My husband and I got married in April and we used that cutesie little website theknot.com. Apparently, after we were married, the website converted automatically to thenest.com so that we could be kept in their ever evolving loop to the masses of people who feed into their articles and what have you. The interesting thing is that every once in a while, I get a little email from thenest.com sharing a fun tidbit of information targeted at the newly wed looking to nest. Ha. I guess I am one of the masses. Yes, I fed into their strategy and poked around on their site this afternoon because I had a moment of lapsed concentration or weakness. Or something.
Click here to read more about the Empty Nest
Find out more about Green Real Estate.
During the month of October, Arbour Realty has teamed up with Chris Conway to give away a free home energy audit to a home owner or future home owner in Northern Virginia. To enter, just send and email to info@arbourrealty.com with Green Gobbler in the subject line.
Working at Arbour Realty, I hear about home energy audits quite a bit, but was curious as to what exactly they entailed and the benefits a home owner should expect to receive. To answer these questions I had the opportunity to speak with Chris Conway (aka The Green Gobbler) President of Conway Construction, LLC, who specializes in home energy auditing and green building.
Chris has an extensive background in building but wanted to focus on the next generation of high performance home building and optimizing energy efficiency. Chris studied at Southface Energy Institute and became a Certified Home Energy Rater through Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). He then partnered with EarthCraft House Virginia, a regional authority of green building. Since its inception in 1999 over 500 homes have been certified under the EarthCraft House Virginia program and typically can save upwards of 30% in energy efficiency savings.
A typical home energy audit costs between $450-$600, and what I really wanted to know was what kind of savings a homeowner could see from making this initial investment. Chris demonstrated to me that most improvements are very low cost with a great rate of return. They can easily be done by a homeowner with a little get up and go. For example, even in 2009 in a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of many people's mind, it is estimated that 90-95% of builders do not consider air leakage when building new homes. During the energy audit if air leakage is identified it can be rectified for as little as $300 and this alone can save around $200-$300 a year in energy costs. Chris described other energy saving measures that can be implemented as a result of the energy audit which have significant long term financial savings, and which would pay for the initial audit in less than a year.
Chris recently performed a home energy audit for Ross Atkinson, a home owner in Alexandria Virginia. Ross described the audit as "eye opening, fun, and incredibly educational with practical solutions for today and insight to longer term opportunities. Truly motivating!"
Chris explains that the single most important benefit of a home energy audit is the homeowner education. Too many homeowners don't understand the importance of a tight building envelope and its long term return on investment. I wasn’t surprised when Chris stated that when most people think about energy efficiency they think about appliances, but according to the Department of Energy only 9% of your total energy bill comes from appliance usage, whereas 43% comes from heating and cooling. With the right information you are empowered to make decisions that will provide the biggest bang for the buck.
According to Chris, energy efficiency is the foundation towards reaching your overall goal when building a green home. Energy efficient homes are estimated to cost around 3-5% more to build, but depending on which building standards the home is built under it can save the owner between 15- 30% in energy savings.
Chris recommends an energy audit for anyone interested in making home improvements, improving air quality, saving money on energy bills, increasing comfort, mitigating moisture problems, or reducing your carbon footprint. During our conversation he mentioned a startling fact that recent EPA data states 1 in 5 families have a member with respiratory problems and a typical home can actually have up to 3 to 4 times more contaminates on the inside compared to the outside. This could explain why a large percentage of today’s children seem to have allergies and breathing issues. A simple home energy audit can address these types of environmental issues.
After my discussion with Chris, it seems to make smart financial sense to invest in a home energy audit. Naturally finding a good auditor is important. Some energy auditors are happy to conduct the audit, tell you that your home is not energy efficient and then walk away with your money leaving you dazed and confused. A good auditor like Chris Conway will spend the time to explain what changes need to be made and educate you on the efficiency of your home.
Chris hopes to see building codes improve within the next 3 years, becoming more focused on environment standards and energy efficiency. He also predicts that through education the home owner will have higher expectations and will not buy from builders who do not convey. It is time for everyone to pay close attention to where their hard earned dollars are going.
My conversation with Chris was very enlightening, I appreciate him taking the time out of his busy day to educate me on the basics of a home energy audit, and now I completely understand why home energy efficiency and the future of green building is his passion.
-Lisa Tsoupelis
Contact Chris Conway for information about home energy audits and EarthCraft House Virginia standards.
*The Green Gobbler*
Conway Construction, LLC
M: 540-818-2437
F: 866-786-2609
Web: www.conwaygreenconstruction.com
Organic and natural products on average do seem to be more expensive compared to other non organic and natural brands. As much as we all care about the environment and the quality of the food we eat, we also have to consider our pocketbooks.
In the last year I have noticed that more supermarkets are starting to introduce their own store brand of organic and natural products, which seem in general to be more competitively priced. Back 10 years ago my mother would of never considered buying store name brands, due to the lower quality stereotype. These days most store brand products are of the same quality as that of well known brands.
Therefore, next time you are debating the price of a organic or natural product over a standard non eco-friendly product, take a few minutes to investigate whether the store offers it own brand. I have also noticed that name brand companies are also starting to offer organic and natural products, and a majority of the time there is not much of a price difference. Detergents, cleaning products, canned items, dairy, fresh produce are all available. Buying these store brand organic & natural products not only helps save the environment, improves the quality of the food you eat and is kind to your wallet.
Lisa Tsoupelis
A Modern Oasis in the Heart Of Arlington VirginiaYou may have driven by the latest creations of Advantage Properties and admired the exterior finishes without giving thought to the oasis that has been created inside. These magnificently constructed green-built homes have all of the modern conveniences that a luxury home-buyer would expect with the added bonus of having a tiny carbon footprint- comparably speaking.
Both homes are built to exceed the standards for EarthCraft House and Arlington Green Home Choice. EarthCraft is a regional program that serves as a blueprint for healthy comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. According to EarthCraft, their program follows a systems approach to home building that stresses an understanding of how the different components of a home work together. This approach results in a home that performs better, is more economical for the homeowner and costs little more to build than a comparable home built with standard construction practices. Arlington Green Home Choice is a similar program created specifically for homes within Arlington County.
Builder, Barry Seymour and his team of professionals built 4211 and 4215 North 15th Street in a darling corner of Waverly Hills with the grand idea of highly sustainable and beautifully luxurious single family homes for any DC Metro family who wanted the location, amenities and quality construction that only his team could provide. A quick walk to the Ballston Metro, wonderful family-owned shops and boutiques; this home is in a great walkable neighborhood with an eclectic blend of culture and confidence that makes a well established area.
You could stand at the front window of these homes looking out to the hustle and bustle of 66 below, but not hear a sound. It is a beautiful thing. The reason is that these homes are fully wrapped and insulated with R-3 ½ structural insulated sheathing for increased insulation making the homes breathable, yet oh-so-quite. This insulation prevents thermal bridging and heat loss which in turn increases comfort and prevents drafts and air leakage into the home. The walls, ceilings and attic have also been densely packed with blown-in cellulose insulation. This creates a tighter building envelope for the home and increased efficiency and comfort while aiding in the decrease of noise pollution. Remember that the reduction of noise and light pollution are elements of green design. The other beautiful thing about the insulation is that these homes are not going to leak that precious cool air in the summer, or the glowing warmth of the heater in the winter. These homes are sealed and ready to save some lucky home owners some major bucks when running the HVAC system.Let’s talk technology. Each of these homes is a tight ship. It almost feels like you have walked into a command center, lights are blinking indicating smooth sailing… the water heater, all of the low-voltage stereo and home automation systems as well as the HVAC and air purification systems are housed in the walk-out basement's control room of the home, which is where all of these items are stored and maintained. The healthy lifestyle brought to you by these homes would not be complete without the amazing air purification system that truly allows for the homeowner to breath easy. The homes are equipped with a airplus certified vent system that is timer controlled in the garage to deter any noxious gases from entering the homes through the garage. The ERV energy recovery ventilations system pumps stale air out of the homes and pulls in fresh air for a consistently fresh and clean air supply; this system is set to cycle about eight times a day. The home’s RenewAire EV300 HVI certified system is a high quality system that houses a four inch pleated media filter to catch all pollen, dander and floating particles that any other filter would pass right back through for everyone to breathe in. I was told not to look into the light… the ultra violet filter attached to the Guardian air purification system reduces odors, air pollutants and kills bacteria, viruses and mold in the air before cycling it back into the home. This gives healthy living a whole new meaning! The 15+ SEER top of the line Carrier system has been duct tested to ensure that the HVAC is the correct amount of conditioning for the thermal envelope, or the conditioned space. This means that the air conditioner is not “too much for the house” and that the homeowner will be running the machine at top efficiency and with little to no leakage within the actual home. The result is a heating and cooling system that is over 50% more efficient then you would find in comparable homes. Of course, both homes are outfitted with top of the line programmable thermostats.
In the mid morning light, every room is bathed in a sunglow. None of the lights are on in the house, but you have a perfect light in all of the rooms with windows. What is the meaning of this? The home has been positioned on the lot for the maximum use of sunlight, but allowing for the proper shading during the glaring mid-day sun. This is a design technique that is used in green building to ensure that homeowners can take full advantage of the daylight and save on energy. As the glow passes through the low-e windows, you can see the modern twist on Arts and Crafts styling through the larger scale trim details at the base, door surrounds, thresholds and moldings. Even the light fixtures in their brushed nickel glory shine through in true Arts and Crafts style. The fixtures exude the craftsman design touches with period architectural detailing such as the coffered ceilings, wainscoting and thickly stylized base moldings. The homes are painted in light and bright neutral tones and typically, the lighter the color, you guessed it, the lower the volatile organic compounds or VOCs we hear about so much. This means that there is less toxic fume associated with the products used to finish the homes.
The interior finishes scream of the luxury one would expect homes of this caliber, it almost makes you forget that you’re walking through a home that is 38% more efficient than the same home built to current Building Code in Virginia. The oak hardwoods wrap the entire main and second floors as well as a beautifully crafted stairway that leads to the basement, as well. Part of having a home that is designed for healthy living is allowing for the home to have at least 80% of the flooring to be hard surfaced. Both 15th Street homes achieve this with the oak hardwoods as well as the travertine in all of the bathrooms. The master suite's spa bathroom draw your attention with modern and clean neutral color palette of travertine in a herringbone pattern on the floor which leads to an oversized infiniti bathtub, or a glass enclosed full shower experience with multiple rainheads and shower tiles. The glass enclosure to the shower is about six inches shy of being a steam shower, but it is truly awe inspiring. Leaving the master suite, to view the four other bedrooms and three and a half other baths, this home is healthy living with modern comfort kept in mind. No luxury home would be complete without a gourmet kitchen. The builders had a chef in mind with the beautiful Wolf appliance package and Sub Zero refrigerators. The kitchens gleam with granite. The hard surface is both beautiful and functional. Like the rest of the home’s cabinetry, the kitchens have Arts and Crafts style cabinets made by a vendor who is environmentally friendly.
When you aren’t enjoying the great living space inside, you can set out into the large backyard which is complete with two outdoor living spaces. From the main level, a deck entirely constructed of the environmentally friendly Trex and Aztek trim boards, maintenance free and incredibly durable product which will not rot like wood, allows for a tree top view of the yard and space to relax and enjoy the outdoors from just a step away from the kitchen and main entertaining area. Access to the covered outdoor living area is available from two sets of French paned doors in the walk out basement; not only does this add livable square footage to the home, but also a sense of bringing the outdoors in with these two additional living areas which allow the homeowner to enjoy their investment in the city.
The Arts and Crafts nature of the homes are completed outside with HardiePlank siding which is super durable and easy to maintain. The roof is a combination of metal and fiberglass which are again, incredibly durable and are rated at a fifty year life, in lieu of the typical thirty year that one would see with a composite roof system. Gutters lead the water run-off away from the home, but if the homeowner wants to step it up a notch and harvest the water for irrigation or even possible storage and purification, a cistern could easily be added to the over-sized lot. The landscaping is in a more traditional style, but is still holding true to the sustainability factor with native Virginia plants peppered along the front deck and curb. The paver drive adds character and also allows for proper water drainage. The pavers were utilized on the back downstairs patio, too. Custom carriage garage doors complete the Arts and Crafts look of the homes from the outside; when you roll into your garage, you can shut the door remember that the health of air inside of the home is protected by layers of purification systems and a smarter home.
Sometimes it feels like a solid home that is energy efficient, comfortable and packed full of the modernity that everyone strives for these days is out of reach, but it isn’t. You can find it on the edge of Ballston along North 15th Street.
October 10th through the 11th, Washington DC welcomes back the sixth annual Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America.
Built on the strong foundation of environmental conservation and education, Green Festival™ is the nation’s largest green affair which can claim the bragging rights as a zero-waste event! With the Green Festival™ project, Global Exchange has the vision to create “people-centered globalization that values the rights of workers and the health of the planet; that prioritizes international collaboration as central to ensuring peace; and that aims to create a local, green economy designed to embrace the diversity of our communities.” And nearly three decades into Green America’s initiative, they are still standing steadfast to their commitment to “work on issues of social justice and environmental responsibility” by educating the masses through events and programs such as this year’s Green Festival™. How much more passionate can you get about your global family?!
Read more about 2009 Washington DC Green Festival.
Also, check out the latest Arlington VA Real Estate for sale.
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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