Tonight You Get To Do What I Do Every Day - 10/31/09 08:41 AM
Today is Halloween!  Happy Halloween to you and the kiddies.
Time to bob for apples, dress up in scary costumes, get some candy, and wait for the Great Pumpkin!
Most of all, it's time to trek around the neighborhood Trick-or-Treating. 
It's the one time of year, that it's considered okay to knock on stranger's doors (and they'll actually open them) and peek inside their homes.  On all other days of this year, this would be considered trespassing, and depending upon which state you live in, you might be staring at the other end of a loaded shotgun when that door opened.
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Mr. or Mrs. Buyer: Tear Down This House! - 10/30/09 04:16 PM
The location is Great, but I have to be honest, the house is Second-Rate.
Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to selling homes (or anything else in life for that matter.)
So, here it is.  I'm asking you to buy this house.
And while President Ronald Reagan asked Mr. Gorbachev to "Tear Down This Wall" (referring of course to the Berlin Wall), I'm taking it a step further, don't just tear down one wall, but
Mr. or Mrs. Buyer: TEAR DOWN THIS HOUSE!

Located at 309 Plum Street SW, Vienna, VA 22180, this Rambler was built in … (7 comments)

Hey Real Estate Paparazzi! We've got some Real Estate Celebrities Coming to REBarCamp DC on Tuesday - 10/24/09 08:41 PM
Another week, another REBarCamp.
This week may possibly be the busiest week of my life (except for maybe the week prior to my wedding).
Besides a settlement on Monday and another on Friday to bookend the week, here's just a glimpse of what's going on in my life:
Tuesday -- REBarCampDC all day, followed by REBarCamp Happy Hour Wednesday -- Dave Liniger, Founder of RE/MAX International is speaking in Herndon, VA on his Demand Success Tour Thursday -- our brokerage, RE/MAX Allegiance is hosting our own Convention and I'm speaking on a social media panel Not to mention other assorted life, … (4 comments)

1st Annual Halloween Home Decorating Contest - 10/24/09 08:40 AM
Halloween is around the corner.  It's a time for ghosts, witches, pumpkins, skeletons, and candy.  Lots of candy.
In honor of the season, the Block Real Estate Group is hosting a contest.
Welcome to the 1st ANNUAL BLOCK REAL ESTATE GROUP HALLOWEEN HOME DECORATING CONTEST!

Are you decorating your home for Halloween?Some people go all out for Halloween. Do you remember growing up that there was always at least one home on the block that was really decked out for Halloween?Let's see your pictures. Whether it's your house or another in your neighborhood.COMPLETE RULES AND INFO ON BLOCK REAL ESTATE … (6 comments)

Don't Call Me; I'll Call You - 10/19/09 05:00 PM
Feedback.
Everybody wants it.  Whether a score on a test, an enthusiastic thumbs up or pat on the back, or just a simple acknowledgement, it's human nature to want feedback.
Hence, the question "How was it for you?"  Sometimes if you need to ask that question, it's not really worth asking because you may not like the response.
When it comes to the practice of real estate, listing agents promise their clients that they're going to get feedback from the other agents who visit their home.  After a rush of weekend showings, listing agents hit the phones calling up the hordes … (75 comments)

Monday in McLean: Save $369,002 on Your Next Home - 10/19/09 04:21 PM
Today is Monday.  Monday in McLean.  That's got a nice ring to it!
To celebrate, I looked at some of the real estate data in McLean, Virginia. 
Specifically, I was interested today in homes that have been on the market for a long time.  A very long time.  365 days or more.  If you've ever sold a home before, you know that 5 weeks can seem like a long time, especially with trying to keep the place clean, constantly preparing for showings, leaving the home when buyers come around in the evenings and on the weekends.
Now imagine a full year, … (2 comments)

A Conference About Twitter - Are You Serious? - 10/18/09 09:24 AM
This Thursday, I'm going to an all-day conference focused entirely on Twitter.
Are you serious?  That's what a bunch of people have asked me.
So, if you follow along (on Twitter, where else?), you'll know what 100s of people are having for lunch that day.
All kidding aside, I'm attending TWTRCON DC 09.  What to know what this is all about?  Here's a description from the conference website:
Join the Real-Time Revolution Twitter is transforming business, government and the non-profit world. At TWTRCON DC 09, a one-day conference focused entirely on the business use of Twitter, you’ll see case studies and … (12 comments)

Our Condo Does Nice Stuff - 10/16/09 07:02 AM
The other night I snapped a photo of this flyer that's hanging in the elevators in the condo where I live, Alexandria Knolls West:

A condo that gives to the community.  That's something that can make me proud of where I live.
Does your condo or neighborhood give to the community?  Little things like this really do make a difference.
For more information about Alexandria Knolls West or any of the condominium buildings in Alexandria, give me a call at 703-626-0715 or contact me by e-mail at brian@brianblock.com.
Live somewhere you can be proud.
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McLean Virginia Real Estate Market Snapshot Mid-October 2009 - 10/14/09 03:29 PM

That's my RE/MAX Allegiance office in McLean, Virginia. 
We're located at
6226 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101
Stop on by and say hello (I'll even buy you a coffee at the 2 story Starbucks in the parking lot).  I'm the Managing Broker of the office and either myself or one of our 40 terrific agents can help you with any of your McLean, Virginia real estate needs.
SO...
What's Happening today in the McLean, Virginia Real Estate Market?
Here's a snapshot of McLean Virginia home sales in the last 30 days from mid-September 2009 through now:
MCLEAN VIRGINIA HOME … (0 comments)

Alexandrians Like Alexandria: 2009 Community Survey - 10/14/09 02:34 PM
In an effort to "measure. inform. guide.," the City of Alexandria just released its 2009 Community Survey conducted by the Center for Research and Public Policy.  They interviewed 1,000 Alexandria residents between September 8 and 23rd to get their opinions on quality of life in Alexandria, reasons for living in Alexandria, strengths of Alexandria, and issues of most concern in Alexandria.

85.6% of Alexandrians surveyed responded that their overall quality of life was better than 2 years ago or remained good.  Only 10.6% of Alexandria survey responders said that remained poor or became worse than 2 years ago.
Alexandria residents are … (1 comments)

Real Estate Quiz: The Results - 10/06/09 03:57 PM
Last week I posted THE REAL ESTATE QUIZ.
Thanks to everyone who participated.  I know you've been waiting with anticipation for the answers.
Here they are (correct answer in BOLD & UNDERLINED):
 


1.  What is the current minimum down payment on an FHA Mortgage?
     A.  20%
     B.  3.5%
     C.  5.0%
     D.  10%
 
2.  The Settlement Statement that details the buyer and seller's costs is also known as:
     A.  HUD-1
     B.  1099
     C.  W-9
     D.  Form 860
 
3.  In Virginia, a real estate agent can represent both a buyer … (4 comments)

Does Your Town Have Ghosts? Ours Does! - 10/06/09 03:32 PM
October -- for sports fans, it may be the best time of year.  What other month can you watch professional football, baseball, hockey, and basketball? 
For others, October brings entertainment and fun in the manner of ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires. 
Halloween! 
When you live in a city (Alexandria, VA) that has ghosts around every corner, Halloween is even that much more special. 
Ghosts & Real Estate -- What You Need to Know:

Houses with ghosts or haunted houses fall under the category of stigmatized property.  A stigmatized property is one where an event or condition (murder, suicide, … (3 comments)

September's Most Expensive Sales in Northern Virginia - 10/05/09 02:41 PM
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 September 2009.  All information was obtained through MRIS.
Luxury home sales have been slowing down quite a bit during the last few months.  The majority of the activity in Northern Virginia real estate is occurring with first-time buyers anxious to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit expiring on November 30th.  Needless to say, most of these first-time buyers are not purchasing … (2 comments)

They Are Definitely Interested in Selling - 10/05/09 06:49 AM
"They're Definitely Interested in Selling!"
"Thanks for letting me know" was my response to the listing agent who told me this nugget while informing me that there was a lockbox on the home and that I needn't call the sellers before showing.
Hmmm...  I thought that's why most people put their house on the market -- because they're definitely interested in selling.
From the tone of the agent's voice and the number of days the home had been on the market, it was clear to me and to my clients that these sellers were more than willing to consider offers on … (7 comments)

How Much Do You Know about Real Estate? Take the Real Estate Quiz - 10/01/09 04:30 PM
Thinking about Buying or Selling a Home in Northern Virginia?
How Much Do You Know about Real Estate and Your REALTOR?
TAKE THE REAL ESTATE QUIZ
Instructions:  E-mail me at brian@brianblock.com with your answers by Monday, October 5th at 12 noon.  Answers and Results will be announced on Tuesday, October 6th on this blog. (With some time spent researching, you can find the answers to all these questions on prior posts on the blog.)
One participant will be chosen at random to receive a $25 Gift Card.
Note:  Real estate agents, mortgage lenders, inspectors, appraisers are not eligible to participate.

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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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