Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/01/2012 -- There are many different reasons that a family may decide to sell their house, so every home selling process will be unique and different. Sometimes, this is what can make the process of a home sale a stressful experience; because there is not a definite set of rules, or a concrete timeline, that will work just right for everyone. Debbie Dogrul Associates, located in Fairfax, Va., offers the following tips for planning for the sale of your home.

Before beginning, it's important to consider one's home-selling priorities. Those who are selling their home and moving because they have accepted a new job may have a need to sell the home as quickly as possible. In this case, one may wish to contact your Realtor at Debbie Dogrul Associates and list their home as soon as possible. Typically, a home selling process begins several months before the home is actually sold. As such, it is important to be patient.

Those who have already started the process of selling their home should try to look at their home through the eyes of a buyer. What needs to be fixed, cleaned, and/or repaired? Working with a professional stager is becoming a more and more popular option. A stager is an expert in making your home appear appealing to prospective buyers, in order to maximize the space of your home and emphasize its positive attributes.

The best time to sell, however, is simply that time which best suits the current owner. While spring time is an active period to sell houses, by the time June rolls around, historically only about 55% of the houses in Fairfax County that will sell in a year have been sold. From July to December, there are still another 45% of the houses on which buyers will make offers. Homeowners here are fortunate to live in a robust housing market because of our strong employment market.

Even during the holidays home buyers may be looking to close on a home before the end of the year in order to claim the mortgage costs on their tax return, so it is possible to find someone who is quite serious about buying quickly. As such, while spring is certainly an active time for buyers, a home can and often is sold during other seasons of the year. A good Realtor will be ready to make the selling process as smooth and pain-free as possible, regardless of the time of year.

In almost all cases, it is best to list your home as far in advance as possible. Remember that the process of selling a Virginia home involves attracting a buyer, negotiating a contract and settlement date, and then hunting for your new home. So, whenever possible, it is best to plan in advance and allow plenty of time for the home selling process.

About Debbie Dogrul Associates
The professional Realtors from Debbie Dogrul Associates provide professional real estate sales help to their clients. With over 20 years of real estate experience, Debbie Dogrul Associates has been serving the Virginia, Maryland, and DC markets since 1989. Visit TeamDDA.com today for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/01/2012 -- The home-buying market in Northern Virginia is currently a fantastic one. Those who are currently considering selling their Fairfax home are in a position to receive an excellent offer from a buyer who is moving to the region to accept one of the area's many new jobs, or is relocating within Northern VA. When selling a home, however, there are some steps one can take in order to make it as attractive and enticing as possible to potential buyers.

Enhance your curb appeal: Small details can make a big difference in the appeal of the outside of your house. Add some colorful blooming annuals in flowerpots on the front porch, and keep the lawn well watered and maintained. Give the front door a fresh coat of paint, which looks welcoming to guests. Keep the garage door closed, and try to park "project" cars or RVs away from the house. Repair any areas of the house that are peeling or faded, such as cracks in the driveway or foundation, and peeling spots of paint on the window shutters. Today, many home sales are foreclosures and short sales, and the best way to compete with these homes is with a house that's in excellent condition.

Try to de-personalize & de-clutter: When selling a home, it is important to allow potential buyers to see how they can "fit" into the house and make it their own. Therefore, it is important to de-clutter and de-personalize as much as possible. Try to pack up personal family photos and collections. If needed, give rooms a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint. Clean the entire house as thoroughly as possible (or hire a cleaning service). Eyeball the entire home for small details, such as broken switchplates, jiggly doorknobs, burnt-out light bulbs, dead bugs in the light fixtures, and fingerprints on cabinet handles.

Price the home according to market value: It can be very tempting to price a home according to a number of other factors: what the neighbor's house sold for, what the emotional attachment to the home is, what the house is believed to be ideally worth, or simply the amount of money one wishes to get for it. But the real, true key to selling a home in Northern VA is to price it according to market value. This ensures that the home will attract the right buyers, and that people will not see the home as underpriced or overpriced. A Realtor at Debbie Dogrul Associates can accurately deduce the value of any home.

Consider sweetening the deal: An unusual asset that a home contains can be a great deal-clincher for a home buyer. For example, if the home is on a golf course, a golf cart included with the cost of the home can add a "wow" factor. Or, leave behind the new stainless steel refrigerator in the kitchen. Items such as these can help go above and beyond a potential buyer's normal expectations.

Allow access to the home: Often, people are still living in their home at the time it is being marketed. In this case, it is important to make sure to allow agents to show the home to potential buyers. In this process, it is important to be as flexible and unrestrictive as possible.

Trust the agent: A Debbie Dogrul Associates Listing Specialist will keep their client up-to-date about what current Northern VA home buyers are seeking. He or she will also provide feedback following a visit to the home by another agent and a potential buyer. A Listing Specialist works hard on the part of the seller, all the way through the end of the settlement process.

About Debbie Dogrul Associates
With over 20 years of real estate experience, Debbie Dogrul Associates has been serving the Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and DC metro area since 1989. With over 83,000 properties available, Debbie Dogrul Associates is a team of Realtors® who are always striving to provide the best customer service in their area. For more information, or to look at some of Debbie Dogrul Associates' current properties, visit TeamDDA.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/01/2012 -- Debbie Dogrul Associates is the #1 professional Real Estate team in Northern Virginia, with a total of nearly 450 homes sold in 2011. Their proven track record of success speaks for itself. Here is ten reasons why Debbie Dogrul Associates is the best real estate company in Northern Virginia:

1. Debbie has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, and has been successfully selling homes in Northern Virginia for just as long, making her an expert on the Fairfax market.

2. The Debbie Dogrul Associates team of Realtors is completely up-to-date on current market conditions and trends. A Listing Specialist discusses with sellers what current buyers are seeking, and make any recommendations for modifications that may be necessary before putting your home on the market.

3. Debbie Dogrul Associates' Real Estate Specialists are concerned, first and foremost, with always acting on their client's behalf, serving as their ally, and practicing honesty and integrity in everything they do.

4. Their first priority is customer service; they do not ever compromise the level of service they bring to their clients. They believe in treating everyone fairly and always doing their job with a smile.

5. All of the associates who are part of the Debbie Dogrul team work together as a unit, and as a family, in order to ensure that each one of their clients receives the best service, and the best possible result when buying or selling a home.

6. If a client needs something during the home selling and moving process, it is likely that Debbie Dogrul Associates can help. Their photographer will capture a home in a professional, positive light, so that the listing allows the home to shine in the best way possible. They even have 14-foot moving vans available for use. If they can't provide their client with a specific service, they have a trusted network of local Virginia service professionals they can refer them to, including home contractors and loan officers.

7. When it comes time for an Open House, a licensed Debbie Dogrul Associates representative will be on site before, during, and after the event. He or she will make sure your home is set up for visitors, answer questions, and then return your home to its prior state. This process helps to make sure each home is shown in the best light possible to prospective buyers.

8. Debbie Dogrul Associates' professional stagers are experts in the business, and will look at each home through "buyer's eyes" in order to make a list of staging suggestions for the homeowners. Research shows that almost 95% of staged homes sell in 37 days or less, compared to non-staged homes that spend an average of 182 days on the market. So Debbie Dogrul Associates' stagers can make an integral difference in how quickly your home sells.

9. When a home is being sold, the Marketing Group will actively seek qualified buyers and agents for the home before it even goes on the market. Their Marketing and Advertising Teams work non-stop to give a home exposure both on the ground and in cyberspace.

10. Debbie Dogrul Associates is simply the #1 real estate team in Northern Virginia.

About Debbie Dogrul Associates
With over 20 years of real estate experience, Debbie Dogrul Associates has been serving the Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and DC metro area since 1989. With over 83,000 properties available, Debbie Dogrul Associates is a team of Realtors® who are always striving to provide the best customer service in their area. For more information, or to look at some of Debbie Dogrul Associates' current properties, visit TeamDDA.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/17/2012 -- Selling your home can be a highly emotional process. Perhaps even before the ink dries on your VA home listing, you may start to feel a lump in your throat. If deciding to sell your home is a stirring task for you, don't feel like you are alone. It is for many people, because our homes are filled with not just our personal belongings, but our cherished memories, too. But, it's better to feel emotional about selling your home and moving on than it is to weep over not being able to sell it at all. So here are the top five mistakes to avoid when selling your home.

(1) Pricing your home incorrectly. This is the most common mistake that is made by people when selling a home. It is of crucial importance to price your home based on not what you feel it is worth (and your emotional attachment to it) but the actual value of the home based on comparable sales, market movement, the condition of the house, its location, and its market value. This is an excellent reason to work with a professional Realtor from Debbie Dogrul Associates. It is an important part of your Realtor's job to stay up-to-date on all of this information, and to help you decide on an appropriate price. A home that is priced correctly will attract the right buyers and sell quickly.

(2) Putting your home on the market before it is ready. There are a lot of things to think about before placing your home on the market. And with the busy lives that we all lead, it can be easy to put off some of those changes around the house, such as new carpet in the living room and a fresh coat of paint in the hallway. However, it really does pay off to complete these improvements before listing your home. Remember that when you sell your home, presentation is everything. So your pre-sales improvements and cosmetic fix-ups should be done before you list your home.

(3) Investing in costly changes. As we discussed in #2, it is important to present your home as attractively as you possibly can. But make sure that any and all changes that you make are ones that you can recoup. Do not invest in an expensive remodel that causes your home to not fit in with the community. Carefully consider changes such as additions before completing them, because your home should still complement your Fairfax neighborhood. If your home sticks out and seems out-of-place, its value will be damaged.

(4) Trying to cover up problems. As in all things, honesty is the best policy. If you choose not to fix a problem such as a leaky roof or a moldy basement before selling your home, be upfront about it. Otherwise, you may end up losing a lot of money in the long run. If the problem is discovered within the first 30 days after settlement, you could be sued for not disclosing a latent defect.

(5) Hiring a buddy as your Realtor. It is easy to hire the first Realtor who comes along, or a friend. But a prior relationship is not the first factor you should consider when choosing a Realtor in VA. You need to choose someone who has a proven track record of success, and who is highly experienced with the real estate market in your area. Debbie Dogrul and Associates has been the #1 real estate team in Northern VA since 2005, which makes them the leading experts in the area. Visit TeamDDA.com today for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- By the time you have decided to put your house on the market in Fairfax, you probably already know that the appearance of your home, both inside and outside, is extremely important. But did you know that there is another element that is frequently overlooked, is equally important to how potential buyers perceive your house, and is right under your nose? The smell!

When potential buyers are viewing your home, the way that it smells is just as important, if not more important, than the way that it looks. The brain's limbic system, which stores memories, is also responsible for identifying a particular odor as it is received by receptors, so emotional memories and smells are very powerfully connected. A clean, refreshing scent can leave people with a positive impression of your property, and a dirty or musty scent can leave people thinking that they simply could not imagine themselves being comfortable in that space. So, as you and your Realtor prepare to show your VA home, follow these tips to ensure that your home has a nice, fresh smell.

(1) Launder all of your curtains and bed linens. Fabrics can be magnets for foul odors.
(2) Place foul-smelling items, such as kids' sports equipment and shoes, into airtight containers.
(3) Wipe down all of your floors, kitchen countertops, and windows with white vinegar. Although vinegar has a distinct smell when you use it, the smell dissipates and is then neutralizing. Plus, white vinegar is an excellent nontoxic cleaner. Use half of a cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of hot water.
(4) Hire a professional company to steam clean all of your carpets.
(5) Before showing your home, empty all of your garbage cans.
(6) Pay special attention to the pets and pet areas in your home. Place all pet toys in a closet or airtight container before showing your home. Bathe your pets to ensure that they are clean and fresh-smelling. Make sure to empty cat litter boxes and clean up dog waste in your yard. If your pets are indoor pets, you may wish to put them outside or ask if a friend can pet-sit for you while you are showing your home.
(7) If you smoke in your home, you should consider only smoking outside for several weeks before showing your home. Cigarette smells linger and can be very difficult to remove from a home.
(8) Because pet odors and cigarette smoke are the most common smell offenders, be as diligent as possible about smoking outdoors, removing ashtrays from your home, and keeping pet areas inside the house as clean as possible.
(9) Don't simply rely on chemical "neutralizing" air freshener sprays to cover up offensive odors. Focus instead on removing the source of the odors.
(10) Once you have cleaned and/or removed odor sources, you can add in a pleasant scent to your home. Keep it light and subtle for the best effect. Natural scents such as sage, lavender, eucalyptus, and pine are clean and refreshing. Food scents such as cinnamon rolls, baking bread, or chocolate chip cookies are warm and homey. Or, for a quick and easy home freshener, simply run a few citrus peels through your garbage disposal.

Once you've removed the sources of odors in your home, all you need is a fresh, light scent to really appeal to home buyers. There is no need to go overboard with strong smells or air fresheners. The scents that appeal most to home buyers are subtle. Debbie Dogrul Associates can help you to make sure that your home smells nice and clean, leaving a positive, lasting impression on potential home buyers. Visit TeamDDA.com today for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2012 -- Two people integral to your success in buying a home in Virginia are your Realtor and your mortgage lender. A professional Realtor at Debbie Dogrul Associates will help you find the house that suits all of your needs for a price that works with your budget. Meanwhile, your lender holds the purse strings to what may be the largest investment of your life. This professional plays a critical role in the success of your house purchase. And that's why your Realtor should also be able to help you choose the best lender.

In the real estate market in Virginia, about 90% of homes are sold with a mortgage in place. If you intend to purchase a home in VA, of course you will want to receive the very best interest rate possible. But what truly makes the difference between receiving a "good" mortgage and an "excellent" one is not just the rate that you receive, but also the level of service and care that you receive from your lender.

At Debbie Dogrul Associates, we want to help you understand the mortgage process from start to finish. Before you apply for a mortgage, you should know which type of loan is best for you. There are several different types from which you can choose. Some of these include a fixed-rate mortgage, which means you will pay an unchanging amount of interest on your loan for a fixed amount of time; an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), which means the interest rate fluctuates within predetermined intervals; and a flexible payment ARM, in which the borrower can choose from different payment methods every month. Different types of mortgage repayment plans are suitable for different people, so it is a good idea to research what type of loan is best for you before completing the application process.

Once you apply for a mortgage loan, there are three main departments that it will go through before you find out whether your loan has been approved:

Processing Department: A representative will review your application to make sure that all of the information that is needed is present. You may be asked to provide pay check stubs, proof of your checking account balance, and/or other financial information. It helps to have all of this information organized and accessible before you begin your loan application process.

Underwriting: In this department, they review all of the information from the previous department. They go over everything with a fine-toothed comb, focusing on small details. A loan application may take several days in this department, as it is very detail-oriented.

Closing: Once the underwriting department has checked and confirmed the whole package, they send it to the closing department. The closing department then assembles the loan package paperwork and sends it on its way to the settlement company.

When you buy a house, you are really required to purchase several other items as well, including a home inspection, home owner's insurance, a mortgage loan, and possibly membership in a home owner's association. A good Realtor, like the ones at Debbie Dogrul Associates, can help you find the best mortgage lender for your unique situation. Visit TeamDDA.com for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/27/2012 -- Now is a terrific time to jump into the real estate pool and purchase a home in Northern Virginia. If you are considering buying a home in the Fairfax area, here are seven tips from Debbie Dogrul Associates for you to consider.

1. Explore different neighborhoods and steep yourself in the diversity. Northern Virginia is a cultural hub with a very diverse population. People move to this area from all around the world not just for its excellent universities and thriving job market, but also for its multitude of restaurants, book stores, cultural events, family-owned shops, and more. Explore the different areas to see which one feels like home to you; Northern Virginia and Washington DC are international destinations, which gives each neighborhood its own personality.

2. Get pre-approval. When you are a buyer, the term "pre-approval" simply means that you have completed the mortgage loan application process with a credit check prior to beginning the process of searching for a home. When you are pre-approved, you always have the advantage over another home buyer who is not. You will also have an edge when negotiating the purchase price of your Northern Virginia home.

3. Be ready for growth. The prosperous area of Northern Virginia is expansive, including Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun Counties, and attracts many new residents each year. In 2011, economists from George Mason University predicted that by the year 2016, the Northern Virginia economy would net 100,000 new jobs. Obviously, the economy is growing here, which makes it a terrific place to live.

4. Don't get overwhelmed. The home buying market in Northern Virginia is excellent right now, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options. Your greatest ally in this case is a Realtor. The right Realtor can help you to narrow your options. He or she will also provide you with information on the prices of homes in Northern Virginia with the qualities you are seeking, as well as the average amount of time their homes spend on the market. This is very valuable information to have during the process of buying a home.

5. Don't worry about how you'll get around. Metrobus, the Fairfax Connector, DASH, and the CUE Bus all run through Fairfax. Plus, you are near Amtrak, the Virginia Rail Express, Reagan National Airport, and Dulles International Airport.

6. Beat other home buyers to the newest listings. A professional Real Estate Agent from Debbie Dogrul Associates can keep you updated on new listings in Northern Virginia. In this prosperous area where well-priced homes sell quickly, it is important to have someone who will keep track of new listings for you.

7. Don't go through the process alone. A professional Realtor is your right-hand man (or woman) during the home buying process. A home is a huge investment, perhaps the largest one you will make in your life, and your Realtor will help you maximize your investment, and always represent your best interests.

For more information, visit Debbie Dogrul Associates at TeamDDA.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/03/2012 -- There are mistakes in life that cost us time, and there are mistakes in life that cost us money. However, when it comes to selling a home, there are several mistakes that people make that unfortunately cost them both valuable time and precious money. Here are four common mistakes that people make when selling a home, and how to avoid them.

(1) Failing to effectively market the home. Many people automatically think "open house" when it comes to marketing a home. But did you know that only 1% of homes are actually sold at open houses? Furthermore, many homeowners today opt to list their homes themselves, advertising them on internet resources such as Craigslist, or using local print ads. The problem is that these tools are really effective at attracting future prospects, not at selling. A member of the National Association of Realtors is someone who has the ability to employ a number of different marketing techniques that are specialized for your real estate market. The best Realtors will actively seek qualified buyers, not just rely on print or internet ads to sell your home.

(2) Showcasing a home in need of repairs. To you, that broken doorbell may seem like no big deal, but a potential buyer may be distracted by it and he or she may assume that there are other underlying problems. Make sure to showcase your home to the best of your ability. It should appear neat, clean, and well maintained. Make any small fixes that may cause a distraction, such as a broken ceiling fan, burned out light bulb, or holey window screen.

(3) Basing the price on emotional attachment rather than the true market value. We know that to the homeowner, every house is worth a million bucks. It is easy to see houses in terms of the love and care we have put into them, not the market value. But if you price your VA home based on how much you paid for it and how much work you put into it, you are ignoring a very important factor. You must take into consideration what the current market value of your home is. Otherwise, potential home buyers will simply see it as overpriced. Of course, every seller wants to list his or her house for the highest price possible. But it is very important to start out with a realistic listing price in order to avoid having to lower the price in the long-run. An appropriate listing price will allow you to attract the right buyers and help you to avoid a long listing period.

(4) Renovating the home right before selling. Many home owners decide to complete expensive renovations right before selling, in hopes of seeing a 100% (or more) return on their investment. This can be a costly mistake. Make sure to always consult with your Realtor before completing any major revisions to your home. Only certain renovations tend to get a full return, and the right Realtor can advise you on what renovations are best based on current marketing and budgeting trends in VA.

For more information about preparing your home for an open house, please contact Debbie Dogrul Associates. With over twenty years of experience in the real estate market and a team of certified, professional Realtors®, Debbie Dogrul Associates serves the northern Virginia real estate markets with integrity and a strong sales record. If you are in search of a good Realtor, look no further. Visit TeamDDA.com for more information.

About Debbie Dogrul Associates
Debbie Dogrul Associates is committed to providing all of our customers with the best possible real estate assistance, and we pride ourselves on being the best Realtors in VA

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/03/2012 -- Your home is your castle, and it reflects your personal needs and interests, so when you decide to sell your VA home, how do you allow potential buyers to see how their own lifestyles will fit into your house? An open house is a critical step to letting people see how your house will fit their interests and needs. Here are five tips to preparing your home for an open house.

(1) De-personalize as much as possible. Your goal during your open house is not to have people wondering whether they could live in your home. It is to allow visitors to see that they definitely could, and want to, live in your home, so try to limit personal collections and photographs as much as possible. If one room in your home is dedicated to your Star Wars figurine collection, pack them up in boxes and stage the room to be a bedroom. If your home contains a lot of clutter, rent a storage unit and aim to remove at least half of the clutter from your home before the open house. The best Realtors will also help potential buyers to see how your home will fit their interests and needs.

(2) Organize closets and pantries. Potential home buyers will automatically associate a well organized home with a sense of calm and order. Make sure to organize even the areas that are normally concealed behind closed doors. Remember that people will definitely be checking to see how much drawer, closet, and cabinet space you have. Create a sense of order in your closet by hanging all of your apparel in the same direction on matching hangers. Pack away your extra dishes and leave only your best, matching set in your kitchen cupboard. Place all of your coffee cups so that the handles point in the same direction. Think "calm and organized."

(3) Complete minor repairs. You may have forgotten all about your broken doorbell at this point, but this is something a potential buyer will notice. Get out the spackle, touch-up paint, caulk, and tools such as a screwdriver and wrench in order to complete small repairs around the house. Replace any light bulbs that have burnt out, patch any small holes or cracks, and replace any broken tiles. At the same time, if something cannot be fixed or repaired, figure out how to attract attention away from it. For example, if your kitchen is on the small side, removing all of the appliances from the counter can help it to appear roomier.

(4) Assess your curb appeal. Go outside and take a look at your house. Does it look inviting and welcoming? Consider power washing your siding, or purchasing a "home wash," which is a hose attachment that you can find at home improvement stores. Put a fresh coat of paint over your shutters and trim. Clean out your gutters and replace holey screens. Replace your welcome mat, and give your front door a coat of paint. Mow your lawn and trim your trees and bushes. Add a few pots of colorful annuals to your front porch. A great tip to remember is that colors evoke specific emotions. Blue is calming, while yellow is energizing and is known to put people in a buying mood.

(5) Make your home sparkly clean. You want your home to shine, so make sure it is completely clean when people see it! Scrub every inch of your bathrooms, and polish the fixtures until they gleam. Focus specifically on the bathrooms and kitchen, as it is particularly distracting to home buyers if they are dirty. Vacuum all of your carpets, and wash all area rugs. Look all the way from the floor to the ceiling, and remember to clean both floor boards and ceiling fans. Your home should smell clean, too, so give it a spritz of air freshener or light a scented candle if needed.

When the time comes for your open house, you may also wish to consider leaving your home for the event. You can trust your Realtor to guide visitors through the home, and point out its best attributes. Whether you go out for coffee or take the dog for a long walk, you can rest assured that your house is in good hands, and looks lovely and inviting to all its visitors!

For more information about preparing your home for an open house, please contact Debbie Dogrul Associates. With over twenty years of experience in the real estate market and a team of certified, professional Realtors®, Debbie Dogrul Associates serves the northern Virginia real estate markets with integrity and a strong sales record. If you are in search of a good Realtor, look no further. Visit TeamDDA.com for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm