Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Real Estate Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them


Working in real estate can be challenging in fact some agents face truly awful situations. The horror stories we’ve collected below can happen to any agent, so be sure to review them closely and take note of recommended ways of avoiding them.




Read more on The Ana and Melissa Team Blog to know the lists of worst real estate horror stories — and how to avoid them.




Monday, November 29, 2021

Gifts for Design Lovers


Did you know – holiday shopping for interior design lovers can be easy? Here are the lists of the top interior design perfect gifts.



Read on at The Ana and Melissa Blog for stress-free seasonal shopping lists!




Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Fun Things to do in Arlington, VA


Here are the best reasons to spend a day in Arlington while on vacation in Washington DC. Located on the Potomac River, it is home to some of the most beautiful memorials and parks.




Visit The Ana and Melissa Team for the complete list of fun things to do in Arlington, VA





Monday, November 22, 2021

Cool Places to Visit in Old Town Alexandria


Here are some of the most interesting, unique, and photogenic places to see in Old Town Alexandria. You can reach all of these places with a short walk around the downtown area.




Visit The Ana and Melissa Team for the complete list of the most Instagrammable places in Alexandria.




Sunday, November 21, 2021

Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad


Just want to share this delicious recipe with one of our all time favorite, Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad. It’s super easy to make & perfect for the Holiday season!




Visit The Ana and Melissa Team to know more about the recipe.




Thursday, November 18, 2021

Thinking about Selling your Home in 2022




As the saying goes - time flies. 2022 is right around the corner when it feels like we just turned the page to 2021.


If you're thinking about selling your home during the next spring market, then it's time to get started. Analysts are expecting another busy real estate market, so if you're going to buy or sell in the next six months to a year, now is the time to start making your game plan.



To learn more about the steps to sell in 2022. Visit The Ana and Melissa Blog


We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Call: 703.772.3526
Email: AnaandMelissa@gmail.com



Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Amazing Things to Do in Washington DC

Washington DC is one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in the United States. Fall in love with these lists of the best attractions, landmarks, and activities in Washington DC.


Know more of the lists by visiting The Ana and Melissa Team Blog


We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526
Email us at AnaandMelissa@gmail.com



Sold in Shaw District | Washington DC

We are so happy to help our buyer find his dream home. We can also do the same for you. We cared for our clients and your best interest is our top priority. We are willing to go on as many tours as needed to find you the right home.




To learn more on how we help you find your dream home? Visit The Ana and Melissa Team


We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526
Email us at AnaandMelissa@gmail.com




Thursday, November 11, 2021

Alexandria Area Home Sets Real Estate Record

Look what just sold on the Potomac -- this beautiful home previously owned by the CEO of Lockheed Martin.




An Alexandria home called River View Estate, on East Boulevard Drive that was listed for $60 million sold for $48 million in a cash transaction in late October. The home set a new record in the DC metro area for the most expensive home sold. River View Estate sits on 16+ acres along the Potomac River.


Thinking of selling? Now is the right time while inventory is still low. There are plenty of buyers on the market, but experts are predicting more people will sell within the next year, meaning there is going to be more competition.


The good news? If you work with experienced agents (like us!), we can help you navigate the market.  Call or email us if you have any questions or if you'd like to set up a complimentary consultation.


We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526.
Email us at AnaandMelissa@gmail.com.
Visit our website at www.anaandmelissa.com




Wednesday, November 10, 2021

3 Big VA Loan Benefits for 2021



Despite the challenges of COVID-19, veteran home buying had a big year in 2020. The VA loan program backed a record of 1.2 million loans. The good news is that VA loans offer plenty of advantages for veterans looking to purchase or refinance this year, too.


Here's a closer look at three big ones.


1. $0 Down Amid Rising Home Prices


During the early stages of the pandemic, the housing market retrenched a bit before skyrocketing. A combination of low mortgage rates and low housing inventory caused home prices to soar but qualified VA buyers can purchase a home with $0 down.


Regardless of the home price, if you have your full entitlement, you will not need to pay a down payment. No down payment gives you flexibility as a homebuyer since you won't need to worry about draining your bank account amid rising home prices.


2. Low-Interest Rates


The average rate on a 30-year mortgage last year was 3.11%, according to Freddie Mac. VA loans have had the lowest average fixed rate on the market for six years running. Veterans using the VA loan benefit have access to the lowest average rates available.


3. Expanded Eligibility for National Guard


This year, even more veterans will be able to take advantage of this hard-earned benefit. National Guard members activated under Title 32 orders become eligible for a VA loan after serving 90 days, 30 of which must be consecutive.


This retroactive change could help countless Guard members suddenly become eligible for what is arguably the most powerful mortgage product on the market today.


Take the Next Step

The Ana and Melissa Team can help you become homeowners with VA loans. We make sure that each buyer is provided with expert advice and assistance when it comes to the home buying process.


We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526.
Email us at AnaandMelissa@gmail.com.
Visit our website at www.anaandmelissa.com




Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Building and Renting Single Family Homes is Top Performing Investment


As inventory remains low in the DC area and the cost of purchasing becomes exorbitant, investors are realizing that renting single-family homes is the future's best investment.



Click here to read more about this article.




Great Things to Do in Vienna Virginia: Advice from a Local

The Ana and Melissa Team has a great condo for sale in Vienna, Virginia, a great small town just outside of DC, and Tyson's Corner that has a vibrant shopping and restaurant on its main street.  Explore what Vienna has to offer.


1. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is truly a hidden gem of the Washington DC region and a must-visit for nature lovers. This beautiful park in Vienna Virginia is one of our favorite places for an adventure with young children or a multi-generational outing. When the flowers are blooming, or fall foliage colors the trees, it’s perfect for a romantic stroll too.


2. Washington and Old Dominion Trail

The Washington and Old Dominion Trail is a 44-mile long, rails-to-trails bike path that follows a historic railroad line. The stretch of trail from Hunter Mill Road to downtown Vienna is a very scenic place to walk, bike, or rollerblade. Once you reach the Vienna Virginia town boundary, the trail gets busier, and frequent road crossings require extra caution. Stop at the historic train station to check out a vintage red caboose and admire the large Vienna mural.


3. Caboose Brewing Company

Virginia is home to a vibrant craft beer scene, filled with interesting breweries and Beer Trails. Vienna Virginia is lucky to have Caboose Brewing Company in the downtown area. Caboose is both a brewery and restaurant. They serve a wonderful line-up of brews and delicious, locally sourced food. Caboose Brewing Company is right next to the bike trail, a few blocks north of Church Street at the end of an industrial road. They are open Monday to Thursday, 4:00 to 11:00 pm, with longer hours on the weekends (Friday 12-12, Saturday 11-12, Sunday 11-10.



4. Downtown Vienna Dining

When all this exploring makes you hungry, you have a LOT of choices for where to eat. Our favorite casual places to eat in downtown Vienna Virginia include Taco Bamba, Sweetleaf Cafe, and Pure Pasty. For sit-down dining, we suggest Pazzo Pomodoro, Natta Thai, Maple Ave, and Bazin’s on Church.




5. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Enjoy music on a much larger scale at the only national park dedicated to live entertainment. Wolf Trap National Park is an indoor/outdoor venue hosting major musical acts and theater throughout the year. During the colder months, acts are housed indoors at the Barns at Wolf Trap. From May to December, the entertainment takes over the 7,000-seat Filene Center and the children’s-oriented Theater in the Woods. The Filene Center offers a combination of covered and lawn seating that is especially fun on a beautiful evening. Wolf Trap hosts a few very popular free events every year. Kick-off the summer season at the annual Wolf Trap Summer Blast-off, featuring fireworks, and music by the President’s Own Marine Band. Finish the season at the annual Holiday Sing-along in early December.




Small towns like Vienna are one of the things we love most about living in Northern Virginia. There is always something new to explore, or a favorite restaurant or brewery calling us back. We hope our favorite things to do in Vienna Virginia inspire a visit. Vienna makes a fun day trip destination in the Washington DC area.


If you are ready to make a move, now is the right time!
We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526




Wonder Walls: How to Transform Your Space with Colorful Geometrics, Graphic Lettering, and Other Fabulous Paint Techniques

Paint or wallpaper.  It seems the decorating world goes back and forth. between neutrals and color.  Now the big trend is earth tones, wallpaper in fun spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms.  But have you ever thought of painting your space with cool geometric designs or murals?  Check out this book "Wonder Walls"  by Phoebe  Cornog.




Wallpaper may be desirable, but it can be expensive, difficult to install, and damaging to the wall upon removal. Street art and graffiti might seem unattainable, but everyone has an interior wall they can paint. Wall painting offers a way to achieve these modern design effects in the home, and it can be accessible to everyone — even those who don’t consider themselves artists. This bright and colorful book from the creators of Pandr Design Co. features DIY how-to wall painting techniques that will help readers discover the possibilities of paint and see their walls as their canvas.





Authors Phoebe Cornog and Roxy Prima take readers through wall preparation and paint selection and then teach how to achieve different techniques step by step, from marbling to sponging to geometric design to lettering and more. They address tips, tricks, and troubleshooting and help readers customize their home — without breaking a sweat or breaking the bank. For fans of interior design or anyone seeking to bring color into their home and make their space unique, this book will spark the imagination, feed creativity, and deliver the confidence to do it yourself.


Go to The Ana and Melissa Team Blog to read the full article.
We are your Realtors - We Guarantee to Listen, Advise and Advocate for You!
Give us a call at 703.772.3526