NEW LISTING IN ASHBURN VIRGINIA

JS Realty - Tholen - Front ExteriorThe JS Realty Team recently listed this gorgeous town home in Ashburn, Virginia and it’s a MUST SEE! Located at 20393 Tholen Street in Ashburn, this town home boasts tons of windows and a Surround Sound System throughout! Just steps from the community pool & tennis court, this home is also close to Routes 7, 15, & 28, the Dulles Greenway, and Wasington-Dulles International Airport.

10-foot ceilings are located throughout the main level, along with gorgeous tile and laminate wood flooring and crown molding. The kitchen has custom granite counter tops & backsplash, an over sized granite island, and pantry. Ashburn For SaleThere’s also a custom wine cellar that was cleverly hidden beneath the staircase.

The family room features a stone-surround gas fireplace, built in shelves, and access to the deck and the 2-car garage.

JS Realty - Tholen - Master BathUpstairs, the Master bedroom has 2 walk-in closets, and the en-suite bathroom features a Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. The 2 additional bedrooms have walk-in closets.  A laundry room and den can also be found upstairs, along with a loft that would make a great kids playroom!

This move-in ready home is just a short drive to shopping, dining, & entertainment at Ashburn’s new hot-spot, One Loudoun. Call us today at 703-475-1003 for a private tour!

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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

NEW LISTING IN FAIRFAX VIRGINIA

Penderbrook FairfaxFOR SALE and available now! This 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath condo is located at 12159 Penderview Terrace #934 in Fairfax, Virginia. The highly sought-after Fairfax community of Penderbrook includes tons of amenities such as a golf course, multiple pools, clubhouses, fitness centers, and more!

This home is a commuter’s DREAM – located close to Routes 28, 29, & 50, I-66, Fairfax County Parkway, Washington-Dulles International Airport, and is on a bus line serving the metro. Just minutes from shopping, dining, and entertainment at the Fair Oaks Mall, Fair Lakes Shopping Center, and the Fairfax Towne Center!

Penderbrook FairfaxLarge windows fill the condo with natural light. A newly updated kitchen with a hardwood floors and a breakfast bar are just off the spacious living room. Vaulted ceilings and built-in shelving can be found in conjunction with a wood burning fireplace. A huge walk-in closet can be found in the Master bedroom, and the dual-entry Master bathroom boasts an oversized vanity and access to the washer & dryer. The ample 2nd bedroom features a sliding glass door that leads to a private balcony.

Give us a call today at 703-475-1003 and set up a private tour of this beautiful condo and community in Fairfax!

JS Realty Free Analysis Contact UsThe JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

 

DO I NEED A DOWN PAYMENT?

Being a homeowner has lots of perks – you get a nice tax deduction, you are building equity in your home, and hey – you can paint the walls whatever color suits your taste!

There’s quite a lot of data to be found about loans, interest rates, and insurance costs. And it’s pretty easy to find out what a home will cost in the area you’d like to purchase in. But there’s not a lot of information on how much money you will need to pay “out of pocket” in order to actually buy a house. Everyone’s circumstances are different and you may have thousands of dollars saved up – or maybe just a few hundred.JS Realty No down payment Blackboard with 3d house

Typically, a borrower (that’s mortgage lingo for “person who applied for a loan”), will have to make a payment at closing which consists of a down payment and closing costs. There are instances where this amount can be zero – or very close to it! Let’s look at some cases where this would be true.

JS Realty House, Veteran, Military.The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) guarantees VA loans and are available for eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses (provided they do not remarry). VA loans can provide 100% financing and will even allow the VA funding fee to be added to the loan amount. This takes care of the need for a down payment. Closing costs can be covered by seller credits, lender credits or realtor credits which can result in a closing where no money is needed on the buyer’s part. VA loans don’t have the need to pay mortgage insurance.

JS Realty Mortgage application form with a calculator and house.Another scenario where a buyer can escape the need for a down payment is a loan from the Federal Housing Administration, known as an FHA Plus loan. Most FHA loans require a down payment of 3.5%. With the FHA Plus loan, there is a first mortgage based on 96.5% of the sales price and a second mortgage of 3.5% to 5% of the sales price. Again, if third party credits are available to pay the closing costs, no money is needed at closing. Unlike the VA loans, FHA loan have both upfront mortgage insurance premiums as well as monthly mortgage insurance payments.

JS Realty Farmhouse in a pastoral environmentA third loan option that has no down payment is a USDA loan. USDA loans are designed for lower-income borrowers and there are geographical restrictions regarding the purchased properties. The home purchased must be a primary residence and in a rural area that with a general population limit of 20,000 or less.

JS Realty Refinance Monney Calculator BillsConventional, conforming loans of $417,000 or less can be obtained for as little as a 3% down payment. Keep in mind that with a loan that has a loan-to-value of 97%, the cost of mortgage insurance will be higher on both single premium mortgage insurance as well as with monthly mortgage insurance when compared to loans with a down payment of 5% or more.

With conventional loans, mortgage insurance will be needed with any single mortgage loans with less than a 20% down payment.

Every borrower has unique loan scenarios based on credit scores, cash available for down payments and closing costs, eligibility for various loan types, etc. As a loan officer, I take great pride in fully understanding the specific needs of borrowers to allow me to offer the best possible mortgage loan solution. Please contact me for further information or assistance!

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

Keith Harris
Senior Loan Officer
Intercoastal Mortgage Company
Direct: (703) 259-0788
NMLS ID # 838973


 

NEW LISTING IN CENTREVILLE, VA

The JS Realty Team is pleased to announce its newest listing in Centreville, VA! This beautiful 6 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home is situated on 5 acres in the Sully Estates.

Located at 14905 Cub Run Park Drive, this immaculate home is conveniently located near Routes 28 & 29, and I-66.

JS Realty Cub Run Park Drive - KitchenStone pathways lead to the front door, where once inside you’ll find beautiful hardwood flooring throughout most of the main level. A new gourmet kitchen awaits with marble flooring, a custom backsplash and gorgeous granite counters.

JS Realty Centreville ListingThree spacious bedrooms with carpeting and large closets can be found upstairs, along with an impressive Master Suite. Marble flooring and wainscoting can be found in the master bath, and includes an over-sized double vanity, 2-person Jacuzzi tub, and seamless glass shower. Two additional bedrooms and a full bath can be found in the finished basement.

TJS Realty Centreville Listinghe professionally landscaped yard includes designer lighting and the two car, attached, side loading garage is off the circular driveway. The 5 acre back yard features a large deck and is surrounded by mature trees.

Learn more about our listing in the video, or visit us online at JSRealty4U.com.

If you would like a private tour of this new listing, call Katie Hofer at 703-508-6654.

JS Realty Free Analysis Contact UsThe JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

WHEN TO CALL A LENDER

When should I call a lender in the Buying process?

jsrealty4u business lender menContacting a lender to get pre-approved for a loan should be the first action item for anyone that is interested in buying a home. The pre-approval process will typically begin with a phone conversation or a face-to-face meeting between the borrower and the loan officer. The prospective borrower will need to fill out a loan application and give the loan officer permission to run a credit report.

Why are these steps important?

The initial conversation will allow the loan officer to get valuable information such as:

-The number of people on the loan
-Will there be a non-occupant co-borrower
Meeting Realtor Contracts-Permission to run a credit report
-How much cash the borrower has for closing costs and a down payment
-Time-frame for purchasing a home
-Is the borrower self-employed?
-Is the borrower paid by salary, commission, overtime etc?

The loan application provides a great deal of information as well such as:

JS Realty Mortgage Loan Application-Does the borrower own any properties currently
-Employment information
-How long the borrower has been employed at current job
-Monthly income
-Assets such as checking accounts, savings accounts and retirement accounts
-Past credit issues: bankruptcy, foreclosures, short-sales etc.

The credit report provides additional information that is valuable in the pre-approval stage.

JS Realty credit score variableCredit score which will determine the type of loans available
-Score also determines interest rates that the borrower qualifies for
-Amount of monthly debts that need to be factored into the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio
-Are there any collection accounts that need attention prior to final loan approval
-If scores are low, many times a loan officer can offer help in raising the borrower’s credit scores

jsrealty4u js realty stampAfter gathering information from the initial conversation, loan application and credit report, the lender may need additional documentation in order to provide a pre-approval letter. Once this information is received and reviewed, a lender should be able to let a borrower know the amount of a monthly housing expense payment they would qualify for. A pre-approval letter is a written commitment by a lender to provide a mortgage loan to a borrower. With a pre-approval letter in hand, potential buyers are able to look for properties in their price range with a high degree of confidence that they can purchase a home that fits their needs.

JSRealty4U new homeIf you are curious about how the process works, check out our previous blog on the entire Loan Process or download our Loan Process Flyer.

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

If you have any questions about a loan, or would like clarification on any of the information we have provided thus far, please contact our preferred Lender, Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

 

 


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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

THE HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE

You’ve decided to buy a home… a smart decision, considering rental rates are constantly on the rise and interest rates are continuing to hold at near-record lows. The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire process. From your initial consultation through settlement day, we will tailor the buying process to meet your specific needs through the following steps.

1. GATHER INFORMATION
At your initial consultation, we need to gather lots of information from you to aid us in the progression of finding the RIGHT home for YOU. So be prepared for a barrage of questions! You can expect this conversation to include:JS Realty Check List Blank

-Style of home you prefer
-Features of a home that are most attractive to you
-Lot size
-Desired location(s)
Contacting a Lender to get you pre-qualified for a loan
-School districts
-Neighborhood feel

Once we’ve compiled your wish-list, the next step is to set up a personalized search specific to your requests.

2. FIELD TRIP!JS Realty Showing Home
Here’s where the real fun begins. Tours can be set up based on the properties you’ve chosen. While touring, we will ask additional questions in order to continue refining your search. You may choose to add to your current list as well as rule out many already on the list.

3. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONJS Realty House contract
After you’ve successfully chosen the home that’s right for you, your Realtor’s value and importance will really shine through at this stage of the game. We will negotiate the terms of the contract in order to achieve the best results attainable. Once the terms of the contract are in place, the next most important step is the inspection.

4. HOME INSPECTIONJS Realty Home Inspection
We will now hire a licensed home Inspector who will thoroughly examine the property and provide a detailed report with potential items which need to be addressed. The Inspector will also provide tips for preventative maintenance that can potentially save you money in the future.

5. PLANNING YOUR MOVEJS Realty Calendar Red Moving Day
While waiting for your loan to be finalized and settlement day to arrive, you’ll want to begin planning your move. Once the transaction is settled, you will receive keys to your new home!

Although the buying process is now complete, remember that the JS Realty Team is always available to you for additional questions and any further Real Estate needs. Feel free to contact us at any time!

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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

HOME JUST LISTED IN ARLINGTON

JUST LISTED! This charming 3 level, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom town home conveniently located on South Stafford Street in Arlington, Virginia was just listed for sale!

JS Realty Exterior - Fairlington 3244 S Stafford StThis gorgeous town home located in the highly sought after Farlington Community offers so many amenities to its residents, including: meeting room, amphitheater, basketball court, grill area, fitness center, gazebo, rose garden, paved trail, walking/jogging path, picnic area, tot lots, farmers market on Sundays & so much more!

JS Realty 3244 S Stafford St Kitchen Living Room2This area is a commuters dream; walk out your door to a Metro bus stop or use one of the several Metro bus stops throughout the community. This home is less than 5 miles from the Pentagon Metro Station & King Street Metro Station, and just a short drive to Reagan National Airport & Washington DC Walk to the Dash for a direct ride to the Pentagon.

Enjoy shopping, dining & entertainment at The Village at Shirlington, located less than a mile away!

JS Realty 3244 S Stafford St KitchenWindows galore fill this freshly painted home with tons of natural light. Find crown molding, chair rail, ceiling fans, and other updates to this beautifully maintained brick home that backs to a common area.

The adorable back yard is just off the kitchen and has both a stone & brick patio, which is perfect for entertaining!

Call us today at 703-475-1003 or 703-625-3446 to schedule a private showing of this charming home!

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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

TOP BRAMBLETON HOMES FOR SALE

Summer is in full force and Brambleton is all the BUZZ! As of today, there are 117 Condo’s, Townhomes, and Single Family homes listed for sale in the MLS just in Brambleton. Out of those 117 homes, we’ve listed below a few that we think are worthy of a closer look. There is literally something here for everyone! And don’t forget, in Brambleton everything you need is just minutes away. You can even enjoy a vacation without ever leaving town!

Be sure to take note of these great properties for sale, and contact us if you find one you want to see in person!

BLUE ELDER TERRACE – The lowest priced condo available!JS Realty Blue Homes Sale

THIMBLEBERRY SQUARE – A 3 bedroom condo for only $235,900!JS Realty Homes For Sale Brambleton

BENFOLD SQUARE – Large, new construction Townhouses for under $400K!JS Realty Benfold Brambleton Homes
HIGBEE LANE – This gorgeous Single Family home is only $550K!JS Realty Brambleton Homes

RICHLAND GROVE DRIVE – Beautiful Winchester home, with quick delivery!JS Realty Brambleton Homes

LOIS LANE – The largest home available today. Fit for a superhero!  JS Realty Lois Superman Homes Sale      JS Realty Brambleton Lois Superman Homes

Call us today at 703-475-1003 to take a closer look at any of these homes or any other home in the Brambleton Community!

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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

WHAT IMPACTS A CREDIT SCORE

How does my credit score affect my mortgage loan application?

Today we will look at credit reports for a potential mortgage borrower, what impacts the score, and how to improve your score.

When a lender runs a credit report on a potential borrower, there are three National Repositories that will report a credit score. They are:
1. EquifaxJS Realty Credit Equifax Experian TransUnion
2. Experian
3. Transunion

Most lenders will use the middle of the three credit scores to determine what type of loan and what interest rate a borrower qualifies for. Generically speaking, the higher the score, the lower the interest rate a consumer will be offered.

JS Realty approved creditThese three reporting entities will provide a credit score that is used to determine the risk associated with a particular borrower regarding repayment of the loan. A number of credit related variables are used to calculate the credit score. The credit score is used as a predictor as to the likelihood that the consumer will have late payments in the next 24 months. The lower the score, the greater likelihood that the borrower will be late on a payment or payments.

What are the variables that have the greatest impact on the credit score and their relative weight in the scoring?

JS Realty credit score variablePast Payment History – 35%
 -Late payments are shown for payments that are 30, 60 and 90 days late.
Current Account Balances – 30%
-Any account that has a balance of greater than 30% of the available credit limit will reduce the credit score. Balances of more than 50% will result in even lower scores.
Credit History – 15%
-How long have you had the account? Typically, the longer the better.
New credit cards will lower your score at first.
-Closing out an account will have a negative impact on your score.
Types of Credit – 10%
-The most heavily weighted type of credit is those with finance companies
Credit Inquiries – 10%
-Too many inquiries will result in lower scores

The following table will provide information on the length of time that your credit will be impacted by certain events.

JS Realty creditPayment History………….7 years(Date of last activity)
Collection accounts………7 years(Date of origination)
Judgments………………..7 years (filed)
Chapter 7………………10 years (entry)
Chapter 13……………….7 years (entry)
Inquiries………………….2 years /90 days
Tax Liens…………………7 years / (PAID)

By law, there are some factors that cannot be used in the scoring model.

Race/NationalityJS Realty Credit Ethnic
Gender
Age
Religion
Marital status/Sexual Preference
Employment/Length of Employment/
Position or Title
Income
Address
I
nterest rate charged on a particular credit card

In summary, to receive the highest credit scores, you should have 3-5 credit lines that you pay on time and keep a balance of less than 30% of the credit limit. Spread out the use of multiple cards so that you have a low balance on all of them.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about how to increase your credit score or if you have any questions regarding credit and/or mortgage loans.

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

 

Keith Harris
Senior Loan Officer
Intercoastal Mortgage Company
Direct: (703) 259-0788
Cell:    (703) 395-6601

 


JS Realty Free Analysis Contact UsThe JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

HOME FOR SALE IN VIENNA

This week we are excited to feature a beautiful town home for sale in the highly sought after Dunn Loring Village – 8577 Dellway Lane in Vienna, Virginia.JS Realty Home ViennaThis wonderfully updated town home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 half-bathrooms. There is fresh paint throughout the entire home and hardwood floors on main level. The kitchen was recently remodeled and updated kitchen has new granite countertops, new cabinets, a built-in microwave, and tile floor.

JS Realty House Backyard Fence DellwayA great rec room leads out to a beautiful and spacious fenced in backyard with a deck.  This home is in a great location near major roadways and within a mile of the Dunn Loring Metro Station and the Mosaic District. This home is a must see!

Download the Dellway Lane Brochure.

Call us today at 703-625-3446 to see this home in person!

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The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.