Every Day is Thanksgiving! - 11/27/08 11:32 AM
Why wait for one day a year to give thanks?  Don't be a turkey.
I've got "My Gratitude List" posted right in front of my computer where I can see it everyday and reflect on it each and every day.
My Gratitude List
Here's what I am grateful for:
God's presence in my life. Being born and raised in the United State of America My freedom and the men and women who fight to maintain it. My education; my parents who treasured and paid for it; and the teachers who taught it. My health and the privileges it affords me. My … (34 comments)

Wisdom from a Hamburger Joint - 11/25/08 04:06 PM
Five Guys is a hamburger joint.  It's not a fine dining restaurant.  Not a fast food place.  Not a casual dining venue.  It's a good old-fashioned joint.
When I want a juicy hamburger with all the toppings and some darn good french fries, there's only one place (besides the backyard barbeque) where I'll go.  That's Five Guys!
This morning after reading Margaret Woda's terrific post about customer service: 10 Things I Learned About Selling Real Estate from Buying a Car Today, I immediately thought about other businesses from where I've learned valuable selling lessons.
The first one that came to mind … (78 comments)

Condo Inventory in Alexandria, Virginia: November 2008 - 11/25/08 09:40 AM
It's been about 6 weeks since I last posted about the condo inventory in Alexandria, Virginia.
Since then, available condominium inventory has decreased by 14% to 306 currently available Alexandria condos as of November 25, 2008.  This represents about 47% of all inventory of homes available in the City of Alexandria.  During the month of October there were 58 condo sales in Alexandria.
Based on the October rate of sales, there is a 5.275 month supply of condos in Alexandria.  This decrease in inventory over the last 6 weeks is a welcome sign for condo owners looking to sell their property.
… (0 comments)

Video: Vote for DESPERATE REALTOR in Virginia Real Estate Blog Brawl - 11/22/08 05:05 PM
Thanks to you, my blog has made it to the semi-final round of the Virginia Real Estate Blog Brawl. I appreciate the continued support.
The competition is really heating up.
Heather Elias, Brian Chase, and Tina Merritt all have formidable blogs competing in this semi-final round.
Please watch the video below and then vote for my blog at www.VARBuzz.com
Hurry... Voting in this round ends at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25th.

… (17 comments)

How Long Have You Been Doing this Real Estate Thing? - 11/22/08 05:59 AM
"How Long Have You Been Doing this Real Estate Thing?"
I noticed that this otherwise well-intentioned question comes up quite often from clients, potential clients, and other random people I meet.  From day one in real estate almost 7 years ago, I've always confidently answered this question with the truth.
It's natural that people want to know.  After all, you wouldn't want wouldn't necessarily want an accountant that's only prepared two tax returns advising you or a proctologist who's never seen an _ _ _ working on yours.  Would you?
I think it's more the tone of the question that can … (31 comments)

Blog Brawl Round 2: Change? Hope? Maverick? Sorry... No Fancy Slogans. I Just Want Your Vote! - 11/18/08 10:20 PM

PLEASE VOTE FOR MY BLOG!
If you're a part of the real estate blogosphere and have been paying any attention lately, you no doubt know that the Virginia Association of REALTORS is hosting a Virginia Real Estate Blog Brawl.
Thanks to many of you, my blog, in fact two of my blogs were nominated to compete in the Brawl.
In a strange twist of this bracketed tournament, my two blogs faced off against each other in Round One, so I pretty much was guaranteed a slot in Round 2.
After a long election season, I'm sure you are no doubt … (12 comments)

Don't Feel Sorry For Me... I Just Closed My Biggest Sale - 11/18/08 12:45 PM
"You are in real estate.  I feel sorry for you these days."
I've lost count of how many times someone has said something along these lines to me in the past few weeks and months.
What with the daily news of the economy, devastating media reports about the real estate market, foreclosures, prices taking nosedives, etc. -- what should people be thinking?
"You must have a lot of time on your hands these days."
"Have you thought about a back-up plan or a part-time job?"
Is the real estate market really that bad?  The market presents challenges, for sure, but there … (108 comments)

Balloons Flying Higher and Higher -- Sign of a Turnaround? - 11/17/08 08:48 PM
Sign of a turnaround?
The CEO of my RE/MAX Allegiance franchise recently started a blog with his musings about real estate, the market, the industry, etc.  Charlie Bengel, Jr. unabashedly refers to our company as "The Greatest Real Estate Brokerage in the World"!  Since I've only ever been associated with one other real estate brokerage, in my little world, I'd have to concur.
 
Last week on The Bengel Blog, Charlie offered the following interesting statistics and anecdotal evidence of a pickup in market activity:
"RE/MAX Allegiance conducted 843 transactions     in September and 722 in October. These stats     may … (13 comments)

Catching a Cup of Coffee with Cindy - 11/16/08 12:08 PM
Sometimes you just have to step out of the Social Media web world and interact with your Active Rain friends in the real world.
Like today, I had a morning appointment to show some townhouses in Belmont Bay in Woodbridge, Virginia.  Knowing that my friend and fellow RE/MAX agent and Active Rainer Cindy Jones lives and works in Belmont Bay, I gave her a quck call to see if she was available for a cup of coffee after my appointment. 
Cindy said she'd be holding an open house all afternoon at the condos she represents there and I should stop by … (21 comments)

Plant Trees in D.C. -- Make Your Yard Prettier, Go Green, and Earn a $50 Rebate! - 11/13/08 10:24 PM
Last weekend, I attended the Green Festival held at the Washington D.C. Convention Center.  While I don't consider myself a tree-hugger or an "environmental whacko,"  I certainly believe that everyone can do their part to make the world a cleaner place, use less chemicals and pollutants in our own homes, and live life in a more sustainable way.
So, it was time to learn for this REALTOR & Green Newbie .
Not to mention, my sister was in town because her company, Pangea Organics was a sponsorship partner at the Green Festival.  Pangea Organics makes wonderful, organic, hygiene and beauty products, … (6 comments)

October's Most Expensive Sales - 11/06/08 07:01 AM
Are you wondering about Northern Virginia real estate and pondering what has sold recently?
Here's some information about the most expensive home sales in Northern Virginia (Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church City) for October 2008.  All information was obtained through MRIS.
Overall, there were 53 sales topping $1 million during the month of October 2008 (10 more than in September 2008).  It appears that despite the financial crisis, there are still plenty of people in the D.C. metropolitan area with money to purchase their dream homes.
OCTOBER'S MOST EXPENSIVE SALES
Single Family Detached Homes:
1402 … (7 comments)

I'm Asking for Your Nomination - 11/05/08 07:03 AM
With the election finally over, it's time to gear up for some more voting, but this time it may be less contentious.  Or maybe more.  One things for sure -- there won't be any negative advertising.

Welcome to the VARBuzz Real Estate Blog Brawl!
 
You may recall that last March, VARBuzz, the official blog of the Virginia Association of REALTORS held the first annual national real estate blog brawl pitting 64 real estate blogs from around the country against each other in a March madness style bracket.
 
Now VARBuzz returns with a competition just for Virginia real estate … (14 comments)

Outstanding October: Active Rain Success Stories of October 2008 - 11/01/08 08:44 PM
Happy Post-Halloween! 
Tired of all the election news?  Well, the good news is that it's almost over.
In the meantime, you should be reading Outstanding October: Active Rain Success Stories of October 2008 as posted in the Active Rain Block Party group.  One of my favorite things here (besides experiencing my own success) is to read about the success of others and learn from their efforts.
There's no better place than the Active Rain Block Party group to read about the success that people are experiencing and which you too can experience with consistent blogging efforts.  This group was established … (37 comments)

 
Brian_high_def Rainmaker_large

Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

McLean, VA

More about me…

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

Address: 6226 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA, 22101

Office Phone: (703) 626-0715

Cell Phone: (703) 626-0715

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