Blond Jokes - 01/31/10 10:50 PM
After a bizarre cliff side accident, all eleven members of the women's outing found themselves hanging perilously from a rope over the edge of the cliff. Ten of the women were blondes and one was a brunette. After dangling there for a only a short while it became obvious that the rope would not hold all their collective weight. They decided that to prevent the rope snapping and killing them all, one of them must sacrifice themselves and let go, to save the others.
Well they talked about it for a while but no-one could decide a fair way of of … (6 comments)

Smaller and Practical - the Future of Homes - 01/30/10 05:42 PM
Better Homes and Gardens has reported that the top priorities for new home buyers and existing home owners are price, energy-efficiency, organization and comfort.
In a speech at the NAHB International Builders Show, Eliot Nusbaum, Better Homes and Gardens Executive Editor Home Design, presented the results of the Next Home Survey and said:
"Not surprisingly, we continue to see a ‘cents and sensibility' approach when it comes to buying or improving a home, with practicality and price being top priorities," said Nusbaum.
Even more consumers (36% in 2009; 32% in 2008) expect their next home to be "somewhat smaller" or "much smaller."   While … (4 comments)

I Turned Down the Chance to Make Zillions Today - 01/28/10 10:52 PM
Last week I got a phone call from some minion asking if I was interested in becoming an affiliate of a company running auctions. Since I was only listening with one ear, and this voice of the phone was only polling me for interest in further discussions with someone else up the food chain, I said "Sure, have someone call me back."  I hung up with very little clue about what had just happened or why someone had called me.
Today, the next minion up the food chain called me to explain the opportunity that were giving me.  This company or … (18 comments)

For Rent in Mount Vernon Baltimore, MD - 01/27/10 11:09 PM
I have a wonderful apartment for rent in a building that I own at 920 N Calvert St in Mt Vernon. It is listed for $900 a month - a one bedroom with a bath and a half bath. It is in a small building -just 5 units, and this one is on the 3rd floor overlooking a very pleasant residential street.  The apartment provides easy access to the Johns Hopkins Medical School, the hospital, School of Nursing and the Public Health School.
The exposed brick wall, open floor plan, and updated kitchen are some of the bonuses that make this … (3 comments)

It Was Party Time At Our Office Tonight - 01/27/10 11:00 PM
After several months of dislocation and construction, the Chevy Chase Office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage celebrated the successful reopening of our office space.  We had light snacks, sweets, savories, champagne and red wine. (I am surprised we had the red wine, given that Darrin, our manager, blanches any time anyone spills anything on the new carpet.)
The office is really great - bright colors, fabulous seating - a zebra striped chair, cool sofas - designed lighting.  You really have to see it because words just can't do it justice.  It was fun showing it off this evening and meeting new … (4 comments)

I Just Watched "Grapes of Wrath" - 01/25/10 10:02 PM
So what do realtors do in the evening, after a long day of showing houses to their clients in DC or Bethesda or Chevy Chase or Northern Virginia! I raced from point A to point B and back to point C all day long, and I was definately looking forward to a family evening.  I spent the weekend taking care of a new listing in Kenwood Forest  that got at least one offer, so I felt like I was due some quality time.
 I watched Grapes of Wrath with my husband and my 16 year old daughter this evening - what … (2 comments)

EYA is Building a New Project in Old Town Alexandria - 01/25/10 09:22 PM
Developer EYA is going to build Old Town, a mixed use community, on the site of one of Old Town's subsidized housing projects. EYA reports that demolition will begin in March on the James Bland Additions community on the northern edge of Old Town Alexandria.Old Town Commons will add 245 market-rate and 134 affordable homes, renovating five full blocks of Old Town, replacing the existing 194 units of affordable housing built in 1954 and owned by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA). Current residents will be able to relocate to other properties on site or move to other available ARHA housing in the community.The EYA … (2 comments)

Bears Make Money, Bulls Make Money, Pigs Get Slaughtered - 01/24/10 09:38 PM



The DC market is experiencing a pleasant rebound after months of softness and anxiety.  We are very lucky and if the reduced inventory and increased demand hasn't gotten to your market yet, my good wishes are with you that your market will pick up soon.
 
No good deed goes unpunished though, and now that the market is rebounding and multiple offers are coming in on well priced and well presented properties, it is necessary to remind the sellers that
BEARS MAKE MONEY, BULLS MAKE MONEY, PIGS GET SLAUGHTERED!
My two most recent listings both were fortunate enough … (3 comments)

NEW LISTING IN KENWOOD FOREST II - 01/24/10 09:17 PM
  Looking for a stylish new home in Bethesda/Chevy Chase - just a short walk to the metro?
This spacious home in Kenwood Forest II has it all from its elegant living room and dining room bathed in vibrant colors to the three large bedrooms, two and a half updated baths, and finished basement.
Kenwood Forest is the perfect place to live in Bethesda and Chevy Chase - Somerset School, Westland Middle School and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Leave your car in front of the town house and walk to all the shops and stores and restaurants that Bethesda has to … (0 comments)

NEW LISTING at 4700 Connecticut Ave Washington DC - 01/20/10 10:20 PM
Talk about a beautiful, elegant old world building and an even better condo.  Lise Howe has just listed Unit 303 at Parker House, 4700 Connecticut Avenue, in the mid 700,000s.  With 3 large bedrooms, 2 full baths, a separate dining room, large foyer, gracious living room, and solarium overlooking Connecticut Avenue, this condo has over 1800 square feet of space.    If you are looking for an old world style just a few steps from the metro, then this is for you! 
 
Open 1 to 4, both on Sat. and Sunday, this is definately a home to circle and plan … (0 comments)

CHANGES COMING TO FHA GUIDELINES - 01/20/10 09:51 PM
As lending requirements tightened up over the last two years, more and more buyers have turned to loans through the Federal Housing Administration.  FHA insured almost 30 percent of all purchase loansand 20 percent of total refinances during the 12 months ending Sept. 30. First-time homebuyers accounted for nearly 80 percent of FHA-backed purchase loans in the second quarter of 2009.  Now FHAlending requirements are tightening too.
Beginning early this summer, however, borrowers with credit scores below 580 will be required to make downpayments of at least 10 percent in order to participate in FHA's mortgage insurance program ratherthan the current … (0 comments)

New 10 Day Time Limits on Short Sales! - 01/17/10 10:18 PM
The most frustrating component of a short sale is waiting for the bank to approve the buyer's offer. Now that all may change under new federal guidelines that give lenders a 10-day limit in which to respond to purchase offers.
The U.S. Treasury rules, which will be applicable to banks that owe the federal government the repayment of TARP bailout funds, start to apply in April 2010. 
The Treasury rules, in addition to imposing a 10-day deadline for bank decisions, call for sellers to receive $1,500 moving allowances-and for the sellers to not have to repay any of the debt. Also, lenders will … (12 comments)

Basic Black is Back - In Home Decor Now! - 01/09/10 09:56 PM
I showed a house this afternoon with a home theater in the basement.  The walls of the basement room were painted black - I suspect with chalkboard paint.  I wasn't really sure whether the walls were black for the home theater or the little girls that lived there and probably loved to scribble on the walls!
Black on trackAccording to an article from Lowe's today, black walls are turning up in home magazines and blogs, much bolder versions of the grays we've known before. "Dark walls actually make smaller rooms look bigger," said Susan Bartlett Crater, granddaughter of Kennedy White House … (8 comments)

THE AMAZING GREEN CUCUMBER - 01/09/10 08:19 PM
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid,Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber.   Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydratesthat can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror.It will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are … (12 comments)

A New Wrinkle in Short Sales in Montgomery County Maryland - 01/08/10 08:45 PM
We all know how hard it is to get a short sale concluded since the banks frequently unwittingly throw up roadblocks at every turn and seem to change the direction of the sale.  Now Montgomery County Maryland has just issued new rules which will make some short sales virtually untouchable since the relevant transfer and recordation taxes will be significantly increased, while other short sales will be unaffected.  The burden will definately be on the realtors involved to alert the parties to the transaction to the potential increase in closing costs.
The change is as follows:
In all Montgomery County short sale transactions, the … (5 comments)

Don't You Love Babies? - 01/07/10 09:09 PM

 
     Tonight I got the phone call that most, if not all, realtors love! Some clients that I really think the world of are expecting their second child! I am so happy for them because they are just wonderful people and great parents. The second part of the good news to me was when they said that their townhouse is now too small! 
       This couple has been looking at bigger houses since she was just three months pregnant with their first child, two years ago, but now, with the expected arrival in a few months of a second … (6 comments)

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY IN KENWOOD FOREST - CHEVY CHASE - 01/07/10 08:50 PM
 
  OPEN THIS SUNDAY FROM 1 to 4
  6606 Hillandale Road
  Chevy Chase Maryland 20815
  In Kenwood Forest II
  Listed for $650,000
 
Welcome to this gracious, updated Rosewood model home. Featuring three levels of useful living space (2112 sq ft on the 1st and 2nd floors), this is the most popular townhome style in Kenwood Forest. Nestled next to the Crescent Trail and overlooking green space and a meandering stream, this home enjoys one of the best locations in the community!  You'll love living here in Kenwood Forest!
 
Main Level
Spacious entry foyer with hardwood floors, powder room, coat … (1 comments)

Bethesda Theaters Gear Up for Toddlers! - 01/07/10 11:22 AM
     In the cold dark days of winter, it is hard to come up with activities to keep an active toddler engaged and happy, but Bethesda theaters are making it easier for families now.  Both Bethesda's Imagination Stage and Glen Echo Park's the Puppet Company are presenting active shows, specifically geared for children from age 2 to 4.
     The Puppet Company features Bob Brown and his marionettes doing about a dozen Tiny Tots variety shows, each of which lasts about 45 minutes - a perfect time length for a busy toddler.  Bob Brown and his marionettes appear in the Puppet Co. … (2 comments)

Best Public School Principals in Bethesda - 01/06/10 09:53 PM
Bethesda Magazine holds a "contest" each year for the "Best of Bethesda" and the results were just released for 2010.
Barbara Leister, the principal of Wyngate Elementary School, was voted as the best Elementary School Principal in Bethesda for the second year in a row! She has been the principal at Wyngate for 22 years, so she clearly has a good handle on the education of young children.  Other principals that were recognized included Lisa Seymour of Bethesda Elementary, Sandra Reece of Bradley Hills, Linda Goldberg of Potomac, Martin Barnett of Cold Spring, Gary Bartee of North Chevy Chase and Charlene … (1 comments)

BEST RESTAURANTS IN BETHESDA! THE VOTES ARE IN - 01/06/10 09:14 PM
Bethesda Maryland is blessed with a wonderful magazine, Bethesda, which just released its 2010 list of Bests. This magazine makes it abundantly clear why so many people enjoy living in Bethesda - it is filled with great ideas for how to enjoy life in Bethesda! In the category of Chinese Food, the readers selected Foong Lin on Norfolk Avenue. I love the fresh mango and jumbo shrimp at Foong Lin and the Peking Duck! Another popular restaurant is Meiwah, which is above the Chipotle and Panera in Friendship Heights at Willard Avenue. Meiwah is the sister restaurant of Meiwah on M … (1 comments)

Shovel Those Front Steps! - 01/04/10 09:28 PM
  
     My clients arrived in DC on the last airline flight to arrive in DC Friday night before the snow storm that hit our city right before Christmas.   With incredible guilt I refused to go out with them on Saturday as it continued to blizzard. By the end of the two day storm, we got over 20 inches of snow. 
      Unfortunately, that didn't really bother my clients because they had arrived in DC to buy a house. Since they had just sold their house in Seattle, the pressure was on to find a new house here, and a few feet … (14 comments)

 
Rainmaker_large

Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker and Attorney Licensed in DC, MD, VA,

Washington, DC

More about me…

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Address: 15901 Frederick Road, Rockville, MD, 20855

Office Phone: (240) 401-5577

Cell Phone: (240) 401-5577

Email Me

As an full time and very active Realtor in the DC metro area, I love to write about the DC market, special communities within the market, and new listings, and to connect with other agents in ActiveRain on ways to improve our service to the public and our marketing abilities.


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