Ritu Desai, Northern Virginia Realtor - Samson Properties

📢 Repeat after me: My Zestimate is a tool, not a guarantee.

From experience I can confidently say that you still need a real estate agent to help you price appropriately.

That's because a Zestimate is an automated valuation model that uses a variety of data points, including:

✔️ Public records like property taxes, sales history, and assessments.
✔️ Recent sales of similar properties in your neighborhood.
✔️ Property characteristics like size, # of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, and amenities.

While Zestimates can be a helpful starting point, they often lack the accuracy needed for making informed decisions.

❌ They don't account for unique features that can SIGNIFICANTLY impact your home's value (like renovations, upgrades, or stunning views.)
❌ They may not fully reflect local market trends, economic factors, and seasonal variations that can influence home prices.
❌ They can't assess a property's condition.
❌ They can't factor in real-time market sentiment.

A real estate agent can provide a much more accurate valuation.

Reach out today to see how I can help you price your home competitively so that you receive the best possible return on your investment.

Congratulations to my amazing sellers on this fantastic sale! 🎊 Your dedication and strategic decisions truly paid off, and it was such a pleasure working alongside you.

If 🫵🏻 you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s connect—I’m here to make your real estate goals a reality! 💼

One of the biggest indicators of VALUE when people sell their homes...

It's the school district!

Homes in sought-after school districts are \*always\* in demand.

It makes sense why:

1) School quality and reputation
Great schools attract families with school-aged children. 42% of buyers ages 31-41 — those most likely to have young children — are influenced by school district quality.

2) Property values
Homes in high-performing suburban school districts are valued 49% higher than the national average.

3) Demand and market dynamics
Areas and neighborhoods in desirable schools experience higher demand, multiple offers and quicker sales — 8 days quicker on average.

4) Appraisal value
Appraisers consider nearby schools when assessing property value. A positive school reputation can support higher appraisals and market value.

5) Neighborhood stability
School quality adds to neighborhood stability, drawing long-term homeowners willing and ready to invest in the community.

Questions? Let's connect - I’d love to show you what your home is worth.

🏡 What would it take to make housing affordable again? Let’s break it down:

💰 If incomes magically skyrocketed by 60%, we’d be back to pre-pandemic affordability levels. Imagine that payday!

🏠 If home prices took a 38% nosedive (ouch for sellers), we’d see affordability return.

📉 Or if mortgage rates plummeted from 6.93% to 2.23% (hello dream rates), housing might feel affordable again.

But here’s the kicker: none of these scenarios feel likely anytime soon. The housing market right now? It’s like running a marathon uphill—tough, slow, and leaves you wondering, “Are we there yet?”

Let’s talk about what this means for real buyers and sellers. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about finding creative ways to make homeownership work in today’s reality. 🛠️

✨ Just Sold! ✨

Congratulations to my sellers on the successful sale of their home! 🙌 From setting the right strategy to navigating the market's ups and downs, we made it happen!

Thinking about buying or selling? Contact me at 703-625-4949 📞

It’s true.

If you want to find out your home’s value, you can get it online within seconds.

‼️ But there’s a problem…

These tools are wildly inaccurate because they can’t capture market nuances, where home values often vary significantly even within the same neighborhood.

For most homeowners, their online estimate is actually lower than what their home is really worth. Case in point: I just prepared a report for my clients and found their online Zestimate was off by $60,000.

Why does this matter? 🤔

Because even if you’re just starting to explore the idea of selling your home, you need to know how much equity you have.

If you haven’t received your 2024 Home Value Report, text me and I can prepare one for you today: (703) 625-4949

I look forward to hearing from you!

📣 There's a long list of tactical things I'll do to get your home ready for market BUT before we start there's something I'm going to ask you...

I need you to tell me everything you've loved about your home.

Trust me, there's a strategic reason for this request!

🙌🏻 Knowing all the little ways you loved this home will help me tell its story and foster an emotional connection with potential buyers.

Plus it makes it feel like a welcoming and comfortable place to continue their own story.

If selling is on your 2025 to-do list, I'd love to walk you through the rest of my strategy. Schedule a 1:1 consult at the link in my bio. ☎️

January is all about predictions, so here are the top 9 design trends for 2025
according to House Beautiful.

🤔 Which one do you like the most?

Being stuck at home during a snowstorm doesn’t have to be boring! Here are 3 fun and productive ways to keep everyone entertained and make the most of your cozy day in:

1️⃣ Game Night Challenge 🎲🎮
Grab your favorite board games, card games, or even video games and turn it into a friendly competition. Don’t forget to set up prizes for the winners—it adds extra motivation and fun!

2️⃣ Cook or Bake Together 🍪👩‍🍳
Whip up something delicious as a family or with your housemates. Try a new recipe, bake cookies, or create a hot chocolate bar with toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles. A snowstorm is the perfect excuse for comfort food!

3️⃣ Declutter and Refresh 🧹📦
Take advantage of the downtime to declutter your home. Go through that closet, organize a drawer, or sort out old books and clothes you no longer need. It’s a great way to stay productive and create a refreshed space for when the snow clears!

What are your go-to snow day activities? Drop your ideas below! 🛷❄️

Another Happy Homeowners in Ashburn! 🎉

I’m so excited that my buyers just closed on their new home at 22027 Avonworth Sq, Ashburn, VA 20148! It’s always such a joy to help clients find the perfect place to call home.

If you're ready to start your journey to homeownership or have questions about the real estate market, I'm here to help! Let's connect today! 📞💻

TESTIMONIAL ⭐️

"As first-time homebuyers, we couldn’t have asked for a better realtor than Ritu Desai. She was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, taking the time to educate us about the entire home-buying process. Ritu guided us through the complexities of the current real estate market with expertise and made us feel confident in every decision.

Her responsiveness and dedication were exceptional—she was always available to answer our questions and provided thoughtful advice tailored to our needs. Thanks to Ritu’s support, we were able to find the perfect home.

We highly recommend Ritu Desai to anyone looking for a realtor who truly cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful home-buying experience."

🙏 Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review! It truly warms my heart to hear about your positive experience as first-time homebuyers.

✨ I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this milestone in your lives and wish you countless wonderful memories in your new home

Happy New Year from the Desai family! ✨🎉

We made it through another year with plenty of laughs, some chaos, and maybe a few "are we doing this right?"

As we step into another year filled with hope, gratitude, and opportunity, we want to thank all of you for being a part of our journey. 🙏

Now let’s all make those resolutions we know we’ll probably forget by February! 🥂 Cheers to a great year ahead!

Wondering when mortgage rates will drop? 📈

After years of rising rates, 2024 is looking for some relief. While no one can predict rates with certainty, experts expect them to stabilize and ease slightly in 2025.

Key factors influencing this include inflation, unemployment, and government policies. But be mindful: rates will fluctuate, and timing the market is challenging.

Focus on what you can control—like improving your credit score, saving for a down payment, and automating your savings—to achieve your homeownership goals.

Remember, these forecasts are based on the best information available right now. As new economic data comes out, experts will revise their projections accordingly (In fact, the Fed just met yesterday and despite cutting the Fed Funds rate a quarter percent, rates haven't changed much - although rates have already been going up this past week. They also announced that although they plan to cut the Fed Funds rate next year, they don't plan to decrease as much as they anticipated - which will also impact interest rates next year).

Stay updated with expert insights from your lender, and your trusted realtor, ME - to make the most informed decision for your move!

*article from Keeping Current Matters

We had such an incredible turnout at our recent open house for 200 Meeting House Station Sq, Herndon, VA 20170!

✨ Multiple offers came in, and we are now under contract. 🎯 This stunning property impressed so many buyers, and I couldn’t be happier for my sellers!

🔑 Ready to make your real estate goals a reality? Whether buying, selling, or just exploring, I’m here to help you achieve success in today’s market.

📞 Let’s chat today!

Brand New Rental Listing in Sterling, VA!

Be the FIRST to call this stunningly upgraded Stanley Martin Jenkins Model your home! 🏡

✨ Features Include:
🔹 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full + 1 Half Baths | 2-Car Garage
🔹 Chef-inspired gourmet kitchen with sit-down island, stainless steel appliances, and walk-in pantry
🔹 Spacious family room with fireplace + composite deck for easy indoor-outdoor living
🔹 Luxurious owner’s suite with spa-like bathroom and walk-in closet
🔹 Entry-level 4th bedroom with full bath – perfect for guests or a home office
🔹 Access to community amenities: pool, fitness center, clubhouse, and walking paths

📍 Prime Location:
Quick access to Dulles Landing, recreation parks, major commuter routes, and sought-after Ashburn Schools!

Don’t wait—schedule a tour today and step into your dream home!

🌟 What’s ahead for real estate in 2025? 🌟

Nobody REALLY knows... but here’s what the experts are saying about the market trends, interest rates, and home prices! 🏡📈

👉 Swipe to see their full predictions and why 2025 could be a great year for buyers, sellers, and investors alike! 💼💡

🚀 Ready to make your move? Let’s strategize together to make 2025 YOUR year!