WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONDO ASSOCIATION GOES UNDER? - 01/31/11 02:23 PM
Without mincing any words, Lenn Harley spells out exactly why it's so important to understand the health of the condo association on any condo purchase (or sale, for that matter).  Things can spiral out of control pretty quickly, so it's important to read those condo documents with a magnifying glass.  Know what you're getting into and act accordingly.  Thanks, Lenn:
Via Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland (Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate):
"WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONDO ASSOCIATION GOES UNDER?"
That was a question from a home buyer yesterday.  This is a cash buyer in the … (1 comments)

Staging your Chevy Chase Home - 01/30/11 12:12 PM
Original Source:  Staging your Bethesda Home
Congratulations! You got a promotion, they want you in San Diego yesterday, you have to leave town pronto because school starts next week, and that's o.k. because the house needs a paint job. But, you're now in the unfortunate position of having an empty house to sell. And, empty houses typically don't do as well as their furnished counterparts. Take a deep breath.
An obvious solution is to stage your home. But staging can run a bundle... I have an old client who paid $5,000 to stage the first floor (only) of her very small … (4 comments)

Evers & Company 2010 End-of-the-Year Market Report - 01/28/11 06:35 PM

Original Source: The Evers & Company 2010 End fo the Year Real Estate Report
2010 had two dramatically different halves: the dollar volume of sales in the first half of the year averaged an increase of 23% per month, but the market declined in July, because of the end of the First Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit, and sales through the end of the year averaged a negative 9% per month. The year ended with a modest gain of 7% dollar volume of sales over the previous year.
The positive news was the consistent gain in prices in the close-in … (0 comments)

Hey! Can I call this a bedroom? - 01/28/11 09:01 AM

Original Source:  Can I call this a bedroom?
A few years back I got a call from some frustrated sellers. Their house had been on the market for over 3 months and it hadn't sold. They weren't terribly happy. They had spent a lot of money staging the place, and as absentee owners, they were bleeding money. They asked me to look into it. 
So what was the problem? Expectations were too high. You see, the previous listing agent had called it a 4 bedroom house (and priced it as a 4BR house), when it was anything but. Anybody coming … (8 comments)

Bus from NYC to Bethesda - 01/22/11 12:47 PM
Original Source:  NYC Bus to Bethesda
There are now two bus lines that go directly from mid-town NYC to downtown Bethesda, MD. They are cheap, convenient, fast, and mostly quite pleasant. And the good news is you don't have to schlep to catch the often delayed train, nor do you have to contend with driving on 95, which always leaves me a little harried. I love it. Another great thing...even if you're final destination is in DC, as long as you are headed somewhere along the red line/Metro, it might even save you some time.
I've taken a few trips on … (1 comments)

Interest Rate is the Wrong Reason to Choose a Lender - 01/20/11 06:37 PM
J. Philip Faranda has written one of the best blogs I've ever read regarding how one should go about choosing a lender.  I've witnessed a few too many e-loan disasters during my tenure as an agent, and I always caution against them. The old phrase "if it's too good to be true...it is" comes to mind.  Don't be fooled by those teaser rates.  When choosing a lender, take the time to ask around and find out who will provide you with the best possible service.  I've got a long list of lenders who have never disappointed- and I'm happy to share. 
Via … (1 comments)

Help! I want to bid on a house, but I'm leaving town! - 01/20/11 10:47 AM
Original Post: I want to put a bid on a house, but I'll be out of town
The gee whiz moments in life have actually stepped up over the past few years with the advent of smart phones, i-pads, Facebook and what not. My recent favorite actually helps me in my real estate career. YUP. I'm a new convert to Docusign. Docusign allows me to work with traveling clients as long as they have access to the internet and a computer. There's no need for printing documents at your hotel, and there's no need to chase down a fax machine while … (5 comments)

20016 AU Park/Tenleytown Market Report- December 2010 - 01/16/11 10:40 AM
Original Source: AU Park/Tenleytown 20016 Market Report- December 2010

In December of 2010 there were 35 homes that closed within the month for zip code 20016 in the District of Columbia (AU Park/Tenleytown/ Palisades). This was an increase of 0 units, as there were 35 homes that closed in December of 2009.
The average list price for homes that closed in December 2009 was $1,409,317. The average list price for homes that closed in December 2010 was $840,783.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $1,297,900. The average sale price for the homes that … (0 comments)

20015 Chevy Chase, DC Market Report- December 2010 - 01/15/11 10:44 AM
Original Source:  Chevy Chase, DC 20015 Market Report- December 2010

In December of 2010 there were 3 homes that closed within the month for 20015 Chevy Chase, DC. There were 16 homes that closed in December of 2009.
The average list price for homes that closed in December 2009 was $919,419. The average list price for homes that closed in December 2010 was $1,125,000.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $884,147. The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2010 was $1,071,667.
The average Days on Market for homes that … (0 comments)

20817 Bethesda Market Report- December 2010 - 01/10/11 09:52 AM
Original Source:  Bethesda 20817 Market Report- December 2010

In December of 2010 there were 27 homes that closed within the month for 20817 Bethesda, Maryland. This was a decrease from 2009, as there were 35 homes that closed in December of that year.
The average list price for homes that closed in December 2009 was $1,099,318. The average list price for homes that closed in December 2010 was $897,481.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $994,571. The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2010 was $827,079.
The average Days … (1 comments)

Homes for Sale- East Bethesda 1/7/2011 - 01/08/11 11:30 AM
Original Source: East Bethesda -Homes for Sale 1/7/2011
All the homes in this article are currently for sale within East Bethesda. The top of the list features the newest listings, while the bottom showcases those that have been on the market for quite some time. I'll be updating this post every Friday, so be sure to check back to see what's new, what's gone, & what might be coming (and check out the date up top... if it's not current, neither is this information!). I've lived in East Bethesda for over 15 years. I've sold real estate in East Bethesda for … (1 comments)

Absentee Seller? Check your insurance policy - 01/08/11 11:03 AM

Original Post:  Empty House? Check your insurance policy
Sometimes I work with sellers who have already vacated their property before they find a buyer. If this is you, and your home will be vacant for an extended period of time, you may need special insurance. A lot of homeowners policies have a "vacancy clause" that kicks into place when an owner is gone for an extended stretch of time. This is because empty homes are more likely to be targeted for break ins and because there's a greater risk that small problems turn into large problems when they are not … (30 comments)

20816 Bethesda Market Report- December 2010 - 01/08/11 10:55 AM
Original Source:  Bethesda 20816 Market Report- December 2010

In December of 2010 there were 18 homes that closed within the month for 20816 Bethesda, Maryland. This was a decrease of 2 units, as there were 20 homes that closed in December of 2009.
The average list price for homes that closed in December 2009 was $1,078,470. The average list price for homes that closed in December 2010 was $847,606.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $1,008,015. The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2010 was $751,500.
The average Days … (1 comments)

20815 Chevy Chase, MD Market Report- December 2010 - 01/07/11 08:09 PM
Original Source:  Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Market Report- December 20815

In December of 2010 there were 34 homes that closed within the month for 20815 Chevy Chase, Maryland. This was an increase of 5 units, as there were 29 homes that closed in December of 2009.
The average list price for homes that closed in December of 2009 was $1,046,614. The average list price for homes that closed in December of 2010 was $916,444.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $981,810. The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2010 … (2 comments)

20814 Bethesda Market Report- December 2010 - 01/07/11 07:07 PM
Oringinal Source:  Bethesda 20814 Market Report- December 2010

In December of 2010 there were 29 homes that closed within the month for 20814 Bethesda, Maryland. This was an decrease of 4 units, as there were 33 homes that closed in December of 2009.
The average list price for homes that closed in December 2009 was $623,405. The average list price for homes that closed in December 2010 was $754,910.
The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2009 was $574,670. The average sale price for the homes that closed in December 2010 was $717,276.
The average Days … (0 comments)

2010 Mortgage Rate Recap – What a fun ride! Summary of what happened to mortgage rates in 2010 - 01/07/11 05:39 PM
Nick Pakulla does an excellent job of re-hashing the crazy roller coaster ride of mortgage rates in 2010 (a much better job then I could do!).  I refinanced myself in 2010... but jumped in just a tad too soon at 4.5%.  I really wanted to be one of the lucky ones at 4.0%.  Rats.  Not sure there will ever be a next time.
Via Nick Pakulla Mortgage Lender Loan Officer in MD DC VA (First Place Bank Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia):
With the new year approaching (wow it's almost 2011 already?) and "best of" 2010 information coming from other sources, I thought it would be … (1 comments)

Montgomery County: Snow Plow Tracker - 01/03/11 01:08 PM

Original Source: Snow Plow Tracker
Montgomery County has just unveiled a new tracking system for plowed streets. Click here for a direct link. The online map will allow you to track your individual street, neighborhood, or various emergency routes. This can come in handy as you try to assess whether or not to venture outside. It's also good for notifying the powers-that-be that they missed a street (assuming that's the case). Me, I'm hoping 2010-2011 doesn't bring quite so much snow as last year. Beautiful as it was, it sure did mess with us. A reprieve would be nice.
Thanks, … (3 comments)