TO PAINT OR NOT?

To paint or not to paint? This is a very popular question – we get this question almost every time we meet with sellers. Get started by taking a look around to evaluate your home. You have one chance to make a first impression and it really needs to count. Our market offers lots of options for Buyers, and making your home appealing to most Buyers will give you the best advantage when it comes to JS Realty Welcome Matreviewing offers.

Let’s start outside the home first.  Take a quick look around and consider how the entrance to your home looks.  Ask yourself, “Is it going to make the Buyer feel welcome?” Besides sprucing up the yard, take a look at your mailbox, fencing, lamp post and entry door. Make sure each of them look their best, and if not, a fresh coat of paint will do the trick.  Remember: if you have an HOA, choose colors your HOA will allow.

We highly recommend Benjamin Moore paint. They offer an amazing product – the application, the durability, and the longevity of it’s hundreds of color choices are just the beginning. Take a look at a few colors you might consider for your home:

Front Door: Dinner Party (AF-300)
Front Door: Dinner Party (AF-300)
Siding: Tate Olive (HC-112)
Siding: Tate Olive (HC-112)
Yorktowne Green (HC-113)
Yorktowne Green (HC-113)

When a Buyer enters the home, we want them to feel neutral so they are not distracted by someone else’s personal style. They should see your walls as a blank canvas, so they can begin to imagine their paintings on the wall next to their dining room set. Neutral can sound boring, but it does not have to be! Check out our top two favorite colors: Barley and Carrington Beige.

Barley (199)
Barley (199)

Barley has a touch of yellow tint to it, and this can create warmth in the home.

Carrington Beige (HC-93)
Carrington Beige (HC-93)

 

 

 


We also love Carrington Beige because it pairs well with cooler colors such as grays.

Paint is such a simple way to give you – The Seller – that competitive edge.  The more Buyers who can visualize themselves living in the home, the more often you have a chance at being the home they want to write a contract on. Ideally, appealing to more than just one Buyer can result in receiving multiple offers. This can often put the Seller in a position of strength when it comes to negotiating a strong offer with the highest price and the least amount of contingencies.

So the answer to that question is YES, definitely consider painting your home prior to listing it for sale. You want your home to look its best and appeal to all types of Buyers, with all types of styles!

Want to learn more about preparing your home for sale or determining your home’s value?
Contact us today for a FREE Home Analysis!

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

AVOIDING EMOTIONAL MISTAKES WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME

Selling your home can be a very stressful and emotional process. At JS Realty we strive to make the selling of your home as stress free as possible by handling all aspects of the sale and keeping you informed. Communication with our sellers is vital to keeping anxieties to a minimum. Navigating the many duties and obstacles in Real Estate takes an agent that pays attention to every detail of the transaction.  That is where we come in!

When you decide to sell your home, you need to change your mindset. It is very important to realize that while your home was a place where you lived and raised your family, it is now a product. This can be difficult for some, as we JS Realty Meeting Realtor Contractsbecome attached to our homes and have experienced many milestones, events and memories. By detaching yourself emotionally from the home, you will be better equipped to make smart financial decisions.

Decisions, like price, conveyance items, and showing instructions need to be addressed as business decisions with as little emotion as possible. Potential buyers are looking for not only the perfect home for them, but the best value as well.

Conveyance items (ones that can/will be sold with the home) need to be worked JS Realty Large Kitchenout before the home goes on the market. When a buyer decides to make an offer on your home you never know what combination of factors led them to their decision. If, for instance, a chandelier is mounted in the dining room and it does not convey, this needs to be made very clear to all potential buyers. If items such as shelves or bookcases that are attached to your home (also called fixtures), do not convey with the sale and are not clearly disclosed, this can make the closing process very stressful.

JS Realty Open House Showing Senior Home BuyersAnother important aspect of selling your home is to make it available for showings as much as possible. Limiting showing times can increase your days on the market due to buyers not being able to see the home on their schedule.

Selling your home is never an easy process, but using an experienced agent like the JS Realty Team will help make the selling process as smooth as possible. We have the experience and knowledge to head off pitfalls of the selling process before they happen.

Whether you’re selling your home soon or in the future, contact us for a free JS Realty Free home analysishome consultation and home analysis. We will make sure you know what to expect when selling your home and help to make the sale as stress free as possible!

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

MARKET REPORT FOR ASHBURN, VA

From the number of active homes on the market to the number of homes sold so far this year, the JS Realty Team will keep you updated on the Ashburn Real Estate market.

As of April 5, 2015 there are currently 473 homes on the market in Ashburn Virginia. Ranging from a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo listed for $182,900 to a gorgeous home sitting on over 11 acres that boasts over 8,000 finished square feet of living space for $2,499,990. The median list price is $515,000 – which is slightly above the median list price for Loudoun County ($500,000).

JS Realty Ashburn sales price and volume chartThis chart shows the median sales price vs. sales volume. Home prices typically follow sales volume with, of course, a little lag time. (Click image to enlarge)

 

So far in 2015, Ashburn Virginia has real estate market graph increaseseen a pretty steady pace of sales with 280 homes sold. Inventory typically increases this time of year and we are looking forward to a busy spring market. All the signs are there – low interest rates, slowly rising home prices, as well as buyers and sellers looking to make a move.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home this year Scott Koval and Sarah King Taylor of the JS Realty Team would be glad to meet with you to discuss your options. In our initial consultation, we focus on finding out exactly what our clients are looking to accomplish and then we will map out a plan of action to help them achieve their goals.

Contact us today – we are here to help you!

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

THE LOAN PROCESS

Unclear about the Loan Process and all that it entails? Listed below are the Loan Process steps to help you understand what will take place.  If you’d like to download a PDF version to save, please click here: The Loan Process

JS Realty PreApproval BlockA pre-approval is a commitment by a lender to make a mortgage loan to a specified borrower, prior to the identification of a specific property. The pre-approval process starts with an interview and completion of a loan application, and ends with the lender issuing a pre-approval letter demonstrating that the applicant is a suitable buyer. The lender will typically require at minimum 2 years of W2 statements, 2 years of federal tax returns, 2 month’s of asset account statements, and a satisfactory credit report.

JS Realty Rate Lock BlockAt this step the lender issues a written agreement guaranteeing the borrower a specified interest rate, provided the loan closes within a set period of time. To lock a rate the applicant must have a ratified contract and an established settlement date.

JS Realty Disclosure BlockThis is when the lender offers the official Good Faith Estimate, Truth in Lending Form and loan disclosures. These documents need to be presented to the applicant within 3 days of lock and will need to be signed and returned to the lender. It is also common for the lender to request additional supporting documentation at this point.

JS Realty Appraisal BlockAn appraisal is a written analysis of the estimated value of a property prepared by a qualified appraiser. This process is performed to make sure that the property is of fair market value and supports the agreed upon purchase price.

JS Realty Processing and Underwriting BlockDuring the processing step the Loan Officer and his/her staff will gather and analyze all of the information to ensure that the applicant’s loan will meet the specific program guidelines. The Underwriter will then complete the final review of documents to verify that all appropriate disclosures and documentation is completed to support the issuance of final loan approval. It is common for the Underwriter to request additional explanations or documentation during this process.

JS Realty Closing BlockThe closing is a meeting in which the sale of a property is finalized with the buyer signing the mortgage documents and paying closing costs. Also called “settlement.” This is where the applicant receives their keys to their brand new home!

If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing a home or needing to refinance, please contact me!

JS Realty KHarris LenderKeith Harris
Senior Loan Officer
Intercoastal Mortgage Company
Direct: (703) 259-0788
Cell:    (703) 395-6601
NMLS ID # 838973

 

Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates terms and conditions are subject to change.  ICM NMLS# 56323 (www.NMLSconsumerAccess.org)

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

BUYING A HOME IN BRAMBLETON

Buying a home should be an exciting experience! When you finally decided “it’s time”, the JS Realty Team is ready to help guide you every step of the way. We are happy to make a recommendation for financing with one of our trusted lenders. We will put you in touch right away, so you can begin to understand how much you can afford and which financing options are the best for you.

Once you have the financing portion started, and you have determined your JS Realty Couple with Realtorpurchasing power, your designated agent with The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties will schedule a home tour. Allow approximately 2-3 hours for your tour depending on your home selection. You are welcome to ride along with your agent, or follow along in your own vehicle.

We want to know more about your needs, and we will set aside time to learn more about you and help guide you on what is going to be the best fit for you. Our experience shows us that most buyers will narrow down their selection to 4-5 homes – from which they will choose one. When there are more homes than that on the tour, it probably means the agent didn’t narrow down enough “specifics”, or you are in luck with a massive inventory in your area and price range and are not too “picky”. You can help narrow down time by browsing through the photos and home features in the MLS listing your agent has sent you and eliminating any homes that are not strong candidates for your selection.

Suggestions for a productive home tour:

  • Have all decision makers on the tour
  • Be prepared with things to keep the kids busy on the tour so you can focus on notes and questions
  • Bring a digital camera and take pictures of each home or better yet, capture video. Your smart phone is great for this. Your agent would be happy to follow along and record for you so you can take notes.JS Realty Team Gorgeous Master BD
  • Have a pen/pencil and notepad to make notes. You will forget. It’s important to note LIKES and DISLIKES for each home.  Example: Island in kitchen is amazing. 2nd bedroom room for nursery is a bit small. Love the tub in the master bathroom! Home will need a deck.
  • Upon leaving each home, rank the home on a 1-10 scale on how likely you would be to write a compelling offer.
  • During the hot months, frozen bottles of water are a great idea for the trip. Some homes will not have power or air conditioning. In the cold months, remember your jacket and gloves.
  • Don’t wear shoes that you are worried about scuffing. You will be walking the lots to learn more about the property; keep in mind being able to be comfortable inside the home and out.
  • Be prepared to write an offer. Remember you are looking to buy a home so there is not much sense in touring homes when you are not prepared to buy, as those homes are certain to not be available at a later date.

JS Realty Team Young Family Looking at a Beautiful New Home with a For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front.If we have done our job, as your Brambleton real estate agent, you are prepared, have selected strong candidates, have your financing ready, have a comfortable knowledge of the process and you are ready to buy.

Think you are ready to start the buying process? CONTACT US TODAY. We’d love to help you get started!

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

WHAT IS AN APPRAISAL?

An appraisal is a written estimate of a home’s value. The JS Realty Team at Samson Properties educates both our buyers and sellers on this process.

The appraiser is an independent 3rd party who determines the value of the home in the current market by performing a market analysis. The market analysis will compare the subject property to similar properties in the immediate area while also comparing the condition of said properties. JS Realty Real estate comparisonAppraisers generally use 3 standard approaches to determine the market value of a property: The Cost Approach, The Comparison Approach, and The Income Approach. Combining these 3 approaches enables the appraiser to give their professional opinion on the market of the home.

Once a buyer ratifies a contract on the home of their choice, their lender will order the appraisal. The average cost is typically $400-$600. If you, as a homeowner, are looking to order an appraisal, keep in mind there are various types. Ordering the correct type of appraisal is critical. Don’t hesitate to contact us and we will help you understand the difference to make sure you spend your money wisely.

For more information concerning appraisals or if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling Real Estate, contact Scott Koval or Sarah King Taylor, co-founders of the JS Realty Team. We take pride in our dedication to our clients and have helped over 700 families and counting in Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William counties!

CONTACT US TODAY

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

A BUYERS GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME – Part 2 of 2

If you missed the first part of our Buyers Guide to Purchasing a Home, you can find it here.

One of the most rewarding experiences is finding the perfect home at the right price for our home buyer. The JS Realty Team strives to find that perfect match. From the initial consultation to celebration/settlement day, we guide our buyers through the entire home buying process.

Congratulations – your offer has been accepted! Here are the next steps that need to take place in order to complete the transaction.

1. Home Inspection – the first step after ratification is to schedule the homeJS Realty Home Inspection inspection. At the same time as the home inspection, we will schedule any other inspections we deem necessary. We will meet our buyer and Inspector at the home for the inspection. After a thorough inspection, the Inspector will provide us with a full report of the good features as well as areas of concern about the home. We will review this report with our buyer and decide which items we will ask the seller to fix. If there are major concerns that make the buyer too uneasy about the home then we will void the contract and search for other homes. If the buyer and seller agree to the home inspection terms, then we will move on to the next step. As long as we are comfortable with the inspections, we will proceed.

Note: At this time the buyer has 2 responsibilities: to secure their loan and to obtain homeowners insurance. We handle all facets of the transaction except for these 2 items.

2. Order an Appraisal – the next major step is for the buyer’s Lender to order the appraisal. If the property appraises at or above sales price then we will release the appraisal contingency.

3. HOA Disclosure Packet – also at this time, the buyer will be receiving the HOA Disclosure packet if the home is located in a community that has a HOA. The buyer will have a certain time period, based on method of delivery, to JS Realty Checkboxread the disclosure packet and by Virginia law if they are not content with the rules and finances of the community, the buyer can void the contract.

4. Schedule Settlement Date/Utility Transfer – now that home inspection, appraisal and HOA disclosure contingencies are released we are moving towards settlement/celebration day. We will coordinate a date/time for settlement, and help our buyer schedule the transfer of utilities to their name as of the settlement day.

5. Final Walk-thru – a walk-thru of the home is performed, at the very least the day before settlement. This is where all repairs from the home inspection will be checked to make sure they were made to our satisfaction. We will also run any and all mechanical items to make sure the home is in the same condition as it was on the day we performed the initial home inspection. If there are any discrepancies we will address them with the seller’s agent and have the issues resolved.

6. Settlement/Celebration Day! When settlement/celebration day arrives, we will accompany our buyer to settlement and make sure all the figures on the HUD-1 are correct and help answer any last minute questions our buyer might have.

The JS Realty Team really cherishes this moment for our buyers. From the initial consultation until we reach settlement day, we will work hard to overcome the many obstacles of buying a home to ensure a smooth transaction for our clients. Our satisfaction comes from seeing our happy buyers and in knowing that we have created a relationship that will last a lifetime. The JS Realty Team is not interested in a single transaction, but in forming a relationship with our clients so they know we will be there to help them with their Real Estate needs now and in the future.

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

BEST HOME DEALS IN BRAMBLETON THIS WEEK

Brambleton is full of amazing homes – check out this week’s Best Deals!

JS Realty Redeemer Terrace Kitchen
42677 Redeemer Terrace

Brambleton’s Lowest Priced Townhome this week!

 

JS Realty Angelique Drive Home
22819 Angelique Dr.

Over 6,000 Sq. feet of home for only $674,900!

 

 

JS Realty Bronstein Lane Home

23102 Bronstein Lane

Brambleton’s Lowest Priced Single Family home.

 

JS Realty Mayflower Terrace Condo

42542 Mayflower Terrace

Brambleton’s Lowest Priced 1BD 1BA Condo.

 

 

JS Realty Settlers Trail
22667 Settlers Trail

Brambleton’s Largest Townhouse style Condo at the lowest price.

 

 

Are you thinking about buying a home in Brambleton? Contact us now – we’re the Brambleton Experts!

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

BUYERS GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME – Part 1 of 2

One of the most rewarding experiences is finding the perfect home at the right price for our home buyer. The JS Realty Team strives to find that perfect match. From the initial consultation to celebration/settlement day we guide our buyers through the entire process.

During the initial consultation, it is very important for us to find out as much asYoung married couple at desk in a business meeting JS Realty possible about what our buyer is looking for in a home. Every buyer has different needs and we want to tailor their search to those desires. Discussing the buyers comfort price, ideal location, school systems, and housing concerns (number of bedrooms/baths, garage, yard size, etc.) are just the beginning of what we cover during our initial consultation. After that, we follow a few key steps to getting our buyer into their new home:

1. Prequalifying with a Lender – We do this so our buyer will have a clear picture of what their home will cost. It’s important they know what a down payment, closing costs, and the mortgage payments will be in their desired price range.

2. Activate an Automatic Search – After being approved by the Lender, we will activate an automatic search that will send out all the homes that fit our buyer’s criteria. Anytime a new listing enters the market, our system will immediately email the home to our client. Using this feature allows us to stay on top of all new listings!

3. Listingbook Account – All buyers will receive an account Listingbook JS Realtythrough Listingbook which will allow them to search in real time, on their own, through the same MLS system that Realtors use.

4. Schedule Showings – Getting to preview the homes they have selected is an exciting prospect for the buyer. We will plan out a home tour and schedule showings, getting feedback from the buyer on the positives and negatives of the homes. This helps us refine the search and discover what they feel is most important in a home.

5. Offer Contract – Once the buyers finds the home, we will sit down and write the offer.  As we do this, we will explain the many facets of the contract and the contingencies that we build in to protect the buyer. We will include an approved prequalification letter from the Lender for the specific price of the offer being made, along with an earnest money deposit. This deposit is a check made out to Samson Properties will be deposited into an escrow account after the contract has been ratified. The money will wait there until settlement.

6. Submitting the Offer – Once we submit the contract and all appropriateDiscussing business activity JS Realty paperwork, the negotiating begins. This is where our experience of selling over $200 million in Real Estate transactions enables us to negotiate the best deal possible for our clients. If buyer and seller agree to all terms of the contract, we are ratified!

There’s still a way to go before calling the moving trucks! Read the 2nd half of our Buyer’s Guide, where we will walk you through the inspections, appraisal, and settlement.

 

AN OVERVIEW OF LOUDOUN COUNTY’S 2014 HOUSING MARKET & 2015 TO-DATE

As you may recall, we had a long and cold winter in 2014. shovel snow
It has been said that the weather played a role in our local economy. The year started out strong, but quickly shifted into an unusually slow spring market and then to an even slower summer/fall market. However, when we look at the big picture, it wasn’t all bad.

Here’s the big picture: Market Statistics-LoudounCountyVA-2014

Sales were down -7.89% for the year in Loudoun County, but the good news is that the Average SOLD Price was actually up by +3.5%. And even though the number of homes sold were down, the average days on the market also decreased – from 59 day on the market (DOM – 2013) to 44  days (DOM – 2014). Essentially, houses were sold over 2 weeks quicker!

We are looking forward to a strong and steady 2015, and so far all indications real estate market graph increaseare showing that this year is starting out strong! In January of 2015, closed sales showed a modest increase of +1.8% higher than in January 2014. There were 589 new listings that posted this past January, a +5.4% increase over the number listed in the same month in 2014. The $410,000 median sales price this January was 4% lower than the same month last year, though the $550,000 median sales price for detached homes increased 5.7%. The median list price for new pending sales was $420,000, less than 1% below last January’s $423,982 level for new pending sales.  This reflects a recovery from our slower summer/fall of 2014.

As you can see, all in all, things are looking UP for 2015!

Want to understand more about your neighborhood? Contact us today for detailed information about your neighborhood. We are always happy to provide a FREE HOME ANALYSIS!

 

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