Tanya Spotts Loudoun County Real Estate, Blogger

4az65hbjed

Just want to pass this information to everyone that September 26th is Safety Saturday. This is a fantastic site. The local Lowes Stores are helping to kick off Fire Safety Month with The Home Safety Council® (HSC) to help you make the most of Fire Safety

I was in a hotel fire years ago. We never think it can happen to us.

Please check out Home Safety Council's Safety Guide.

Even though I was not in my home, but was a guest at a major hotel, I think you will find the subject matter very important and something worth thinking and discussing with your family.
Because of my past career as a flight attendant, I found myself staying in hotels all over the world. I am lucky that I was trained in hotel fire safety and what we should do if we found ourselves in our room when a hotel fire occurs.


The very first thing you should always do after checking into your room is look for the nearest exit. I happen to do so that day. I retired early that evening and was awaken about 1:30 am by a faint knock on my door. As I turned over to go back to sleep, I smelled a faint odor of smoke. Of course, I did what most people would do; I got up and looked outside my door. The heavy black smoke took me by such surprise. In the distance, I heard someone say, "everyone is out!"

I WAS NOT OUT! I grabbed my robe and started to crawl toward what I remember to be the exit. The sign I had remembered seeing earlier was blurred. I was somewhat disoriented and confused. After all, I had just been awakened only seconds before and could not believe this wasn't a dream! A pilot who was staying near by knocked on doors as he made his way to the exit. Thank God, I heard the knock, I never heard the fire alarm!!

I reached the fire stairs and yelled to anyone who was there, "I'm here." The fireman below yelled for me to keep coming. I did escape unharmed, but the memory still haunts me today- it has been over 20 years ago. The fire was discovered to be electrical and in the elevator shaft.

Now for some advice...
Always check for your nearest exit.
Take hotel keys with you in case you must find refuge and return to your room.

First test the door before opening to see if it is HOT! If it is, do not open it. ( it is better to use the back of your hands making sure not to burn your fingers.)

Begin to fill bath tub with water. Soak towels and place under the door so as to block any smoke.

Always call 911 and let them know where you are, your room and floor number.

I am not the expert on hotel fires, but if this gets more discussion about fire safety, I am all for it. Most people are so excited to be on vacation, they never think about hotel fires.

By the way, I have had many times my good night's sleep was disturbed by fire alarms. I always take them seriously.

Now I am a professional Realtor- Homes are my specialty. I want to keep my firends and clients safe and happy.

Tanya Spotts
Long & Foster Realtors, Inc.
www.This SpotsForYou.com
Tanya.Spotts@LNF.com

The weather has been fantastic and this body surely needs to get back into the swing of things. One of the biggest pleasures I get is biking on the W&OD and ending either at Trail's End Cycling Company in Purcellville or, when time permits, I continue to Leesburg or Ashburn.

Now that summer is ending, we all need to focus on getting back to a more balanced life. I like to take time after work and get on my 15 year old bike, get closer to nature, and improve my health. What better way than heading to the bike trail. I find the best place for me to begin is Hamilton Station Road. By the way, I had a wonderful young man, Ian, who showed me one of the newest cruising bike- Glob Carmel. I will be getting one of those real soon.

parking is easy, just off the road and next to the bike path. I have the choice of going east to Leesburg or west to Purcellville.

Heading to Leesburg isn't quite as busy as it is to Purcellville; I do enjoy seeing friends walking their dogs, children and parents spending time together, and other benefits of living near the small town of Purcellville.

Magnolia's, one of the premier restaurants in Loudoun County, had their outside dining area open which is located along the path. The Jamaican style, steel band music could be heard coming from the patio. My peddling seemed to keep the fun-loving beat going as I approached Trail's End Cycling Company.

I remembered being at a party a few weeks ago where several of my lady friends mentioned the Yogatime Studio located upstairs from the cycling shop. I stopped by to get the schedule for the "hot yoga" classes that everyone keeps talking about here in Purcellville.

Hope to see you on the W&OD, Magnolia's, or Yogotime.

Wild Mustangs, what does that have to do with Real Estate? This market has made so many of us crazy. Writing contracts on short sales and foreclosures, and NOT having them accepted because a buyer is a first-timer and cannot escalate to the price they need to in order to compete or they have an FHA/,VA Loan which the seller sometimes feels is more difficult to get to closing than a conventional. This is not Fun and takes a great deal of patience.

That is how I came to the realization that we all must have patience and trust that our clients will arrive at the right decision, the right home, and the right contract. This discovery is not new to me, but as we all do, I need to constantly redirect myself to maintain the attitude that takes me forward.

"This, too will pass" -this market, this recession, this fear that so many people are feeling as they face loosing their homes and jobs. I have been there and truly do understand; I am confident that each person who faces uncertainty will become stronger and will look back upon these times with greater understanding and confidence.

An email I sent to a client, but in truth, I send it to all:

I thought of you today as I read the scripture from Proverbs 3:26... "The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." I, too am always trying to keep this at the forefront of my consciousness. " I have the wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration to make decisions that move me forward and benefit others. I am empowered with strength and ability to accomplish whatever I choose. I am a child of God, blessed beyond measure." Reading from The Daily Word. Aug. 23, 2009.

I saw a beautiful ABC News PrimeTime Report "Primetime's" "The Outsiders" Mustang Project on TV last night about Wild Horse Inmate Program and therapeutic riding. They showed the wild Mustangs being tamed by convicts who in turned were being trained by the horses to fit into society. The horses were then used to teach disabled children or those children who are considered to be at risk to help them move forward in their lives.

How beautiful all God's creature fit together into this wonderful puzzle called LIFE. We are all brought together to learn His lessons and to help each other!

Here in Northern Virginia, Leesburg area, Loudoun Theraputic Riding Foundation provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. They have been a blessing to Haley, the daughter of one of my clients. Faith and Family also helps by providing therapy scholarships for those in need.

That's where I try to center myself... "to live my life wisely and genuinely and to live life authentically and with integrity." The Daily Word.

Spotlight on Leesburg

One thing high on my daughter's priority list before leaving for her first year at college was to care of this "growth" that came, believe it or not, from getting her eyebrows waxed at a nail salon. Apparently they had the wax too hot which burned the delicate skin on her brow. As time passed, she noticed a bump forming. Now two years later, she demanded to have it removed before she went off to college.

I know you're wondering how all this leads to lunch in Leesburg and my discovery of a great little spot for lunch and dinner in Leesburg. Anyway, we ended up at The Wine Kitchen for an outstanding meal.

It was perfect for us since Kea and I prefer smaller portions that wow our taste buds over the usual larger American servings. Here we are just before our outstanding soup of the day, Butternut Lemongrass, which had a hint of an Asian flair. Following the soup, came their Parisian herb gnocchi. I must admit, I could of eaten more or sampled other items off their organic bistro menu; however I stayed in control and remain steadfast to my convictions of not over eating like some of us do. I still had to return to my office and remain focused on my real estate business. Be prepared to spend a little more, but know you are getting something you cannot find around town.

Don't miss this great little bistro!

And make sure you tell Michael that you read my blog.

Direct dial: (703) 777 - WINE (9463)

Hours

Closed Mondays

Tuesday - Thursday (11:30am - 9:00pm)

Friday - Saturday (11:30am - 10:00pm)

Sunday (11:30am - 9pm)

let me know how your visit was or stop by my offfice and see me, Tanya Spotts at Long & Foster

or email me. I'd love your feedback.

Buyers are now realizing they might just have missed out on the bottom of the market!

According to the latest NAR research and what we have been seeing here,

Many buyers in the lower price ranges are finding multiple offers on some properties. We have seen a strong rebound in sales the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Because large price declines have already occurred and properties sold, buyers are finding less inventory in the $100,000-300,000.

It is now less likely prices will continue to decline at the same pace in the future. Sellers who have a typical ownership period of seven to nine years for the average will see prices and home ownership equity rise according to NAR statistics.

Foreclosures and short sales are down with fewer coming on the market.

The Washington D.C. metro area is seeing a decline in net employment, but the jobs which are bieng filled are higer paying ones, according to the YouTube video: MRIS Mid Year Trends and Housing Report.

A few highlights, just in case you don't have time to view the report:

• 5.1 months of inventory, down from 7.4 months in 2008 (averages prices tend to rise when the ration of inventory sales is below 6 months worth)
• Average price of a Washington area home is $382,000, don't let that full you, though.
• Appraisals are still the key factor involving mortgages. One concern is that the HVCC ( Home Valuation Code of conduct will stifle loan activity and cause more problems with our market valuation.
• Time on market average for Loudoun homes for sale- 88 days