Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

We were pleased to have Westlawn resident and Long and Foster realtor Jorge Alas speak at our 7 May General Meeting.  He started with his observations of local real estate trends:

• Housing prices have been high for the last three years, and analysts think that it might take a year or so before prices cool off.


• At the end of 2001, the average selling price for the typical Cape Cod or rambler home in Westlawn was $230,000.  Homes for sale at the end of March 2002 were being listed for an average of $260,000.


• Homeowners in Westlawn who insisted on the selling price took about a week on average to sell their home.  If they were willing to list a little lower price, it generally took only one or two days to sell.

Jorge also noted that house appreciation hurts families seeking to buy their first home.  Fairfax County runs a first time homeownership program for moderate-income families.  You must get on a long waiting list for these homes.

Low-income homebuyers may qualify for several types of lower-cost loans, according to Jorge.  For example, one type of loan can be up to 102% of the price of the house to cover closing costs and eliminate the need for a downpayment.  Another loan offers an interest rate 1/2% lower than the current rate.  You might have to take a class like "How to run a household" before qualifying for these loans.

Low-income homebuyers sometimes pool their resources together to jointly purchase a home.  Banks have no set limits on the number of people who join together to purchase a home; the banks just want to have confidence that their loan will be repaid.  County zoning officials are responsible for enforcing laws limiting the number of people living in a home.  Like most counties in the country, Fairfax County has been unable to effectively enforce maximum occupancy limits for reasons discussed at previous civic association meetings.

Jorge noted that our homes are worth more if our neighborhood is clean.  The first thing that prospective homebuyers see when they come to look at a home in Westlawn is our front lawn.  Manicured lawns make a much greater impression than front yards with overgrown weeds and grass, junk vehicles and trash, or completely paved over for parking cars.

Jorge recommends that we consider home additions if they are something we want and will enjoy.  Some of the most popular home additions are larger kitchens, new and remodeled baths, family room additions, and extra bedrooms.  If these are things that you want, the sooner you build them, the more time you will have to enjoy them.

Buyers are looking for the "model home" look, even in older homes they view.  The more your home resembles a model home, the higher the price you will receive in the range of what your house is worth.

Many home owners are worried, often unnecessarily, by what they perceive will be the high cost of getting their home ready for the market.  These fears are usually groundless, unless the house has been neglected for many years.

How does the house achieve the "model home" look?  Some improvements cost nothing, except effort, while others are more expensive.

• Reorganize closets, de-clutter, clean out, give away--do not keep anything you don't absolutely need.  This clean out also applies to the yard! (Get rid of old flower pots, rusty furniture, etc.) This step is vital to the success of your presentation.  Cost-nothing but effort.
• Paint the exterior and interior, if not painted within the last 2 years.  Off-white for the interior is best.  ("White Shadow" is a good shade of white that many home builders use.) Cost-about $150 if you can do the painting yourself.
• Honestly, how does your carpet look? If it has seen better days, then it needs to be replaced.  The same principle applies to kitchen and bathroom floors.  Cost-varies, probably around $2,500.
• Replace countertops if they're old.  Cost-about $500.
• Replace any old appliances and old light fixtures.  Cost-varies.