Meg Ross

Bidding Wars Are for Homes are Back in Arlington and Falls Church

A recent article in the Washington Post Real Estate section declared that real estate bidding wars were back and “happening routinely in some popular neighborhoods."

And that’s what I’ve found recently on a half-dozen homes that I’ve helped clients sell and buy in Arlington and Falls Church. A combination of pent up demand to purchase and lower inventory has turned the Arlington housing market into a seller's market in sought-after price ranges ($400k-$800k).

Why multiple offers?

There are less homes available overall for sale. The number of homes for sale was down 11% in May compared to May 2010 on Arlington's Orange Line.

All of these homes that had multiple offers had two things in common – they looked great and were well-priced.

3 tips for sellers

So, here’s 3 tips for home sellers in Arlington to help get your home sold fast and at the best price:

1. Understand the competition. You need to know comparable prices and gauge demand. To do that I help sellers look at the current competition and the price of comparable homes nearby that have sold within the last 3 to 6 months. The condition of the seller's home and any major updates and renovations that the seller has completed are also a large factor in setting price.

2. Price it right. Price is the single most important factor when selling your home. So it’s better to aggressively price against your competition than to over price. Find out what your home is worth.

3. Make your home look its best. A great first impression is important. Prospective buyers want homes in near-perfect “showplace” condition. That’s why I work with a professional stager to make your home look great to potential buyers. See 101 ways to prepare your house for sale.

Meg Ross, the Orange Line Expert

Specializing in Arlington real estate along the Orange Line including Courthouse, Clarendon, Virgina Square, Ballston and Falls Church. Licensed in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker®, 2010 Angie’s List® Super Service Award Winner, NVAR Top Producer 2008-2010, NVAR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club 2008-2010

www.MegRoss.com

Simple Ways To Save Energy, Save Money and Help Save The Planet

In honor of Earth Day today, I wanted to share an easy-to-use interactive online tool that can show you some simple things to do at home to save energy, save money and help save the planet.

Did you know that the average Arlington family spends about $1,900 a year on energy? Or that the energy used in the average Arlington home can be responsible for more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the average car?

Take this room-by-room tour of the home and learn what you can do to make a difference. Did you know that?

• Changing to energy-efficient lighting can save you up to $70 per year
• Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your overall home energy bill by up to 10 percent, or about $200.
• Proper installation and use of ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your energy bill by nearly $200 per year.

And, when you buy certain new ENERGY STAR qualified appliances – including washers, refrigerators, dishwashers and heat pumps – you could be eligible for rebates of up to $300 in Virginia and up to $600 in D.C. Learn more and apply for Virginia appliance rebates or D.C. appliance rebates.

Sorry iPhone and iPad users, the tour is in Flash, so you won’t be able to view it on your device, but you can read the list of energy savings tips for Arlington homeowners here.

Want to search Arlington green homes for sale? As an EcoBroker® Certified Realtor®, I can help you find a healthier home. Contact me for more information at Meg@MegRoss.com or 703-447-0970.

Meg Ross, the Orange Line Expert

Specializing in Arlington real estate along the Orange Line including Courthouse, Clarendon, Virginia Square, Ballston and Falls Church. Licensed in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker®, 2010 Angie’s List® Super Service Award Winner, NVAR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club 2008-2010, NVAR Top Producer 2008-2010

www.MegRoss.com

No Change in Arlington County Property Tax Rate

The Arlington County board on Saturday passed a Fiscal Year 2012 budget with an overall 5.1 percent increase, but no property tax rate hike.

The real estate tax rate for Arlington homeowners will remain unchanged at 95.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. So, for example, if your Clarendon Orange Line home is assessed at $700,000, your annual property tax bill would be $6,706.

Rising Arlington home prices could mean slight increase

However, while the property tax rate remains stable, it’s likely you’ll see a slight increase when you pay property taxes due to rising property assessments as a result of rising home prices in the Arlington real estate market (median sales prices were up 8.72 percent in March 2011 compared to March 2010 in Arlington).

“Taking into account increases in real estate assessments and fee changes, the overall tax and fee burden for the average Arlington homeowner will increase 1.4% — or about $7 a month — an increase less than the current Baltimore-Washington region inflation rate of 3%,” according to a county press release.

The county’s FY2012 budget includes a 7 percent increase for Arlington schools, restoration of some library hours and 5 new police positions.

If you want to know more about the area housing market, search homes for sale in Arlington or need help selling your home, feel free to contact me at Meg@MegRoss.com or 703-447-0970.

Originally posted on the Arlington Real Estate Scoop.

I was just informed that I’ve been awarded the 2010 Angie’s List® Super Service Award. I’m proud to receive this award because it’s about providing great customer service. I’d like to thank all of the people I’ve worked with who thought enough of me to rate me so highly on Angie’s List.

Angie’s List is a membership-based ratings website that offers reports and reviews about service companies. It’s sort of a cross between Yelp and Consumer’s Checkbook. I like using it to find local service providers because Angie’s list checks the reports before they are posted to make sure they are only from consumers and are not self-reported by the service providers (as can happen on Yelp).

Here’s the press release from Angie’s List about the award:

Meg Ross Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Meg Ross has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Meg is a Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty, Arlington, who focuses on Orange Line communities from Capital Hill to Courthouse to Clarendon to Ballston.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2010 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.

I’m holding a Broker's Open Tuesday, Jan. 11, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the only 4 BR single-family home that’s a walk to Ballston Metro under $800,000. You won’t find anything this big (3,000 sq ft) on a ¼-acre lot with a 2-car garage this close to Metro for this price ($765,000) for your clients.

The home at 4514 N. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA, 22203, is located on a quiet cul-de-sac and features:

• Renovated table-space kitchen with new stainless appliances, granite counters and tile floor
• Refinished hardwoods, new carpet
• 3-1/2 renovated baths
• 2 wood-burning fireplaces
• And more..

So come take a look and enjoy free lunch from Jason’s Deli.

For details and photos visit 4514CarlinSprings.com.Hope to see you Tuesday!