Johnny's Blog

Happy new Year

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:31:25 -0600

Happy new Year

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:04:01 -0600

Johnny

Maximizing Exterior and Curb Appeal

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:58:37 -0500

When preparing to put your home up for sale, your first concern is the home's exterior. If the outside, or "curb appeal" looks good, people will more than likely want to see what's on the inside.

Here are some tips to enhance your home's exterior and curb appeal to buyers:

Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered.
Regularly trim hedges and weed lawns and flowerbeds.
Be sure your front door area has a "Welcome" feeling.
Paint the front door.
In spring and summer, add a couple of pots of showy annuals near your front entrance.
In snowy areas, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
Check foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and deterioration, and fix any problem areas.
Remove and repaint any peeling paint on doors and windows.
Clean and align gutters.
Inspect and clean the chimney.
Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
Reseal old asphalt.
Keep the garage door closed.
Store RVs and old cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.

How Much Should You Spend to Prepare Your House for Sale?

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:57:33 -0500

In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive polishes and touch-ups to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen.

Your REALTOR^® is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood and can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made and which improvements are most effective. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

Get Your House Ready to Show to Buyers

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:55:58 -0500

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well maintained.

From experience, REALTORS^® also know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is well maintained, they assume that what they can't see has probably also been well maintained. In readying your house for sale, consider:

how much should you spend to prepare your house for sale?
exterior and curb appeal
interior appeal

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal.

OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:44:36 -0500

Status

ACTIVE

2 Office space each is renting for $2000.00 triple
17948 Fraley Boulevard, Dumfries, Va, 22026

$4,000

MLS#	PW6613801
List Date	12/13/2007
Type	Other
Area	Dumfries
Square Footage	2000
Lot Size	0.3
Age	45

REQUEST MORE INFO	MORTGAGE CALCULATOR	PRINT THIS PAGE
TELL A FRIEND	SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT	VIEW MAP
Community Information

Description: OFFICE BUILDING FOR RENT $7900.00 PER MONTH TRIPLE NET. RARE OPPORTUNITY, OVER 6800 SQ FT BUILDING ON OVER 1/3 ACRE. GREAT LOCATION FOR DOCTORS, RETAIL BUSINESSES, SERVICE FUNCTIONS, BARBER/BEAUTY SHOPS. MAJOR EXPOSURE ON ROUTE 1, GREAT CONDITION.

Interior Features	Air Conditioned: Central Electric A/C, Levels: 2.0, Heating: Forced air.2 Office space each is renting for $2000.00 triple net lease
Exterior Features	Water: Public, Sewer: Public, Other Exterior Features: Brick

Townhome for Rent

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:15:46 -0500

Status

Available

10343 Citation Way, Ruther Glen, VA, 22546

$1,199

MLS#	CV6888181
List Date	10/2/2008
Type	Resale - single family
Style	Colonial / Townhouse
Area	Caroline
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
Square Footage	0
Lot Size	0.0
Age	3

REQUEST MORE INFO	MORTGAGE CALCULATOR	PRINT THIS PAGE
TELL A FRIEND	SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT	VIEW MAP
Community Information

Description: Be The 2nd To Live In This Th(3br,2.5ba) In An After Sought Community, Belmont At Carmel Church. Features Include Large Master Bedroom W/ Sitting Room, Luxury Bath; Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room W/ Fireplace; Separate Dining Room; Eat In Kitchen; Wooded Back, Community Tot Lot. 20 Minutes From Vre, 2 Miles From I-95, Elementary Schl: Call School Board, Middle Schl: Call School Board, High Schl: Call School Board, Subdivision: Belmont, Property Cond: Shows Well

Interior Features	Levels: 3
Additional Features and Amenities	Other: Amenities: Mbr-Ba Full, Amenities: Walk-In Closet(s), Appl: Dishwasher, Appl: Disposal, Appl: Exhaust Fan, Appl: Icemaker, Appl: Other, Appl: Oven/Range-Electric, Appl: Refrigerator, Bsmt Type: Full, Bsmt Type: Fully Finished, Bsmt Type: Walkout Level, Cool: Central A/C, Exterior: Vinyl Siding, F/P: 1, Heat: Forced Air, HOA: .0, Hot Water: Natural Gas, Interior: Other, Kitchen: Kit-Table Space, Kitchen: Sep Dining Rm, Other Room: Storage Room, Other Room: Sun/Florida Room, Other Room: Utility Room, Other Room: Workshop, Parking: Assigned, Septic: Public Sewer, Water: Public

Townhome for Rent

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:13:33 -0500

Status

Available

10347 Citation Way, Ruther Glen, VA, 22546

$1,199

MLS#	CV6888186
List Date	10/2/2008
Type	Resale - condo-townhouse
Style	Colonial / Townhouse
Area	Caroline
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
Square Footage	0
Lot Size	0.0
Age	3

REQUEST MORE INFO	MORTGAGE CALCULATOR	PRINT THIS PAGE
TELL A FRIEND	SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT	VIEW MAP
Community Information

Interior Features	Levels: 3
Additional Features and Amenities	Other: Amenities: Mbr-Ba Full, Amenities: Walk-In Closet(s), Appl: Dishwasher, Appl: Disposal, Appl: Exhaust Fan, Appl: Icemaker, Appl: Other, Appl: Oven/Range-Electric, Appl: Refrigerator, Bsmt Type: Full, Bsmt Type: Fully Finished, Bsmt Type: Walkout Level, Cool: Central A/C, Exterior: Vinyl Siding, F/P: 1, Handicap: Other, Heat: Forced Air, HOA: .0, Hot Water: Natural Gas, Kitchen: Kit-Table Space, Kitchen: Sep Dining Rm, Other Room: Recreation Room, Other Room: Storage Room, Other Room: Sun/Florida Room, Other Room: Utility Room, Other Room: Workshop, Parking: Assigned, Septic: Public Sewer, Water: Public

Townhome for Rent

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:10:20 -0500

Status

Available

10347 Citation Way, Ruther Glen, VA, 22546

$1,199

MLS#	CV6888186
List Date	10/2/2008
Type	Resale - condo-townhouse
Style	Colonial / Townhouse
Area	Caroline
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
Square Footage	0
Lot Size	0.0
Age	3

REQUEST MORE INFO	MORTGAGE CALCULATOR	PRINT THIS PAGE
TELL A FRIEND	SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT	VIEW MAP
Community Information

Interior Features	Levels: 3
Additional Features and Amenities	Other: Amenities: Mbr-Ba Full, Amenities: Walk-In Closet(s), Appl: Dishwasher, Appl: Disposal, Appl: Exhaust Fan, Appl: Icemaker, Appl: Other, Appl: Oven/Range-Electric, Appl: Refrigerator, Bsmt Type: Full, Bsmt Type: Fully Finished, Bsmt Type: Walkout Level, Cool: Central A/C, Exterior: Vinyl Siding, F/P: 1, Handicap: Other, Heat: Forced Air, HOA: .0, Hot Water: Natural Gas, Kitchen: Kit-Table Space, Kitchen: Sep Dining Rm, Other Room: Recreation Room, Other Room: Storage Room, Other Room: Sun/Florida Room, Other Room: Utility Room, Other Room: Workshop, Parking: Assigned, Septic: Public Sewer, Water: Public

Townhome for rent

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:10:54 -0500

Johnny Sarkis

895.00

Office: 703-986-5700
Property Details FOR LISTING #FB6792983

805 IVANHOE CT, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22401

RENTAL PRICE: 895| BEDROOMS: 2| FULL BATHS: 1| HALF BATHS: 1

Remarks:

AWESOME CONDITION,JUST BEEN REMODELED THROUGHOUT, 2 BEDROOM HOME CLOSE TO I95 AND CENTRAL PARK.SPACIOUS AND WELL MAINTAINED MUST SEE

Property Information

COUNTY:	FREDERICKSBURG CITY
SUBDIVISION:	CENTRAL PARK TOWNHOMES
STATUS:	ACTIVE
SALE/RENTAL:	Rental
YEAR BUILT:	1977
PROPERTY TYPE:	Townhouse
STYLE:	Colonial

Listing Information

COURTESY OF:

Long & Foster Realtors, Inc.

OFFICE NAME:

Woodbridge/Prince William Parkway

Additional Information

OWNERSHIP:	Fee Simple
LOT ACREAGE:	0.027043
COOLING:	Central A/C
HEATING:	Forced Air

EXTERIOR:	Brick and Siding
WATER ACCESS:	No
WATERFRONT:	No
WATER VIEW:	No
PARKING:	Assigned
APPLIANCES:	Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Exhaust Fan, Oven/Range-Electric, Refrigerator, Washer

Townhome for rent

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:02:15 -0500

Johnny Sarkis

233 IVANHOE CT, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22401

Enlarge	Rental Price:	$895
	MLS Number:	FB6792983
	Bedrooms:	2 Bedrooms
	Full Baths:	1 Full Bathrooms
	Half Baths:	1 Half Bathrooms
	County:	FREDERICKSBURG CITY
	View Details Show All Listings
	Email:SARKIS@GMAIL.COM Cell 703-400-9660

7 Keys to Selling Your House When Sales are Slow

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:47:20 -0500

Residential and Commercial Real Estate in Virginia.

Providing Real Estate Services to Home Buyers & Sellers in Northern VA

Johnny Sarkis
Long and Foster Real Estate
Sarkis.Johnny@gmail.com
Business:703-986-5700
Mobile:703-400-9660
Fax:703-583-7655

What was once a booming residential real estate market across the country has slowed to a trickle.

Interviewing agents

You'll want to interview at least three real estate agents to determine who will do the best job for you. What you are trying to determine is who has a finger on the pulse of the real estate market, and can offer his or her professional guidance to get your house sold for a reasonable amount. Finding top agents in your hometown is helpful - out-of-town agents may not have the in-depth market knowledge, or the accessibility to motivated buyers.

Ask these questions before listing with an agent:

How many homes have you sold in the past year?
How many in the past six months?
How did the selling price of those homes differ in relation to the list price?
What do I need to do to the outside of my home to increase curb appeal?
What do I need to do to the inside of my home to make it more attractive to potential buyers?
What can I do to make my home sell quickly?
How many homes like mine are currently for sale in this town? How much are they listed for?
How will you determine the list price of my home?

Notice the list price question came last. Too often sellers interview agents and list their home with the agent who comes up with the highest price. In a slow market, a price that is the highest may very well mean that your home will languish on the market, resulting in a much lower sales price months down the road. Find the agent who will partner with you to get your house sold in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable amount of money.

Rising mortgage rates are lowering the affordability of homes and an increase of sellers looking to cash in on the rapid price appreciation over the past few years has led to a dramatic reduction in buyers and a rapid increase in the number of homes for sale. These factors have led to too few buyers looking at too many houses, putting buyers back into the driver's seat.

It's a whole new world for home sellers. So, how do you make your house stand out so it will sell when sales are slow?

Price your home aggressively. When mortgage rates are low and buyers are chasing too few houses for sale, sellers can ask high prices and get them. Even when houses are overpriced for the market, sellers are likely to receive some offers, as buyers are often desperate to find a home that meets their needs. When things are slow, pricing is absolutely critical. But instead of pricing your home aggressively high, you should consider pricing your home no higher than the middle of the range for homes comparable to yours. And if you need to sell your home quickly, you should consider pricing your home among in the bottom 25 percent of comparable homes. Why? With few buyers chasing many homes, you need to quickly get the attention of those who are serious about buying, If your home is priced too high, you many never get buyers to even consider looking at your home.
Quickly cut the price if you don't get action. Everyone wants to sell their home for as much money as possible. Nobody wants to "give" their home away. But homes that languish on the market in a slow market often are forced to make one price reduction after another, as buyers and real estate agents may begin to question why the home has been on the market for so long. In a slow market with few buyers you may want to cut the price to make the sale more quickly.
Finding the right agent is critical. Any agent can list your house. But when buyers are few you need a first-class real estate professional on your side. They'll help with everything from pricing to advising you on the other 6 points in this article. Finding leading agents who outsell other agents in your home town are the type of professionals you'll need on your side. Talk with your family, friends, and neighbors to identify the best agents in your area. Interview several - hire the one who you believe will do the best job for you.
Curb appeal. After pricing, nothing will bring more potential buyers into your home than a house with outstanding curb appeal. Take a walk down your street with a critical eye. How does your home stack up from the outside? If it doesn't stand out from the rest then it's time to get to work.
Consider home staging. The quickest way to add home value to a home for sale is a fresh coat of paint. But after you do that, you may want to consider home staging. Either do it yourself or hire an outside firm to do so. A home staging professional will come in and take away some furnishings and rearrange others to make your home show better. When home sales were going gangbusters this was a technique used mostly by those selling high-end homes. When things get slow and homeowners need to sell, more people find home staging professionals to help them prepare their home to make it more appealing to prospective buyers.
Fix stuff. The loose railing. The broken pane of glass. The closet door off of its track. The leaky faucet. They all need fixing. If you don't have the time or skill, find a handyman to go through your home and make repairs. Also, consider replacing the old roof that looks like it might leak, the antique furnace, and the stained rug. When there are few homes on the market, sellers sometimes offer cash at closing to repair the roof or for the stained rug. With so many homes on the market, buyers can afford to only bid on those that are in move-in condition. Fix what needs repair before listing your house.
Offer flexible terms. Flexibility is the key now. You'd like to close in two months, but the buyers might be in a hurry and need to close sooner. Find a way to make it happen. You were planning to take the appliances to your new home, but the buyers make a bid near the asking price - including the appliances. Leave the washer and dryer behind (and then go find a store that offers no payments on appliance purchases for a year). And for those items that have deep sentimental value, make sure they are removed prior to any showings. Competition between home sellers is high - you don't want to lose the only buyer who has looked at your home in a month.

Get Your House Ready to Show to Buyers

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:42:32 -0500

Residential and Commercial Real Estate in Virginia.

Providing Real Estate Services to Home Buyers & Sellers in Northern VA

Johnny Sarkis
Long and Foster Real Estate
Sarkis.Johnny@gmail.com
Business:703-986-5700
Mobile:703-400-9660
Fax:703-583-7655

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well maintained.

how much should you spend to prepare your house for sale?
exterior and curb appeal
interior appeal

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal.

How Much Should You Spend to Prepare Your House for Sale?

Maximizing Exterior and Curb Appeal

When preparing to put your home up for sale, your first concern is the home's exterior. If the outside, or "curb appeal" looks good, people will more than likely want to see what's on the inside.

Here are some tips to enhance your home's exterior and curb appeal to buyers:

Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered.
Regularly trim hedges and weed lawns and flowerbeds.
Be sure your front door area has a "Welcome" feeling.
Paint the front door.
In spring and summer, add a couple of pots of showy annuals near your front entrance.
In snowy areas, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
Check foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and deterioration, and fix any problem areas.
Remove and repaint any peeling paint on doors and windows.
Clean and align gutters.
Inspect and clean the chimney.
Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
Reseal old asphalt.
Keep the garage door closed.
Store RVs and old cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.

Maximizing Interior Appeal

You want your home to look as spacious, bright and clean as possible. Also the home should look neutral - without a lot of your personal and sentimental objects - so buyers can begin to imagine living there.

Here are some tips to enhance your home's interior appeal to buyers:

Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning and remove all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms actually rent storage garages and move half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
Use a professional cleaning service every few weeks while the house is on the market.
Remove the less frequently used, and even daily-used items from kitchen counters, closets, basement and attic to make these areas more inviting.
Make sure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter.
Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms: they should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible. It is essential for them to be clean and odor free.
Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.
Buy showy new towels for the bathroom, and put them out only for showings.
Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by installing new curtains and cabinet knobs, or applying a fresh coat of neutral paint.
Clean walls and doors of smudges and scuff marks.
If necessary, repaint dingy, soiled or strongly-colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
Check for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement, and fix any problem areas.
Seal basement walls if there are any signs of dampness or leakage.
Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint and tiles.
Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings and other woodwork.
Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating, cooling and alarm systems.

When Selling Your Home, Using Scents Makes Sense!

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:42:22 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

March 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

Even if now doesn't seem to be the ideal time to sell your home, you can take heart in knowing that small actions may make a difference in getting your home sold.

"Scentmosphere" isn't exactly new but it is rapidly becoming a way to attempt to attract buyers.

"When buyers walk into a house before they actually see anything in that house, because they breathe, they are smelling. So they are actually getting an impression, whether it's conscious or subconscious, of your home -- just by the way it smells," says Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation for Yankee Candle Company.

So, right now take a deep breath. What kind of "smellment" is your home making?

Choosing to proactively make a statement in the way your home smells is just another step in helping to sell your home faster. It's the next step after curb appeal. Ruffolo says curb appeal gets buyers in the door but then they see and smell your home and begin to decide if this is the home for them.

"If it's a vacant home it can be musty. But if it's an active home it also could have odors of whatever activities that are going on in that house," says Ruffolo.

Are buyers going to smell the over-sized dog that traipses around the house after rolling in the newly-cut grass? Are they going to smell your son's gym bag filled with dirty socks that has been buried deep in his closet for the last five weeks? While we certainly don't all have the same preferences for scents, most would agree neither of those two things pose a welcoming aroma.

"It's not rocket science, but it is candle science," says Ruffolo.

He suggests candle fragrances such as the smell of freshly-baked cookies. "Not everybody likes to eat cookies but everybody enjoys the smell of cookies, and when I say everybody, there may be the exception here or there, but the vast majority would enjoy the baking smell. So we're always fond of fragrances that are in the vanilla family," says Ruffolo.

Fragrances such as French vanilla, butter cream, and créme brûleé that mimic baking scents are welcoming and inviting for buyers. Scents register in our brain and frequently remind us of our past experiences. Creating pleasant aromas in your newly-listed house can help the buyer to experience an emotional connection with the home.

Ruffolo says when it comes to bathrooms, great rooms, or even basements it's a good idea to try different fragrances.

"You may want to think of what we refer to as clean or fresh fragrances and those could be based in various fruits, so the citrus family is a really good one," says Ruffolo.

He says, however, there are some fragrances that you should avoid as they don't tend to appeal to the masses or they have too strong an odor.

Ruffolo instead encourages sellers to use fragrances that will instantly be winners such as vanilla, kitchen spice fragrances, citrus, and the smell of freshly cleaned laundry.

"Scent impacts the atmosphere," says Ruffolo. He says that candles are the best way to get the fragrant aroma in the air, but if you don't have time to let them burn before showing your home there are other methods that work to get the right "scentmosphere."

The company has electrical plug-in products that have oil them so they provide continuous fragrance. "If you're away from the house for a period of time, you don't have to worry about the candle being lit," says Ruffolo.

Reed diffusers are both decorative and powerful for giving off fragrance. The diffusers contain oil and the reeds help to draw the oil up and out into the room. "They don't fill a large room but they fill a nice small space very well," says Ruffolo.

But if you give every room a fragrance, is there a point of over-saturation? Ruffolo says that's not likely to happen.

"It's not like the person who put on too much perfume. A home is a very large place and it absorbs a lot of the fragrance so it would be pretty hard to overpower a house with too much fragrance," explains Ruffolo.

Ruffolo says with all the tips out there about selling a home, the scent factor is often the most forgotten.

"If you don't have a scent that you want in there, buyers are going to smell whatever is going on in that room. So if it's been closed up or doesn't have a lot of air flow there will be more of a musty, damp, or a less desirable scent," explains Ruffolo.

It just makes sense that if you want to create an appealing environment for buyers, pleasing scents should be part of the selling plan.

Written by Phoebe Chongchua

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Johnny Sarkis
E-mail: johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
Web: http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com
Cell:703-400-9660

Long and Foster Real Estate
703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Equal Housing Opportunity

What Does The Economic Stimulus Package Mean To You?

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:40:06 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

April 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

Since passed by overwhelming Capitol Hill majorities in January, there has been much talk regarding the economic stimulus package. Yes, it will cost $168 billion, but what does it actually do for individuals?

The stimulus package is designed to help the country moderate the worst effects of a slowing economy and perhaps even avoid a recession. The idea is to encourage spending and with more spending to increase economic activity. While the theory looks good on paper, it will likely take months or years to know if it actually works.

From a personal perspective the January stimulus package has five major components that will immediately impact individuals with an interest in real estate.

1. Checks from Uncle Sam: According to the White House, taxpayers can receive rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples. A minimum of $300 per person and $600 per couple will be available to those with at least $3,000 of earned income. This relief will be available to everyone with adjusted gross income less than $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. The rebates will be phased out for taxpayers above those income thresholds.

2. Additional rebates will be mailed out for those with children. Everyone eligible for a rebate would also receive an additional $300 per child. For example, this would mean up to $1,800 of tax relief for an eligible couple with two children.

3. Reduced Income Taxes for Low-Income Wage Earners: The legislation says that 2008 taxes will be eliminated on the first $6,000 of taxable income for individual taxpayers and the first $12,000 of taxable income for couples. The tax rate used to be 10 percent on such income.

4. FHA mortgage loan limits will more than double in some cases. The usual limit in high-cost areas in the lower 48 states will rise from $362,790 to $729,750. Such financing allows buyer to purchase homes with 3 percent down.

5. Conventional loan limits will increase. The maximum size of a "conforming" loan will go from $417,000 to $729,750.

While the benefits for individuals look good, there are some caveats to consider.

First, those rebate checks are a one-time deal. While the government hopes that individuals will use the money for spending, many recipients will use the cash to pay down debts. Paying off bills can be a good use of your cash because it can mean lower monthly costs and better credit scores, thus lowering interest costs when you borrow to finance a home or car.

Second, if you want to buy or refinance with the new class of "conventional jumbo" mortgages, be aware that the FHA and conventional loan limits have only been raised for 2008. It's possible that the old limits will be reinstated in January 2009, so if you want a larger mortgage start planning now.

Third, while the conventional loan limit applies nationwide, the maximum amount you can borrow under the FHA program varies by location. In other words, the biggest loans will not be available everywhere. For specifics regarding your area, please speak with a mortgage counselor.

Written by Peter G. Miller

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Johnny Sarkis
E-mail: johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
Web: http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com
Cell:703-400-9660

Long and Foster Real Estate
703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Equal Housing Opportunity

ID THEFT HITS HOME

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:37:02 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

June 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

A growing number of crooks who steal your identity don't swipe your personal information to pilfer from your financial accounts.

They want to get their hands on your home and snatch it right out from under you.

Modern day malefactors are mindful of the fact that while you may have quite a stash to swipe from your savings, credit and investment accounts, chances are your home is your most valuable asset.

You can, however, protect your home from a heist by taking measured preventative steps.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations recently reported the new scourge of "house stealing", a marriage between mortgage fraud and identity theft (ID theft), both of which are now staples of organized criminal activity.

Here's the basic house stealing scam:

A grifter chooses a house and assumes the identity of the homeowner, often using the Internet to obtain personal information. The information is used to create fake identification papers.

The culprit then transfers the deed into his or her name using forged documents, signatures and fake identification, but by filing the paperwork with the proper authorities. Now they "own" the home.

In one variation, the house thief steals the home and then sells it to pocket the profits -- even if someone still lives there. In another variation, crooks prey on homeowners in financial trouble. They promise to refinance the mortgage, but instead "buy" the home using fake identities.

Sai Huda, CEO of San Diego, CA-based Compliance Coach recently deployed CompliancePal the first-of-its kind software clients use to meet federal requirements to weed out ID theft "red flags" -- indicators that identity filching could be afoot.

Huda said the software has found other variations on the house stealing scheme including a team posing as both the owner selling the property and the buyer making the purchase. The real homeowner is left in the lurch.

He developed the software to help federally regulated institutions comply with the so-called "Red Flag" provision of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). Fully effective in November this year, the provision requires that financial institutions, creditors and others who handle your personal identifying documents develop and deploy an ID theft prevention program.

The federal provision comes with more than two dozen red flags regulated companies must heed.

"If businesses fail to comply it's not only civil monetary penalties, it's also violations of federal and state unfair and deceptive acts laws. It's a serious risk for Realtors, mortgage brokers, lenders and others who don't comply," Huda said.

But Huda's software has found nearly as many additional red flags beyond the federal regulations and he says that indicates consumers also have their work cut out for them.

"Consumers need to ask, 'Who am I doing business with? What are they doing to protect me? What am I doing to protect myself?' " he added.

To prevent someone from stealing your home, take conventional ID-theft prevention measures with a focus on protecting your home's ownership.

Review your credit report frequently. You can do so three times a year for free at the one and only federally-sanctioned AnnualCreditReport.com by getting one report, in turn, every four months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Avoid sound-alike services.

"Just as you keep tabs on your credit report, keep a watch once or twice a year on your home's title records," says Huda. You don't need to hire a title company for a title search, but it's a smart move to visit your county recorder or other public recording agency to check your title for lien changes or additions, requests for information or other anomalies.

Invest in a confetti shredder to destroy identifying documents before tossing them. Better yet, rub out the paper trail and move financial transactions online. Conduct as much digital banking as possible. The online account gives you 24 hour access to inspect your accounts as often as you wish.

When you are away, put a stop on all mail and deliveries rather than have someone pick them up.

Use a safe or safety deposit box for any important documents paperwork you must retain.

Written by Broderick Perkins

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Johnny Sarkis
E-mail: johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
Web: http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com
Cell:703-400-9660

Long and Foster Real Estate
703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Equal Housing Opportunity

How To Get the Goods On 'Regreening'

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:20:56 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

June 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

How To Get the Goods On 'Regreening'

It makes good sense to go green when you make home improvements and renovate your home.

Green remodeling, dubbed "regreening," includes design and construction that reduces the environmental impact of the work itself. That includes the impact on energy, water, and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions -- indoors and out -- according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The council also says a green home is one that uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste, and is healthier for the people who live there.

If being politically correct isn't enough to make you see green, with today's attention to global warming, consider this: regreening can also increase the amount of green backs you get when you sell your home.

But how can you be sure the green approach you use is the best green you can find for your home improvement?

To assist homeowners who want to cultivate a green home improvement lifestyle the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the USGBC have teamed up to create Regreen, a resource for green home renovation best practices and guidelines.

ASID is a community of designers, industry representatives, educators, and students committed to interior design. USGBC is coordinating the establishment and evolution of a national consensus to provide the industry with the tools necessary to design, build, and operate buildings that deliver high performance inside and out. It's also a leading organization representing the building industry on environmental building matters.

The partnership says to get true green, begin with these tips.

Consider composition. When choosing a green product, consider the raw materials used to create the product and their origin. For example, some composite decking manufacturers use recovered wood fibers and recycled plastic grocery bags, milk jugs and detergent bottles to create their materials. Products using recycled rather than virgin materials help by creating less waste, by keeping materials out of landfills and by reducing the need for costly raw materials like petroleum.

By comparison, decking products made polyvinyl chloride (PVC) come with the promise of lower maintenance, however the material is problematic.

"PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing unique and major hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal," according to The Healthy Building Network. The network also says PVC poses unique and significant risks in its production, product life and disposal, and defies the greater desire for a healthy environment and improved quality of life.

Consider a product's lifecycle. To reduce environmental impact, seek long-lasting products that also can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their life. Some can even be returned to the manufacturer to be recycled into future products.

Consider sustainability. Products should also have the ability to be maintained sustainably. For building products that will be used outdoors, look for durable products that can withstand the regional climate over an extended period. Sustainability should also be practiced by the manufacturer and during the production process. Manufacturing processes can use a great deal of energy and resources, as well as release toxic chemicals and gases. Look for sustainable companies that have implemented environmental processes and procedures to reduce emissions and energy, as well as reduce the amount of waste through recycling, reusing and other environmentally responsible practices.

Consider value. While green home improvements are inherently good for your home's value, ensure you'll get the most from your regreening by looking for a life-cycle cost analysis of green products. The analysis calculates the approximate maintenance cost over its lifetime compared to the initial product price.

Written by Broderick Perkins

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Johnny Sarkis
E-mail: johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
Web: http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com
Cell:703-400-9660

Long and Foster Real Estate
703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Equal Housing Opportunity

Step up with these hot trends

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:18:44 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

June 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

Floored By Old Decor? Step It Up With These Hot Trends!

Flooring can be one of the easiest ways to give your home a new and improved look. But it can be expensive, which is why it's important to choose wisely so that you don't get stuck with something you'll soon rip out.

Pulling out old flooring and putting in a stylish, comfortable floor can spice up an old home instantly. Before you get to the fun part -- choosing colors, textures, and types of flooring -- take into consideration what you expect from the flooring.

For instance, if you're re-flooring your kitchen, make sure you opt for something that is water resistant and can handle spills. In the hallways and playrooms, you're likely to be more concerned with a floor that can help absorb noise. Also, think about how long you might be standing on a floor in a particular room such as the kitchen. If you're cooking and doing dishes while standing on a very hard-surfaced floor, you're likely to get tired more easily than if you had a vinyl or softer-based floor.

Carpet never goes completely out of style. "Carpet fits everyone's budget. It's very versatile. It can go many places and it's a very environmentally-friendly product," says Sean Moran, sales representative for San Diego Carpet One.

Moran says, today though, customers are skipping things that used to be popular. "No more borders, no multi-colors in rooms, and not a lot of custom inlays in carpets any more," says Moran. However, patterns are growing in popularity.

According to Moran, the biggest interior design faux pas is blue carpet. "I've never seen a color die so fast in my life. Nobody likes blue carpet," says Moran.

What is hot? Designer carpeting. "We sell a line sponsored by the designer, Liz Claiborne," says Moran.

Also, natural fibers such as wool are being requested more frequently. "It's very durable, pretty stain resistant and it's got a really nice soft look that comes in lots of patterns," says Moran.

Hardwood: "It's sustainable because it's re-finishable. When the hardwood begins to show signs of wear, you can have the hardwood refinished in your home. It brings it back to new again and you can have 10 to 20 more years of life wear on that floor. It's also very luxurious and has a great look,"

What's hot? "People are starting to get more toward the middle ground. I think the really heavily distressed, heavily-beveled hardwoods make people afraid they will look dated in about five or six years," says Moran.

Instead, they're opting for less distressed wood that has a smooth finish and nice quality wood. Moran says hardwood is also being installed more frequently in kitchens to create a more elegant look.

Cork: Cork flooring has been around for about 30 to 40 years. "It kind of fell out of favor when vinyl became so popular but now that people are looking at environmentally-friendly floor covering, they're returning to cork," says Moran. He adds, "Cork is a product of the cork oak tree, most of the quality cork is imported from Portugal or that part of Europe." The bark is harvested off of the tree and then it is turned into cork flooring and things like wine corks. "The tree stage regenerates the cork for future harvesting," explains Moran.

Cork can be put in nearly every room of the house and helps to absorb sound better than wood, tile, or stone flooring. "It goes over almost any type of floor covering except for carpet and it's very easy to install," says Moran.

Laminates: "They act a little bit like cork flooring -- they're pretty forgiving -- as far as what you're going to put them over the top of and they're very durable and scratch resistant," says Moran.

Laminates are also highly liked for their easy maintenance. All you have to do is use a neutral pH laminate cleaner on it.

"The nice thing that they have done with laminates in the last couple of years is make them so they really mimic wood," says Moran. He adds that laminates also come hand-scraped and distressed just like real wood.

Tile: While tile may seem like it's an extremely noisy option, there are underlayments that can be put down beneath the tile to help absorb sound between floors which can help reduce noise from different levels of the homes. However, this won't make a tile floor any less noisy when someone is walking on it in the same room.

"We're still getting a lot of calls for ceramic tile," says Moran. But he says that porcelain is actually harder than ceramic. When porcelain chips it doesn't reveal the red clay underneath it like ceramic does. Porcelain can be used both inside and outside the home.

A critical change in tile is the size. "People are looking for bigger tiles now. In larger spaces, they're going 18 x 18, 20 x 20, and even up to 24 x 24," says Moran.

The bigger the tile, the less grout, and ultimately the easier it is to care for the floor.

The bottom line is your flooring is likely going to stay in your home for many years so take your time and choose carefully.

Written by Phoebe Chongchua

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Johnny Sarkis
E-mail: johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
Web: http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com
Cell:703-400-9660

Long and Foster Real Estate
703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Equal Housing Opportunity

Moving Up? accommodate your growing family

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:38:04 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

June 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

Moving Up? What You Need to Consider to
Accommodate Your Growing Family

By Michele Dawson

One of the most common reasons to buy a home is to accommodate your growing family. Perhaps you want to live in a neighborhood with better schools and more services, or maybe you need a bigger house as the two of you turns into three and then four.
In fact, in a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders, some 64 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: "I wish my home were larger." The other two top concerns are price and finding the right neighborhood. If you have a young family and are ready to make the jump from your entry level home, or if you've been renting and are embarking on the purchase of your first house, you'll want to consider the following during your house-hunting ventures:

Neighborhood. As you examine a specific neighborhood, ask yourself if this is a neighborhood in which you'd feel comfortable. Although your kids are toddlers now, in just a few short years they'll be outside riding their bikes and playing with the neighborhood children. Buying in a good neighborhood also helps ensure your property values.

Schools. Again, if you have a baby or toddler now, kindergarten will be here before you know it. Visit the neighborhood schools, talk to the principal, teachers, and other parents in the neighborhood. Ask to see standardized test scores. Your real estate agent can usually provide you with additional information about schools in the area.

Crime. While a neighborhood may look safe, it could be riddled with incidents of burglary or vandalism. Check with the local law enforcement agency to see if the neighborhood you are eyeing has any specific chronic crime problems.

Bedroom space. If you're planning on more children, you'll want to consider how many bedrooms you'll need. Will the children share rooms or have their own?

Play area. If you have young children, you'll want to factor in where the kids will play. Sometimes storing the

bulk of the toys in the child's room works, but in some instances, like if the child's room is upstairs, it's difficult to supervise. In that case, you'll want to consider whether the house is configured to provide the space they need to play and move about.

Homework and study areas. As your children reach school age and need more time and space for homework, you'll need to consider whether there's space in their bedroom, in the kitchen area, or in another nook or niche, prevalent in many newer homes.

Computer use. Perhaps you already have a home office, complete with a computer set-up. The time may - or more likely, will - come when your child needs a computer for homework and research. This may require a second computer, and the required space for a second system. This will especially be true if one of the parents works at home and frequently uses the computer.

Family room. Your youngest is only 7, but by the time your three sons reach their adolescent and teen years, will the family room be as comfortable as it is now? Don't forget that friends will be stopping by frequently. A house with a finished basement or gameroom is ideal for older kids.

Bathrooms. Your kids may not spend much time in the bathroom now, but that will change in the years ahead. Make sure you consider how the number of bathrooms, and the extent of vanity areas will work for your family. A bathroom with two sinks and a long countertop are ideal for two siblings to get ready for school in the morning.

Pool. Does the house you're eyeing have a pool? It will be great for your family. But be sure you put a fence around the perimeter.
While some of these factors may be out of your control because of budget constraints and housing availability, you'll want to come up with a priority list and determine which factors and characteristics are most important to your growing family.

Equal Housing
Opportunity

Johnny Sarkis
Cell:703-400-9660
johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com

Long and Foster Real Estate
Office:703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

How To Get the Goods On 'Regreening'

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:34:37 -0500

Your resource for Real Estate

Johnny Sarkis

June 2008

Providing Comprehensive Real Estate Services to Home Buyers and Sellers in Northern Virginia.

How To Get the Goods On 'Regreening'

By Broderick Perkins

      It makes good sense to go green when you make home improvements and renovate your home.
      Green remodeling, dubbed "regreening," includes design and construction that reduces the environmental impact of the work itself. That includes the impact on energy, water, and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions -- indoors and out -- according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
      The council also says a green home is one that uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste, and is healthier for the people who live there.
      If being politically correct isn't enough to make you see green, with today's attention to global warming, consider this: regreening can also increase the amount of green backs you get when you sell your home.
      But how can you be sure the green approach you use is the best green you can find for your home improvement?
      To assist homeowners who want to cultivate a green home improvement lifestyle the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the USGBC have teamed up to create Regreen, a resource for green home renovation best practices and guidelines.
      ASID is a community of designers, industry representatives, educators, and students committed to interior design. USGBC is coordinating the establishment and evolution of a national consensus to provide the industry with the tools necessary to design, build, and operate buildings that deliver high performance inside and out. It's also a leading organization representing the building industry on environmental building matters.
      The partnership says to get true green, begin with these tips.
      Consider composition. When choosing a green product, consider the raw materials used to create the product and their origin. For example, some composite decking manufacturers use recovered wood fibers and recycled plastic grocery bags, milk jugs and detergent

bottles to create their materials. Products using recycled rather than virgin materials help by creating less waste, by keeping materials out of landfills and by reducing the need for costly raw materials like petroleum.
      By comparison, decking products made polyvinyl chloride (PVC) come with the promise of lower maintenance, however the material is problematic.
      "PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing unique and major hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal," according to The Healthy Building Network. The network also says PVC poses unique and significant risks in its production, product life and disposal, and defies the greater desire for a healthy environment and improved quality of life.
      Consider a product's lifecycle. To reduce environmental impact, seek long-lasting products that also can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their life. Some can even be returned to the manufacturer to be recycled into future products.
      Consider sustainability. Products should also have the ability to be maintained sustainably. For building products that will be used outdoors, look for durable products that can withstand the regional climate over an extended period. Sustainability should also be practiced by the manufacturer and during the production process. Manufacturing processes can use a great deal of energy and resources, as well as release toxic chemicals and gases. Look for sustainable companies that have implemented environmental processes and procedures to reduce emissions and energy, as well as reduce the amount of waste through recycling, reusing and other environmentally responsible practices.
      Consider value. While green home improvements are inherently good for your home's value, ensure you'll get the most from your regreening by looking for a life-cycle cost analysis of green products. The analysis calculates the approximate maintenance cost over its lifetime compared to the initial product price.

Equal Housing
Opportunity

Johnny Sarkis
Cell:703-400-9660
johnny@sarkisrealestate.com
http://www.Sarkisrealestate.com

Long and Foster Real Estate
Office:703-986-5700
13875 Hedgewood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22193

Seminar

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:52:12 -0500

I will conducting a Seminar this Sunday covering Loan modification programs,short sale,How to buy foreclosures in this market. How to quaify and get approved for a loan.How to choose the right program that suits your needs. I will be inviting a Financial advisor as well for financial strategies.

For More info call Johnny Sarkis Long and Foster real Estate 703-400-9660

Real Estate News Letter June 2008

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:36:19 -0500

My news letter is updated on monthly basis basis and it provides general information about the real estate market, mortgages,decorating,assessing the value of your home.Id Theft,moving up, flooring wondering how much your home is worth and much more.

June 2008 News letter.

Johnny Sarkis

Senior Real Estate Specialist
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Tel: 703-400-9660 703-986-5802
Website: www.Sarkisrealestate.com
E-mail: Sarkis.Johnny@gmail.com

Market Snapshot

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:16:41 -0500

Find out what homes are selling for in your neighborhood.
Keep track of homes on the market and much more.
Get school reports.
obtain community report.
Find out population,Avg income,employment and much more.

Click here Market Snapshot.

Johnny Sarkis

Senior Real Estate Specialist
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Tel: 703-400-9660 703-986-5802
Website: www.Sarkisrealestate.com
E-mail: Sarkis.Johnny@gmail.com

Real estate/Mortgage Seminars

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:17:50 -0500

Need answers to your Real Estate/Mortgage questions and don't know where to start? Maybe you are in a situation that appears hopeless. Let us help you with a host of workshops designed to equip you in every situation you face with confidence. The workshops, which are held every Wednesday Evening, will include a myriad of topics and will no doubt be beneficial to both seasoned gurus and those just getting started.

Sadly, many folks dy are facing enormous problems simply by not taking the steps to get the help they so desperately need. A well known Quote states, "The shortest distance between a problem and it's solution , is the distance between your knees and thefloor!" It is time to break the cycle and move toward peace of mind..

For more information on my Workshops visit my website Sarkisrealestate.com. or Call Johnny Sarkis 703-400-9660 Long and Foster Real Estate

MORTGAGE CACULATORS

Johnny Sarkis (Long and Foster Real Estate ) — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:02:16 -0500

Calculators

Mortgage calculator/prepayment calc/advance calc/ballon calc/upfront cost calc and more. gGet all your quenstions answered by using the link below and find out about the unique benefits I have to offer,please visit my website. For more informations please feel free to call me at my Cell listed below.

http://sarkisrealestate.com/calculators.asp

Johnny Sarkis

Senior Real Estate Specialist
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Tel: 703-400-9660 703-986-5802
Website: www.Sarkisrealestate.com
E-mail: Sarkis.Johnny@gmail.com