Ready to sell your current property so you can move to Tysons Corner? Start with a good plan. First, de-clutter every room removing all the extra pieces of furniture, and store them in the attic or basement. Look at each room with a critical eye, and remove all the do-dads, knick-knacks, and most of the personal items. You’re moving anyway so these items would have to be packed.

Now walk through your home as if you were seeing it for the first time, look at it through a designer’s eye, through a stranger’s eyes. Is there still too much furniture? Is there enough space to walk comfortably through the room without any obstructions? How about the color, would everyone like the color of the walls? You may be wild about a color, but even though the new owners can re-paint the walls, people often can’t see the potential to make a space their own.

See what other comparable properties look like in Tysons Corner, and make sure your home is up to speed. Your goal is to make every room as attractive as possible and as appealing as possible to most people so neutral colors are best. List every problem you can think of that could be an issue, repair everything you can, and replace anything that needs updating in order to present the property in the best light. A small investment of time and money now can make a big difference later. Next, clean every space and don’t forget to temporarily remove children’s toys and any evidence of the furry or feathered members of the family.

Stage your property as if your home will be photographed for a prestigious design magazine so that the photos posted to sell your home will be eye-catching and inviting. Gather all of the information you have on the property, and take accurate room measurements if you can. Stage the outside too – sweep the steps, make repairs and plant some pretty flowers. Make certain that all walkways are well lit for any property hunters who will view your home at night and anyone who drives by and might call for a showing. If you are unsure of the value of a repair or update, or if you need a professional – Tysons Corner is my specialty and I can help you with that.

To learn more about the benefits of living in Tysons Corner, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/tysons. I am Jeff Wu, and I can assist you with all of your real estate needs. Whether you are relocating to the futuristic city and growing business district of Tysons Corner, or if you already live here and are selling your house or purchasing your new dream home in Tysons Corner, McLean, or Vienna, please contact me at Agent Knows Homes.

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If you are looking to buy a new home in the Tysons’s Corner area in 2012, securing a mortgage loan is among the first steps.  Lending standards will remain tight in 2012 but being proactive and well prepared can score you a great loan with an attractive rate.

Here are some tips to help you improve your chances for success by being well prepared in advance when securing your mortgage loan.

Have Documents Ready
Every lender requests basic documents when applying for a mortgage.  Having some of these ready before arriving at the lender’s office can help to expedite the process.  You will need your last two pay stubs, W-2’s, income tax returns (it wouldn’t hurt to have from the last 2 years) and bank statements from the last 3 months.

To be super prepared and organized, you can put all documents in an electronic format.  This will help to resend quickly if necessary and to send to other lenders if it turns out you need to shop around.  Areas to ask about that cost you money include interest rates, points, closing costs, pre-paid expenses.  The type of loan you choose can also change your down payment amount and determine whether a mortgage insurance is required.

Know your Credit Score
Good credit – well, excellent credit – is the key to getting a great interest rate loan in today’s market.  Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680 to be compliance with the guidelines with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  There are other loan types which will accommodate slightly lower scores but you may not get the lowest interest rate available.

Before starting the process, obtain copies of your credit scores and credit history from all three major credit bureaus.  Study the reports to ensure there are no mistakes or issues that need to be cleared up before applying; sometimes it can take time to get errors taken off the report.

Determine Affordability
Don’t rely on your pre-approval amount and look for a home that meets the maximum price.  Instead, look at your income and budget to determine what you can comfortably afford.  You know best what extra expenses you splurge on each month, what you can cut back on and what you cannot.  Take into account that as a new homeowner, you will also have unexpected expenses with your new house and make room in your monthly budget accordingly.

Be Proactive
The clock starts once you submit your mortgage application and you need to act quickly with any and all requests so that there is no hold up in the approval process.  As a buyer, a delay in closing could affect your deposits and the contract in closing the home altogether so be sure to know your expected closing date and don’t be afraid to periodically follow up with the lender until the loan closes.

Do Not Take on More Credit
Until your loan closes, the lender can arbitrarily pull your credit and usually will right before the loan is set to close.  It’s smart to avoid making any large purchases or applying for new credit until after you have closed on your new Tysons’s Corner home.  You may feel the need to buy all new furnishings in anticipation of your new home but waiting will guarantee fewer problems in the loan process.

Buying a Tysons’s Corner home can be an exciting time.  Starting the process off right can help to alleviate any problems along the way and make the whole experience less stressful.  Jeff Wu can help you from the beginning of the process, will find you your dream home and will be with you every step of the way until you are settled into your new home.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

January 7th & 8th Open Houses in McLean (22101 & 22102)

Open Houses (22101) -Saturday, January 7th 2012

6053 Ramshorn Pl 1-4pm

1603 Kirby Rd 2-4pm

Open Houses (22101) -Sunday, January 8th 2012

1820 Youngblood St 12-3pm

2023 Rockingham St 12-4pm

1300 Calder Rd 1-4pm

1519 Pathfinder Ln 1-4pm

734 Lawton St 1-4pm

6302 Kensington St 1-4pm

6429 Georgetown Pike 1-4pm

1126 Buchanan St 1-4pm

1603 Kirby Rd 1-4pm

406 Chain Bridge Rd 1-4pm

6053 Ramshorn Pl 1-4pm

6893 Chelsea Rd 1-4pm

6601 Old Chesterbrook Rd 1-4pm

1023 Shipman Ln 1-4pm

1107 Pine Hill Rd 1-4pm

6509 Bellamine Ct 1-4pm

1808 Solitaire Ln 1-4pm

1497 Teague Dr 1-4pm

6132 Ramshorn Dr 1-4pm

6683 McLean Dr 1-4pm

6643 Madison McLean Dr 1-4pm

6901 Benjamin St 1-4pm

6817 Baron Rd 1-4pm

1460 Waggaman Cir2-4pm

624 Live Oak Dr 2-4pm

904 Countryside Ct 2-4pm

6330 Old Chesterbrook Rd 2-4pm

6951 Duncraig Ct 2-4pm

Open Houses (22102) -Sunday January 8th 2012

7509 Royal Oak Dr 1-4pm

1201 Old Stable Rd 1-4pm

8350 Greensboro Dr #712 1-4pm

8112 Touchstone Ter 1-4pm

8602 Dixie Pl 1-4pm

1120 Brook Valley Ln 2-4pm

8019 Greenwich Woods Dr 2-4pm

Map of Open Houses in McLean (22101 & 22102)

Saturday, December 17th 2011 Open Houses

2023 Rockingham St 1-4pm

1603 Kirby Rd 2-4pm

Sunday, December 18th 2011 Open Houses

1300 Calder Rd 1-4pm

734 Lawton St 1-4pm

6302 Kensington St 1-4pm

6429 Georgetown Pike 1-4pm

1603 Kirby Rd 1-4pm

6132 Ramshorn Dr 1-4pm

2023 Rockingham St 1-4pm

406 Chain Bridge Rd 1-4pm

8909 Brook Rd 1-4pm

6601 Old Chesterbrook Rd 1-4pm

6507 Old Chesterbrook Rd 1-4pm

6719 Wemberly Way 1-4pm

6132 Ramshorn Dr 1-4pm

6912 Elm St 1-4pm

22101, 22102 Open Houses (McLean)

Saturday, December 3rd Open Houses                   

6903 Lupine Ln 1-4pm

1603 Kirby Rd 2-4pm

Sunday, December 4th Open Houses

8445 Portland Pl 10am-5pm

8909 Brook Rd 12-5pm

1519 Pathfinder Ln 1-4pm

871 Centrillion Dr 1-4pm

1201 Old Stable Rd 1-4pm

6405 Old Dominion Dr 1-4pm

6004 Woodley Rd 1-4pm

734 Lawton St 1-4pm

7307 Hooking Rd 1-4pm

6302 Kensington St 1-4pm

1731 Melbourne Dr 1-4pm

1492 Hampton Hill Cir 1-4pm

1497 Teague Dr 1-4pm

7207 Farm Meadow Ct 1-4pm

6547 Old Chesterbrook Rd 1-4pm

1959 Rockingham St 1-4pm

6507 Old Chesterbrook Rd 1-4pm

7337 Lewinsville Park Ct 1-4pm

1808 Lansing Ct 1-4pm

848 Saigon Rd 1-4pm

6901 Benjamin St 1-4pm

Quick Look at the Neighborhood Sales Report for Fountains at McLean. Several Active & Under Contract as well as Quite a Few Sold within the Last Three Months!

Jeff Wu, your Tysons Corner Specialist! Helping people Buy, Sell & Invest in Real Estate – Have a great Day!