Interested in the real estate market?
If you are thinking about looking for a home, or considering putting your current home on the market, chances are that you tend to notice real estate signs and homes for sale around your area of town, or in those areas where you are considering purchasing.
Homes are typically spending more time on the market these days than during the frenzied seller's market when homes would often sell as soon as the signpost was hammered into the ground. You've no doubt seen many of the same signs day after day when you drive to and from work or when you are out and about during errands like grocery shopping and taking the kids to school.
Wondering about the price of one of these home? Easy. Send me an e-mail with the address and I'll be happy to let you know the pricing details and even send you photos of the interior if they are available.
Here's a little tip:
Take a detour. Drive home a different way, today. Most of us get into a pattern of where we travel on a daily basis. Same route to and from work. Same path to school and the grocery store. Straight route for the movie theater or our favorite restaurant.
Take a few minutes and shake up that routine. You'll see a few more real estate signs, most likely. Learn more about what's available, find out about new construction, maybe learn about a new neighborhood. Expand your horizons a bit. You may be surprised what you see -- perhaps even in your own neighborhood.
Don't have the time for a detour? Not to worry. I'll take that detour for you. Much to the disdain of my wife (who'd like to have me safe at home instead of on the roads), I'm often out and about around the D.C. and Northern Virginia area keeping abreast of the real estate market.
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Brian Block is proud to serve the Northern Virginia real estate market. View his website for the latest listings and homes for sale in Northern Virginia and search all active homes.
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I agree that changing things up a bit can be nice sometimes.
It's amazing what can happen when you take a detour. My father-in-law decided to take a different route home from the airport and ended up putting an offer on a home he saw. A few months after moving into that home, he (again) took a different route home and (AGAIN!) found a new property he couldn't live without... putting an offer on that one, and listing the more recent one! Fortunately he was able to sell it and says he is content with what he has now... but we'll see what happens the next time he comes home from the airport.
I love detours! You can find some very interesing things when you take the "road less traveled."
Absolutely. In Northern Virginia especially with the traffic we have, an alternate route is always essential. One of the reasons I love my maps is because it gives folks an overview of the areas and transportation alternatives.
I've been going different routes for a while now just to see what's out there. It's amazing the new homes that pop up. Great post.
Brian - Can I jump up in the pew and hollar AMEN (we goyem do that upon occasion). You post is sweet affirmation. I have long believed that changing routes opens new worlds that exist a moment away from our everyday existence.
Affirmation Baby!!!! How sweet it is.
What a great suggestion! I do this all the time, of course, 'cause I love to see what's happening in the greater Crofton area. However, I suspect most people stick to a daily routine and have no idea what's happening 1/2 mile off their normal route. I like it!
I is amazing what you see when you vary your route. It is so easy to keep going the same way every day. I will change it up thanks
Could not agree more, one should always know the territory around them, and the opportunities that are available too. I would never want a Realtor who did not know the area like the back of their hands, and that means taking a look and going out of your way to observe things. Lance
Hi Brian - There other thing that is funny about Real Estate and signs is the fact that when you are buying or selling a home they become much more visable in your mind. Buyers and sellers seem to notice ever Real Estate sing there is :)
One advantage we have as realtors is that we can suggest alternate routes - I use them all the time whether I need to or not. It helps keep me current on area changes, Karen
Funny - I often take different routes through the city. Trying to avoid traffic or find a "short-cut". It is amazing what you see and find.
Brian - some say "leave the driving to those who do it best". They probably mean -leave it to a top-notch agent like you, who already knows what's available, because of the time you spend focusing on your market.
BOB: Thanks for your comment. You never know what you'll discover when you switch thing up a bit.
Brian,
Amazing what you see when you take a different route.....it's very good for home buyers to take a drive around various neighbourhoods (that we recommend to them) and see which ones appeal to them the most. Then they can focus on those neighbourhoods during their homesearch!
Jo
CHRISTOPHER: Thanks for sharing that great and illustrative story about your father.
CINDY: I love detours too! It's one of the best ways to keep track of everything that's going on around town, real estate wise.
Actually I wen t looking for some new costruction neighborhoods today and discovered neighborhoods I didnt know existed.
LENN: Whether by GPS, map, or just plain knowledge, I often find myself taking alternate routes to avoid traffic and many times discover some new construction, new listings, or changes worth noting.
KAREN: Good for you! Thanks for the comment.
JOHN: Thanks for your enthusiastic AMEN! I appreciate it, buddy.
MARGARET: I'm with you and suspect that many people don't even know what's happening on the other side of their neighborhood many times.
TERRY: Thanks for your comment. Let me know what you find.
LANCE: Thanks for your comments. Very true. It is important for a REALTOR to see what is going on all around the neighborhoods and areas that they serve.
BILL: Very very true.
KAREN: Thanks for your comment.
JAMES: In the District, you often don't have a choice with all the detours, construction, motorcades, blocked roads, etc.
FAINA: Thanks for your very sincere compliment.
JO: I have lots of clients who enjoy driving around many of the neighborhoods themselves to see what they like and what they don't before spending the time with me to see the actual homes.
DEE DEE: Isn't it great when that happens. Expands your horizons!
Nice Post, sometimes we forget we can actually encourage people to get in the market vs. finding people in the market for a home.
ROSS: Thanks for your much appreciated comment.