Jonathan Bunn

Land costs in Loudoun County can be really high. Especially in the Ashburn area which is without question the most populated and sought after community in Loudoun.

Here is a list of the communities in Ashburn that currently offer the most land...

1 acre lots

• Evergreen Reserve (currently the only builder offering 1 acre lots)
• Potomac Farms (north of Route 7 bordering Sterling)

.99 acres - .75 acres

• Loudoun Valley Estates
• The Chase At Belmont Country Club
• Cameron Chase

.74 acres - .50 acres

• Belmont Country Club
• Belle Terra
• Forrest Manor
• Village Of Waxpool
• Ashburn Farm
• Parkgrove At Broadlands

Some of these communities and possibly others not mentioned may fit within more than one category. This is a general list and should be verified for accuracy.

First posted on my site:

http://therealestatebakery.com/2010/06/16/ashburn-communities-with-the-largest-yards-over-half-an-acre/

I recently had the opportunity to work with a client who was re-locating from the west coast. After a long conversation, the person requested that I provide them a map of every area that I have sold a home. They wanted an agent who "specialized in Maryland, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria County, and Loudoun County. I let them know that while I have sold homes all over Northern VA, I do not pretend to specialize in knowing "every single neighborhood" in Northern VA and I do not sell in MD. We decided they probably needed someone else...

As an agent, I provide a valuable service to my clients. My service is more that a key to a lockbox and MLS access. My value is in my experience and knowledge of the market and local area.

While there may be "super agents" who claim to understand every area in Northern Virginia which seems to expand overnight, I am not that guy. However, I do know Loudoun County. I know the latest sales stats, what builders are building, market trends, the majority of neighborhoods, and how to get the job done with the sales to prove it. I know other surrounding areas, but I specialize here.

My business card does not say Realtor licensed in VA, West VA, DC, Juice Salesman, Lender On The Side, and Jack of every other trade. I am a Loudoun County Real Estate Specialist.

First Posted - http://therealestatebakery.com/2010/05/03/the-jack-of-all-trades-realtor/

One of the most asked question during the short sale process is how long it will take. We have all heard the horror stories of short sales taking over a year to be processed and shiver at the thought of waiting that long.

If you ask 100 people you will get... well, a lot of answers. However, as an agent who has actually processed short sales, I have advised my clients to expect on average around... Read Full Article

Who Should Not Consider A Short Sale

original post- linked above

It looks exciting. It looks easy. But skiing is not everyone. The same would be true for buying a short sale.

Though the market is full of short sales, there are few people that are cut out to purchase them. In fact, most people end up bailing out on the transaction before it is ratified and purchasing something else. To help save you a lot of frustration, I have created a list of situations which should discourage you from purchasing a short sale….

1. You have to be a in a home in the next few months. Most short sales take a few months before they are accepted, assuming they are, by the bank. The risk is high that you will still be homeless in a few months.
2. You like to know how far along things are with the bank. Your Realtor can be awesome, but when it comes to their control of the listing Realtor, the asset managers, the negotiator, the seller, the bank, and the response times of these parties… many buyers have been known to loose their minds. Keep in mind (no pun intented) that many of these parties don’t work on the weekend and aren’t concerned in your idle threats..
3. You are an avid Internet MLS shopper. While you are waiting for months while the bank responds, you will begin to fill like and addict who can’t resist the MLS… You will feel like you are missing out on many other options out there. For this reason many short sale buyers move on to other homes before the bank ever responds.
4. You easily loose sleep at night. Short sales are not for the weak at heart. They will cause the average buyers more stress than a weeks worth of work and leave you confused and feeling frustrated in the end.

Who Is Perfect For Purchasing A Short Sale??? The perfect short sale buyer is a very relaxed, take it as it comes person, who is not in a rush to buy a home… If you are this person, then a short sale may be for you. If not, then go for a foreclosure, re-sale, or new construction.

What To Expect When Dealing With The Bank On Bank-Owned Properties

Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag On Short Sales

Every profession has its group of slackers that gives the rest of the group a bad rap... After calling through a list of ACTIVE homes this morning to find that all of them already have contracts on them but still say ACTIVE (deceiving us in to thinking they are available), I decided to create this list.

Top 5 Signs You May Need A New Listing Agent:

1. Your listing agent wins your business by promising you they can sell your home for a high price and right after getting your business they beg you to lower your price.
2. They tell you that marketing your home doesn't matter and they never show you any of their marketing materials except their black and white print out of your MLS sheet.
3. You never hear from them or know what they are doing to sell your home.
4. They make it sound like every contract you may receive is good, safe, and will surely go to closing with no problems.
5. You go to sleep at night wondering why you are paying this agent so much money to do nothing but put a sign in your yard, take lousy pictures, and never keep you updated.

Top 5 Signs You May Need A New Buyers Agent:

1. You find all of your own homes online and they just chauffeur you around to see them.
2. They claim to specialize in the areas you are searching for homes in but they have never seen homes there.
3. They are always showing you homes that do not match the criteria you told them you were search for... like price.
4. They can't explain to you the sales contract you are signing and just encourage you to sign it.
5. You feel obligated to use them because they are a friend, family member, or a referral.

It is important to remember that when you are purchasing a home you are dealing with your hard earned money and assets... Time-lines and experience in this specific market are important. There are a lot of good and hard working agents out there and there are a lot of agents who have no clue what they are doing out there. Do your research... It could cost you a lot more than a little commission if you don't.

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Original Post- Top 10 Signs You Need A New Real Estate Agent

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