TYSONS — SILVER & GOLD

What does Tysons have to offer? SILVER & GOLD!! The Tysons region has struck GOLD with the plan to add the new SILVER line metro, as well as multiple modes of transit, pedestrian-friendly street design, and ground-level retail making it a walk-able, pedestrian friendly, lovable, urban community.

• Metrorail Project: The Tysons Dulles Metrorail project is scheduled to be completed by 2013. • #mce_temp_url#
• Shopping: With two upscale shopping centers, Tysons boasts the largest shopping mall in the state of Virginia as well as in the Baltimore and DC areas. Tysons Galleria & Tysons Corner Center http://www.shoptysons.com/
• Business: Tysons Corner is Fairfax County’s central business district, with the largest concentration of office space in Northern Virginia. The corporate headquarters of Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, Freddie Mac, Gannett Company, Hilton Worldwide, MicroStrategy, SAIC, Space Adventures, Spacenet, Sunrise Senior Living, and USA Today are located in Tysons Corner. Firms with offices in Tysons Corner include BAE Systems, Compuware, Ernst & Young, Northrop Grumman, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Xerox, and Vie de France. •#mce_temp_url# #mce_temp_url#
• Tysons Community: A great way to keep in shape and meet people in your community is to join a gym or sports team! • Vienna Community Center #mce_temp_url#• McLean Community Center #mce_temp_url#
• Tysons Local Government & Chambers of Commerce: Keep informed of what is going on in your community and sign up for news bulletins. • Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce #mce_temp_url# Vienna Tysons Chamber of Commerce #mce_temp_url# Fairfax County #mce_temp_url# Town of Vienna #mce_temp_url# City of Falls Church #mce_temp_url#
• Tysons Future: Tysons, in many ways, is already the second city of the Washington metropolis, is poised to become much bigger. Height limits around Metro stops could allow [more] buildings up to 250 feet, which is lower than in Chicago but higher than in much of downtown Washington, where 160 feet is a typical maximum.  Washington Post #mce_temp_url
• Tysons Restaurants: With 410 restaurants to choose from you can always find the exact cuisine you are looking for. If it’s fine dining, ethnic food, or just a good old American diner… you will find it here!#mce_temp_url#

• Favorite Links: I loved this area so much that I decided to move here. Check out my favorite links to learn more (above) & enjoy ALL that Tysons has to offer!! Coming soon … the Silver&GoldGroup!

All Good News, Vienna, VA May 2010 Stats for 22182

All Good News, Wolf Trap Woods! MAY 2010 STATS FOR 22182: TOTAL SOLD $ VOLUME UP 48.66% (from 5/09); AVG. SOLD PRICE ($806K) UP $19.89% (from $672k); AVG DAYS ON MARKET DOWN 18.57% *** 54 NEW LISTINGS; 38 PENDING SALES (UNDER CONTRACT with or without contingencies.

First-time Homebuyers: Differing opinions & Tips to navigate the homebuying process

So you & your spouse/significant other want to buy your first home.  Awesome!  Exciting!  Challenging?

Warning:  Buying a home together will present some unexpected challenges and stress that can be avoided.

Face it; although we may be committed as a couple, we have different opinions.

Statistically, when it comes to location, men typically want to be near their work, and women want to be near their family.  So on location alone, agreeing on your home will likely require some compromises

Tip #1 – The first step in buying a home should always be to establish the budget on the front end.  Even though most buyers end up going over the budget by 15%, it’s important to realize your budget and agree on it before you begin your search.

So find a trusted, reputable bank or lender to determine the amount for which you qualify and to outline the costs involved (from cash you will need on hand for an up-front earnest money deposit, to the amount you will need for a down-payment, closing costs, monthly payments, and more).  You should also get an approval letter from your bank or lender.  This letter can be a strong negotiating tool when you are ready to submit an offer on a home.  It tells the seller that you are not only financially qualified to purchase their home, but your financial institution has already approved you for the loan.

Tip #2 – Write down your top 8 priorities in a home, and then compare your lists. What are your must-haves in a home?  What are deal breakers?   Then be sure to have an open dialogue with your realtor to discuss the differences & must-haves.  This way,  he/she can show you homes that meet your needs and/or requirements.

Tip #3 – Go to open houses together as a trial run.  Why? It’s a great way to learn about and reveal your differing opinions.

This step may just save you from experiencing someone walking away with the house you want just as you decide you want it or as you are still discovering or debating your must-haves and different opinions.  Remember, “if you have to sleep on it, you may not get to sleep in it.” So walk in, make notes about your likes and dislikes about the home, and then compare notes and discuss your differences.

Tip#4  When you find a home you want to purchase, be sure to return for a 2^nd and 3^rd showing.  Roughly 70% of buyers make up their mind about a home the day they walk into it.   This is not recommended.  In fact, most buyers return to see the home the same day out of habit, when you should take the time to return on different days of the week, and different times of the day.  This way you can see more of what goes on in your neighborhood – interior lighting, noisy neighbors, parking patterns, garbage pick-up, traffic patterns, etc.

Tip # 5 If you find a dream house that requires improvements, or renovations, bring in a contractor first to find out what it’s going to cost.  Most first-time homebuyers don’t take the time to do this, and later realize they cannot afford to make the improvements they want or need.

Is there a perfect house out there for both of you?

Probably not.  In fact, no one ever gets the perfect house.  So focus on finding a house that you feel you can make a home.

Tip 6:  Select an experienced realtor who has strong “people” skills, and who you trust.  After all, the role of a realtor is often also the marriage counselor.  I can tell you from experience, this business is more about people than sales or property.

Your agent should be able to help you navigate the process, and also show you homes that you can afford.  He/she should also be able to suggest things you haven’t even thought about.

Whether or not you’re a couple or a first-time homebuyer, I’d LOVE to help you navigate the process, and assist you in making good decisions!  Call me any time!  703.919.7761. I’m here to serve!