This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. We’re preparing to buy a house and are doing some preliminary research. One thing I came across is the idea of radon testing. This is something I have not heard of before and am wondering if you can help me understand how it relates to buying a home?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. Despite positive reports about the local real estate market, I would like to find out how my neighborhood and zip code are selling. I’ve heard that finding out the rate of sales compared to the amount of inventory is a valuable analysis. Can you tell me where this information is located on the internet?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
A. That’s one of the nice things about Arlington… we have the best views of D.C. Below is a list of the condos and townhomes I would put at the top of my list when it comes to view. I highly recommend experiencing the view in person to make sure it meets your standards as they vary significantly. You may also want to visit in the evening as some evening views can be quite spectacular. After all, you need to make sure it is worth the premium you are going to be paying.
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. I own a condo unit (Falls Station in Arlington), not far from the East Falls Church Metro. Condo values in Arlington have risen from their low point, but they certainly haven’t rebounded. With the completion of the Tysons-Reston phase of the new Silver Line metro, and work continuing on to Washington Dulles Airport, could we see a corresponding increase in condo values in the EFC area?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. I own a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Clarendon that I rent out. The unit only has a single parking space. Does it make sense to purchase a second parking space if I find one for sale?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. We own a 1,000 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 1 bath townhouse in 22204. We’re planning to remodel the small bathroom later this year and as part of the remodel we’ll need to remove or replace the bathtub because of rust and a poorly done refinish (by the previous owner). We are not bathers — at all — and I would like to have a nice walk-in shower rather than a bathtub. Please correct me if I’m mistaken but I suspect that the tub/shower debate is purely subjective and either choice will attract and/or deter certain buyers. My primary concern is how will removing the tub impact property value?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. I own a townhouse on Columbia Pike in Arlington Village. Let’s say it’s worth $290K right now, and the streetcar is completed in 2022. Considering general market increase, and a boost from having a streetcar, what can I expect it to be worth in 2022?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. We’ve been looking at homes for sale in the area and have noticed a pretty big range from the homes that show well to the ones that do not. It’s obvious that the nicer looking homes have been staged. We’re going to be selling our house soon and are wondering if staging is worth the investment?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. We own a townhouse in Arlington and will be in the market for a house soon. The townhouse is located in Clarendon. We are looking to purchase in Arlington or Falls Church. Maybe McLean. How should we coordinate our sale and purchase so we don’t get stuck with two homes or end up homeless?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. I don’t want to get ahead of myself too much, but we are putting our house on the market next weekend. It’s in great shape and we think it is priced well. If we are lucky enough to find ourselves with multiple offers, what is the best way to handle that situation?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. We are looking at homes that will require us to obtain a jumbo loan. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how low interest rates still are. Do you expect that to continue through the summer and possibly the rest of this year?
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.
Q. My wife and I are in the North Arlington market for a single family home and have dealt with the frustrations of losing out on competitive situations. We have lost a few homes recently while bidding 3-4 percent above ask, waiving all contingencies, writing a heartfelt letter, putting down a large EMD along with 20 percent down payment, yet we were still not even the top three contenders with our offer.
