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first time buyer: How Does Your Garden Grow? - 10/11/11 10:18 AM
Hooray! You have settled on your new home. You have survived the anxiety of the homebuying process. Now you have a home and a yard to care for! What to do?
Now that you're in a new home, don't just dig into the dirt. Take some time to plan your course of attack!
Post-move checklist for homeowners Consider hiring a professional landscaper. This is particularly useful if you have just moved into an older home in areas like Bethesda or Chevy Chase with yards that have not been "groomed" in years or a new home in a newly developed communities with … (3 comments)
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first time buyer: Ask the Seller for the Title Insurance Up Front - 12/16/09 08:55 AM
This business is filled with simple to-do's that can make life so much easier for everyone, and really make you as a Realtor stand out the competition. One very simple to do is to ask your sellers when you list a property when was the last time they refinanced and could they try to find and provide to you their title insurance from that last refi. If you represent the buyer, include it in an addendum to the contract - Seller will use best efforts to provide a copy of the most recent title insurance.
This has come up twice this week … (1 comments)
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first time buyer: What is for Sale in McLean Gardens in DC? - 12/08/09 09:20 PM
What is For Sale in McLean Gardens in DC?
If you are looking for a great community with spacious condos at a reasonable price
and low condo fees, then you should definately consider McLean Gardens.
DC7161419 3740 39Th St Nw $239,000 Studio unit with 1 Bath - 1 level
DC7163894 3401-3420 38Th St Nw #417, $544,000 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 level
DC7124449 3850 Rodman St Nw $420,000 - 2 bedrooms, 1 bath - 2 Levels
DC7179004 3401 38Th St Nw $545,000 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 level
DC7185994 3450 39Th St Nw $419,000 2 bedrooms, 1 … (2 comments)
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first time buyer: NAR Responds to Congressional Efforts to Modify FHA Lending - 12/07/09 01:05 PM
NAR President Vicki Cox Golder testified before the House Committee on Financial Services recently that the Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance program is a critical part of the American housing fabric and has never been more important than it is in today's market. NAR strongly opposes H.R. 3706, the "FHA Taxpayer Protection Act of 2009," which would increase FHA's downpayment requirement.
Golder said that the FHA program is fiscally sound with responsible underwriting, and needs enhancements but not radical reform. She encouraged Congress and the Obama administration to tread lightly before making changes to a program that has a profound impact on economic recovery and … (0 comments)
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first time buyer: Buying a Foreclosure - Buyer Beware - 12/05/09 10:02 PM
If you are like many buyers who have been reading the real estate section of your local newspaper, you probably think a foreclosed house may be the best deal. According to the NAR, these houses often sell for about 15 to 20 percent less than comparable homes in the same neighborhood.
Despite the seemingly great deals however, anyone considering buying a foreclosed house should heed the classic warning: Caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware.
First, getting a contract on a house in a desirable neighborhood can be hard to do. Many buyers are outdone by all-cash bidders. Buyers also need to search … (7 comments)
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first time buyer: Logan Circle Update - 11/03/09 09:51 PM
Logan Circle is now one of the best areas in Washington, but it wasn't always the case. Logan Circle is a recently restored community, filled with urbanites, restaurants, and the best Whole Foods in the city with a colorful past. Now it is a gracious neighborhood with upscale condos, beautiful Victorian townhomes and newly constructed apartment buildings.
Did you know that Logan Circle itself wasn't always known as Logan Circle? Until 1930 Logan Circle was named Iowa Circle. Finally, in 1930 Congress passed a Law changing the name of Iowa Circle to Logan Circle in memory of Civil War General and Senator John A. Logan (D-IL). … (1 comments)
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first time buyer: Celebrating the Cairo Condominiums in Dupont Circle - 07/13/09 10:47 PM
Have you ever wondered why there are not very tall buildings in Washington, DC? Why are all the tall buildings across the river in Rosslyn? The answer goes back to 1899 and the Heights of Buildings Act.
In 1894, the Cairo, an apartment building at 1615 Q Street NW was completed by Thomas Schneider and stood 164 feet tall. With 12 floors, the Cairo's height caused a tremendous uproar among local residents, who asked Congress to limit the height of residential buildings in the District of Columbia to prevent more "skyscrapers" from being built. Congress passed the Heights of Buildings Act and has … (1 comments)
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first time buyer: DC area condo market is about to pick up! - 07/02/09 09:27 PM
Remember a couple of years ago - just before the market headed south? There was a piece in the Washington Post about the tidal wave of new condos that were being built - I think the number was something like 40,000 units that were planned or being converted into condos from rentals. It was like every developer on the East Coast independently said at the same time - "I have a great idea! I will build condos in the DC area." Naturally with that much supply on the planning boards, the market reacted in an absolutely predictable way that a student … (0 comments)
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first time buyer: The Ultimate Irony in Short Sales - 05/12/09 08:46 PM
I have ranted and gripped about short sales before, and I have sworn that the one I am doing now will be the last one I ever will let a buyer get into. It now looks like the one I am involved with now will be over sooner than I thought though.
My buyer put an offer in on a short sale over a month ago which the listing agent represented as having already been blessed by a negotiator and ready to close in 2 weeks - start to finish. HA! The sellers were about to lose their home because the … (12 comments)
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first time buyer: What Would You Like to Tell the Banks about Short Sales - 03/12/09 10:39 PM
Before you respond - remember - this is my fantasy - where everything is rational and orderly according to my rules. And yes, I know that the banks are working hard, and we all need to be patient, but this is my fantasy.....
We have been waiting for 6 weeks for the bank to respond to my buyer's offer on a short sale property which was ratified by the seller, but of course is subject to approval by a 3rd party - the bank. In the mean time, the listing agent was directed to increase the list price and continue to market … (6 comments)
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first time buyer: Is My Service as Good as My Car Dealer? - 02/25/09 10:47 AM
My car is being serviced downstairs as I write this posting. I am in a private cubicle upstairs at the car dealer, using their computer, drinking my second cappucino, (I needed that to wash down the cinnamon bagel and cream cheese.) Guess what, I don't mind coming in to get my car serviced because I am not going to waste three hours out of my life. I know that there is a computer for my use, coffee, and a private room for business calls. I probably get more work done here than in my office. It is yet another reason that I love my … (4 comments)
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first time buyer: There is a Silver Lining to Foreclosures - 02/22/09 11:51 AM
Yes, I realize that it is hard to put the words "foreclosure"and "silver lining" together in the same sentence. However, while the foreclosure is a tragedy on a personal level for someone or a whole family and a national tragedy for all of us, it does create an opportunity for home ownership for someone who had been priced out of the housing market before.
The Washington Post just did an article in its real estate section this weekend talking about the beneficiaries of the housing bust - young couples who couldn't afford to buy a home before. These buyers are helping all … (45 comments)
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first time buyer: How Should I use Facebook to Grow My Business - 02/08/09 10:51 PM
I read the posts and understand that social networking targetted toward your market is an important part of our business development. I try to reach out in various ways on the Internet and get a lot of business from it. Now I am trying to develop my Facebook presence.
What am I supposed to put up there to attract people to my SOI?
How do you use it?
How many pictures do you keep on your Facebook page?
What kinds of pictures do you put up.
Do you link people back to your Facebook page for listings?
Does this actually generate … (15 comments)
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first time buyer: Any Suggestions for Good Valentine's Day Marketing Gifts Etc? CHEAP? - 02/03/09 10:59 PM
I like to give my past clients little gifts for some non-denominational holidays - Flag Day, Thanksgiving, etc. Last year I found a great buy at Target - in the $1.00 section - very sweet little glass candle holders shaped like hearts. I am now stuck trying to duplicate my success of last year and I am drawing a blank.
Does anyone have any great ideas for Valentine's Day? Does anyone make/buy cookies to take to clients? past and present?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
… (12 comments)
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Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker and Attorney Licensed in DC, MD, VA,Coldwell Banker
Washington,
DC
More about me…
Keller Williams Metro Team Realty
Address: 15204 Omega Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850
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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