Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Save the Date

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town! 2015 - December 5th -11:30am-2:00pm

We have an all-star cast this year!! Santa, a Caricature Artist to draw your little elves and a Free Professional photo with Santa.

Saturday, December 5th 11:30-2:00pm
Where: 12:45 Team Office
10300 Eaton Place #120 Fairfax, VA 22033
When: Saturday, December 5th - 11:30-2:00pm
Who: Everyone
Questions please email us at mailto:natejohnson@1245team.com

Santa is coming back to Fairfax again this year!  He had so much fun last year with over 150 people attending.  See you December 5th! 

*Not Required but everyone is encouraged to bring a present that will be donated for Toys for Tots and DC inner city kids.

Just added!  We will have a caricature artist to draw your little elves!

Parents feel free to bring your cameras as we will have a photo booth area for you to take pictures of your kids with Christmas props.

*Not Required but everyone is encouraged to bring a present that will be donated for Toys for Tots and DC inner city kids.

Everything is FREE!

• Professional photographer will take your picture with Santa and upload it to his website. You can download this photo for free and print yourself! and you may also purchase prints from him, via his website. Instructions on how to down load your free pictures will be hosted here after the event.
• While you are waiting for your picture, have your children write their Christmas wish list to Santa, color/draw a picture, build a Christmas ornament.
• Snacks will be provided
• Bring your cameras for fun pictues with the family in our cardboard cutouts.

Check back for more great events going on.

**Everyone is encouraged to bring a present that will be donated for Toys for Tots and DC inner city kids. More details to come on what type of presents are needed. Please do not wrap your present but bring it in a bag. Acceptable gifts for children 5-12, m/f (ideas: books, clothes, toys, games etc. please keep under $30)

Walmart Wish List - Items on this list can be purchased and donated (please do not wrap these)

Where: 12:45 Team Office
10300 Eaton Place #120 Fairfax, VA 22033
When: Saturday, December 5th - 11:30-2:00pm
Who: Everyone
Questions please email us at mailto:natejohnson@1245team.com

Other Pictures from the event below.

2014 Pictures



2011 Pictures

Read More

Lakelands Real Estate Condos, Townhomes, and Single Family Homes Weekly Sales Report for December 2015 12:45 Team

HOME PRICES IN LAKELANDS | GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878
www. mylakelands.com

Relevant Real Estate Information for the Lakelands Homes in Gaithersburg, MD Home Value.

LAKELANDS HOME VALUES
To find out the true value of your home Click Here

For a free consultation about what we do to sell your home for top dollar or our Guarantee to sell your home in 45 Days or you don't pay us, call Nate at 571-477-1245 or email NateJohnson@1245team.com

SEARCH  LAKELANDS HOMES CURRENTLY FOR SALE
As of today 12/03/2015 there are 10 homes for sale in Lakelands,  7 homes under contract and 5 homes sold in the month of November.

To see of a list of active homes Click Here

Condos -3
Townhomes- 3
Single Family Homes- 4

NEW LISTINGS IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are(is) 1 new listing(s) in the last 30 days.

UNDER CONTRACT IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are 2 condos, 4 townhouse and 1 Single Family Home under contract.
I will have the final numbers for these once they close.

SOLD IN THE LAST 30 DAYS FOR LAKELANDS
According to MLS, 1 condo, 3 Townhomes, and 1 Single Family Home sold in the month of November.

RENTALS IN LAKELANDS
Do you need help finding a renter? We work with a lot of investors and can make this process very easy for you.  We get your home rented fast! Contact natejohnson@1245team.com  for more information.

Last month 3 homes were rented, 0 currently are pending and 5 homes are active for rent.

Thanks for reading our Lakelands Real Estate Blog!
Posted by: Nate Johnson -Lakelands Real Estate Agent
The 12:45 Team is apart of Keller Williams Realty,
Serving Virginia, Maryland and DC Real Estate.

Disclaimer: Information was gathered from the MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Read More

11 Reasons to List During the Holidays - 12:45 Team, Lakelands Community

11 Reasons

to List During the Holidays

1. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! 

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you! 

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you! 

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays! 

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price! 

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a working week! 

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons! 

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs.  Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture that market! 

9. You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays! 

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year! 

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low!

Read More

Lakelands Real Estate Condos, Townhomes, and Single Family Homes Weekly Sales Report for November 2015 12:45 Team

HOME PRICES IN LAKELANDS | GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878
www. mylakelands.com

Relevant Real Estate Information for the Lakelands Homes in Gaithersburg, MD Home Value.

LAKELANDS HOME VALUES
To find out the true value of your home Click Here

For a free consultation about what we do to sell your home for top dollar or our Guarantee to sell your home in 45 Days or you don't pay us, call Nate at 571-477-1245 or email NateJohnson@1245team.com

SEARCH  LAKELANDS HOMES CURRENTLY FOR SALE
As of today 11/04/2015 there are 15 homes for sale in Lakelands,  8 homes under contract and 2 homes sold in the month of October.

To see of a list of active homes Click Here

Condos -3
Townhomes- 7
Single Family Homes- 5

NEW LISTINGS IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are(is) 4 new listing(s) in the last 30 days.

UNDER CONTRACT IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are 3 condos, 4 townhouse and 1 Single Family Home under contract.
I will have the final numbers for these once they close.

SOLD IN THE LAST 30 DAYS FOR LAKELANDS
According to MLS, 2 condos sold in the month of October.

RENTALS IN LAKELANDS
Do you need help finding a renter? We work with a lot of investors and can make this process very easy for you.  We get your home rented fast! Contact natejohnson@1245team.com  for more information.

Last month 4 homes were rented, 0 currently are pending and 7 homes are active for rent.

Thanks for reading our Lakelands Real Estate Blog!
Posted by: Nate Johnson -Lakelands Real Estate Agent
The 12:45 Team is apart of Keller Williams Realty,
Serving Virginia, Maryland and DC Real Estate.

Disclaimer: Information was gathered from the MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Read More

Free Design Consultation - 12:45 Team

Read More

Cinderella's Ball - A Night To Remember

This past Saturday I had the privilege of taking my oldest daughter Kaylee to a Cinderella Ball (Father Daughter Dance) It was a local event with over 150 Fathers and their daughters attending.  It was a special time for us and others to spend this time with our girls and Kaylee loves dancing. 

During the event, I found out why this local church put the event on.  It was really neat to hear that the princesses and parents all volunteered their time for one main purpose.  To raise money for the poor children in DC who struggle to get their next meal.  The event was a success and raised over $4,500!

Our real estate team, the 12:45 Team have a big mission this year also and that's to give $20,000 back to the 3 charities we support.  We are really close to hitting this # and we could use your help.  We want to hear what organizations you support either with your time or money.  We want to help support them monetarily also.   Just email me back today to find out how we are willing to support organizations that you care deeply about.

natejohnson@1245team.com

- Nate

Read More

Lakelands Real Estate Condos, Townhomes, and Single Family Homes Weekly Sales Report for October 2015 12:45 Team

HOME PRICES IN LAKELANDS | GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878
www. mylakelands.com

Relevant Real Estate Information for the Lakelands Homes in Gaithersburg, MD Home Value.

LAKELANDS HOME VALUES
To find out the true value of your home Click Here

For a free consultation about what we do to sell your home for top dollar or our Guarantee to sell your home in 45 Days or you don't pay us, call Nate at 571-477-1245 or email NateJohnson@1245team.com

SEARCH  LAKELANDS HOMES CURRENTLY FOR SALE
As of today 10/07/2015 there are 14 homes for sale in Lakelands,  6 homes under contract and 11 homes sold in the month of September.

To see of a list of active homes Click Here

Condos -3
Townhomes- 7
Single Family Homes- 4

NEW LISTINGS IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are(is) 7 new listing(s) in the last 30 days.

UNDER CONTRACT IN LAKELANDS
According to MLS, there are 3 condos and 3 townhomes under contract.
I will have the final numbers for these once they close.

SOLD IN THE LAST 30 DAYS FOR LAKELANDS
According to MLS, 3 condos, 5 townhomes, and 3 single family homes sold in the month of September.

RENTALS IN LAKELANDS
Do you need help finding a renter? We work with a lot of investors and can make this process very easy for you.  We get your home rented fast! Contact natejohnson@1245team.com  for more information.

Last month 5 homes were rented, 0 currently are pending and 8 homes are active for rent.

Thanks for reading our Lakelands Real Estate Blog!
Posted by: Nate Johnson -Lakelands Real Estate Agent
The 12:45 Team is apart of Keller Williams Realty,
Serving Virginia, Maryland and DC Real Estate.

Disclaimer: Information was gathered from the MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Read More

Rent to Buy? Thinking of buying a home in the next five years? Consider renting with an option to purchase

Rent To Buy Options
 

Would you like to find your home, but you're not quite ready to buy? A lease with a right to purchase program may be a good fit for you!

This program allows you to 1) Find the house you want to live in now, 2) move in, and 3) if you’re ready within five years of the initial move-in, purchase the house.

To see the top open houses this weekend click here

Your monthly rent is not applied to the cost of the home, but the agreement ensures you have first dibs on the property should you decide to buy it within five years (Unless you’re in Texas, where it’s three). The right to purchase does not obligate you to buy the home, but if you do decide to buy, you can begin the process at any time in the five-year window. 

If you’re interested to learn more, this is how it works ...

Call Nate for more specifics to see if this program will work for you. Call 571-494-1245 or email NateJohnson@1245team.com

Step 1: You apply for the program and obtain approval 

There are many reasons people go the route of leasing with a right to purchase program: You may be repairing your credit, relocating, a first-time home buyer, or simply concerned about the current housing market. 

If you think this program may be a good fit for you, you can get the approval process going online and receive a decision within two days.

First, there are a few requirements:

• At least 18 years of age
• Annual income of at least $50,000
• Stable employment
• No history of eviction and no pending bankruptcy
• Acceptable criminal history (Every person in the household will subject to a background check)

If you meet these requirements, you must provide proof of income, verify you can pay for two months’ rent and submit a $75 application fee. This information will be evaluated to reflect household rent-to-income and debt-to-income ratios, rental and housing history, and FICO scores. 

Step 2: You pick your home

If you’re approved, here comes the fun part of picking your home using the program’s online system. 

The home you pick needs to fall within the following criteria, and you’ll be working with a real estate agent to help you: 

• It must be in a  community approved by the program (based on a variety of factors including high school attendance rates and any nearby features that may negatively impair a property’s value)
• The listing price must be between $100,000 and $500,000
• It must have a minimum of two bedrooms and lot of three acres or less
• A single-family home or fee-simple townhome
• A traditional or bank-owned property

For each home you view, you’ll be provided with some very helpful numbers: 1) What you’ll pay in rent for year one, year two, etc. and 2) What the home will cost to purchase in year one, year two, etc..

Once you’ve picked your home, our agent will submit your property for review. If your home is approved (You'll receive an answer within 4-6 hours) you’ll be provided with a schedule of rent and purchase prices for each lease term. NOTE: The rent increases by 3.75% each year, and the purchase price of the home increases by 3.5% each year. 

If you agree to the terms, it’s time to start packing! The program will pay for a complete home inspection, and you’ll need to provide the first month’s rent (pro-rated depending on move-in), and a two-month deposit. 

Step 3: The last step of the process is buying your home.  Once you've moved in, you can buy the home at any time. 

A few things to keep in mind: 

• You are required to rent for a minimum of one year, but can move out after a one-year lease term without penalty
• You may renew your lease for a total of five years but no more.
• The total move-in process can take up to two months: This includes the time required for the program to buy the home on your behalf, and inspect the home
• You must have an Experian credit score of 525 or above
• The program does not provide you with a mortgage, and makes no guarantees that you will be able to obtain a mortgage

If you think this program is a good fit for you, call Nate to talk more about this program. We’ve helped hundreds of buyers find the right home, and we believe this is an excellent program to get you into the home you love. Call us at 571-494-1245 or email Natejohnson@1245team.com 

Written by Charity Corkey - 12:45 Team

Read More

Real Estate Staging: Top five tips and photos! from the 12:45 Team Premier Real Estate Agent VA, MD & DC

Staging
 
Did you know that homes with staging generally sell faster – and for more money – than homes without? That's why our real estate team provides free staging for each and every home we list (and historically sees lower days on the market than most competitors!)

The goal of real estate staging is to make buyers feel like they can live in your home – because while homey to you, your personal style may not always give them the same sense of comfort. A good stager wants to present a home that appeals to the majority. 

 

Staging, in fact, is very different than interior design. Interior designers and decorators are bringing a specific vision to life, while a stager provides an attractive, neutral palate.

Enter our 12:45 Team Stager, Christy! Christy stages all our listings, and here are some tips from her experience.

To find out the value of your home instantly click here

1.  The more natural light, the better!

We hear buyers comment on the light in a home (or lack of it) more than anything else. Removing the curtains bolted to the wall in this house not only made the space seem larger but brightened it up tremendously.

2. A little color goes a LONG way

Neutrals are a stager’s friend, but some color is necessary: The goal in this kitchen was to distract from the dated counter-tops and appliances. A bit of greenery, potted flowers and a propped-up cook book softened the space and added warmth. 

3. Sidetrack the imperfections

Every home has flaws, and buyers will often fixate on the blemishes. In this kitchen, staging props helped to downplay minor aesthetic stains and cracks on the countertop. 

4. Make an entrance

No matter how large or small your home, take special care to the first impression. When I walked into this condo to host an open house, the first thing I thought was “wow!!” The staging was simple but elegant, with just enough pop to make it homey but not so much to detract from the gorgeous hardwood floors and natural lighting.

5. If it needs it, add it!

This home, like many we sell, was already vacant and the bathrooms didn’t have shower rods. Adding a portable shower rod with a curtain and a few other touches made a world of difference.

From bland to beautiful, another bathroom also benefited from a few simple additions: A small picture, fresh towels on the rack and a pretty shower curtain (all in the same harmonious blue).   

Lastly, don’t forget to add the necessities. Make sure there’s soap in the bathroom, and a clean towel for drying for your hands. Trust me – buyers will be using your bathroom, so make sure it’s ready!

We love questions and feedback. Do you have a question about staging? Email Nate at NateJohnson@1245team.com or call 571-477-1245


Written by Charity Corkey - 12:45 Team

Read More