This week, be on the lookout for someone who could use an encouraging word or an act of kindness. Rather than looking to receive your own miracle, why not look for ways to become a miracle for someone else? -Thought courtesy of Robert Rohm

How to Improve your credit score before buying a home

Lenders approve mortgage loans to those potential homebuyers with the best credit scores over 700. Yes, I know it’is advertised that you need 640+ for an FHA loan however those are only guidelines; it’is the lenders that will ultimately approve your loan and new strict rules with higher credit scores are required.

However you can improve your credit and boost your credit score in just a few months.
First, to improve your credit score, it's important to know where you stand so you must request a free credit report and work on the negative trade lines first.

Here's a plan for a quick boost to your credit score:

• Apply for an installment loan

You'll get the fastest improvement in your scores if you show you're responsible with a major loan: (personal loans, auto, mortgages and student loans). If you don't already have an installment loan on your credit report, consider applying for a small personal loan or buy a small car that you can pay back over time. Nothing expensive, just something that is manageable.

• Get a credit card if you don't have one

Don't fall for the myth that you have to carry a high balance to have a good score. You don't, however you need to show responsibility so that means you will have to use the credit card, sparingly. Having and using a credit card can really build your score quickly. If you can't qualify for a regular credit card, consider a secured credit card.

• Pay down your credit cards

The most dramatic boost to your credit score will come from paying down your accounts such as credit cards. Not paying it off, just paying it down. Lenders like to see a big gap between the amount of credit you're using and your available credit limits.

• Use your cards lightly

Racking up big balances can hurt your scores, regardless of whether you pay your bills in full each month. The underwriters will look at your habits and if you are running up your balances each month they have to determine will you have reserves each month to pay your mortgage on time.

Many new homebuyers are not aware of the process to get a mortgage loan; your application is run through an initial automated model of a loan method to get early approval, but that is not the entire process.

The underwriters review all the paperwork and scrutinize your credit history to see if you are a good risk in order to use their money. During the process they review how you pay your bills and the probability of you running into trouble.
So the use of your credit is examined in depth.

Everyone can repair and improve their credit scores but it doesn't happen overnight. If you plan on applying for a mortgage loan and you need to work on your credit, have a 6 month plan and you will become homeowner before you know it.


Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Some of our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Lucketts, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800

Are you trying to sell your home by yourself?

Are you trying to sell your home on your own in Northern Virginia?

March 2, 2011

I provide For Sale by Owners a FREE website to expose your home to thousands of buyers on the Internet. Just visit this site to obtain your FREE home web site --

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Additionally, I offer you a free marketing package. To view a sample of this marketing, please visit --

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I am also available for a free one hour consultation.




Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions - Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Some of our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Lucketts, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800

Go it alone or hire a Real Estate Agent?

The internet has an abundance of information on real estate so why should you hire a real estate agent? It seems easy enough to buy or sell and just look on the major real estate sites and there is plenty of everything you need, right? Wrong!


1. Real Estate agents are the experts; they have experience with selling and buying homes. They should know more than you about the neighborhoods, schools, pending communities that could impact where you live. – The point is that you are at an advantage of having a professional helping you with challenging terms, contracts and state laws that you may not be privy to.

2. Are you aware of all the work it takes to find that perfect home or land parcel? Driving to and from, walking in and out and hitting roadblocks that could have been avoided, Agents can help you weed out unwanted properties by getting details on what you are looking for in a home. On the flip side, agents can help bring potential buyers that are really interested in buying your home and those that qualify to buy your home which alleviates lots of wasted time on the buyers and sellers part.

3. Do you know how to successfully negotiate on your behalf? Negotiating is a part of the process in any real estate transaction and good real estate agents are great at it. Agents can find out how much the seller has into the property, if the seller will give a credit for closing costs, unknown problems and advantageous bonuses in the home, etc. Do you really want to go it alone with not knowing everything to ask for?

4. One of the best advantages of having a real estate agent is in handling the loads of paperwork. You cannot imagine how many papers must be reviewed. Did you know that purchase agreements are about 14 pages long and sometimes longer? Real estate agents deal with these contracts on a daily basis so they can walk you through this process with ease. Keep in mind, one tiny mistake could land you in court or cost you thousands of dollars because of discrepancies in your contract.

5. How will you get into properties to see them without a real estate agent? Agents have special keys and codes that can get them into any house on the market. Real Estate agents also spend time completing lots of analysis and figuring out if there are any issues with the properties and what the buyers and sellers bottom line is.

Everyone wants to save money where they can but there are some avenues where you should never tempt fate. With such a large purchase, do you really think this is where you want to cut corners to save money?


Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions - Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William Counties. Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.
Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800

Sell your Home in 30 days

Helena Talbot - Principal Broker

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in
Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.
Every homeowner believes their home is a special gem, worthy of whatever price they deem the home deserves. Of course, this doesn't mean the home is actually saleable at that price.

Many homeowners run into this problem when it comes time to sell their home but learning from past clients on how to make small modifications to get the best sale price can help.
Tip #1 - Only put money into things that actually increase the value of your home; kitchen appliances, bathrooms, floors, additional living space like rooms in the basement will quickly raise your homes value price.
Tip #2 – Many clients have replaced the carpeting; going from a dark or muted carpet color to a neutral color actually makes the rooms look bigger and inviting. This simple change can increase your homes value in the thousands. Combine that with a neutral color paint job and your home will look fresh and modern and appealing to a homebuyer.
Tip #3 – Some clients reported unfavorable observations by potential homebuyers about their choice of window treatments; consider removing those dated curtains and install modern honeycomb blinds; These can be purchased from Home Depot for all your windows and the total cost mis generally under $100. The look simplifies the aesthetics of the home and allows potential homebuyers to envision their own distinctive looks.
Tip #4 – Molding, trim, chair railings and panels can transform a home into WOW! Decorative touches add visual appeal and flair to any room. These are typical upgrades and you can choose from a look of yesteryear up to a more modern touch. For example, take an older cottage home that needs some visual touches to look more stated with crown molding and cornicing add to the effect.
Tip #5 – Install Ceiling fans; if you live in an area where warm weather is common, replacing built in ceiling lights with ceiling fans will improve the form and function of your home and give a new atmosphere to drive up the price.
Preparing your home for the current market doesn't have to mean spending tons of money. Many times our homes are dated and we need to modernize a few things to appeal to todays buyer. Just a few changes have meant a quick sale to past clients.
Take a step back and really look at simple changes you can make.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions - Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Some of our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Lucketts, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800

Factors to Help You Sell Your Home Quicker

Tips from Your Northern Virginia Real Estate Broker Helena Talbot

The ideal home means different things to different people; but the most appealing home always will possess a clear and clean sense of style. Many of us allow our personal style to get in the way and that can interfere with selling your home. A few fixes can help you sell your home quicker.
Clutter Control
Every room of the house should be organized so that potential buyers can easily walk through. It can be a headache and an extra burden but think about placing items in storage, especially out-of-season items.
Take a walk around your kitchen and ask yourself - what do you really need? Start by storing bulky appliances that you rarely use. They take up lots of counter space that you will want to render useful to buyers.
The bedroom should reveal an oasis, however it often becomes a repository for heaps of clothing and portable tech gadgets. Everything has a place so if it doesn't fit or it's in the wrong room, move it or lose it.
What is in a Room ?
Did you know the number two reason people select a particular house is because of kitchen space? Eight out of ten home buyers who walk through a house remember what the kitchen looks like and what its benefits verses faults were. This leads to the question -- what is the most significant part of the kitchen? Choices include floors, appliances, lighting, but the part that stands out the most are the kitchen cabinets. It is the most dominant aspect of the kitchen, and the easiest way to create a "wow" factor. Everyone remembers the kitchen cabinets; it could be because of the color or stain, the design of the cabinet, or mostly because of the clean feel that a new kitchen cabinet provides.
Does Your Front Door say Welcome?”

And finally, Curb Appeal really sells the house. Exterior features for new or existing homes will make your house say "welcome" when you return after work or when guests come to call.
Think of your home's façade, lighting, landscaping, and exterior elevation to name a few; these items can easily customize a home when everyone else on the block seems a bit standard.
Give your home a different feel and stand out from the crowd.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions - Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Some of our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Lucketts, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800

Strategic Downsizing to cut Homeowner Costs

Everyone feels the strain of rising costs here and there. It may be groceries or it could be gas, but many of us are looking for solutions to an on-going problem. How to cut costs?

These days it becomes more of a strategy to save money. If you move to a walkable neighborhood you can cut down on gas, kids can walk to neighborhood schools, find entertainment at nearby parks and centers and more pep in your step means a healthier you.
You’are not just downsizing your space but you’are strategizing to move to a simpler life. You look at all the ways you can save on money just by moving to the right neighborhood. Ask yourself a few questions;
1. If you drive your kids to school or if your teenagers drive to school, wouldn't it save money to downsize to a community where they can walk or buses will pick up?
2. What communities have shopping within walking distance? If you buy local you can save.
3. Which community could you move to that has a bus stop or train station nearby?
4. Are there banks/ATM machines in the community? Do you know how many times people must run out and drive to an ATM machine just to give money to the kids? What a waste of gas!
There's more than one way to reduce housing costs. A smaller home typically means a smaller mortgage and smaller property taxes. It also means lower utility bills and reduced maintenance costs.
The biggest problem with downsizing to new homes is that people have trouble parting with the past but you always have your memories.
The bottom line is that costs go up and down but they will never be so low that you won't feel pocket stings, especially when you get closer to retirement age. That’is why downsizing is strategic; you must focus on cutting your expenditures so you have more going in your pockets than going out.
Ask yourself is it Worth It?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Sizing down will almost always mean saving money. Lifestyle is perhaps your wild card in this equation, and it depends entirely on your personal wants, needs and any changes you hope to introduce.
If you strategize in the choices you make, it can have a profound impact on your pockets and in your life.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Some of our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Lucketts, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. Cell 703.727.9885 Office 703.574.3800