Amanda S. Davidson

Evergreene Homes is offering a “muddy boots” tour of The Promenade at Landsdowne Town Center on November 6, 2011 from 1-4pm.

The 4 level townhouse style condos are in the framing stages and this is a chance to have one of the first looks at the homes. The community is going to feature 13 homes all over 3,700 square feet with 2 car garages, 4 levels with private elevator, gourmet kitchens and 2 terraces.

Children under 18 are not permitted on this tour. It’s highly recommended you wear closed toe shoes and dress appropriately for everyone’s safety. Hard hats will be provided by Evergreene Homes.

To learn more about Evergreene homes visit their website.

Directions to the event:

From Route 267 (Dulles toll road) take exit 4 (Belmont Ridge Road) follow Belmont across route 7 and then make a right on Promenade Drive. Follow Promenade into the town center and then make a left on Diamond Lake Drive. End at 19360 Diamond Lake Drive on your right.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest is located in Dickerson, Maryland and is the place to go in the DC Metro area if you’re looking for a scare. I won’t go into details as I don’t want to ruin the surprise but, I’ve never been so scared at any Halloween related forest, house, or field in my life. I strongly recommend lacing your Nike’s extra tight before you go in!

Tickets must be purchased in advance online or at a participating restaurant in Poolesville. You can go to their website to find out the restaurant names or to get tickets. They open at dusk and don’t close until everyone is through however on Friday/Saturday you must be parked by 10:30pm and all other days by 9:30pm.

It’s truly an experience you will never forget and I highly recommend it for a fun night of adventure!

Park Crest in Tysons Corner is now selling! Park Crest is the premiere new building in Tysons Corner with fabulous amenities that include underground parking, state of the art fitness center and massage studio, 18^th floor pool/sun terrace, 18^th floor sky bar and a gorgeous library/club room. The Harris Teeter and Starbucks are now open and literally steps away from Park Crest. Certain homes have views of the National Capital skyline. The first tower boasts 19 stories and offers one bedrooms, two bedrooms and penthouses. Homes start from the 300’s and range up to 2 million.

Check out the Park Crest website for more info including floor plans, if you’re interested in setting up a tour call me today!

Photo courtesy of parkcrestliving.com

I’ve seen quite a few posts regarding seller’s and their pets and want to share my most recent encounter.

It started out very normal, I called the owners to set the appointment for my buyers and I to come tour the house – I saw on the listing, “call first pet” so I asked if the animal would be locked up. “Oh yes, said the owner. We have a small dog and he will be in his crate in the laundry room.” We arrived to the house right on time and I accessed the lockbox and opened the door. The next thing I know I was greeted by a dog attaching himself to my calf. There were no warning signs, no barking – nothing. I’m about as animal friendly as people come and recognize warning signs but, there just weren’t any, I didn’t realize there was even a dog near the door. Fortunately, as I yelled at the dog he released and backed off.

We promptly shut the door to the house locked it and assessed my leg. I’ll of course be fine but, the damage is significant and could have all been avoided. I called the listing agent to request the dog’s vaccination records as a precaution. I happen to have worked with her before and she couldn’t have been more apologetic or professional but, what really threw me off was the owner’s response. He took it upon himself to call me directly, still having my number from when I set the appointment. There was no apology, no are you okay – nothing. The first thing he said “what did you do to him?” I beg your pardon sir? He went on and on about how nice his dog is “he’d never bite anyone” etc…etc…etc. I let him talk and then I let him have it. Number one your dog did bite so never say never and number two I didn’t do anything except access a house that I’d set an appointment for under the agreement the dog would be in a crate. Your dog is protecting HIS house and when you’re not there that instinct is multiplied.

The point is pets need to be locked up or removed from the house. I understand if owners don’t want to put them in a crate if that’s not what they’re used too but, that means the owner needs to be prepared to remove them from the house for every showing! It’s not the dog’s responsibility to act accordingly it’s the owner.

Urban Halo is located on Clarendon Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. I visit the salon every month to have my eyebrows waxed. The salon is clean and well organized with a very friendly staff. Parking is free if you park a few blocks away off of Fillmore in the retail parking garage or if you want to be closer meter parking is typically available. There are plenty of places much closer to my house but, I would travel almost anywhere that Gina Kirchert works. Gina and I met when she signed up on my website a few years ago and I helped her with some real estate transactions. Little did I know that Gina was the queen of esthetician's and has become the only person I’ll go to for spa procedures.

If you’re looking for a relaxing massage, facial, or a top notch wax session check out Urban Halo salon and ask for an appointment with Gina.