Understanding Brain Injuries in Virginia

In Virginia, brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion acquired brain injury (CABI) affect thousands of individuals and their families. These head injuries may be caused by a variety of sources, including car crashes, slips and falls, athletic events or armed forces engagements. According to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, there are over 150,000 Virginians living with a disability caused by TBI.

The aftermath of TBI can be devastating for survivors and their families. Many TBI survivors may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance issues and difficulty with coordination; in addition to cognitive challenges like memory loss or trouble concentrating and emotional difficulties like mood swings or depression. Cognitive challenges could involve memory loss or trouble concentrating on tasks at hand. Emotional issues might encompass mood swings or depression.

It is crucial for those affected by TBI or CABI to have access to support services that cater specifically to their needs. One organization making a significant impact in this area is Brain Injury Services (BIS). They offer free programs designed to help survivors regain independence while improving overall quality of life.

• Raising awareness: BIS works tirelessly not only to provide support but also increase public understanding about the prevalence and effects of TBIs/CABIs.
• Educational resources: The organization offers valuable information on topics related to coping strategies after sustaining a brain injury through workshops and seminars conducted throughout Northern Virginia communities.
• Promoting research: By collaborating with other organizations within the field like the Brain Injury Association, BIS helps advance research efforts aimed at improving treatment options for TBI survivors.

In conclusion, recognizing the scope and repercussions of brain injuries in Virginia is critical for guaranteeing that appropriate assistance is available to those impacted. Organizations like BIS play a crucial role in providing assistance tailored specifically to the needs of TBI and CABI survivors.

MMK Realty Supports Brain Injuries in Virginia

Understanding brain injuries in Virginia can be a difficult and overwhelming process, but with the right resources it is possible to navigate. Brain Injury Services (BIS) offers a variety of aid to assist those with brain injuries in Virginia, enabling them to regain their footing and lead lives that are fulfilling.

@Brain Injury Services is a cause near and dear to our heart and MMK Realty along with WJD Management are proud to once again support this organization and their efforts to help children and adults with brain injuries build the skills and confidence they need to lead a fulfilling and productive life.

Looking for signs that you should sell your Fairfax area home soon?

To sell or not to sell? This question is not always an easy one to answer. After all, there are so many memories and happy moments that come with your home. It is probably the most expensive tangible thing you own and ending up selling it at the wrong time might not get you the best possible price. To help you take the right decision, let’s go over the top 3 telltale signs that you should sell your Fairfax area home soon.

You’re in a strong seller’s market

Think about the law of supply and demand where prices go up when supply is limited and demand increases. Considering the trend for supply of homes for sale in 2022, there is still a significant decrease of inventory across the nation.

In addition, over the past 10 years, homes appreciated by 2-3% each year! If you’ve been in your home for 10 years, you could be in a good place to make great profit!

Also, look at what’s happening in your neighborhood. Has there been a significant home price growth over the past several years? Are there a lot of potential homebuyers interested in purchasing homes in your area? Do those homes stay on the market for less than 3 months? According to realtor.com, these signs should tell you if you are in a good place to sell: “The price per square foot in your area is increasing, the amount of time properties stay on the market is decreasing, and you’ve noticed an uptick in brokerage activity in your neighborhood.”

You have enough positive equity

Simply putting it, equity is the difference between how much your home is currently worth and how much you owe on it. If the equity on your home covers your current mortgage balance, then you’re in a really good position. If it also covers all of the costs associated with hiring a real estate agent, closing, and down payment for your next home, then you’re all set to sell your current home.

However, we wouldn’t recommend using an online home value estimator to figure out your home’s equity because they are not always accurate. Consult with an experienced real estate who can run a comparative market analysis, give you a proper home value estimate and help you calculate your equity.

Your home doesn’t need any major repair or renovations

It is advisable that you get a property inspection done before taking the final decision of selling your home. The home inspection will reveal if your home needs a major overhaul before putting it up for sale. Any major repairs like roof and HVAC replacement, broken foundation, slab leaks, sewer line repairs or even termite infestations could cost you thousands of dollars. A serious prospective buyer who has an experienced agent by his or her side will always ask for your home’s inspection report. Showing that your home is in great condition will make your selling process successful.

However, there are some small renovation projects that you could take on before putting your home up for sale. For example, painting your kitchen’s cabinets, upgrading doorknobs, or upgrading a bathroom sink could pay off by making your home more attractive.

Deciding whether you want to sell or wait longer could be a hard decision to take. There are many personal and outside factors that could influence your decision. Ultimately, you’d want to take into consideration the overall seller’s market and research how the homes are selling in your area.

Additionally, you need to figure out your home’s equity and make sure you don’t owe more than your home’s worth. Lastly, getting a pre-sell home inspection is crucial in assuring that your home doesn’t need any major repairs that could make your wallet drop. Be sure to consult with an experienced real estate professional to help you figure these things out.

To learn more about MMK Realty visit our About Us page. For more tips and information feel free to contact me and follow me on social media on Facebook @mmkrealtyllc, Twitter @MMKRealtyLLC, and Instagram @mmkrealty. Also check out our Free Market Analysis. Sign up today and we will email you a free custom assessment of the current value of your home performed by MMK’s Principal Broker, Michelle Williams.

The choice between renting or buying a property is one of the most important financial decisions one needs to make. Which one is better? This is a question that will come up in almost everyone’s life. There’s a multitude of reasons one might decide to purchase a home and select to rent it. However, the right answer is entirely up to you, your current financial situation, and your image of the future regarding your living situation and career goals. So, if you are in a dilemma called rent vs. buy in Northern Virginia, stay tuned. We will consider the advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you make a decision.

How are your finances?

For many people, the prospect of living mortgage and rent-free might sounds alluring. But, unfortunately, this is not possible for most people. So, if you decide

to buy a home, it is of utmost importance to look at the big picture. Therefore, experts in the field recommend that you should evaluate your current debt-to-income ratio and your savings before making the first step. If you skip this step, the mortgage company will analyze your finances, and you might get shocked by the outcome.

On the other hand, if your ratio is decent, your mortgage lender will give you good terms on a loan for a home. Remember, the better the interest rate you get, the more reasonable your mortgage payment will be.

Analyze your finances before you decide to rent vs. buy in Northern Virginia.

So, once you get everything sorted out, you will get an idea if you can afford to buy or if renting is a better option for now.

Rent vs. buy in Northern Virginia pros and cons

There are some benefits and drawbacks that are valid in most cases. Once you consider them, you will know what the best option for you and your family is. Then, you will start to think about other things, such as packing, moving, and settling into your new home. If you want to relieve the stress of the upcoming tasks, it would be good to consider hiring a trustworthy moving company. Fairfax-based experts will ensure your possessions are handled carefully and help you with every step of the relocation process.

However, to help you get to this point, let’s first help you choose between renting and buying in Northern Virginia.

Renting

The pros

• You will pay less money upfront. Most lenders require that you pay the first and last monthly payment, but that will still be lower than the down payment future homeowners have to make.
• There are no maintenance costs. That would be your landlord’s obligation.
• Relocating will be more flexible and easier if you plan on changing jobs or moving in the near future.

Renting means you won’t have to worry about maintenance costs

The cons

• Your rent may increase in the future, and that’s up to your landlord.
• You might not be allowed to personalize or update your living space.
• You won’t build any equity. Therefore, you won’t be able to have a long-term investment.
• Your landlord might suddenly decide to stop renting or sell the place. This makes your position extremely dependent on your landlord’s situation.
• You won’t be able to use tax deductions.
• Finally, renting goes with a limited sense of home stability.

Homeowning

The benefits

• Long-term buying is proven to be cheaper than renting. This is because the money you spend on rent can’t be taken back. On the other hand, purchasing a home has many financial benefits. Even though a home is a significant investment, buying and owning it is cheaper in the long run.
• You get to make it your own. Whenever you need or are in the mood for an update, it’s entirely up to you.
• Purchasing a home is an investment that allows you to build wealth over time. Real estate properties are known to increase in value over time, so that might be your motivation to decide to buy.
• It offers a sense of permanence, familiarity, and security, fundamental if you have children. Your kids will have a place to call home, friends that live close by, and a great school district to go to.
• Additionally, you will usually have more space owning a home than renting one.
• Finally, owning a home awakens pride in homeownership, which might closely tie you to your community.

Homeowning is an investment.

The downsides

• A pretty obvious one is that it is a significant, long-term financial commitment. Also, mortgage payments are higher than rent payments. But, you’ll be paying off your own property, which might be better than paying off someone else’s asset.
• You will have to pay property taxes and take care of all the maintenance issues. That means you will have to cover expensive repairs, such as roof repairs or replacement.
• Another obvious disadvantage of homeownership is that you need to have some savings and ensure you have money for the down payment.
• Lastly, it might be challenging to decide to pack and leave one day because of all the ties to your community.

Having kids makes you want to have more stability in your life.

The takeaway

As you could’ve seen, there are pros and cons to both options. However, waiting too long to decide whether to rent or buy in Northern Virginia might make you lose a fortune. Therefore, it would be good to make a decision that best suits your family’s needs. In essence, buying is a smarter and more profitable investment in the long run. Not only does it save you on rental costs, but it also helps you in building wealth. Additionally, purchasing a home will give you and your family stability that will allow you to make memories while living and building a life together.

Even though mortgage payments are higher than rent, you will be investing in your own property.

To learn more about MMK Realty visit our About Us page. For more tips and information feel free to contact me and follow me on social media on Facebook @mmkrealtyllc, Twitter @MMKRealtyLLC, and Instagram @mmkrealty. Also check out our Free Market Analysis. Sign up today and we will email you a free custom assessment of the current value of your home performed by MMK’s Principal Broker, Michelle Williams.

Looking for 7 simple home repair or improvement projects you can do yourself?

Part of homeownership is dealing with items that need to be repaired as the need to do so arises. There are home repair projects that are also easy to undertake without professional assistance. Presented for your consideration here are 7 simple home repair or improvement projects you can do yourself!

Paint the Space

One of the simplest of home repair projects you can undertake is painting. This includes both exterior and interior painting of your residence. The reality is that painting your home is just about the easiest home repair and improvement project you can undertake on your own. Worn or chipped paint can be addressed quickly and with moderate effort on your part.

In order to get the hang of painting, before you embark on a larger project, consider take a shot at a smaller space in your residence. For example, test your initial painting prowess by painting a storage room or even a smaller bathroom off the main pathway of your home. Starting in a room in your home that has less traffic likely will leave you less apprehensive about the process.

As a final thought: painting is a forgiving process. If you don’t like your first attempt, you can do it over.

Deal with Doors

The typical home is filled with doors, usually a variety of different types of doors. Residential doors do end up requiring repair and maintenance from time to time. Door-related issues can include everything from sticking to squeaking. Many door issues or problems can be prepared with ease and without professional assistance.

For example, worn hinges and other hardware can be addressed with relative ease. You can find whatever you need to replace worn door hardware at a home improvement center. With simple tools, you can replace this hardware in no time at all.

You can also deal with an issue like a sticking door fairly easily as well. Oftentimes, this type of issue can be rectified by plaining a bit off the edge of a door, yet another example of a simple home repair task you can undertake personally.

Refresh Caulk

Another easy repair that you can undertake on your own is re-caulking places in your home. Home repair and improvement experts suggest that the hardest part of the re-caulking process is removing old, worn, discolored, or damaged caulk that is already in place. There are now products available to homeowners that soften existing caulk, making it far easier to remove.

Once a person gets the hang of applying new caulk, the application process really is something of a breeze. In most cases, a person is able to quickly master the process of applying new caulk.

Repair a Leaky Faucet

A homeowner should never minimize a leaky faucet. Even if only a small amount of water is dripping from an imperfect faucet, you need to understand that over time, a dripping faucet adds up to what can be a considerable amount of wasted water. This literally becomes money down the drain.

In many instances the repairs that need to be made on a leaky faucet are relatively easy to undertake. These repairs can be as simple as tightening elements on a faucet or inserting a new washer.

Unplug a Toilet

Although an unpleasant task, unplugging a toilet is one of the easier home repair tasks a person can undertake. The initial issue when a toilet is plugged is to ascertain whether or not some foreign object has been placed into and is clogging a toilet. A foreign object may not be susceptible to being forced downward and out but may need to be snared and removed upward.

When a toilet becomes clogged by bathroom tissue, which is the most common reason for blockage, a plunger oftentimes is effective at solving the issue. In the alternative, there are instances in which a bucket of water can be added into the toilet bowl (not the tank). The added pressure of the additional water may be enough to force the toilet and outbound pipe to clear.

Unclog a Drain

Drains clog for an array of reasons. Drain clogs can stem from everything from an accumulation of hair, grease, or foreign objects. Foreign objects need to be removed in an upward manner similar to what was described a moment ago in regard to a toilet.

Other types of clogs many times can be cleared through the use of over the counter liquid de-clogging products. In addition, there are snakes that are available to consumers that can be utilized to manually break up a clog in a sink and clear the pipe.

Replace Light Switch

A considerable amount of repair work associated with an electrical system in a home needs to be addressed by a professional. On the other hand, light switches themselves can typically be replaced by a homeowner. The wiring associated with a light switch is easy to disconnect and reconnect to a new switch.

If you’re a renter, you can undertake certain repair projects on your own. You do need to be certain to alert your landlord to what you intended to repair and get permission to do so.

Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of The Mortgage Reports, explains:

“The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you’re eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting, but also lets sellers know you’re qualified to make an offer.”

Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that’s creating some serious competition. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home is getting 4.8 offers per sale. As a result, bidding wars are still common.

Your pre-approval gives you a leg up in these situations. That’s because you know exactly what you’re approved to borrow before you write your offer, and it lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their home. This helps both you and the seller feel confident in what you’re bringing to the table. And that puts you in a better position to potentially win a bidding war.

As Warden puts it:

“There’s another important reason to get preapproved, too. And that’s because there are way more buyers than homes in today’s market — which means you need to be ultra-prepared if you want to win a bidding war. Most sellers are getting multiple offers right now. And most won’t even entertain an offer without a preapproval letter included.”

Every advantage you can gain as a buyer is crucial in a market that’s constantly changing. Mortgage rates are rising, home prices are going up, and lending institutions are regularly updating their standards. You’re going to need guidance to navigate these waters, so it’s important to have a team of professionals, such as a loan officer and a trusted real estate advisor, on your side. They’ll help make sure you’re ready to put your best foot forward.

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you better understand what you can afford and signals to sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home. Let’s connect so you have the tools you need to succeed as a homebuyer in today’s market.