This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Appearance matters when it comes to selling your home. Stories of people’s appraisals coming in lower than comparable properties (“comps”) in the neighborhood would suggest that seller’s let things “slip” after getting their offer ratified when they should have continued to act as if the house was still on the market.

It may not seem necessary to spruce up the house for an appraisal, especially if you managed to get a good contract on it without doing those things. But you need to remember appraisers are people, and they are just as influenced by physical appearances as buyers.

Your house has to look it’s best when the appraiser comes through lest they appraise the property lower than it’s worth. This is especially true when you’re getting your home appraised for a refinance and it has not been on the market! For a small investment, you can make sure your deal doesn’t fall through based on a bad appraisal.

Here are three tips to getting a great appraisal for your home.

1. Address the curb appeal

The appraisal starts the moment the appraiser sees you home. Make sure the exterior of your house looks good — mow the lawn, do some weeding and lay down fresh mulch. If your home needs a good power washing, do it. Many Reston homes tend to collect algae on the roofs (a downside of the wooded communities); it looks awful and is easy to clean.

2. Make it Look Its Best

It’s important to keep the look, feel, and condition of your property as updated and cared-for as possible. While the appraiser probably won’t look under your couch for dust bunnies, she will look at the home’s overall cleanliness. That means you need to get the cobwebs out of the corners and clean the fingerprints around door handles. Replace the old vinyl floors and wash your windows. All of these things affect the value of your home, and they add up.

This is also a good time to do some of the upgrades you’ve been thinking about. Paint, new carpets, lights, and plumbing fixtures are relatively low cost upgrades that can make a huge difference in your appraisal.

My friends in the business have this tip of the trade: appraisers often value houses in $500 increments. Repairs that should be made count against your property. Fixing leaky faucets, stained drywall, and cracked windows all cost less than $500, so you automatically make a return.

3. Make it comfortable and inviting

Tidy up. Don’t make the appraiser trip over toys or have to move furniture. And make sure the temperature is comfortable — not too hot and not too cold. Yes, that really matters! Using you heat or air conditioning is also a tip off that these items are in working order.

These things are all relatively easy, quick fixes that go a long way toward improving the outcome of your appraisal.

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Most agents go into real estate because they like houses. I fit that category, but I especially like Reston.

Being Reston focused has given me a lot of confidence in what I’m selling. I didn’t always feel that way when I was showing houses in areas that I didn’t know — I’m sure Centreville is a nice place but honestly, I don’t know much about it. I never felt like I was adding much value when I was too far afield.

Herndon, Vienna — no problem, Fall Church, Annandale — I know some areas but not others. Reston neighborhoods I know. I have lived here for decades. I know the home values, the quirks, the tucked-away places, the schools. It’s always a pleasure to show buyers around.

Over the past several months I have been working with a wide variety of buyers. One is a young couple looking for the home where they hope to start a family. The other is a newly single woman with a nearly empty nest. We recently found great, very different homes for them both.

It’s a good feeling when you know you’ve found the perfect place for someone. The diversity of our housing inventory is one of the things that makes the Reston housing market unique.

Another great Reston quality  is the wide range of opportunities to be engaged in the community through service, recreation or just plain old entertainment. It’s great to live in a place where everyone at all ages can have a social life.

That’s why the motto for all ages and lifestyles is “Live, Work, Play and Get Involved,”

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Lots of new houses are coming onto the Reston real estate market. We added 31 properties in the past 10 days for a total of 285 active listings.

Here are a few of the new listings:

1634 Wainwright Drive. 4 BR 3.5 BA. List Price $510,000 Open Sunday

2133 Golf Course Drive. 3 BR, 2.5 BA. List Price $464,900. Open Sunday

11053 Saffold Way. 4BR, 3.5 BA. List Price $415,000. Open Sunday

2641 Black Fir Court. 4BR, 4.5 BA. List Price $825,000. Open Sunday

10852 Grovehampton Court. 5BR, 3.5 BA. List Price $756,000. Open Sunday

11737E Summerchase Circle #1737-E. 2 BR, 1 BA. List Price $247,000 Open Sunday

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Are you planning on avoiding beach traffic and staying put this Labor Day weekend? I don’t blame you. I don’t even plan to leave Lake Anne Plaza, especially this Labor Day weekend.

Eleven years ago, my friend Mykle Lyons were talking about how to evolve Lake Anne Plaza into more of a music venue. That conversation was the start of the annual Jazz & Blues Festival.

Ten years later, it is one of the highlights of the summer, due in large part to the work our fellow sponsors, Lane Anne Merchants, and the Reston Community Center.

So grab your suntan lotion and a lawn chair, and head down to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 3.

This year we’re celebrating our 10^th anniversary! It seems like just yesterday that we hosted the first one. Over the years, we’ve had so much fun, we can’t just keep it to one day.

So Lake Anne Jazz Week starts Friday, Aug. 26 and will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day Weekend) with the Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival. Read More

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here is a look at some of the homes that sold in Reston in the last week. Want a through analysis of how sales are going in your neighborhood? Contact me through my website.

11811 Grey Birch Place. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $710,000

2516 Freetown Drive. 5 BR, 2.5 BA. Sold price: $590,000

1673 Cedar Hollow Way. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $600,000

12723 Hitchcock Court. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $656,000

2202 Stirrup Iron Way. 5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $570,00

11304 Geddys Court. 3 BR, 2 BA SFH. Sold price: $434,900

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson, Realtor with Reston Real Estate.

I may live on Lake Anne, but I really do love Lake Audubon. It is hands0 down one of the most idyllic places in Reston. One of my favorite communities on Lake Audubon is Cedar Cove Cluster.

Cedar Cove Cluster is a neighborhood of 66 townhomes more or less across the street from South Lakes High School. They are cedar-sided, three-story homes with three or four bedrooms and garages.

While only about 20 percent of the townhomes are direct lakefront property, they all have lake access.

Built between 1980 and 1989, Cedar Cove Cluster is located on Cedar Cove Point off South Lakes Drive in South Reston.

Not only do residents have lake access, this super family-friendly neighborhood has a huge playground for the children.

Walking through Cedar Cove Cluster on a nice day, you feel a bit like you’re at a resort. Yet, you are just minutes from the Reston technology corridor, the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, and the Dulles Toll Road.

South Lakes Village Center (home to a few of Reston’s favorite mom and pop restaurants) is an easy walk at just three-quarters of a mile away.

Cluster residents attend Sunrise Valley Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle and South Lakes High School.

Homes that border the lake don’t come on the market often, so when they do, you need to act fast! This neighborhood is worth it.

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here’s a look at homes that sold in Reston in the last week. Want an analysis of what’s sold recently in your neighborhood. Contact me through Reston Real Estate.

1536 Moorings Drive #1A. 1 BR, 1.5 BA Condo. Sold price: $187,000

11717 Karbon Hill Court #712B. 2 BR, 1 BA Condo. Sold price: $470,000

11743 Ledura Court #T4. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $262,000

11733 Ledura Court #102. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $220,000

1855 Stratford Park Place #402. 2 BR, 2BA Condo. Sold price: $363,500

1591 Regatta Lane. 3 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $740,000

11204 Beaver Trail Court. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. Sold price: $218,000

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. 

North Reston’s SummerRidge Condominiums are not only beautiful inside, the Contemporary exterior design has charming cross gabled roofs — the front facing gables are above a column of recessed balconies.

The meticulously landscaped common areas are a lovely and peaceful view from those balconies. Even with parking in front of the buildings, this just doesn’t feel like a condo community.

SummerRidge is located off Lake Newport Road just west of Reston Parkway. It’s just a few blocks from North Point Village Center, so you can walk to the grocery store and restaurants.

Reston Town Center is less than two miles away, and is easily walkable if you feel inclined. Also within walking distance of SummerRidge is the Lake Newport Recreation Area with Reston’s only Olympic size pool, or Autumnwood pool. Both are great after a summer walk along the Reston Association paths!

The neighborhood consists of about 170 units built between 1987 and 1988. The neighborhood is laid out with 17 two- and three-story buildings looping around Summerchase Circle and Summerchase Court.

The condo development features three different models, all of which are modern and feel spacious, despite their modest footprints. Want an open floor plan? They’ve got it, along with large picture windows or glass sliding doors opening up to a back patio or balcony. The fabulous design makes you feel like you’re in a much larger space than you are.

Here are the different floorplans:

• June Model — 665 square feet with one bedroom and one bath
• July Model — 952 square feet with two bedrooms and one and a half baths
• August Model — 1,042 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths.

These condos are great for singles looking for a beautiful, but smaller space away from Reston Town Center, but still accessible to everything.

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Restonians love walking, even in the summer heat. Of course, lately I’ve noticed they’re doing it very early in the morning before the heat index gets too high.

One of the best features of Reston is the 55 miles of pathways that Reston Association maintains. You can get anywhere in Reston by foot — the path may not always be straight, but if you want to, you can go wherever you want. And you won’t have to cross very many streets to do it.

Reston Association has a comprehensive map of all the trails online, or you can go to the RA offices and get a printed version of it. The Fairfax County trail buddy is an interactive map of all the streets and paths, and provides a great way to plan a route before you head out in the heat.

Read More

This is sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here is a look at some of the homes that changed hands in the last week of July. Want a more detailed look at what’s selling in your Reston neighborhood? Contact me for a free analysis.

11733 Ledura Court #102, 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $227,000

11204 Beaver Trail Court, 1 BR , 1 BA Condo. Sold price: $218,000

1311 Garden Wall Court #804, 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $300,000

11531 Hickory Cluster, 3 BR, 1.5 BA TH. Sold price: $399,000

10891 Hunter Gate Way, 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $850,000

11340 Headlands Court, 2 BR, 1.5 BA TH. Sold price: $325,000

11922 Redtree Way, 2 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $319,000

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Craft breweries — the American version of a neighborhood pub — are as hot as coffee shops, and I’m thrilled to have a new one at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston.

The Lake Anne Brew House embodies everything that is romantic and wonderful about a small business. It has a product the community has been craving: it has committed owners who want to create the best brew house possible while fostering community. It is also located in a place that needs more of both of those things.

What they do: Lake Anne Brew House sells its small-batch, handcrafted beers directly to customers from a nanobrewery taproom. You won’t find this (delicious) beer anywhere else … unless you take a growler home with you.

Since the day the the business opened in April, Restonians have made sure they have a difficult time keeping the brews in stock.

The owners are a husband and wife team, Jason and Melissa Romano. Jason as a longtime homebrewer before making the leap into the beer business. Opening the Brew House was a a way to scale production to meet the demands of a growing craft beer drinking market.

Melissa is an architect and designer, and that is obvious the minute you walk through the front doors.

The space is beautiful, incorporating bits of Lake Anne Plaza’s history and design, as well as pops of orange color, into the space on Washington Plaza.

Jason and Melissa have a shared goal: to provide an inviting location for the community to gather and appreciate a hand-crafted selection of exceptional beers. Read More

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here is a look at homes that changed hands in Reston last week. Want a more detailed analysis of what is happening in your neighborhood? Contact me.

11922 Redtree Way. 2 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $319,00

1556 Scandia Circle. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $430,000

2315 Harleyford Court. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $385,000

1636 Purple Sage Dr. 2 BR, 2 BA TH. Sold price: $335,665

11623 Vantage Hill Road #C. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $217,500

10901 Lawyer Road. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price $932,000

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here is a look at some of the homes that sold in 20191, 20190 and 20194 in the last week. Many of these are closings from sales in the busy spring market. Want to know how homes are selling in your cluster or neighborhood. Contact me and I can help you with that.

1716 Lake Shore Crest. 2 BR, 1.5 BA Condo. Sold price: $301,000

2229 Southgate Square. 3 BR, 1.5 BA TH. Sold price: $217,500

11084 Saffold Way. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $360,000

12000 Market Street, #367. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. Sold price: $310,000

1558 Autumn Ridge Circle. 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. Sold price: $398,500

2364 Tumbletree Way. 6 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $700,000

2301 Middle Creek Way. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $398,000

2517 Pegasus Way. 5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. $745,000

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

Here is a look at some homes that sold in Reston in the last week of June and first week of July 2016.

• 1332 Northgate Square, 3 BR, 2 BA TH. Sold price: $325,000
• 2269 Wheelwright Court, 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. Sold price: $415,000
• 2255 Castle Rock Square, # 12C, 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $215,000
• 2255 Coopersmith Court, 3 BR, 3 BA TH. Sold price: $355,000
• 11609 Windbluff Court, #9, 3 BR, 2.5 BA Condo. Sold price: $305,000
• 1855 Stratford Park Place, #309, 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $333,200
• 11605 Deer Forest Road, 5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $925,000
• 2310 Hunters Square Court, 2 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $325,000