Kristin Burns, Realtor

09/17/2026

“Kristin? Is it 2022?”

Don’t we all miss those interest rates? But the 2026 fall housing market is a different landscape, and some sellers are still pricing their homes as though nearly every listing will attract multiple offers.

Buyers have more choices today. Before putting a home on the market, sellers need to understand:

• How many comparable homes are currently available
• How their home compares in price and condition
• How many homes typically sell in their neighborhood during the fourth quarter
• What will make buyers choose their home over the competition

In one recent market review I did of a local neighborhood, approximately 40 homes were for sale, but only an estimated 10 to 12 were likely to sell before the end of the year. The question isn’t simply, “What price do I want?” It’s also, “What do I need to do to become one of the homes that sells?”

What catches your attention first when comparing homes: price, condition, updates, or presentation?

If you’re considering selling in Northern Virginia, Kristin can help you evaluate the current competition and develop a strategy based on today’s market, not the market of 2022.

If your price isn’t compelling, your house isn’t selling.

Northern Virginia sellers: Pricing a home as though it were still 2...

09/15/2026

Fairfax Station 22039 was named one of Northern Virginia’s Hottest ZIP Codes by Northern Virginia Magazine, ranking #10 on the 2026 list.

I’ve been highlighting some of the Northern Virginia ZIP codes that made the list, and the full-year 2025 real estate numbers for Fairfax Station caught my attention:

🏡 Median List Price: $1,196,500
🔑 Median Close Price: $1,207,500
📅 Median Days on Market: 7 days
📈 Total 2025 Home Sales: 212

Fairfax Station offers a distinctive mix of larger properties, natural surroundings, parks and recreation, along with convenient access to major Northern Virginia commuter routes.

For homeowners, the numbers also illustrate why very local real estate data matters.

A headline about the “Northern Virginia market” doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s happening in Fairfax Station 22039, or in your particular neighborhood and price range.

If you’re thinking about selling, buying or simply wondering what your home may be worth in today’s market, I’m always happy to help you dig into the local numbers.

09/14/2026

Do laminate countertops really reduce a home’s value by a specific percentage? I am not buying that as a blanket rule, and there’s a good reason why.

Quartz is currently popular for its clean, simple appearance, while some buyers may find heavily patterned granite less appealing. But that doesn’t mean every seller should replace laminate, granite, or any other countertop before listing.

The potential effect depends on the countertop’s condition, how it compares with nearby homes, the property’s price range, and what buyers are seeing in competing listings.

Older laminate that looks worn or dated may affect a buyer’s impression. Laminate that is clean, well maintained, and appropriate for the home may be a different story entirely.

Would you replace the countertops before selling, or price the home with the existing kitchen in mind?

If you’re preparing to sell in Northern Virginia, if I am your Realtor, I can help you decide which improvements may strengthen your position, and which ones might not be worth the expense. I can also help buyers evaluate whether a home’s finishes are cosmetic preferences or meaningful considerations.

Do laminate countertops lower a home’s value? In this short video, ...

09/12/2026

West Springfield 22152 comes in at #9 on Northern Virginia Magazine’s list of the 20 Hottest ZIP Codes in Northern Virginia.

And when you look at the full-year 2025 real estate statistics, there are some numbers worth noticing.

The 2025 median list price in 22152 was $675,000, while the median closing price was $690,000. Homes had a median of just 8 days on market, with 393 sales during the year.

West Springfield offers a variety of housing along with convenient access to shopping, dining, parks, recreation and major transportation routes including I-95 and I-495, with the Franconia-Springfield Metro area nearby.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in West Springfield, Fairfax County, or elsewhere in Northern Virginia, the big regional headlines only tell part of the story. What is happening in your specific community, price range and property type matters much more.

I’ve been serving Northern Virginia buyers and sellers since 2003, and I’ll continue sharing Northern Virginia Magazine’s hottest ZIP codes over the next several weeks.

Thinking about a move, or curious what the numbers look like in your ZIP code? Send me a message.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the courage of the first responders who ran toward danger to help others.

May we never forget their lives and their sacrifice. We remember. We honor.

09/10/2026

A little Thursday Realtor humor! 😂

Never ask a Realtor how old their headshot is. Some things are better left between the Realtor and the photographer! PS, mine is not too old, but it has been a couple of years.

Fortunately, my knowledge of the Northern Virginia real estate market is always much more current. Whether you’re curious about buying, selling, investing, or the value of your home, I’m always happy to answer your questions and help you understand your options.

What do you think, how often should a Realtor update their headshot?

09/09/2026

Could a DIY project actually lower your home’s value?

A well-executed improvement may help a home show better, but work that appears unfinished or poorly installed can create the opposite reaction. When buyers see uneven flooring, crooked tile, messy paintwork, or obvious repairs, they may start calculating how much it will cost to redo everything.

That can result in a lower offer, or cause a buyer to move on to another property.

Before beginning a project, ask yourself:

• Do I have the right tools and experience?
• Can I complete it to a professional-looking standard?
• Will the money I save outweigh the potential cost when I sell?

There are certainly projects homeowners can handle themselves. The key is knowing your limits, especially when preparing a Northern Virginia home for the market.

If you’re thinking about selling in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Dumfries, Montclair, or a surrounding community, I can help you identify which improvements deserve your time and money, and which ones may not.

What is one home project you would always leave to a professional?

09/07/2026

Take a look inside 14208 Bremerton Drive in Woodbridge, Virginia!

Offered at $469,900, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath brick rambler offers 1,442 square feet of one-level living. Highlights include hardwood floors, a renovated bathroom, gas fireplace, four-season Florida room and a fully fenced backyard with multiple storage sheds.

View the full property details and photos here:
https://14208bremerton.c21redwood.com/

Thinking about buying or selling in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Montclair or elsewhere in Prince William County? I’m always happy to help you understand your options.



https://youtu.be/cp7XwvIi-X8

Tour 14208 Bremerton Drive, a 3-bedroom, 1-bath single family home ...

09/06/2026

Moving from North Carolina to Virginia meant Jamie and her family needed more than a list of available homes. They needed a Northern Virginia Realtor who would listen, explain the process, respond quickly, and help them understand their options.

We began with a conversation about their expectations and what they were looking for. From there, the home search got underway, and sometimes that meant scheduling a showing the very same day to include virtual showings!

Jamie shared:

“Her knowledge, ability to negotiate, and overall professionalism made her a dream to work with. We could not have found our current home without her.”

Thank you, Jamie, for your kind words and for trusting me to help you find your home in the Montclair area It was truly an honor to be part of your move!

If you are relocating to Montclair, Prince William County, or another part of Northern Virginia, I would be happy to help you understand the local market and plan your next steps.

09/04/2026

Do media rooms make homes less appealing, or is this one national real estate trend that does not tell the whole story in Northern Virginia?

Zillow reportedly found that homes featuring media rooms receive fewer saves, shares and likes. I respectfully disagree with the idea that this automatically makes a media room and the house undesirable.

Real estate is local. In Northern Virginia, many homes have basements with interior areas that receive little or no natural light. That space may not appeal to buyers as a conventional room, but it can work especially well as a media room.

A well-presented media room gives buyers an easy way to imagine movie nights, sporting events, or everyday entertainment at home. It may not add a large dollar amount to the sale price by itself, but it can make finished basement space feel intentional, useful and memorable.

For sellers, the lesson is not that every basement needs a media room. It is that an awkward space can become an appealing feature when its purpose is clear and when buyers can still imagine alternative uses.

Would a media room make you more interested in a home? If you are preparing to sell in Northern Virginia, send me a message and let’s talk about how to showcase your home’s distinctive spaces.

Does a media room add value or make a home less appealing to buyers...