Kathy O'Neal

Like buyers looking for mortgages in other parts of the US, Chantilly area home buyers saw mortgage rates move upward last week.

Mortgage rates are tied to the cost of mortgage-backed bonds, and these bonds are certainly influenced by simple supply and demand.

When there is more supply and less demand, bonds prices tend to move downward and bond yields go up.

The most recent Treasury auction of $115 billion in new debt, put a whole lot of supply out there. More supply that demand, it would seem.

So, with the bond market having too much supply, we see mortgage rates kicking upward.

We'll see where it goes from here. A caution expressed previously applies. When you have what you believe is a good mortgage rate, go for it. It could change at any time in the current environment. And with the amount of debt that is in the pipeline, we could see rates trending upward. We'll keep watching.

[The Kathy O’Neal Team serves home buyers and sellers in Northern Virginia, with special focus on Chantilly, Centreville, and the communities of the Western Fairfax region.]

Before you sell your Chantilly area home, whether it is in the near term or not, it pays to be aware of the new wave of green strategies that can save money and energy. From a home selling point of view, a greener home has lots of potential competitive advantage for home sellers. And many strategies are low-cost and easy.

The Roadrunner low-flow shower-head from Evolve is a good example.

It is very practical because it fits with how most people shower.

To avoid the cold water, most people turn on the shower and let it run, waiting for it to warm-up. While that is happening, you are losing about two-and-a-half gallons per minute.

But there is a way to stop the wasted money and water.

When the water gets to about 95 degrees, the Roadrunner all but stops the flow to a trickle. Just pull the cord and normal flow returns. This will vary, but you could save an estimated $250 over the course of a year. Whatever your savings, it's probably a good deal. The Roadrunner claims to beat its competition by saving both water and energy.

I'm guessing it is in many of the Home Depot type stores, but it can also be bought on Amazon.com for about $40, or at Evolve's website.

It you are interested in home energy savings get subscribed to our blog so you don't miss our upcoming podcast series on this topic. We'll be discussing how to significantly reduce energy costs and make your home more attractive to buyers when it comes time to sell.

[The Kathy O’Neal Team serves home buyers and sellers in Northern Virginia, with special focus on Chantilly, Centreville, and the communities of the Western Fairfax region.]

Home buyers in Chantilly and the other communities of Northern Virginia don't have to go into the mortgage loan process unequipped.

In the four-part series we hear from Real Estate in Chantilly contributor, and Bank of America Loan Officer Rob Martinson on what you need to know before applying for that mortgage.

It is a jittery environment, with many consumers wondering how they should proceed when it comes to the mortgage aspect of home buying.

In this episode we discuss how to select the mortgage loan company and person that will be right for you. What should you be on the lookout for, and what are the red flags that may be telling you what to avoid? Where does interest rate fit into the evaluation of a good, competitive mortgage loan? Grab these insights so you will be better able to get into a loan product that is best suited for your individual needs.

The Kathy O'Neal Team at REMAX Premier wants Chantilly, Centreville, and Northern Virginia area home buyers to have the benefit of this information so that they can get the best loan for their needs. You can get all of the episodes in this series, as well as future shows dealing with mortgage and finance issues, through a free SUBSCRIPTION to our blog.

Download this episode (right click and save)

If you are a home buyer in Chantilly or one of the other communities in Northern Virginia, and you want to have the added advantage of knowing what to expect before you jump into the mortgage loan process, then this series is just for you.

Getting a mortgage - and the property that goes along with it - is not the time to make mistakes. And yet, big mistakes are made every day when it comes to mortgages and real estate. Give a listen to Rob Martinson's insights before you start the mortgage process rolling, so you can be better equipped to do it right the first time.

In this third installment of the series, we discuss special help for first-time home buyers in Virginia, along with common misperceptions that buyers have about the current market. Just how important is your Credit Score? How much down payment will you need? What about FHA backed mortgage loans? If you live in Virginia, can you qualify for a VHDA loan program as a first-time home buyer? What are the advantages and possible disadvantages of these types of loans vs going the Conventional loan route? We'll talk it through in this series. You may want to listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of this series as background.

The Kathy O'Neal Team at REMAX Premier wants Chantilly, Centreville, and Northern Virginia area home buyers to have the benefit of this information so that they can get the best loan for their needs. You can get all of the episodes in this series, as well as future shows dealing with mortgage and finance issues, through a free SUBSCRIPTION to our blog.

Download this episode (right click and save)

If you are a home buyer in Chantilly or one of the other communities in Northern Virginia, you will want to hear this brief but informative series on what you need to know about the mortgage loan process in the current market.

In this second installment of the series, we discuss differences in loan products and programs, Conventional loans vs FHA backed loans, and down payment requirements.

Also, don't miss the previous episode which kicked off the series.

The Kathy O'Neal Team at REMAX Premier wants Chantilly, Centreville, and Northern Virginia area home buyers to have the benefit of this information so that they can get the best loan for their needs. You can get all of the episodes in this series, as well a future shows dealing with mortgage and finances issues, through a free SUBSCRIPTION to our blog.

Download this episode (right click and save)