Northern Virginia Homes Guide & Blog

Mark Your Calendars for Historic Garden Week in Virginia - April 21st -28th

Historic Garden Week in Virginia is scheduled for April 21st thru April 28th this year.

Events are planned around the Old Dominion, and details are found online at vagardenweek.org.

You'll be richly rewarded in touring this annual event.

  

 

Happy Easter !

Happy Easter to All !

Monday's Gardening Tip - Easy on the Mulch!

Not only can one overdo watering plants and/or overfeeding plants, mulching too deeply is equally a problem in the landscape.  Remember no "volcanoes"...

Palm Sunday 2012 !

National Home Sales Volume for 2011 Exceeds 2010's Volume

The National Association of REALTORS announced recently that the number of existing homes sold in 2011 hit a volume of 4.26 million.  The volume for 2010 was 4.19 million, and the volume for 2009 was 4.34 million.

Also, NAR announced that the median home price (nationally) for 2011 was $166,100.

This sales price compares with $172,900 for 2010 and $172,500 for 2009. 

 

January (2012) Housing Sales Stats Are Now Available - Northern Virginia

The Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS) and RealEstate Business Intelligence have completed their housing (residential) sales analysis for the period ended January 2012, and "average" sales prices are higher over the same period a year ago.

According to the analysis, "average" sold pricing is now $401,217. 

Median sold pricing is $344,750.   

The average number of days on the market (DOM) was 77. 
 

Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly in MBA Survey for Week Ending -February 17th; Avg. Rate is at 4.09%; Refinance Activity Now at a Volume of 80.1% of Total Mortgage Weekly Activity

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced their most current data (averages for contract interest rates): 

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (FHA Loans) 
= 3.87 % (was 3.87 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Conforming Loans, less than $417,500)
= 4.09 % (was 4.08 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Jumbo Loans, greater than $417,500)
= 4.32 % (was 4.30 %);

15 Year Fixed Interest Rate = 3.38 % (was 3.33 %);


Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)

The level of refinance activity was reported to be at 80.1 % 
of the total activity for the weekly survey.  The level of
refinance activity for week ending February 10th was 81.1 %.

[Posted by Dan Bonner on his real estate and gardening blog.]
www.NorthernVirginiaHomesGuide.com

Take A Tour of the Botanic Gardens for A Fantastic Attitude Adjustment

If you like plants, flowers, and gardens (or gardening), and need "something" to lift your outlook today or any day, then make a visit downtown and see the U. S. Botanic Gardens.

Here's what you might see: (photos courtesy of Dan)

  

Mortgage Rates Decline Slightly in MBA Survey for Week Ending -January 27th; Avg. Rate is at 4.09%; Refinance Activity Now at a Volume of 80.3% of Total Mortgage Weekly Activity

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced their most current data (averages for contract interest rates): 

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (FHA Loans) 
= 3.96 % (was 3.97 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Conforming Loans, less than $417,500)
= 4.09 % (was 4.11 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Jumbo Loans, greater than $417,500)
= 4.33 % (was 4.39 %);

15 Year Fixed Interest Rate = 3.36 % (was 3.40 %);


Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)

The level of refinance activity was reported to be at 80.0 % 
of the total activity for the weekly survey.  The level of
refinance activity for week ending January 20th was 81.3 %.

[Posted by Dan Bonner on his real estate and gardening blog.]
www.NorthernVirginiaHomesGuide.com

Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly in MBA Survey for Week Ending -January 6th; Avg. Rate is at 4.11%; Refinance Activity Now at a Volume of 80.8% of Total Mortgage Weekly Activity

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced their most current data (averages for contract interest rates): 

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (FHA Loans) 
= 3.96 % (was 3.96 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Conforming Loans, less than $417,500)
= 4.11 % (was 4.07 %);

30 Year Fixed Interest Rate (Jumbo Loans, greater than $417,500)
= 4.34 % (was 4.41 %);

15 Year Fixed Interest Rate = 2.90 % (was 2.91 %);


Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)

The level of refinance activity was reported to be at 80.8 % 
of the total activity for the weekly survey.  The level of
refinance activity for week ending December 30th was 81.9 %.

[Posted by Dan Bonner on his real estate and gardening blog,
www.NorthernVirginiaHomesGuide.com