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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. 44
A practical guide to Centreville and Chantilly in western Fairfax County: the homes, the roads, the parks, and the details to check before buying here.
Keep reading: Living in Centreville and Chantilly, VA: Value, Space and Route 28 AccessDaniel ParkNo. 43
Moving to Northern Virginia? Here’s how the area is organized, what things cost, how commutes really work and a step-by-step plan to find the right home.
Keep reading: Relocating to Northern Virginia: A Practical Guide for NewcomersDaniel ParkNo. 42
Great Falls trades Metro access for acreage, woods and a small village center. Here is what owning a home there involves, from wells and septic to commutes.
Keep reading: Living in Great Falls, VA: Acreage, Wells and Septic, and a Village CenterDaniel ParkNo. 41
Downsizing can free up money and time, but small missteps can make the move harder and more expensive than it needs to be. Here are ten to avoid.
Keep reading: Downsizing Your Home? 10 Mistakes to AvoidDaniel ParkNo. 40
If you are renting out a home in Northern Virginia for the first time, the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets the rules. Here are the parts new landlords trip over most, in plain English.
Keep reading: The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: Basics for New LandlordsDaniel ParkNo. 39
Your lender won’t lend more than the home is worth, and the appraisal is how it decides. Here’s how appraisers set value, what happens if it comes in low, and how to prepare.
Keep reading: The Home Appraisal, Explained: What Buyers and Sellers Should ExpectDaniel ParkNo. 38
Buyer agent compensation didn’t disappear after the NAR settlement. It moved into writing. Here’s how it works in Northern Virginia for buyers and sellers, step by step.
Keep reading: How Buyer Agent Compensation Works Now: Northern Virginia After the NAR SettlementDaniel ParkNo. 37
Good screening finds reliable tenants and keeps you within fair housing law. Here’s how to set written criteria, verify applicants and avoid costly mistakes.
Keep reading: Tenant Screening and Fair Housing: A Landlord’s Guide for VirginiaDaniel ParkNo. 36
Moving with school-age kids means working backward from the first day of school. Here's how I map out listing, buying, closing and enrollment in Northern Virginia.
Keep reading: Moving With Kids in Northern Virginia: Timing Your Move Around the School YearDaniel ParkNo. 35
A 1031 exchange lets investors roll gains from one property into another and defer capital gains taxes. Here are the key rules and deadlines.
Keep reading: 1031 Exchange Basics: How Investors Defer Taxes When They Sell