the junk drawer or a cluttered closet. Think first about which areas of your house need the most work. Or perhaps you want to start with the areas of your house where you spend the most time. Whatever you decide, list out the areas of your house in the order you want to clean them. Then block out the time to do it. How do you work best? Some people like to reserve a whole day for each room. Or an entire weekend, if you want to do several rooms. If that sounds exhausting to you, break the job down into smaller jobs you can tackle in 15 to 20 minutes.

Cleaning is great. It feels better to be in a room that’s sparkling and smells fresh. However, if you really want to keep things clean, decluttering is the key. It’s too easy to hide stuff you need to deal with in a drawer or cabinet, but then you don’t have places to put things you want to keep. Again, you need a plan. Most experts recommend decluttering, then cleaning. Some people might have better success with having a staging area. That is, a place where you can put the things you’re not sure what to do with while you clean the rest of the room. Either way is fine, as long as you do set aside time to deal with those things.

Once you’ve got a room decluttered and clean, reward yourself by putting up a photograph or piece of art that makes the room feel special. A simple bouquet of flowers from the supermarket can also enliven a space. These touches will help keep you motivated to keep your Reston home clean and clutter-free.

If you’re thinking of selling Reston real estate, having a plan for cleaning and decluttering will be the first step in the selling process. Give our office a call if you need to speak with a real estate agent!

Anyone buying or selling Reston property this holiday season needs to have a good plan to get through the process. First of all, you want a good agent. Chances are that if you have to move during the holiday seasons, you’re on a tight deadline. You need someone who is going to be in town and who will communicate with you just as much as at any other time of year. Work closely with your agent to set the selling price of your Reston home correctly from the start. A properly priced home is going to sell much faster than one that is overpriced. Even an underpriced home may sit longer on the market, since many buyers will assume there is something wrong with the house.

Hire a Photographer to Make Your Reston Home Listing Shine

You and your real estate agent will also need to have a really strong online marketing plan. Most Reston property searches begin online. Cold weather makes it much more appealing for people to search from the comfort of their current home. Add in restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 and you have a situation that favors listings with lots of high quality photographs and a detailed plan of the house. A virtual video tour is also really important. It’s not easy to tour homes at the moment, so you need to give potential buyers plenty of information at the outset.

Curb appeal is always important, and having your house in tip-top shape is vital. The exterior paintwork should be touched up. Consider ways you can add greenery to the exterior, too. Even something as simple as a few potted evergreen trees will make the house seem more appealing. When you do have people who are going to tour the house, make the interior as inviting as possible. Crank up the heat a bit. Put up some holiday decorations if you want, but keep it simple. Some festive lights and a wreath on the door are good options.

Feel free to give the office a call so we can discuss your home buying and selling plans!

Moving is never simple, but moving during the holiday season has a lot of extra challenges. Whether you’re packing up Reston real estate and heading to a new location or you’re just getting settled in a Reston home, we have tips for you to make the process as smooth as possible.

If you’re selling and showing your home during the holiday season, it’s okay to decorate. Festive lights, a wreath on the front door, or a tree are all nice touches. Just don’t go overboard with blinking lights and covering every surface with decorations.

Get in a Holiday Mood at Your New Reston Home

If you have favorite holiday music, why not play it while you pack up your stuff? It will help lighten the mood and keep everyone in good spirits. Make a plan for how you want to celebrate. Are you going to be in your old home or the new one? Either way, check out local restaurants that are serving a to-go holiday meal and call right away to reserve yours. What traditions do you usually observe? If there are special dishes or decorations you want to have as soon as you get to your new place, pack them separately and label the box clearly. How are you going to do gifts? It might be easiest to have them sent to the new address. If that’s not possible, pack them carefully with clear labels, too.

Many people are planning to do holiday traditions over video calls this year, because of the pandemic. It’s a great idea for people who are moving, too. Plan calls with family and friends. Consider baking treats together or reading special books. Everyone can settle in with their favorite drink, sing songs, and tell stories.

Between the pandemic and moving, Reston real estate owners will all be doing things differently this holiday season. But with some creativity and planning ahead, it can still be a special and memorable time.