Jim Miller Long & Foster Real Estate

08/07/2026

Congratulations to Brad and Kenya on your first home! So happy for you and I know you have years of memories ahead of you!

07/23/2026

Open House this Saturday, 7/25 from 11 am to 2 pm at 7131 Academy Rd, Warrenton, Va in the Bethel Academy neighborhood!

Come see this lovely home in desirable Bethel Academy! Featuring a separate living space in the lower level including a separate entrance, this is extra space provides living for in-laws, family or guests. 4-bedrooms, three full bathrooms a kitchen AND kitchenette in the separate living space!

07/23/2026

We are holding another Open House this Sunday, July 26 from 11 am to 2 pm at 623 Yorktown Boulevard in Locust Grove (Lake of the Woods)!

Come see this adorable 3 bed home in gated Lake of the Woods. Here you can find amenities such as golf, riding trails, several pools and of course, the Lake itself! Whether as a retreat, first time home, or down sizing, it's the one for you!

Hope to see you there!

07/17/2026

Open House this Sunday, July 19th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 623 Yorktown Blvd, Locust Grove.

Whether you're looking to downsize, or a first time home, or even a nice little getaway, this is a fantastic home. Located in Lake of the Woods, amenities include golf, several pools, a club house, riding and walking trails, and of course access to the lake for boating, water skiing and jetskiing! It's a perfect little getaway!

07/17/2026

Open House this Saturday at 7131 Academy Road in lovely Bethel Academy!

07/11/2026

Congratulations Ashley and Mark on your new home! I’m sure you’ll create many new memories in the years to come!

03/03/2026

March 3, 2026 Monthly Item of Value

With spring just around the corner, we've been getting lots of questions about the market and where it's headed. Inventory, especially, has been a hot topic, with many wondering whether we're entering a buyer’s market or staying in a seller’s market.



Here are several key points to consider.



Inventory is going up, but we’re not in a buyer’s market yet. In the Mid-Atlantic, inventory increased by almost 15% in January, based on the latest Bright MLS data. Still, demand is higher than supply, with less than two months of homes available.



Houses are taking more time to sell now. Homes were jumping off the market at record speed in recent years, but we’re seeing properties staying listed for longer as 2026 kicks off. For buyers, this is a positive change, giving added time to make better-informed decisions.



Mortgage rates are affecting the market. Many homeowners who locked in very low rates are holding off on selling, so fewer new listings are coming up. On the bright side, current mortgage rates have settled around 6%, according to Freddie Mac.



Home prices are still going up, but not as fast as before. January brought a 2.6% increase to median sales prices across the Mid-Atlantic, a much slower rise than a few years ago. Sellers might need to adjust their price expectations, while buyers can feel confident knowing that equity remains strong.



The market is becoming more balanced. This spring, both buyers and sellers can find advantages, especially when working with experienced agents like my team at Long & Foster Real Estate.



While these are some of the trends we’re seeing across the region, every market is unique and your neighborhood might be different. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, reach out to me for local insights and a plan to help you achieve your real estate goals in 2026.

02/02/2026

Housing-Related Tax Items to Consider

Tax Day is approaching fast. If you bought, sold or owned a home in 2025, here are a few housing-related tax items to keep in mind as you get your tax filing ready.

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Homeowners may be able to deduct interest paid on mortgage debt up to $750,000 (or $375,000 if married filing separately), provided you itemize your taxes and purchased your home after Dec. 14, 2017. Higher deduction limits ($1M) remain in place for mortgages that closed before Dec. 14, 2017.

State and Local Tax (SALT) Deductions

The cap on the SALT deductions for 2025 filings increased to $40,000 for taxpayers with adjusted gross income under $500,000. Previously, it was capped at $10,000, and this change benefits homeowners in areas with higher property taxes. You must itemize deductions to claim this benefit.

Mortgage Insurance Premium (PMI) Deduction

Homeowners can once again deduct mortgage insurance premiums (PMI) on their taxes. PMI is generally required when a home buyer makes a down payment of less than 20%.

Capital Gains Exclusions on Home Sales

If you sold your home last year, you may be able to exclude up to $500,000 of capital gains if married filing jointly (or $250,000 if single); however, you must have owned and used the home as your primary residence for at least two of the last five years.

These are just a few of the tax considerations for homeowners and sellers. Because tax situations vary, it’s always best to consult a qualified tax advisor for guidance specific to your circumstances.

If you have any real estate-related questions, whether about your local market conditions or how the national housing market is shaping up, I’m here to help.

Jim Miller

12/19/2025

11/04/2025

Don’t Miss These Year-End Opportunities

Think fall isn’t a good time to buy or sell? Think again—this season can offer some of the best opportunities of the year for those ready to act. Here are a few of the benefits to buying or selling in late fall or early winter.

Tax advantages. From mortgage interest deductions and capital gains exclusions to 1031 exchange opportunities, closing before Dec. 31 could make a year-end move financially strategic.

Motivated sellers and serious buyers. Often, buyers and sellers who are looking for a move this time of year are eager to get the deal done. For sellers, you can have confidence that buyers are seriously evaluating your property, and for buyers, you can potentially benefit from a homeowner who wants to move quickly.

Less competition. For those selling properties, you’ll find fewer homes competing against yours, and for those buying, you’ll have less prospective buyers shopping, giving you stronger negotiating power.

Potential price advantages. With fewer consumers shopping for properties, buyers could benefit from better prices or sales terms—such as covered repairs or credits, as well as a fast or flexible closing date.

As always, market conditions depend on where you live, but the best first step is working with a professional agent like me. As part of Long & Foster, I’ll provide in-depth local market knowledge and negotiation expertise, as well as connections to my partners in mortgage, title, insurance, inspection and moving—making it easier to buy, sell, rent and own real estate.

Let’s chat!