Sales of newly constructed single-family homes are up as of April 2012 (the latest figures available).

For owners of an existing Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, this means that there may be more buyers looking at your home since inventory levels on new construction are low. If you're thinking of selling your home, it's a good time to put it on the market. With new home sales up and new home construction down, inventory levels are now slightly more on the demand side than the supply side. Expect new home prices to reflect this. When you look at the low interest rates available (3.79% for 30-year fixed and 3.04% for 15-year fixed, as of the writing of this blog post), it's never been a better time to buy a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home than now.

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Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Luxury Properties real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/05/24/new-construction-sales-are-up-2/.

You've decided to sell your

As soon as you know your open house date, you need to get your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home ready. De-cluttering is a major step to make rooms look bigger. The minimalist approach is good. You need to create a space that is inviting to the eye and allows buyers to see themselves living in it. That's hard to do with your collection of spoons from different states or a prominent display of beanie babies.

Now is the time to make all those repairs you have put off. When selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, there is no such thing as a "small repair". Loose doorknobs, ripped window screens, leaky faucets or a faulty doorbell make a potential buyer wonder what other bigger issues may lurk within these walls. That can either lower their offer price or make them check your home off their dream list altogether.

Use some elbow grease on your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. Really get into every nook and cranny. Wash the walls, clean the windows and scrub the grout. Deep clean the carpets. Steam clean the draperies and furniture, especially if you have pets or smokers in the house. Don't be fooled. Just because a smoker smokes outside doesn't mean that they don't bring that smell into the home when they are done. The smell of smoke lingers the longest in wood and fabric and is the hardest smell to get rid of.

Don't ignore the outside of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. Make sure the lawn is freshly mowed a couple of days before your open house is scheduled. Trim the shrubs. Store toys, bikes, tools, etc. neatly away. Keep the trash bins out of sight, if possible. If not, neatly tuck them away behind the gate so they aren't the first thing buyers see when they pull up.

On the day of your open house, store all personal items (checkbooks, bank statements, piggy banks, valuables, etc) in your trunk for safekeeping. Dress the dining room table as if you'll be hosting a special dinner. Set up the backyard table for a barbecue. Remove all toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, prescription medication, etc) from the bathrooms. Stowe countertop kitchen appliances in cabinets. Make sure there is plenty of light by opening up all the draperies and blinds. Hang up clean, fresh towels in the bathroom. Remove trip hazards, such as cords and throw rugs, including bath mats.

Offering goodies to eat always sets a nice tone for potential buyers of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. The smell of freshly baked cookies brings sets a "homey" atmosphere for buyers as well. You can always buy the ready to bake ones at the store for a simple "no fuss, no muss" treat. Freshly brewed coffee is another inviting smell. Make sure you leave a note for your guests to help themselves.

Most importantly of all, just before the open house is set to begin...get out! Go take a long walk. Visit with friends or family. Spend some time at the park. Take in a movie. Buyers aren't comfortable when the owner of the home is there while they are checking it out. The goal of an open house is to show a potential buyer that this could be their home. If they aren't comfortable, they won't want to put in an offer.

With a bit of planning and some elbow grease, you can make your Northern Virginia/South Carolina open house run as smoothly and stress-free as possible. Knowing what to do to prepare for an open house certainly helps. If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me. Together, we can get your home sold in no time!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia homes real estate here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/04/19/what-to-do-to-prepare-for-an-open-house/.

First, make a budget. I know, I know. Nobody LIKES to make a budget. But it is incredibly important to get a real idea of what you take in, what you pay and what your actual debt load is BEFORE you purchase that Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. That way, you will know exactly what price range you can realistically afford. Be faithful in tracking expenses by keeping a daily log of every single purchase you make and bill you pay for a month. This will help you see where you spend your money on a daily basis and where you can afford to "trim the fat".

After you've worked out your new "saving for a home" budget, determine how much you can set aside every month for your "we're going to be homeowners" savings account. Many people find it easiest to create a completely separate savings account that is meant only for your downpayment. If your employer offers direct deposit, allocate a specific amount of your paycheck to be deposited into this special savings account. Psychologically speaking, if you don't ever see the money to begin with, you really won't miss it.

While saving for your Northern Virginia/South Carolina dream home, you don't necessarily have to live like a hermit. You can still enjoy movies, eating out and going places. You'll just need to reduce the amount you normally spend. For example, a typical family of four can easily spend around $100 to go to the movies, when you factor in the cost of the goodies you consume while there. Instead, rent a movie and buy microwave popcorn to enjoy while watching. Instead of going out to eat twice a week, cut it back to once and go out to lunch instead of dinner (much less expensive). Pack up your lunch and take it with you to work rather than paying to eat out. "Treat" yourself to a latte once a week instead of spending $5-$6 everyday.

These are just a few ideas to help get you started on saving money to buy your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. It does take some focus to make your dreams of homeownership happen. But, boy are they worth it! Home prices haven't been this low in years (and they're starting to go up slightly), interest rates remain low and inventory is plentiful enough to find just what you're looking for. Just let me know when you're ready to make the next step by actually viewing homes for sale in the Northern Virginia/South Carolina area. I'll be happy to help.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia homes real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/04/12/how-to-save-money-to-buy-a-home/.

Your emergency kit needs to be portable. In the stress of reacting to a fire or flood, for example, you need to be able to have everything you need in a central location that is easy to just grab and go as you flee your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. A big duffel bag or simple suitcase is perfect for this. Keep it near the exit or at least within easy reach at all times.

Since it can take several days before you get situated after an emergency, the general rule of thumb is to keep at least a three day's supply of necessities in your emergency kit. Each kit should contain the following basics:

• Water - 1 gallon/person/day. This will be used for drinking as well as basic sanitation needs. Double for children and don't forget the pets.
• Food - Non-perishable (canned, boxed or MRE). If the cans aren't the "pop top" variety, make sure to include a hand operated can opener. You can also pack things like trail mix, cereal bars and other treats. Keep all food in animal-proof, airtight containers to keep critters out. Regularly go through your food rations before an emergency to rotate out the older food before it expires. You don't need to deal with food poisoning on top of an emergency situation.
• First Aid - This includes a couple of pairs of protective gloves, bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, eye wash, thermometer, tweezers, pain reliever (aspirin or non-aspirin varieties), antacids (Tums, Pepto Bismol), tape and a laxative. The stress from the emergency coupled with a change in your regular diet can do a real number on your digestive system.
• Flashlight With Batteries - These are the safer alternative to candles. Too many Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes have caught fire due to candles that have been left to burn on their own. If possible, get a flashlight that you can keep in a wall-mounted charger unit so that you know it is ready to just grab and go at a moment's notice. If not, keep extra batteries in your home emergency kit.
• Sanitation/Hygiene Supplies - Travel-size bottles of shampoo, body wash, toothpaste and other hygiene products will fit nicely inside your emergency kit. Consider using dry shampoo so you don't have to waste precious water resources on cleaning your hair. Include toilet paper, moist towelettes, paper towels, garbage bags, plastic ties and feminine hygiene products (if needed).
• Radio - For major disasters, the radio may be your only link to the world outside your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home. Hand-crank models can be found at army surplus stores. Yet another reason to keep extra batteries in your kit.
• Miscellaneous - Help kids pass the time with some little toys, cards, jacks, story books, etc. Duct tape is good for almost anything. Portable whistles can help you signal for help better than your voice can.
• Cash - Always keep about $100 in small bills available. It may be hard to get to an ATM right away.

If you have small children, keep extra sets of diapers, pull-up pants and formula in your kit. A few days supply of necessary prescription medication is important to include as well. You may want to throw a wrench in there so you can shut off the gas and/or water if necessary. Tailor your emergency kit to fit your family's specific needs. Preparing a home emergency kit before disaster strikes is good common sense for any Northern Virginia/South Carolina homeowner.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/04/05/preparing-a-home-emergency-kit/.

The ever-changing landscape of the American job market is such that many people in the workforce have now begun working, partially and full-time, from their Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes. Just like brick-and-mortar shops, home-based businesses also are allowed certain deductions come tax time. Whether you have a room dedicated solely to your business or simply use a desk in a corner of the kitchen to get your work done, work 40 hours a week or are a weekend warrior, as long as you operate a legitimate business, you may be eligible for deductions on your income taxes. The following is a guideline for home office deductions:

What Qualifies as a Home Office?
A home office must be a specific area in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home that is dedicated solely for business. If you communicate with clients, conduct your everyday business affairs or even store product, it may qualify as a home office. Also, if your employer requires you to do work from home, your home office may also qualify. However, just because you feel overwhelmed at work and bring it home to try to "catch up" doesn't mean you have a "home office". Always check with your tax adviser first to verify that what you have can legitimately claimed as a home office.

Home Office Size as Percentage of Home Used
To determine what amount of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home expenses can be deducted for your home office when using an area inside of your home, you must first determine the size of your home office in relation to the total square footage of your house. That means measuring the area of the room or dedicated work space and dividing it the total square footage of your home. For example, if you live in a 2,000 square foot home and the room you use as dedicated office space is 150 square feet in size, the percentage of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina used solely for office space is 7.5%. If you are unsure of your home's total square footage, consult your original home loan documents or property tax information. If you've converted your garage into an office, this home percentage rule doesn't apply. Again, speak with your tax adviser to find out how to determine home office deductions for a separate structure.

What Home Expenses are Deductible?
After you've determined what percentage of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is used for actual business, you can calculate your deductions for typical homeowner expenses, such as mortgage, electricity, gas, internet (if applicable), phone, real estate taxes, homeowners insurance and home repairs. Renters can also follow the same guidelines. However, most states require that you have authorization from your landlord to use the property for business purposes before you can claim any home office deductions.

This information is only meant as a guideline for home office deductions. Since I am not a tax consultant, adviser or CPA, please be sure to talk to your tax professional before filing your taxes to get the most accurate and current information available. Working from home has become a way of life for many Northern Virginia/South Carolina homeowners. Why not take advantage of any tax benefits you may receive from it? Remember, the deadline to file your taxes this year is Tuesday, April 15, 2012.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/03/29/guideline-for-home-office-deductions/.