Location ! This 3 level end-unit town home features 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 1/2 baths and hardwood floors. Featuring an Eat-In Kitchen plus a separate dining room.
Relax on your private outdoor patio or by one of the two fireplaces. and enjoy your private beautifully manicured courtyard. This home even has a recreation room and a walkout lower level. Close to CIA, stores, parks and restaurants.
James T. Downing
Team Leader -
The Downing Real Estate Group
REALTOR, GRI, ABR
Licensed in Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC
703.244.3971 Direct
Jim@JimDowning.com Email
Coldwell Banker
Residential Brokerage
5028 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20016
202-362-5800 Office
I remember years and years ago taking a college class on Business Ethics. I always found it interesting how students with different backgrounds could argue over an ethical debate based on their different life experiences and morals.
It is a agents job to represent their client to the best of their ability. To get their client - the best deal and to follow (within limits) the instructions of their client.
These things being said; when is it OK, if at all, to 'bluff' or use 'white lies'? Now my Grandmother always said, a lie is a lie and they are always wrong. When and where should an agent draw the line?
Of course time and time again I have negotiated real estate deals for clients. Getting them the best price and terms on a home sale or purchase is an art. Of course I know when my seller will go down another 10K or my Buyer would go up another 15k - but I don't tell the other side this. A Lie? No - I am just withholding information.
Now what if I say; "There absolute max is $x" and I know they can go higher? A Lie. Instead I would say something like, "This is the offer we put together, and If you counter, I will present it and we will see what happens." Answering a direct question with a direct answer - requires truth or lies.
Probably every Realtor has heard (or said) the phrase; "Well there are other offers coming in on this property." Truth? Bluff? Lie? If I had a dollar for every-time I was told an offer was coming in - I would have long ago retired! How about; "I have had x-number of agents tell me there are other offers coming in." That sounds a bit more truthful. ---If it IS true!
Telling another agent; "There is another offer coming in"; if in fact their is not - is a LIE. Right? Or is it BLUFFING in hopes of the 1st set of buyers will raise their offer or accept the counter offer --- is it?
What if your client tells you to "LIE" or "BLUFF" ?
Every business person makes these decisions everyday. Real Estate agents are no different. I have had clients ask me to say things that are not true, in hopes of bluffing the other side of a transaction. I simply say; "I can't lie - let's say this instead"; and always offer an alternative response that does not give away our position.
If the other side of a deal every catches you in a lie - the whole rest of the transaction (and your reputation) is in for a rocky ride.
How we choose to do businesses and how we decide to interpret the ethics and standards of conduct is important. Not only for the shear purpose of showing the general public we are above reproach, but the fact that bad Karma - can bite you in the butt !
This post is dedicated to the agent who may or may not have "bluffed" this week on that infamous "other offer". Can't wait for the Home Inspection!
Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions! Office: 202-362-5800 Cell: 703.244.3971 Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase
5028 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016
As in any business sometimes we just to rant to blow off a little steam. Well here is one of those times !
Those of us in the Real Estate Profession know how a large amount of general public feel about us. They question our professionals; our code of conduct; our knowledge and abilities. The average Joe often wonders if hiring a Real Estate Professional is really helpful.
Well I believe that most of us are those ultimate professionals who know our business; understand the market and always look out for our clients best interests.
Then there those "others" out there....
Currently I am dealing with two of them. They can't even return a phone call to answer a question on a property. My clients ask me what the other agents have said to our questions.
For days I have called and for days I tell my clients; I don't have any information. Gee, I'm a lot of help! The agents broker/manager? Left the voicemail. No return call. I guess the grape doesn't fall far from the vine.
What these agents are doing; simply by not returning a phone call; is showing the general public that maybe Real Estate Agents are not the "Professionals" they want to hire. Heck; if I was my clients - I would wonder if I was doing my job!
All I can say to those of you who are looking for a Real Estate Professional to work with. Interview a few. Ask them how quickly they return phone calls or emails. If they don't live up to your expectations; tell them to ship off and find one who does. Most of us actually do our job!
Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions! Office: 202-362-5800 Cell: 703.244.3971 Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase
5028 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016
The number of properties on the market continues to drop as the number of homes under contract rises. Most notably; Single Family Homes in both DC and Prince George's County; where the number under contract are at 4 year highs. Condos: Actives: 1242 (Down 30 from last week) Expired: 8 Under Contract: 517 (Up 22) Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions! Office: 202-362-5800 Cell: 703.244.3971 Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase
Current Number of Homes Active and Under Contract in the Washington DC area:
Here is the breakdown as of September 29th, 2009
Here are the number of homes on the market including the number of homes that were taken Off (EXPIRED) the market last week.
Washington DC
Single Family: Actives: 1698 (Down 27 from last week) Expired: 12 Under Contract: 722 (Up 32)
Arlington County
Single Family: Actives: 440 (Down 10 from last week) Expired: 3 Under Contract: 192 (Up 14)
Condos: Actives: 489 (Same as last week) Expired: 14 Under Contract: 196 (Up 3)
Prince Georges County
Single Family: Actives: 4723 (Down 56 from last week) Expired: 37 Under Contract: 2506 (Up 64)
Condos: Actives: 798 (Down 3 from last week) Expired: 14 Under Contract: 193 (Up 8)
Montgomery County
Single Family: Actives: 2883 (Down 19 from last week) Expired: 7 Under Contract: 2017 (Up 9)
Condos: Actives: 1170 (Up 14 from last week) Expired: 4 Under Contract: 518 (Down 14)
It is important to see the number of homes taken "Off" the market. While many of these homes will return to the marketplace a week or two; seeing a listing "expire" means that the seller and agent thought or expected the home to be sold by now.
5028 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016
Pretty much every Renter in the world knows that when you go to rent a new home or apartment - the landlord will run a background check on you.
They want to make sure the new tenant will pay their rent on time.
A typical new renter; will have their credit checked, a call to their past landlords and maybe a quick criminal background check.
But who is checking the landlords?
This week a colleague of mine met some new renters at a property he had listed by his clients; an owner of a lovely home in Maryland. The tenants had applied; been accepted; and were meeting the agent to get their keys and move in.
The new renters showed up; complete with moving truck and then the shock by EVERYONE involved.
The Bank had Foreclosed on the home. The agent was shocked! Calls to his clients - the owners who were just foreclosed upon went unanswered. The new tenants; homeless. All of their things in a big truck with nowhere to go.
So then; who is going to check the owners/landlords? The Realtors, if there is one - don't know the home is in foreclosure. The owners sure are not going to tell them!
Can you imagine a tenant asking the landlord for a copy of his credit report or a call from his bank to make sure his payments are up-to-date?
WELL MAYBE IT'S TIME for this ?!
How does a renter protect themselves from a landlord who isn't paying his mortgage? Unless they are living in the home and sees some Pre-Foreclosure notice delivered in the mail - how would they ever know until it's too late?
Someone needs to look out for the Renters - But who? How?
Well if every tenant insisted on a landlord background check - landlords would have no choice. However; it would only work if everyone does it; otherwise the landlord will just wait for the next applicant to come along.
Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions! Office: 202-362-5800 Cell: 703.244.3971 Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase
5028 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016
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Licensed in DC, Maryland & Virginia. James is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and has completed training as Accredited Buyers Representative. He's better qualified to assist buyers and sellers.
I specialize in Relocations into the DC Metro area as well as 1st Time buyers and will be able to answer as many questions about home buying as you can ask! As an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR); I have additional training and experience to represent buyers in their Real Estate purchase.
I maintain three Real Estate Licenses to serve you all around the beltway; in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Follow this link to Search for homes in the DC Metro area : HOME SEARCH
Washington DC has many wonderful sights and Neighborhoods. Where else can you live blocks from the White House or look out the window and see the Washington Monument?
We have a great subway system to carry you from the suburbs of Virginia or Maryland into the heart of the District.
Whatever you questions; I will be happy to help and guide you. Visit my blog for information about the DC Real Estate market and questions about the Washington DC area.
I have helped Buyers and Sellers throughout the Washington DC Metro area. No matter if it's your First Home, next home or vacation home - I can help and guide you through the entire process.
My experience includes working with Buyers, Sellers AND Renters in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.
* Selling or Buying
* First Time Home Buyers
* Condos or Co ops
* Military Relocations including civilian Personnel for the following DC area Military Bases:
It was very comforting to work with you and that meant a lot to me. Thanks for all your help and the priority you must have given to selling the apartment. I will certainly consult with you for any future real estate needs and recommend you to people I know. Again, thank for your professional, customer oriented services. -Ernest
This was the first home buying experience for both of us and James walked us through the entire process from start to finish. To ensure that we understood every aspect of the home buying experience, James took the time to learn more about us as individuals so that he could mold his search qeuery specifically to our needs/wants. James helped ease many of the questions and uncertainties we had as first time home buyers and remained professional throughout. We truly felt like more than just a client with James. To this day we drop his name to all friends and family searching in the capital region. -Michael Johnson
Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I will call you again and sent any friends I have your way. -SJ
Jim-- a huge thank you for being a terrific realtor and guiding us so well. The whole experience was a pleasure and we enjoyed our time together. We raise our glasses to you and again say thank you for everything. -Jill and Steve
I am so so glad you were my Realtor. You helped me every step of the way. I had no idea how many details there were to the whole process. Thanks again! -Eric
Thanks again for getting my condo sold so fast, especially since the market was so bad right now, I feel lucky to have found you to help me! -Brandon
I Love my place. The neighborhood is great! I'm happy to do anything just yet. I'm very happy and blessed about my purchase. Thanks again for all your hard work. -JJ
It was a pleasure working on this transaction with you. You were so organized and prompt with everything. Thank you and we hope to do business with you again. -Pat; Coldwell Banker
Thank you for everything. I knew I could count on you for your professionalism, quick resolutions and to go out of your way to get things done. It really meant a lot to me. Thanks so much! -Lise
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