District of Columbia

I have a settlement scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The termite inspector found a few dead guys and a little bit of chewed wood, but it was evidence of a prior infestation. Since there is no record of a prior treatment, we've got to get a bunch of nasty chemicals pumped into the ground around the house before Thursday. And I found out this afternoon.

So I called my friends at Dixon's Pest Control for help. And sure enough, they saved the day. Tomorrow they are treating the place - and it's a federal holiday!. I'll be able to get the last piece of paper to the lender in time to settle at four o'clock.

Like many agents, I sometimes find myself needing last minute termite treatments, sometimes because I just forgot about it. And Dixon always makes it happen. Oh, and they do a great job when it's not a last minute request as well.

So if you need a pest inspection or treatment, they can be reached at 202-882-6565 or email them at DixonsPest@hotmail.com.

Appraisers and anyone who is fed up with HVCC needs to contact their Senators, and tell them to vote to dump HVCC, when the Consumer Finance Bill reaches the Senate. The time for complaining is over folks. We may only get one shot at this. Tell them how lender pressuring has shifted from the lenders to the appraisal management companies. Tell them how the greedy appraisal management companies are stealing the profits from the appraisers, and putting many decent and ethical appraiser out of business, ran out by those who would set up illegal sweat shops full of unlicensed individuals. Anyone who knows someone running an appraisal sweat shop needs to turn them in to their state regulators. The time to fight back is now, write or call your senator today!

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Orange County, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Whittier, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Yorba Linda, La Mirada, Buena Park, Cypress, La Mirada, Hacienda Heights, or Norwalk. Feel Free to give me a call at 714.441.1987 (USA) or email me at wynng@roadrunner.com or visit my website at http://www.SoCalRealEstateBrokers.com

Our Function as Realtors is to Provide Information for Our Clients' Analysis

Analysis Is the Key to Making Good Decisions

I just read a very useful blog by Bill Marriott, CEO of Marriott Hotels et al about analysis as the key to making good decisions. He referenced General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. He described Custer as a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer, who became Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg by the age of 23.

As Bill Marriott noted Custer was always anxious to charge forward and get the job done. At the Battle of LIttle Big Horn, Custer should have stopped and assessed the situation and waited for the rest of his army to catch up. Instead, he rushed into battle and he and his troops were massacred.

It's so very important to get things done but it's also important to understand the field of play. In business, information is extremely important, and so is analysis. Our clients can find the houses that they want to see on the internet sometimes more quickly than we can since the only thing they are doing is looking for a house in a particular neighborhood. At times we seem reduced to the function of key carrier and door opener.

That is such a mistake. We need to demonstrate our value to our clients from the very beginning. When we first meet a client, it is helpful to bring some statistics and analysis of the DC neighborhoods they are interested in. Put together a comparative market analysis on the neighborhood in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, Maryland. Demonstrate your knowledge to them. Bring them information about schools or commuting patterns. Demonstrate to them how you intend to save them money or beat out the competition if there are multiple offers. Show them how you will help them analyze their purchase. Make them realize how valuable you are. Cement their loyalty to you.

If you have any questions about how to put together a winning offer to purchase, please call Lise Howe at 240-401-5577. She has been a realtor, associate broker, and attorney for over 20 years in the DC metro area.

One of the many wonderful aspects of life in Washington is the ability to rub shoulders with real history. Occasionally, homes of the founding fathers come on the market and visiting them gives an opportunity to imagine life in another time.

For instance, if you have $19.5 million dollars (or a buyer with that kind of loose change), you can bask in a glorious house built in 1787 by James Stoddert, the 1st US Secretary of Navy and a George Washinton confidante. Halycon House once was owned and expanded by Mark Twain's nephew. Located in Georgetown on half an acre overlooking the Potomac River, it has 5 bedrooms, 9 full baths, an outdoor pool, a large artist's studio, and parking for 12 cars.

414 Franklin in Alexandria was built around 1780. Originally used as a tavern where George Washingotn spent his last fourth of July, it is now a beautiful home with four bedrooms and four baths, five fireplaces, and a spectacular garden with gazebo, pool, and wisteria arbor. There is even a carriage house with a two car garage all on almost a half acre of land.

If you are looking for a really old property, then you should definately see the Manor House at The Reserve at Black Rock in Darnestown. Built in 1700, it remains a gracious colonial with over 9,000 sq. ft. - 4 BR, 6.5 BA, 7 fireplaces, and an elevator. Growing like Topsy since 1700, the last renovation took place in 2000. Besides a beautiful home, the sales price of $2.250,000 includes 73 +- acres, two ponds, pastures, woods and backs to Seneca Creek Park - the land is not subdividable.

Whether you are looking for an old home or a new one, call Lise Howe of Coldwell Banker at 240-401-5577 to find that perfect house.

© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.