Thinking of remodeling or upgrading before you sell but you’re not sure where to start? You’re in luck. The results are in for Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report, which is produced in cooperation with Realtor® magazine. This year’s big winners are decks, kitchens & baths (big surprise), and vinyl siding. If you add a wooden deck, you’ll recoup 81.8% of the cost when you resell, and a composite deck will get you 73.7%. Kitchens and baths are perennial winners. The 2008 average for a minor kitchen upgrade was $21,246, with $16,881 recouped at resale, or 79.5%. Not too shabby. And ditching that pink and black tile in the bathroom will return 74.6%. Vinyl siding replacement was another big winner in the report. The average cost in ’08 for the job was $10,256. You’ll recoup 8... 12/08/2008

The Annual Vienna Church Street Stroll was held last night. It really reminded me what a great Town Vienna is. It is steeped with traditions. The Church Street Stroll is one that's meant to continue for years to come.This is an event that's enjoyed by all. The street is closed. There is marshmallow roasting at multiple locations. There was a band singing festive music. Santa and Rudolph arrived in an old fashioned super red fire truck. Kids loved the truck as much as Santa. Santa proceeded to meet and greet the mayor and then they together lit the tree.Plus the Freeman House and Caboose were both open. And there was a petting zoo by the Caboose. This town has so much culture.The temperature may have been cold and the wind didn't help, but for the evening Church street was filled with pe... 12/02/2008

With Thanksgiving last week, I took some much-needed time off. Which means I didn’t prepare anything for this week’s blog posting. At least I’m honest. So here are a few things off the top of my head: Mortgage rates have dropped! If you’re looking to refinance, now might be the time. Rates for 30-year fixed loans are down below 6%, which is just awesome. Same with 15-year loans. Do refinance if you have steady income, good credit, and your house is worth more than what you owe. Don’t even think about it if none of the above applies to you. More good news: the number of homes sales is increasing in our area. In both Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, prices have dropped from October ’07 to October ’08, but the number of units sold has increased. In NoVA, sales are up almost 30%, wh... 12/01/2008

 605 Kingsley Road, Vienna, VA offered at $499,999  OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, NOV 30th, FROM 1-4! Walk to the Vienna Metro! Brick front 4 BR, 2 BA Home. Beautiful private fenced yard with trees, pool, 2 decks and a patio! 2 finished levels. Bright & spacious Kitchen w/new flooring and newer appliances. Dining Room with new carpet, bay window and double french doors. Living room w/wood FP. Immaculate condition inside and out. Convenient location, a commuter's dream! For more information or to see a virtual tour please visit www.bobbysamson.com   11/24/2008

Ok, so you're ready to buy a home. You've spent hours on the internet looking at homes in your area. Before you even THINK about calling an agent and asking them to chauffer you around on the weekend, do yourself a big, huge favor. CALL A LOAN OFFICER. Do not go to INeedALoanNowPlease.com. Call a real, live loan officer that works for a bank that will still be here next week. I know that might be a little tricky right now, as seemingly invincible outfits are going under. If you're not sure whom to call, ask a real estate agent. If they're good, they'll be keeping up with who's begging the feds for money and who's not. Be prepared to answer some personal questions. Long gone are the days of you saying you earn $100,000 per year and they just believe you. You'll actually have to document ... 11/24/2008

Every once in a while, we see one of those opportunities that just about everyone is seeking. The home that needs a tiny bit of care to move in, but one that is priced below the market, and would be a perfect remodel. Vale Road is one of those homes. The owner has recently updated the HVAC in 2008. Hardwood floors, large open rooms, and a 3/4 acre lot with private drive make this a great place. The home is located in Vienna, but is also just minutes from Oakton, and Reston. Call us to see this home today! Jay Hurst - 703-626-3855 or Debra Talley - 703-408-3266 11/20/2008

One bright spot in home sales in Northern Va happens to be around Metro Stations. Here is a recent listing that is just a short walk from the Dunn Loring Metro Station. This area has held its value well with commuters. We see many types of buyers in the area, and of course, they will go on to be sellers. It is diverse, and turn over is shorter than average. 10/16/2008

I should have titled it Vienna is great all the time.  Because it is! The Town of Vienna always has something going on.  This weekend is no different as it is hosting on Saturday, tomrrow, the first annual Octoberfest.  It is an event that's sure to be fun for the whole family.  There will be: 2 stages with live entertainment (a main stage and children's stage), beer garden, food vendor area, music, children's activities that are free, and a festival marketplace.  Click below for an event map http://www.vtrcc.org/oktoberfest/site_map.pdf And later in the month there is the famous Halloween parade.  Get good use out of your kids costume!  Why go 20-40 neighborhood houses, when you can be seen by the whole town!  There are floats, and the best part (what I was just alluding to) is that th... 10/03/2008

  Under Contract 605 Kingsley Road, Vienna, VA Walk to the Vienna Metro! Brick front 4 BR, 2 BA Home. Beautiful private fenced yard with trees, pool, 2 decks and a patio! 2 finished levels. Bright & spacious Kitchen w/new flooring and newer appliances. Dining Room with new carpet, bay window and double french doors. Living room w/wood FP. Immaculate condition inside and out. Convenient location, a commuter's dream!       Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   09/24/2008

A Great Location just across the street from Metro The Merrifield Area is undergoing a program to revitalize the business and residential markets. With a new Town Center, and the upgrading of the surrounding properties to better quality living, this area is on the rise. The Dunn Loring Metro station is located in Northern Virginia next to the 495 Beltway and just minutes from some of the world's best shopping at Tyson's Corner. Call us today to see this upgraded home before it is gone! Jay Hurst - 703-626-3855 09/23/2008

This Monday the Tysons Land Use Task Force will be meeting with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There they will be revealing the results of lots of money (<$1,000,000) and lots of time (3+ years).No one knows what the future holds for the area and it's growth, but this plan will most likely play a major role. Will they be able to create a blend of entertainment, shopping, work/office space, and other real estate that people enjoy frequenting? Will it be commuter friendly? Will it be walker friendly? What will the parking situation be? If you really want to know show up at the Board of Supervisors Meeting on Monday (9/22) at 10am or before.My hope is that they don't try to make things too big too quick. We already have our traffic challenges now. Lets have everyone, land owners,... 09/19/2008

If you are looking for a charbroiled steak and potatoes then you will drive right past the Sunflower Vegetarian Café in Vienna VA. If you do you will miss a great treat.Our family first started dining at Sunflower Vegetarian Café about 5 years ago when it we discovered it had the best variety of vegetarian dishes in the Northern Virginia area. We are a mixed family of carnivores, vegetarians and vegans so finding a place where everyone could be happy was a challenge. Fortunately Sunflower Café fit the bill. You can't help but smile when you walk in the door and realize that the sunflower theme is everywhere. From the real sunflowers out front (in the summer), to sunflowers on the table cloths and sunflower pictures on the walls you could feel as if you've hit upon the mother lode of yel... 09/17/2008

Stop by this Sunday, September 21st from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Recently reduced price now $519,900. Don't miss it! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com. Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   09/17/2008

Stop by this Sunday, September 14th from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Recently reduced price now $519,900. Don't miss it! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com. Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   09/11/2008

Stop by this Saturday from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Don't miss it! Walk to the Vienna metro from this 4BR/2BA Single Family Home. Check out the gorgeous inground pool and backyard! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com.   Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   09/04/2008

August saw 8 townhomes sell in the Tysons Corner area. The August Tysons Corner Townhome data is above. This number of 8 SOLD properties was an improvement over the 5 that SOLD in July. The July Tysons Corner Townhome data is below. Another improvement was the average days on market for the SOLD properties in August was 122.5 days. That's slightly better than the 140 day average the 5 properties had in July.One marked area that trended up, or negatively, was the margin from list price to closed price. Many of the properties in July closed at list price, or very close(99.07%). While many that sold in August had a much greater differential (95.55%). Information gathered from the MRIS. Information is deemed reliable, but not accurate. Information gathered from the MRIS. Information is deem... 09/03/2008

Stop by this Sunday, August 24th from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Recently reduced price now $519,900. Don't miss it! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com. Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   08/19/2008

Stop by this Sunday, August 17th from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Recently reduced price now $519,900. Don't miss it! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com. Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151   08/13/2008

 Stop by this Sunday, July 13th from 1-4 and check out this fine property! Recently reduced from $544,900 to $539,900. Don't miss it! To see a virtual tour or pictures of 605 Kingsley Road please visit my website www.bobbysamson.com. Bobby Samson NVAR Top Producer bobbysamson527@hotmail.com 703-862-4714 Samson Realty14526 Lee Road Suite 100Chantilly, VA 20151 07/09/2008

Homes for Sale in Nothern Virginia - Bobby Samson - July 1st (edit/delete) 3200 Navy Drive in Oak Hill and 605 Kingsley Road in Vienna are both holding Open Houses this Sunday, July 13th, from 1-4. Please stop by and view these fabulous homes!  For more information on any of these fine properties please visit my website at www.bobbysamson.com or call me directly at 703-862-4714. 3200 Navy DriveSingle Family House 5 bedrooms 4 full/1 partial baths Open House this Sunday from 1-4! $1,275,000 5,805 sqft Oak Hill, VA 12191 Goldenchain CourtSingle Family House 7 bedrooms 4 full/2 partial baths $1,990,000 8,394 sqft Oak Hill, VA SOLD 25619 Creek Run TerraceAttached Home 5 bedrooms 3 full/1 partial baths $575,000 4,000 sqft South Riding, VA 605 Kingsley RoadSingle Family House 4 bedrooms 2 ful... 07/09/2008