Dale Repshas, Realtor

It's always fun to "cook up" new ideas for seasonal gifts! Happy Father's Day to my awesome clients! I hope you all have a wonderful Father's Day weekend!

No, you're not imagining things. ⬇️

Brand new homes are popping up all over Northern Virginia. If you've been considering new construction, here are a few things to consider:

1. One consideration in homeownership is those high dollar costs that come along the way with repairs. With a new construction home, these repairs are years--sometimes decades--down the line.

2. Historic homes have their own charm, but new construction homes offer an intentional modern design with floor plans specifically designed for the way we live in our homes today.

3. With some new-construction homes, you can choose everything from appliances to paint colors, tailoring the home to suit your needs and preferences.

4. Many new homes have sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. This means you can be assured that your utility bills are lower!

5. It's often a misconception that a new-construction home is more expensive. The truth? Some builders offer financial incentives, including flexible financing options, to encourage buyers to purchase. These incentives — especially if they get the buyer a lower interest rate — could make a new construction home more affordable in the long run.

If you've been considering buying a new construction home, let's find a time to discuss further. Message me here or email me at [email protected]!

Happy (early) Mother's Day! I had so much fun stopping by to see my awesome mom clients this week! Mom is indeed spelled WOW upside down!

Here are 5 big home trends I'm seeing here in Northern Virginia right now:

🏠 Better not bigger: buyers are not always looking for the BIGGEST home. Rather, they're looking for the best floor plan, the best use of space, and the best design.

🏠 So long neutrals! Intentional use of colors, patterns, and other design elements are major selling features. Gone are the days of all-neutral spaces to sell!

🏠 What's the most popular architectural design style nowadays? Midcentury modern is the top trending style, with 56% expressing a preference for this aesthetic. Contemporary architecture closely follows at 37%, while ranch-style homes appeal to 31% of homebuyers according to Architectural Digest.

🏠 So long shiplap, hello wainscoting! This classic and timeless home element is trending like crazy!

🏠 While accent walls truly shined during the pandemic, entire wallpapered rooms is now the popular trend homebuyers appreciate!

I'm curious about what home trends you're loving lately. Let me know in the comments below!

Oh, and if you're curious about small-but-mighty changes you can make to your own home that will make sellers swoon, be sure to message me here!

Thinking of taking the plunge and getting into the real estate market? Here are three questions I've been getting from buyers lately:

1. "I heard the inventory is low...is it hard to find a home?"

The best way I can fully explain this is this quote from Realtor.com: “There were nearly 15% more homes for sale in February than a year earlier. That alone could jolt the housing market a bit if more “For Sale” signs continue to appear. However, the nation is still suffering from a housing shortage even with all of that new inventory.” So, YES you can find a home that suits your wants and needs, but there certainly is no surplus of homes available nowadays!

2. "Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop?"

I'm a firm believer in trying to time the market. The truth is when rates drop, housing prices likely will rise. There’s always the refinance option if mortgage rates are lower in the future. Date the rate. Marry the house.

3. "How much should I save for a downpayment?"

There are so many first-time homebuyer mortgage opportunities that can allow you to become a homeowner for 3% (or less!) down. My advice? Talk to a lender before assuming you need to save 20% of a home purchase price.

If you're thinking of buying a home, I would imagine you have many questions. Call me at 703-408-2626 or email me at [email protected] so we can find a time to grab a cup of coffee and discuss every aspect of becoming a homeowner."

Are you catching the Spring Cleaning bug? It's going around! Start here to spruce up your space! ⬇️

Whether you're decluttering to make space for your family or preparing for the sale of a home, I hope this list helps! While decluttering is a great first step, there's a lot to consider when it comes to getting your home market-ready.

Email me at [email protected] so we can work together to create a personalized game plan to help your home shine in this spring market!

P.S. - Save this post for later -- it's a helpful one! 💯