My Virginia Neighbor

Staging is the key to sell in the VA, DC and MD areas You’ve heard the headlines—there’s a shortage of homes for sale, and that’s driving us toward a sellers’ market. However, just because home sellers are favored in these conditions, that doesn’t mean every property will sell for top dollar and in little time. Buyers today are more selective than they’ve been in the past, and if you’re getting ready to sell, you need to keep these facts in mind. Make it move-in ready. Call it the HGTV effect, but more and more buyers come to the market with high expectations and desires for a move-in ready home with the latest updates and designs. Stage your home for success. Most Realtors can recommend a quality home staging professional, who’ll help you style your home in a way that’ll appeal to the most buyers. Start preparing well ahead of when you want to move. Nowadays, you might have to renovate a bathroom or install new flooring before listing your home. By starting the improvemen

Well, let's just jump into the weeds of house buying and pricing, shall we? Correct Pricing is Key to Appraise The million dollar question for all sellers in a normal real estate market is “Will it appraise?” Many people don’t know the significance of the appraisal, and wonder why they can’t price their home at any price, even if it is "special."  Well, good news- they can!  Bad news- there is no guarantee that it will sell at that price.   For example, I could make a chocolate cake and then stand on the street and offer it to the public to buy for $2 million, but that doesn’t mean I will get it. Especially if there was a bank involved that provides the loan for the buyer to buy the $2 million cake.   Since most people have to take out a mortgage to purchase a home, they will have to sign several documents that the bank requires. One of these official papers, other than signing off on your beloved golden doodle (JK!) is that you will

Dear Neighbors, I write this letter to you as a way for you to meet me.. your local neighbor, friend, and Realtor. Living in this area, I find that my love for the DC area grows with all of its abundant resources, nature, fun city and farm activities. It's a joy to be able to share these with you. My newletter is full of activities you can enjoy that are local to all of us. Knowing the area, having lived in each Maryland, Virginia and DC for several years, it's a pleasure to work for you and help you find the right homes for you and your family. Smita Lal, VA, DC, and MD Realtor As a Realtor my goal is to make a difference to you, my client and potential client. Here are some things I do to make my business work for you.  Practice with integrity: My word is my honor and it's the best way I can represent you with grace, skill and integrity.  apply ethics first in working with her buyers and investors, so that they don't feel that she has a conflict of int

Here's a video about loving real estate, and why I love to work with my clients and help them find the right home.

My renters and "want-to-be" first time home buyers, this post is for you! With all the homes being built in the NOVA area, I bet many of you are wondering, when am I going to buy? And how do I get started? One of the most important things to understand about real estate is the concept of ownership, interest and money. For many people, and many millennials, this is a discussion that could last for hours.  I’ve been told several times that “I want to buy but I don’t have money.” or more sadly, I want to buy, we meet and discuss finances and find out that they don’t have any money to purchase. The downturn of 2006 did not make it easy for millennials who wanted to work, get their career started and save for a new home. Many had to stay at home with their parents, and wait indefinitely for their situation to change.  For expanding families and those who want their own space, this delay can be heartbreaking.  Once you are on the same page and ready to ta