No Money Down Home Loans are Back!
The VHDA just announced that they plan to roll out a program that offers down payment grants for qualified first time buyers on Monday, March 14. That’s basically free money!
These non-repayable grants are for 3% (Conventional) or 3.5% (FHA) of the purchase price. When combined with a mortgage credit certificate (tax credit) this is a great way to purchase a home with no money down.
This program is designed to help first time home buyers (or buyers that have not owned a home in the past 3 years) realize the American dream of home ownership. Now, there are income and sales price limits, so this is not for everyone. However, this will enable home buyers who need help with the down payment to purchase a home.
Here are some of the parameters of this grant that buyers must follow:
-Intend to live in the home
-May not use home for trade or business
-Lot size limited to 2 acres (unless a waiver is obtained, which will allow up to 5 acres)
-Demonstrate creditworthiness
-Demonstrate stable income
-Take and complete VHDA’s Homeownership Education class
You can view the specific income and sales price limits to qualify for this grant here. The income and sales price limits also vary depending on where in Virginia you live. This creates an opportunity for home ownership where it may not have been possible otherwise.
We want to help you make your dream of home ownership come true!
Take advantage of this amazing program! Contact Scott Koval and Sarah Taylor at the JS Realty Team for a personalized consultation.
A gorgeous Sunroom boasts a gas fireplace with wood mantle and hardwood floors.
This week the 
The main level features a 2-story foyer, and crown molding, hardwood flooring, and designer light fixtures can be found throughout the living room, family room, and separate dining room. A Chef’s kitchen boasts Wolf Jenn-Air appliances, a bright breakfast room, granite counter tops and plenty of cabinet space. A 2 level deck with stairs leads down to a stone patio and the expansive backyard.
The first floor also features an impressive Master Bedroom with crown molding, chair rail, a ceiling fan, and carpeted floors. Sliding doors lead from the bedroom to the Master Bath with dual granite vanity, a separate shower and soaking tub, linen closet, and a large walk-in closet with shelving.
The fully finished basement features french doors that lead to a stone patio,and a recreation room with recessed lighting, bar and hardwood floors. Rooms used for a movie theater and office could easily be converted into additional bedrooms or guest rooms. The full bathroom with built-in cabinets and vanity also contains a deluxe Helo brand Sauna.
The first installment of this series is the Benefits of Buying a New Construction Home. Advantages range from custom design, energy efficiency, safety due to modern technology, resale value, long-term savings, low maintenance, financing options, rewards, community amenities and so much more!
Design It Yourself – molding packages, cabinets, countertops, appliances, backsplash, carpets, tiling, bath & kitchen fixtures, light fixtures throughout the home, even hardware!
New homes are more energy efficient, and event come with energy certifications that cover the walls, roof, windows, doors, and appliances. And, your home will have a higher resale value than older homes due to its state of the art technology.
Buying an established home can also come with a higher price tag than expected. These homes will more than likely need at least one of the following items updated in the next ten years, and it can be expensive – not to mention exhausting trying to keep up.
Van Metre has an affiliated lender that is able to custom tailor a loan to your specific situation and even offer assistance with closing costs.
In addition to the amazing home you’ll get from buying a Van Metre new construction home in 
Located just 7 miles from the 
A large family room showcases built in shelving with plenty of storage space and crown molding.
The dining room is spacious and has crown molding and a chandelier. The kitchen features a breakfast bar, a pantry, tons of cabinet space and a gorgeous granite counter top.
Craftsman homes have an emphasis on natural materials — wood, stone, and brick. They tend to boast wide front porches. The interior has an open floor plan with features like built-in furniture, big fireplaces and exposed beams.
This style is reflective of “today’s modern”, with an emphasis on connecting the indoors with the outdoors. Contemporary homes tend to have an emphasis on energy efficiency, can be made from sustainable materials, and generally have lots of natural light throughout the home.
Reminiscent of the 1600’s, there are many variations of the Colonial style home due to the diversity of the early American settlers. Homes can be known for their symmetry, and are most often characterized by evenly spaced shuttered windows. Dormers, columns, and chimneys can also be evenly proportioned to complement its formal style.
The most common type of Colonial home is “Georgian” and it is much simpler in architecture. Like all Colonial styles, Georgian focuses on rigid symmetry. It is most often a box shape and is adorned with windows, which are typically five across, with shutters. They often have paneled front doors below a decorative portico.
The Prairie style was built based on the idea that a home should serve all practical needs and reflect simplicity. The Arts and Crafts Movement was very influential to its design and can feature many of the same concepts, such as built-in furniture, simple materials, and open floor plans. This home may also feature a long flat roof, rows of windows, horizontal lines, and organic patterns.
Sometimes called a row house but now more commonly known as a townhouse, it became popular in the early 19th century due to limited space and the financial benefits for the architect/builder. Efficiency and use of space is first and foremost and they are typically two or more levels with a traditional layout, side hallways, and smaller yards.
Also referred to as “Condos”, they are generally built like an apartment with many units in one building. In our area it refers to ownership of the property. Brambleton actually has townhome styled condos as well.
THE most important tip to buying your first home is to find an experienced Realtor and have an initial consultation. Your Realtor will lay out the entire buying process and give you an idea of what to expect, along with a timeline of the events leading up to you closing on your home. In today’s ever changing market place, being represented by a strong Realtor is paramount. New lending laws, called 
-What type of home are you looking for?
a certain amount and being comfortable with the payments at that amount can sometimes be different. Say you buy a house worth X amount of dollars, then the down payment and closing costs will be X, and the PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) plus HOA/Condo fees will be X. Once you are comfortable with those amounts, you will have less anxiety looking at homes in your price range. Another reason to get pre-approved is to find out what type of loan you will be using. The type of loan – whether it’s conventional, VA, FHA, or some other program, could make a difference in your home purchase. For example, some condos are not FHA certified, meaning they would not qualify for a FHA loan. This would be important to know before you got your heart set on a condo only to find out you cannot purchase it with your preferred loan program.
Setting out to tour luxury homes can be a fun way to spend an afternoon, and a great way to get design ideas! But don’t set yourself up to be disappointed when you fall in love with a home who’s price is double (or more!) what you have been pre-qualified for. Know your price range, and stick to viewing homes within that budget. You can always incorporate some of those design elements you admire and give your new home that luxury feel.
Pay close attention to your home inspector at the 
potentially help our clients. The Digital Summit brought in speakers from some of the top corporations around the world, such as Forbes, Coca Cola, National Geographic, and many others to discuss a wide range of topics. This conference was attended by the world’s leading brands from CBS and CNN to IBM, and of course The JS Realty Team@ Samson Properties!
Location: Most condominium complexes are located in an urban setting. If you want to be within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and amenities then a condo might be the right choice for you.
Location: Townhomes offer a more condensed living style than single family homes.
Location: Single family homes tend to have more privacy, because they have a larger “footprint”, meaning there is more space overall, and your house is not attached to your neighbors.