Are Andresen

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...Continue Reading!

A New Commons At The Tysons-McLean Metro?

The "word on the street" has for a long time been that changes are coming to the area around Anderson Road. With the new Silver Line metro station coming down the street things have really started heating up.  The transformation started with the old "shady" Safeway property being replaced by a wonderful new Safeway and new  attached storefronts. Multiple other proposals are pending or approved (Scotts Run Station North, Scotts Run Stream Valley Parc/Mitre and at the Capital One property.) Up next seems to be...Continue Reading!

Tysons Overlook – Brand New Townhomes By Tysons Corner

New town home communities in the Tysons Corner area are few and far between. The last one was Tysons Reserve off Gallows Road adjacent to SAIC. Their timing was less than optimal but in the end they did manage to sell out (the new nearby condominium development was turned into apartments.) Other developments include Metro West  (Pulte Homes) and Beech Grove (Stanley Martin)- both near Vienna Metro and both in the $600,000 range. (more...)Continue Reading!

Your Homeowners Insurance Protects You – Or Not!

So, everyone probably remembers the 5.8 magnitude earthquake we had in the Northern Virginia area back in August this year. Even though the National Cathedral and the Washington Monument were somewhat damaged, the overall damage was limited. On the personal side, I heard of  many people having drywall cracks and also a few having their water heaters shook loose or tip over with subsequent water damage (teachable moment: do not balance your water heater on a couple of bricks...) Now, you may think to yourself that even if...Continue Reading!

Tysons Corner – List In The Spring, Sell In the Summer…

“How is the market in Tysons Corner” is a question I hear all the time. After looking at the types of sales in Fairfax Countyoverall, I decided to go a bit more into detail and look at the number of sales in Tysons Corner. My perception has been that well priced home are in short supply – especially in the lower price ranges. I still have multiple motivated clients that I have not been able to find suitable homes for yet....Continue Reading!

Is Renters Insurance A Waste Of Money?

Most landlords and residential leases in this area require a tenant to take out renters insurance during the tenancy period. To sometimes cash-strapped renters this may seem like an extra cost they don't really need. Besides, you are paying rent - why shouldn't the landlord take care of insurance - it is after all their home! The homeowners fire and liability insurance covers the structure and his or her liability in case of injury. Insurance is usually required by their lender if they...Continue Reading!

9 Things You Must Do To Sell Your Fairfax County Home

Making upgrades to your home before it is made available for sale can drastically improve your bottom line. A favorable first impression means the difference between a quick sale and a slow painful process. To ensure a successful home sale your home has to be the best priced and most attractive house in the neighborhood. While most homeowners will see the value in fresh paint and new carpet they often forget the last few details that will make a home truly...Continue Reading!

Is Your Fairfax County Home In A Floodplain?

Floodplains matter. Apart from your home at risk of being filled with water it can create a lot of extra costs and headaches. Insurance rates will be higher or may be unavailable - and it could also derail a home sale or purchase. After all, if you were looking to purchase a home in a floodprone area - wouldn't you want to know? Looking up a flood-zone map on the Internet is not so hard anymore though. It does depend on the county and some have...Continue Reading!

Dunn Loring Merrifield Metro Construction Started!

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. The 15.4 acrea area adjacent to the entry of the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station (at the intersection of Gallows Road...Continue Reading!

Great 3 Bedroom In Green Oasis Minutes From Tysons For Sale!

We just listed a large 3 bedroom/2 bath at Woodburn Village right behind Fairfax Hospital (about where Gallows Road crosses I-495.) The home is almost 1,300 square foot large and has been remodelled throughout. With all the poor quality short-sales and foreclosures on the market, this one promises an easy purchase process and an immediate move-in at an affordable price. Woodburn Village is a garden style community tucked away behind Fairfax Hospital and across the street from the Pine Ridge Park and...Continue Reading!