This new home with countless luxury finishes is stunning.Foyer with marble floors and spiral staircase, custom molding throughout. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout the main level Beautifully crafted kitchen with island, granite, gorgeous backsplash and ss appliances. Gorgeous Master suite with luxurious bath. Bonus 4th lvl for in law suite. Fully finished lower level with full bath
This new home with countless luxury finishes is stunning.Foyer with marble floors and spiral staircase, custom molding throughout. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout the main level Beautifully crafted kitchen with island, granite, gorgeous backsplash and ss appliances. Gorgeous Master suite with luxurious bath. Bonus 4th lvl for in law suite. Fully finished lower level with full bath
Welcome Home to your Corner Town Home! This 3 bd, 3.5 bath home is in exceptional condition. Lg Living Room, kitchen w/updated appliances, & sep.dining room leads to W/O to the Backyard. Large Basement w/fire place, 3rd FULL bath & a bonus room that can be used as an office. Convenient Fairfax location;close to shopping, restaurants, & Fair Oaks Hospital. Commuters dream: minutes to 50,66,& Metro.
In the midst of summer’s sweltering heat, nothing provides relief like having a shady spot for relaxing. Backyard shade structures also help keep your outdoor furniture from fading.
If you want to add a shade structure to your yard, explore the variety of options available and customize the design based on your needs.
Design Considerations
How do you envision your backyard retreat? Here are some factors to consider:
Location: If you wish to erect a shade structure that relies on flat ground, select an area that needs little leveling to reduce labor. Look at your backyard and consider the amount of work necessary to prepare the ground. Also consider the height of the structure and any obstructions. Nearby trees or fences may limit your options. Never build or plant anything that may interfere with underground structures and utilities, such as a septic tank, plumbing lines and buried cables. (Call 811 to request assistance.)
Shade Level – Spend some time in your backyard, observing the amount of sun and shade available at various times of the day. In areas of intense sunlight you may want a more solid structure, and in hot climates you may desire greater yard coverage or shade attached to the house. In other areas you may want limited shade and materials that provide partial sunlight.
Climate – Consider the weather when designing your backyard shade structure. In northern areas that receive a lot of snow, a flat roof won’t hold up well. In areas of high winds, other choices may not be sturdy. Think of how your selection will resist the sun, rain, snow and wind in your area.
Intended Use – Choose a shade structure that best fits all the uses you envision. Pool areas don’t require much shade, for instance, so umbrellas, shrubs and vine-covered structures may fit best, while a covered patio where you wish to barbecue needs to allow smoke and odors to rapidly dissipate. Also consider young children, pets, and elderly users when selecting and designing your shade structure.
Your Budget – One of the most important steps when planning any home project is drawing up a budget. Without a budget, it’s easy to spend more than you want to. Use your budget to help guide your shade structure selection. Factor in the cost of labor if this is not a DIY project.
Choosing a Shade Structure
You might be amazed at the variety of shade structures available. Depending on your personal style, you can choose:
Shrubs and Trees – The original shade structure, they also help purify the air. Keep in mind that as they grow the shade will increase.
Awnings and Screens – Choose between retractable awnings that connect to the house or removable ones attached to a permanent frame. Retractable models may also be electric and employ sun or wind sensors. Screens work well around patios and enclosures.
Shade Sails – Like large, colorful sails on a sailboat, shade sails anchor to the house and other support structures. Make your own version with canvas and grommets if preferred. These are easily customizable.
Trellises and Pergolas – Choose ladder-like trellises or even pergolas – monkey bar-like structures made of beams – to marry a structure with vines and other greenery.
Gazebos and Ramadas – A stand-alone structure, a covered gazebo may feature seating and other options. Ramadas are typically square or rectangular with open sides.
No matter what you decide on, try sketching your design first. If this is a DIY project, make a list of materials needed based on your plans. Research the project and check to see how to anchor it properly. Always determine what, if any, building codes apply to your installation and if building permits are required. Visit your local building authority for further information.
Adding a patio to your home is exciting. It’s the perfect place for relaxing outdoors, alone or with company. It’s not as simple as finding a patio you admire and duplicating it. You have to design a patio that will work with your location, budget and other factors. Here are some things to consider when designing your patio to ensure it suits your needs while expressing your personality and style.
Patio Location
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to location. No rule says a patio has to adjoin the rear of the house. You may prefer placing it in the front yard, or off to the side instead. A beautiful “destination patio” in the middle of the backyard with a pathway leading to it may fit your home and lifestyle perfectly.
When deciding on your patio location, keep in mind other design considerations such as the size, how you plan to use it, and how much sun, shade or climate protection the location offers. Even the land itself influences the patio location. A more level area, free of underground lines, requires less work to prepare. (Always call 811 before digging. Utility companies will dispatch and mark underground items for you.)
Don’t forget the view, either. Plan on laying out in your swimsuit? You may want a more private location. Socializing with the neighbors allows for a more open setting.
How Will You Use the Patio?
Just as important as the patio location is how you plan to use it. A patio meant as a private retreat may not be very relaxing next to a full, active house, for example, while a patio meant for dining and cooking works best closer to the home.
Do you plan to host small, intimate gatherings or do you have a large family? Will children and pets regularly use the space? Rather than a flat, simple rectangular patio, would you rather have various areas, perhaps with different shapes or levels, to create groupings for different times and purposes? Look for patios you admire to spark your design ideas.
Patio Size
Size is everything. Depending on your budget, you may have to limit the size of your patio, change the layout or compromise on special features. Don’t think of your patio as a one-time chance to get it right, either. You can always keep the design expandable and add the extras later, as money permits.
Create a Budget
Your budget will impact not only the size and layout, but also the building materials you choose. Don’t assume that a limited budget means your patio has to be plain. Even concrete can be made beautiful with stains and special finishing techniques. Brick allows for a richer color variation, and pavers can create an old-world feel. Once you have determined the patio size, location and layout, it’s much easier to price the materials needed. Consider adding graceful curves, beautiful planters or special borders to make up for less-fancy materials.
Decide on Extras
It’s the furnishings and features that make a patio your favorite place to hang out. Also consider any irrigation, drainage, landscaping and lighting you want to include. It’s much easier to run pipes, lines and cables now, before the patio is built, than later. Other options include:
A fire pit
A built-in grill (or space for your portable grill)
A water fountain or pool
Built-in seating or flowerbeds
Steps and railings
A roof and screened-in areas
Walls or fences
A built-in kitchen or bar
As you plan your patio, look for other patios you admire and modify the elements that catch your eye to suit your own design. Designing and planning your new patio is really the fun part. Well, other than the hours you will spend enjoying the end result!
You might not know this, but my children are a part of the Fairfax County School system. For this entire school year I have been running to Fairfax like a crazy person to try and pick up my girls on time from the bus stop. They had made it so that elementary school got out around 1:30 on Monday’s so that the rest of the day could be a sort of teacher work day. Finally the Fairfax County School Board approved a long awaited change to the calendar of its elementary schools. It will cut out the shortened Monday and it will allow 20 minutes of recess for the children. This plan will also not hurt teachers, because it will give them 300 minutes per week of planning. All of this will start this September when the kids go back to school.
A consistent length elementary day also provides an opportunity for a school year calendar that builds in things like holidays, a full two weeks for winter break, and administrative and teacher planning days throughout the year. The calendar change also solves the challenge of meeting the annual 990 instructional hour requirement in state law, which Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not meet under the current shortened Monday schedule. Instead, FCPS has met the state requirement of a 180-day calendar, which resulted in sometimes having to add days to the end of the school year to make up missed days due to inclement weather. The new uniform elementary schedule will eliminate making up inclement weather days at the end of the school year if fewer than 13 days are missed. This change is a great advantage to teachers, because it also will create job openings in areas like World Language and other instructional subjects to make more planning time for the teachers in the schools.
Here is what the Chairman of the School Board had to say about this change:
“After surveying both parents and teachers, we saw that parents overwhelmingly supported this change—and as soon as possible,” said Ilryong Moon, School Board Chairman. “In addition, elementary teachers have consistently cited in our working conditions survey that they need guaranteed, self-directed time for planning.”
Details on the new 2014-15 calendar can be found here:
Fans of late-night TV will recall the infomercials of a few years ago, hawking zero-down loans. Those loans, along with loans requiring no documentation, were being handed out like candy to anyone who applied, and were largely blamed for the mortgage industry implosion.
In the wake of that mess, mortgage lenders tightened standards. Lenders began demanding that homebuyers needed some skin in the game – a healthy down payment – to make them think twice about defaulting on the loan.
Zero-down loans became a memory.
Today, you have three choices if you’re seeking a mortgage without a down payment: Navy Federal Credit Union, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (with no-down loans for very low-income borrowers who agree to live in rural areas), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“The VA loan is the best mortgage around,” according to Envoy Mortgage’s Nathan Raich. “Not only will you not be required to make a down payment, there’s also no mortgage insurance requirement, which makes the loan even less expensive. Finally, borrowers typically get a lower interest rate with a VA mortgage than with a conventional loan,” he concluded.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for a VA-backed loan includes what the VA calls “suitable credit” and sufficient income to make your payments every month. You’ll also need a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which in many cases your lender can obtain for you.
Separation from the service must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. Additionally, you must plan on occupying the home as your personal residence.
VA Entitlement
When buying a home for the first time, many veterans are confused by the process. One of the most confusing aspects of the loan is the VA entitlement. Basically, the entitlement is the amount of money that the VA agrees to pay the lender if you stop making payments and default on the loan.
Here comes the confusing part: The basic entitlement amount is $36,000, but there is a secondary entitlement as well – $68,250, according to Veterans United. The secondary entitlement kicks in only if the purchase price of the home you wish to buy exceeds $144,000.
How they come up with these amounts only causes more confusion, but it has to do with the amount that the VA guarantees, which is one-fourth of the loan amount.
Once you use the entitlement, it can’t be used again until the loan is paid off or another veteran assumes the loan and uses his or her entitlement.
Loan Limits
Although the VA doesn’t set loan limits, since it has limits on its liability (one-fourth of the amount of the loan), lenders may set a cap on the amount a veteran can borrow.
They typically set the cap, for a loan with no down payment, at four times the veteran’s available entitlement as long as he or she otherwise qualifies for the loan, according to the Veterans Administration.
The Home-Buying Process
Other than VA-specific paperwork, purchasing a home using a VA loan is very much like purchasing a home with a conventional loan. Your first step will be obtaining loan preapproval. This is the step that requires your COE. You’ll find a chart listing service requirements that need to be met for obtaining a COE at the VA website.
Once you have your preapproval letter in hand, it’s time for you and your real estate agent to begin searching for a home. When you find a home, your real estate agent will insert a contingency in the purchase agreement stating that your offer is subject to final approval for a VA loan and a successful VA appraisal.
Your lender will obtain a VA number for your loan, which is used to track your loan application. The lender will also send a VA form to a state-licensed VA appraiser who will determine the home’s current market value.
The VA has what they call minimum property requirements, or MPRs. Here are a few items the appraiser will be looking for:
Adequate space for living, sleeping, cooking and dining, and sanitation.
The safety of all mechanical systems. They must also have reasonable future utility.
Hot water and a continuing supply of safe drinking water.
A safe way to dispose of sewage.
The roof must be free of leaks.
Adequate attic access and ventilation.
These are the basic MPRs and, although it seems as if the appraiser is giving the home a thorough inspection, the appraisal does not replace the need for a home inspection.
The best place to get answers to your questions about a VA loan is at your lender’s office or by calling a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Center.
Nothing epitomizes pure relaxation more than the serenity and ambiance of a spa setting. The smells and sounds alone are enough to immediately calm the body and soul. Unfortunately, enjoying these luxuries isn’t exactly a common occurrence. However, below are some great tips to help you modify your bathroom for a personal spa experience. Get ready to enjoy hours of escape and rejuvenation.
The Calm Color Palette
When selecting a color scheme, think nature, earthy and calming. Lighter color schemes provide a more airy, natural and relaxing feel. Neutral shades of light brown or beige offer an immediate connection to nature, and nothing says crisp or clean like bright white. Soft, pale shades of blue can also offer stress-reducing qualities due to their connection to the sea and sky.
Don’t Skimp on the Fixtures
If you want to genuinely create a spa-like bathroom, this is not a time to penny pinch. A luxury bathtub is a must. Consider a Jacuzzi or other spa tub adorned with wood or stone accents that enhance that connection to nature. Proper placement of your spa with unobstructed views to the outdoors is also recommended for increased relaxation.
Consider a custom-designed open shower constructed of textured tile or natural stone. Oversized, enclosed steam showers encased in glass are another great option.
Choose vanities for your spa bath that are open underneath for stacking your crisp, white towels neatly. Baskets can also be utilized to house rolled towels in an orderly fashion. Select stone or other natural elements for your countertops, and consider vessel sinks for a more nature-inspired, spa-like feel.
Lighting & Flooring Options
Invite as much natural light into your spa bath as possible and install fixtures that emit soft, calming light. Consider recessed lighting, and install dimmers on all fixtures to ensure complete control over mood and setting.
Select natural flooring options such as stone or tile. These materials invite nature inside and function well in a wet, humid environment.
Setting the Mood
Now that the basics are covered, create a tranquil setting by adding elements to relax the senses. Candles make a great addition to any spa setting as they emit a calming light and soft scents. Adding scented bath salts is another great way to enhance a relaxed state of mind.
Add music to your spa bath. Soothing sounds such as rolling waves or a light drizzle in the rainforest also are great, peaceful options.
Keep décor to a minimum as too much clutter can create a distracting feel. Houseplants seem to be a spa favorite as they add nature and help create a healthy environment.
There are many elements to explore when creating a spa zone in your home. Before you begin, be sure to contemplate what is most calming to you. Take whatever design elements you want and leave the rest, along with the stress from the day, at the door.
So, Warren Buffet spends more on dinner than you make in a month, and you’ve never required the services of an investment banker, but you have good credit and you long to own your own home. What if we told you that there is a mortgage loan program out there for people just like you and (here’s the best part) it requires no down payment?
Despite what you may have been hearing in the media about lenders tightening their belts and mortgage requirements becoming more stringent, the USDA offers a zero-down mortgage for folks who don’t make gobs of money.
History of the USDA Loan
In 1944, the Department of Agriculture was reorganized and the USDA Rural Development program was born. It set about providing, among other things, rural housing loans that fell outside the jurisdiction of the farm programs handled by the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).
Today, the Rural Development agency makes direct loans, loan guarantees (similar to the FHA-guaranteed loan) and grants to low-to-moderate income families. The loans are used to rehab, build and purchase homes in rural areas.
Homes Eligible for the USDA Mortgage
The operative words for this mortgage are “rural development,” meaning that the home must be located within a rural area. To determine if an area is appropriate for the USDA loan, enter the address at the program’s website.
Here are a few additional requirements:
The house should be modest for the area in size, design and price.
The home cannot have a swimming pool.
The price of the home must be at or below the loan limits for the area.
The home must meet certain standards set forth by the USDA’s Housing and Community Facilities Program.
USDA Mortgage Overview
Breaking down the USDA’s rural development program is a bit confusing as the department uses a numbering system to identify the various loans available.
If you’re in the market to purchase a home, the USDA program offers two options: a loan guarantee or a direct loan. This is the confusing part: They both fall under the label of the “Section 502 Loan Program.” Your income will determine which loan is best for you.
Both of the programs are for low-income borrowers, but the guaranteed loan has more flexible income limitations. Both loans are for homes located in rural areas (those with a population of no more than 20,000). If you own a home within 50 miles of the one you wish to purchase, you are ineligible for the programs.
The Guaranteed Mortgage Loan
The loan guarantee program, officially known as the Section 502 Guaranteed Loan, is similar to the FHA or VA loan in that the borrower obtains a loan from a lender and the government guarantees its repayment.
USDA eligibility requirements for the guaranteed loan include:
Income up to 115 percent of the area’s median income.
Proof that the applicant can afford to make the monthly payments.
Reasonable credit history.
Remember, this is what the USDA wants to see; the lender may have more stringent requirements. You must also agree to use a lender that is approved for single-family housing guaranteed loans. You can find approved lenders on the USDA website.
The Direct Mortgage Loan
The USDA program also offers a direct loan, known as a 502 loan. Instead of the borrower obtaining a loan from a lender, the U.S. government makes the loan directly.
This loan is reserved for those with low to very low incomes. Those with very low incomes must make no more than 50 percent of the area median income. To qualify as an applicant with low income, you must make between 50 and 80 percent of the local median income.
Like the guaranteed loan, you must be able to prove that you can afford the monthly mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance.
All applicants must first apply and be turned down for a conventional loan.
Borrowers must have a “reasonable” credit history.
Only U.S. citizens and legally admitted immigrants are eligible.
The beauty of the direct loan, aside from the fact that you don’t need a down payment, is that the USDA handles the closing, so costs are kept to a minimum.
Loan terms are for 33 years (very low-income borrowers may be able to stretch the term to 38 years) and the interest rate is set by the lender.
To find out more about USDA home loans and to see if you qualify, call an agency representative in your state. Contact information is listed on USDA’s website.
