David Burrows

"Wonderful experience" or "What a Nightmare" is how many people describe the home buying experience. As a Realtor, I've met several individuals and couples who truly did not know, "How to Buy a House". In fact, many people think it's about touring houses first and then doing whatever else is necessary to make the purchase happen. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Here in a very simple format are several steps to follow to make your purchase happen. Please feel free to write or call me with additional questions.

1) Know your Credit Score - Click here to discover how
2) Find a lender and get your Pre-Approval - Here is an interesting article worth reading on this subject.
3) Find a Realtor - You will need guidance in this process. You will need someone you can trust to prepare paper work, show you houses, supply phone numbers of trusted vendors and work with all contingencies.
4) Use the internet for your Fairfax Homes For Sale search. Look for houses ONLY in your price range.
5) Drive by some of the houses you like without your Realtor so as to "fine tune" your search. Perhaps you should park your car and walk the neighborhood.
6) Ask your Realtor to show you some homes - perhaps a tour of six or seven. If you believe you've found the house you are looking for, ask for a second or even a third walk thru.
7) Have your agent assist you in making the offer. Your Realtor will run some comparables for you. These important numbers will assist you in making a good offer to the sellers.
8) Stay on schedule with all of your contingencies. Remember to write down ALL of your appointments.
9) Expect there to be some bumps and allow your Realtor to absorb them. Real Estate transactions are seldom "smooth sailing". There is almost always a surprise or two.
10) Don't be nervous on the day of your closing. Instead, learn from it and allow it to be an experience to personally grow from.
11) Immediately have your house re-keyed before move in. I don't care how nice the sellers were, you do not know who might have keys to the house you just bought. Do this before sleeping there even one night. When purchasing a new house, this is often done for you automatically.
12) Move in and begin making your new house your new HOME.

Happy House Shopping!

David L. Burrows, Realtor
Envirian of Warrenton, Warrenton, VA
Phone: 703.859.5188
Burrows Properties

Buying thought for the day:
Buying a house can be a complicated process. Remember to employ a Licensed Real Estate Agent. The Agent should not be afraid to give you valid references upon request.

Interested in some great reading on selling your home? Take a look at these articles on my website: Selling Your Home: Where do you begin?

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.

Try this link to help you find your next home: Fairfax Homes For Sale When you land on the main page try one of our custom searches listed on the bottom of the page. No registration is necessary for the Fairfax MLS general search on my site. If you check the box to receive automated updates sent to your email, you will be required to give us your name and a valid email address.

Northern Virginia Information - Here you will find answers to your questions about schools, auto registration, taxes, things to do this weekend, popular destinations. It only takes a moment to look and it is free with no registration required!

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaim any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog.

I've had many purchasers over the years indicate they will NOT be getting a Home Inspection when making the offer to purchase a particular house. Many of those buyers feel they can look things over themselves and as a result save a few hundreds of dollars in what it would have cost by hiring an Inspector.

My response has always been to give a list of concerns buyers will need to personally address to know the house and property is "Move in" ready. Often, after they look at this list the decision is made to spend some money and hire an inspector. Why? The list I gave them really requires a seasoned and qualified professional. Here is only the partial list:

Exterior condition: Roof, eaves troughs, brick, mortar, paint, siding, decks and patios, underground irrigation (when applicable), outside water outlets.
Energy efficiency: Type of heating, insulation and windows. Is the system clean? Is it old? Is it in good repair? How much additional life is still in the present heating system? Are there safety concerns that need to be looked at?
Air quality: Air filtration systems must be examined. Don't forget that you need to run a radon test?
Basement: Crawlspace conditions - Water stains, mold, leaks or cracks. Is the integrity of the house in place?
Structural problems: Sticking doors/windows and uneven floors. Perhaps your house is on a slab? What is the condition?
Water pressure: Test by turning on the taps or flushing a toilet. Is the toilet loose? Are there dripping faucets? What about the Hot Water Heater? How old is the heater?
Parking Conditions: What is the condition of the concrete or asphalt?"

This list could go on and on and on..............

While the above list is only a small part of what is looked at in a Home Inspection, hopefully it will convince you too, that you need an inspection by a qualified inspector. I personally wouldn't buy the home without it.

David L. Burrows, Realtor
Envirian of Warrenton, Warrenton, VA
Phone: 703.859.5188
Burrows Properties

Selling thought for the day:
When you are selling your house it is no longer your home - it is a house for sale.

Interested in some great reading on selling your home? Take a look at these articles on my website: Selling Your Home: Where do you begin?

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.

Try this link to help you find your next home: Fairfax Homes For Sale When you land on the main page try one of our custom searches listed on the bottom of the page. No registration is necessary for the Fairfax MLS general search on my site. If you check the box to receive automated updates sent to your email, you will be required to give us your name and a valid email address.

Northern Virginia Information - Here you will find answers to your questions about schools, auto registration, taxes, things to do this weekend, popular destinations. It only takes a moment to look and it is free with no registration required!

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaim any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog.

Many sellers in our current market want to be at the front of the competition when listing their house for sale. In other words, if there are four other houses on the same street for sale, it is not uncommon to want to have the best prepared and priced house.

First and foremost, this is a good thing, most of the time. For sure you want to price your home attractively and the appearance should be second to none. Having said that please be careful that you don't over do any renovation or upgrade. If you do, it could end up costing you when you finally have to sign on the dotted line.

Here is an excellent article that you can point your mouse toward in getting more information on upgrades that don't pay. The article is actually titled, 4 Housing Upgrades That Don't Pay.

David L. Burrows, Realtor
Envirian of Warrenton, Warrenton, VA
Phone: 703.859.5188
Burrows Properties

Selling thought for the day:
When you are selling your house it is no longer your home - it is a house for sale.

Interested in some great reading on selling your home? Take a look at these articles on my website: Selling Your Home: Where do you begin?

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.

Try this link to help you find your next home: Fairfax Homes For Sale When you land on the main page try one of our custom searches listed on the bottom of the page. No registration is necessary for the Fairfax MLS general search on my site. If you check the box to receive automated updates sent to your email, you will be required to give us your name and a valid email address.

Northern Virginia Information - Here you will find answers to your questions about schools, auto registration, taxes, things to do this weekend, popular destinations. It only takes a moment to look and it is free with no registration required!

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaim any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog.

People often ask me, their Realtor, about the many Tax benefits of Home Ownership. While it certainly isn't the number one question that I'm asked, it still surfaces on a regular basis. Of course I explain to people that I am not an attorney or tax planner. I only know what I've read (like them) and therefore do not give tax advice. On the other hand, I always try to point my clients in the right direction so that they can find out for themselves the right and the wrong of any given question that requires expert advice beyond that of a Real Estate professional.

Here is an article worth clicking your mouse on today. I used it once before but believe it is worth using again.

Five Ownership Tax Myths -- Owning a home usually provides substantial tax breaks. But sometimes, the tax code's complexity gets in the way.

Take the time to read, digest and of course don't forget to consult with an accountant or attorney. Remember, an article is never enough in itself, you need professional guidance.

David L. Burrows, Realtor
Envirian of Warrenton, Warrenton, VA
Phone: 703.859.5188
Burrows Properties

Selling thought for the day:
When you are selling your house it is no longer your home - it is a house for sale.

Interested in some great reading on selling your home? Take a look at these articles on my website: Selling Your Home: Where do you begin?

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.

Try this link to help you find your next home: Fairfax Homes For Sale When you land on the main page try one of our custom searches listed on the bottom of the page. No registration is necessary for the Fairfax MLS general search on my site. If you check the box to receive automated updates sent to your email, you will be required to give us your name and a valid email address.

Northern Virginia Information - Here you will find answers to your questions about schools, auto registration, taxes, things to do this weekend, popular destinations. It only takes a moment to look and it is free with no registration required!

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaim any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog.

I know that many prospective buyers are wondering just when they should jump in to purchase a house. I certainly understand their concern and at the same time the caution that is exhibited. This article just came out today about seller funded down payments that really should be read by all potential buyers. In a few weeks it appears these down payments will be history.

End In Sight For Seller Funded Down Payments

Please feel free to call or email me with questions.

David L. Burrows, Realtor^®
Envirian of Warrenton, Warrenton, VA
Phone: 703.859.5188
Burrows Properties

Selling thought for the day:
When you are selling your house it is no longer your home - it is a house for sale.

Interested in some great reading on selling your home? Take a look at these articles on my website: Selling Your Home: Where do you begin?

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.

Try this link to help you find your next home: Fairfax Homes For Sale When you land on the main page try one of our custom searches listed on the bottom of the page. No registration is necessary for the Fairfax MLS general search on my site. If you check the box to receive automated updates sent to your email, you will be required to give us your name and a valid email address.

Northern Virginia Information - Here you will find answers to your questions about schools, auto registration, taxes, things to do this weekend, popular destinations. It only takes a moment to look and it is free with no registration required!

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaim any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

David Burrows and Envirian of Warrenton disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog.