Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent's Blog

Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent's Blog http://activerain.com/blogs/danahhill en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/3196213/i-was-very-jealous-but-pruning-shears-solved-that-problem- I was very jealous, but pruning shears solved that problem. <p><img title="lilacs " src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/1/3/7/ar133536257573196.JPG" height="357" alt="lilacs in a vase" width="251" style="float: right;">Yesterday I stopped by my neighbor's house to drop something off and I noticed the most beautiful lilac bush in their front yard. It was full of blooms and I could smell them as soon as I opened my car door. I was pretty jealous because my yard is very shady and my repeated attempts at growing lilacs in my yard have been unsuccessful.</p> <p>My neighbor told me that the bush is an eyesore all year except for the few days it is in bloom. Their whole family is allergic to the flowers so they don't cut the blooms and take them inside. They told me I could have their whole bush, but I told them I can't grow it in my yard. She told me they have had other flowering bushes, like forsythia and hydrangea, but she has gotten rid of them. She told me that instead, she keeps a set of pruning shears in her car and when she sees them in bloom in the neighborhood, she takes a few and brings them home and places them around her home.</p> <p>At first I was a little shocked when she told me this. But then it hit me. Last night I took my pruning shears over to her house and took these. They look lovely in my home.   </p> <p>I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Lilacs are in full bloom right now in Montgomery County. Let me know if you'd like to see the homes that are on the market here as well.</p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:18:40 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3196213/i-was-very-jealous-but-pruning-shears-solved-that-problem- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3009922/are-you-aware-of-the-changes-that-are-coming-to-fha-loans- Are you aware of the changes that are coming to FHA loans? <p><span style="">I received an email from a loan officer who always keeps me up to date on all the latest changes that may impact my clients. Here is some info on the upcoming changes to FHA loans that he sent me. I think he states it pretty clearly, but feel free to call him directly if you have questions.</span></p> <p><span style=""></span></p> <p><span style="">For loans with case numbers assigned on or after April 1, 2012, it is expected the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) will rise from 1.000% to 1.750% of the FHA loan amount.</span></p> <p><span style="">For example, in the MD/VA/DC area, if you borrow up to the FHA's local loan limit of $729,750, your upfront mortgage insurance premium will rise 75% from $7,295 to $12,771. This amount is added to the loan size. FHA upfront MIP is not paid via cash and interest is paid on this amount for the life of your loan. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="">The changes in the FHA's UFMIP are rising 75 basis points from 1% to 1.75%.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="">(For a $200K loan, $3500 vs. current $2000 which is added to the loan amount)</span></p> <p><strong><span style="">The changes in the FHA's annual MIP are rising only 10 basis points.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="">•30-year loan terms with LTV > 95% : 1.25% annual MIP (currently 1.15% - For $200K loan $208/month vs. current $192/month) </span></p> <p><span style="">•30-year loan terms with LTV < 95% : 1.20% annual MIP (currently 1.10% - For $200K loan $200/month vs. current $183/month) </span></p> <p><span style="">FHA mortgages > $625,500 will be subject to an additional 0.35 percent annual mortgage insurance fee. Therefore, using the FHA's full $729,750 local loan limit for 3.5% down payment, 30-year fixed rate mortgage, you will pay annual MIP of 1.50% to the FHA, or $912 per month. (This top end number could change when the official HUD letter is available.)</span></p> <p> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="">Ramez Fahmy, Caliber Funding</span></strong></p> <p><span style="">NMLS #: 476394 | Sales Manager and Senior Loan Consultant</span></p> <p><span style="">c: 301-529-1676 | efax: 855-233-3716</span></p> <p><span style=""><a href="mailto:ramez.fahmy@caliberfunding.com"><span style="color: #0000ff;">ramez.fahmy@caliberfunding.com</span></a> </span><span style="">apply online at</span><span style=""> <a href="http://www.fahmymortgageteam.com/"><span style="color: #0000ff;">www.fahmymortgageteam.com</span></a></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:35:32 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3009922/are-you-aware-of-the-changes-that-are-coming-to-fha-loans- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2981088/buying-a-home-without-breaking-your-budget Buying A Home Without Breaking Your Budget <p></p><p>I just saw that Ira <span class="family-name">Freireich, a fellow Exclusive Buyer Agent </span>wrote a great blog post about buying a home without Breaking Your Budget. I couldn't say it better myself. If you have comments, you should leave them at Ira's original post.</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2305155/buying-a-home-without-breaking-your-budget">Ira Freireich, Excl Buyer Agent (Best Buyer's Broker Realty)</a></b>:<br><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: small;"> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;">With the help of your real estate agent – and these tips – you can become a savvy home buyer without breaking your budget.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><strong><em>1. Get pre-approved for your home loan:</em></strong> This means, fill out a loan application and go through the process of securing financing. When you’re ready to seriously evaluate real estate, you’ll know exactly how much home you can afford. This helps to prove to a seller that your offer is sincere.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>2. Explore creative financing options:</strong></em> During the home loan pre-approval process, ask about ways to get creative with your financing. Low down payment options, first and second mortgage combinations and first time homebuyer programs might help you afford more funding. Many lenders are now offering interest-only home mortgages; just make sure you thoroughly evaluate the terms for this type of home loan.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>3. Sell your existing home first:</strong></em> Although selling your existing home before finding new real estate to buy can be a little nerve racking, any inconvenience will be offset by your ability to make an offer with cash in hand. Contingent purchases are not recommended when negotiating to buy a home. Having your financing in order and your bags packed will give you the advantage in a competitive market.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>4. Look for vacant real estate:</strong></em> Perhaps a seller’s job has transferred him out of the area. Or maybe a family purchased a new home before putting their existing one on the market. In any case, a vacant home could be just the deal for a savvy home buyer, so have your real estate agent look for vacant property in your preferred neighbourhoods. Keep in mind, the longer a house stays empty, the greater your negotiating power will be.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>5. Consider cosmetic fixer-uppers:</strong></em> If you’re handy with a paintbrush, a toolset and gardening equipment, consider buying real estate in need of cosmetic repairs. Property which lacks curb appeal needs minor handiwork or the yard overhauled could end up being the home of your dreams for a price you can afford. You just need to look beyond the needed cosmetic work to see the potential of a fixer-upper.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>6. Buy a home that’s a major remodel project:</strong></em> If you want to live on a lake but can’t afford a home mortgage, investigate to see if there is a dilapidated cottage for sale. In time you’ll need to gut the existing home and build from the ground up or contract significant home improvements. But in the end your property value will skyrocket. And if your carpentry and other construction skills are well-developed, you can save even more and accrue “sweat equity” during your remodel by doing much of the work yourself.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>7. Don’t discount bank foreclosures:</strong></em> One person’s loss could be your gain if you buy real estate in foreclosure. Although the search for a decent foreclosure may take a while, your real estate agent should be able to help. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can be an excellent resource for foreclosed properties. Because HUD houses are sold at market value, your best bet will be homes that need cosmetic work or even major repair.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>8. Land with a manufactured home:</strong></em> Sometimes, to buy a home on a budget, you need to look beyond conventional homes. Even if your desire is to buy real estate, you may have to settle for a piece of property in an outlying area with a mobile or manufactured home. Discuss this option with your real estate agent and try to keep an open mind about this possibility.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>9. An older, smaller home:</strong></em> Older homes are typically priced much less than newer construction and don’t tend to create buyer bidding wars. If you can enjoy life in an older and smaller home in a neighborhood or suburb off the beaten path, this could be your ticket to real estate ownership.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;"><em><strong>10. The cheapest house in the best neighborhood:</strong></em> You have your heart set on a specific – and expensive – neighborhood. Maybe it’s the schools you’re interested in. Or perhaps it’s the close proximity to downtown or the waterfront. In any case, a budget-savvy buyer will look for the least expensive home for sale in the neighborhood. If you’re not in a hurry, you can even play the waiting game to see what properties come on the market. Your real estate agent can be a real asset in this case by investigating potential sellers.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-size: small;">Buying real estate without breaking your budget will require research and compromise. On moving day, however, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your homework paid off!</p> <div>Source:longislandrealestate4buyers.com</div> <div><br></div> <div><span style=""> <p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span>***************************************************************************************</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Best Buyer’s Broker Realty</span></strong><span> is an <strong>Exclusive Buyer Agent</strong> specializing in Long Island real estate (Nassau and Suffolk properties) and neighbouring Queens County properties.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>We don’t take any seller listings (yet we have more homes for you to see than most agents) and never have any potential conflict of interest like other agents who also represent sellers. We represent buyers only, 100% of the time. We can show you more homes for sale because we have access to MLS, FSBOs, Exclusives (homes that agents try to keep secret), foreclosures and homes not on the market that may be of interest to you.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>We are not your traditional real estate agent. Our goal is to advise and protect home buyers and help them obtain the lowest price and best terms on their dream home. Call us at <strong>516-887-6901</strong> to see how we can help you save time and money. Or visit our sites at <a href="http://www.bestbuyersbroker.com/" style="color: #1e77b9; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #1e77b9;">http://bestbuyersbroker.com</span></a> or </span><span><a href="http://www.bestbuyerbroker.com/" style="color: #1e77b9; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #1e77b9;">http://bestbuyerbroker.com</span></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>*****************************************************************************************</span></p> <div><span><br></span></div> </span></div> </span></p></blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:46:25 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2981088/buying-a-home-without-breaking-your-budget http://activerain.com/blogsview/2905930/-open-houses-don-t-work-really-maybe-you-re-not-doing-them-right- "Open Houses Don't Work" Really? Maybe You're Not Doing Them Right! <p><img title="Brown House " src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/6/5/1/ar133011296115682.png" height="286" alt="A Small brown house" width="175" style="float: right;"><strong>"Open Houses Don't Work."</strong></p> <p>How many times have I heard listing agents say that Open Houses don't work and that they only do them because their sellers expect them to do them.</p> <p>Well, I am not a listing agent, but I know what sellers expect at an Open House and this weekend I collected a a good list of what to do and what not to do.</p> <p>My daughter and I were out delivering Girl Scout cookies and saw that there were four Open Houses in our neighborhood. We decided to go and check them out. We had a very interesting experience.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>House 1</strong></span></p> <p>We arrived right at the beginning of the Open House, but there were a few couples who were there before us. The agent greeted us when we arrived. He was in the middle of listing the upgrades that were made to the kitchen. I set down my card and started to look around. Then I heard someone ask him a question about the home. He said " I don't know anything about this house, I just do Open Houses for this Listing Agent."  He did not say the name of that agent.</p> <p>After we looked around a bit, I noticed there was something I couldn't identify in the back yard. I walked outside and noticed they were very tall cold frames. When I came back into the home, two families asked me what they were and I told them.</p> <p>We continued our tour around the home. The agent began to tell me a few of the features of the home. The home is very different than all of the other homes in the neighborhood, but he was highlighting the things that were a part of every split level in the neighborhood. I asked him if he had seen any other models in the neighborhood (there was one on open house right now - we'll call it house 2) and he said  " I don't know anything about this neighborhood, I just do Open Houses for this Listing Agent."</p> <p><img title="Purple House" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/5/7/1/ar133011339117507.png" height="286" alt="a small purple house" width="175" style="float: left;">I headed back to the front door and noticed that he had a stack of about 500 of his business cards on the kitchen island. He also had a glossy handout with photos of the home. As I was about to leave, I heard a man come up to the agent and ask if he knew the square footage of the property. He said  " I don't know anything about this house, I just do Open Houses for this Listing Agent. Didn't you look it up on Zillow?"</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>House 2</strong></span></p> <p>My daughter and I walk into the house and are greeted by a smiling agent. She is not the listing agent. The listing agent is well known for being an expert at selling million dollar homes and this is not quite that price range. We go into the kitchen and I leave my business card and take a look at the glossy folder. My daughter picks one up and the agent tells her she is not allowed to have one. I look down and realize that there are only three color fliers for the whole open house. It is only 15 minutes into the Open House. I tell my daughter to leave it there.</p> <p>We walk around the home and have some questions. There are no handouts, just the glossy fliers. When I return to the kitchen, I see the agent grab a flier out of a man's hand. He is offended by this action and backs up a bit. The agent takes out a pen and writes DO NOW REMOVE on the glossy flier.</p> <p>I make my way into the kitchen and ask if I may look to see how many bedrooms/baths they are listing. She tells me I am an agent and not allowed to have a glossy flier. Instead of trying to get the answer, we leave and head to the next home.<img title="Blue House" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/8/8/6/9/ar133011447296884.png" height="286" alt="small blue house" width="175" style="float: right;"></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>House 3</strong></span></p> <p>My daughter enters the home in front of me and there is a table set up where I lay down my card and take the black and white version of the flier. I turn to enter the family room and the agent says, "I need you to sign in." I tell her that I am an agent and I left my card and she nods at me.</p> <p>The house looked great, but it is a bi-level and that is not the most popular style among buyers. The agent waits until I see the whole home and then asks me what I think and if I have any buyers for the home. We have a good chat. She asks me if I had seen any of the other Open Houses in the neighborhood. She tells me that she had been to House 2 and that the listing agent had grabbed the color flier out of her hand.</p> <p>She walked us out and we left with some small talk. When we get to the car, my daughter says. "She was really friendly."</p> <p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><img title="GrayHouse" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/5/4/6/4/ar133011450846459.png" height="286" alt="small gray house" width="175" style="float: left;"></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>House 4</strong></span></p> <p>As we approach the door. A family was walking out and we squeeze by them through the door. The listing agent has a table set up with fliers and information sheets and greets us as we enter. He is funny and charming. My daughter likes him right away. He hands us a flier and we begin wandering around the home.</p> <p>As we enter the kitchen, we can hear a woman asking the agent very pointed questions about the home. He knows the year it was built off the top of his head and she follows up with many construction related questions. It is clear to me that she is not familiar with construction in the area, but the agent addresses all of her questions and offers her a full copy of the listing and the sheet that lays out all of the amenities and the years of all upgrades and installations.</p> <p>He circles around and asks each group of people if they have questions. There was a hidden passageway in the basement up to the garage and when people returned from the basement, he asked them if they found it.</p> <p>That night I received a personal email from him asking if I had any feedback or a client who might be interested. I wish I had a client for that home.I would love to work with that agent.</p> <p> </p> <p>I realize that listing agents feel that they have more effective tools for selling homes, but there were a lot of people out looking at homes in my neighborhood last weekend and there is nothing better for increasing confidence in the real estate market than all the neighbors seeing that hustle and bustle around local real estate. </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:21:36 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2905930/-open-houses-don-t-work-really-maybe-you-re-not-doing-them-right- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2847379/oh-where-oh-where-have-the-properties-gone- Oh Where, Oh Where Have The Properties Gone? <p>It usually begins the first week of January. Buyers sober up from the holiday parties and New Year festivities and they begin to look forward to Spring. In the DC Area, winter weather is usually its worst in January and February, but this year the weather is beautiful. So buyers get ready to look for homes and they start contacting agents. And this year, there are a lot of buyers who are looking for homes.</p> <p><strong>BUT WHERE, OH WHERE HAVE THE PROPERTIES GONE?</strong></p> <p>I work at an Exclusive Buyer Agency so this time of year is a busy time at our office. We meet new prospects and discuss our services and the market. We start showing them homes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BUT WHERE, OH WHERE HAVE THE PROPERTIES GONE?</strong></p> <p>It seems that people in our area wait until the Super Bowl is over to list their homes. So for us, the weekend after the Super Bowl is the beginning of the Spring Market. And last week there were a lot of new listings. I was out all weekend showing homes. But let's not stop there. Let's see some more homes on the market.</p> <p>Listing Agents - Tell your seller prospects that we are waiting as patiently as we can. Let's get those properties ready for market. We have buyers who are ready, willing, able and WAITING!</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:28:41 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2847379/oh-where-oh-where-have-the-properties-gone- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2844320/what-has-being-a-real-estate-agent-taught-you-about-life- What has being a real estate agent taught you about life? <p style="text-align: left;">I don't want to be hokey or anything, but there are some times when I have a quiet moment and my brain starts to relax and think about all the amazing experiences that being in real estate has afforded me. I have almost 11 years of anecdotes about really bad or stinky or scary houses and I have tons of tales about uninformed buyers or crazy sellers or interesting agents. But the little moments where you really see inside of someones actions and see humankind peeking through are the moments that really resonate with me.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Several years ago I decided to take the classes to upgrade to a Broker's License. After a particularly inspiring class I jotted down a few phrases in my notebook and I just ran across these notes that sort of summed it up for me.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/7/6/9/ar132924004696707.JPG" height="323" alt="Great Falls Photo Taken by my husband" width="440" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: right; display: block;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Every day is different and I love that about my job.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>People have a tendency to act in ways that exceed my expectations whether in their ability to do good hearted things or things that further their self interest at a cost to others.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>I find that nothing really surprises me. I am ready for anything to be behind the door or in the basement or to come out of someone's mouth. </em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em></em></strong> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">I was also a bartender for many years so I guess I tend to have jobs that lend themselves to observing human nature, but I would love to hear what you have to say.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>What has real estate taught you about human nature? About life?</em></strong> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:17:45 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2844320/what-has-being-a-real-estate-agent-taught-you-about-life- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2767570/are-you-a-fair-weather-agent- Are you a fair weather agent? <p>This morning was full of lightning and thunder. It made me want to show some houses. I don't know if it's just me, but I love showing homes in the rain.</p> <p>When I take clients out in the rain, we can see if the roof is working properly. Not just the roof, but the gutters and downspouts as well. We can see where the water pools in the yard and makes muddy puddles. And we can see where the water flows and if that is where we would want it to flow.</p> <p>Sometimes you get really wet showing homes in the rain. Your hair gets wet and your shoes get soaked. Your car gets wet and muddy. But the amount a buyer can learn in that tour is worth the clean-up.</p> <p>So get your umbrella out and let's go show some houses.</p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:50:28 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2767570/are-you-a-fair-weather-agent- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2712938/taking-the-property-condition-warranty-away-from-home-buyers-in-dc-area Taking The Property Condition Warranty Away from Home Buyers in DC Area <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Recent changes to our local Regional Sales Contract have taken the property condition warranty from buyers and have lowered the standard for the transfer of all resale properties to those of foreclosures and other "as-is" properties. Although this change was made to remove the conflict that occurs when negotiating home inspection repairs, this anti-consumer change is designed to shrink the gap between traditional home sales and foreclosure sales, a market that some agents fear will hit the market in the coming years. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span>As an exclusive buyer agent, I find this change appalling. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p><span>1. The DC real estate market is one of the strongest in the country. Changing what is included in every property devalues all homes in the DC real estate market.<span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <span style="background: yellow;"><span>If you had a choice of purchasing a home where the seller guarantees that all plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems as well as all appliances are working or a home that is sold “as-is” which would you choose? Which would you pay more to own?</span></span></span></span> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p><span>2. If more and more DC area home buyers purchase “as-is”properties because it is the new norm, we should be seeing more foreclosures. <span><span style="background: yellow;">Buyers will be walking into homes that need repairs and therefore, immediate additional costs to the buyer. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/3/5/ar132639969353917.png" height="300" alt="Buyer Beware" width="200" style="float: right;"></p> <p><span>3. Under the new sales contract, listings will not have to reflect the fact that the home is "as-is", but the offer that agents write will make all homes "as-is" This will make researching comparable sales more difficult for consumers. You might say that agents will navigate the buyers through this properly, but most agents who work with buyers are also working for the sellers. It may not be the same person, but it can be their partner, their co-worker, their team leader. How will a broker who represents both parties evaluate the price of a property? Will they let them know that all home sold before 1/1/2012 included a seller warranty that that all systems and appliances were in working order and that those afterwards do not? Evaluating the comparable pricing of homes is a very important part of the pricing process. <span><span style="background: yellow;">Will consumers doing their research online be aware of this huge change?</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p><span>4. Lenders do not allow cash credits for repairs. They make buyers and sellers pretend that it is a seller closing cost credit so they don't have to re-appraise the property as less valuable than it would be if everything was working. But that is what it is - less valuable. This will affect all buyers purchasing a home with a mortgage, especially those with loans with limits on the amount of allowable closing cost credit. This means all buyers using FHA loans and most loans where the buyer puts less than 20% down. <span><span style="background: yellow;">It will limit the amount the purchaser can receive from the seller and cap the amount the buyer can receive for repairs that the seller has traditionally been responsible for making.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p><span>5. <span style="background: yellow;">So who wants this change? Home buyers certainly wouldn’t vote to have this change</span>. Home sellers who maintain their homes do not want to sell their homes “as-is” so they sell at the same level as the foreclosures. Exclusive Buyer Agents don’t want to see this change. Maybe banks, who have trouble selling their “as-is” foreclosure properties like this idea. Do listing agents? Who decided to lower the standard at which all homes would be conveyed to match that of foreclosure homes? </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p><span>This horrible change to the Regional Sales Contract is something that buyers will really need to pay attention to at all stages in the home buying process. My advice - ask your agent about this change and use an exclusive buyer agent who is legally looking out for your interest.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">  </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a name="_MailAutoSig"></a><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana Hollish Hill</span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vice President, Buyer’s Edge Company, Inc.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">cell 202.271.5301<span>   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Hollish.com" target="_blank">Hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:30:48 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2712938/taking-the-property-condition-warranty-away-from-home-buyers-in-dc-area http://activerain.com/blogsview/2421109/good-news-for-montgomery-county-maryland-crime-down-7-5-serious-crime-down-13-5-in-2010 Good News for Montgomery County Maryland - Crime Down 7.5% & Serious Crime Down 13.5% in 2010 <p>Montgomery County is conveniently located next to Washington DC, the nation's capital and seat of government. Unlike other areas of the of the country that are experiencing high unemployment, this area seems to have stayed employed during this recession. Many attribute this to the largest largest employer - the government. Whatever the reason, Montgomery County has seen a growth in population. </p> <p><img src="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/InfoCentral/photos/23/2011/2011_police_report.jpg" height="240" alt="County Crime Report Graphic" width="418" style="float: right;"></p> <div>According to <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/Blog/PaperlessBlog.asp?blogID=20&blogItemID=1458" title="Paperless Airplane" target="_blank">Paperless Airlpane</a>, a newsletter put out by the county's Office of Public Information, in the past 4 years the county's population has grown 4%. During that same period of time, the crime rate has dropped 12%. This is great news for the residents of Montgomery County. </div> <div> </div> <div>It is also good news for people moving or transferring to the area. Montgomery County had a large inventory of foreclosures and short sales in previous years that had a huge impact on the real estate market. But that did not stop buyers from coming to the area and buying homes. We now have a market with very low inventory with competition for good homes and investors looking to purchase homes that require a little work. </div> <div> </div> <div>Let's hope that this decrease in crime continues the to push the Real Estate Recovery that we are currently experiencing in Montgomery County. Feel free to read the full county report on <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/Blog/PaperlessBlog.asp?blogID=20&blogItemID=1458" title="Paperless Airplane">Paperless Airplane</a>. </div> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">If you are looking to purchase a home in the DC Metropolitan Area, including Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, feel free to call me at 202-271-5301.</div> <p> </p> <p><br><br></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:58:45 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2421109/good-news-for-montgomery-county-maryland-crime-down-7-5-serious-crime-down-13-5-in-2010 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2302050/new-website-buydccondos-com-the-wiki-of-dc-condos New Website - buyDCcondos.com - the "wiki" of DC Condos <p>Stephen Israel, President and Broker of Buyer’s Edge Company, Inc. announced the launch of a new website – <a href="http://www.buydccondos.com" title="Buy DC Condos" target="_blank">WWW.BUYDCCONDOS.COM</a> - developed as a tool for people looking to purchase a condo in DC. The website includes descriptions and videos of DC’s neighborhoods and expert evaluations of the condos within those neighborhoods. Each condo page includes the information that buyers want– Condo Fees, Parking Availability, Pet Policies, Laundry, Walkability and Amenities. A blog for each building offers an opportunity for current owners and those knowledgeable about individual buildings to make comments, giving the condo buyer a look into what people really think about different properties.</p> <p>“We are in the unique position to provide open and honest expert condo evaluations because we are never in the position of representing a seller of these properties,” said Dana Hollish Hill, Vice President, Buyer’s Edge. “And by allowing visitors to the site to add their feedback about the condo buildings in a blog format, we see this site as an open forum on DC condos.”</p> <p>BuyDcCondos.com for the Lowdown on Downtown</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Tue, 17 May 2011 17:27:25 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2302050/new-website-buydccondos-com-the-wiki-of-dc-condos http://activerain.com/blogsview/1532193/will-short-sales-really-change-after-april-5th- Will Short Sales Really Change After April 5th? <p>The National Association of Realtors put out a pretty detailed brochure highlighting the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Altrnatives Program (HAFA). It can be found here: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yanu885" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/yanu885</a>. It is a summary of the 43 page plan that the Obama Administration put out in November.</p> <p>My question is - will it change the short sale process for the better? What do you think?</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:26:37 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1532193/will-short-sales-really-change-after-april-5th- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1457250/vacate-or-sell-second-time-buyer-eligibility-for-tax-credit Vacate or Sell? - Second-Time Buyer Eligibility for Tax Credit <p>I have been digging around trying to find an answer for one of my clients who is not a first-time home buyer, but a second-time home buyer. He is wondering if he is eligible for the tax credit in <strong>The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009</strong> There is a lot of very vague language about eligibility for this category for buyer. Some criteria mention vacating the first property while others mention selling it.</p> <p>In this particular case, my client is transferring jobs from one part of the country to another. He is buying a property here, but keeping and renting his other property. He truly is changing his primary residence, but he doesn't want to sell his first property now because he may return there one day.</p> <p>Is he eligible for the $6500 tax credit if he meets all of the other criteria? Or does he have to sell his other home to be eligible?</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:04:12 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1457250/vacate-or-sell-second-time-buyer-eligibility-for-tax-credit http://activerain.com/blogsview/1443912/looking-for-an-eba-in-vancouver-area- Looking for an EBA in Vancouver area... <p>I have some excellent friends and former buyer clients who are moving from the Northern Virginia area to the Camas/Fishers Landing/Vancouver area to begin working in Portland. They asked me for a recommendation of an EBA who works in those areas. I do not know anyone personally, but would love to hear if you have any recommendations.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Dana Hollish Hill, EBA</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:26:47 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1443912/looking-for-an-eba-in-vancouver-area- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1443906/excellent-former-client-friend-moving-to-vancouver-area- Excellent former client & friend moving to Vancouver area. <p>I have some excellent friends and former buyer clients who are moving from the Northern Virginia area to the Camas/Fishers Landing/Vancouver area to begin working in Portland. They asked me for a recommendation of an EBA who works in those areas. I do not know anyone personally, but would love to hear if you have any recommendations.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Dana Hollish Hill, EBA</p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:26:05 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1443906/excellent-former-client-friend-moving-to-vancouver-area- http://activerain.com/blogsview/871594/did-you-hear-it-on-the-radio- Did you hear it on the radio? <p>Happy New Year Buyer's Agents -</p> <p>I am posting this question to all of you in hopes that someone in this group has found success on the radio. Particularly with spots that define EBAs and tell the listeners why they should use an EBA rather than any other agent. I thought I'd bring it here to see if there was anyone with a story to tell.</p> <p>At the Buyer's Edge in Bethesda, Maryland, we are about to launch a radio campaign that defines and promotes Exclusive Buyer Agency. I hope to have success stories for you in the coming months.</p> <p>I look forward to hearing about your successes (and failures) here so I can learn as much as I can before our launch.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Dana Hollish Hill</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:28:08 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/871594/did-you-hear-it-on-the-radio- http://activerain.com/blogsview/871534/did-you-hear-it-on-the-radio- Did you hear it on the radio? <p>Happy New Year EBAs -</p> <p>I am posting this question to all of you in hopes that someone in this group has found success on the radio. Particularly with spots that define EBAs and tell the listeners why they should use an EBA rather than any other agent. No one has responded to my requests on the NAEBA forums so I thought I'd bring it here to see if there was anyone with a story to tell.</p> <p>At the Buyer's Edge in Bethesda, Maryland, we are about to launch a radio campaign that defines and promotes Exclusive Buyer Agency. I hope to have success stories for you in the coming months.</p> <p>I look forward to hearing about your successes (and failures) here so I can learn as much as I can before our launch.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Dana Hollish Hill</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:21 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/871534/did-you-hear-it-on-the-radio- http://activerain.com/blogsview/826475/you-say-mcmansion-and-i-say-monster-house- You say McMansion, and I say Monster House... <p>One of my co-workers was trying to find out what terms other people are using when referring to McMansions and I thought this might be the perfect place to conduct a quick survey to see what kind of list we could generate.  It might be interesting to see if different parts of the country have different terms,</p> <p>I'll start and I hope you will add to my list.</p> <p>McMansion, Hummer House, Monster House,..</p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:16:32 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/826475/you-say-mcmansion-and-i-say-monster-house- http://activerain.com/blogsview/521733/gas-by-zip-code Gas by Zip Code <p><strong><em>I received this info in an email and thought I would share it with my fellow agents. Driving clients to see homes has become very expensive. Maybe this will help.</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Gas by Zip Code</em></strong><br> <br>This is pretty nifty.  Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening!   Just click on the link.  You will see a map of your area and then scroll down and you will get a listing of gas prices in your area with addresses and brands starting with the cheapest and going up.<br><br><a href="http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx" target="_blank"><strong><em>http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx</em></strong></a><br>Be a good neighbor and pass this along.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Fri, 23 May 2008 10:08:00 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/521733/gas-by-zip-code http://activerain.com/blogsview/438367/so-are-we-in-a-spring-market-yet- So, are we in a Spring Market Yet? <p>Hello Montgomery County - </p><p>The other day I was in a shop and I heard some fellow agents making some comments about the state of our market. They were also comparing the market here to the market in DC and Northern Virginia which are also areas in which I work. I really thought they were off base, but was wondering what you thought.</p><p>In years past, it was easy to see when the spring market had arrived because of the change in inventory. Now, we have so much inventory in some areas that it is more difficult to tell.</p><p>Any thoughts from my fellow montgomery county real estate professionals? Is it spring yet?</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:46:43 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/438367/so-are-we-in-a-spring-market-yet- http://activerain.com/blogsview/310040/great-article-on-buyer-negotiations-and-freebies Great article on Buyer Negotiations and Freebies <p>You may have already seen this, but if not it is worth a read. It may even be a great piece to forward to your buyer clients. He really spells out what we would all like our clients to know.</p><p><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/beware-home-sellers-freebies/story.aspx?guid=%7B14D0CD77-0F21-47F3-B1B9-EC1F82CBD8A3%7D">http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/beware-home-sellers-freebies/story.aspx?guid=%7B14D0CD77-0F21-47F3-B1B9-EC1F82CBD8A3%7D</a></p><p>Hope you find it useful!</p><p>Dana Hill</p><p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:17:37 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/310040/great-article-on-buyer-negotiations-and-freebies http://activerain.com/blogsview/198551/free-home-radon-testing-kits-available-to-dc-residents Free Home Radon Testing Kits Available to DC Residents <p>I recently found this site and thought I would pass this information along to all agents working with clients in DC. This link takes you to a DC Government Page page where the District Department for the Environment offers DC residents free home radon test kits.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,11,q,494301,ddoeNav_GID,1458.asp">http://www.ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,11,q,494301,ddoeNav_GID,1458.asp</a></p> <p>For more information and to get the free radon test kit, DC residents should call the Radon Hotline at (202) 535-2302 or click below to request your free radon kit.</p> <p><a href="http://www.ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,494350,ddoeNav,%7C31005%7C.asp">http://www.ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,494350,ddoeNav,%7C31005%7C.asp</a></p> <p>I hope you and your clients find this useful.</p> <p>Dana Hollish Hill </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:03:35 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/198551/free-home-radon-testing-kits-available-to-dc-residents http://activerain.com/blogsview/198505/free-home-energy-assessment-for-dc-single-family-home-owners Free Home Energy Assessment For DC Single Family Home Owners <p>The District Department of the Environment is offering Free Home Energy Assessments to residents of Washington DC who own a single family home. If you, or someone you know may be able to take part in this program, visit the following link to get more information. </p><p><strong>This program is set to expire on September 30, 2007 so act now.</strong> </p><p>visit <a href="http://www.ddoe.dc.gov">http://www.ddoe.dc.gov</a> for all of the deatails or call The Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6750.</p><p>Agents servicing DC, spread the word to your clients! This is something many of my clients ask about and yours may be interested in as well. There is also info about free Radon Test Kits at this site. Enjoy.</p><p>Dana</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:19:05 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/198505/free-home-energy-assessment-for-dc-single-family-home-owners http://activerain.com/blogsview/126639/helping-clients-make-their-homes-more-energy-efficient Helping Clients Make Their Homes More Energy Efficient <p>I had a call from a client asking if we had a list of companies that conduct home energy audits. Though not on our company contractor list, I felt that as an Exclusive Buyer's Agent, this was something I should have readily available. I spoke with some of my old colleagues at the US Environmental Protection Agency and found the following links which may be useful to you and your clients. I asked my client to let us know if he likes the energy rater he uses so we can add them to the Buyer's Edge contractor list, but in the meantime, the first link provides certified home energy raters listed by state. The other links may be helpful to you or your clients if interested in a more self-oriented approach. If you have any experience with any of the energy raters on the list in MD, VA or DC, whether favorable or not, I'd sure appreciate hearing from you. </p><p>Directory of Home Energy Raters</p><p><a href="http://www.natresnet.org/programs/providers/directory.aspx" title="http://www.natresnet.org/programs/providers/directory.aspx">http://www.natresnet.org/programs/providers/directory.aspx</a></p><p>Home Energy Yardstick</p><p><a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index_tools" title="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index_tools">http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index_tools</a></p><p>Home Energy Audits</p><p><a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits" title="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits">http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits</a></p><p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:20:13 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/126639/helping-clients-make-their-homes-more-energy-efficient http://activerain.com/blogsview/70546/how-to-be-sure-the-seller-really-had-a-permit-for-that-addition-or-renovation How to be sure the seller really had a permit for that addition or renovation <p>I recently came upon a great website you may find useful if you want to check to see if there has been a building permit issued for some recent renovation in a home your buyer may be considering. It is a national site but you can search at the county level and I found it very useful in a recent Arlington, Virginia transaction. </p><p>The address is <a href="http://www.velocityhall.com/accela/">http://www.velocityhall.com/accela/</a> and it is very easy to use. </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:15:13 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/70546/how-to-be-sure-the-seller-really-had-a-permit-for-that-addition-or-renovation http://activerain.com/blogsview/68585/i-know-several-people-who-are-planning-to-list-their-homes- I know several people who are planning to list their homes... <p>I know several people who are planning to list their homes in the next few months, but as a true exclusive buyer's agent working for an exclusive buyer brokerage, I can not list their homes for them. If you are also an Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA) working at an exclusive buyer brokerage, I'd love to hear a bit about how you handle this situation.</p><p>How have you selected the agent to whom you refer your listings? Do you get a referral fee for sending them to listing agents? Does this agent let you know if an unrepresented buyer walks into an Open House for the referred property? Do you disclose that you will receive a referral fee to the person you refer?</p><p>Thanks in advance for any information you may share.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          <a href="mailto:dana@buyersagent.com" target="_blank">Dana Hollish Hill</a><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img title="Dana Hollish Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/1/1/3/ar133614660831121.jpg" height="143" alt="Dana Hollish Hill" style="float: left;" width="200"></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Vice President, <a href="http://www.buyersagent.com" title="Buyer's Edge Company, Inc." target="_blank">Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: andale mono,times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">          Representing People, Not Properties</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">          c</span><span style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">ell 202.271.5301<span style="">   </span>web <a href="http://www.hollish.com" title="Dana Hollish Hill" target="_blank">hollish.com</a></span></span></span></span></p> </div> Dana Hollish Hill, Exclusive Buyer's Agent (Buyer's Edge Company, Inc.) Mon, 02 Apr 2007 19:59:29 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/68585/i-know-several-people-who-are-planning-to-list-their-homes-