November 1, 2024

Real Estate Scams

The real estate market is already tough enough — when you’re buying, renting or refinancing the mortgage on a home, the last thing you want to worry about is being scammed. Unfortunately, criminals are getting more creative in how they target housing consumers. In 2022, real estate fraud resulted in victim losses of nearly $400 million, according to data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Here are five common real estate and mortgage scams to keep on your radar, plus tips to avoid becoming a scammer’s next victim.
October 10, 2024

What is a better investment: Four 1BRs or One 4BR condo?

Just by chance last week, four 1BR condos sold at Clarendon1021 and one 4BR condo sold at the Atrium for almost the same price, which begs the question, what would be a better investment. When it comes to real estate investment, one common dilemma is whether to purchase a single larger property or multiple smaller ones. Let's weigh the options between buying one 4-bedroom condo versus four 1-bedroom condos for the same price.
October 4, 2024

Missing Middle No More?

A circuit court judge has nullified Arlington’s Missing Middle zoning changes. Judge David Schell ruled against the county on four counts, citing failures to properly consider local impacts, follow correct procedures, and comply with state tree canopy regulations during the adoption of the amendments.
September 25, 2024

How Selling a Condo Differs from Selling a House

In the competitive real estate market of Arlington, understanding the distinctions between condos and single-family homes is essential for successful sales. While condos are often sold in greater numbers, their unique marketing requirements, pricing considerations, and communal living aspects can complicate the sales process.
September 19, 2024

The Interest Rate-Condo Price Connection

Low interest rates, while often seen as a driver of real estate transactions, can also discourage homeowners from selling their properties. Many owners secured their homes during a period of historically low mortgage rates. These favorable rates made owning a home more affordable by reducing monthly mortgage payments. If they were to sell, they would likely face much higher interest rates when purchasing a new home, leading to significantly higher monthly payments. This "rate lock-in" effect causes homeowners to think twice about selling,