Outgrowing your condo or townhouse? Looking for something with more room? There is good news on the horizon. Given the current market conditions, your next home is more affordable now than it may ever be.
Waiting for your current home to regain the equity you had a few years ago, may see you paying more for your next house than you need to. As the market comes back and home values go back up, so is the value of your next home going up.
Want to know if you can afford to rent your current residence and move on to something with more space? Consulting a Realtor before you determine what your next move will be is the first move. I can give you the market rate for rentals in your current neighborhood, and you may be surprised to find how closely it can come to covering your current mortgage payment. And any diference you pay out of pocket between your rental income and mortgage payment may be tax deductible.
There are options out there to help you get into the home you need now, without waiting for the market to rebound. Give me a call and we'll look at the options.
Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster, Gainesville, VA.
703-402-0037 or chrisann@longandfoster.com
Selling your home this Fall? Try some brightly colored fall Mums to jazz up your curb appeal. Any garden center or home improvement store will have nice variety of these flowers on the shelves.
Mums need full sunlight, so be aware of the sun exposure in the location you choose to plant these beautiful flowers.
Remember, a little color goes a long way. You don't need to break the bank when you are looking to add some autumn color.
I graduated in 1988 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. I was Chris Ann Balulis (pronounced Ba-LOO-less) in those days.
I wasn't even thinking about our twenty year high school reunion. But there it was, in my mail....a solicitation-looking postcard advertising the 20th reunion. I almsot through it out because I thought it was some lame direct mail piece to help you find old classmates.
If you are a member of the Fairfax High School Class of 1988, and didn't receive your postcard invitation, the information for the event is below.
Fairfax High Class of 1988
20 Year Reunion
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Hilton Old Town Alexandria-Alexandria Virginia
Reunion Starts 5:30pm
$89 per person before Sept 12th at 5pm. $99 per person after.
All pre-paid tickets held at the door.
Cash only at the door.
Purchase online at www.greatreunions.com or by calling 800-655-7971
Great Falls National Park in Great Falls, Virginia has some of the best views in the area. Rushing rapids are not what typically come to mind when thinking of the Potomac River, but you can see them for yourself here in these photos.
Explore the over 800 acres of the park. Hike, or walk, the numerous trails. Have a picnic with the family. There is also a tour of the Patowmack Canal, which entertwines with our early American history.
The rocky slopes are great for the more adventurous at heart. Get in with an experienced rapelling group and have a once in a lifetime experience. I did it and couldn't believe how much fun bouncing down the side of a rocky cliff could be. And that's saying something coming from me. I'm afraid of heights.
There is no swimming in the river at Great Falls Park. But you can kayak down the rapids that separate Virginia and Maryland. Another activity for the thrill seekers!
Visit once and Great Falls will be a "must-see" for your family and friends visiting from out of town. Fees are extremely reasonable ($5 for a vehicle..good for three days). The views are particularly vivid in the Fall when the leaves are at their peak. Whenver you come, don't forget your camera.
The Braemar Community Pools will only be open through September 1st. However, the fun doesn't stop then.
On September 7th, Braemar is opening the Iona Sound pool for a first-time ever event---Doggie Paddle! The purpose is to raise money to support the Prince William SPCA. Dogs only will be allowed in the pool. The entrance fee is $8 per dog, with a two dog limit per family. Tennis balls will be provided, but other water toys are welcome.
All dogs that you plan to bring must have their County and Rabies Tags...so don't forget to pack them. 
Also, donations of old, clean and good condition bedding, towels, blankets and leashes will be taken. You can even donate cat litter, pet treats or pet food.
I have no dogs and would love to sponsor a few. Call me and let's get your dog sponsored for Doggie Paddle.
Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster Realtor and Braemar Resident, 703-402-0037, chrisann@longandfoster.com
Regularly serving Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier Counties as a Realtor/ Short Sale Specialist. Also a neighborhood expert in Braemar (Bristow, VA).
I have been a Realtor since 2005, and in the sales industry since 1993. I graduated with a BA in Communications from George Mason University in 1993 and spent years in the newspaper and radio industries. It is the skills that I learned in these marketing fields that give me an edge when it comes to selling residential real estate.
I believe strongly in education. I became a GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute) in November 2007 and have become a VREB approved instructor for the Prince William Association of Realtors (PWAR) on the topic of Short Sales. This role as a PWAR educator evolved out my involvement in the PWAR Education Committee. I am also a Technology Instructor for new agents joining the ranks of my chosen brokerage, Long & Foster.
I pride myself on my professionalism and commitment to outstanding customer service. I also have a strong sense of humor, and don't enter into any transaction without it. You never know when you'll need it. Buying or selling a home is a serious matter, but it doesn't have to be void of fun. I believe all of these attributes are what make a great agent.
I specializeof Braemar where I reside and hold a seat on the Tartan Hills Village HOA as President. in First Time Homebuyers. Recent market changes have also honed my Short Sales skills. I am also a neighborhood expert in the community
Hi Chris Ann,
_________________________________________ Chris Ann was very helpful in the purchase of my home. I would recommend Chris Ann to anyone looking to sell or buy real estate. Rebecca Livengood First Time Homebuyer _________________________________________ Dear Chris Ann: Just a quick note to let you know how much we appreciate everything you have done for us. We had such a blast with you and can't imagine doing all of this with any other Realtor. Heidi, Ron & Grace Warner First Time Homebuyers _____________________________________________________ Chris Ann was not only superb in helping us locate the house we wanted, but she was a dilligent worker prior to close. Chris Ann was referred to me by a friend. My boyfriend and I, at the time, were looking at anything as cheap as possible, not knowing anything about real estate. She took the time to explain the difference of foreclosures, short sales, and regular sales. She worked hard at our first contract on a short sale condo that fell through. Never discouraged, Chris Ann took the time to take a step back, let us re-evaluate our needs and continue forward. She obviously was a tremendous help to us in the market, but moreover-EXCELLENT in her customer service. She was always willing to bend over backwards by meeting us anywhere, anytime, and answered every single question we had (and believe me-we had plenty)! We have been very happy in our new home and can't ever forget that Chris Ann was the one who got us here. We have her "sold" postcard she gave us on our refrigerator and will not take it down. It makes us proud to own a home and we owe a tremendous amount of thanks to Chris Ann for giving us that feeling. That's something we can never repay her for. She's one in a million! I can't say enough about her. Sincerely, Kimberly Hessberg & Richard Hirst First Time Homebuyers _________________________________________________ Chris Ann: We are so incredibly lucky to have picked you out of that haystack. We never doubted that you always had our best interests in mind. Thank you so much for all you have given to us. You are forever welcome to our home, you're family! With Love & Appreciation, Thuy & Jeremy Beinert First Time Homebuyers ________________________________________________ Dear Chris Ann: Thank you for all your help in my home search and purchase. Working with you was definitely enjoyable. You are very patient, kind, informative and pleasant. Every time we went out to look at homes, you were prepared. You had done your homework, making what could have been an overwhelming process,easy. You are extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your job. You better believe that I will be calling you when I am ready to sell my new home and move up to another. And I will not hesitate to send my family and friends to you, as I know they will have an outstanding agent working for them Thanks again for all your hard work. Sincerely, J.D. Gheen ___________________________ Chris Ann is a driven and professional real estate professional. She is extremely knowledgable about market conditions and the home buying process. Chris Ann is tireless in her efforts whether it is to help find that perfect home for a buyer or selling an existing home. She is especially good at listening to what is important to a client, so that she can be sure to meet their expectations. In every case that I have worked with Chris Ann she has not only met expectations, but exceeded them. Laura Pullen/Prosperity Mortgage ___________________________ Dear Chris Ann Cleland, Thank you so much for helping us find our first home! When we moved to Northern Virginia we thought that we would never be able to own a home. With your help, our dream of homeownership has come true. Some of my co-workers who graduated from college with me last year always ask, "How were you able to buy a house in less than a year of graduating from college?" My answer is, "I have an excellent real estate agent." You have grown from just our real estate agent to our friend. For that, we are grateful. Thank you, James & Nikki Howell First Time Homebuyers ___________________ Dear Chris Ann, I want to take a moment to thank you for all that you have done. I was at a point that I felt I wouldn't sell my house. I had been through several real estate agents and I wasn't getting even one bite on my house. Then you came along with your expertise, creativity and consistent positive attitude. I started to hope again. You got people to notice and become interested in my house. Eventually it sold and now is becoming a home again. I have to also thank you for your patience. My personal life was a big part of why I had to put my house on the market. Unfortunately, at times you were in the middle. Your mediation skills were put to good use and you went above and beyond your real estate agent role. I can't thank you enough for what you did. Sincerely, Shannon Russo ___________________________ Dear Chris Ann, You are a class act! We really enjoyed working with you and will refer anyone we know. And, of course, if we decide to buy or sell in the future we would love to have your help and expertise. Thanks again for all of your help and hard work. We'll stay in touch! Jeff, April, Sydney & Abbey Hunt ____________________________________ To Whom It May Concern: This letter is to acknowledge my complete satisfaction with the services that Ms. Chris Ann Cleland has provided as my Realtor in the purchase of my new home. Ms. Cleland provided current and accurate information that aided in the decision making process of selecting my new home; she was able to supply alternate options when it came to hiring a mortgage lender that saved me a whole percentage point on my loan. She is hard working, willing to go the extra mile for her clients, and she will do everything she can to help you have a non-traumatic, minimal stress settlement. She does her homework, she does not wait until the last minutes, and you have all the information as it is occuring in the process. For a first-time homebuyer, this has proven to be an invaluable asset. I would highly recommend Ms. Cleland for any of your real estate needs. Most Sincerely, Nichole Charlton First Time Homebuyer ___________________________________ Dear Chris Ann, We wanted to thank you for all the time and effort you put into helping us find our home. As first-time buyers we were quite unsure of ourselves, as we ventured into the unknown, but you made the process so much easier. It was especially important to us that we not feel pressured into making a commitment we were not ready for or comfortable with. Although you understood the necessity to act fast in this crazy market, you also understood the enormity of the decision that we had to make and you respected our hesitation and our excitement. We were lucky to find you and will keep you mind should our friends or family require a realtor in the future. We will be calling you in a few years when the time comes to sell our "starter" home and move on up! All the best, Karen & Pernell Disney First Time Homebuyers Dear Chris Ann, THANK YOU!!!! You made this move so much easier than we ever expected it to be. From selling our home within three days, to finding packers for our truck (at the last minute), playing "Catopoly" with our kids, to all the other little details done behind the scenes that made this move go so smoothly. THANK YOU again and again. Your professionalism, attention to detail, understanding of the stress of moving, and your willingness to go the extra steps are the reasons that you are so much more to us than the realtor who sold our house. You are the perfect person for home sales and we expect to see you as number one in your area in no time at all. Sincerely, Carolyn Dikranis & Dona Leith
I can't thank you enough for helping me find a townhome in Manassas, especially since I drove into Manassas with no appointment previously arranged with you - you took my cold call and ran with it.
Within three days of having never met, you managed to understand me and my needs, and find the perfect place - in my experience, that's miraculous.
And I have never met a realtor who had their own polarity meter for checking receptacles in a home - I think that just goes to show how committed you are to getting folks not only the right place for them, but also making sure the place is indeed "right."
A million thanks.
Best regards,
Mark Gill
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