554 Catron Ridge Rd., Bentonville, VA 22610

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/SEFCV3/554-CATRON-RIDGE-RD-BENTONVILLE-VA-1001907176

PRIVATE COUNTRY RETREAT! 3 bed/3 bath house on 6.3 acres overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, ceramic tile in all baths, spacious kitchen, walk-out basement, huge deck, covered sitting porch. Basement could be converted to in-law suite/guest apartment. 2nd small house on property could be renovated for office space/guest house. Sep. workshop w/elec. AC and heat.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Price: $289,000

For more information about this property, please contact Rob Traister at 703-642-3380 ext. 4721 or rob.traister@gmail.com. You can also text 5094900 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: www.traister.com

MLS ID: 1001907176

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How that $3,000 discount broker "rebate" can cost you more than $5,000

I had coffee with a new client the other day. He's looking for a house in Fairfax and told me he had pretty much decided to go with a discount broker, but one of his friends told him he should talk to me before he made up his mind.

When we sat down the first thing he said was "How much of a rebate will you give me if I go with you?" When I told him I don't give rebates he said that was all he needed to know, and that he was going to use the discount broker.

I asked him how much of a rebate the discount broker offered him and he said it would be around $3,000, which is what they advertise on their site.

"That's a lot of money," I said. "And do you know how much that rebate is going to cost you?"

He looked at me like I was speaking another language. "It's not going to cost me anything -- they're giving money to me!"

That's when I "dropped some truth" on him about buyer rebates -- they cost the buyer money.

Here's how the buyer rebate from this particular broker works: The company gives the buyer a percentage of the commission they receive from the seller, and according their site they typically pay buyers as much as $3,000.

Whoo hoo! Free money, right?

Not even close.

The commission, while paid by the seller, comes out of the purchase price of the house. So when you buy a house, the seller gets that amount minus the commissions and other closing costs. If the buyer is financing the purchase, that "rebate" is money the buyer already borrowed, and he has to pay that money back to the lender with interest.

At today's mortgage rates, a $3,000 "rebate" could cost the buyer more than $5,000 over the life of a 30-year loan.

Then I explained my approach. Using all the tools at my disposal, I negotiate the best deal for my clients to get them the lowest price.

Using those skills, I work to save my clients as much or more than they will end up paying for a discount broker "rebate." 

Let's talk about how much money you can save by working with me. Call or email today.

-Rob

What The Latest Federal Reserve News Means for Buyers

The Federal Reserve announced after its May meeting that they believe recent lower-than-expected economic numbers are an irregularity and not a sign that the economy is slowing.

So what does this mean for buyers?

Well, it means that for now interest rates are not going up on home loans. The key words in that sentence are "for now," because when the Federal Reserve meets again in June there is a good chance -- 67% according to experts -- they will raise interest rates if current trends continue.

If you are starting to look for a home right now you may be feeling anxious. Rates are rising and home inventories are low, which means there's less to choose from and more competition for what is out there. It's a seller's market, and making the right offer can be the difference between locking in your rate now or having

That's where I come into the picture. If you are looking contact me and I'll walk you through every step of the process, from getting pre-approved for a loan to making a strong offer that sellers will take seriously.

Give me a call today and let's talk. No pressure, no hassle, just straightforward real estate advice.

Rob Traister
RE/MAX 100
Licensed in VA
(703) 935-6891
rob.traister@gmail.com

Why is a Dip in Existing Home Sales Good News for Sellers?

A report published recently in The Washington Post noted that interest rates are rising and that pending home sales have dipped recently. Sounds like bad news, right?

If you're thinking about selling, this is actually really good news.

The reason home sales have been down recently is because there just isn't enough inventory to meet demand. In the areas where I work, if a home comes on the market and is priced competitively, it's under contract in a matter of days -- and often at a price higher than the listing price.

Think of it this way: there's a hot new toy, like the Fidget Spinner. Everyone wants it, but most stores sold out last week and don't expect more until next month. If you look at sales reports for Fidget Spinners for this month, you'll see a dip in the number of sales. If you happen to have a Fidget Spinner to sell, you'll probably be able to sell it for a price that's higher than the retail price.

With interest rates on the rise, buyers want to lock in NOW before they go any higher. And when inventories are low, it's not uncommon to receive multiple offers on a competitively-priced home and even see bidding wars.

According to the WaPo article, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has increased its estimate for home sales growth in 2017 from 2.5% to 3.5%, and home prices are expected to rise 5% -- another increase from the 3.5% projected by NAR at the end of last year.

If you're thinking about selling, contact me today. I'll do a comparative market analysis to show you what comparable homes in your area have sold for over the past six months, prices for currently-listed homes, and what your home could sell for in the current market.  

Rob Traister
RE/MAX 100
Licensed in VA
(703) 935-6891
rob.traister@gmail.com

Don't Always Believe Prices You See Online

Last year I met with a potential client who was thinking about making a move from a home in a very desirable neighborhood in Alexandria. I showed him comps for his home -- nearby homes that are comparable in size, amenities, and style, and are active or have sold recently -- and told him the price he could expect in the current market.

He mentioned that a website (rhymes with "Pillow") showed the estimated price of his home as being higher than the one I recommended. I explained that the estimated prices shown on that site tend to be off by 5% or more in our market.

He said when he was ready to make a move he would let me know.

A few months later I saw that home was on the market for $30,0000 more than the market will support in that neighborhood. After two months on the market, the price has been reduced $80,000 -- $50,000 below the market value -- and still has no buyers.

Pricing your home correctly can be the difference between selling and not selling, or having to sell at a price that is below market value. It's that important.

If the home is priced too high, buyers who are looking at homes in that price range will dismiss it, and buyers looking below that price range won't even see it. And if you do manage get an contract at a price that is above market value, most contracts have a clause that allows the buyer to back out if the home doesn't appraise for the contract price.

The longer a home sits on the market, the harder it is to sell. In this market, many homes are under contract in a matter of days or weeks; if a home has been on the market for months it raises red flags and potential buyers pass it over in favor of newer listings.

By not pricing the home correctly from the outset, the seller I mentioned earlier will ultimately leave tens of thousands -- perhaps even $100,000 -- on the table that could have been in his pocket. Had he priced the home correctly, he would have had more showings and might have even seen multiple offers, resulting in a higher sales price.

When I price your home, I give you all the market data at my disposal to help you make the best decision so you can sell quickly, and at the best possible price.

If you have any questions about the real estate market in Northern Virginia, give me a call or send an email. I'd love to hear from you. 

Carbon Monoxide Dectors a MUST for Your Home

Recently a friend posted on social media that 2:00 a.m. is not a great time to figure out if the beeping from a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm means low battery or impending death.

It was a funny comment, but having a working CO alarm in your home can literally be the difference between life and death.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. It is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned and is, according to the CDC, the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. CO results in more than 430 deaths and 50,000 emergency room visits each year in the U.S. alone. See the CDC FAQs about CO.

Improper use or malfunction of a fuel-burning appliance such as a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, stove, oven, or generator can produce dangerous levels of CO indoors. Other potential sources of CO in the home include poorly vented fireplaces or vehicles left running in an attached garage. When CO gas builds up inside a home, it can quickly lead to illness or even death. Because CO has no taste or smell to alert people to its presence, the only safe way to detect it is with a properly working, properly placed CO alarm.

According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually about 5 feet from the floor, in a central location outside each sleeping area on every level of the home. They should also be installed in other locations as required by applicable laws, codes, or standards. NFPA also recommends that homeowners interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home so when one sounds, they all sound.

It is recommended that you change the batteries in your CO alarms every six months, just as you do with your smoke alarms. Doing this when you change the clocks for daylight saving time is a great way to remember.

Carbon monoxide alarms also have a limited lifespan, typically 5-7 years. In the case of my friend who posted about his alarm chirping at 2:00 a.m., his CO alarm was letting him know that it was at the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced. Older models may not have this feature. If in doubt, replace your detectors and then follow the manufacturer's schedule for future replacement

For more information on CO in the home, click the image below to download the NFPA fact sheet on CO Safety.

Fall is a Great Time to Sell Your Home

Fall is a Great Time to Sell Your Home

I stepped out my front door one morning earlier this week to walk my dog, Sadie, and instead of a wall of hot, humid air I was greeted by a crisp, cool morning. The cicadas were louder than I'd heard them all summer, but everything else about that morning said "fall is coming."

Fall is a time I never hear anyone complain about the weather. The may complain about the leaves they have to rake, or the fact that winter is right around the corner, but they never complain about the weather.

"I'll be really glad to see fall end. I don't have to run the heat or AC for nearly two months, I keep my windows open every day, and the colors are amazing. I hate every second of it!"

- No One Ever

Fall is also a great time to put your home on the market. Inventories have been low for most of 2016 and this time of year they are traditionally even lower. This means you have a unique advantage because:

• You're on the market at a time when there are fewer homes to choose from,
• Your landscaping can look it's best because of lower temps and fall colors,
• People who are looking at this time of year tend to be serious buyers, and
• People actively looking now tend to want to be in their new homes -- your home -- before the holiday season.

Call me today to get a free market analysis for your home. There’s never any obligation following the call. Worst case, you get some excellent advice and information about selling your condo. Best case, we work together to get you top dollar for your condo.

Give me a call at (703) 935-6891 or send me an email at rob.traister@gmail.com and let's connect.  No hassle, no pressure, just honest straight-forward real estate advice.
 
Rob Traister
REALTOR®
RE/MAX 100
Licensed in Virginia
(703) 935-6891