2 Bedroom Condo For Sale in Bull Run!

Bull Run Condo For Sale!

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

 

Bull Run condo Just Listed for sale, 8206 Winstead Pl #201 in Manassas. This 2 level condo boasts 2 spacious bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Windows galore fill home with lots of natural light. In addition, it is located in the Bull Run Condo Community.  Bull Run Condos offer pool, exercise room, tot lots, community center, picnic/BBQ area and more! Also, this condo is a short distance from the Bull Run Plaza which contains loads of shopping, restaurants and entertainment options! Furthermore, this home is in a fantastic location with easy access to I-66, VA-28 and Prince William Parkway. As a result, it is a perfect location for commuters, close to multiple commuter lots and bus stops. A must see!

MAIN LEVEL FEATURES

General features on main level include Powder Room with updated vanity and hardwoods floors. Entrance into Foyer with hardwood floors and large coat closet.

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

Beautiful Kitchen features Granite counters, updated appliances, custom back-splash, built-in microwave, as well as, room for table.

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

Separate, Formal Dining Room with designer light fixture, which is great for entertaining! Additionally, Dining Room includes pass through to kitchen creating a bright, open concept.

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

Spacious Living Room includes ceiling fan as well as gorgeous gas fireplace with marble surround and wood mantle

Upper LEVEL FEATURES

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

Light Filled Master Bedroom with vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, ceiling fan as well as plush carpeting.

Bull Run - 8206 Winstead Pl 201 Jackie Koval JSRealty4U

Second Large Bedroom with vaulted ceiling, ceiling fan, large closet as well as plush carpeting.

Furthermore, upper level features Jack and Jill style bathroom with dual, over-sized vanity. In Addition, separate laundry room with shelving is located on the upper level. Includes brand new, high efficiency, stainless steel, front-loading washer and dryer.

This beautiful property in Bull Run is a MUST SEE in person!
Contact Expert Realtor Jackie Koval at 703-340-5091 to schedule a private tour of this home. And don’t forget to follow us on Social Media for the most up-to-date Real Estate information – @JSRealty4U!

In conclusion, more information about our rebate program can be found online at JSRealty4U.com OR for more listing videos, check out our YouTube Channel!

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!

 

MARKET UPDATE – LOUDOUN COUNTY

JS Realty Flag LoCoEarlier this month the JS Realty Team at Samson Properties provided a market analysis of Brambleton in Ashburn, Virginia. Today we are going to expand the market update to include all of Loudoun County, and compare the trends of the whole county to what we saw in the Brambleton subdivision.

Q1 2015 Loudoun County Market Update – Full Report

The Loudoun County housing market has also had a strong first quarter. The sold dollar volume is up + 19.56% from JS Realty Where Market Going Newspaperthe previous year and units sold are also up +16.88%. The percentages are obviously not as large when compared to Brambleton, but keep in mind we are looking at Loudoun County as a whole, not just one of its most popular subdivisions. When you compare average days on the market in Loudoun County to the previous year you will see a modest increase from 58 in 2014 to 81 in 2015. This can be mostly attributed to the increase in inventory from the year before – classic “supply and demand”. Overall, similar to Brambleton, the whole county is experiencing a market that is on the move in a positive way.

The JS Realty Team also mentioned previously that the “buzz” in the lending world was that interest rates were going to rise slightly over the summer. We have seen that come to fruition over the last couple weeks. They have crept up a little, but are still close to historical lows.

JS Realty Buyer Seller Road SignWe expect this positive market to continue for the foreseeable future. The JS Realty Team has stayed busy helping our clients achieve their goals through the buying and selling of homes. It has been a great year so far and we look forward to helping even more of our clients in the remainder of 2015.

Have a great summer! Don’t hesitate to contact a JS Realty Team member with any questions or to get a FREE no obligation home/market analysis on your home.

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

REAL ESTATE TAXES

VA Sign Cardinal JS Realty WelcomeLet’s face it, nobody likes to pay taxes. Taxes are a necessary evil to keep our government running. Understanding how taxes are levied might help ease the pain… or inspire you to get involved and have your opinion heard.

Virginia collects taxes on Real Estate a few different ways.

All property owners pay yearly property tax on the fair market value of their Home Sale Sell JS Realtyholdings. When you sell a home the Seller pays a Grantor’s tax, and in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington Counties, along with the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, the Seller also pays a “Congestion Relief Fee” to the state of Virginia. The Buyer has transfer taxes that go to the city/county and the state of Virginia. As you can see, all parties in a Real Estate transaction get taxed on the purchase or sale of a home.

Property taxes are levied once a year by the county or city that you live in. They are paid in 2 installments throughout the year, usually December and July.
Prop Tax Note JS RealtyUsually your mortgage company escrows money from your monthly payment to cover your property taxes. Lenders do this to make sure the taxes on the home are being paid so there isn’t a lien placed on the property. The amount the property owner pays is determined by the fair market value of the property. An annual assessment program is used to calculate the amount. Owners pay a percentage, known as the property tax rate, on 100% of the fair market value as of January 1. Current years assessments are based on the past year sales. Assessed values are determined by a mass appraisal of similar properties that have been recently sold.

Property Value Tablet JS RealtyDon’t confuse an assessment with an appraisal or sales price. An appraisal is a detailed property valuation that a Lender performs at the time of the sale of a property. Sales price is the actual amount the property sold for. These numbers differ due to the complexity of Real Estate transactions. For example, the sales price of a home can differ from the assessed value or appraised value due to many external circumstances, such as the owner needing to sell quickly due to financial distress, or a homeowner selling their home to a family member at a price below market value.

Tax Rate Calc JS RealtyAnother way taxes are collected is at the settlement of the sale of all property. The Seller pays a Grantor’s tax, and in some jurisdictions a congestion relief tax. Both of these are calculated by a percentage of the value of the home, either the sales price or the appraised value, whichever is higher. The Virginia General Assembly currently has set the rate at $2.50 per $1,000. The purchaser pays recordation taxes to the county and state. These tax stamps vary between the jurisdictions and are sent to the clerk of the court.

Virginia Dollar Sign JS RealtyCollecting Real Estate taxes is a large portion of revenue for both the state and local jurisdictions. In 2014, Real Estate construction contributed 6.1% to the nation’s economic output as measured by the Gross Domestic Product. Real Estate drives many facets of our economy, so therefore it makes sense that it is a large part of the tax base.

The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties strives to keep our clients informed on all aspects of the Real Estate industry. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments about Real Estate tax.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, contact us today for a no-obligation consult!

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

MARKET ANALYSIS – BRAMBLETON

It is always a great idea to check in and understand how our real estate market is doing. So today we are taking a look at our local market – specifically 20148. This includes all of the Brambleton market and some other great surrounding neighborhoods.

For the full report, click here: Market Statistics-20148-Q12015

real estate market graph increaseIn the first quarter of 2015, things are looking pretty positive all the way around. Our most impressive number is the sold volume dollars, which is up by + 34.7%. The number of units sold is up by +34.26%. This tells us quickly that there was a larger selection of homes for Buyers to choose from, and they did in fact choose to buy – which pushed these percentages up. Interestingly enough, this did push days on the market up just a bit, as it rose 13.79%.  Days on the market increasing gives a slight lean towards a Buyers’ market, which is reflected somewhat in the average sold price per unit, which is down slightly -0.80%.

JS Realty variable mortgage ratesThe key fact here is the the market is moving! Sellers are listing and Buyers are buying. Interest rates remain at a historically low rate, keeping our market healthy. The “buzz” in the lending world is that we should expect to see interest rates rise slightly, potentially headed towards 5% within the next 12 months. Keep this in mind while planning your next move, whether it is buying or selling, as both markets will feel the effects of higher interest rates.

Brambleton is located in the 20148 market and it remains a hot neighborhood not only locally but as a nationally recognized, award winning community!

Fun Facts about the Brambleton market:
JS Realty Female Women Cafe Lunch-Average adult age is 42
-Average household income is $139,971
-There are +2.32% more females (in the local population)

The JS Realty Team are your local Brambleton experts! We offer 4.5% Full Service Listing fees and cash back to our Buyers!  If you are looking to Buy or Sell, contact us today for a free analysis of what we can do for you.

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

MORTGAGE RATE MARKET UPDATE

Recently I provided an overview of what makes mortgage interest rates fluctuate. Today, I want to provide an update of the mortgage industry in a general sense.

In the summer of 2013, the Fed announced that they would begin tapering the purchase of mortgage backed securities (MBS). The practice of buying MBS’s was intended to help keep mortgage rates low. That announcement caused a spike in JS Realty Interest Ratesinterest rates from the low 3% to over 4.5%.

At the beginning of 2014, rates on 30 year fixed rate conventional loans continued to remain in the high 3% to the low 4% range. At that time, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who thought rates at the beginning of 2015 would be as low as the year before. Well, that is exactly what happened! During the second full week of January, rates dropped to their lowest point in over a year with 30 year rates hitting the 3.625% mark. Rates have fluctuated between 3.625% and 4% for the past few months. As we begin the month of June, we have seen rates rise the first few days of the month.  But what does that mean for the future?

JS Realty increase mortgage rateNo one can tell for sure what rates will do, but everything I hear and read indicates that interest rates will rise gradually through 2015.  We may see rates approaching 4.5% or even higher by the end of the year.

From an historical perspective, rates are lower now than they have been for the last 10 years and are only slightly higher than the lowest point in 30 years, which was near the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. It is only reasonable to JS Realty Mortgage Loan Applicationbelieve that rates will gradually increase. It is also reasonable to assume that rates may rise to the 5% mark by the end of 2015 or the first half of 2016.

We have been very fortunate to have had such low rates for the past five years. It is a great time to purchase a home and it is a great time to consider refinancing if you haven’t done so since 2010. As the saying goes “There’s no time like the present.

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

Every borrower has a unique need, as far as their loan is concerned. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our preferred Lender, Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

 

 

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

FARMERS MARKETS IN LOUDOUN

JS Realty Colorful Cauliflower
Credit: LoudounFarmersMarkets.org

By now you’ve probably heard the terms “Eat Local” or “Buy Local”. It may even seem like a fad. But knowing where your food is from can connect you to the people who raise and grow it. Eating locally grown, seasonal, sustainable and organic foods is tastier and healthier for you and your family. Locally grown foods are fresher, and retain their healthy nutrients longer. Sustainable and organic foods protect your health and the environment. These foods are free of antibiotics, pesticides and other potentially dangerous chemicals.  It also helps local and small family farmers stay in business and produces more jobs in our own community.

JS Realty open farmers marketSo now you want to try some of these local foods – but where do you find them? Lucky for us, Loudoun County has several farmers markets operating seasonally (and in some cases, year round!) that are probably closer to you than you think! Shopping at a farmers market can teach you how food is grown, who grew it, and why it tastes so good. They are also FREE and often have cooking demonstrations and kid friendly activities!

Check out the five Loudoun “Producer Only” farmers markets:
Note: “Producer Only” means that the vendor must be the grower or producer of ALL the products they sell. They must produce within a 125 mile radius of Loudoun County.

ASHBURN MARKET
Runs: Saturdays, May 2 to October 31
Time: 8AM to Noon
Location: One Loudoun – North end of Exchange Street, Ashburn, VA 20147
Market Manager: Ali & Dan Haney of Shenandoah Seasonal

JS Realty Farmers Market ProduceBRAMBLETON MARKET
Runs: Sundays, May 3 to November 1
Time: 9AM to 1PM
Location:
Emberbrook Circle – in front of Regal Cinemas, Brambleton, VA 20148
For a list of vendors, click here.

CASCADES MARKET
Runs: Sundays, May 3 to November 1
Time: 9AM to 1PM
Location:
The Senior Center next to Cascades Library – 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA 20165
Market Manager:
Cristina Medina of Westmoreland Produce 

JS Realty Peppers Beans FreshLEESBURG MARKET – WEDNESDAY
Runs: Wednesdays, May 6 to October 28
Time: 2:30PM to 6:30PM
Location:
Virginia Village Shopping Center – Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, VA 20175
Market Manager: Warren Howell of Allder School Berries

LEESBURG MARKET – SATURDAY
Runs: Saturdays, January to December
Time: 8AM to Noon
Location:
Virginia Village Shopping Center – Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, VA 20175
Market Manager: Kathryn Willis

Want to live closer to a Farmers Market? Contact us today for a no obligation consultation. Learn how we can help you find you your dream home and you can be eating local, farm fresh food in no time!

JS Realty Free home analysis

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

WHY MORTGAGE RATES CHANGE

What causes changes in mortgage rates? There are any number of reasons for mortgage interest rates to fluctuate and we’ve broken down some of the more common reasons to help you gain a better understanding of this ever-evolving market.

Mortgage Bond Prices:
JS Realty Opposite directionsInterest rates and mortgage bond prices are inversely related. If mortgage bond prices go up, interest rates go down.

Economic Conditions:
Generally speaking, when economic reports/conditions are positive, interest rates will rise. Just this week, the report on retail sales was flat versus the expected .2% increase. This helped keep interest rates down. Last week the jobs report was positive, unemployment was lower than expected and more jobs were added to the economy, which caused interest rates to spike. These are subtle changes that can greatly affect the mortgage industry.

Federal Reserve Building JS RealtyFederal Reserve System:
Janet Yellen
, Chair of the Federal Reserve System, plays a large role in the interest rates for the mortgage industry. For a number of years the Federal Government was purchasing large amounts of mortgage backed securities in an effort to keep interest rates low. The Fed monitors the economy and will influence the interest rates to control the economic growth of the US. By decreasing interest rates, the Fed is attempting to spark growth in the economy and encourage borrowing. If the economy is growing, they will use rising rates to control the growth.

Inflation:
Inflation is a prominent economic factor and a key concern for the industry. Inflation increases prices and decreases the spending power in the economy. As inflation rises, interest rates will also rise.

JS Realty Lock Interest RateIn summary, there are many factors that influence mortgage interest rates. All of these factors are outside of our personal control. When it comes time that you need a loan to purchase or refinance a home, you will be faced with making a decision to lock in your interest rate or let the rate “float” in hopes that the market improves and you can get a lower rate. Here is my advice in regards to that decision:  It is much better to be locked in with rates falling than floating with rates rising.

JS Realty KHarris Lender
Keith Harris     NMLS # 838973

Every borrower has a unique need, as far as their loan is concerned. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our preferred Lender, Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

 

 

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

MEET OUR PREFERRED LENDER

The JS Realty Team is excited to introduce you to our preferred mortgage lender, Keith Harris!

JS Realty KHarris Lender
Keith Harris,               NMLS #838973

Keith is a Licensed Realtor and Associate Broker who has been in the real estate industry since 2003 and the mortgage industry since 2011.  Since then, Keith has closed over $250 million in real estate and mortgage transactions.  His previous experience as a Realtor is valuable to both real estate agents as well as the borrowers, and he views both as his clients. You can be sure that Keith is always looking to provide the best solution for the borrower. He is available to meet with clients when it’s most convenient for them – so if the typical work week makes it difficult to get together, Keith is available on weekday evenings and most weekends. Keith’s professionalism, integrity, and stellar work ethic goes above and beyond to ensure his clients get the best possible outcome.

For 10 years, Keith has coached youth sports and he takes a similar approach in coaching his clients to get to a “winning” solution!

JS Realty Intercoastal MortgageKeith Harris is a Lender at Intercoastal Mortgage Company. They are committed to spending the necessary time to understand your needs and tailor a loan best suited for you.

As a Full Service Residential Mortgage Lender, there’s no need for a “middle man”.  These are only a few reasons why Keith is our preferred Lender:

  • Direct Local Lender – not a broker
  • Extremely competitive rates
  • In-house Processing, Underwriting, and Closing
  • Uses only local Appraisers who know our market
  • Takes care of completing your loan application &  paperwork
  • Specialize in complex scenarios and First Time Homebuyers
  • Free, 1-time float down, once rate is locked (scenario specific)
  • Offers the following:
    • FHA, VA, Conventional FNMA & FHLMC, Jumbo and Super Jumbo, USDA, Construction Loans, Bridge Loans, No Money Down loans
  • Licensed in Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia

JS Realty Equal Housing LenderTo apply online, click here to fill out the loan application. There is no cost or obligation associated with obtaining a preapproval from Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

JS Realty Free home analysisThe JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

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.