| |
The First Sign of Spring! - 02/29/12 07:51 PM
I was driving to the office yesterday, and there it was! The first sign of spring. It's not a flowering cherry tree, but it is a flowering tree.
And it's only February - at least for another few hours!
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me at:
Housepat@mac.com, 202-549-5167
SEARCH ALL LISTINGS IN THE DC METRO AREA
CHECK OUT MY LATEST BLOG IN THE WASHINGTON POST!
… (26 comments)
|
Speechless Sunday: The Jefferson Memorial on a Sunny Sunday - 02/26/12 07:41 PM
Thomas Jefferson is one of my absolutely favorite founding fathers. And this is his very own monument. I took this one with my favorite zoom lens from across the Tidal Basin.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me at:
Housepat@mac.com, 202-549-5167
SEARCH ALL LISTINGS IN THE DC METRO AREA
CHECK OUT MY LATEST BLOG IN THE WASHINGTON POST!
… (15 comments)
|
Last Week's Favorites: February 19th - 25th - 02/26/12 09:37 AM
I didn't do a lot of blog writing last week, but I did read a bunch of posts. And here are some favorites:
1. Gene Riemenschneider: So you want my Loan Referrals: If you are a lender trying to get on some good agent's lists, this is one to read.
2. Andrea Bedard: Would you put an offer on "the stinky" house? This is a fun read that 'll help your buyers keep track of what they see.
3. Anna Cruchten: How secure is your listing? A reminder: how often do you check on yours?
4. Roger Mucci: My Dearest … (19 comments)
|
Mr. Buyer Goes to Washington - 02/24/12 06:27 PM
If you are relocating to the Washington, DC area, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the number of possibilities when looking for a home.
First, there is the District, with dozens of wonderful neighborhoods, each with its own flavor. But if you'd prefer to be away from the city, Virginia is just across the Potomac River, and then there is suburban Maryland.
How do you sort it all out?
Here are some considerations:
Your commute: where will your office be, and how will you get there? Will you be using public transportation? Proximity to a subway or train station is a … (16 comments)
|
Speechless Sunday: Bird Shot - 02/19/12 12:04 PM
Yesterday, Dick and I went on a househunting trip to Occaquan, Virginia, a sweet colonial town where the Occaquan River flows into the Potomac. The place we looked at was right on the water, and when I looked out over a balcony on the second floor, I was really glad that I had my camera with me - my Nikon Coolpix P500, with an amazing zoom lens.
This fellow posed for me while I fooled with the camera, and just as I was ready to click, he turned his head to the side.
What an amazing place this would be … (25 comments)
|
Last Week's Favorites February 12th-19th - 02/19/12 06:27 AM
It's been a fun and busy week, and each night at about 9-ish, I sat down to do my Active Rain reading and commenting. And here are the posts I loved - well, some of the posts I loved:
1. Debbie Gartner: Phew...at least they didn't tow my car away This almost happened to me while showing a condo in Arlington. They took the ten minute limit seriously. Glad you didn't get towed, Debbie!
2. Holly Weatherwax: You Know You Are a Blogger When... I'm trying to think up ten more! Cute, Holly!
3. Martha Brown: Somedays I Have To Ask … (22 comments)
|
Open House: 9913 Middle Mill Drive in Owings Mills, MD - 02/18/12 07:59 PM
When: Sunday, February 19th from 1 to 4 pm
Where: 9913 Middle Mill Road, Owings Mills MD
This cottage style home is actually a condominium, located in Owings Mills New Town. It was built in the 1990's and has been tastefully updated since them.
The kitchen has granite counters and travertine floors, with table space and sliding doors leading to a small deck.
The living and dining areas are expansive with soaring cathedral ceilings and glass doors leading to a deck that overlooks a protected nature preserve.
The master bath has a jetted Jacuzzi soaking tub and separate shower. There are … (7 comments)
|
Mayhem? - 02/18/12 07:14 AM
A friend of mine mentioned a new Allstate commercial she thought I might enjoy. Here it is!
After my exciting couple of weeks with raccoon mating season in my Crestwood attic, it never occurred to me to call my favorite State Farm agent to see if I have raccoon coverage! That will go onto Monday's to do list! And I'll let you know what my agent says.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me … (17 comments)
|
Friday Fotos: Honest Abe - 02/17/12 06:03 PM
This statue of Abraham Lincoln (and his horse) is on the campus of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. It's the site of the Loncoln Cottage, which served as the summer White House during his administration. And it's also where he wrote the first drafts of the Gettysburg Address. If you are visiting Washington, DC, a trip to the Lincoln Cottage is a great addition to your sight seeing itinerary.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, … (16 comments)
|
Hi! I'm coming over to set off your alarm and let the cat out! - 02/16/12 10:52 PM
Sometimes I'm amazed at how many MRIS comments use so many words telling us, not about the house we are about to show, but about the complications of showing it.
When we're choosing which properties to show, being able to get into and out of the front door with minimal complications is pretty important. If you are trying to get your home sold, here are some of the things that give us pause when deciding whether or not your home will make the show list or not:
Where is the key? Is it in a lockbox that I can open with … (80 comments)
|
What you can learn from writing for a real newspaper! - 02/14/12 03:54 PM
Bloggers are often criticized for being less than accountable for the things they write.
Here on Active Rain, there is no editor looking over our shoulders. There is nobody systematically fact checking what we write.
Now that I am an occasional guest contributor to my home town newspaper, things have changed.
Sara Goo, their Real Estate Editor, has the job of checking what I write for accuracy before they publish it. And I'm starting to think that is a very good thing.
For example, I wrote a post about Rosedale Cottage, a wonderful old place I sold a couple of years … (49 comments)
|
Speechless Sunday: She's Lost Her Head! - 02/12/12 11:40 PM
Speechless Sunday: She's Lost Her Head!
This will indeed be a speechless Sunday! This poor thing cannot speak at all because she's lost her head - literally! I found her at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. You'd think that a great big museum like the Met wouldn't have to display broken scupture! I did really like the outfit, however.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me at:
Housepat@mac.com, 202-549-5167
SEARCH ALL … (22 comments)
|
A New Chance for an Old Post: How Clean is Clean? - 02/12/12 11:37 PM
I originally wrote this post in October of 2007, my first year blogging on Active Rain. It didn't get a gold star, but it did get a bunch of hits and a few comments. So I decided this is the one to bring back for a second chance. Hope you enjoy it! How Clean is Clean? The moving truck has just pulled away from your house, and you are totally, completely, 100 percent pooped! You spent most of the day before cleaning up years of grime and cob webs your sellers left you, and now you're looking at decades worth of all … (6 comments)
|
Last Week's Favorites: February 5th - 11th - 02/12/12 09:28 AM
Good morning, Active Rain! It's Sunday and time for another review of the posts that, for one reason or aother, caught my attention last week. So here goes:
1. William Johnson: Journey to Our Future This is a post about change and opportunity that has a lot of wisdom to share.
2. Andrew Coles: Testosterone - flowing like a tidal wave! This is a debut post from a newbie who I think I could get used to reading.
3. DeeDee Riley: What Should I Write About Today? Hmm. And who hasn't asked this question lately?
4. Richie Alan Naggar: HANSEL … (34 comments)
|
Friday Fotos: The Nose Knows - 02/10/12 11:47 PM
My regular readers may have notices that I like cows. I especially love holstein cows.
I met this one at the Maple Ridge Farms, known mostly for its turkeys, but also for beef. And she was a bit more friendly than her friends in the pasture. Maybe she thought my camera was food.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me at:
Housepat@mac.com, 202-549-5167
SEARCH ALL LISTINGS IN THE DC METRO AREA
CHECK … (17 comments)
|
That's all you can afford? The seller doesn't really care! - 02/09/12 01:18 PM
A while back, a local buyer broker brought an offer on one of my listings - one that had just gone on the market. And it was not just way below the asking price. It was also way below the market value.
"They just love the house," she said. "But the amount in this offer is all they can afford."
And it reminded me a little bit of the conversation I had with the sellers when we were pricing the house.
"Nobody cares what you need or want to get for your house to make this move work," I said. "They … (22 comments)
|
Rosedale Cottage - 02/08/12 10:04 PM
You all, well, maybe not the newbies, remember my all time favorite listing, Rosedale Cottage in Cleveland Park? Well, it's had a big old facelift, and it's the subject of my most recent Washington Post blog.
I'd really love it if you'd stop by and comment!
It was a really fun to go back to this enchanted cottage. It still makes my heart skp beats when I walk in.
Wonder if a facelift could make me look so good?
… (11 comments)
|
So you really think those burglar bars will give buyers the warm fuzzies? - 02/08/12 12:56 PM
At a recent property showing, my clients and I walked into a townhouse in a pretty nice neighborhood. And the showing went pretty well, until we went to the walk-out lower level family room and found these:
The buyers didn't notice the built-in bookcases or the woodburing fireplace. All they saw was some imaginary masked bad guy trying to break into the house.
When I first moved from Manhattan to Washington, I was amazed that so few homes here had burglar bars. In New York, anyone who lived within a long ladder's reach of the street had them - or … (25 comments)
|
Red Sky at Night - 02/08/12 11:46 AM
I was driving home from a long day of showing houses in Northern Virginia when I noticed the evening sky was quite red. And it was reflected in the Potomac River, making it look a bit like pink lemonade.
Still I wouldn't want to drink the stuff!
I took this shot as I was about to merge onto Rock Creek Parkway (OK, the car was totally stopped waiting for a light to change) after crossing Memorial Bridge. And I took it with the camera on my IPhone.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC … (9 comments)
|
Do you KNOW A Mrs. Murphy? You should if you WANT to Avoid Fair Housing Issues. - 02/07/12 08:52 PM
There is so much about the Fair Housing laws that can confuse us. And I do think there are some important First Amendment issues, some of which were addressed in this post.
And please leave any comments with Wallace!
Via Wallace S. Gibson CPM * LandlordWhisperer (Gibson Management Group, Ltd.):
What every real estate agent has heard and few remember is that there are EXEMPTIONS to the FEDERAL Fair Housing Act.
One of those exemptions is the Mrs. Murphy's rule OR Mrs. Murphy's Exemption under the FHA. This exemption provides that if a "dwelling" has four or fewer rental units and the … (6 comments)
|
Social Media Is Like, Well, Donuts - 02/07/12 09:03 AM
This is a great breakfast blog!
If you are still puzzled by many of the social media venues, Gary's post will help you to better understand what it's all about.
And if you like it, please head over to Gary's to leave your comments.
Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):
Well the Super Bowl is history for another year, and if you had the fortune to host, pop into, attend a party with some friends or family I hope you enjoyed that time. Back to the business of work and for those that are … (0 comments)
|
Speechless Sunday: Will Ryman's Roses - 02/05/12 11:14 PM
I was driving east on Q Street from Georgetown and ran across this piece of fancy on the front yard of the Phillips Collection. I ran home and Googled the Phillips to try to figure out who was responsible for this whimsical sculpture. Turns out it was done by Will Ryman. We'll miss it when it goes to its next home.
If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help! I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. You may call, email or text me at:
Housepat@mac.com, 202-549-5167
SEARCH … (10 comments)
|
Last Week's Favorites: January 30 - February 4th - 02/05/12 09:44 AM
It's another Sunday Morning, and once again, I've got my weekly picks all ready for you to check out. So here goes:
1. Scott Godzyk: Should a Buyer or their Buyer Agent be calling former owners of Foreclosed Homes for more Info? What will people think up next?
2. Herb Johnson: What Is The Result Of A Strategic Default On Your Mortgage? This is something to print out and share with your short sale prospects.
3. Jay Markanich: Where Do Old Toys Go? This was Willie the Labradoodle's choice for last week! Your dog will love it, too.
4. … (36 comments)
|
Listing Photos and Getting People Through the Door - 02/04/12 11:26 PM
Listing Photos and Getting People Through the Door When Your Home Is For Sale
For the last two weeks, I've been showing homes in Alexandria, Virginia. My buyers are looking at townhomes in the Old Town section of the city.
Choosing the houses we were going to see was a collaboration between my clients and me. And the elements that went into the selection included not just my knowledge of the area, but also the photos included in each listing and the Google Maps information.
There was one house that slipped through the cracks last weekend. It had a single shot … (17 comments)
|
I Got Wowed Tonight by Marty at Macy's Houseware's Department! - 02/04/12 12:07 AM
I Got Wowed Tonight by Marty at Macy's Houseware's Department!
I needed a pair of glass candlesticks, and didn't want pay a fortune - I just needed some for staging props. I tried Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx and the Target at Wheaton Mall in suburban Maryland. No luck. As I was about to give up and go home, there was Macy's and I remembered! They have a decent houseware's department.
When I got there, a very polite sales clerk named Marty offered to watch my huge shopping bags (full of towels and pillows) and asked what I needed. When I asked … (28 comments)
|
Friday Fotos: On the highway somewhere in Indiana - 02/03/12 10:48 PM
Tonight, I was going through some of the photos I took on my September road trip to Kansas. I snapped this one along the highway someplace in Indiana. I knew it would come in handy on some chilly February day when I wanted to stop and smell a flower!
… (4 comments)
|
Squeezing the Google Juice from Market Reports! - 02/02/12 11:00 PM
Tuesday night, I wrote three neighborhood market reports. Not my most scintelating prose, but they told a story about what was happening in three DC areas: Crestwood, Forest Hills and Cleveland Park. And like most market reports, they got few comments.
Today, just for the fun of it, I did a Google search for market reports in the three neighborhoods. And guess what? My Active Rain posts popped up in the Number One spot at the top of Page One!
Then, I Googled my name, which was at the Number Four spot last week. Tonight, I was number 2 - pretty … (16 comments)
|
|
|
|
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!
 Listings
Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
;)
