It’s only got a couple of posts so far, but look for weekly updates on what’s going on with the market in Hamilton, Purcellville, Round Hill, Lovettsville, and points west.

Cheers,
Heather

…at least not here, on the blog…

When I’m out previewing or showing homes, I frequently come across good deals..homes that are priced right, in great shape, one-of-a-kind, or just interesting.  I would *love* to write about them here to bring them to your attention, before they are snapped up by another buyer. However, I am not permitted to advertise another agent’s listing, so I can’t.  So, how do I get this information out to my readers? I send out an email update with my top picks; homes that stand out to me among the many that I get the opportunity to see.

If you would like to receive these emails (which are on no particular time schedule, some weeks I don’t see any homes that warrant notifying my readers), just click the Ask Heather button and in the “What’s on your mind?” box, say “add me to your hot homes group.”  It would also help to include your email address, so I know where to send it. =)

Cheers,

Heather

Please remember that this FHA letter is just the beginning… banks and investors have yet to comment, adopt, decline or modify this as an option.  This letter being generated by FHA doesn’t mean that financial institutions have adopted this exception… and if they do, we have yet to see their overlays to the exception. Right out of the gate, the FHA letter suggests this exception to the 91 day rule is for properties that don’t have a 12 month history of flipping, that have documented renovation and rehab, and that are less than 20% increased from prior to current price.  Those properties above 20% would require home inspection and full 2^nd appraisal.  This is FHA’s wording… not yet to say what banks will add to this.

Clarification from HUD

Now, we wait and see. The suspension of the rule is set to begin on February 1, so hopefully we will have some clarification from lenders and investors before then. Questions? Comment below, shoot me an email, or hit the Ask Heather button, I’m happy to answer.

Cheers,
Heather

New home builder M/I Homes has opened for business in Kincaid Forest, with new construction garage townhomes coming on what is probably the last piece of land available in the community (at the corner of Kincaid Boulevard and Battlefield Parkway). There are very few new construction townhomes in Leesburg at the moment, and the last set of townhomes built in Kincaid Forest was about five years ago (the Robert B. Jordan townhomes just across Kincaid Boulevard from this site.)

The luxury townhomes are a generous 24 feet wide, and feature brick facades, two car garages, nine foot ceilings on all levels, home security system, and master bathrooms with soaking tub and separate shower. The first homes are expected to be finished in May and June, although the builder representative said they may be able to work with folks hoping to get into a home using the new homebuyer tax credit (which will expire before then). At this point it looks like they have one floor plan, the Callaway III, which is over 2300 square feet on three levels. The base price for one of these homes is $359,990.

The ground level has the garage, mechanical, and recreation rooms, plus options for a powder room, four foot rear extension, or sunroom extension.  The main level has a combined living/dining room, powder room, and kitchen with breakfast area and attached family room. The upper level has the owner’s suite with a large walk in closet, two more bedrooms sharing a hall bath, and an option for an upstairs laundry (you need to have either the sunroom extension or 4 foot bump out to add this.)

If you would like more information or want to set up a time with me to go take a look, feel free to email, call, or text me. You can also use the chat function or the Ask Heather button at the top right of this page.

Cheers,

Heather

I don’t typically post market data here on LoCoMusings now that I have LoCoMarketStats up and running. However, I wanted to give you some links to this week’s market update posts so you can click on through if you are interested…

• At LoCoMarketStats… Western LoCo Looks Like This

• At AshburnMarketStats… Nothing Shocking, Stability is Good

• At LeesburgMarketStats… No Signs on Your Street?

• Also, last week’s post from LoCoMarketStats… Eastern LoCo Looks Like This

Cheers,

Heather

photo credit~~ phatman