Terri Robinson's Blog Posts

4 Things First-Time Ashburn Buyers Should Know

Buying your first home in Ashburn doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here are the four things to sort out before you start touring houses. This past weekend I had the pleasure of sitting down

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Buy or Sell First? An Ashburn Right-Sizing Guide

Selling first means knowing where you'll land. Buying first means knowing how to pay. I break down both so you can move on your terms. When you're right-sizing your home, there's almost always

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Downsizing? Why Paying All Cash May Be the Wrong Move

Everyone says to pay cash when you downsize to a lower-cost market. Here's why carrying a small mortgage might actually serve you better. If you're selling in Northern Virginia and moving,

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Northern Virginia Q2 2026: Prices Up, Days Down

A county-by-county look at Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, broken down by price bracket, so you can see what actually happened in your range. If you've been watching the

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What That Extra Bedroom Is Really Costing You

Those unused rooms come with a monthly price tag in utilities, taxes, and upkeep. Here's how to figure out what they're really costing you. Have you ever thought about what that extra bedroom

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The Real Cost of Overpricing Your Ashburn Home

Holding firm on price feels like protecting your equity, but a home that sits too long quietly works against you. If your home has been sitting on the market longer than you expected, I want to

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3 Questions Homeowners Ask AI That Need a Local Answer

AI can give you general answers about home values, repairs, and market timing. A local Realtor gives you specific ones that actually match your situation.  If you've been thinking about

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Is Your Low Mortgage Rate Actually Costing You?

Millions of Virginia homeowners locked in at 2-3% feel stuck. But holding onto that rate might be costing you more than you think. Your low mortgage rate might feel like the best financial

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Should You Wait for Rates to Drop Before Buying in Ashburn?

Lower rates sound great until you realize what comes with them. Here's what Ashburn buyers should actually be weighing right now.  Should you wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying

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Northern Virginia 2026 Q1 Market Update

From Arlington to Prince William, here's how median prices, sales volume, and days on market shifted in Q1 2026 and what it means for your next move.   We're already at the end of the

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3 Key Factors To Consider Before Downsizing in Retirement

Downsizing can protect your finances in retirement, but only if you understand the real costs, tax impact, and lifestyle changes first.  Should you downsize your home in retirement, or

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How To Let Go Of Family Heirlooms Without Feeling Guilty

Moving into a smaller space requires tough decisions about the things you’ve inherited. I’m sharing with you some advice on selling, donating, and gifting your family heirlooms. Do

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How Insurance Impacts Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Homeowners insurance is required, but that doesn’t mean you should overpay. Here’s how to shop smarter and protect your monthly payment.    When you’re buying a

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5 Costly Mistakes Homebuyers Make And How to Avoid Them

Before you start touring homes, make sure you’re not setting yourself up for stress, surprises, or a denied loan with these five homebuyer mistakes.   Think you’re ready

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5 Glaring Signs That Your Home No Longer Fits Your Life

A quiet home, rising upkeep, and changing needs are often the first clues that it may be time to rethink your living space.   Have you ever walked through your home and thought, this

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Northern Virginia Housing Market Recap and 2026 Outlook

A clear breakdown of how Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William closed out 2025 and what experts expect for prices and demand in 2026.   Are home prices finally slowing down

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Rightsizing vs Downsizing: Choosing the Right Home for Your Lifestyle

Rightsizing is not about going smaller. It is about choosing a home that supports your lifestyle now.   Are you still living in a home built for a version of you from twenty years?&

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10 Virginia Holiday Events To Attend in 2025

From light shows to ice sculptures, holiday trains, and more! Here’s your easy guide to the best festive events in Virginia this year.   The holidays are here, and this year,

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Thank You for Being Part of My Real Estate Family

Wishing you joy, peace, and connection this Thanksgiving from your Northern Virginia real estate family.  Have you ever noticed how the holidays have a way of making us pause and reflect

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Pros and Cons of Buying a New Home in Ashburn

From builder incentives to surprise upgrade costs, let’s weigh the benefits of buying new construction before you commit. Have you been considering a move to Ashburn? Maybe you're looking

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What’s Happening in the Northern Virginia Housing Market This Fall?

Northern Virginia home prices remain strong, but homes are taking longer to sell. Get the county-by-county breakdown for Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William.  Northern Virginia

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Should You Sell Your Home During the Holidays?

Low competition and strong demand work in your favor during the holiday season.  Selling a home during the holidays? Most people think it’s a bad idea. They believe buyers are too

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Is Your Home Ready for Winter? Start With 5 Easy Steps

Spending a little time and money on fall maintenance now can save you from costly repairs later. Here are five key areas to check, from gutters to windows. Would you rather spend a little money

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How AI Gets Your Northern Virginia Home Sold Fast in Today’s Market

Leverage cutting-edge technology to outperform traditional listings. Here are three AI tools for better pricing, stunning photos, and targeted buyers—so you sell faster and for more money.What

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The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in Northern Virginia

From closing costs to HOA fees, hidden fees can affect your home-buying budget. Learn what to expect and how to budget effectively for a smooth closing. You’ve saved up for a down payment,

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What’s Happening in the Northern Virginia Housing Market This August?

Buyers have more room to negotiate, and sellers must adapt fast. I’m breaking down what to know about today’s pricing and inventory trends.Think the Northern Virginia market is still

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3 Tips Every Northern Virginia First-Time Buyer Should Know in 2025

I'm revealing my top three tips for buying your first home, so you know exactly who to talk to and how to stay in charge of your buying choices.So, you're ready to buy your first home - that's

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How Is the Real Estate Market in Northern Virginia?

With increased inventory and slower buyer activity, the market is changing, but a crash isn’t likely. Is the housing market really changing? If yes, how does it affect you as a homebuyer

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Leaving Your Home for a Vacation? Do These 5 Safety Tips First (You Might Regret It If You Don’t)

Vacation season is here, but before you relax, make sure your home is protected from water damage, power surges, and neglected curb appeal.Your bags are packed, sunscreen is ready, and the vacation

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Move-In Ready 3-Bedroom Townhome for Sale in Centerville, VA – Prime Location Near I-66

Welcome to 6164 Kendra Way—an updated, light-filled 3-level townhome with garage in the heart of Centerville’s sought-after Center Ridge community. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath freshly

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The CAT Method: 3 Simple Steps to Ace Your Home Inspection

Prepare your home for inspection efficiently by following CAT: clean thoroughly, ensure access to key spots, and test your drains.A question I often hear from sellers once they have a contract on

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How Your Neighbor’s Sale Impacts Your Home Value

Supporting your neighbor’s sale by improving your curb appeal can help their home sell faster and for more money, directly benefiting your property’s value..Most homeowners don’t

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Fairlington Glen Condo – Stylish Living in the Heart of South Arlington

Welcome to this beautifully updated Braddock model condo located in the highly desirable Fairlington Glen community of South Arlington! This 2-level, 2-bedroom, 2-bath home is full of natural light,

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Breaking Down Northern Virginia’s Q1 2025 Housing Market by County

Arlington homes sell faster, Fairfax prices are climbing, and Loudoun’s market is hot. Discover what each county’s numbers in Q1 2025 mean for your real estate goals.Thinking of buying

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Should You Buy a Home or Keep Renting?

Explore the benefits of homeownership versus renting and find out the best option for your financial situation.Should you continue renting a home, or is it finally time to buy your own? Renters

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3 Reasons Why Sellers Should Have a Pre-Listing Inspection

Discover how a pre-listing inspection reveals your property's current condition, ensures a smooth transaction, and boosts its appeal to potential buyers.In today’s competitive market, every

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8 Tips Every Homebuyer Should Know in 2025

I’m going over eight essential tips for homebuyers to get the best deal in this market, including insights on inspections, financing, and more.Are you finally ready to buy your dream home?

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3 Ways To Handle Your Mortgage Payments if You Lose Your Job

Calling your servicer, reviewing spending habits, and exploring rental options can ease the burden of mortgage payments. What should you do if you suddenly lose your job while paying your

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Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Home Successfully in 2025

Find out when to list your home for maximum exposure and profit in 2025.Have you ever sold a house and thought, “If only I knew that, then I’d have profited more”? Over the years,'

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What Will the Housing Market Look Like in 2025?

Learn what experts are saying about interest rates, prices, and more.I’ve heard a lot of talk about interest rates going up in the housing market, and people seem slightly panicked. What&rsquo

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How Is the Real Estate Market Right Now?

What you need to know about our normalizing real estate market, including home prices, supply, and more.“How is the housing market right now?” I’ve been getting this question a lot

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How To Pay Off Your 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Faster

Learn how one extra payment on your mortgage per year can save you money.Are you looking for ways to pay off your mortgage sooner? The thought of a 30-year loan and the money spent on interest can

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Happy Holidays!

I want to wish you a happy holiday season. Happy holidays to you!The holiday season has officially arrived. I hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories. I

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A Day in the Life of a Real Estate Agent

Look at my day as an agent and how I responded to today’s challenges. Many ask me, "Terri, what does a real estate agent do?" To answer this, I decided to document a day in my life. Being

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A Special Thanksgiving Message to All of You

This year and every year, I am thankful for your support.Another year has flown by. It feels like just yesterday, and now, we are looking back at everything that’s happened. This year, again,

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Real Estate Safety Rules for Smoke Detectors & Fireplaces

Change your smoke detectors every 10 years, even with fresh batteries. How often do you check your smoke detector and fireplace? Most people think that changing the batteries of their smoke

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Northern Virginia Housing Market Q3 Recap

Data shows that the number of homes increased this year, but we need more. Did Northern Virginia’s housing market defy expectations this third quarter? Now that we’re done with the

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What Is Your Motivation For Moving?

Many homeowners are inspired to sell due to life changes, what’s yours? Are you struggling to decide whether to sell your home now or wait? This decision can be challenging, as there are

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Don’t Let Affordability Stop You From Making a Move

Unlocking your home’s equity can be your solution to making your next move. Is affordability holding you back from selling your house? It’s a valid concern, but it’s not as

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Debunking the Top 3 Housing Market Myths

Get better home deals now than wait for a crash that’ll never happen. Don’t believe everything you hear. This famous phrase applies to most things in life and today’s real

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3 Common Home-Buying Mistakes

Avoid buyer mistakes like not getting pre-approved for a better experience. Do you want to know the biggest mistakes buyers are making today? I tell all my buyers to avoid three things if they

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Is Now the Time to Jump Back Into the Market?

Four reasons why now is a good time to enter the housing market. Have you been holding off on getting into the market to purchase your home? I’ve got some good news for you. The second

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Northern VA Housing Market Update

A closer look at Northern VA’s housing market this 2nd quarter. I've been having a lot of conversations lately about the numbers for this past quarter, which is why I want to run through

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The Truth About Rising Home Prices

Look beyond the headlines and learn the truth about the real estate market. I'd be willing to bet you've heard that negative news sells. If you’ve read any media coverage of home prices

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Is the Housing Market Affected During an Election Year?

Know the effects of the upcoming elections on the housing market. It’s an election year, and if you’re planning to buy or sell a home, you might wonder if elections affect the

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Thank You, Dads! A Heartfelt Message for Father’s Day

Let’s show our heartfelt thanks to all the father figures in our lives.We’re in the month of June, and there are a lot of different holidays that can be celebrated this month. But out of

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3 Qualities That Only Top Realtors Have

Figure out what you should look for in the right Realtor for you. You’ve probably heard people say “location, location, location” when it comes to buying or selling a house.

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Cheers to Springtime and the Moms Who Made Us Who We Are

Join me and show your heartfelt thanks for this Mother’s Day celebration!Springtime is here! The world is full of color, new life is blooming everywhere, and a sense of a new beginning fills

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Found Your Dream House In Nova? Don’t Wait–Act Now!

What buyers and sellers need to know to navigate the NOVA market this Q1.It's been a while since we talked about what’s going on in the Northern Virginia housing market. So, for today, let's

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Free Shredding Event: Say Goodbye to Paper Clutter!

Securely declutter your paperwork with our free shredding event.Date: May 4, 2024Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location:20937 Ashburn RdAshburn, VA 20147This event is entirely free, and we encourage

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Is Your Home Fully Covered? Spring Insurance Checklist

Ensure your home and valuables are fully covered this spring season.With spring in full bloom, it's the perfect time to not only embark on the usual seasonal maintenance tasks but to also take a

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Consider New Construction And Build Your Dream Home

Discover the three benefits of new construction & live in your dream home.Have you been delaying selling your home because you are unsure where to move next? While there’s currently a

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Success in Multiple-Offer Scenarios: A Guide to Winning Real Estate Bids

Three strategies to help you secure a contract in a multiple-offer situation.We're right in the midst of the bustling spring real estate market, and we're encountering multiple-offer situations once

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3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Aging in Place

Here’s what retiring homeowners need to know about aging in place.I recently talked about selling your house and brought up the idea of aging in place. It's worth considering when you retire,

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Embrace a New Chapter: Expert Tips for Downsizing in Retirement

Discover the joy and ease of downsizing your home in your golden years.Deciding to retire often brings the need to downsize your living space. This transition, while exciting, can be challenging and

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What Does 2024’s Housing Market Have in Store for Us?

What you need to know about interest rates in 2024’s housing market.What can you look forward to from our housing market in 2024? Good news: Interest rates are expected to decrease this year.

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Bloopers From My Recent Videos

I don’t always make my videos in one take. Take a look at these bloopers.We all have moments in life when things don't go as planned. As frustrating as those moments can be, they can also be

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Folded Elegance: Transforming Napkins Into Holiday Showstoppers

Here are three easy-to-follow napkin folding techniques you can try.Do you want to spice up your holiday table? If so, you’ll want to learn the art of napkin folding! Today, I'll walk you

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Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

This year and every year, I'm thankful for you in my life.The 2023 holiday season has officially begun! I hope you are as excited as I am.I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to

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Deck the Halls and Sell Your Home: Holiday Decorating Strategies

Here’s what you need to know about selling your home during the holidays.This time of year, I often receive the question: “Should I sell my house during the holidays, and if so, what do

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