Virginia

EZ Home Search Guide to Virginia Property Taxes Are you looking to buy a home in Virginia? Besides learning about the local real estate market, you’ll be interested in all the costs associated with owning a Virginia home. Learn what you need to know about property taxes in Virginia, from how they are calculated and […]

March 2023 Monthly National Real Estate Report: Home Sales Down After months of higher mortgage rates and housing affordability challenges, the data from the first quarter of 2023 are unsurprising. The National Association of Realtors reports existing home sales fell 2.4% nationwide. The news hits with a reminder that real estate markets have been a […]

Fannie Mae Pushes Out Its Recession Predictions Predictions of the economy’s slowdown may have been exaggerated or, at the very least, premature. That’s Fannie Mae’s recent conclusion, which pushes out the timing for when it believes a recession is due and also saw the government-backed mortgage lender cutting its mortgage origination forecast for 2023 by […]

These Lenders Made the Most Mortgages in 2022 The top lenders in America in 2022 featured some familiar names in the world of mortgages. One notable change for 2022 was more traditional depositories (bank organizations that can accept deposits) cracked into the top 10. This reflects a greater confidence in working with banks for mortgage […]

Existing Home Sales Take a Positive Turn After a year of slumping home sales, market experts are seeing some positive signs that suggest a turnaround may be headed our way. This could be good news for home sellers and real estate investors waiting to enter the market. The activity could also spur local economies and […]

Baby Boomers Surpass Millennials in Buying Homes A typical home buyer story is simple: a couple wants to raise a family, and renting isn’t cutting it. With that in mind, you might speculate that millennials would be snatching up the most homes. But that’s not the case. According to recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) […]

Be Aware: Homeowners Insurance Is On the Rise The average premium for homeowners insurance rose 12% from 2021 to 2022, with an average annual increase of $134. That’s a stark jump for one year. In fact, the jump was so significant that it’s worth taking a minute and asking why insurance is rising. Is it […]

The Best US Markets for First-time Home Buyers People are looking for homes again; in some markets, it’s a great time to be a home buyer for the first time. Take Austin, Texas. Texas’s capital is becoming a buyer boomtown. People from the East and West Coasts are getting sick of high real estate prices […]

Cash Sales Are Up— What That Means for the Housing Market It’s common knowledge the all-cash offer makes the real estate transaction process easier both for the buyer and the seller. Knowing the buyer doesn’t need to work with a lender, which has a long underwriting process and no guarantee of financing approval, incentivizes the […]

HELOC Rates Dropped — Should You Take Out a Home Equity Line of Credit? The Federal Reserve raised interest rates throughout 2022, leading to higher rates everywhere, including mortgage rates. That might have some investors and homeowners scared to take out more loans. But a recent dip in Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) rates […]

These Metro Areas Had 2022’s Highest Home Price Gains Are high rates on mortgage loans going to cause a bubble to burst in housing prices? Not if you go by the late 2022 numbers. The year-end data shows home prices are still on the rise despite interest rates being near-double what they were a year […]

Home Prices Are Going Up–And What That Means For You High interest rates. Questions about housing inventory. Inflation potentially pointing to even higher interest rates. Read the headlines, and you’d expect the average mortgage cost to increase throughout 2023. If mortgages are more difficult to afford, you’d think market activity would slow, inventory would rise, […]

Top Places to Retire in 2023 More people are approaching retirement, and that’s not an overstatement. Baby boomers—people born in the post-war era from 1946-1964—are ready to kick their feet up and start relaxing. They’re starting to retire at increasing rates, with all reaching retirement age by 2031. The only question is: where will they […]

Moving to Richmond, VA – Your EZ Guide to Everything Richmond, VA Virginia’s funky capital Richmond delivers big-city social living without busting through your wallet. With the cost of living on the lower end of US cities, it has become increasingly popular for people looking to live in Virginia that don’t want to be in […]

Where the Mortgage Industry Is Heading in 2023 Rising interest rates in 2022 have spooked many home buyers. It wasn’t easy seeing inflation run rampant throughout the year, driving up the cost of everything from gasoline to the interest rates on new mortgages. But trends at the end of 2022 could hint at what real […]

Top National Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2023 The real estate market has had quite an up-and-down ride over the past few years, with supply plummeting, demand skyrocketing, and home prices and annual percentage rates (APRs) adjusting accordingly. Projections for real estate trends in the country for 2023 certainly aren’t black and white, but […]

New Construction Is Down For 2023 The recent downturn in housing starts and building permits is a cause for concern for home buyers. Over the long term, the shortage of new housing construction means fewer options in terms of housing choices and can lead to higher prices due to limited overall supply. After a highly […]

What Housing Markets Will Boom In 2023 Housing sales activity cooled during 2022 thanks to rising mortgage rates and inflation. However, what’s happening is more of a correction as sales activity approaches near pre-pandemic levels in many markets. And, not every market is poised for a dramatic slowdown in 2023. Experts predict that housing markets […]

Top 9 Virginia School Districts to Buy a Home If you’re looking for a new home in Virginia and want to make sure your children are getting an excellent education, you’ll want to know which school districts are the best in the state. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors®, 24% […]

Best 9 Neighborhoods to Live in Chesapeake Virginia Some people live in Chesapeake, VA, for the history, some for the family-friendly atmosphere, and others for the business opportunities. Regardless of your reasons, Chesapeake is a great place to live, particularly for families, great schools, and diversity. One of the best things about Chesapeake is its […]

Your Lynchburg, VA Real Estate Questions Answered Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lynchburg, Virginia, has a rich history. Nicknamed the City of Seven Hills, natural beauty is one of its attractions. Lynchburg is a vibrant small mountain city framed by the James River, with blue peaks in the background and historic brick architecture in […]

10 Best Towns in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Why live in the Shenandoah Valley? The answer is simple: because it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nestled in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, and running alongside the Shenandoah River, the valley is a nature lover’s paradise. With countless hiking trails, camping spots, and […]

10 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Alexandria, VA If you’re considering making Alexandria, VA, your home, you’re not alone. This historic city is a popular choice for many reasons, from its convenient location in the DC metro to its wide variety of amenities. But with so many great neighborhoods to choose from, it can be […]

Your Manassas, VA Real Estate Questions Answered Manassas is a DC metro suburb in northern Virginia most famous for its history. Its strategic location and rail lines made it an important city during the American Civil War. Two significant battles during the Civil War transpired here. Today, the Manassas National Battlefield Park serves as a […]