Topic
Rates, loans, down payments, closing costs and the personal finance side of real estate.
Daniel ParkNo. 142
How jumbo loans work in Northern Virginia: where the 2026 conforming limits end, what lenders want for down payment, reserves and credit, and how to compare offers.
Keep reading: Jumbo Loans in Northern Virginia: Down Payments, Reserves and RatesDaniel ParkNo. 140
Your sale price is not your check at closing. Here is how Northern Virginia sellers can estimate net proceeds line by line, with a worked example and the costs people forget.
Keep reading: How Much Will I Walk Away With? Seller Net Proceeds, ExplainedDaniel ParkNo. 139
Your debt-to-income ratio often matters more than your credit score in deciding how much home you can buy. Here’s how to calculate it and improve it.
Keep reading: Debt-to-Income Ratio Explained: The Number That Decides Your BudgetDaniel ParkNo. 133
FHA loans open the door with 3.5% down and flexible credit rules, but the mortgage insurance is different from PMI. Here’s the full cost and who benefits.
Keep reading: FHA Loans Explained: Down Payment, Mortgage Insurance and Who Should Use OneDaniel ParkNo. 130
Seniors, people with disabilities and 100% disabled veterans may owe little or no real estate tax in Northern Virginia. Here are the 2026 limits and how to apply.
Keep reading: Property Tax Relief in Northern Virginia for Seniors, People With Disabilities and VeteransDaniel ParkNo. 127
VA loans offer no down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance and no loan limit for most veterans. Here’s how they work in Northern Virginia’s market.
Keep reading: The VA Loan Guide for Northern Virginia BuyersDaniel ParkNo. 124
Fairfax County's 2026 residential assessments rose 3.99% on average. Here's how to check your notice, whether to appeal, and the deadlines that matter.
Keep reading: Fairfax County’s 2026 Assessments: What Owners Should Check Before the Appeal DeadlineDaniel ParkNo. 122
Arlington's 2026 residential assessments rose 3.2% and the average home hit $882,900. Here's how close they are to market value and how to check yours.
Keep reading: Arlington’s 2026 Property Assessments: Are They Close to Market Value?Daniel ParkNo. 121
Tax assessments look official, so it’s tempting to use them as a price guide. Here’s why they often miss the mark, and what to use instead when you make an offer.
Keep reading: Should You Offer the Tax-Assessed Value for a Northern Virginia Home?Daniel ParkNo. 118
Three ways to tap your home’s equity, three very different costs. Here’s how to choose, especially if you have a low first mortgage rate.
Keep reading: HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan vs. Cash-Out Refinance: Which Is Best?