Reflections . . . - Apr 04 11:53 AM
Was it really 40 years ago? The media has a "new" focus for the day. CNN is running reports about the murder of Dr. King. I can not begin to count the number of times I have seen this image in the paper or on the television in the last couple days, much less the last couple hours.
Frenzied fingers pointing to the source of the bullet that ripped through Dr. King's face and left him ...
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House History, House Sentiments, House Envy - May 05 04:13 PM
Do most real estate agents suffer from house envy now and then? Or are we immune after a while? We get to see a lot of magnificent homes. Most of the time I feel inspired by a great place. I don't ever recall wanting to live in one of them.
But how about a certain type of house? A certain feel of house? Yes, there has been a longing, and it never left me. Because in the ...
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Jennifer’s Metro Destination – Taste of Georgetown – Saturday, October 13, 2007 (Washington, DC) - Oct 11 08:50 PM
This Saturday, October 13, 2007 is the Taste of Georgetown from 11 am to 4 pm in Georgetown, located in Northwest, Washington, DC. There will be approximately 25 restaurants participating. Individual tasting tickets are $5 and a pack of 5 tickets is $20 (prices subject to change).
Avoid the traffic - PARKING IS CHALLENGING IN GEORGETOWN. You can ride the Georgetown Metro Connection for FREE from 10 am to 5 pm. Every 10 minutes the Georgetown ...
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Spring Inspiration and Positive Views from the Tidal Basin to the Washington Monument - Apr 05 07:58 AM
There just aren't enough words that can ever tell the wonder of wandering around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. It feels like walking under huge mounds of cotton candy. The air is sweet with the smell of the blossoms and the waves of pink seem to go on for ever.
Top off the beautiful trees with the views of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument and you have ...
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Once Upon a Nervous Breakdown... - Aug 27 08:20 AM
Are you ready for a nervous breakdown yourself? The real estate market, work, life, children, parents, errands, health, email, friends pulling you in a thousand directions? The style and humor of this book makes it an easy read for those who need a good laugh. This is the fourth book by Patrick Sanchez and it truly is laugh out loud funny.
This book is written by a man who seems to totally understand women (yes, that is right) and if you don't ...
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The Magical History Tour Takes to the Water-Washington DC - Feb 04 06:36 PM
So have you recovered from all of the walking on the last round of the Magical History Tour? Did you remember to hold on to your ticket? Today we are going to take a little different mode of transportation for our tour. We are going to head out on the little Potomac River to get a different view of the area.
First we might not want to make the Potomac River angry by calling it little. In ...
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Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial- Now Available Online - Mar 27 03:23 AM
For those who've ever
visited the Vietnam War Memorial, you already understand the sentiment.
It's an experience you
may never forget.
I'm from a military family. My father spent more than a year there- it
seemed much longer.
Growing up on a military base felt, at times, like living in a colony
inhabited by women and children.
Moms were everywhere- at little league and meet the teacher night.
Fathers were ...
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Spring Inspiration and Positive Views: the end to our winter of discontent - Apr 14 11:55 AM
I live and work in close proximity to our Nation's Capital. I have experienced three score or more Springs. As April finds her way clear of chilly March winds and shakes of the dusty remnants of a long winter past........the world changes overnight.
Bright blue skies frame delicate cherry blossoms throughout the area. Grey trees erupt in delightful coat of more shades of green than one could imagine. The dank, musty odor of spring shower covered mulch ...
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Why Now is the Best Time in Years to Purchase a Home - Oct 31 01:03 PM
Failure to act now could be the most costly mistake you make. Here are the top 5 reasons why:
1.) Leveraged investment power: With most investments, such as stocks and bonds, the money (and risk) you put into the investment is entirely your own. With real estate, while you may only put down 5% or 10% of your own money, you are receiving a return on the entire value of the home. So, you may put down ...
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It is a New Day in Washington ! - Jan 15 08:15 AM
So, the DC schools systems were not up to snuff. Everybody in the area knows that. They have been in disrepair for quite some time. It seems that every Mayor has come into office saying that something will be done and every Mayor has left office with the schools in pretty much the same condition as they were when they arrived.
Mayor Fenty did not wait. He announced sweeping changes and brought someone into his administration ...
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Watching News Reports Between The Lines - Feb 05 07:54 PM
If you are a Washington Area consumer trying to make sense of news reports about the local real estate market, you really have to listen carefully and read between the lines. If, for example, you are listening to a nightly news report on a national network or cable news program, you will be getting information about the country as a whole. Even the local news shows are giving information about the far flung Washington Metro area, ...
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Condo Documents: Not Just A Cure For Insomnia! - Mar 26 11:23 AM
In the District of Columbia, like many jurisdictions, condo buyers get a little extra time after their offer is accepted to look at the basic documents that cover the money stuff and the basic ground rules set down by the owners’ association they are buying into.These papers coverThe budgetThe rules and regulations The by-laws governing the associationInformation about pending litigation, fees and pending special assessmentsWhile not required, I recommend that buyers also request the minutes of ...
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Politics and Real Estate - May 14 11:56 PM
I am a total political junkie. Maybe it's just that it's my city's major industry, or maybe it's having a very political last name. But I am hooked. I'm as hooked on politics as I am on Active Rain.
So everyone asks me if I'm stoked about the upcoming administration change. Whoever wins in November, there will be some property turnovers. But not as many as a lot of people think.
Some friends of mine who ...
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The Spring Market - Apr 24 07:50 AM
Here in Washington, lot of people (encouraged by their agents) put their homes on the market during the month of April. And there's a reason.
Here in our nation's capital, almost every tree and puts out beautiful blossoms during the month of April. There are the famous cherry trees down by the tidal basin, and there are trees in almost everyone's front yard. In April, Washington is, I think, at it's best.
It's the time of the year ...
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Marion Barry....Thank You - Jan 01 11:03 PM
Marion BarryWe have never officially met face to face. That is more my fault than yours. You have been accessible, I have never had the courage to just walk up and tell you "Thanks". I grew up in the city. When I was still a boy, my parents bought a home out in the country. It was on Georgia Avenue and I always found comfort in the fact that the road in front of my house ...
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Washington DC - A city full of excitement - Or not... - Feb 07 02:54 PM
As I was sitting in a Starbucks on Capitol Hill just now; I look out the window to see a normal DC sight: A Police Car, a big black SUV; followed by a black town car, and another police car.
Well as any DC resident knows; that small of a security detachment can't be the President or the VP. They have to close streets for them! Plus of course there is the Helicopter that circles overhead looking for ...
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Let it snow.... - Dec 05 05:14 PM
Yes.... our first snow in DC.... ok I am ready...
My checklist.....
Winter Coat CHECK
Warm fuzzy scarf CHECK
Heavy socks CHECK
Earmuffs CHECK
Gloves ...Gloves ...Gloves WHERE ARE MY GLOVES !!!!!! (Above)A snowy Dupont Circle
YUK - I also cant find my snow scraper.....
All in all not that bad. Unless you live in the burbs. Traffic is always a nightmare when it snows...or rains...or when it's sunny... or a day ending in "y".
Hopefully it will be gone tomorrow as I am with ...
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??? New Federal & Local Tax Incentives? What Do You Think About This? - Jan 05 12:03 AM
With all the vacant properties lingering on the market for months, and even years, why don't we all pitch in and help out? (all meaning federal & local governments)
Here is how we can do it: Let's say that:
The owner pays $ 1,000 month in mortgage payments (PITI)
Fair market rent is $ 1,000 for the area.
The property taxes are $ 2,000 per year.
Here is my solution:
Qualified, needy family rents the property and pays only half the fair ...
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Ladies...this will help explain...maybe you can share with your guy - Mar 14 07:43 AM
You remember those nights. Out with your girlfriends. Maybe you had a favorite spot or maybe you went clubbing from one to another. It was fun meeting friends and making new friends. Do you also remember the gauntlet?
Do you remember trying to move from one area of the bar to the other? Remember the accidental brushes you felt? Those bull shit "excuse me's" that followed the cheap pass-by feels? Those guys were sleaze ...
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I got to see the Cherry Blossoms -- In full bloom! - Apr 09 10:34 PM
I am so excited, I have over 100 pictures of cherry blossoms!
I took my family up to Northern Virginia to visit with my siblings and their families over spring break. Now I had griped and complained because our spring break did not coincide with Easter and therefore did not match up with my family's so we were not going to see that much of those that had to get back to school. However my complaints, which ...
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So Many Agents Out Showing properties In DC ! Spring is on its way... - Mar 16 07:33 AM
Saturday I was out showing properties to a new buyer. I think every condo we went to there was either another agent coming or going. I do not remember the last time I saw so many agents looking at properties.
One condo complex had 3 or 4 agents showing properties to potential buyers. It was a great thing to see!
Perhaps this is a sign the spring Real Estate market is starting to spring - like those tulips in ...
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Not Just "Office Space" -- D.C. Area has the Good Jobs - Oct 04 10:11 PM
What determines the price of a home and the value of an investing in a particular area?
Location, Location, Location! You've no doubt heard that before.
Supply & Demand? Of course...
But there is another key factor -- Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
When the job market is hot, so is the particular region of the country. When Wall Street is hot, everyone wants to live and work in New York City. During the high-tech internet boom, high-paying jobs fueled the ...
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A Few Words about Foreclosures in the D.C. Area - Sep 15 08:16 PM
Six months ago, I wrote an article about foreclosures, concluding that they were not a big problem in the D.C. and Northern Virginia area. (SEE Foreclosure Scare – Foreclosures, Foreclosures Everywhere? Not Really in D.C. and Northern Virginia).
In that article, I quoted data showing that “The D.C. metro area averaged only 8 foreclosures per 10,000 households in the 3rd quarter of 2006.” Well, since then foreclosure rates have doubled to a rate of 16 ...
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"Green DC" -- A Bureaucracy's Effort - May 07 12:05 PM
Well, at first I was excited to hear that the DC Government launched its "Green DC" website, a "comprehensive resource on environmental issues." The idea suggested that the government takes new initiative, maybe in better educating people, maybe in creating incentives to conserve energy, maybe in crreating stricter punitive measures against environmental sins.
A closer look at it, however, reveals that it is, at best, a well-meant start. The information given is pretty general ("What is a ...
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Beautiful, in Spite of it all! - Apr 16 03:17 PM
At one point or another, I'm sure we've all complained that our house is way too small. After taking a look inside Alexandria's Spite House, you may be in awe of how much space you actually do have.
Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, the Spite House was built in 1830 and was designed to keep traffic out of a narrow alley. The home is two stories, 25 feet deep and 7 feet wide. With only ...
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Great article on pricing in a crazy market - Mar 29 06:13 PM
Today, the Washington Post came out with its annual Real Estate "Mega Section." It was all about what houses are really worth in a confusing market. The opening article on the cover page was really exciting because it featured our brokerage quite prominently. It described --using a current example-- the way we do our pricing at Evers & Co.--a pretty unique team approach. (This is why I think my broker, Donna Evers, is unusually hands-on: In ...
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Relocating to Washington DC or Just Across Town? - Feb 13 04:31 PM
Relocating to Washington DC?You need a Buyers Representative who Specializes in Relocations.Sellers and Landlord pay my fees - not you. I specialize in Relocations into the DC Metro area as well as 1st Time buyers and will be able to answer as many questions about home buying as you can ask! As an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR); I have additional training and experience to represent buyers in their Real Estate purchase.I maintain three Real Estate Licenses ...
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Imagine An Open House With 6000 Visitors A Day! A 55,000 Square Foot Home! - Jan 16 08:11 PM
Living in a home with 147 windows to wash, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, 18 acres of high security fencing and the world's best video and secuity guards. Three kitchens too, one for family, one for diets, one main facility. Five full time chefs and ability to serve 140 guests or hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000. At the end of a hard day, enjoy your own tennis court, jogging track, movie theatre, bowling lane and billiard ...
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SOLD! - Oct 29 06:25 PM
Received four offers. Sold in 41 days for above asking price ($250,000). This is great proof that homes that are priced right will sell in any market. This home reflected a list price that was on par with recent area sales within the past year. However, to look at the comparable homes currently listed active in the MLS, it was priced $50,000 below the cheapest two bedroom in the area.
These other condos are severely over-priced and their list ...
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Have Bike, Will Travel - May 02 02:31 PM
Spring is just about the most beautiful time in D.C. The sun is shining, the cherry blossoms are in bloom, summer humidity hasn't kicked in yet, and it's light out past 5:00 pm. One of the best ways to see DC in the spring (or any time of the year) is by bike. You don't have to fight traffic or the sometimes unreliable Metro service and you can get some exercise while seeing the sights. However ...
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Habitat ReStore – Saving You Money and Helping the Community - Mar 07 04:34 PM
In our recent post about the Capital Home & Garden Show, we mentioned donating items to the Habitat ReStore. The ReStore (7770-A Richmond Highway, Alexandria) is such a great place, we thought we would tell you a little more about it.
ReStore is a resale business that sells new and gently used building materials and home improvement items to the general public. All of the materials are donated by local retail businesses, building contractors, suppliers and individuals and ...
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When Will the Real Estate Market Turn Around? - Nov 21 09:36 AM
March 22, 2008. I'm just kidding, of course. I wish I had a crystal ball to be able to answer that directly. No one knows for sure, obviously; it ranges from the NAHB's projection of 2008 (ever notice how industry projections are always six months from the date of the projection??) to this Barron's projection of 2011.
Then again, lots of people are confident that this is part of a normal and predictable cycle. After all, real estate ...
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ROBOTS INVADE Washington, D.C.! - Feb 09 01:45 PM
The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. has a really cool Japanese culture and hyper-culture arts festival going on through 2/17/2008, and if you get the chance, check out their website and look at some of the shows and exhibits they have! Some of the shows are even free! The coolest part of it all is the robots they have there! Asimo, a Honda designed robot that can walk on it's own is there, as well ...
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Equity Redemption Bonds…..an outside the box country saver ? - Jan 19 02:53 PM
I am a Realtor. I am very good at offering disclaimers. This post has a big disclaimer. I am not an economist, mathematician, or governmental advisor. Please read the following with the understanding that I have jumped out of the box, taken a look at what is happening and the solutions being offered and decided there might be another direction.
For those of you that have spent the last several months in a cave, let me set ...
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$175 million sale sets U.S. Residential Sales Record - Jan 19 12:30 PM
The most expensive property for sale in Washington DC: ($ 18,500,000)The U. S. housing market overall may be suffering from the doldrums, but wealthy home buyers continue to invest in homes at the very top of the market. Evidence of the strength of the luxury home segment was revealed in late November with the sale of the Trinchera Ranch in Colorado for a record-setting $175 million. This sale breaks the U.S. residential sales record of $103 ...
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DC Taxi Cabs... Meters are starting.... - May 03 02:22 PM
For those of us living or working in Washington DC; we know all to well the battle over putting meters into the Taxi cabs.
You see the Cabs in DC, have used a zone system. A zone system that few understood; was filled with "extra" fees: extra person, rush-hour, extra zones, fuel surcharge, baggage,etc. Tourists were often ripped off - even residents like myself - I had to fight with more than 1 cabbie who tried to ...
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Starting Your Night At The Spa - Apr 28 03:31 PM
The Erwin Gomez Salon and Spa on 1519 Wisconsin Avenue N.W. is elevating the spa experience a notch higher with their Knight Spa concept. It is a place where you can start your evening fun during preparation. Have cocktails while getting a facial or sip a martini while having your hair done. Good food and drinks, plus music and dancing in a welcoming party atmosphere might just make you decide to complete the night right at ...
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Four Green Fields: A Piece of Ireland in D.C. - Apr 25 06:44 PM
5 Time Winner of the coveted ‘Best Irish Pub in Washington D.C.' award, Four Green Fields-or "the 4Ps" as longtime locals still call it-offers a unique Irish atmosphere and 16 different beers on tap. And while many bars have trivia nights, only Four Green Fields reads the trivia to you in a delightful Irish accent during their "Pub Quiz" every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. So bring along your smartest friends, settle in with some pints ...
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Living Green - Apr 21 07:00 PM
The Capital Solar Condos (1337 Harvard St., NW), the first DC solar-powered condos, are now for sale in Columbia Heights. The three condos, located in a renovated townhouse, are two blocks from the Columbia Heights metro and three blocks from the new Target, Best Buy, and Marshall's.
The condos embrace the idea of green living in a stylish manner. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can be used to help reduce your monthly electric bill. ...
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Beyond the Mall - Apr 15 04:54 PM
When you think of visiting museums in DC, you may automatically think of the museums lining the National Mall. With spring well on its way, tourist season is upon us and the thought of fighting your way through the crowds is enough to make anyone want to stay home. Well believe it or not, D.C. has plenty of fun and interesting museums to offer that aren't located on the Mall, which makes them less likely to ...
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Strange Name, Good Sandwiches - Apr 04 04:26 PM
Booeymonger on 3265 Prospect St. NW in Washington may have a silly restaurant name and just as silly sandwich names but they're serious about food. The price is cheap, but the sandwiches are tasty and won't leave your stomach grumbling an hour after eating.
At Booeymonger, special orders are the specialty. Don't want alfalfa sprouts on the Scheherazade? No problem. Hold the avocado on the Pita Pan? Absolutely! Or you can just customize your own sandwich, ...
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Eleanor Roosevelt's Washington - Apr 02 05:50 PM
Eleanor Roosevelt was a truly incredible woman, and I often pull from her wisdom to get through my own life, reminding myself that nobody can make me feel inferior with my consent, or that old bodies are works of art. Her speaking skills, strong leadership, and revolutionary nature reinvented the role of First Lady and still inspire common people today. It was for good reason that she was known as "First Lady of the World."
Mrs. Roosevelt ...
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The Torpedo Factory - Mar 31 04:59 PM
Skip the choicest art museums and galleries in the metro DC area and head to Old Town Alexandria in Virginia for The Torpedo Factory. Well known but sometimes overlooked, this art center houses the studios of more than 165 visual artists, six cooperative galleries and the Alexandria Archeology Museum.
The Torpedo Factory space is inviting, modern and airy. Spend an afternoon strolling the artists' studios and find your interest - sculpture, watercolour, oil paint, photography, mixed ...
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Foreclosure Risks - Part IV: Financing Complications - Mar 30 08:18 PM
Buying a bank owned property creates a multitude of financing risks—not because a buyer may have any particular problems with their credit or loan otherwise, but simply because the transaction is complicated and timing is difficult to control (read previous post on timing difficulties in buying a foreclosure here.) It’s critical that buyers protect themselves with appropriate financing contingencies (and make sure that the protections you want are negated by those pesky bank addenda – read ...
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Domku Bar & Cafe - Mar 24 03:31 PM
Domku, a unique Eastern European/Scandanavian restaurant with an African-American head chef and an Asian-American owner is the epitomy of multiculturalism in Washington, D.C. But it's more than that. Surrounded by mostly chicken joints, Domku serves carefully prepared, fine food with fresh ingredients in reasonable portions. Their European delicacies are served in a fascinating venue comprised of a combination of cement floors and crystal chandeliers.
So step away from hectic downtown D.C. and make your way to this ...
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Washington DC Relocation Package - Mar 04 11:24 PM
As with any move, relocating to Washington DC can be quite an undertaking. What makes one popular neighborhood different from another? Where can I find information about changing my Driver License, schools, parking? It is all right here!This relocation package is designed to help you in your move into the Washington DC Metro area.Here are several Helpful Websites for the Relocating Person or Family.Follow these links to information on some of Washington DC's most popular Neighborhoods:Logan Circle: Profile ...
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Zillow revises Q4 2007 housing report on Feb 28th - Mar 01 04:19 PM
Zillow revised their 4th Quarter report late Thursday the 28th of February that according to Zillow “MORE EXPLICITLY DESCRIBES THE RATES OF NEGATIVE EQUITY FOR ALL HOMEOWNERS IN THE U.S. IN EACH OF THE YEARS 2003, 2006 AND 2007.” The original report had been released on February 12th as reported on PRNewswire.
In that report the key news was with regards to Condos where Zillows stated that Condos had posted the largest Year-over-Year value declines; down ...
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How to Choose your Lender? Ask your REALTOR®! - Feb 09 10:38 PM
Early in my Real Estate Career I had a new client who was starting the process in buying a home. I advised him that he should use a lender that was with a name-brand bank; with a local office. I even gave him a short list of Lenders whom I had met and was establishing relationships with.
I failed to be convincing and he used an "On-line" Loan company. He said this mortgage lender was saving him ...
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Blogging to Blog - Feb 04 05:01 PM
If you are reading this blog, you probably have one of your own. If you are in the D.C. area - reading your blog, writing your blog and enjoying the blogs of others has just gotten easier.
The Virginia Wine Showcase has set up a Blogger's Corner where blogging aficionados can enjoy a glass of wine as they share their views on the tasting and everything else in our big, big world.
The event will be ...
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Shakespeare & Ramsey - Feb 01 06:07 PM
Shakespeare at Shockingly Low Prices
For those of you who enjoy a good Shakespeare production - check out the Shakespeare Theatre Company's new 20/10 program. For $10.00, lovers of the bard (under 35) can get tickets for a phenomenally low price. There are some caveats...
1) The theatre only sells 20 pairs of tickets starting every Tuesday at 10 a.m.
2) Performances must be attended before the following Sunday.
If you work by the Sidney Harman Hall you could easily ...
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Arlington Cinema Drafthouse - Jan 18 04:06 PM
Young professionals with families often face a difficult decision. How do they balance their work and career advancement goals with family time? Many of the individuals in this situation try and spend as much "quality" time with their children as possible. They try and do activities on the weekend and evenings which are child friendly. While it is wonderful that parents do this, it is sometimes a challenge for parents to find events that don't center solely ...
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DC is My Kind of Town - Jan 01 10:38 PM
I was born in Washington, DC. My parents had an apartment in Cleveland Park on Porter Street. Later, they moved us to a wonderful row house on Lanier Place in Adams Morgan. I have moved here and there as an adult. I have realized one major thing, you can take the man out of the city...but you can never take the city out of the man.
As a boy, I played stick ball in the alleys of ...
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Adams Morgan - Jan 01 10:06 PM
This is Adams MorganAdams Morgan is probably the most culturally diverse community in the District. The 18th Street corridor is lined with restaurants, nightclubs, coffee houses, bars, bookstores, art galleries and unique specialty shops. The restaurants offer cuisine from just about everywhere in the world from Ethiopia and Vietnam to Latin America and the Caribbean. Adams Morgan is also home to some of DC's liveliest nightlife. Weekends find sidewalks filled with young professionals. Several of the clubs feature live ...
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What is in my Monthly Mortgage Payment? - Dec 02 11:07 PM
Well the First most important thing when you are obtaining a mortgage on a property is: WHAT DOES YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENT include?
Knowing what type of mortgage you have is part of the answer to this question!
Most Mortgage payments include a couple of components.
First and (sadly) foremost is the Interest on the loan. Unless you have an Interest-Only Mortgage Loan; your payment will also include Principle. (Principle is part of the actual sum of money you are actually ...
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In Escrow vs. Escrow Account ... - Dec 02 10:40 PM
With my recent posts about "Escrow Accounts" some folks have emailed me questions about what "Escrow" really means.
I want to clear up a few points....
What is "Escrow" or "Being in Escrow" compared to an "Escrow Account" ??
In different parts of the country we have different words, language or terms for the same thing (or process). It is like saying 'Toe-may-toe' or 'toe-ma-toe' ... 'pea-can pie' or 'peh-con pie'. Well you get the idea...
So in terms of ...
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DC Market - Is it down or up and then what to do? - Nov 15 05:43 PM
It's hard not to generalize. Listen to the news reports and you think the sky is falling. but remember real estate is local. That's why agents survey like property close to their potential listings and properties that their buyers are interested in. It doesn't matter if the cookie cutter ranch (OK not cookie cutter but actually a twin or triplet) exists in two neighborhoods (one in Texas and they other in Florida). These houses are perhaps ...
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Glover Park Link - Nov 13 04:59 PM
Here is a great link to the Glover Park residents home page. I forgot to mention that we also have a Washington Sports club and a wonderful day spa called Soma. There is a wide variety of apartments, condos, rowhouses, basement rentals, and some detached houses to choose from. Street parking is pretty readily available, but investing in a parking space is a good idea if you regularly come home after 7. http://www.gloverparkdc.com/index.htm ...
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Neighborhood Spotlight: Glover Park - Nov 13 04:52 PM
This week it is time to put a spotlight on my favorite DC neighborhood: Glover Park. I personally live in Glover Park, and I love it. The perfect thing about the area is that it is a wonderful combination of small town and big city. It's only drawback is that it is not easily accessible by metro, but I think that is what makes it so quiet. In my opinion, it is DC's best kept secret. ...
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Unique Entertainment and Learning Experience for Children - Oct 09 05:09 PM
My wife, Q, and I have a friend that we play volleyball with on a regular basis that gave us one of his mailing postcards. We knew he was into entertainment - videographer - and being one with the world - a rather zenlike attitude. What we didn't know was that he is also a musician and entertainer. He has performed for various children's groups in and around the D.C. areaJoe has a unique perspective on the ...
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Southwest Washington DC - Images of America (book) - Apr 10 08:51 AM
I recently discovered and purchased a fascinating book on the history of Southwest DC. "Southwest Washington DC" by Paul K. Williams is loaded with old photographs of Southwest DC. It was great to see the historic buildings in SW... some of which are still standing even if they don't look as they originally did.
It's available on Amazon.com. See the link below:
...
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Dolcezza Will Be Making Parking Even Harder in Bethesda - Mar 04 12:57 PM
Dolcezza, the charming little gelataria in Washington D.C. will soon be expanding. They will be opening up a second store on Bethesda road in April of 2008. The gelateria will be competing against the already well known and established local frozen delight vendors - Ben & Jerry's, Haagen Dazs, Gifford's and, in the summer, Clayboy's Shaved Ice.
Dolcezza specializes in making small batches of handmade gelato on a daily basis. They only use the best available ...
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L'Auberge Chez Francois - Jan 15 01:09 PM
Restaurants are the pulse of many cities. Where do we go when we have had a long day at the office and don't have the time or desire to cook? Where do you take that new special someone on a first date or a momentous occasion? Where is hospitality and personal service still alive and kicking?
D.C. is full of dining establishments that allow individuals to connect to each other around a shared passion. A few of ...
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Getting "Under Contract" to Buy a Home - Jan 11 11:37 AM
Getting "Under Contract" to Buy a HomeStart by SELECTING US as your Buyer's Agents! We will guide you through the home buying process:
1) Sign a Buyers Brokerage Agreement: Without a signed agreement, real estate agents in DC work for the Seller. Sign a Buyer Broker Agreement with a short time period to ensure that your working style and your agent's style are compatible. You can always extend it.
2) Obtain Lender Letter: You don't ...
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$5,000 DC First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - Jan 06 09:10 AM
The $5,000 DC First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit provides a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for individuals who purchased in the District of Columbia by 12/31/2007. Eligibility for the credit is phased out for single filers making $70,000 to $90,000 (adjusted gross income) and joint filers making $110,000 to $130,000. For example, single filers making $70,000 (or joint filers making $110,000) would receive the entire credit; single filers making $80,000 (or joint filers making ...
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Did your Washington DC home not sell? We may have a new record in Expired Listings! - Jan 02 09:10 AM
Like many Realtors, I monitor the number of "Expired" Listings in the Washington DC area. An "Expired" listing is a home that has not sold; and the listing contract the seller had signed with their Real Estate Brokerage has now ended or Expired.The end of the month usually sees the greatest number of these homes expiring and coming off the market. The largest number I have seen in recent years was at the end of last August '07; ...
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DC First Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit - Dec 23 09:55 AM
With Tax season fast approaching; it is important for those Home Owners who purchased a property in Washington DC in 2007 to remember about the DC First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.
The Tax credit, originally part of a tax cut plan in 1997; has been extended a few times; most recently last December and is currently valid through 2007.
This Tax Credit applies to first-time home buyers* in the District of Columbia. *(A person who did own ...
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Does the DC area really have a Buyer's Market? - Dec 10 12:11 PM
What is a Buyer's Market? It is considered a market where there are more sellers than buyers. How does one know if there are more buyers than sellers? REALTORS look at a couple of different pieces if data. The number of homes on the market; how many homes are selling and the average days a home sits on the market.A "Balanced Market" is considered to be when there is about a 6-month supply of homes on ...
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Real Estate in the Washington, D.C. Area! - Dec 07 10:34 AM
Because of the current real estate/mortgage lending market, and with the holidays fast approaching, it is the best time to purchase real estate anywhere within the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. With more pre-foreclosures, foreclosures, short-sales, and bank-owned properties on the market than in over a decade, it's a great time to buy! No other commodity brings a higher rate of return on investment than real estate! Rates remain extremely low and most major banks still have great mortgage ...
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DC Market Update 12/03/07 - Dec 03 09:59 AM
Current Number of Homes Active and Under Contract: Here is the breakdown as of December 3rd, 2007In Arlington and Washington DC; the number of homes on the market CONTINUES to be very close to the number on the market at this same time LAST year. (DC condos - 21 less on the market that same time last year).Prince Georges County - finally some (small) decrease in inventory; however, the number of Single Family homes is still 2583 or 67% HIGHER ...
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Sub-prime "crisis" update: Steps in the right direction - Dec 01 10:45 AM
Some bad news and then potentially some very good news on the sub-prime mortgage/foreclosure “crisis”:
First the bad news: The conforming loan limit will be kept at $417,000 for most of the U.S. This is the limit that determines which loans Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may buy or guarantee—a factor that creates liquidity in the mortgage market and helps keeps rates low for loans that meet the criteria. The problem is that $417K ...
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Free Money for First Time Home Buyers making $68,750 or less in Washington DC - Dec 01 09:25 AM
Are you a first time home buyer trying to save for your home purchase in Washington DC? It is really hard to amass that money to get you into the process. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has developed a program called HPAP, HOME PURCHASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, to help buyers below the median income level to save for their first home.
Here is how it works. You apply and are accepted by one of the 6 community ...
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DC has bottomed and is coming back up - Nov 14 08:23 AM
This was forwarded to me and I thought it was interesting and information we can all use.
Home prices up in D.C. area
Washington Business Journal - by Erin Killian Staff Reporter
Print Article Email Article Reprints RSS Feeds Add to Del.icio.us Digg This Related News
October home sales see price drop [Baltimore] Foreclosures in state jump in August, report says [Baltimore] August home sales drop 17% [Baltimore] The average selling price for homes in D.C. and the close-in suburbs rose ...
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Help the Homeless Walkathon - Nov 07 12:01 PM
Saturday, November 17, 8 - 11 am The National Mall Washington DC If you have not heard of this visit their website: HELP THE HOMELESS. This event sponsered by the Fannie Mae foundation is geared to help the approximently 12,000 homeless people in the Metro DC area.This provides a great opportunity to show your support for this challanging problem that plagues not only the Washington DC area; but cities throughout our nation.How can you help? See ...
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Off to the (Drag) Races! - Nov 06 11:57 AM
Every year around this time, drag queens from all over the country line up on 17th Street in Dupont Circle to race 3 blocks in full costume and... HEELS! A few friends, my hubby, and I attended the drag races last Tuesday night. This is the 22nd year these races have been held, and they were attended by several thousand fans including Mayor Fenty. The crowds were so thick that some people were creative and climbed ...
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DC Average Sales By Neighborhood for September - Oct 31 12:33 PM
Here are some statistics on average sales prices for the month of September broken down into several popular neighborhoods. In most cases, prices have steadily increased this year. Since January, average prices in Washington, DC, as a whole have increased 14.75%. The largest increases we have witnessed this year to date have been in Georgetown, where average sales prices have increased 87.47%, and Foxhall, where average sales prices have increased 64.02%. There have been small decreases in average sales price ...
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DC Monument Tour - Oct 30 02:51 PM
Recently we had our friend Steve in town who is a US history and war buff. He was so excited to have the chance to see the awesome monuments we all live so close to and take for granted on a daily basis. Washington, DC, is such a wonderful place to live, and it is always exciting for friends and family to come visit. You never have a hard time getting visitors! Here is a little recap of ...
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Latest Listing - Oct 25 10:45 AM
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For Your Consideration - Oct 25 10:43 AM
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TESTING... AGENT 3000 REPORTING FOR DUTY - Oct 25 10:16 AM
Today is the first official posting to my real estate blog, and I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life! I look forward to sharing with you all of my experiences in Washington, DC, and in the Washington, DC, real estate market. You will hear a frank and fresh perspective, and I aim to especially target Generations X and Y who are ever more becoming a bigger and bigger influence in the ...
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Relocating to the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area? - Oct 24 09:39 AM
Because of Weichert's U.S.-wide relocation network, I can put you in touch with a top agent anywhere in the U.S. to sell your current home! And, I will find you the home of your dreams here in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area!
Christine Sherrod, Realtor
Weichert, Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac, MD 20854
301-718-4100 x126 (office)
301-908-8747 (cell)
Equal Housing Opportunity
Licensed in MD, VA, & DC ...
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Jennifer's Metro Destination - Broadway Across America - (Washington, DC) - Oct 19 12:07 PM
Become a part of Broadway Across America inaugural 2007 - 2008 season at the Warner Theatre. Membership is FREE!! If you sign up for the eClub before October 31, 2007 you will be entered to win a trip for two for the Color Purple East Coast premiere at the Hippodrome Theatre April 29, 2008 thru May 5, 2008.
Membership provides priority access to tickets; sweepstakes offers and exclusive travel; monthly Broadway eNewsletter; in over 40 cities ...
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Jennifer's Metro Destination - FREE Public Meetings about ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives (Washington, DC) - Oct 19 11:52 AM
The Office of Planning in the District of Columbia has just published the Fall Public Meeting Schedule. These public meetings provide information about ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives. For more information you may call (202) 442 - 7600.
Below are the services and information provided by the Office of Planning.
Services
Neighborhood Planning GIS/IT State Data CenterDevelopment Review Historic Preservation Long Range Planning
Information
Plans, statistics, and standard and customized maps of geographical areas within the city are developed ...
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Another Food Festival for Saturday, September 29, 2007 - Sep 29 12:23 PM
Our Lady of Lebanon's ChurchANNUAL MIDDLE EASTERN BAZAARSaturday September 29th, 200711:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.LEBANESE HAFLE (Music and Dancing)7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.Come and Join us for a day full of fun activities,delicious food, great music and experience some oldfashion Lebanese hospitality!LUNCH & DINNER 11:30 A.M. - 9:30 P.M.(AN ASSORTMENT OF DELICIOUS LEBANESE DISHES AND SANDWICHES)Shawarma, Falafel, Chicken & Rice, Meat Pies, Spinach Pies,Grape Leaves, Tabbouleh, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Manakeesh Saj,Lebanese Vegetarian Dishes, and more...ASSORTMENT OF ...
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How hard is it to do a DC condo conversion myself? - Sep 04 12:16 AM
Here is an email from a client asking about doing a condo conversion:
Hi,
Per our conversation and your e-mail, yes we are interested in doing a condo conversion with 1234 Main Street for 3-4 units. Due to the fact that the process may be lengthy we will probably currently, look to purchase a distressed property, fix it up and put on the market at this time. Unless of course the gentlemen I am working with ...
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DC Homebuyers - $5000 tax rebate! - Nov 12 11:36 AM
Here's one more reason to buy now, at least in the District: For those that settle on a purchase in DC before December 31, you may get a $5000 credit (not a deduction--an actual dollar for dollar offset on money owed!) on your Federal Taxes. That's the same as Uncle Sam giving you $5000 of your hard earned money back just as a 'thank you' for buying in the District. You may recall that the rule ...
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Crime Reports Online - Feb 05 09:02 PM
One of the things that is frustrating to both clients and REALTORS is that we are prohibited from commenting on whether or not a neighborhood is "safe" due to Fair Housing Laws. (See article "What Realty Agents Won't Tell You.") The web, however, fills that void nicely with a variety of tools, and now there's a new one that looks very useful: CrimeReports.com. Just enter the address and the map populates with recent crime data, including ...
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DC Home Sales Up! - May 15 10:13 PM
The Washington Business Journal just reported (5/15/07) that despite a nationwide home sale decrease of 6.6 percent in the 1st quarter (from a year ago), sales of existing homes in the District jumped 9.3 percent, the second biggest increase in the country!
The WBJ also references a quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors which says Washington-area home prices rose a modest 1.2 percent from year-ago levels, while nationally, median home prices fell 1.8 percent to a two-year ...
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Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival 2008 - Mar 06 09:22 AM
If you have never seen the Cherry Blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington DC, you are missing one of nature and man's most breathtaking sights!! Every year the parks services work at trying to predict the peak of the blossoms. This year they are anticipating March 29th! If you have a chance you should try at least once in your lifetime to come to Washington during the early part of Spring to see it. Not only ...
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What's the problem with Washington Gas? - May 08 09:45 PM
Calling all realtors in MD, DC, VA whose clients have had bad experiences or horror stories with Washington Gas. I work primarily with international clients, French-speaking at that, relocating to the capital area for professional reasons. At this point, I warn them that by far the most trying aspect of buying or renting a home in this area is dealing with Washington Gas. Why is it that a newly arrived person in the Washington DC area ...
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Hiring a REALTOR in Washington DC - Sep 18 11:05 AM
Need a good buyers agent in Washington DC? If you are looking for a REALTOR in Washington DC... I can help!I am not trying to get you to use me as your REALTOR! In fact, I do not practice Real Estate in Washington DC. After practicing there for 11 years, I have a very good idea of who the best agents are. Hiring the right REALTOR can be a little overwhelming... What questions do I ask? What do ...
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Washington DC Real Estate Prices Stabilize.... - Apr 28 08:04 PM
It's common knowledge that the market shifted in the last 18 months. But it's only now that the statistics are verifying some of the price corrections....Many of us on the front lines knew prices in reality were different a long time ago, however this was not being illustrated by the monthly stats as far as the price variable was concerned. Why not? Well the stats on price only reflect sold homes. Thus all the homes that ...
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Local Staging Company Featured in Interior Design Magazine - Apr 17 06:59 PM
For those of you local to the Washington DC Metro area, you may be familiar with the Premier, Interior Design Magazine, Washington Spaces. If you are....look out for us in the next issue due out on stands on Monday.
We worked on two projects with Washinton Spaces magazine in February and March this year. Needless to say, I was honored to work with such a talented, and well respected group of people not once but TWICE.
Washington Spaces magazine ...
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Tax Tips for Home Owners - Dec 01 10:01 AM
Buying a home can bring a number of changes into your life, including financial ones. But for first time home buyers, those financial changes can be good news, especially at tax time. Most people know that there are significant tax benefits to buying a home, but often aren't clear on exactly what's deductible. So as 2007 winds down, I've compiled this brief list of tax benefits related to a home purchase. Not all deductions apply ...
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Marine Barracks Washington Provides Security and Ceremony in D.C. - Jan 14 09:20 AM
This information is included in the Online Anne Arundel County Relocation Package for Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, the the USNA
Relocating to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area?
You'll soon discover that parades aren't just for Thanksgiving and New Year's Day! And, in Washington, D.C., parades aren't just for Inaugurations and Presidential Funerals. In fact, there's a parade in our Nation's Capital every Friday evening during the summer. Whether you're a tourist or a resident of ...
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Washington D.C. Area Cost of Living High, But Not the Highest - Dec 18 08:25 PM
Many people relocating to work at some of the D.C. and Northern Virginia area's many companies, or those transferred to the region with the military often lament the high average price of homes in the metro-D.C. area and the high cost of living here. First-time homebuyers searching for a home are particularly squeezed when it comes to affording homes and their lifestyle.
Due to the high price of single family homes, townhouses and condominiums have ...
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First Time Buyer Assistance Programs - Nov 08 08:16 PM
Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to start planning for a home purchase in the spring, especially if you're a first time buyer. The reason I say that is that I find it takes most of my first time buyer clients at least 3 months from the time they first speak to a lender until the time they move in. If someone has special financing restrictions, or isn't quite sure yet what they're ...
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Best web sites for Washington DC area home buyers - Jul 17 02:15 PM
I maintain a list of useful and practical tools and information for my clients, who are often foreign nationals and French-speaking. International relocation to the Washington DC area, Bethesda MD, Northern Virginia is my specialty as a Realtor. Here is a compendium of such web sites, drawn from a multitude of sources, useful for anyone seeking information on the Greater Washington DC area.
TRANSPORTATIONTo learn about commute times and metro/bus connections:
Metro subways/buses http://www.wmata.com/ -- very useful for ...
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Learn about how to buy a home in Baltimore at this FREE homebuying education event. May 20th in Washington D.C. - May 13 07:54 AM
Tuesday, May 20, 20085:30pm - 7:30pmKennedy Recreation Center1401 7th Street, NWWashington, DC 20001
Learn about how to buy a home in Baltimore at this FREE homebuying education event. Live Baltimore offers the inside track on hot new developments, neighborhood features and homebuying financial incentives. Complimentary food and light refreshments!
5:30pm - 6:30pm ExhibitsJoin the Live Baltimore staff, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, renovation experts, housing counselors and many more exhibitors to get details on buying a home ...
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Sunday Open House video blog hosted by Matt Murton - Apr 28 12:39 PM
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St. Nicholas Orthodox Catherdral's Russian Bazaar - Oct 10 05:23 AM
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