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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. 177
Closing, also called settlement, is when the home becomes yours. Here’s who’s at the table, what you sign, how funds move and when you get the keys.
Keep reading: Closing Day in Virginia: What to Expect, Step by StepDaniel ParkNo. 176
As-is means you won’t make repairs. It doesn’t mean you can skip required disclosures or stop buyers from inspecting. Here’s how an as-is sale really works in Virginia.
Keep reading: Selling a House As-Is in Virginia: What It Means and What It Doesn’tDaniel ParkNo. 175
The final walk-through is your last chance to confirm the home is in the condition you agreed to. Use this 20-point checklist to catch problems before you sign.
Keep reading: The Final Walk-Through Checklist: 20 Things to Check Before ClosingDaniel ParkNo. 174
Woodbridge sits on the Potomac in eastern Prince William County, with VRE stations, the I-95 Express Lanes, big waterfront parks and a wide range of homes. Here's what to know before you buy.
Keep reading: Living in Woodbridge, VA: Waterfront Parks, VRE and More House for the MoneyDaniel ParkNo. 173
The inspection report is in. Now what? Here’s how to decide what to ask for, when a credit beats a repair and how seller credits are limited by loan type.
Keep reading: Negotiating Repairs After a Home Inspection: Credits, Repairs or Price?Daniel ParkNo. 172
Rents in the Washington area are rising slowly, mortgage rates are climbing again, and new Virginia landlord-tenant laws are in effect. Here's what it means for you.
Keep reading: The Northern Virginia Rental Market in 2026: What Renters and Landlords Should KnowDaniel ParkNo. 171
An escalation clause raises your offer automatically to beat competing bids, up to a cap. Here’s how it works, a worked example and the risks to plan for.
Keep reading: Escalation Clauses Explained: How They Work and When to Use OneDaniel ParkNo. 170
A lower credit score can raise your mortgage rate, your PMI and your monthly payment. Here's how score-based pricing works and how to improve your number first.
Keep reading: How Your Credit Score Changes Your Mortgage Rate and PaymentDaniel ParkNo. 169
If your assessment is higher than your home’s market value, you can ask the county to lower it. Here’s the process, the evidence that works and what it’s worth.
Keep reading: How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment in Northern VirginiaDaniel ParkNo. 168
Your lender's approval and your comfortable budget are often two different numbers. Here's a step-by-step way to find what you can really afford in Northern Virginia, with a worked example.
Keep reading: How Much House Can I Afford in Northern Virginia? A Realistic Way to Find Your Number