Loudoun County Goes GREEN!

Loudoun County Goes GREEN!

We here at Ask Gina & Company have always been big supporters of initiatives that aim to sustain and improve our wonderful environment in which we get the pleasure to live! That is why we are so excited that our Loudoun County Department of Construction & Waste Management has unveiled their new Green Home Program, which is “aimed at improving energy efficiency and community-based sustainability awareness in residential communities throughout Loudoun County.”

The program includes:

• A fabulous new website, http://www.locogreenhome.org/ , which provides tips and tools for making your home more “green.”

• Do-it-Yourself energy improvement workshops (Be on the look out for details to be announced in the Spring!)

• Neighborhood meeting discussions and suggestions

• Presence at community events as educational and outreach opportunities

• Technical support for local Loudoun County communities and HOA’s

So let’s band together and make our world a better place! (Not to mention SAVING MONEY!)

For more information on the program, please visit: Loudoun County Green Home

Ready to work with a Realtor who thinks Green? With a Green Designation and passion for the cause, Ask Gina & Company is armed with the knowledge you need to make the best Loudoun County Real Estate decisions! Contact us today!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Ask Gina & Company Listings Featured on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com

Ask Gina & Company Listings Featured on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com

We all are aware of the popularity of HGTV, but did you know that if your home is for sale with Ask Gina & Company it is also listed on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com? That’s right, no matter if you are selling a single family home in Sterling or have a townhome for sale in Ashburn, Ask Gina & Company prominently features your home on the wildly popular FrontDoor.com site!

What does that mean for you as a seller? Maximum exposure! In addition to the numerous other sites we advertise your home on, it will be viewed by thousands who turn to the trusted HGTV website to get the latest, up-to-date information on homes in their targeted area!

Below are a few examples of listings we currently have on FrontDoor.com:

46743 Woodmint Terrace, Sterling, VA 20164

20414 Cliftons Point Street, Sterling, VA 20165

136 Hampshire Square, Leesburg, VA 20175

20362 Flushing Meadows Court, Ashburn, VA 20147

Want to see YOUR home grab the national spotlight and get the attention it deserves? Contact your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company and let us unlock the possibilities!

Open House Sunday Feb 26: 46743 Woodmint Terrace Sterling

Open House Sunday Feb 26: 46743 Woodmint Terrace Sterling

Join us this Sunday, February 26th from 1PM-4PM at 46743 Woodmint Terrace Sterling as we debut this awesome 3 level, brick front townhome with garage in the desired community of Woodstone! You will fall in love with all this beautiful home has to offer including, 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, formal living and dining rooms, a fabulous kitchen with island, fireplace, lower level rec room, deck, fenced yard, and so much more!

Be the first through the door to tour this outstanding Sterling townhome for sale and get first dibs on making it YOURS!

Neighborhood Info:

Woodstone is a wonderful Loudoun County community which consists of over 400 townhomes in sought-after Sterling, Virginia.

Residents who live in Woodstone enjoy abundant amenities included in their monthly HOA fee, such as: tennis courts, a basketball court, 3 tot lots, nature trails, trash removal services, and even a community pool for some relief on those hot Loudoun County days!

Woodstone is managed by the Property Management People, Inc. based out of Leesburg, Virginia and even has a dedicated Facebook page where residents can keep up-to-date on the latest information.

Shopping is also easily accessible with the Community Plaza, highlighted by a beautiful clock tower, just minutes away. Here you will discover grocery shopping at the Shoppers Food Warehouse, pick up party supplies at Party City, explore the latest fashions at Burlington Coat Factory, and even grab some lunch at popular Chick-fil-a! In addition, the Dulles Town Center Mall is just around the corner, making the Woodstone community super convenient!

If you are searching for some entertainment, you don't have to go far! The Sterling Community Center, Claude Moore Park, and even the Regal Countryside Movie Theatre are all close by for endless opportunities for fun!

How is the commute? Not a problem! This neighborhood has awesome access to Route 28, Route 7, the Fairfax County Parkway, and the Dulles Greenway giving you the options you need to make work-life balance a reality.

Students who live in Woodstone may attend one of these Loudoun County Public Schools:

Rolling Ridge Elementary School
Sterling Middle School
Park View High School

For more information on these schools, please visit: Great Schools.

Welcome Home!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Loudoun County Does it Again: Richest County in America

Loudoun County Does it Again: Richest County in America

All of us who live and work in Loudoun County already know how fortunate we are to be part of this great Northern Virginia location, and once again the numbers confirm it! According to the Business Insider, Loudoun County ranks NUMBER ONE as the Richest County in America with neighboring Fairfax County coming in a close second!

The list was determined by looking at the Census Bureau data from 2010 and selecting those with the highest median household income. Loudoun County boasts a median household income of $119,540, while Fairfax County comes in at $103,010, both far exceeding the national median household income of just $49,445.

With a population doubling since 2000, a very low poverty rate, and abundant business growth, Loudoun County continues to be the home of choice for those who want to have it all!

Ready to be part of the action? Contact your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company today and let us unlock the possibilities!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

What To Bring to Settlement

What To Bring to Settlement

The big day is quickly approaching and you are full of excitement and maybe a little anxiety. But, being prepared for settlement of the home you are selling or buying can help ease those fears and make the process a little easier.

The following are some of the items you will want to bring to settlement:

• Yourself! - As a seller, all parties who are on the title of the home must be present at settlement just as all buyers who will be taking title of the home must be in attendance. The exception is if a power of attorney is in place.

• Power of Attorney – if the closing is being executed via power of attorney, make sure to bring all original documents.

• Identification – Everyone who will be signing must bring 2 forms of identification which can include a drivers license, passport, social security card, etc.

• Good Faith Estimate – Buyers who are obtaining a mortgage should bring a copy of the Good Faith Estimate their lender should have supplied them.

• Certified Check – Only certified checks, money orders, and cashiers checks are typically accepted at closing. If funds are being wired, be sure it has been completed PRIOR to settlement. Remember, no personal checks!

• Voided Check – If you will have any funds being deposited into a bank account, be sure to bring a voided check in order to route the funds correctly.

• All Bills to be Paid – For any bills that will be paid via settlement, the seller must bring all related statements.

In addition to the above items, it is important to remember to notify the settlement company if funds are being assigned to another person and to find out in advance if any other documents will be needed for a smooth settlement.

If you do all of these things, a successful settlement will be on the horizon!

Looking for a Loudoun County Realtor who will be there to hold your hand, walk you through every step of the real estate process, AND attend settlement with you? Then contact your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company today!

Information on FHA Anti-Flipping Waiver

Information on  FHA Anti-Flipping Waiver

Today Ask Gina & Company is proud to feature guest blogger, and First Home Mortgage Branch Manager Marc Aymard! Marc brings to us some excellent information on the FHA Anti-Flipping Waiver. Take it away Marc! :


“Around the first of the year you probably heard that HUD has extended the FHA anti-flipping waiver. And you may have gone to a loan officer and asked; “Can a FHA borrower purchase a flipped property?” Most likely, the answer you received was “NO.” You may have also seen a listing from an investor who rehabbed a property with the listing comment; “no FHA offers accepted.”

So it begs the question, what’s the truth? The simple answer is FHA has almost no restrictions on “flipped” properties. A borrower can by a property that was flipped using FHA financing. (By definition a flipped property is one that has been owned by the seller for less than six months).

Bank specific overlays. The confusion lies in the fact that each lender has their own rules on top of FHA’s rules. These extra rules are commonly referred to as “overlays” in the industry. A common example of an overlay is credit score. Most lenders will tell you borrowers with a credit score below 620 are not eligible for FHA loans. What they really mean is that borrowers are not eligible for an FHA loan through their bank. The minimum FHA credit score is 530. So are the banks evil? Not really. FHA allows these lower scores, but they also track the performance of a lenders FHA loans. If too many default, they lose the ability to fund FHA loans.

So what do overlays have to do with flips? A flip has an inherent risk of fraud. Even with all of the new regulations, checks and re-checks, flips statistically are more likely to involve fraud and therefore create added risk for lenders. That being said, a flip is not fraud and the best lenders have the ability to make that distinction.

Who is financing these loans? This is where mortgage banks like the one I work for are willing to take a calculated risk. We are confident we can tell the difference between a legitimate flip and a fraud. There are added precautions (as outlined by HUD) but FHA financing is available. Interestingly, conventional financing with less than 20% down is actually more harsh on flips than FHA.

What is the bottom line? Any property that was purchased by the seller in the past six months is most likely be eligible for FHA financing. It’s worth making the distinction that the due diligence is much more robust if the new sales price exceeds the seller acquisition cost by 20%. It’s best to stay below this 20% threshold, but not a requirement. And if you find a listing that says “no FHA offers” give us a call and we can explain to the listing agent their comment is misplaced.

If you’d like more details on the nuances of this waiver, feel free to call Gina Tufano or Jen Warner, your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company today for further details.

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Donations Needed for Seneca Ridge Middle School

Donations Needed for Seneca Ridge Middle School

You know that wonderful feeling when you are sitting in your office and the sun hits your face and all feels great in the world again? It’s amazing, right ? Now imagine if you were in a school that had no windows for any light to be let in. Pretty depressing, huh?

As many of you may know, Seneca Ridge Middle School is in this situation. But, there is great news! The school has just been approved for 10 outdoor picnic tables which will allow each student to spend some well needed, and deserved, outside time per week. However, they need your help!

These pre-approved picnic tables are expensive and Seneca Ridge is reaching out to the public for support in terms of donations! Ask Gina & Company is proud to be able to donate a table for our younger community members to get outdoors and enjoy all the benefits of some fresh air! If you would like to make a donation, either a monetary donation or sponsor a table, please contact Seneca Ridge Middle School PTA President, Lisa Toohey at ltoohey@verizon.net

Ask Gina & Company is once again proud to support the Loudoun County community in which we live, serve, and play!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Please Yelp for Ask Gina & Company

Please Yelp for Ask Gina & Company

Over the past 16 years, Ask Gina & Company has had the immense opportunity to help many families and individuals find their dream home or sell their house quickly to move on to bigger and better things. We strive for excellence with every transaction and we hope it shows!

If we have had the pleasure of representing you either as a buyer or seller, we would greatly appreciate a public recommendation! We pride ourselves on our high referral rate and the greatest compliment we can receive is the high praise of those we have served.

If you would like to complete a review of the benefits your gained by working with us, please click on this link, YELP, to rate our level of service and leave a comment on your experience with Ask Gina & Company.

We are grateful to have worked with you and look forward to the continuation of our relationship.

Ready to work with us again? Contact Ask Gina & Company, your Loudoun County Real Estate experts, and let us unlock the possibilities!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

FHA Refinancing Just Got Easier

FHA Refinancing Just Got Easier

If you are one of the millions of Americans who hold an FHA loan and have not been able to take advantage of these historically low rates by refinancing, there is good news for you!

With the newest changes in the FHA Streamline Refinancing Program, designed to quickly go through underwriting and get to closing in record time, FHA borrowers in all 50 states can now refinance provided they meet the following criteria:

• You must have made at least 6 payments on your current FHA mortgage

• You must NOT have made a late payment on your mortgage going back 12 months

• Your refinance must have a “purpose,” such as to obtain a lower rate or to switch from an ARM to a fixed-rate, etc.

In addition, there is no income, job, or credit verifications needed by the bank, nor is an appraisal required.

For more information on this program, please visit: The Mortgage Reports

Feel like you are just keeping your head above water when it comes to your home? Contact your Loudoun County Real Estate Short Sale Specialists at Ask Gina & Company today and let us unlock the possibilities for you!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Dentistry from the Heart Charity Event

Dentistry from the Heart Charity Event

If you have never been to Ashburn Children’s Dentistry, then you and your child are really missing out! From the moment you enter, excitement abounds with a tree house to explore, gaming consoles, bean bags, and much more to play with while you wait. But, it doesn’t end there! Once you are called back the fun continues with trains chugging by over head, individual movie screens with an array of movie selections that your child can choose from, and the list goes on!

Beyond the fun, Dr. Lynda Dean-Duru and staff, provides outstanding, painless and preventative dental care to Ashburn residents and beyond. As if that isn’t enough, Ashburn Children’s Dentistry will be hosting a charity event, Dentistry from the Heart, on Saturday, March 17th at their office located at 44025 Pipeline Plaza, in Ashburn. This all day event will provide free dental treatments to children from 1 to 18! Event registration will begin at 8am and services will conclude at 5pm. It is recommended that you get there early as it is a first come, first served basis.

For more detailed information on the event, please contact Ashburn Children’s Dentistry at 703-723-8440.

Ask Gina & Company is proud to support Loudoun County businesses that give back to the community in which they serve!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Shhhh...Do You Hear That?

Shhhh...Do You Hear That?

Living in Loudoun County has some great benefits and one of those is being so close to the Dulles International Airport! Need to travel for business? Want to hop on a plane at a moments notice and get a way from it all? No problem! The airport is just minutes away from many locations in Loudoun County including Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling.

With that luxury of convenience comes a trade-off, some airport noise. In an effort to minimize the potential air traffic noise, Dulles International Airport implemented several initiatives to “keep the peace” for their local customers they value so dearly. Below are a couple examples:

• “An airfield buffer was provided on airport property to ensure that close-in residential development did not occur.”

• “Loudoun and Fairfax Counties worked closely with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to provide additional land-use protection through effective planning and zoning.”

• The Airport Authority has also installed “a new aircraft flight tracking and noise monitoring system” called Airscene. This measures aircraft and community noise, helping the Airport Authority better understand noise impacts in the community.”

Residents with Internet access may utilize Airscene, which allows residents to:

• View historical data. Noise from yesterday will be available via Airscene today

• View historical flight tracks. *Due to safety reasons, this information has a 72 hour delay.

• File noise complaints online. Simply register and let your concerns be known!

• In addition, one may access noise measurement information which is updated every SECOND, including non-aircraft sources which can consist of lawn mowers, barking dogs, and even vehicle traffic.

Ask Gina & Company encourages you to check out Airscene to ease any concerns you may have about airport noise from a specific location.

Ready to take flight in your home buying journey? Contact your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company today and let us unlock the possibilities!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Free Tax Preparation for Select Families!

Free Tax Preparation for Select Families!

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has arrived in Loudoun County and is offering free tax preparation services to low-to-moderate income families who generate less than $50,700 per year. Families will save hundreds of dollars in tax preparation services and will be working with certified IRS volunteers! Walk-ins are welcome and there are several Loudoun County site locations to select from, including:

• Workforce Resource Center - Tuesday and Thursday from 6PM-8PM and Saturdays from 9AM-11AM from January 31 through April 17th. The center is located at the Shenandoah Building at 102 Hermitage Way, N.E., in Leesburg. No appointment required, must meet guideline of making $50,700 or less.

• Rust Library – Monday and Friday from 10AM-2PM, beginning February 17th through April 13th. The library is located at 380 Old Waterford Road in Leesburg. No appointment required, must meet guideline of making $50,700 or less.

For more details, other sites, and information on items you must bring, please visit: Loudoun.Gov .Or call, Karen Velez at 703-771-5718.

In addition, AARP will be conducting their free tax preparation at the following sites:

• Cascades Library – Tuesday and Thursday from 10AM-2PM and Wednesday from 5PM-8PM, beginning February 1 through April 17th. The library is located at 21030 Whitfield Place in Sterling. *No Appointment required. Services are available to ALL wage earners or retirees with no income eligibility.

• Falcons Landing – Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1PM-5PM, beginning February 2 through April 14th. Falcons Landing is located at the corner of Algonkian Parkway & Potomac View Road in Sterling. *Appointments are required, to schedule yours please call 703-404-5216. Services are available to ALL wage earners or retirees with no income eligibility.

Ask Gina & Company is proud to work, live, and play in fabulous Loudoun County!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478

Ask Gina & Company Facebook Contest!

Ask Gina & Company Facebook Contest!

Who doesn’t like to win free stuff? Especially when it is so easy to enter! Ask Gina & Company, your Loudoun County Real Estate experts, is excited to announce a new contest being held on their Facebook page!

Since this is the month of LOVE, we are celebrating by giving away a $50 Sweetwater gift card to one of our lucky followers! To enter, simply reply via the comment section of the post listed on Facebook with what you LOVE about your home and why! All who comment (you must be a fan or become a fan by “liking” the Ask Gina & Company Facebook page) will have their name put into a hat and a winner will be selected on Valentines Day! Just our way of saying how much we love and appreciate you all!

Ready to enter? Get started here: Ask Gina & Company Facebook Page.

Don’t love your home and ready to make a change? Contact us, your Loudoun County Realtors, today and let us unlock the possibilities!

Gina Tufano with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, VA

http://www.ask-gina.com/ * 703-574-3478