Suzanne Leedy, CRS, epro500

We live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, and if there ever was a 'good thing' about the future, the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States will not only add more consumer confidence...but that alone is adding 18,000 jobs to our neighborhoods! That doesn't mean 18,000 new people will be coming in with the Democrats....but it is job growth...and when most of the country is loosing jobs, this can only be good for our market.

The most important job right now is getting back to the basics of real estate....getting your listing presentation finely tuned, keeping in contact with past clients and giving them information they need and can actually use. Go to educational classes given by lenders to keep current with the new loan programs...learn new technology.

Just a note about the local market...we are seeing real signs of change....the closer you are to DC, the better. We are still seeing multiple contracts and homes are selling! If you go farther out, but still in commuting distance to DC, the market is WILD! Prince William county, full of foreclosures and short sales, the increases are in the triple digits over last year. Learn to do short sales and actually go back to why you went into Real Estate in the first place, to help people!

Go to my website http://www.suzanneleedy.com and click on the "market watch" section to read all about the local market in the October Stat Pack.

Realtors tend to be optomistic people in their genes...we need to be the cheerleaders for people in this tough economic climate! Be happy and think positively.... and remember "Thoughts become things, choose the good ones"!

Hi, this is new for me...so give me a break! I am a full-time real estate professional working with buyers and sellers in the "close to DC" counties of Fairfax, Arlington, cities of Alexandria and Falls Church. I live in the Kingstowne area and my office is in Arlington, so I get around!

Regardless of what we see and hear from the media, the Northern Virginia area is less affected by the declining home market than a lot of areas of the country. If the home is well priced and in good condition, it is selling. The price declines of the past year have begun to creep back up....and based on the latest numbers from the Northern Virginia Board of Realtors...I honestly think we have hit the bottom. While this may not be true for condos (depending on the building/community) they too are beginning to show some activity.

If you are considering going after a bargain (foreclosures and short sales), there are some great opportunities out there. This could be the best time to snag an investment property in the last five years. As a buyer, if the property is listed as a "short sale", you will need to have the fortitude to wait for an answer from the bank...now taking about 4 weeks. But, in the end you will come out ahead, usually paying 10-20% below market.

Just let me know what questions/concerns you may have and I will answer them, or find the expert who will.

Honestly and promptly to allay your hesitation!

It's a beautiful day in Alexandria, spring has sprung, finally!