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Practical advice on buying, selling, renting and investing in Northern Virginia, plus the money side of real estate. Search by topic, see what readers find most useful, or start with the latest.
Daniel ParkNo. 107
Some energy upgrades pay back in a few years and others take decades. Here’s how to rank them, run the payback math and plan without federal credits.
Keep reading: Energy Upgrades That Pay Off: A Practical Guide for Northern Virginia HomesDaniel ParkNo. 106
Condos are the lowest-cost way to own rental property close in, but fees, leasing rules and slower appreciation change the math. Here's how to evaluate one.
Keep reading: Is a Condo a Good Investment in Northern Virginia?Daniel ParkNo. 105
Selling one home while buying the next is a timing puzzle. Here are the five main strategies, what each costs and how to pick the one that fits your situation.
Keep reading: How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time Without Losing Your MindDaniel ParkNo. 104
A step-by-step way to check flood risk on any Northern Virginia home before you buy, from FEMA and state maps to seller disclosures, inspections and insurance.
Keep reading: How to Check Flood Risk Before Buying a Home in Northern VirginiaDaniel ParkNo. 103
A buydown can lower your rate for good or for the first two years. Here’s how each works, what it costs and how to tell if it’s worth it.
Keep reading: Mortgage Rate Buydowns: Points vs. a 2-1 Buydown, With Real NumbersDaniel ParkNo. 102
Arlington and DC sit a bridge apart but run on different tax systems, rental laws and housing stock. Here is a clear side-by-side for buyers and renters deciding between them.
Keep reading: Living in Arlington vs. Washington, DC: Taxes, Housing and Daily Life ComparedDaniel ParkNo. 101
Title insurance is a one-time cost that protects you from problems in the property’s past. Here’s what it covers and why most buyers choose an owner’s policy.
Keep reading: Title Insurance Explained: Owner’s vs. Lender’s PolicyDaniel ParkNo. 100
Most rental listings look great until you count every expense. Here is an illustrative Northern Virginia townhouse run line by line, including the reserves and fees people forget.
Keep reading: Rental Property Cash Flow: A Northern Virginia Example, Line by LineDaniel ParkNo. 99
Most sellers owe no tax on their profit, but long-time owners in Northern Virginia can exceed the limit. Here’s how to figure your gain and keep more of it.
Keep reading: Capital Gains Tax When You Sell Your Home: How the $250,000 Exclusion WorksDaniel ParkNo. 98
A big number on page one can hide a weak offer. Here’s how I help sellers compare offers on net proceeds and certainty to close, not just price.
Keep reading: Is the Highest Offer Always the Best Offer?