Having A Nice Flight - 07/31/10 12:00 PM
When people wish you a nice flight to wherever you are going,  they are thinking about Southwest Airline's Flight 136 from Seattle to Washington, DC.  It left on time, is about to arrive on time, and I expect that my suitcase (that they didn't charge extra for) will arrive unscathed. 
But the best part was getting to catch someone doing his job extremely well.
As the flight readied for take off, the flight attendant, Sandy Bynes began to go through the announcement about safety instructions.
This was no Connie Conehead, reading a script in a boring monotone.
He used his … (35 comments)

Friday's Fotos: Seattle Skyline - 07/30/10 02:55 AM

I took this on the ferry from Bainbridge Island to Downtown Seattle.    There are people who actually get to go to work every morning on The Wenatchee.  What a commute!
There is only one little complaint that I had about my day as a commuter on this route.  Seattle is thought of by us east coast people as Coffee City.  But there was no Starbuck's on the ferry.  Riders have to drink inferior swill if they don't have time to grab a really good latte on the run to catch the boat!
… (18 comments)

Real Estate Bloggers' Heaven! - 07/29/10 11:27 PM
OK, I have to admit it.  No trip to Seattle would be complete for me without a visit to the Mount Olympus of the real estate blogging world:  Active Rain Headquarters.
As my little Garmin guide led me from the Bainbridge Island Ferry through downtown Seattle, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Would it be like a garage?  Would there really be maniacal caged gerbils running frantically on treadmills to keep the network running properly? 
And actually, I wasn’t really surprised. 
Active Rain’s offices are in a very bright and, yes, sunny building just across the street from Rain … (85 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Ribbit. Ribbit. - 07/28/10 10:39 AM

Let's call this one "Lipstick on a Frog".
This fellow is amazing.  He lives along the side of a road on Bainbridge Island - it's the other Washington!   Some neighbors did this, creating a frog out of a couple of rocks stacked one on the other.  You might also notice the little creature in back of the frog.  Not sure exactly what he is.  But he sure is cute.
… (28 comments)

Rain In Seattle? It's a MYTH! - 07/27/10 03:11 PM
Active RAIN?  I think not!
This is my fifth trip to Seattle area, and I am convinced that, contrary to what we've all heard, this is not a rainy area.  I think it is a myth perpetuated by the locals to keep people like me in the Other Washington - Washington, DC!
Since I arrived on Saturnday, the skies have been clear and a gorgeous shade of blue.  The weather has been between about 65 and 85 degrees, with no noticable humidity. 
My family has gathered on Bainbridge Island for my niece, Brighid's wedding.  It was outdoors under clear, blue shies, … (27 comments)

Flying High - 07/25/10 10:51 PM
A cross country flight is certainly one way to appreciate the immense natural beauty we have in the United States. 
Yesterday, I flew from one Washington to the other to attend my niece's wedding tomorrow.  More about that later. 
All across the country, I was hanging out the window snapping photos.  And as I was looking through my them, there was one snow-capped mountain that sort of said it all.   So, it's not a purple mountain, but this mountain is the very essence of majesty.

Flying over western Montana, Idaho and Washington State made me want to see it on … (30 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Mount Rainier - 07/25/10 10:37 PM

Mount Rainier is an amazing sight, visible from many parts of the Seattle and Tacoma areas.  I took this from Bainbridge Island on a very hazy day, looking east.  I must have about a gazillion shots of just this one mountain!  And there are so many more snow-capped beauties along the entire Cascade range. 
There is so much natural beauty in this part of the world.  Wos!
… (26 comments)

Why I Chose Southwest Airlines - 07/25/10 09:41 PM
 
Why I Chose Southwest Airlines
When I was looking online for airline tickets for my flights to Seattle, there were lots of options.  But since almost all airlines are providing service at the level of a limited service real estate brokerage, the price and schedule seemed to be the factors that drove my choice.
But airfare alone didn’t tell the whole story.  It's sort  of like comparing brokerage fees.
I’d heard news reports that several carriers, many of whom charge you for checked luggage, had discovered a new way to make money.  They now charge for carry-on bags.
So on … (18 comments)

Precision Pricing - 07/25/10 09:17 PM
Precision Pricing
Last month, I put together a very careful market analysis on a home I listed in American University Park, a popular DC neighborhood. Still, there were several homes that had been on the market for a while and some of those are still for sale.
By the time it hit the market, my listing was ready for prime time. The seller had it painted, refinished the floors, and transformed it from crunchy granola looking like it should be in Takoma Park to proper AU park understated chic. When we posted the listing on MRIS, it was with a beautiful … (12 comments)

I've Looked At Clouds From Both Sides Now - 07/24/10 11:34 PM

© 2010 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certainly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
… (19 comments)

The Jefferson Memorial On A Partly Cloudy Day - 07/22/10 09:57 PM
Thomas Jefferson would really love the Jefferson Memorial, a domed monument inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.  The architect, John Russell Pope, knew Jefferson was a huge fan of classical architecture, and it’s set in the perfect location, surrounded by the water (and cherry blossom trees) of the tidal basin. 
The construction took place during World War II, and because metal was in short supply, the original statue of Jefferson was made of plaster.  After the war ended, sculptor Rudolph Evans created the 19 foot bronze statue that replaced the original.
There are inspirational words from Jefferson’s writings engraved on … (24 comments)

Part 3 - When Realtors Make a Move: Interviewing Brokers - 07/22/10 10:35 AM
When Realtors Make a Move:  Interviewing Brokers
First, you decide it’s time to go.  Then you have to answer the big question, “Where to?”
So you start your quest for a new office by deciding what kind of place you want.
What sort of business model are you looking for?  Do you want a traditional brokerage or one of the newer models?  Do you want a small, locally owned company or a huge multi-office firm?  Do you want a national affiliation?  How important is it that the firm offer agent training in-house?
With these questions answered, the next step will … (48 comments)

When Realtors Make A Move: Understanding the Triggers - 07/20/10 09:14 AM
Most experienced agents have gotten the call.  You know.  The one from a broker from another firm calling or emailing you to come over and check out how green their grass is – much greener than where you are now.
 
Sometimes the grass is greener.  Just as often, it probably isn’t.
 
To stay in business and thrive, a brokerage has to be able to attract new agents, and it’s usually more profitable to try to hire good agents from a competitor than to grow your own. 
 
It may be flattering to know that you are wanted, but … (133 comments)

Crestwood's Urban Deer - 07/18/10 11:00 PM
The last time I attended a meeting of the Crestwood Neighborhood League, they had a guy from the United States Park Service to talk about one of the burning issues of the day - deer migrating from Rock Creek Park into our neighborhood.
Crestwood is a residential area in Northwest Washington surrounded on three sides by Rock Creek Park.  While having such a beautiful neighbor is one of the attractions of living here, sharing our back yards with the local wildlife can be a bit of a nuisance. 
This morning, on the way down Allison Street toward Blagden Avenue and the … (22 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Pooped Squirrel! - 07/18/10 09:38 AM


The weather has been a little hot along the East coast lately, and the other day I got home and found this little guy.  Seems to be suffering the effects of global warming!  As I came up my front steps, he just looked up and waited for me to dig my camera out of my purse. 
Have a fun Sunday, everyone!
… (41 comments)

Get out your permanent markers, HUD seeks public comment on three main issues for FHA loans - 07/16/10 11:18 AM
This is a very important post! 
Jeff is giving all of us a way to make our voices heard at HUD.
Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):
You can make a difference - you have 30 days to comment against FHA's proposals



 
With a difficult economy and possibly some new FHA mortgage changes coming in the new future, this could be time to make your voice heard. HUD made this announce back in January 20th, 2010 - FHA announces policy changes to address … (7 comments)

When Realtors Make A Move: Before It Even Occurs To You - 07/15/10 08:45 PM
I just read Linda Greco's post, A Tough Decison, where she talks about changing brokerages - moving from one company to another.
During my twenty-seven years, I've made four of these moves, and I'd like to think that all of them were well thought out business decisions.  Chances are, if you stay in the business for any period of time, you will likely face this decision yourself.  Here are some steps you can take before it even occurs to you that someday you might want to change brokers
You need to store your contact database on your own computer. Maintain your … (96 comments)

Working With Your Buyer Broker: Sharing Your New Home Vision - 07/14/10 09:35 PM
Working With Your Buyer Broker:  Sharing Your New Home Vision
When I begin to work with new clients, the first thing is to wiggle into their minds and try to figure out their vision - where and how they imagine their lives in whatever I'm going to find them.  So we talk about it.
I ask them quesions, and listen to their answers.  Then I get a picture.
Sometimes it is spot on.  Other times the place they finally choose is nothing at all like I expected.
I arrange for my clients to receive daily updates.  and then go through looking … (19 comments)

Why They Call It Rock Creek - 07/14/10 08:06 PM
 
Why They Call It Rock Creek
Rock Creek flows through Washington, beginning somewhere north of Gaitthersburg, Maryland and flowing into the Potomac River in Georgetown.  
I'm very fortunate to live in a neighborhood that is surrounded on three sides by the park.  We can enjoy the cycling and running paths, and the natural beauty of the place always amazes me.
This afternoon, I pulled my car over on Beach Drive and took these photos of the creek, swollen with recent rain waters.

 

 

If you are planning to move to or from the Washington Mtropolitan area, … (20 comments)

It Takes More Than A Great Ad: Willie The Labradoodle Must Love Your Dog Food! - 07/13/10 09:43 PM
At Rain Camp, they play a video.  It's amazing.  It's brilliant on so many levels.  It made my heart skip a little beat.  And it's a dog food commercial that I've watched many times since Rain Camp.
Here is the ad in question, put together by Pedigree:
 
Now, I have a 50 pound Labradoodle who is a large consumer of dog food.  Mr. Willie's been eating this designer stuff that is produced in someplace in the Great Plains, made from all natural products with no corn.  It costs a fortune. It comes in bison and venison flavors.   It's supposed … (32 comments)

Addressing Appraisal Fiascos: Something Fishy Is Going On Here! - 07/11/10 10:34 AM
Addressing Appraisal Fiascoes:  Something Fishy Is Going On Here!
Amy Salisbury's post, Lenders & Appraisers : No More Silent Treatment! tipped me off to Ken Hearney's column in yesterday's Washington Post, To boost quality, Fannie Mae calls for experienced appraisers.  Although nothing seems to shock me any more, Ken's column did.  While all of us are painfully aware that the appraisal process is totally broken, the details in this article were pretty outrageous.
It seems that Fannie Mae has finally figured out that many lenders are using "electronic valuation systems" that are currently online to check the work of the appraisers … (14 comments)

Speechless Sundays: The Capitol On A Rainy Day - 07/11/10 09:04 AM
The Capitol On A Rainy Day

Last winter, Washington area bloggers were writing about Snowmageddon.  Then last week, it was the heat wave.   Yesterday, after what seemed like weeks, we finally got some rain to cool things off a bit.
This is not a shot of the Capitol in yesterday's rain.  I just found this photo that I took on a dark day last fall.  And bottom line, I like the variety in the weather here.  It would be hard for me to adjust to having it be gorgeous most of the time - as in Florida and southern California!
… (13 comments)

Chevy Chase MD House For Sale: 7206 Maple Avenue - 07/10/10 11:50 AM

Chevy Chase MD House For Sale:  7206 Maple Avenue
Open Sunday, July 11th from 1 to 4 PM
Please drop by tomorrow afternoon to see this Chevy Chase classic.  Built in 1930, it has just been restored, keeping the old Nantucket charm while adding all of the 21st Century conveniences and and systems.
The four-level house is large, with 5 bedrooms and 5 full baths.  The kitchen has abundant counter space and appliances that could turn me into a decent cook. 
The floor plan has a wonderful flow for formal and informal entertaining, with peaceful nooks, a dramatic sky lit … (16 comments)

Friday's Foto: Sheridan Circle - 07/10/10 08:46 AM
Friday's Foto:  Sheridan Circle

The rider of this gorgeous horse is  General Philip Henry Sheridan  (March 6, 1831 to August 5, 1888)
Philip Sheridan had a rapid rise during the Civil War to General.  Looking back on the history of the Civil War and some of his other exploits, he might not get a major traffic circle named after him today, expecially in a very posh (and sometimes politically correct) part of the city.Sheridan was famous for the destruction of the infrastructure of the Shenandoah Valley toward the end of the Civil War, and this was one of the first … (13 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Dupont Circle - 07/08/10 07:29 AM

The statue of Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont that was originally in the center of Washington's Dupont Circle is now in his home state of Delaware.  In it's place is this fountain, which is probably helping the residents of this fun neighborhood stay cool in the 100+ degree weather.  The fountain sort of anchors this popular downtown area, with many homes dating back to the Civil War.
The fountain replaced the Admiral's statue in 1921, and it was designed by the team that did the Lincoln Memorial, Henry Bacon and Daniel Chester French. 
As of today, there are 16 homes for … (20 comments)

In Case of Emergency, Please Contact Active Rain! - 07/07/10 10:01 PM
In Case of Emergency, Please Contact Active Rain!
This past week on Active Rain, there have been two posts about blog buddies who needed our prayers, not to mention our virtual hugs.
Paula Hamilton underwent surgery for the removal of a (thank heavens) benign lung tumor, and her husband, David, wrote a post on her blog letting us all know that she was going to be fine.  
Then Gary Wotral sent me an email alerting me to Sharon Lee’s amazing post,  Long Journey Home.   This one made me cry.   Sharon shared a story of near freakin’ death, and she wrote … (27 comments)

It's Never Too Late To Get Soci@l: Inspired By The Postal Rate Increase - 07/06/10 08:58 PM
Yeah.  Yeah.  This is too late for me to win the I-Pad, but on the way home from work tonight, I felt that I just had to write some sort of tribute to that rock star of social media, Ben Kinney.
 
On my car radio, NPR's Marketplace had a segment on the proposed Postal Service rate increase that they want to take effect in January of next year.  And one of the points NPR made was snail mail’s failure to consider what an economist would call “elasticity of demand”.  It will impact bulk mailers especially, which includes magazine publishers, and … (59 comments)

MISSING YOU IN THE RAIN - 07/05/10 10:26 AM
Here's wishing Paula a very speedy recovery.  And instead of commenting here, how about heading over to the original post for your get well wishes!
Via Paula Hamilton (BANDIER REALTY PARTNERS, LLC):
Missing you in the rain.  Dear ACTIVE RAIN family, this is Paula's husband David, we are at Methodist Hospital and she is dictating what I am saying to you (I get that a lot). 
First of all, Paula sends her well wishes to you and misses you greatly. Secondly, she hopes you are having a wonderful 4th with your loved ones. Finally, your prayers are being felt and are much appreciated.
… (4 comments)

Stars And Stripes in Georgetown - 07/04/10 03:29 PM

This house made me stop in my tracks for two reasons.  First, the brick work over the arched bay window caught me  eye.  At the same time, the American flag was wafting in the light afternoon breeze, with the white brick in the background.
Here's wishing all of my Active Rain blog buddies a fun and safe Fourth of July!
 
… (25 comments)

Hey! Look Me Over!: The Buyer Broker Agreement - 07/03/10 05:40 PM
Earlier this week, I wrote Hey! Look Me Over! with advice on what to look for in a buyer broker.  So what happens after you interview a few agents and find one you think will be a good choice?
Most buyer brokers want you to sign some sort of agreement that formalizes your agreement - often it is a legal requirement of their jurisdiction.  And without a written agreement, there are no guarantees the agent who finds you your new home will get paid. 
Most buyer broker agreement say, in effect, that the agent will help you find a place, and … (53 comments)

Washington's Beautiful Crepe Myrtle Trees - 07/03/10 10:14 AM
Their real name is Lagerstroemia, but we know them as crepe myrtle trees.  They get their name from the crepe-like texture of the flowers at the end of their branches.

  There must be a dozen of them on my block, with colors ranging from white to a deep red.  They seem to love the heat here in DC, and they even seem to thrive on neglect.    Crepe myrtles originally came to this country via Korea and China back in the 1700’s when a Frenchman named Andre Michaux imported some to Charleston, South Carolina.  Today, there are many varieties, … (25 comments)

30 Under 30? How About 60 Over 60? - 07/02/10 11:17 AM
30 Under 30?  How About 60 Over 60?
The June issue of Realtor® Magazine published it’s annual list that every young whipper snapper real estate agent wants to get on: 30 Under 30. 
Now, I have a little issue with this silly celebration of youth and vigor in our industry.  Sure, they are, as the article says, energetic, enthusiastic, and entrepreneurial.  They’re under 30!  They freakin' should be!  We were all energetic and enthusiastic when we were under 30! 
And HAH!  These kids have to be entrepreneurial because they can’t find real jobs, so they have to create jobs for … (93 comments)

Fourth of July In Washington, DC - The Nation's Birthday Bash! - 07/02/10 10:17 AM
Washington, DC’s July 4th Celebrations
In our nation’s capital, we really know how to do the 4th of July.   Over the weekend, residents and visitors alike will paint the town red, white and blue.  The celebrations will include everything from great food and music to amazing fireworks.  And most of the action centers around the National Mall.
The country’s birthday bash starts off with a parade,  complete with floats, marching bands and lots of flags.  It starts at 11:45 and runs along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets NW. 
Then you can walk over to the Mall to enjoy … (13 comments)

 
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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

More about me…

Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

Office Phone: (202) 364-1700

Cell Phone: (202) 549-5167

Email Me

Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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