{"id":3510,"date":"2024-03-17T16:48:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-17T20:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicksellshomes.com\/?p=3510"},"modified":"2024-03-17T16:48:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-17T20:48:31","slug":"march-newsletter-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicksellshomes.com\/2024\/03\/17\/march-newsletter-7\/","title":{"rendered":"March Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

March Market Update & Newsletter<\/h1>\n

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As we step into March, a time that seems to effortlessly slip by us, it’s a\u00a0reminder of how fast time moves.\u00a0 With March comes the excitement\u00a0of March Madness and the anticipation of the Final Four, alongside the\u00a0gradually lengthening days that breathe renewed energy into our\u00a0routines.\u00a0 The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on the court\u00a0mirrors the high-stakes nature of the real estate market here in\u00a0Northern Virginia.\u00a0 (I’ll bet you were wondering where I was going with all the basketball stuff).<\/p>\n

We find ourselves amidst a dynamic real estate landscape, where\u00a0multiple offers on homes of all price ranges have become the norm.\u00a0\u00a0Within this competitive arena, some home buyers revel in the triumph\u00a0of securing their dream home, while others grapple with the\u00a0frustration of missing out.\u00a0 Sellers, in particular, emerge as the victors in\u00a0this scenario, benefiting from a historically limited inventory and a surplus of eager\u00a0buyers.<\/p>\n

Even with the backdrop of rising interest rates, buyer demand remains\u00a0robust, painting a picture of a market in constant motion.\u00a0 At open\u00a0houses and showings, we\u2019ve seen a steady stream of visitors, further\u00a0defining the present real estate climate.\u00a0 However, amidst this fervent\u00a0activity, certain buyer profiles such as VA buyers, FHA borrowers, and\u00a0first-time home buyers find themselves in the position of underdogs,\u00a0while cash offers reign as indisputable favorites.<\/p>\n

To bridge the gap and fulfill the dream of homeownership for all,\u00a0additional housing inventory is the key.\u00a0 That is not the reality we are in right now, yet success as a buyer is still possible.\u00a0 It has NEVER been more important as a buyer to have exceptional representation and a solid team strategy so that your journey to finding your\u00a0dream home can come to fruition.\u00a0 That is what\u00a0I’m here to provide.\u00a0 I can’t tell you how many successful wins for my buyers in recent years have come from not just a great game plan but through previous relationships I’ve had with those on the other side, garnered from the 34 years I’ve been in the business.<\/p>\n

Wishing you the best of luck in all your pursuits this month, whether\u00a0it’s choosing your winning bracket or exploring real estate\u00a0opportunities.\u00a0 Feel free to reach out with any questions or real estate\u00a0needs at any time\u2013I am never too busy for you or your referrals!<\/p>\n

It’s a good life.<\/p>\n

Chris<\/p>\n

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\u201cHOW MUCH HOUSE CAN I AFFORD TO BUY?\u201d – HERE\u2019S HOW TO KNOW<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Read the full article at news.remax.com<\/i><\/p>\n

If your biggest question right now is \u201cCan I afford to buy a home?\u201d \u2013 or \u201cHow much home can I actually afford to buy?\u201d \u2013 you aren\u2019t alone. As the real estate market continues to shift, many people are wondering how far their money will take them. Here are five ways to help determine how much house you can afford.<\/p>\n

1) Check up on your credit score<\/em><\/p>\n

Before you\u2019re ready to start the homebuying process, familiarize yourself with your credit score. If you aren\u2019t satisfied with the number, you\u2019ll want to give yourself time to raise it before you apply for a loan \u2013 this will be a key factor a mortgage professional takes into consideration. Many major credit card companies will give you monthly updated credit score reports on their websites and apps.<\/p>\n

2) Get pre-approved for a home loan<\/em><\/p>\n

Seek out a local mortgage professional to help you understand what you qualify for and set a realistic homebuying budget. A mortgage prequalification provides a basic estimate of how much you can borrow based on your stated financial situation. When you\u2019re ready, complete a mortgage application in which a lender confirms your qualifications with more stringent documentation and can then provide a formal pre-approval. Working with a mortgage broker may provide an easy way to explore different lenders and loan products that meet your unique needs.<\/p>\n

3) Consider how much money you have saved<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential to figure out how much money you\u2019ll be able to put toward a down payment on a home \u2013 and this number will impact what your monthly mortgage payments will be, too. For renters, if your monthly mortgage payment will cost more than your current rent, are you able to afford the difference? Be prepared to cover costs for closing and moving, various fees that may come up in the process, home insurance, private mortgage insurance (if you put less than 20% down), and more.<\/p>\n

4) Seek advice from a financial advisor<\/em><\/p>\n

Meeting with a financial advisor can help you prioritize financial concerns, learn how to manage your money, and plan ahead for the\u00a0 future.<\/p>\n

5) Look at data for your local housing market<\/em><\/p>\n

When it comes to home prices, no two markets are the same \u2013 and the cost of living (which includes the expense of homeownership) varies depending on location. That\u2019s why it\u2019s helpful to find an experienced real estate agent who you trust to help with your important transaction. They can help demystify local housing market data, prioritize your wants and needs in your purchase, and get the ball rolling in the home search process.<\/p>\n

Understanding local market conditions will also help establish a realistic expectation of what kind of property you can afford in your desired area. Looking at active and recent listings is one way to get a better feel for what home prices are like.<\/p>\n

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Recipe of the Month<\/h2>\n

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S<\/b>low Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage<\/b><\/p>\n

Yield: 6 Servings –\u00a0Total Time: 5 Hours<\/p>\n

INGREDIENTS<\/b><\/p>\n