Northern Virginia Real Estate Podcast with Mike and Melana Wilson

NoVA Real Estate Group - Northern Virginia Real Estate Experts

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Sun, 26 May 2019 16:37:00 -0700

Nova Real Estate Group

Nova Real Estate Group is licensed in Virginia with eXp Realty, Ashburn VA.

Nova Real Estate Group knows the cities and real estate market in Northern Virginia. We've been active in the new communities, with the builders, and with home sellers and home buyers for many years.
eXp Realty is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in northern Virginia.
Nova Real Estate Group also delivers valuable tools and information through an array of focused websites to home sellers and home buyers throughout Loudoun county and all of Northern Virginia.
Pick the Site that best fits your needs to start your search ... whether you are selling a house or buying a home!
Call 703-722-8831 to talk to a real estate expert today!

We have a lot of our videos on this site, and you can contact us from any of our websites. Here are a few of the top sites from NoVa Real Estate Group:

For Home SELLERS

www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Find out what your home is worth, in 60 seconds or less!
No cost, no obligation ... just good information. Once you have a starting point, ask for regular market updates for homes prices in your area - Nova Real Estate Group provides the market intel so you can make the right home-selling decisions.
Request a Personal Home Value Consultation with an Expert.

www.NovaRealEstateGroup.com

We Market Homes to Sell! Find out what we do differently to ensure your home sells for more money in less time and with the least amount of stress for you. Nova Real Estate Group customizes a marketing plan specific to each house - we market to sell!

For Home BUYERS

www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Search All Loudoun County Homes for Sale and more. This is our newest, fastest Home Search Site with our latest search technology - free to register, easy to use. Try out our Responsive Draw Map Search Tool!
MOBILE APP - for iPhone and Android - Free Download

www.NoVaSearchSite.com

All our Real Estate Market Updates, Facebook Live Q&A sessions, Home Seller Tips, Home Buyer Tips, Loudoun County Public Schools boundary map changes ... and much more!

www.Homes-in-Loudoun.com

Search all homes for sale in Loudoun County - using Nova Real Estate Group search engine - already setup with custom searches for many Loudoun communities and neighborhoods. Create a free account on this site too - save and share searches, get new listing update immediately by email.

www.HomesAshburnVA.com

Ashburn Buyer's Agent - a specialist for Home Buyers. Learn why a Buyer's Agent is the best asset for home buyers. Nova Real Estate Group has buyer specialists for Ashburn Virginia, Loudoun County, and all of Northern Virginia.

www.HomesinWillowsford.com

Search all homes for sale in Willowsford, new community in Loudoun County, and information about all New Home Builders in Willowsford, VA. Willowsford is growing and Nova Real Estate Group is growing right along with it! We've been involved with new home builders in Willowsford from the very beginning ... it's how Nova Real Estate Group has become Homes in Willowsford experts!

www.HomesNearLoudounMetro.com

Brand new construction in new communities near the Silver Line and metro stations in Loudoun County.
Resale homes near planned Loudoun Metro line and commuter routes that link to the Silver Line. Nova Real Estate Group specializes in new communities and new home builders in Loudoun county. New communities are springing up all along the Silver Line - Loudoun County's new Metro Line - even before the tracks are fully laid!

Call 703-722-8831 to talk to a real estate expert today!

Striving to be the Best Real Estate Agent in Loudoun County, and Northern Virginia!
Michael Wilson
NoVa Real Estate Group

703-722-8831

Licensed to practice real estate in Virginia
Pearson Smith Realty, Ashburn VA
Connect with us:
On Google On Facebook @ Loudoun County Real Estate

20901 Cedarpost Square #203, Ashburn, VA 20147 - Virtual Tour by Nova Real Estate Group

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Mon, 8 Oct 2018 11:28:00 -0700

bit.ly/20901CedarpostSquare

20901 Cedarpost Square #203

Ashburn, VA 20147

Official Listing Agent - Michael Wilson

Call 703-722-8831 for more information.

Welcome Home! Walking Distance to Ashburn Farm Town Center and community amenities, this affordable Ashberry condominium offers 2 master bedrooms, 2 full baths, spacious separate dining room, kitchen with new laminate floor and appliances, and a private balcony! Soaring 9’ ceilings and huge windows make this almost 1400 square foot home feel even more expansive, light and airy. The living room leads to an inviting balcony with room to entertain friends or relax with a book while surrounded by trees.

Both master bedrooms feature walk-in closets and en suite bathrooms and are on opposite sides of the living room.

Spacious laundry room has newer appliances and plenty of extra storage space.

This home is just steps from all of the shopping, dining and entertainment offered at the Ashburn Farm Town Center, including Starbucks, Giant, Zinga Frozen Yogurt, and Nagoya Japanese Steak and Seafood, as well as a dry cleaners, fast food options, banking and auto repair services. Located in Ashburn Farm with miles of walking trails, multiple playgrounds and pools, access to the W&OD trail, and quality Loudoun schools.

The lucky new owners will enjoy easy access to commuter routes, Dulles airport and the future Loudoun Metro. Contact us to see it and make it your own!

Buying a Northern Virginia Home? Search ALL Homes For Sale: http://www.allloudouncountyhomes.com/Search

Selling Your Northern Virginia Home? Get a FREE Home Value Report: http://www.allloudouncountyhomes.com/homevalue

All information accurate as of date of Original Posting:

https://www.allloudouncountyhomes.com/homes/va/ashburn/ptlgdnvlzzz4xd2jzzdsva20901cedarpostsquare203/20901-cedarpost-square-203-ashburn-va-20147

Loudoun Real Estate Expert:

Michael Wilson

NoVa Real Estate Group

703-722-8831

www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Licensed in Virginia

eXp Realty, Ashburn VA

43690 Balmoral Terrace, Ashburn VA 20147 - Virtual Tour by Nova Real Est...

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 17 May 2017 14:31:00 -0700

http://bit.ly/43690BalmoralTerrace

43690 Balmoral Terrace

Ashburn VA 20147

Official Listing Agent - Michael Wilson

Call 703-722-8831 for more information or visit: www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Welcome Home! This attractive townhouse is located in the desirable Ridges of Ashburn community and has almost 2400 sq feet of living space, plus a 2 car garage! There is a study/sitting room with a full bath on the entry level. The main level includes a huge living room with a cozy fireplace and access to the large Trex deck where friends and family will enjoy gathering. The kitchen has stunning granite counters, an island with space for seating and a large table space. There is also a separate dining room! Upstairs are 3 large bedrooms including the owner’s suite with 13’ vaulted ceiling and ensuite bath. The spacious laundry room is also conveniently located on the bedroom level. The HVAC units have been replaced and have a transferrable warranty to the new owners. The washer, microwave and dishwasher are all new. This home is in the Trailside MS and Stone Bridge HS cluster, and is just a short distance from the new Belmont Chase shopping center which features Whole Foods, Cooper’s Hawk Winery, Cava Mezze Grill and so many other great shops. The community amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, clubhouse and playground just a short distance away for your enjoyment.

Call Melana Wilson today for your private showing! 703-722-8831

Buying a Northern Virginia Home? Search ALL Homes For Sale: http://www.allloudouncountyhomes.com/Search

Selling Your Northern Virginia Home? Get a FREE Home Value Report: http://www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com/homevalue

All information accurate as of date of Original Posting: http://www.allloudouncountyhomes.com/homes/va/ashburn/ptlgdnvlzzz4xd2jzzdsva43690balmoralterrace/43690-balmoral-terrace-ashburn-va-20147

Loudoun Real Estate Expert:

Michael Wilson

NoVa Real Estate Group

703-722-8831

www.AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Licensed in Virginia
eXp Realty, Ashburn VA

20875 Houseman Terrace, Ashburn VA- Virtual Tour by Nova Real Estate Group

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Sun, 7 May 2017 15:03:00 -0700

Call 703-722-8831 or email us at mwilson@NREGhomes.com for help finding your next home!

This featured property is available as of the initial posting date.
Homes for sale in Goose Creek Village, Goose Creek Village South, other communities in Ashburn, and nearby areas of northern Virginia change quickly, so check back often.
Click to find Nearby Homes for Sale in Loudoun County, similar to this one at 20875 Houseman Terrace, Ashburn, VA 20148.

This property currently attends Stone Bridge High School - click here to find more Homes for Sale near Stone Bridge High School

Call Nova Real Estate Group for more information or to Schedule a Showing: 703-722-8831

NoVa Real Estate Group specializes in New Communities and New Homes in Loudoun County and all of Northern Virginia.

Striving to be the Best Real Estate Agent in Loudoun County:
Michael Wilson
NoVa Real Estate Group
www.NovaRealEstateGroup.com

Connect with us on Facebook:
@LoudounCountyRealEstate

How Stephen Loved That We Kept Things Moving Along in a Timely Manner

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 3 Aug 2016 13:58:00 -0700

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"I was very satisfied with the results. I would say they were very good at getting every document that I needed in a very timely way. They were up on everything. Whether is was them or the seller or the bank, constantly monitoring things to make sure everything moved along in a timely way."

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, by email at mwilson@nreghomes.com or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

What's Going on in the Loudoun County Market?

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 25 May 2016 09:45:00 -0700

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

As always, I want to sort through some market data to illustrate what's going on in the Loudoun County market. We have about three months of supply. A balanced market would have six months, so Loudoun sits in a strong seller's market. New listings are also high; far above five-year averages. Lots of new homes are a big part of this.

As a seller, days on market is a good indicator of expectations. Median days on market is 28 days, which is fast, but the average days on market is more than 70. These two figures are so far apart because some houses sat on the market for a long time.

What this tells me is that the best houses sell quickly, but just because it's a seller's market doesn't mean your home will sell quickly. Even some specific areas have an extremely strong seller's market while other areas have more of a balanced or buyer's market, if you drill down to the subdivision level.

If you have any questions about your specific situation or you just want to know your home's value, reach out to our team today. Give us a call - we look forward to talking to you.

How NoVa Real Estate Group Helped Pat by Being Quick and Stress-Free

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Tue, 17 May 2016 16:27:00 -0700

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"We used NoVa Real Estate for two home sales and one home purchase. With the first one, they sold our house in three days, so we were very happy. We got multiple offers and we were able to go over the asking price so we were very excited about that, but that was based upon the fact that they had done so much work in advance such as prepping, marketing, giving us good advice on how to maximize the value of our property and prepare it for sale. When it hit the market, we had a ton of buyers looking at it, and so within three days we had offers and had it under contract. In the same time we bought a house using NoVa Real Estate. They were great at showing us houses and were very patient with us in helping us figure out what we wanted versus what was on the market and what was in our price range. They were excellent in getting us what we needed! Our most recent move was a relocation across country and they were our listing agents. Because it was a relocation, it involved a very complicated process with lots of rules and regulations and NoVa did a great job with the complexities of dealing with a third party involved in our transaction. They made it easy for us because they basically represented us. So it was a tremendous benefit and it took a lot of the stress off of us. They made the sale go very, very smoothly, lessened the stresses, and took a lot of it upon themselves!"

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, by email at mwilson@nreghomes.com or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

New Homes vs. Resale Homes - Which Is Best for Northern Virginia Buyers?

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Tue, 3 May 2016 09:06:00 -0700

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

There are many reasons why you might choose to purchase a brand new home rather than a resale home. Here are the top five reasons to purchase new construction:

1. Energy efficiency. Brand new homes are much more energy efficient than older homes. Not only are energy efficient homes environmentally conscious, they will also save you a lot of money in utility bills.

2. Lower insurance premiums. Everything is new and up to the latest codes, which gives you peace of mind while saving you money on insurance premiums.

3. Lower maintenance. Again, since everything is new and up to code, you don’t have to worry about making a lot of repairs in a brand new home. You will also have a better quality of life because you don’t have to stress out about making repairs.

4. Warranties. Builder warranties are 10 years for structural items, one year for everything else, and 3-5 years on systems. These warranties give you peace of mind.

5. Resale value. If you’re thinking of moving in the next 3-7 years, you won’t have to do much work to prepare your home for the market.

Finally, there’s one more reason to purchase new construction over a resale home. Buyers can get really good deals from builders right now. Inventory is tilting just enough that builders in our area are offering great incentives.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out as we'd be happy to help you with any real estate needs!

How We Impressed Phil With Our Dedication

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:54:00 -0700

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"From the very start, we had a good relationship with them and they were in constant contact with us. Sometimes they would call us 2-3 times per week just to make sure that everything was going well. They were always congenial, and every day was a really good experience. They went out of their way to let us know about showings, and our Realtor would come to our home way before a showing to clean up and get the home ready to show. We were very impressed by their dedication to our home sale."

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

How We Remained Cool, Calm, and Collected Agents for Christine

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:49:00 -0700

What was your experience working with Michael and Malena Wilson and the Nova Real Estate Group?

We got excellent results. I think they went above and beyond every time. Our agent was cool, calm and collected the entire time. I never felt like I was being pushed to do anything, and that was a nice change. We moved from Bangkok to Virginia, and we knew nothing about this area. They spent a lot of time helping us to understand schools and the county in general. They showed us big homes, small homes, and everything in between. They went out of their way to find us the perfect home. They were just nice people, down-to-earth. Just genuine, honest people. We really enjoyed their company. It was a very positive experience.

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate, or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Behind the Scenes with Your Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 6 Apr 2016 11:23:00 -0700

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

Today we're going to discuss what real estate agents do behind the scenes. For every hour that we spend with you, there are an additional 9 hours you don't know about where we are working on your behalf. For sellers, my team and I work to sell your home as fast as possible for the most money. For buyers, we work to find your dream home. There are 7 steps you should know about:

Shopping online. This is something we do for buyers and sellers alike. We're looking at every house that comes on the MLS. For sellers, we want to know what the competition looks like. For buyers, we want to make sure you're the first to know about certain properties so you can get your dream home.

Prospecting. We go out and look at houses just like you do. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we go on a caravan to preview homes with your needs in mind. If we find something we think you like, we'll call you right away. This helps sellers know what they're competing against as well.

Spending money on marketing. This is a really big deal for sellers. I'm constantly spending money to make sure sellers are presented in the best light possible. We use professional photography, videos, print ads, and premium placement online. Recently we even did a drone video for a client to showcase all 30 acres of her property. Marketing is key to positioning your home to sell.

Writing up offers and counteroffers. We want to make sure we get you the best deal possible. It might take a couple days of negotiating with the other agent, but we do everything with your interests in mind.

Working with inspectors. A good agent will go on inspections with you. We'll be there all along to represent you. We've gone on so many inspections that we really know what to look for. We can help identify any problems and we have good resources if you want a second opinion.

Smoothing the bumps along the way. Not every transaction goes smoothly, so we are constantly on the lookout to make sure the process is as smooth as possible.

Keeping you calm when the pressure is on. Good agents don't just hand you the key and walk away. We want your transaction to be as stress-free as possible.

My team and I would be happy to help you. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Will Student Loan Debt Prevent You from Buying in Northern Virginia?

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:48:00 -0700

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

I’ve had a few people ask me whether or not having student loan debt will hurt their chances of getting approved for a mortgage loan when buying a home. The answer is ‘maybe’. I say this because the amount of your total debt doesn’t matter so much. It’s the ratio of your debt to your total income that makes the biggest difference.

My advice to those with student loan debt is to speak with a few different lenders. Your situation will vary, and different programs may be more suited to your situation. If you cannot qualify for a loan, nobody will find out, so don't let lack of confidence hold you back. This is a confidential meeting between you and the lender.

So, please give us a call and we can refer you to some of the best lenders in Northern Virginia. Just recently, one of our lenders said that he can qualify someone with a score as low as 580. Our lenders may also be able to help you improve your credit score by making a few small changes in your finances.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

How We Supported Jessica Throughout Her Entire Real Estate Process

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:03:00 -0700

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"They helped my find a house perfect for me. I felt supported the whole time. Great advice coming in, calling me at work to let me know when they put in an offer, and texting me when there were problems with closing. My car wasn't working, and they offered to come pick me up. They were supportive, had great advice, and positive. I was very impressed with them."

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate, or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

The Scoop About Down Payments in Northern Virginia

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Tue, 8 Mar 2016 08:38:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

I’m often asked this same question, and it goes like this: “How much of my savings am I going to use to buy a new house?” You might also wonder about how much you should save and how long it will take you. Today, I’ll start with a short answer. You need less than you think for a down payment.

There are a lot of loan programs today. For example, FHA loans require as a little as a 3.5% down payment. Many people think they need 10% to 20% down when in reality, that’s not at all the case. Even so, these numbers are especially big for first time homebuyers. If these are too large and overwhelming for you, maybe it’s not the time for you to buy a home.

However, explore other loan options and programs. If you’ve been involved with the military, don’t overlook that! You may qualify for a VA loan with 0% down.

If you want to know if now is the right time to buy a home in Northern Virginia, pick up the phone and call us or send us an email. We can also put you in touch with one of our preferred lenders as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Why You Need a Buyer’s Agent in Northern Virginia

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:21:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

Do I need to use an agent when building? Absolutely. Here’s why.

You need representation. The builder has someone representing them, and you need someone to fight for your best interests as a buyer. That’s why it’s critical to have an exclusive buyer’s agent with tailored experience.

Find someone with good communication and expertise. They should know the field and other sales representatives in the area. They should speak the language and coordinate the entire process.

You need access. It’s especially true for brand new, emerging communities that are still being built. You need an agent that’s familiar with new construction properties. They will know the latest scoop in local developing communities. Often, these properties aren’t available to the general public or most agents. We have early access to this information before anyone else.

If you’re interested in new construction properties in northern Virginia, reach out to us today.

How We Made Beth's Real Estate Experience Incredibly Easy

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Tue, 9 Feb 2016 14:09:00 -0800

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"In working with the real estate group, we were actually able put an offer in and sign on a house that we had only gone out one day with. It was an incredibly easy experience. I felt like our wishes were listened to and respected. You could tell they tried to make sure we were happy. What we wanted was the first thing they thought about.

At first we just wanted to look at open houses. We weren't planning on making any offers, we thought we were just in the beginning stages. Melana was able to rearrange her schedule to make sure we were able to go. It was at a moment's notice, less than 24 hours that she was able to line things up for us. Even in closing, she meticulously went through the papers with a fine toothed comb. She found an error, in our favor, that saved us $150. She made sure we were well taken care of throughout the whole process, from beginning to the end."

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate, or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Real Estate Market Update for Loudoun County

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:52:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

We have recently released market reports from November 2015, and I think it will allow us to get a better pulse on what's happening in the local market.

I've made a chart of the inventory available, shown as days-on-market, and I've divided it by zip codes. The market is becoming more balanced, but there are areas where we're seeing more higher supply of homes than others. Sterling, Ashburn, and Chantilly are seeing low days on market (low inventory compared to demand), so SELLERS are going to be put in opportunistic positions in those micro markets.

On the flipside, days-on-market is high in Aldie and Purcellville so buyers will have a variety of homes to choose from, and more leverage in those areas. The major trend we're seeing throughout the market is that inventory is actually down from last year.

Another thing to take away is that real estate is very local. Even within our area, there are very different looking micro markets. Sterling is behaving like a Seller's Market while Aldie is behaving like a Buyer's Market!

Lastly, there is a lot of new construction going on in Northern Virginia. Aldie is experiencing a dramatic uptick in construction, and it's forming two different micro markets right in the same zip code.

It's important to know the market, and have the right strategy for the market, whether you are Buying or Selling.

If you have any further questions about our real estate market here in Northern Virginia, please don't hesitate to contact me!

How We Helped Monica by Going Above and Beyond Expectations and Being Kind-Hearted

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:13:00 -0800

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson and the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"They were absolutely fabulous! They went above and beyond when I used them five years ago to buy my first house and when I used them again for my second house. We had a total of four house transactions with them and they were all fabulous! In my first experience, my loan got messed up and Melana went above and beyond to find another type of loan at a similar place so she just always took care of everything and put my mind at ease. When I finally did buy the house, it wasn’t my best day and she had bought shorts and a T-shirt and Mike helped me by moving all of my stuff in because they knew I didn’t have the help. On my second house, they did the same kind of stuff. There were some snowstorms and they were still cranking out paperwork so that it wouldn’t affect anything. Also, during the house inspection, she brought food over and we had a little picnic going to keep the kids preoccupied so I thought that was above and beyond as well. It was a wonderful experience and I really feel like we got what we wanted for the money!"

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703) 722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate, or visit their website, AllLoudounCountyHomes.com

Tips to Help You Choose the Right Lender

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Mon, 4 Jan 2016 13:37:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full Home Search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

Today I just wanted to talk about a couple of key factors that you should take into account when buying a home and choosing a lender.

Recently, there have been some changes in our industry that have affected mostly lenders and title companies. As a result of these changes, that took effect on October 1, homes are taking longer to close. If you are looking for a home right now, it would be wise to not only evaluate lenders based on the rate and terms of their loan, but also on the capability they have to close the loan on time.

Recently, we’ve seen several home buyers have to go through delayed closings because their lender wasn’t able to close in a timely manner. Some people went through the entire process correctly, hired the movers and had everything ready to go, only to see the closing get delayed. They weren’t able to take possession of their house when they wanted to, which caused headaches, lost time, and money. It can be an extremely stressful situation.

In today’s world it makes sense to put lender capability to close near the top of your wish list. To find out how successful a lender is at closing on time, simply ask them. Ask them how long it has taken them to close since these changes happen, and they should be able to give you a no-nonsense straightforward answer.

If you have any questions or need a recommendation for a good lender, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send a quick email. We would be glad to help in any way possible, and we look forward to speaking with you!

Amanda Is so Impressed, She Refers Us to Everybody!

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 09:21:00 -0800

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson of the NOVA Real Estate Group?

"I've only given referrals, I haven't bought or rented a house through them, but I've gotten feedback from friends that I've referred them to. They told me that NOVA real estate was great with communication, getting back to their clients timely and often. They made sure the job was done correctly. I've had feedback from friends that have worked with and around them that they wish they lived in a different area so they could be their Realtors all the time. I've heard really good feedback. Since we don't live in the same area, I refer people to them and always get great feedback. When I heard of an instance that I was talking to Melana about, a referral that I gave her, she mentioned she had a late night. I'm a nurse and get to clock out when I leave, so I asked her for a little more information about what happened. Turns out she was up late helping one of her clients move out of their home so they would make a deadline on the closing. I consider that going above and beyond. She was actually helping clean, move boxes, and furniture so this woman could get the home closed. She knew that she needed a hand and went on her own time to help. She definitely goes above and beyond to help her clients beyond just the transaction."

Melinda Loved the Patience and Support Melana Provided!

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:15:00 -0800

What was your experience working with Michael and Melana Wilson of the NOVA Real Estate Group?

"It's a bit of a long story but I'll sum it up. So, when we first moved to Northern Virginia, we were coming up here because of an amazing job opportunity for my husband. The worst possible thing happened, as the job fell through; my husband didn't have a job and it was just me and my teacher salary. Our initial adventure of looking for a home went to looking for a rental because we were in his parent's basement. Melana didn't even hesitate, she was so supportive in a time where we were just beside ourselves. We thought we had screwed up our lives big time. She just kept calm and found us a house that was in our new budget and it was great and we were very happy with the rental. Then, a year later, my husband got a great job and we were able to start looking for a home again, a home of our own. So then we started a new adventure and Melana was so patient. Northern Virginia is so expensive, especially from Charlotte, North Carolina, which is what we were used to. She helped us go through the motions of identifying our must-haves and she supported us. We then whittled down the list a bit and she seriously found us the most amazing house. Melana is wonderful. We really do think of her as a friend. We invited her over to our housewarming party, we've had her over for dinner -- she's just more than a Realtor. I don't think either of us could have made it through these unexpected twists and turns without her calm support. She's just amazing. She took us all over looking for houses to buy, then the plan changed to find houses to rent, and I know that's a huge commission change for her. We felt like we were wasting her time, but she was like, "No, you're never wasting my time!" My husband was working nights and I was working days, and she would show me the house when I could see it, and she would show him the house when he could see it. She would then text and email us asking what we thought of the house at a time when she knew both of us were awake. I feel like everything she did was above and beyond!"

How Much Is Your Home Worth, Really?

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Wed, 9 Dec 2015 09:19:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

Today we are going to be talking about how you can get the most accurate valuation for your home. We get questions all the time from potential sellers about what their home is worth. Today we are going to explain exactly how to find out for yourself. There are really two ways that you can get your home’s value, the automated way and the professional way.

The automated way involves using a website like Zillow, Trulia, or one of the thousands of other automated home value websites. They rely on algorithms and easily gathered data to come up with their figures, and don’t take into account the specific features and benefits of your home, while relying on a ton of assumptions. These estimations vary wildly; we have seen them as much as 50% off the true value of a property. It’s okay for someone who is just curious, but if you’re thinking about buying or selling, it’s probably not the best route.

If you are serious about selling your home, especially in the near future, the professional version is the much more accurate way to do it. This method involves using a licensed REALTOR®, who can incorporate a lot of different data from your home, including actual condition, and compare it to other homes that have sold in the area. The level of expertise from a licensed REALTOR® crunching the numbers helps increase the accuracy of your home valuation dramatically. Having an on-site assessment is best, because only then can they truly get an accurate picture of your home’s value.

I hope this topic was helpful to you. If you have any questions for us, or are looking for an expert opinion on your home’s value, we’ve got you covered. Just give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Kerri was very pleased with Melana's kindness and attentiveness!

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Fri, 4 Dec 2015 12:23:00 -0800

"They were great. I love the place that we found and I'm very happy with them. Melana wrote up the offer very well, and I think that's why they picked me. She was always available to look for places and always willing to set up times to meet and find places. The place I ended up picking, I didn't even choose. She said, "Hey, this just came on the market. Let's take a look at it." She was really flexible and helpful with all of that."

To contact Michael or Melana Wilson of the NoVa Real Estate Group, you can reach them by phone at (703)722-8831, on Facebook @LoudounCountyRealEstate, or visit their website, allLoudouncountyhomes.com

The Number One Winterizing Tip

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:07:00 -0800

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

The cold is coming - is your home prepared?

Keep your home protected from the cold Northern Virginia winter! Shut off and drain your hose bibs, so they don't freeze and break.

In most houses, you'll find a front and back hose bib by the water heater in your utility room. Both valves should be horizontal or perpendicular to the line the water is flowing through.

Ensure the valves are turned off before disconnecting hoses and draining them separately. Open the valves and drain them before heading back inside. Next, you want to use the bleeder valve, which you can open by hand or with a pair of pliers. Break the seal and let the air in. This causes the water to siphon out through the outside spigot.

This ensures there is no water in the lines and will prevent frozen pipes and a huge mess in the spring! This is a simple task that every homeowner should do to keep their home protected through the cold months.

If you have any questions or need real estate assistance of any kind, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

Discover the personal care Dan received when working with NoVa Real Estate Group!

mwilson@kw.com (Michael Wilson) — Mon, 9 Nov 2015 15:23:00 -0800

What results did you get when working with Michael and Melana Wilson with the NoVa Real Estate Group?

"We didn't achieve the maximum number that we talked about. However, we did achieve within the bracket of price points that we were looking for our house. And we achieved it within a relatively aggressive time frame. In addition to achieving what I consider really strong results, the price and time are usually the two elements you have to play with really, in addition to any work you've done on the home, I would say we got strong results. Equally important to my wife and I, we were kept abreast of the process as we were going through it. Mike and Melana just did an exceptional job of keeping us aware and aligned with what's going on and what they were doing for us and what was happening with our sale. I would say the overall experience was just kind of exceptional in our minds. We've moved maybe eight or nine times in our lifetime as a married couple, so we've bought and sold a number of homes through the years. The personal care and focus on what our needs were and the tailoring of their approach to help us meet our needs, and by always informing us about the process and where we were at in the process, all of this was exceptional. All the little things add up; the phone call with a brief update of what was going on, even though it wasn't required of them, things like that, those personal touch points, made it a really exceptional experience overall. We couldn't speak highly enough of the personal care combined with the results we got working with Mike and Melana."