 Do you want to reach a credit score of 800 or higher? I’ve got six tips to help you reach that goal. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleWhen it comes to credit scores, it’s quite an achievement to reach one above 800.Today, I’d like to give you six tips on how to reach this impressive score.1. Always make payments on time. Whatever the bill is, paying things off on time will show that you are responsible and will help bolster your score.2. Keep your account balances below 10%. To reach 800, keeping your account balances as low as possible will be a great help.3. Limit how often you apply for different types of credit. Stacking up credit won’t make a positive impression on lenders.“If you are patient and work hard at improving your credit, you’ll reach 800 before you know it. ”4. Diversify the ways you’re building credit. While you shouldn’t take on more than you can handle, this can be a good way to improve your score.5. Commit to your credit. Building a good credit score isn’t an overnight process. Plan on having lines of credit open for, ideally, around 10 years. This will show you are reliable in a long-term sense.6. Be consistent and patient. Like I said in the last point, it takes time to build up credit. If you are patient and work hard at improving your credit, you’ll reach 800 before you know it.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Northern Virgina Real Estate Video Blog with Zach Wessolleck

How to Get a Credit Score of 800 or Higher

 Do you plan on selling your home? If so, there are six tips you can use to add more value to your listing. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleIf you plan on listing your property, there are six home improvements that will bring you the biggest return. 1. Make cosmetic updates to your bathrooms. This has been proven to bring an approximately 102% return on your investment. 2. Work on your landscaping. First impressions matter, and the landscaping around your property will serve as a buyer’s first impression. This improvement can bring a 100% return on investment. 3. Make cosmetic updates to your kitchen. Like bathrooms, kitchens are a huge selling point. You don’t need to overhaul the entire room, but strategic improvements can bring you around a 98% return on investment. “First impressions matter, and the landscaping around your property will serve as a buyer’s first impression. ”4. Improve your deck or patio. Especially in the summer months, many people like to sit outdoors and enjoy the weather. Cleaning and repairing your deck or patio can bring about a 91% return on your investment. 5. Remodel your basement. This is a slightly bigger project, but it has been shown to typically bring around a 90% return on investment. 6. Replace your windows. Buyers don’t want to have to worry about these details when they purchase a home. So, this relatively simple improvement can often bring around an 89% return on your investment. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Which Home Improvements Will Add the Most Value?

 Northern Virginia is a great place for craft beer, and I have four breweries that you should check out. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re like me, you know that we’ve had a lot of new breweries pop up here in Northern Virginia. Here are a few that I recommend checking out:2 Silos Brewery in Manassas at Farm Brew Live. I’ve been to Farm Brew Live, and it’s a fantastic venue which features live events and lots of great food as well.Adroit Theory in Purcellville. This is a smaller brewery that focuses a lot on barrel-aged beers. One in particular that I recommend you try is called War Cannibal.“Richmond is a bit of a hike for those in our area, but it’s worth it for good beer. ”Richmond, Virginia was recently voted as the No. 1 beer spot in the world. Richmond is a bit of a hike for those in our area, but it’s worth it for good beer, and here are some Richmond watering holes you won’t want to miss out on:Center of the Universe Brewing Company in Ashland. Some of their good beers include Orange Is the New Stout and Ray Ray’s Pale Ale. Castleburg Brewery and Taproom. This venue has a medieval theme, and two beers I recommend there are the Black Knight IPA and the Executioner’s Porter.There are plenty of other great brewing spots in Virginia and I’m always ready to try one out, so if you have any places you’d recommend or you just want to talk beer, feel free to give me a shout. If you have any other questions or real estate needs, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’d be happy to help you. 

4 Must-Visit Breweries in Northern Virginia

 If you plan on buying a home but aren’t sure how you can save enough money for your down payment, I have seven tips to help you today. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleIf you are planning on buying a home, there are a few things you can do to save for the down payment. Here are the top seven tips: 1. Start with the end in mind. Meet with me and meet with a lender to determine a ballpark figure of how much you will need for your down payment. That way, you’ll know what your goal is before you start saving. 2. Reassess your TV packages. There are a lot of packages out there that can help you save on cable. You can negotiate with your cable company, or you can use a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. Do some research and find the one that suits your needs best. 3. Reassess your gym membership. There are a ton of online classes, DVD sets, and even apps that can help you exercise for less money than your gym membership. Work out at home and save yourself some time and money. 4. Start selling some of your stuff. We all have stuff that just sits around our house. You can sell those items on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. You can even have a yard sale. Declutter and put some money in your pocket at the same time. “Declutter and save money at the same time. ”5. Get a cash back rewards credit card. If you already purchase things like food or gas with a credit card, why not earn a little bit of money back? That way, you can save while making those purchases. 6. Put away your tax refund. A lot of us get that refund in the next couple of months, so set it aside and reinvest it into your down payment. 7. Call me. You might not even need money for a down payment. There are a number of first-time homebuyer programs, as well as programs for military men and women, first responders, and educators. We can talk to a lender to see if we can get you into a home with little to no money down. If you have any other questions about saving for your down payment or the home buying process, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How to Save for Your Down Payment on Your Next Home

 2017 was a great year for our market, and I see it staying hot in 2018. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleThe Northern Virginia market had a fantastic year in 2017.There were a total of 36,597 home sales, which was an increase of 4.3% from 2016 when only 35,089 homes sold. During that same time span, the median sales prices increased 3.5% from $430,000 to $445,000. From 2016 to 2017, the average days on market dropped from 22 days to 14 days, which is fantastic. People were putting their homes on the market and selling them rather quickly. “In 2017, people were putting their homes on the market and selling them rather quickly. ”In 2018, I see the market staying hot for a little while. It’s still a good time to sell, and interest rates are still good. Toward the middle and end of the year, I think we’ll see a bit of a shift toward a buyer’s market. If you have any more questions about our market moving forward, you’re curious how much your home is worth, or you’re thinking of buying a home soon, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you. 

Looking Back on Our 2017 Market and Looking Ahead to 2018

 There are many reasons to work with a Realtor when buying new construction. Today, I’ll go over just a few. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleIf you are buying a new construction home, it’s important to be represented by a Realtor during the process. Sometimes people believe they’re helping themselves by forgoing representation during a new construction transaction. They may think they’re going to get a better deal, but this simply isn’t the case. There are a couple of reasons why this is. First of all, a builder will not lower their price by the percentage they would pay a Realtor. If they did, it would cause a fluctuation in their record. They want their comps to all look fairly similar.“When buying new construction, help yourself out by hiring a Realtor. ”Also, builders typically want good relationships with Realtors. Builders know that homebuyers often start their home search with Realtors. So they know that since these agents are the ones bringing them clients, they need to maintain a positive relationship with them. Realtors also have the skills to negotiate on your behalf. They keep your best interests at heart when they enter any transaction with you. When buying new construction home, help yourself out by hiring a Realtor. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Getting a New Construction Home? You Need a Realtor's Help

Today, I have a list of some of the best holiday light displays in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area. Get out there and spread some holiday cheer! Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleI hope you’re in the holiday spirit! Today, I want to share some of the best holiday light displays in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area. The first local favorite is the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville. This is a quick 2.5-mile drive and there are some great light displays. The Amazing Farm Fun Festival of Lights in Chantilly features hayrides, walking tours, s'mores, and more. Bring the family, make a night of it, and enjoy all of those lights. During the Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights in Vienna, the botanical gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland. Take a walking tour and enjoy those gorgeous displays. “It’s fun to go to Light Up the Zoo and see the zoo transformed into a winter wonderland. ”Finally, there’s Light Up the Zoo at the National Zoo in D.C. This is a free event. They decorate the zoo with all kinds of lights and have a winter festival. It’s amazing to see this year-round favorite spot get a new look. In addition, I always suggest just driving around your area and seeing what your neighbors have done. It’s amazing to see what our neighbors do to decorate their homes this time of year!All of the light displays I mentioned are up through the New Year, so get out there when you can. If you have any questions or if you have a favorite light display to add to the list, just give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to speaking with you. Happy Holidays! 

Check Out the Best Light Displays in Northern Virginia and D.C.

 Thinking of buying in 2018? Use these five tips to get a head start on the market for next year. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleAs you’re well aware, 2018 is fast approaching. With that in mind, I want to talk to you about some proactive steps you can take if you’re thinking about buying in 2018.1. Check your credit score. Know where you stand, that way you can go ahead and get out in front of anything that may be standing in your way. You’ll be prepared to purchase your home without the risk of any unpleasant shocks down the road.2. Don’t open any new credit. This would go against your current credit score and possibly knock you out of contention, so wait until after the purchase to open up any new lines of credit.3. Start interviewing agents. Look for someone who’s going to give you the best opportunities. That way, you’ll be ready for the process when the time comes and you’ll have the best agent possible to help you through it.“Know where your credit score stands now to prevent any shocks later down the road. ”4. Start looking at interest rates. Rates are expected to go up a bit, so knowing where they are now and will be later will be a good step to take to make sure you’re getting the best rates you can.5. Start interviewing mortgage professionals. Our team works with some great ones, and there many out there. Find one that will give you the best program based on your needs. It could be that you’ll qualify for no money down or lower rates.These are just a few tips for getting ahead if you’re thinking about buying in 2018. If have any questions or would like to hear more about being proactive for next year’s market, give me a call or send an email. We’d love to help.

Get a Head Start on Buying a Home in 2018

 Today, we’ve got a delicious recipe for you to try this holiday season: Thanksgiving casserole.Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleToday, we’ve got a delicious recipe to share with you for the holiday season: Thanksgiving casserole. Prepare by chopping your onion. Cook and drain your broccoli, as well.Heat milk, salt, and pepper together in a saucepan at low to medium heat. Add four tablespoons of butter to the saucepan, stirring as it melts. Stir in your cream cheese, which should be at room temperature, and two or three tablespoons of flour. Mix wellStir in the broccoli and chopped onion until well mixed. “We hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving dish. ”Pour the mixture into a greased nine by 13-inch pan, sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the casserole is baking, smash up a sleeve of Ritz crackers. Then, mix four tablespoons of melted butter with the crackers. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle your cracker mixture on top. Place the casserole back into the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.We hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving dish. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

A Great Thanksgiving Recipe to Try

 If you’re a home seller with pets, there are three important tips you should follow to get your home sold quickly and for more money.Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleHow can you sell your home quickly and for top dollar if you have pets?The good news is that in this day and age, it’s more acceptable to have pets in the home. Surveys show that many millennial homebuyers look for homes that specifically have an adequate environment for their pets. There are still some things you need to take care of to make sure your home sells, though. I have three tips in particular that will help your home sell quicker and for more money:“People are inclined to prejudge a home’s condition if there are pets in it. ”1. Repair any damage done to the home by your pet(s). We all know that our furry friends sometimes like to chew, dig, and cause a little damage here and there. Get that stuff patched up and it will pay off in the long run.2. Hire a professional to remove any pet odors. We all know that keeping pets comes with a cost, and when people walk into a house that has a pet odor, it might turn them off. Taking care of your home’s pet odors will help you avoid that situation altogether. 3. Remove any pets from the home when showing it. Having pets in the house during a showing can be a distraction, whether the prospective buyer likes pets or not. If they like pets, they might want to play with them more than view your home. If they don’t like pets, their presence might make them standoffish and distracted during the viewing, and it might make them not want to buy it. People are inclined to prejudge a home’s condition if there are pets in it. They might assume there will be pet damage and/or odors in the carpets when in fact you might’ve already taken care of those things. If you have any questions about selling your home with a pet, you have a topic you’d like me to cover in a future video, or you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in our Northern Virginia market, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you!

3 Keys to Selling Your Home if You Have Pets

When putting your home on the market, how do you decide what to list it for? Today, I’d like to tell you the secret to how I price homes.Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for salePricing is an incredibly important aspect of any home listing. So, today I want to tell you how I like to price homes.When pricing a home, I think it’s best to look at the property the way an appraiser would. This means taking at least three similar, recently sold homes in the area and comparing your property against them.  “It’s best to look at the property the way an appraiser would. ”When deciding on a price, you’re going to want to place your home somewhere in the middle of these homes. This will make sure that your transaction is as smooth as possible and that you’re able to move forward without issue.Additionally, pricing your home this way will ensure that it appraises and that the deal has no risk of falling through.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What's the Best Way to Price Your Home?

By making these simple repairs to your home, you can save money down the line. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleHere are nine home-repairs that you should not put off until the last minute:1. The first easy fix is caulking. Updating your caulking can prevent leaks, and any further damage cause by those leaks2. Another is cleaning your dryer vent— you can clean out the lint trap after every load of laundry, but the vent itself can, over time, accumulate lint as well, posing a fire hazard to your home. Cleaning the trap regularly and the vent annually can reduce risks of causing fires.3. Even small roof damage can lead to other structural issues. Make these repairs quickly to avoid escalating any damage.4. By cleaning out your chimney sweep annually—removing bird nests, soot, and other buildup—you can remove fire hazards for when it comes time to use your fireplace again.5. If you don’t change out your HVAC filter, buildup will cause your system to work harder, which in turn will increase your utility bill.“A fresh coat of paint can both restore beauty and promote the structural integrity of your home. ”6. Taking care of pest problems such as rodents, roaches, or termites, can prevent damage in the long run, as well as cleaning costs. Get rid of those critters sooner rather than later to save yourself a headache.7. Leaks in your plumbing can cause massive structural damage if unchecked. Make those repairs very quickly to avoid any fees associated with damage and system efficiency.8. Besides being unattractive, peeling paint removes the protective barrier around the exterior of your home, which can lead to rotting. A fresh coat of paint can both restore beauty and promote the structural integrity of your home.9. Damage to your home’s foundation can be VERY costly to repair—sorting out any drainage problems like clogged gutters can save you a fair bit of money and keep your home strong.These nine repairs are easy to make—the sooner you do them, the better off you and your wallet will be.If you have any questions about buying or selling your home, any repairs you should make, or about the market in general, please give me a call. Thanks for watching!

9 Ways to Avoid Costly Repairs

Creating an auction for your home means getting buyers to start bidding against each other for it, which will lead to higher offers and a higher sale price. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleHow does creating an auction style drive the most amount of traffic to your new listing? Essentially, what we’d have you do right off the bat is price your home just below its market value so it already looks like a great deal and creates some buzz. After that, we’d heighten the anticipation. If you listed your home on a Thursday, for example, we wouldn’t have you schedule any showings until the coming Saturday, which would be the home’s first open house. This will create a sense of mystery and cause people to want to see it—people are drawn to what they can’t see, after all. “When buyers start bidding against each other for your home. ”Along with the general homebuyers curious to see your home, we’d also have an open house group set up to view it. With those two groups coming together, we create a turnstile effect of a constant flow of people coming in. This will boost your home’s popularity in their eyes and elicit a sense of urgency within them to perhaps write an offer. When people see other people interested in your home and writing offers for it, they’ll be tempted to write an offer too, and you’ll have created an auction for your home. When this happens and they start bidding against each other, your home is more likely to sell for more than you anticipated.If you have any questions about our market or employing this strategy for your home, don’t hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email. I’d be happy to help you. 

How to Supercharge Traffic to Your New Listing

Today I’ve got a countdown of the five best eateries in Occoquan, Virginia. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleToday I’ve got a countdown of the top five places to eat in Occoquan Virginia:5. Mom’s Apple Pie and Bakery. This is a great little place that features all sorts of pies and other baked goods, so if you need a sweet treat, head on over to Mom’s and grab one.4. Bottle Stop Wine Bar. This place has a wide selection of wines and spirits, as well as a great line up of hors d'oeuvres and is a great place for date night with your special someone.3. Cock and Bowl. This is a Belgian-themed restaurant that is known for its mussels, great selection of regional beers, and a waffle with your choice of sweet toppings for dessert.“There’s something for everyone on this list. ”2. Madigan’s at the Waterfront. This is a great seafood restaurant that is known for their fun events and if weather permits, kayaking and canoeing from the back dock. 1. Bistro L’Hermitage. This is a nationally-renowned French cuisine restaurant that is great for special occasions and offers a wide array of incredible dishes. There’s something for everyone on this list, and any choice will sure to impress. If you have any questions for me or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, give me a call. I’d be happy to help!

The Top 5 Places to Eat in Occoquan, Virginia

Getting a loan pre-approval will help you know what kind of home you can afford and strengthen your offer once you’re ready to make one. Selling a home? Get a free home value reportBuying a home? Search all homes for saleGetting pre-approved should be the among the first steps you take in the home buying process. It’s something you should do before you even start looking at homes. A pre-approval will give you the right idea of what you’ll be able to afford because you’ll be able to sit down with a lender and they’ll be able to advise you. This way, you won’t be wasting your time or anyone else’s time by looking at homes that are out of your price range.“Getting pre-approved will give you a better chance of getting you into your new home. ”A pre-approval will also strengthen your offer once you’re ready to make one. It will show the seller that you’re financially capable of buying their home because the bank is willing to loan you the money you need to make the purchase. That peace of mind will give you that much better of a chance of getting into your new home. If you need help getting pre-approved, you need a recommendation for a good lender, or you have any other questions, go ahead and give me a call. I’d be happy to help you. 