The Shorb Team

Property taxes are part of homeownership, but many DC homeowners don’t realize how they actually work until they receive their bill.

Here are a few things worth knowing:

✔️ Your tax bill is based on your home’s assessed value. As your property’s assessed value changes, your annual property taxes may change too.

✔️ If you have a mortgage, your lender is often paying your property taxes through your monthly escrow payment. It’s still a good idea to review your statements each year to make sure everything is being paid correctly.

✔️ If you own your home outright, you’ll pay property taxes directly to the District. DC property taxes are generally due twice a year.

✔️ Many homeowners qualify for valuable tax savings. The DC Homestead Deduction can reduce your taxable assessed value if the home is your primary residence. Some senior homeowners may also qualify for additional tax relief.

✔️ Don’t ignore property tax notices. Late payments can quickly lead to penalties and interest, so it’s important to stay on top of important deadlines.

Property taxes may not be the most exciting part of buying or owning a home, but understanding how they work can help you avoid surprises and potentially save money.

If you’re buying your first home or have questions about owning property in DC, understanding these details is just as important as finding the right home.

Thinking about selling this fall? The work starts now.

The homeowners who get the strongest results this fall won’t be the ones rushing to list in September. They’ll be the ones who started preparing weeks or even months in advance.

Here’s where we’d focus first:

✔️ Make strategic updates. You don’t need a full renovation, but fresh paint, small repairs, updated lighting, and great curb appeal can completely change a buyer’s first impression.

✔️ Start decluttering early. Buyers want to picture themselves living in your home. The more open, clean, and organized it feels, the easier that becomes.

✔️ Price based on today’s market. Fall buyers are motivated, but they’re also informed. A pricing strategy based on current data, not last year’s market, is one of the biggest factors in a successful sale.

✔️ Create a marketing plan before you list. Professional photography, video, digital marketing, and a launch strategy should all be ready before your home goes live.

The best fall listings don’t happen by accident. They happen because the preparation started long before the first showing.

If selling this fall is on your radar, now is the time to start planning.

If you’ve been thinking about selling, you’ve probably seen plenty of headlines saying buyers are waiting on the sidelines. But the latest data tells a different story.

More homes are going under contract today than they were at this same time over the last two years. Even with mortgage rates staying above 6%, motivated buyers are still making moves.

The difference is that today’s buyers are more intentional. They’re taking their time, comparing options, and looking closely at value. When a home is priced correctly and presented well, they’re ready to act.

That’s why strategy matters more than ever.

If your home didn’t receive much attention a few years ago, it might have been the market. Today, it’s more often about pricing, presentation, and marketing. Buyers have choices, and they’re looking for homes that stand out from day one.

The good news is that serious buyers are still out there. They haven’t stopped buying. They’ve simply become more selective.

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t let the headlines make the decision for you. Look at what’s happening in your local market and build a strategy based on today’s conditions, not yesterday’s assumptions.

The right preparation, the right pricing, and the right marketing can make all the difference.

If you’ve been searching for a home in the DC area, you’ve probably noticed listings marked “Coming Soon.” But what does that actually mean?

A Coming Soon home isn’t available for showings yet. The seller has signed a listing agreement, but the home is usually still being prepared with staging, painting, photography, or final touch-ups before it officially goes live.

One important rule hasn’t changed: buyers can’t tour the property until it’s switched to Active status. While offers can sometimes be submitted before showings begin, no one gets early access inside the home.

Bright MLS is also introducing updates to how Coming Soon listings can be marketed. Sellers will have more flexibility over where their listing appears online, while new privacy options will allow certain details, like photos or days on market, to be hidden from public websites if they choose.

For buyers, this means you’ll likely continue seeing homes before they’re officially available, giving you more time to prepare before showings begin.

For sellers, it creates another opportunity to build interest while your home is getting market-ready, all while giving you more control over how your listing is shared.

As always, every strategy works differently depending on your goals and the current market. Understanding how these listing statuses work can help you make smarter decisions whether you’re buying or selling.

When a home doesn’t sell, it’s easy to assume the market has spoken.

But in many cases, that’s not the full story.

An expired listing doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with the home. More often, it means something in the strategy didn’t connect with today’s buyers.

Maybe the price didn’t reflect current market conditions.

Maybe the photos or presentation didn’t make a strong first impression.

Maybe the marketing wasn’t generating enough exposure, or valuable feedback from showings wasn’t turned into action.

The good news? Those are all things that can be changed.

According to REDX, homeowners who relist with a different approach are more likely to sell their home (49.5% vs. 43.0%) and, on average, sell nearly a week faster than those who simply repeat the same strategy.

If your home didn’t sell the first time, don’t assume you’ve missed your opportunity. With the right strategy, a second launch can be the one that gets you to the closing table.

Your home could be doing more than just building equity.

If you’ve owned your home for a few years, you’ve likely built up equity as your property value has increased and your mortgage balance has gone down. One option that many homeowners don’t realize they have is a cash-out refinance.

Here’s how it works:

You replace your current mortgage with a new, larger loan. The new loan pays off your existing mortgage, and you receive the remaining difference as cash.

Many homeowners use those funds to:
• Renovate or expand their home
• Pay off higher-interest debt
• Cover education expenses
• Build an emergency fund
• Invest in other financial goals

While a cash-out refinance can be a valuable financial tool, it’s important to remember that you’re borrowing against your home’s equity. That means you’ll have a larger mortgage balance, and depending on today’s interest rates, your monthly payment could change.

The right decision depends on your current loan, how much equity you’ve built, and what you plan to use the funds for.

If you’re wondering whether a cash-out refinance makes sense for your situation, it starts with knowing what your home is worth in today’s market. Understanding your equity is the first step toward making an informed financial decision.

Relocating to the DC area in 2026? Start with a plan before you start scrolling through listings.

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is choosing a home before they choose the right location. In the DC market, your lifestyle can change dramatically depending on the neighborhood you choose, even if your budget stays the same.

Before you begin your search, ask yourself a few key questions:

• How long are you comfortable commuting each day?
• Do you want a walkable neighborhood or more space and privacy?
• Is access to Metro important?
• Are schools, parks, or restaurants high on your priority list?
• Would you rather live in the city or a nearby suburb?

It’s also important to understand that every market moves differently. A condo in DC may offer more negotiating power, while single-family homes in parts of Montgomery County often attract stronger competition.

If you’re planning a move to the DC area this year, let’s build a strategy around your goals before you start touring homes. It can save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress.

Buying a home is just the beginning. Owning one means planning for the costs that come after closing.

One of the biggest surprises for first-time homeowners isn’t the mortgage, it’s maintenance.

A good rule of thumb is to budget 1–4% of your home’s value each year for upkeep. The exact amount depends on the age, size, and condition of the home, but having a plan can help you avoid costly surprises down the road.

Some of the most common maintenance expenses include:
• Roof repairs or replacement
• HVAC servicing and filter changes
• Plumbing maintenance
• Lawn care and landscaping
• Exterior painting or siding repairs

And don’t forget about the unexpected. A water heater, appliance, or HVAC system can fail without much warning, so having an emergency fund is just as important as your regular maintenance budget.

Homeownership is one of the best long-term investments you can make, but protecting that investment means taking care of it year after year.

Thinking about buying a home? Understanding the true cost of ownership can help you make a smarter decision from day one.

Outdoor living has become one of the biggest design trends in the DC area, and it’s changing what buyers expect from a home.

A few years ago, a simple patio and grill were enough. Today, buyers are looking for outdoor spaces that function like another room of the house.

We’re seeing homeowners invest in covered outdoor kitchens, pergolas that provide shade throughout the day, cozy lounge areas with fireplaces or heaters, and thoughtfully designed spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxing. The goal isn’t necessarily a bigger backyard, it’s making every square foot more functional.

One trend that’s really standing out is the shift toward year-round usability. Features like retractable screens, covered seating areas, and outdoor heating allow homeowners to enjoy their space well beyond the summer months, making the investment feel worthwhile every season.

If you’re planning updates before selling, remember that buyers often notice the overall experience more than individual features. A well-designed outdoor space can make a home feel larger, more inviting, and more memorable during showings.

Outdoor living isn’t just about luxury anymore, it’s about creating a home that feels complete, both inside and out.