(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 10, 2008 ) Springfield, VA - Despite all the gloom and doom in the real estate market, houses are still changing hands and some sellers are still smiling at the closing table. Alexandria, Virginia Realtor Steve Hawkins has kept his eye on which Fairfax County transactions have gone through and which Fairfax County sellers still have a forlorn “For Sale” sign out in front, and he has one word to sum up the difference: Realism. “Successful sellers are realistic in respecting the facts about pricing and in putting their house into tiptop condition,” says Hawkins (www.HomeSearchWebsite.com ).

“More than half the people I speak with about a possible listing are thinking only about what prices were like two years ago,” says Hawkins, who specializes in homes in Alexandria, Arlington and the rest of Fairfax County. “If sellers aren’t willing to respect the facts about today’s market, then I politely let them know I’m not the right Realtor for them. To help those who are realistic about pricing to get their home into shape for viewing, I bring in a professional home stager, who makes recommendations for changes and sprucing up that help the home sell faster.”

Based on Hawkins’ deep knowledge of the Fairfax County real estate market, he predicts that prices are close to bottom right now. “Because of the timing of adjustable rate mortgages and the fact that lawmakers want to ease the housing crisis in an election year, foreclosures will peak this year and start declining. For example, on March 6, 2008 FHA raised its loan limit from $417,000 to $729,000. So Alexandria area buyers should step up to the plate and start making offers, while Alexandria area sellers who aren’t in a ‘must sell’ situation may want to wait until 2009.”

Home buyers and home sellers looking for a real estate professional who knows Fairfax County, Virginia should call Steve Hawkins at 703-909-3939, email him at Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com or visit www.HomeSearchWebsite.com .

Contact Information:
Steve Hawkins Real Estate Agent
Steve Hawkins
Tel: 703-909-3939
Email us