I was wondering whether recycling should be made mandatory. Although, many fellow Americans recycle their waste, there are many people who do not. There are so many benefits of recycling, for example recycling saves money, when new products are made from recycled products it takes less energy than if the product was made from virgin material. Recycling also saves natural resources, for example when we recycle a newspaper then we don’t need another tree to further produce that paper product. Plus there is the economic benefit associated with recycling, the whole process creates employment opportunities and contributes to economic development.
In many European Countries and the United Kingdom recycling is a way of life, different containers for a variety of waste products that can be recycled. They take it pretty seriously, and in some of these countries not recycling can result in a nasty fine. The waste collection agencies conduct regular checks of the non-recyclable garbage can, and the discovery of recyclable items will result in a fine.
This raises the question whether the enforced recycling in Europe/UK goes too far and whether recycling should be the personal choice like that that currently exists here in the US?
Arlington’s Green Party placed this referendum on the ballot this year; it basically addressed the question of whether Arlington should have a Housing Authority, which is an independent governmental unit separate from the County Government. Under current state law Arlington County cannot own or operate rental housing. Therefore, when they see a need to develop affordable housing, Arlington partner with developers or non-profit housing operators to create apartments with rents lower than market rate.
The Green Party states that creating a Housing Authority in Arlington would allow the county to purchase own and operate rental housing. They could also turn buildings and lots in an extreme state of neglect and disrepair into affordable housing. Which would make use of run down abandon unsightly property for those in need.
There seems to be disagreement between the Green Party and the Democratic Party on whether activation of a Housing Authority would have access to new sources of revenue. Although, it appears that The County Board would still be the primary source of funding, which comes from local taxes. An authority could also compete for grants but the current housing program can as well.
I can’t help but think that if “it’s not broken then why fix it”. There doesn’t seem to be a huge difference between the current provisions for affordable housing and that which would be brought about if a Housing Authority were created. So after looking at all the facts, it raises the following question, wouldn’t the assemble of a Housing Authority create unnecessary cost, and take from tax dollars that could be put to better use?
Here at Arbour Realty the recent bailout/recue plan has some exciting news for the environmentally friendly nature of our company. Our EcoBrokers are always looking for new ways to advise clients on the benefits of buying or renovating their home with energy conservation in mind. Now the following incentives for solar, wind and geothermal just gives one more financial advantage to reducing ones carbon footprint:
In recent blogs we have talked about the benefits of Solar Power and how it is becoming more affordable, this new legislation is particularly favorable to Solar Power. Homeowners who install a new system can now claim a 30 percent federal tax credit, which brings the initial installation costs down considerable.
Click here for more information on the bill, and when embarking your next home search consider working with an EcoBroker to get the best advice on energy conservation, which will in the long run save you financially and environmentally.
We all want to reduce our energy bills and naturally our impact on the environment. There are many possibilities from small actions like turning down the thermostat, to going full out, and generating our own power. Solar power has been around for several years but is still considered a costly investment, with uncertain future savings. This may all be about to change. A new website called Roofray.com uses technology that can answer these types of questions.
Roofray.com can help you evaluate whether solar is feasible for your roof and help you compare costs. Roofray.com cleverly uses satellite images to help users see for themselves how useful solar arrays might be. The easy solar modeling service even lets you compare utility costs over time. Users simply type in their street address and nearly instantly a rooftop picture of their home appears. Then a few point-and-clicks later you quickly get an estimated percentage of potential for solar, power per square foot, the area of the solar arrays you drew and a total peak power estimate.
For anyone who has ever wondered about the possibilities of solar, this website might just give you the answers you needed to take one more step towards a greener lifestyle. Just one click is all it takes, and the long-term environmental & financial savings could be huge. What’s stopping you from taking a look?
Finding good customer service these days can be a difficult process, and mixing that with the cumbersome issues associated with home loans, can turn the whole process into a horrific experience. Thankfully SunTrust Bank may be able to make life just a little sweeter.
A recent article in the Winston-Salem Journal (NC) (10/21/08) states that Home-loan customers experienced more satisfaction with SunTrust Banks Inc. than any other mortgage originator this year, according to the results of an annual J.D. Power and Associates survey. The Atlanta-based lender earned a score of 790 out of 1,000, placing it ahead of No. 2-ranked National City Corp., No. 3-rankedWachovia Corp., No. 4-ranked Wells & Fargo Co. and No. 5-ranked Bank of America.
Despite a downturn in the housing market and turmoil in the mortgage business, customer satisfaction with the application and approval process, the loan professional, the settlement process and problem resolution was generally higher among the 10 firms monitored. The industry average score was 757 for 2008, up from 750 in the 2007 survey.
Northern Virginia's first green real estate company... we operate as an eco-responsible business and provide a consultative approach to real estate, arming our clients with valuable information.
Arbour Realty combines the best practices of the country's top real estate companies with services that go above and beyond what home buyers and sellers have come to expect. We are proud to be Northern Virginia's first green real estate company.
I should take a step back to explain how we got here. From an early point in my career I learned that a referral based business was far more valuable than an advertising based business. By providing a phenomenal home-buying or selling experience, my clients will want to tell other people about us. Especially if that experience goes beyond the day they settle on their home. A referral is quite simply the act of introducing someone you care about to someone you trust. It is our job to earn that trust. By adhering to this principal I have created one of the most referred teams in Northern Virginia.
What do I mean by Team? If one of us tried to do everything we would fail you miserably. We have found that we can provide a much more consistent experience by breaking up certain parts of the real estate process. At least one person from the Arbour Realty team specializes in each portion of the process. For example: Brooke provides her professional expertise when it comes to helping you find the perfect home. Lisa specializes in making sure all the details are managed correctly and nothing falls through the cracks from the day you write a contract through the day you get to settlement. Sonia makes sure your phenomenal experience continues after you have purchased your home with Arbour Realty. We have a similar system in place for Arbour Realty listings.
Talk is cheap... what is Arbour Realty putting in writing. You can read our Unconditional Guarantee that outlines our commitment to you. It includes items such as Zero Transaction Fees, No Pressure Purchasing and your Satisfaction Guarantee. The list is actually quite expansive and I hope that you will review it in detail before selecting a Realtor to help you buy or sell a home.
At the heart of Arbour Realty is our commitment to helping you understand and benefit from green home living. Whether you are motivated by energy cost savings, increased comfort or environmental responsibility there is a mountain of opportunity. Let us guide you. Every Arbour Realty is agent is EcoBroker Certified, which puts us at the upper echelon of Realtors when it comes to understanding green building practices and renovations.
Does Arbour Realty practice what it preaches? You bet! We are what some people refer to as carbon negative. The energy used in our office is offset by wind power. Arbour Realty is an EPA Green Power Partner. Through a partnership with The Arbour Day Foundation the energy used in our cars is offset by newly planted trees. We take advantage of every opportunity to eliminate the use of paper and transportation. For those exceptions we rely on recycled materials. Even our yard signs are made of Paperstone.
We invite you to send us your questions. We encourage you to meet with us for a free, no-pressure consultation.
Adam Gallegos, Principal Broker of Arbour Realty
First Time Home Buyers in Arlington or Fairfax County. I love helping people take this huge step in their lives. From a selfish standpoint, it is rewarding to me. From an unselfish standpoint, I understand how important it is to explain everything along the way. I don't advertise and work primarily by referral. It allows me to spend extra time with each of my clients because I'm not running around chasing a bunch of leads. Quality vs. Quantity.
There is no better gage of my success than the results I help my clients achieve. Below are some examples of the experiences my current clients are having when they work with me.
I was recently voted the DC area's No. 2 real estate agent in Washington City Paper. Thank you for all the votes
"Going into our first monumental financial decision, purchasing a home, we were nervous, excited, and overwhelmed. We consulted friends and family for ideas, and finally discovered that we were ready to find a real estate agent. When we spoke with Adam, we immediately knew he was different. He focused on our needs and let us direct the first conversation. We immediately made connections, and his interest and commitment to the environment was a meaningful bonus. -Sam Gould & Alexa Ball, The Hawthorn Condominium --- "When Giwon and I decided to start looking for our first home, we knew we needed someone who was extremely knowledgeable of the local market and would be patient with us as we learned the process of home buying. Adam scored extremely high on both accounts. From day one Adam was very patient and worked to develop a personal relationship with us. His approach was actually quite simple: First he listened to what we were looking for, and then he took us out and showed it to us. --- "Just like buying your first home, selling your first home can be a very emotional (and sometimes stressful) experience. Adam’s attention to detail and marketing approach proved to my husband and me that we were in good hands. We had to relocate to California before our home sold, and Adam continued to provide us with the best quality service through to the closing via emails and phone calls. We still have many friends in the DC/VA area and we highly recommend them using Adam as their realtor." -Jessica Smith, The Odyssey --- "I was a first time home buyer and didn't know all that much about the process. After our initial meeting, Adam identified one property that he felt suited both me and my requirements perfectly. Once we got in to see the place, he was absolutely correct. He got me the price I needed and when any hiccups arose throughout the process, he was proactive in seeking an immediate solution. From day one until closing, everything went as smoothly as can be expected. -Kirk Lawrence, 1800 Wilson --- "This was Ryan's and my first time buying, and Adam helped make the process run smoothly. He is knowledgable and willing to take the time to educate his clients. Ryan and I always felt that Adam was looking out for our best interest. He made our first home buying experience less stressful because we knew we had someone supporting our decisions." -Nicole Strohmaier & Ryan Weber, Glen at Goose Creek --- "As a first-time homebuyer, Adam expertly guided me through the entire process from selecting the right home to closing the deal. He continued to work with me well after settlement to ensure that every aspect of my purchase was in place, and had also repeatedly gone well beyond his responsibilities as a realtor on my behalf." -Colleen Choi, The Continental --- "I wanted to thank you for the incredible service you provided for us in selling our condo. This was the second time we had participated in a real estate exchange and they were completely different worlds. Initially when we purchased our condo, as you know, we had a very difficult time with our real estate agent in particular. The experience with you was completely different. Not only do we appreciate your honesty and loyalty, as your client but the fact that you took the time to help implement some of your suggestions (i.e. patch walls, paint, etc.), gave us an entirely different outlook on your profession, that was tainted, due to our previous experience. Jaclyn and I have no doubt that we have found a real estate agent for life in you. Thank you." -Ercin & Jaclyn Gobuluk, Market Street Condominiums at Reston Town Center --- "I’m the proud new owner of a Penthouse at the Wooster Lofts – 1600 Clarendon Blvd. in Arlington. I’ve been working with Adam Gallegos for a couple years now and have been so thankful to have his assistance through some unfortunately painful times. I have a conversion in Tyson’s corner that has been a real problem with renters, property management, and willingness to be reasonable on topics that would annoy any owner/landlord. Adam guided me through all of this and was the go between in many cases when my work took me away unexpectedly. I was set to buy a property at the Palantine at Courthouse in Arlington. They decided my terrace entrance should become not accessible by putting a window where a door goes. To make matters worse they sent me, “we’re not going to fix it”. Adam helped me coordinate legal council, apply pressure on the owners, get my deposit back with interest, and stayed on top of people daily to keep things moving. So I was left without a home and my investment over a year ago, returning no fruit. Adam introduced me to the Wooster & Mercer Lofts and helped me write a contingent contract on one of the most unique units I have ever seen. He helped me get the special things I wanted at a great price and within weeks we were off and running on a dream property. As in any new construction there were a ton of things on the punch list. Adam managed all that to include doing the walk-through because I was again called away unexpectedly by work. Adam introduced me to a moving coordinator that got me a great price and specific services I needed. He also introduced me to a reasonable decorator to help me get my old and new place looking good. I’ve been so pleased working with Adam, that I cannot see taking any other approach in the future. I just don’t have the time, knowledge, or patience for all the things involved in acquiring property and it’s really nice to work with someone I completely trust. -Sean McLaughlin, Wooster and Mercer Lofts --- "Although the process was over nine months, Adam took the time to show me every single place I was interested in seeing and really showed me the pros and cons of each condo. There were times where I was unsure about buying and he was understanding and patient with me and my dad the entire time. At times I felt as if Adam was buying the place because he seemed so engaged in the entire process and was willing to fight for anything I requested. I really appreciate his dedication and hard work. I will definitely refer him to the rest of my friends and family! Keep up the good work Adam!" -Bansri Patel, Halstead Condominiums at Dunn Loring Metro --- "As a first time home buyer, I really appreciated Adam's guidance and experience. He made the home buying process seem easy, which it is not. He was always on top of things, such as where we were in the process and what else was left to be done. Adam took the time to explain real estate terms and always made sure I was comfortable with what we were trying to do." -TJ Chen, Halstead Condominiums at Dunn Loring Metro ---
As we have a background in sales, we were not surprised that several real estate agents we spoke with immediately bypassed questions concerning our needs and instead focused on their primary objectives: how much and how fast.
Adam spent several weekends driving us around the Arlington area as we attempted to narrow our search; first we wanted a town home, and then a duplex, and finally found that a condo best fit our needs. However, without Adam's patience and commitment, we would never have found the correct match for us.
After Adam helped us through the negotiation process, I had questions-- daily questions-- and each one received a diligent and thoughtful response. He knew how important and how big this decision was to us and responded to our needs as though we were his only client.
The most remarkable act by Adam came after our settlement date, when most real estate agents would have had long said goodbye and good luck. When we went to our newly acquired unit, we found that the electricity was no longer working for half our condo. We were frustrated and confused, but since we had such an excellent rapport with Adam, we gave him a call to see what options he would recommend. He told us that our agreement carried a one-year builder's warranty that should cover our problem, but if it did not, he would pay for any expenses that came with getting an electrician. That was above and beyond!
We plan on having Adam work with us when we sell our condo and we have recommended him to all of our friends."
Throughout the process of searching for and purchasing our home we became convinced that Adam really was representing our interests, even at the expense of his own. For example, we were ready to put a bid on one condo but told Adam we just wanted to see a few more buildings. We were expecting him to show us crappy places to confirm our desire to bid on the first place. Instead he showed us the home we’re currently living in, which is nicer, in a better location, and cheaper!
We can honestly say that we couldn’t have purchased our home without Adam’s help. We relied on Adam throughout the entire process not only find places we were interested in, but also for advice on the entire home-buying process. Adam was always available to answer any questions we had, which were many, and actually made the entire process seem easy. We would recommend Adam to anyone searching for a guide to Northern VA real estate."
-Fred Vellucci and Giwon Jeong, 1800 Wilson
That being said, the real measure of Adam's commitment to his clients is in his involvement after the closing. He's made me aware of potential tax breaks that I might qulaify for. He's kept me abreast of the changes in the market and how they affect my property. He's even provided me with maintenance information that should help increase the re-sale of my property down the road. While I might not be in the market to buy another place for a number of years, Adam still keeps in touch with me on a monthly, if not weekly, basis.
Looking back on the entire process, what more could you expect from a realtor? He didn't waste my time showing me places that didn't meet my needs or price. He was always prepared, and his knowledge of both the real estate market and my property was unmatched. He was patient with me when I needed him to explain parts of the process, and his skills as a negotiator saved me thousands of dollars. I hesitate to say that Adam was my realtor. Rather, he is and will remain my realtor for as long as I'm in the area."
"Adam did a superb job of making sure that I found the most suitable home for me that I could find. He was very patient, informative, helpful, and overall a great agent." -James McDonald, Westlee Condominium --- "As crazy as home buying/selling can be, with many uncertainties, one thing that we could always count on was Adam. He always came through in the clutch. At one point we were on the verge of being homeless, but Adam was there to keep us calm and make sure we found our dream home. Adam truly made our home buying and selling experience a great one. Not only has Adam found us our dream home, he has made many of our friends equally as happy. We can honestly say that not only is Adam our Real Estate Agent, but also a very good friend. "Adam approached our search for a home as if he was looking for himself. He was encouraging when we got frustrated and counseled caution when we became overly buoyant. It's good to have Adam on your side."
-Manan Shah & Swati Raval, The Odyssey Condominium
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"My experience as a first time homebuyer was both exciting and terrifying. Although I knew I wanted to buy a home of my own, I did not know about the housing market, warrantees, loans or anything else that goes along with buying a home. Not only was I in need of a good realtor to guide me through a variety of condos, I needed somebody who could explain how to inspect a home, what to look for in a neighborhood and the responsibilities of being a homeowner. I may have been asking for a little much, but I wanted the same comfort, security and confidence in my realtor as I do in my doctor, and I definitely go what I was looking for! I was lucky to have found Adam, after being turned off by one of the top realtors in Arlington, who seemed to solely care about his commission and did not have the patience and time to deal with a timid first time homebuyer (with A LOT of questions) such as myself. I valued Adam’s support and experienced opinion as I eliminated condo after condo in search of the one that was just right for me, and within my fixed priced range. Through this lengthy process, Adam was continually patient with me on ALL aspects of purchasing a home; to include helping me through the loan process which was the most frightening to me. Even my lender appreciated Adam’s assistance, as Adam had a special way of explaining things to my understanding. I was always made to feel like I was Adam’s #1 client and priority, although I know he had a list of other clients…whom I’m sure had much bigger budgets. My experience ended with Adam finding me the most perfect condo right in the heart of Shirlington! And to top that, after Adam negotiated on the asking price, I was under my budget! Adam will truly be my real estate consultant for life!"
-Teresa Palladino, Shirlington Village Condomium
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“Being a first-time home buyer, it was a totally new experience for me, and also a scary one! Luckily, I found Adam through a condo he had listed on Craigslist. That one was not for me, but with his guidance and expertise, the home-buying process was seamless and actually a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. His devotion and care for his clients, dedication to finding his clients the perfect home and patience throughout the process, which can sometimes take a while, is unbeatable. However, for me, it was his honesty and genuine sincerity that makes him stand out from others in this business – he was even able to help me find a loan! With Adam, not only will you get amazing service from an outstanding Realtor, but you will also gain a friend. A first-time homebuyer couldn’t ask for anything more - thanks again for everything Adam!”
-Anna Chang, 1800 Wilson Condominium
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"When my fiancé and I decided to take the big step toward homeownership, we were expecting the whole process to be complicated and time consuming. In more than one occasion the ominous prospect of going thru all that made us double think/doubt our readiness to move forward on this new endeavor. While we knew the importance in picking the right Realtor to guide us thru the jungle of the real estate world, we did not know how VITAL it was. In that aspect, I have to say that we were lucky to find Adam Gallegos. After going from one realtor to another, we were pretty much overjoyed when we came across Adam Gallegos. He was what countless others were not – driven, insightful, knowledgeable, dedicated and - the quality that in our case won us over – patient, very patient. Lets face it, as first time homeowners we were picky – very picky. We wanted our first home to be just perfect. Our quest took close to three months! Yes, three long months. Week after week, be in DC, Virginia and MD, Adam showed us to countless homes for sale. He was able to quickly capture the qualities/style of properties we were interested in, and was always available to take us to see a home at a short notice. It took us that long to find a home because we were very, very, very picky. Through all that time we truly appreciated Adam’s “no pressure” approach. Through out the whole process of buying a home, we never felt pressured/rushed by Adam. That, in my opinion, is one of the most important qualities in a Realtor. If you are thinking about buying a home don’t underestimate the importance of finding a good Realtor. In our case we consider ourselves very lucky to have worked with Adam, and I bet you will too if you make Adam Gallegos your agent."
-David Bendana & Roxanna Flores, Annandale Townhouse
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“Without Adam, my husband and I would not own our gorgeous Lake Home. When we found the vacation home of our dreams we also found out that it had a contract on it. Most realtors would have steered us towards the next house however Adam did just the opposite. He researched the situation to see if it made sense to put a back up contract onto the house. Long story short we have been enjoying our second home thanks to Adam aligning his business basics to his Customer, which is clearly his number one priority.”
-Caren Bonamassa & Family, Lake Holiday Vacation Home
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“When Adam listed our house he said that the average days on the market was 90 + days, well Adam got it under contract within 60! Adam introduced us to the “Beacon” which alerts the home owner that the showing had been completed and we could go home we really enjoyed having the latest technology being a family of 4. Adam was available day or night to answer questions and we had lots of questions. Not one time did he not have an answer for us he really knows this business and really puts 110% into each of his client’s properties. He really treats you like you are his only client. I would recommend Adam Gallegos to anyone buying or selling a home he really has it together and we couldn’t have sold as quickly with anyone else!”
-Natasha Grotke & Family, Herndon House
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"There is a very good reason his client base is growing... even with all of the market fluctuations. Adam's professionalism, knowledge and experience have made him stand apart from other professionals. He is willing to go the extra mile and is able to deal with the toughest of situations in order to get someone into the right home for them. I am extremely happy with the home I have bought and believe it or not it was the first home we looked at...I told him what I wanted and he knew right where to go!"
-David Beabout, Penderbrook Square Condominium
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"My first home buying experience was free of any "sales presentations" and additional pressure, thanks to having someone I now consider a friend guide me through the entire process. Adam made every effort to ensure that I had all the relevant information I needed to be comfortable with my decision. I ended up purchasing a home that was everything that I was looking for. I fully appreciate Adam's approach to personal care for his clients, and he still remains in touch with messages and tips that help me as a homeowner."
-Ankit Patel, 1800 Wilson Condominium
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"Adam was a great Real Estate Agent to work with! He took extra time in the beginning to understand what I did and did not want in buying my first house. He was also considerate in finding the right house for my dog “Diamond.” What I like most about Adam was how he was available to answer any questions during and after the purchase of my home. He really made my first home buying experience a success. I would recommend him to all my friends and family. Thanks Adam!"
-Melissa McDaniel & Diamond, Lorton Townhouse
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"Adam was very patient and thorough regarding the requirements that I had about buying a condo. He was very knowledgeable about area in which I was interested in purchasing and consistently assisted me throughout the entire buying process until the closing date. Thanks, Adam!"
-Lin Lux, Renaissance 2230 Condominium
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"Adam approached our search for a home as if he was looking for himself. He was encouraging when we got frustrated and counselled caution when we became overly buoyant. It's good to have Adam on your side." -Lucrecia Ledesma & Lukas Kohler, Washington DC House
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