Claude Labbe, ABR, e-Pro, GRI

You'd like to think that this metro area is in the top of rankings of US Cities.

Surely, the Metro helps, as do some of the urban villages, but we still rank #31.

Ouch, see how other cities are ranking, see Smarter Cities.

Every year, this event continues to grow, with more and more artists and attendance. This event opens Friday May 29th and will proceed until July 4th weekend.

This years installation is at Navy Yard Metro station, at 55 M St SE.

More info than I can properly provide is avaiable at their site.

It will be raining all week, but the sun is here this weekend. Enjoy the city before it gets ugly warm. It's a great time to get out and take a walking tour of different parts of DC this w/e. This recurring event continues to be fun.

Get more info & register at the DC Cultural Tours site.

Across the US, "First Time Homebuyers" are getting a great tax benefit in 2009. To be considered a First Time Buyer in the view of the IRS, you are defined as one who has not owned a home in the prior 3 years.

In Washington, DC, since 1997, "First Time Homebuyers" get a great tax benefit. To be considered a First Time Buyer in the view of the DC Tax authorities, you are defined as one who has not owned a home in the District before. If one owned a home elsewhere, one is still eligible.
IRS Tax credit is for $8,000; DC Tax credit is for $5,000.

Both phase out with higher incomes. Either credit may be used for a buyer in the District in 2009, but NOT BOTH. This is my understanding as I read the NAR guidelines, though I would strongly urge discussion with your accountant.

By the way, First Time Buyers across the US is IRS Form 5405 for $8000, while DC is IRS Form 8859.