The real estate market in Northern Virginia is continuing to experience a subtle shift. While we’re still seeing competitive situations and multiple offers on some homes in some areas, other areas are seeing average time on market as high as 6 months and housing inventory of more than a year. If you’re thinking of buying or selling your home, you will definitely want to take a look at the statistics on our blog– because numbers tell a story!

The Belt Team works with many clients who are downsizing. (We like to call it “right sizing.”) There are a number of reasons people think about moving “down”: 
 

• Travel – Some of our clients downsize to a home that’s easier to maintain so they can travel more – visit grandchildren – or take those trips they’ve always dreamed of. This is not uncommon with empty nesters. 

• Health – Maybe your current home is just too much for you to take care of on top of whatever health concerns you are dealing with. 

• Financial Freedom – Some people bite off more than they can chew. Or their priorities change (or their job situation) and they don’t want to be tied down to a big mortgage payment. 

• Commuting Time – Buying a condo or townhouse closer to the city might be enticing after commuting an hour each way in order to have that single family home. 

• Age – Perhaps it’s time to move into a community where you can get the extra assistance you need and/or have more opportunity for recreation and cultural activities. And maybe it’s time for a place without stairs. 

Here are 4 Tips To Simplify Downsizing:

"Why didn't we call you in the first place?! We would have saved so much ________!"

Over the years, The Belt Team has gotten this phone call many times. You can fill in lots of different words in the blank: "time", "money", "hassle", "heart-ache". The word is often different, but the sentiment is the same. Some Sellers express this thought after selling and realizing they could have done better. Others call us when they are unsuccessful in selling and realize they need help.

Here are some of the 42 questions we recommend you ask your Realtor BEFORE you hire them to sell your home.