SHORT SALE VS FORECLOSURE

If you are having to decide whether to Short Sell or let the bank Foreclose on your home, it’s pretty obvious that times are tough. You’re having to make some big decisions that will affect your future for a significant amount of time. Making the right choice for yourself and your situation will be key. The best place to start in knowing what is right for you is to understanding the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure.

SaleSHORT SALE
To keep it simple, it means the act of selling short. In real estate terms it means that the borrower owes the lender more money for a property then they are able to get by selling it to the open market. For example, say you owe $300,000.00 for your property but the market says the property is only worth $250,000.00. This means you would be “short” $50,000.00 that you owe. Unless you have that amount laying around and are willing to pay the bank the $50,000.00 that you are short, then you are going to need to ask the lender if they are willing to allow you to sell your property as a “short sale” and forgive you the $50,000.00, plus closing cost that you owe.

Sale JSrealty4uFORECLOSURE
This is the process of taking possession of a mortgaged property as a result of the mortgagor’s failure to keep up mortgage payments. If you can’t make your payments, the bank has come to take back the property to foreclose on it. This will mean you need a new place to live – more than likely sooner than later. Typically a big life event or change is in process, and this situation is not ideal.

So how does a short sale or foreclosure affect you long term, and what does it mean with regards to home ownership and credit in the near future? What about long term?

Below is a chart that shows the “basics” of the amount of time either of these options could affect you. Lending rules change regularly and everyone’s situation is different, so for exact information about how either of these may affect you, we recommend consulting with not only your realtor, but a lender too.

JS Realty Short Sale Years Chart

All in all, you really don’t want to have to face either of these situations, but as we all know, life happens. So, if you find yourself in a tough situation, it is key to contact a Realtor immediately and ask for some direct guidance on how to navigate what lies ahead.

The JS Realty Team specializes in short sales and we have a proven track record of success! If you or someone you know needs help, contact us! We are happy to help in any way that we can.

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

FOR SALE IN CENTREVILLE, VA

Just listed in Centreville, VA is this adorable 2 level, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome! This end unit is located at 14609 Cheverly Court. This home is close to major highways like Rte 28 and I-66 and is less than 2 miles from the Centreville Park & Ride. It’s an easy walk to shopping and dining at the Village Center, and a short drive to the Fair Oaks Mall.

For Sale Living Room CentrevilleTons of natural light fill the large living room, where you can access the huge fenced in backyard via sliding glass doors. The yard backs to common grounds for added privacy! The kitchen features a breakfast bar along with tons of counter and cabinet space. Plenty of shelves and a full size washer & dryer can be found in the laundry room. A half bathroom with single sink and designer light fixture can be found on the main level as well.

On the 2nd floor you’ll find the Master Bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Both bedrooms are spacious and boast wall-length closets and large windows that let in tons of natural light. The Master bath and 2nd full bathroom feature a shower/tub combination and designer light fixtures. A closet in the hallway is perfect for storage and linens.

This home is a great retreat after a long day of work! Give us a call at 703-475-1003 for your own private tour. 

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

NEW LISTING IN BRAMBLETON

Just steps away from the Brambleton Town Center is our new listing at 42460 Legacy Park Drive!

JS Realty Legacy Park Dr - Living RoomThis elegant 3 level, 4 bedroom, 2 full and 1 half bathroom home in the Brambleton Community has over 3100 sqft of living space. Located across the street from Legacy Park, the open floor plan, high/vaulted ceilings, and huge windows keep this house feeling bright and spacious. Hardwood flooring, designer light fixtures, and ample storage areas can be found throughout the main level.

JS Realty Legacy Park Dr - Family RoomThe kitchen features granite counters, an island, a wine rack, and tons of cabinet space. Off the kitchen is a Breakfast Room and a Family Room with a stone surround gas fire place. Large windows allow tons of natural light into the living and dining rooms.

The 2nd level of the home features a HUGE Master Bedroom suite with high ceilings, large windows, and recessed lighting. 2 walk-in closets and 2 additional closets also feature a sitting area.  The Master Bath has a walk-in shower and separate 2 person tub, where you can watch your favorite show from the wall-JS Realty Legacy Park Dr - Loftmounted TV while you soak! An additional bedroom is also found on this level of the home.

The 3rd and 4th bedrooms are connected by a dual-entry full bathroom on the 3rd level of the home. In addition, the spacious loft is perfect for a movie or game night. The laundry room boasts full size washer and dryer and shelving for storage and supplies.

With a 2 car garage and just steps to shopping, dining, and entertainment, you’ll want to see this gorgeous Brambleton home in person. Give us a call today at 703-475-1003!

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

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 MANASSAS VIRGINIA

Manassas townhouse for saleOur new listing is located at 7819 Brookview Court in Manassas, Virginia! This recently updated 3-level townhouse features 3 bedrooms and 2 full plus 2 half bathrooms. Easy access to Routes 28, 29, 234 and I-66 make this a great location for commuters!

The living & dining rooms are an open floor plan with a spacious kitchen with plenty of counter tops and cabinet space. The main level also features a breakfast room with a pantry and has access to a deck overlooking a beautiful wooded area.

Brookview Ct ManassasUpstairs the Master bedroom boasts vaulted ceilings, his & her closets, and a
great view of a wooded common area. The Master bathroom has a designer vanity and tiled, walk-in shower. Bedrooms 2 & 3 feature generous sized closets and there is an additional full bathroom. A linen closet and access to the attic are located in the hallway.

Large recreation room showcases designer and recessed lighting and the spacious laundry room with full size washer & dryer has plenty of built-in shelving and cabinet space. A sliding glass
door leads to the fully fenced backyard, which is perfect for entertaining and relaxing on the patio!

Just 2 miles from the Manassas Northern Virginia Community College campus, this home is also a short distance to Manassas National Battlefield Park. For a private showing of this beautiful home, call Sarah today at 703-475-1003!

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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.

 

MEET OUR TEAM – SCOTT KOVAL

As Co-Founder of the JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties, Scott Koval provides ethical, honest, and fair real estate transactions. This has been a personal passion JS Realty Headshot - Scott Kovalof Scott’s for more than 11 years, and he has represented more than $120 million in real estate transactions over his career. As a homeowner, Scott has walked in the Buyer’s & Seller’s shoes many times. Scott’s personal experience with Real Estate inspired him to want to be a leader in the industry to ensure all real estate clients have a positive experience. This inspiration is what lead him to co-found the JS Realty Team with his partner, Sarah Taylor.

Scott believes his success can be attributed to his dedication to building lifelong relationships, and to helping clients fulfill their dreams through ethical, honest and fair Real Estate solutions. He does not perceive Real Estate sales and purchases to be “transactional” and is committed through every step of the process to ensure his clients are cared for, protected, and satisfied with the end result.

Scott’s specialties include:
*Representation of both buyers and sellers for residential properties
*First time home buyers
*Investment properties/1031 exchanges
*Representation of rental property owners and tenants
*Mentoring new Real Estate Agents

When not assisting his clients in fulfilling their Real Estate dreams, he can be found spending time with his two daughters, or perfecting his swing on a local golf course.

If you want experience and integrity in your Real Estate partner, Scott is your expert! Contact Scott today with your residential Real Estate needs.

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

MEET OUR TEAM – SARAH TAYLOR

JS Realty Team - Sarah TaylorSarah Taylor is one of the Co-Founders of the JS Realty Team operating at Samson Properties and an Expert Realtor who has been representing buyers and sellers for residential and commercial real estate since 2004. As a catalyst for financial freedom through real estate, her mantra, “Leading you to Real Estate solutions,” reflects her commitment to helping others achieve wealth through real estate acquisitions. Sarah has a passion for helping people, and for making dreams come true through the ownership of real estate. Her deep appreciation for both residential and commercial architecture was what led Sarah to the Real Estate industry. Sarah is committed to educating, guiding, and empowering individuals and families to own a piece of the world.

Sarah has consistently been a multi-million dollar producer in Northern VA, which is one of the nation’s leading and most competitive real estate markets. Representing a variety of clients, including some of the area’s most prominent CEO’s, business executives, developers, national franchises, and global companies, her clientele continuously expands through a powerful referral network. Working with a great base of incredible people and proven partners drives her successes every day.

Sarah succeeds because of her exceptionally high standards, strong values, excellent relationships, and savvy negotiation skills, which consistently deliver the best possible outcomes for her clients. Her hands-on approach is evidenced by her enthusiasm to get to know her clients and their families during the buying and selling process, and by being directly involved with each deal. Sarah states, “I truly want to hear and understand my clients needs so that I can tailor our services around what they need.”

Sarah’s specialties include:
* Real Estate buying and selling for commercial and residential
* Investment properties
* Trustee sales
* Property Management

When she is not finding Real Estate solutions for her clients, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, preferably near a large body of water where she can go fishing.

If you have any residential or commercial real estate needs, contact Sarah and she will be more than happy to assist you!

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

5 Reasons You Need a Realtor

Do I Really Need a Realtor?

*Note: this blog was updated in August 2017*

In a previous blog we gave you tips on Choosing Your Realtor. But many people still wonder with the internet and it’s limitless supply of information and videos, available 24/7 – do you really need a Real Estate Agent in this day and age?

JS Realty Stress Realtor Man OnlineThe answer is YES, you absolutely do! In fact, there are actually some reasons you need a Realtor more today than ever before. Buying and selling a home is such an exciting time in your life. Why try to reinvent the wheel and spend countless hours researching market information or looking for a document that may or may not be outdated? Enjoy your time looking at homes and preparing for a successful transaction by hiring a Realtor to help you along the way.

5 Reasons You Need A Realtor

#1 – REALTORS HAVE ALL THE LATEST TOOLS!

Meeting Realtor ContractsAny full time Agent has a multitude of subscriptions to websites that assist or help in the home buying or selling process (you should see our username spreadsheet, it is several pages long!). Some of these sites have fees and some of them don’t, but just knowing which ones are useful or even good is a part time job. Your Agent will save you time and energy by using their resources to simplify the home buying or selling process. Agents also have access to the MLS, which has data that you can not find anywhere else on the web. It is up to the minute, Realtor-to-Realtor information about the property you may be interested in, or the neighborhood you may be selling in. Let your Agent give you current, relevant information instead of the outdated listing you may find while surfing the web.

#2 – REALTORS KNOW THE MARKET

JS Realty Market Cloud Bubble Analysis RealtorThis is what they do all day – they live and breathe real estate. A seasoned Agent knows how deals are being negotiated in certain markets, they know the feel for whether or not a micro-market is hot, whether it is a sellers’ market or not, etc. And this is just the beginning! Having an Agent help you understand how to not just present your offer, but how to make it a winning offer that suits current conditions is vital. This knowledge of the market applies to 6 or 7 different topics within the contract alone that can make or break your offer. Your Agent already knows what others are currently doing in these markets, so why waste time trying to figure it all out yourself?

#3 – REALTORS KNOW HOW TO SELL AND SELL FAST

JS Realty Showing Home RealtorRealtors know how to sell homes – it’s their job! They know the latest tools to use and what the buyers want. Today, prospective buyers expect professional photos and videos to accompany your listing. Let your real estate Agent handle staging and marketing your home across various channels. Plus, let them screen candidates before you spend your valuable extra time cleaning your home for a showing. Your Agent won’t waste your time showing off your home to someone who is not even qualified to buy it.

#4 – REALTORS KNOW HOMES!

JS Realty Magnifying Glass Looking Inspecting RealtorA seasoned Agent has attended and negotiated dozens of home inspections. This brings them to a level of experience and knowledge that can only be learned by navigating a variety of challenges and different homes with different issues. If you are selling, they can prepare you to avoid certain hurdles by making the necessary repairs in advance. If you are buying, they can look for potential issues while you enjoy looking at the size of a room and envisioning where your TV will fit on the wall. An expert eye will be looking for water leaks, a yard that may have potential issues or even just the age of the appliances and major systems. Being able to have multiple sets of eyes and different perspectives can really make or break your buying or selling experience.

#5 – COORDINATION SKILLS AND RESOURCES

JS Realty Files Notebook Realtor DeskYour Realtor will have access to the multitude of current documents that are needed along the way. Just making an offer can be a 28 page document! In addition, there are contingencies to attend to and either negotiate and/or remove. There may be notices that need to be provided or documents to receive. A great Realtor will have systems in place to keep track of each and every aspect of not only the contract, but coordinating all the folks that help you buy the home. Do you really want to worry about whether you ordered your termite inspection and who needs it after it is done? What happens if there are termites, and how do you address it to keep you in compliance? A great Realtor will make it all look simple.  Just know that on the back end there is a lot going on that you don’t have to worry about. You have enough to take care of with the loan process, packing, and moving. Focus on your new home and let the experts take care of the rest!

The JS Realty Team is dedicated to building lifelong relationships, and helping clients fulfill their dreams through ethical, honest, and fair real estate solutions. We have over $500 million in closed transactions, and our Team of professionals is ready to help you buy or sell a home!

Loudoun Brambleton JSRealty4U Realtor
The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties

CONTACT US TODAY!