The Spring selling season is on full swing and there is a lot of activity.
Low rates continue to drive the market and buyers are looking to
capitalize on the low rates before the opportunity is gone.

So, does that mean it's a sellers market? Well to get that answer we need
to look at the whole picture. While there are many buyers in the market
there are also a lot of sellers. That means inventories have risen and
the the homes which offer the best value are going first. Selling a home
in great condition in a fantastic location will get lots of interest and
possibly multiple offers pretty quickly. The problem might not be about
getting a buyer to agree to a selling price, it's the lender who could be
a challenge. There is still considerable pressure from lenders to keep
housing prices in check and home appraisals are becoming more critical.
Many times a buyers offer is not accepted by a lender and appraisals are
often rejected as well when underwriters review them. That means a home
needs to be sold twice. Once to a perspective buyer and then again to the
underwriters of the loan. The key is a quality comparable analysis of
other homes that have sold in the neighborhood and realistic expectation.
It's not exactly a Seller market in that a Seller is in control but it is
a good market for Seller because there are a lot of buyers anxious to buy
while the conditions are good.

Here is another story on the subject.

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

I passed the Virginia Broker's Licensing Test and I'm now an Associate Broker with Long and Foster!  Having my Broker's License opens up a lot of new opportunities for me in my business and means I am even better prepared to help you (and people you know) with your real estate needs. 

I am also moving my practice with Long and Foster to One Loudoun in Ashburn, VA.  We opened the office there yesterday (April 16, 2015).  It's a fantastic location in the down town area and I am so excited to be there.  The office is in the middle of town right beside Uncle Julio's Mexican Restaurant (20396 Exchange Street).  Make sure you come by and see me at the Grand Opening on April 23, 2015 5-7:30pm.

I have also changed my email address so please update your records.

To reach Marilee:  Homes@MarileeMurphy.com
To reach Brian:  Brian@MarileeMurphy.com

I am really excited and hope that you are able to come by and see us at the open house.

I had a fantastic year last year and I am looking forward to helping lots of people again this year.

Regards,
Marilee

Watch for more details coming soon

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

If you have a home and are thinking of selling it you should act NOW.  We have seen a substantial
increase in market activity over the last week and the our Spring market is in full bloom.  The market
seems to be fueled by pent up buyer demand and super low interest rates.  Someone with good credit
can still get a loan under 4%.  Recent comments from the Fed is that rates will likely start to rise by Summer.

Here is some info on the national market conditions.

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

45531 Grand Central Square, Sterling, VA 20166 (Dominion Station Community)

Great Location! END UNIT TH, 1 Car GARAGE, BRICK FRONT. Backs to Common Area\Trees. 3 Finished Levels. 3 BR\2 Full Bath\2 Half Bath. HARDWOODS on Main Level. NEW DECK & Rear Fenced Yard. Large, eat in Kitchen with 42' Cabinets. Fireplace in Basement Rec Room. Luxury Master BR Suite. 9 Ft Ceilings - Lot of Daylight. Finished Walk Out Basement. Close to shops, restaurants, Routes 28 & 7.    

Check out VIRTUAL TOUR!!!

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

Have you been putting off buying a home because you thought you needed a large down payment?  Today is the day all of that changes.  Freddie Mac will now buy loans based on a 3% down payment.  Since Freddie Mac buys loans from banks and other lenders in the aftermarket, we will now see a lot of great lending programs that only require a 3% down payment.  

Read more....

Low down payments combined with low interest rates is going to open up the market to a lot of buyers who have been sidelined by the high entrance fee (down payment) into home ownership.  There's a good chance that this could significantly impact demand for entry level housing like condos, townhouses and small single family homes.  Higher demand will put upward pressure on prices and we could see prices increase quickly.  If you want to take advantage of this new trend you should act quickly.  Low rates combined with a low down payment and increased inventory provide an outstanding opportunity for buyers.  Act before it's too late!

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

One of the biggest advantages of owning a home over renting is the hedge against inflation that a mortgage provides.  If you buy a house with a fixed loan your payments will remain the same throughout the duration of the loan.  Rent,
on the other hand will rise at the pace of inflation or even faster depending on the overall
market conditions of supply and demand. Go here (make this the link to the blog post) to see some examples.

In addition to keeping your monthly housing cost consistent over time you will also be building equity through your monthly payments and increased value of a home you own.  If you rent you are doing all of that for your landlord.  That's what makes owning real estate investments so attractive and were so many people build wealth.

Read more...

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

Beautiful detached home in Brambleton with front porch. Close to parks, shopping, restaurants. 2 car rear load garage. Patio & backyard. Very open floorplan. Separate DR just off family room & kitchen. 4BR & 3 full baths upper level & one BR and full bath in finished basement. Extra storage space in basement. Soundproofing of basement. Pre-wired for home theater. HOA inc: tv, internet, cable.

Check out VIRTUAL TOUR!!!

Click here for more details on the community of Brambleton.

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

Crescent Place on Harrison Street in downtown Leesburg is now open for business.  Knutson and Ryan Homes are the builders.

For more details on the Knutson townhomes, click here.

Fore more details on the Ryan townhomes, click here.

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email

Located in the highly desirable Lansdowne community, this much-anticipated Active Adult neighborhood is located in the heart of Loudoun County just minutes from the area's best shopping, dining and recreation. The Vistas at Lansdowne offers numerous passive parks, an extensive trail system and plenty of open space for you to enjoy. Homeowners will also enjoy access to nearby amenities including swimming, exercise facilities, tennis courts and more. Imagine all of this in a location that is convenient to major commuting routes and the Washington Dulles Internationl Airport. The Vistas at Lansdowne features two townhome plans that are designed to enhance a low maintenance and simple lifestyle. These home designs offer main level living, design flexibility and open, spacious interiors providing you a place where you can relax or entertain family and friends. 

Contact Marilee Murphy today for all of your home buying, or selling, luxury homes or new construction needs.  I am dedicated to making sure you have a smooth transition from start to finish. Use my website to search available properties in Loudoun County located, in Northern Virginia, specifically the towns of Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn, Leesburg, Chantilly, and Aldie as well as properties in Fairfax County, and Prince William County areas. You can also sign up to receive free listing updates by email