Are Andresen

Archive for December, 2011

Top 8 Merrifield Communities to Benefit from the Redevelopment

Wilton House is the only condominium high-rise in the immediate area. It is located across from the Dunn Loring/Merrifield metro

As we have written about extensively the Dunn Loring Merrifield Metro area is seeing a massive redevelopment these days. From being a patchwork of new developments (Halstead at the Metro, Wilton House, Westbriar etc) and old light commercial businesses (Remington Mulch, Car repair shops, towing companies etc) it is now turning into a viable and walkable town center destination of its own.

Notable current projects include:

• Route 29 and Gallows Road intersection construction to make the congested area more accessible.
• Mosaic District with entertainment, dining, shopping and living (EYA Town Homes)
• Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metro redevelopment to include a Harris Teeter
• Halstead Square new residential, office and retail development near Wilton House, Halstead at the Metro and just a block from the Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metro.

All this new construction will benefit the area as a whole and also residents of the existing and new communities within walking distance. The area will now be perfect for people wanting to work downtown during the week and playing close to home on the weekend.  Here are the Top 8 communities that will benefit from all this:

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The Story Behind The Soldsense Calendar Picture

At Soldsense Realty we send out our magnetic calendars every year. Apart from a useful list of holidays for the upcoming year, we also like to share an image that means something special to us. The first few years we had landscapes, then we switched to native birds and then to birds around the world.

You may or may not know this, but both of us (Liezel and Are) love taking pictures and have travelled around the world to pursue that passion. Liezel has won multiple awards and competitions with her animal pictures, has self-published two books (available at the Pimmit Library) and also had images featured in Birds & Bloom and National Geographic Explorer. Here is the  story behind the image!

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11 Sure Ways To Dress Up Your Tysons Corner Home For Sale

First impressions count, and how your home appears from the outside will set the mood for the rest of the showing. To get that “wow—I want to live here” reaction, see if any of the following items may help you get there;

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5 Reasons Soldsense Rocks For Home Buyers!

Soldsense Realty LLC was formed in 2008 by Are Andresen and Liezel D’souza. Having our own brokerage gives us more flexibility and full control of the buying and selling experience as well as the services we provide to our clients. Our unique background and personalities manifests themselves in the following qualities:

1. Efficiency
Our engineering and technology background helps us keep the process streamlined and efficient by supplementing our personal touch with technology whenever we can. We use automatic searches and emails as well as electronic forms and signatures to save everyone time and to keep things legible and organized. It also saves an incredible amount of paper. We are available via email, SMS and phone and are always ready to address your concerns and questions expeditiously.

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6 Things for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers To Do in the Fairfax County Area

Living in Fairfax County has many advantages. One is the great schools – another all the great and affordable activities for your pre-school children. Here are 6 great activities for you to try.

1) Feel a Roaring Jet Engine (Free)
Not in Fairfax County but probably close enough for most… Kids of all ages enjoy watching the huge planes land from Gravelly Point next to the Ronald Reagan National Airport (off the GW Parkway by the Potomac River.) You can literally see people through the window in the landing planes. Bring a blanket and some food and make it a family picnic (if you are worried about noise, bring earplugs for everyone.)
More information here.

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Fairfax County Loan Limits Increased!

I wrote earlier this year about the temporary increased loan limits for conventional and FHA/VA loans expiring. The loan limits did indeed end up expiring. However, Congress voted a little while back to restore those increased loan limits to 125 percent of an areas median price (up to $729,750) for two years.

So, in our area this means you can purchase home with a conventional loan with a loan amount up to $729,750 before it will become a jumbo loan. A jumbo loan is harder to qualify for and also will have higher costs associated.