Holly's Blog

A Chance to Chat with President Obama

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:27:42 -0600

Yesterday, December 15, 2009, my husband had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with President Obama as the 'Cash for Caulkers' program was annonced in Alexandria, VA . This new program will offer homeowners financial incentives to weatherize thier homes. The government program is designed to help homeowners save money on their monthly bills, but also to take steps to reduce the amount of energy used in our country to heat and cool our homes.

My husband, BobWeatherwax , owns a company called Ardent 360, in the D.C Metropolitan area, which is comprised of several home building/remodeling companies, one of which is Ardently Green. Last month Ardently Green won a large contract with a private group called Weatherize D.C. which has given them some local visibility. In addition to helping homeowners audit and weatherize their homes, as part of the program, Ardently Green has formed a partnership with a local union to create jobs in the home energy reduction and green home products industry. Ardently Green recently hired and trained a young man who was invited to sit in on the president's round table discussion yesterday.

As the President of the Ardently Green, my husband was invited to the event the press conference introducing this new program. He had the opportunity to shake hands and chat with President Obama. I thought I would share the photos from this extraordinary opportunity (sorry for the quality of the pictures; the photographer was the guy sitting next to him).

This incentive is one that all homeowners should plan to take advantage of in 2010. Not everyone needed to buy a new car, during Cash for Clunkers, nor did everyone need new appliances during the appliance version, but all of us can benefit from a Home Energy Audit and the addition of extra insulation, caulking, new windows and/or doors, and other items designed to improve the weather sealing and energy efficiency in our homes.

Congratulations to Ardently Green--and my husband, Bob!

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

If I can assist you with the purchase or sale of property in Northern Virginia, please visit my website: www.greatexperience.net , my blog Real Estate and Reston or email me at hollyweatherwax@mris.com. My direct number is 571-643-4902.

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

A Scrooge in Our Midst

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:57:25 -0600

Last night I heard a story about a local foreclosure. I have been believing that many of these stories are tragic...but, this one is most certainly NOT. If anything, it reads a little bit like the Christmas story, "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens.

Imagine a neighborhood where the homes sell for between $950,000 and $1,400,000. Now imagine an owner who refinanced last year, pulling a lot of cash out of his 15 year old home. His house had appreciated significantly in 15 years, and so he very likely pulled out a large sum of money. He and his wife bought a new house (using the cash from the current house). He then went back to the bank and asked them to renegotiate the terms of his mortgage on house number 1. When they said no, he stopped paying his mortgage. His house has gone in to foreclosure and was auctioned off on the courthouse steps. He is now moving in to his new home and leaving his former neighbors to deal with the ramifications of the foreclosure.

What ever happened to personal responsibility? Even if he had not been able to get all of the money he owes out of a sale, isn't he the type of person who should be doing a short sale? I guess he has decided that he would rather have a nicer house than a clean credit report--he already has his new house, after all. Too bad for all of those neighbors who might be getting ready to list their homes for a Spring sale.

While what this man and his wife did was probably not technically illegal, it is most certainly unethical. It almost makes you wish the bank would take legal action against them. So those of us who continue to pay our mortgages (even if we don't like the terms anymore) will suffer with loss of value in our homes just because he was irritated and took the cowards way out.

It is this kind of story that makes cynics of all of us...and makes us doubt that the system is really working for the greater good. Can't you just imagine Ebenezer Scrooge handling the situation this way? No worries about how others are impacted, just a focus on getting what he wants at any cost. Of course, by the end of the Christmas Carol, we come to expect much better of Mr. Scrooge. I am not sure that this story has quite the same happy ending.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Discounts and Coupons and Sales, Oh My!

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:15:37 -0600

I am a good consumer. As the mother of 3 teenagers, manager of the house and business owner, I work with a pretty fair number of retailers.

For all my spending, I am rewarded--I think. You see, I am constantly receiving discount coupons in the mail and on the Internet for my favorite stores.'That's a good thing,' I hear you saying. Well, yes and no.

You see, inevitably, I find myself with a couple of minutes to run in to a store and make a purchase and, alas, I recall the coupon sitting on my kitchen counter. It never fails that the coupon I need is not with me.

I actually set up a folder to manage these coupons; when I sort the mail, I evaluate whether or not I will use a coupon, and if it makes the cut, it goes into the folder. If I am going shopping, I sort through and decide which coupons I am likely to need. I also spend a couple of minutes online checking out the latest discounts from different stores.

There is one particular department store that I no longer go to because they continue to offer coupons to anyone who is willing to shred their paper and carry coupons with them (and there is a new one every couple of day)s. I applaud this, in theory, but I never seem to have a coupon with me when I have the time to stop by a store and I refuse to pay more than the person in front of me for the same item! Guess what? I won't go to that department store. If they don't want my business--and for the same price as the next guy-- there are plenty of other retailers who do!

But back to the coupons...why can't the coupons we get be tied to the frequent buyer clubs that we are also required to join in order to get the coupons? Is is just so that we demonstrate that we REALLY want the discount? Isn't it enough that I give them my business, over and over and over (and they can see that by scanning my little fob)?

I feel like this coupon business has taken on a life of its own: besides my coupon folder, I have a special key ring for my store cards/fobs and a separate email for my on-line shopping (I can't manage my regular email for all of the ads I get from these retailers). I am trying to stay on top of this coupon/discount business without having it become my whole life. My mother-in-law is a wonderful shopper. She takes advantage of all of the discounts and manages to get some amazing deals. She also doesn't work and has the luxury of actually planning out a shopping trip--instead of dashing in to pick up a last minute gift.

With the holidays, this coupon management has hit an all-time complexity. How are you dealing with it? Am I the only one who feels like this has gotten out of control??

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Do I Need a Realtor® or a Real Estate Agent--Are they Different?

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:40:37 -0600

There is a difference between a Realtor® and a Real Estate Agent. While these terms are used interchangebly, a Realtor® is also a Real Estate Agent, but Real Estate Agent is not necessarily a Realtor®. In my opionion, there is an advantage to a consumer to hire a Realtor®. Here is why I think that.

In my state, Virginia, all licensees are required to belong to a local association and, in turn, the Virginia Associtation of Realtors® and National Association of Realtors®. As members of the National Association of Realtors®, we are required to abide by the Realtor® Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is very specific as to our duties to our clients and our duties to other professionals. It holds us to a higher standard, if you will.

I found a great article that makes the case for why you would want to hire a Realtor® rather than a Real Estate Agent. The article, Real Estate Agents & REALTORS® - What is a REALTOR? The Differences Between REALTORS & Real Estate Agents By Elizabeth Weintraub, outlines the differences between the two and specifically lists the components of the Code of Ethics that Realtors® must abide by. Before you decide whether you hire a Realtor® or Real Estate Agent, be sure you understand the difference and make your decision with a clear understanding of the distinction between them.

I am sure there are very good real estate agents who would provide a good service to you while buying and selling a house. For my money, however, I would opt for someone who is willing to sign on the dotted line and agree up-front to abide by this code.

Here is a direct link to the NAR Realtor Code of Ethics. As a consumer, it is a good idea to understand exactly what a Realtor® has agreed to abide by in their day-to-day work. As practitioners, it is a good idea for all of us who have agreed to these standards to review them on occasion.

There is so much that we in the real industry take for granted and don't realize that the general public might not understand. I hope this clears up at least this one issue.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow in Virginia!

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:42:04 -0600

Today is our first snow fall. I heard on the news this morning that in the Washington D.C. metro area in the past 5 years, 3 of them we received our first inch of snow on December 5. This year is no exception!

Luckily, we are all snugly tucked inside enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon. The snow is beautiful, and so far, not so deep that it would prevent us from going any where. Of course, if you are at all familiar with the area, this small amount of snow can be pretty paralyzing. For that reason, I think I will stick close to home, sip on tea and enjoy our first snow fall of the winter season.

Here are some pictures from my front porch:

Enjoy your Saturday!

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Real Estate Reality: Not as Glamorous as TV

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:38:19 -0600

I just read an interesting, but hardly surprising, article from the Chicago Times Tribune called, In reality, those real estate shows are really fake. It talks about recording and rerecording those 'spontaneous' scenes when the purchasers decide which house to buy. It turns out that this is all scripted--well, duh!

This article is important, however, for the many naive want-to-be homeowners who believe that what they see on television is the reality of buying, remodeling or building a home. Those shows, while extremely interesting, are mostly just entertainment. My husband is a builder and is constantly confronted with the misinformation that the public gets from these shows about construction and remodeling pricing. I am not sure where the shows purchase their materials--and the labor on those shows is generally free--but the costs they quote are often laughable in comparison to the costs in our market (admittedly, a more expensive market than many).

Reality television is big business. Real Estate is big business. Combine the two and it makes for some really great television. Just remember that real life is a lot messier and more complicated than what gets edited for 1/2 an hour of programming. If you want to know what it really takes to buy a house, seek out a knowledgeable Realtor® and they can set you on the right path--and with a realistic view of what it will take to find your perfect home.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Children's Holiday Shopping at Colvin Run Mill 12/04-12/05/09

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:59:20 -0600

The best thing about getting a gift from your child is the delight on their face when you open it. This weekend at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls, Virginia, take your children to shop for gifts for you, friends and family. Volunteers will help them navigate the store and pick out just the right gift to make their face light up. I took my kids to this event when they were small and they loved it!

Most gifts are $10 or less and Free Gift Wrapping is available. Adults are requested to wait outside while the little ones make their purchases.

Saturday (12/04/09), the shop will be open from 10-2.
Sunday (12/05/09) the shop will be open from 12-4
Monday (12/06/09), from 1-4 pm (which is early dismissal day for Fairfax County Elementary Schools)

The historical Colvin Run Mill is located at the Corner of Colvin Run Rd. and Route 7,at 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066. Admission is free.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

WolfTrap Sing-Along, Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:01:50 -0600

This Sunday is the Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long at The Wolf Trap Filene Center featuring, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and members of local choirs and vocal groups. Music for Christmas and Hanukkah will be played during the event. This amazing event is free to the public.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy and participate in the Toys-For-Tots program (this is strictly voluntary) to drop off at the entrance. During the performance, there will be a 'jing-a- long' during the playing of Jingle Bells, so bring an bell and play along. Bring a candle, too, and join the candlelight processional during the last verse of Silent Night.

This event is my 17 year-old daughter's favorite holiday event. Since she will be away at college this time next year, I am truly looking forward to sharing this with her.

So gather your friends and family, bundle up warmly, find your candles and jingle bells and head to Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, December 4, 2009 at 4:00 pm. It is a great way to kick-off the holiday season, support the Toys-For-Tots program and begin a tradition that will continue for many years to come!

For more information, you can go to Holiday Sing Along page at the WolfTrap website.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Why You Should Start Now for Spring Move

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:33:14 -0600

For many of us, the time between mid-November and January 2, is a blur of activities, events, and family gatherings. Surprisingly, it is also a great time to begin planning for a move in the Spring. You may find yourself needing to use up some stockpiled vacation. What better way to use it then to begin planning for your next big investment?

For Buyers:

This is a great time to pull your credit report, review your findings and begin the process of correcting any problems. Contacting a reputable Lender at this time also makes sense. They can review your credit report, advise you of things that may complicate your securing a loan, and begin the process of helping you to determine how much you want to invest in a new home.

As you approach the holidays, think about what kind of home you want to buy, and what you want to be doing at this time next year. Do you want a house that can host many family members--or would you rather buy something that more intimate and send the relatives to a hotel? Have you always wanted to cover your house with holiday lights? Do you need/want a mantle to display your family heirloom menorah? Is hosting a big New Years Eve party your dream? Think about all of these questions as you go through the holidays and you will find it easier to begin a list of features and attributes you would like to see in your new home.

Contacting a Realtor who is familiar with your area is a critical piece to your planning. They can begin sending you current listings to review. This process will make the actual activity of finding your new house much easier; you will already have begun the process of refining your list of wants and needs by the time you start physically going through houses. A Realtor can provide you with information about local neighborhoods and homeowner associations and help you to identify those neighborhoods that best meet your needs and personality.

For Sellers:

As you are pulling out your best serving dishes and stacking the pantry and linen closets, take a couple of minutes to weed out those things that you no longer need and don't really use. Trying to figure out what to wear to the company Holiday Party? Take the opportunity to clean out your closet and discard old, unused clothing. If you can't part with these items, you can pack them up for your move. If you know that they need to go, it is a great time to donate them to a local charity.

The temperature dropping requires that many of us winterize our homes. As you are turning off outdoor water and raking leaves from bushes, look at the exterior of your home and determine if there are repairs that need to be done. Call now to get on the calendar with local repair companies or put these items on your own to-do list.

It is a great time to get a Realtor in to walk the house with you and make some suggestions about improvements and upgrades that you can make before listing your house in the spring. Realtors are in and out of Listed Homes and understand what your house needs done in order to make it competitive. They can also begin assembling comparable sale information and work toward a listing price. They can tell you what the listing prices for currently active homes are, what the sales prices and concessions have been for homes that have sold recently and will have current information about homes that will be selling/going to settlement before yours goes on the market.

All of these tasks can wait, obviously, if you feel overwhelmed right now. I have seen many folks wait until January to get started only to discover that they will need 2-3 months to get through their to-do list. If you are trying to make the Spring Market, you want to make sure you get your home listed in time to get the greatest exposure to buyers; if you wait too long, the ready,willing and able buyers will have already placed contracts on houses without ever having the opportunity to see yours. I recommend that you aim for a date in early to mid-February, that way if it slips by a couple of weeks (and it probably will), you are ready to list no later than March.

If you are planning to buy or sell a property in the Northern Virginia area, I would like to talk to you about becoming your Realtor. I work with both buyers and sellers. I believe this gives me an advantage in negotiations as I understand the motivation on both sides of the transactions. My designations include: Accredited Buyers Representative, Eco-Broker, Accredited Staging Professional Realtor, E-pro, Graduate of the Realtor Institute and I hold my Virginia Broker's License. I believe that my continued training and education is a critical component of the service that I provide to all of my clients. Please let me know you would like any additional information about any of my designations or if you would like client references.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

For RENT:1026 Tyler Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:36:29 -0600

Great "Beach House" on large 1/2 acre private lot in Historic Downtown Herndon

3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1986, 2,088 sq feet, $1,850 per month

A great alternative to a townhouse! This 'beach house' style home is located at the end of a quiet street in historic Downtown Herndon. Enjoy warm afternoons on large wraparound deck. Two large sliding glass doors from the bright main living area provide access to the deck. Open floor plan provides flexibility for your lifestyle and large private 1/2 acre yard gives you room to spread out. Master bedroom has a private bathroom with shower. Additional full bath on BR level. Full finished basement with washer and dryer. Plentiful off-street parking. Location convenient to Reston Towncenter, Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Airport, Route 28, Route 7 and Wiehle and Monroe Park and Rides. Pets welcomed with approval and security deposit. FX7202841. Available immediately upon approval of rental application.

For More Information about this property (and to see more photos): 1026 Tyler Street, Herndon, VA 20170

Offered by Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker, Momentum Realty, (Agent has financial interest in property)

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Are You Living Your Life--Or Starring In It?

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:56:07 -0600

When my son was a baby, we used to laugh because he went through life humming; it was almost as if he had a soundtrack accompanying his every move. We used to joke that he was starring in his own life.

Being in the Washington area, there has been little else discussed over the weekend than the couple who somehow got through security and into a White House State Dinner. I don't think anyone was surprised to find out that she was trying to become one of the 'Real Housewives of Washington D.C.'

This comes not long after the spectacle that was the Heene family as they pretended to launch their 6 year old off in a Helium balloon and then got the local, State and Federal authorities involved in the 'rescue.' You may remember that this scheme fell apart when the 6 year old accidentally let it slip on Larry King. Of course that did not keep the family from appearing on talk shows and we all watched in horror as their young son vomited for the cameras. Bad parenting out there in the public eye...who doesn't want their child to be known world-wide as Balloon Boy?

Real Estate shows have long used the strategy of regular folks doing regular things to draw in viewers. This weekend I flipped on HGTV and watched a 'reveal' on one of the shows (not sure which one). The premise was that one couple was decorating for another (I think, but am not sure, that they are neighbors). The couple whose house was decorated HATED what was done. The other couple watched, off site but on-camera, as the 'victims' bashed all of their choices and, in fact,their taste. Of course, now these people have probably permanently damaged their friendship--or will at least spend a lot of money to un-do what was done. All I could think is why would you do this? 10 minutes of fame? Free decorating? Boredom with the everyday reality of your life?

Reality Shows, initially created as a way to continue broadcasting during a writer's strike, have taken over television as the preferred type of programming. People don't talk at the water cooler about whether or not Some Guy on Some Sit-com made Some Mistake, do they? They discuss who was voted off of American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.

Movie stars and Musicians, in the public eye by choice, have been providing us with this sort of entertainment for years. It doesn't always turn out well...Britney or Lindsay pop to mind. Why would regular people want this kind of attention? Does being in the spotlight bring these people happiness?

But why the obsessive need to live our lives in the public eye? Obviously, Facebook and Twitter are both a form of this; regular folks are following other regular folks and reading about their day-to-day activities. It has become a national obsession.

As a child of the 70's, I grew up watching The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family and before that, re-runs of Leave It To Beaver and The Dick Van Dyke Show. All of these shows were about normal people living normal (well, not really) lives. Maybe the current mindset is an off-shoot of the idea that if these types of people were interesting, we, too, can be interesting.

As professionals, we have on-line profiles. These profiles are often idealized versions of ourselves. They accentuate the positive, do not discuss anything negative and provide a stylized biography of how accomplished we are. While we all believe that we are the best at what we do, our presentation must be better than the next person's in order to be noticed. So by accepting this new on-line reality, are we creating a world in which we star in our lives rather than live them? I think one of the reasons that I enjoy Blogging so much is it is an opportunity to show my authentic self, rather than the stylized self that websites generally reflect.

I guess at the end of the day this leaves me thinking, is it so bad to be a normal person living a balanced life? Gosh, I hope not...

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Loudoun County: Missing Sterling, VA Boy Found Safe & Sound

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:59:58 -0600

I wanted to make sure that this message got out to the community. The missing boy was found on November 23, 2009 based on citizen phone call, so all the efforts that the Loudoun County Sheriff's office made to get the word out were well worth it!

http://www.loudountimes.com/news/2009/nov/23/police-search-missing-boy-12/

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Loudoun County Residents: Missing 12 Year Old Boy, 11/23/09

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:55:33 -0600

UPDATE: ALEX HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE AND SOUND. Here is a link to the update which will direct you to a news source.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1357700/loudoun-county-missing-sterling-va-boy-found-safe-sound

I just received the following information by email from my son's lacrosse league at 2:52 pm, today, November, 23, 2009:

Loudoun County, VA: The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is seeking information regarding the whereabouts of a missing 12-year-old Sterling, Virginia boy.

The child, Alexander (Alex) Richmond, left his residence on Meanders Run Court around 4 p.m. November 22nd on his own accord. Alex is described as being 5'5" tall, 125 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, hiking boots, and blue jeans.

If you have any information regarding Alex's whereabouts you are asked to contact Investigator W. Promisel at 703-777-0475. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous they should contact 703-777-1919.

Please pass along this information to anyone who is in the community and may have seen Alex.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Reston Holiday Parade and Events: Friday, November 27

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:47:50 -0600

If you happen to be sticking around this weekend, what better way to spend Black Friday (we all know the alternative, and that is not for me) than at the Reston Towncenter Holiday Parade? This will be the 19th annual parade, and based on the fact that my oldest will turn 20 soon, I am fairly sure we have been to most of them!

The parade kicks off Friday morning at 11:00 am with over 70 groups marching down Market Street. Folks line up along the parade route, so come early! This is a real civic event; you are likely to see the child from next door marching with the boy scouts or the girl up the street playing with the marching band. Over the years, Reston has done a fantastic job of making this a 'go-to' event.

The retailers are open beginning at 8:00 am, so you can get some shopping done and still wander over to the parade route in time to get a great seat.

The calendar of events, as published in the Reston Towncenter Press Release for the event is as follows:

8 AM: Reston Town Center retailers opening early
8 AM: Run with Alan Webb: 9th annual races for tots to teens to benefit Neediest Kids. Donation of $5 for participation encouraged. Participants can register at www.neediestkids.org.
11:00 AM: 19th Annual Reston Holiday Parade
12:30 – 4:30 PM: Visits and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Located on Market Street, next to Talbots. Donations will benefit local charities.
6:00 PM: Tree Lighting and Sing Along. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to magically light up the Christmas tree, followed by traditional holiday songs led by Reston Chorale and brass quintet.
6:30 – 10:00 PM: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street.$5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult.
All day: Ice Skating Pavilion. Open every day for public skating until March.
Santa’s Studio: Santa Claus will be at Reston Town Center in his portrait studio throughout the season. Dates and times vary, November 28 until December 24. His schedule is posted at his location on Market Street next to Talbots, and at www.restontowncenter.com.
Holidays are Here! All through December, Reston Town Center will host performances of music and dance by community groups at Fountain Square, and strolling on Market Street. Horse drawn carriage rides are scheduled for Saturday afternoons, December 5, 12, and 19, from 12 PM until 4 PM. All proceeds benefit local charities. $5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult. The Ice Skating Pavilion is open every day until March. See the schedules and more details at www.restontowncenter.com.

Bring the family, grab your neighbors and friends and come out for a really special kick-off to the holiday season. As you can see, there is something for everyone! For more information about this event, or other events at the Reston Towncenter, go to www.restontowncenter.com

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Lease or Buy: What I Learned from My 3 Year Experiement

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:37:23 -0600

Three years ago, in the market for a new car, I asked around to find out what people thought about leasing or buying. The feedback I received was split, but there were strong feelings on either side.

Taking all of the advice in to account, we decided to buy, and went in to negotiate with the dealer. Several hours later, and following a really good leasing program presentation, we decided to lease. Our decision was based on these factors: the APR was very, very low, we planned to buy the vehicle at the end, it allowed us to keep our money invested for another 3 years.

Here is what I learned from this experience:

The premise under which we leased the car only made sense if we ended up liking the car--we did not. It was a lemon. I was thrilled to get rid of it.
If you are going to turn in a leased vehicle, you better be darned sure you can stay under the miles. We negotiated the mileage to 15,000 per year, but given my job and our lifestyle, that was not enough. I ended up pretty much parking the stupid car for 6 months and driving a little convertible that we have rather that pay $.25 a mile. We would have been over by about 7,500 miles or $1,875.
The premise of a lease is that if you buy it, you owe a payment at the end. We would have been better off to take some of our money out of the stock market to pay for the car at the beginning instead of deferring the payment to lease end. We know now that the stock market has not done as well over the past several years.
I don't like to have to buy a new car after only 3 years. I tend to obsess over the process and I need more than 3 years to recover. I actually like being on a 7 year cycle.
Don't lease the 'family' car. My car (used to be) the one we used on family outings and vacations, making it even harder to stay under the miles. My husband's car had to take up a lot of the slack over the past 3 years. Luckily, it was large enough to step in. This only worked because our kids are older now.

I spoke with a friend who is a financial advisor and asked what she advises her clients to do. She said that she will recommend that they buy a car that will hold its value for resale (she mentioned BMW, Mercedes & Volvo) and then maintain it well and hold it indefinitely.

When I asked my accountant for advice, he basically said their are advantages to each, but for leasing to remain an advantage, you must stay under the miles...oops.

So those are the results of my 3 year experiment and my conclusion is that leasing only makes sense for someone who feels the need to get a new car frequently and who does not drive too many miles in a given year. Whether you lease or buy, there is no way to know in advance if you are going to continue to like the car or if you are going to get a lemon. I guess the other argument for leasing is that for less money down you can drive a nicer car. For me this did not matter since my original plan was to buy the car I ended up leasing. This factor is important, however, for many leasing customers.

I am not sure that leasing would ever make sense for a Realtor, since we live in our cars and the odometer often reflects it! At the very least, I now know that it doesn't make sense for me.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

The Same But Different...How Real Estate is Handled in Other Parts of the World

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:45:06 -0600

If you are looking for the answer with this post, I will have to advise you to check back later to read the comments My intent in posting this is to gather information from Active Rain members around the globe (let's see how far this sphere of influence stretches).

I was in a Broker CE course yesterday, taught by the Professional Development & Standards Director for Dulles Area Association of Realtors, Allan R. Marteney. As a sideline to our training and discussion, he mentioned that one of his hobbies is gathering information about how real estate transactions are handled around the world. He read us some information that he had received from one of his students about how real estate was conducted in the Netherlands.

It seems that the Netherlands treats real estate as a degree-based training program and requires a 6 month apprenticeship before one can become a practitioner. That was interesting, since increased education requirements are often sited as a way of improving the quality of Real Estate practitioners here in the U.S.

Do you have any knowledge of Real Estate Practices in other parts of the world? What are some of the differences in background requirements for agents? Is the process different? How are Real Estate Agents paid? Are they required to join an association like National Association of Realtors? Have you worked in the Real Estate Industry in another country?

Since it would probably be difficult to have any substantive information in the comments, consider writing a post about your information and posting the link in the commments section of this post. I am looking forward to seeing the answers that are posted here...thanks in advance for sharing your information with us.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

If I Could Just Find The Perfect Container...

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:32:20 -0600

I am the kind of person that keeps organization stores in business. A trip to The Container Store is a dream come true for me! My house is filled with baskets, bins and containers that once held the promise of being the perfect solution. Most of them work out pretty well--for a while. But for some reason, I cannot leave well enough alone, and I am always trying to implement 'process improvements' that usually involve a change of containers. Of course with a family of 5 and a dog, there are always plenty of things to contain!

Right now I am happily sitting at my computer with all of the books, files and debris that I have removed from my bookshelves and desk on the floor behind me. I need to reorganize. I need to clean-out, sort through and put away. I have found the best way to do this is put it all in the center of the room where I cannot ignore it. These projects take on a life of their own because all the books I take out of here, and from which I am not willing to part, must go to live elsewhere in my house...

But instead of jumping in, I am writing this blog. Why? Because right this second, all of these containers I just bought are PERFECT! As soon as I start re-organizing, their inadequacies will start to show and the cycle will begin again.

My 17 year-old daughter just walked in to my office and told me that all this disorganization stresses her out...and the next generation of The Container Store customers is born!

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Sell Your Home: A Series of Posts, Part 3

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:09:41 -0600

If you are planning to sell your house, the time to put in the work is BEFORE the property is listed. In my previous post, Sell Your Home: A Series of Posts, Part 2, I discuss how important it is to look at every aspect of your home with a critical eye. The posts below deal with very specific areas and may help you to get started with this process.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series:What the Mailbox Might Be Saying About Your Home

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Plants & Shrubs by Front Door

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: What is that SMELL?

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: What to do with an empty room?

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: The Closets

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Deal with the Paint Cans!

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Pet Owners and Home Sales

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Moving is Hard!

My business is built around referrals. If you live in the Northern Virginia area and are considering selling your house, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my approach to preparation, pricing and marketing. As an accredited Home Staging Realtor, I believe that much of the work of selling your home has to be done before the sign goes up on your house. If you have family, friends or colleagues who plan to list their property, I would be honored if you would pass on my name and contact information.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Fairfax County Schools: Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:45:22 -0600

From the Fairfax County FamilyGram, Fall 2009:

Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences magnet program will have openings for qualified students in grades K through 6 for the 2010-11 school year. To be selected, students must be working on or above grade level in language arts and mathematics and must possess good citizenship and study skills. The magnet program weaves the arts, sciences, and technology into all areas of the curriculum in order to stimulate and extend the educational potential of all students.

Each year, students are selected by a computer-generated lottery. The number of students chosen varies from year to year according to the number of openings at each grade level. This is not determined until the actual time of the lottery. Students not selected for the lottery are placed on a wait list.

Applications will be available in all Fairfax County public schools beginning in January 2010 or can be downloaded from the Hunters Woods web site at www.fcps.edu/HuntersWoodsES/. Applications must be completed and submitted to: Magnet Lottery, Office of Elementary Instruction and Administrative Services, 3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003. Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, March 1, 2010.

An information meeting will be held at Hunters Woods on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 7 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 7 p.m.

For additional information, contact Diane Beers, parent liaison, Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, 2401 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, VA 20191, 703-262-7405.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Going Green: Single Stream Recycling

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:23:23 -0600

I am a recycling fanatic. I am the one in my family who has trouble tossing out the cardboard toilet paper rolls. I save shampoo bottles from the shower and diligently take them to the recycling bin. I regularly pick soda cans and bottles out of the trash. While not everyone in my family shares my enthusiasm, slowly they are getting better about getting the recyclables in to the right container.

The downside to all of this gathering was getting it to curbside every Friday. We got to the point where we had 4 (very) full bins--and a very long driveway. I was pleasantly surprised when a large recycle cart (looks similar to our regular trash can and includes wheels) appeared on my neighbors driveway; I immediately called and ordered one for our family. Now getting the recyclables to the curb is a fairly easy task.

But what happens when they dump everything from one bin? According to my trash company, American Disposal Services, they are using a method called Single Stream Recycling.

According to the mailing we received from them (which included an explanation of how this works and a handy magnet to show what is eligible for recycling): 'Single Stream Recycling is an innovative process that allows the consumer the freedom of putting all of their recyclables into the same container, a process called co-mingling, without the bothersome tasks of bundling and sorting.' Once the materials reach the facility, they are put on to a conveyor belt and sorted by vaiours 'electro-mechanical means.' Some of the methods mentioned: magnets, eddy currents, air jets, and heavy duty rotating screens.

On the website, www.ecocycle.org I found the following article about Single Source Recycling: Single Source Recycling Comes to Boulder County. While not about my community, the information was helpful. In the article, they say. 'It’s the future for responsible resource conservation and an important step toward meeting our goal of building a Zero Waste community by 2020. Single-stream recycling makes it almost as easy to use the recycling bin as it is to use the trash can, so for the previously unconverted, there’s no excuse for not recycling.'

Not everyone is willing to take the time to sort their trash. Single Source Recycling makes it easier; instead of sorting in to paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and more, you can choose between recyclable and non-recyclable. I find that it is easier to get people to participate if the process is simplified. Hopefully, this new effort will be a win-win for all of us--and for our environment!

If you are an American Disposal Customer, you can find out more about their program at www.americandisposal.com or by calling 703-368-0500.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Home Energy Audit: Does it Help or Hurt the Sale?

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:58:33 -0600

As a Realtor and EcoBroker, I have been giving a lot of thought to what the role of a Home Energy Audit should be in the process of selling a house. Unlike a Home Inspection or a Radon Inspection, a Home Energy Audit does not affect the safety of living in a property. So how should a Home Energy Audit be considered in the sales process?

You may or may not have heard of a Home Energy Audit. While I could provide an explanation here, Ardently Green (a company out of Northern Virginia, which is, for purposes of full disclosure, owned by my husband) has a great explanation of a Home Energy Audit. Here you will find information about how the Audit is conducted, the report that you will receive and what kind of recommendations you can expect.

As a Seller, should you conduct a Home Energy Audit prior to listing your house? I would recommend it--but only it if you plan on implementing a majority of the recommendations that come out of the report. If you have the audit done, but opt not to make the repairs, there is a distinct disadvantage in letting potential buyers know that you have had an audit. Basically, the report then becomes a way of pointing out problems with the house. If , however, you make the repairs necessary to improve the efficiency and comfort in your house, most buyers would prefer to purchase a house that has been Audited and improved over one that has not. Who wouldn't choose the more comfortable and energy efficient home over a comparable less energy efficient property?

As a buyer, should you request a Home Energy Audit? This question is a little bit trickier. First of all, making it a contingency on the contract will make your offer less attractive to a seller. After all, no one knows what the audit will find. What if the results recommend that all the windows should be replaced? As a buyer, that could be a deal-breaker if the seller is not willing to change the windows (not a cheap or easy process). As a seller, that is a very large ticket item and is very likely to be a deal breaker on the seller's side--it is tantamount to reducing the sales price by the cost of the windows.

But what if a buyer wants it done for Information Purposes Only? This can be a real advantage for a buyer; they will know exactly what has to be done to improve efficiency in the house. Again, however, for the seller it can be a reason for a buyer to walk away from a contract. Even if the contract does not require the improvements to be made, the seller may end up 'volunteering' to make the improvements to keep the Buyer from canceling the contract.

In both of these scenarios, we are thinking about big ticket items such as window replacement. Of course, the report will contain EVERYTHING than can be done to improve efficiency...windows might just be a 'nice to have' improvement; if a buyer looks at it that way, it can be a valuable tool. The problem is that a seller cannot know in advance how a buyer will view the results.

The truth is that most Home Energy Audits recommend some very inexpensive things that you can do to improve energy efficiency. Examples include:

Sealing around recessed lights to prevent air loss through the gaps.
Caulking around windows to improve air seal
Adding or redistributing insulation in attics or behind walls
Insulating behind wall plates to minimize heat or conditioned air loss.

As you can see from this (incomplete) list, most homeowners can handle many of these tasks easily, quickly and inexpensively.

So what should the role of a Home Energy Audit be in a Real Estate Transaction? It can be a distinct advantage for both the buyer and the seller if it is conducted prior to the property being listed and if the seller implements many of the recommendations that come out of the report. As a buyer, consider having an audit done on a house that you are purchasing, but be aware that doing it after the sale may make your offer more attractive to the Seller. Again, many of the improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive to implement.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, I would be honored to meet with you to discuss how a Home Energy Audit can improve the saleability of your home or be used in the purchase of a property.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Sell Your Home : A Series of Posts, Part 2

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:46:22 -0600

Now that you have decided to sell your home, it is critical that you look at your property objectively and make the necessary improvements. If you have read any of my previous posts, you will know that one of my favorite sayings is, 'you only get one chance to make a first impression.'

This is the time to prepare your home as thoroughly as you would prepare yourself for an important interview. Look at every corner of your home and ask yourself is it 1) clean, 2) well maintained, 3) dated (and replace offending items if necessary). Just as you may look at that wall paper and think, ' it is too much trouble to remove, repair and repaint,' your potential purchasers are thinking EXACTLY the same thing.

If you want your price and your time-line, now is the time to put in the work! Here are a couple of my previous blog entries that will help you get started.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Home Maintenance is Key!

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell Series: The Condition Matters!

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: The Front Door Matters!

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: The Surprising thing I tell My Sellers

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Help! I have been in my house forever!

I hope you found these posts informative and that you are able to use some of my advice as you prepare your home for sale. Try to remember that your goal is to make your home as attractive as possible to the greatest number of people.

My business is built around referrals. If you live in the Northern Virginia area and are considering selling your house, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my approach to preparation, pricing and marketing. As an Accredited Home Staging Realtor, I believe that much of the work of selling your home has to be done before the sign goes up on your house. If you have family, friends or colleagues who plan to list their property, I would be honored if you would pass on my name and contact information.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Sell Your Home: A Series of Posts, Part 1

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:12:52 -0600

Are you are thinking about selling your house? If you have talked about this to friends and family, you are probably getting a lot of advice--much of which you find conflicting. For the past several years, I have written a number of blogs for sellers which I have called the Getting Your House Ready To Sell Series.

I hope that you can benefit from some of these posts. Selling your home is different from many other life decisions because it impacts not only your net worth, but is usually a very emotional transaction. It is a rare seller who can completely remove emotion from the sales process.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Why Use a Broker to List your Home in a Down Market

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Setting Your Sales Price

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: A Letter to My Seller after our Pre-Listing Walk Through

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series:Why Spend Extra Money to Sell Your House?

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Series: Sell Your House in 2009

I hope you found these posts informative and that you are able to use some of my advice as you prepare your home for sale. Try to remember that your goal is to make your home as attractive as possible to the greatest number of people. I will be posting 3 more of these compilation posts over the next week...be on the lookout for more in the Sell Your Home series.

My business is built around referrals. If you live in the Northern Virginia area and are considering selling your house, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my approach to preparation, pricing and marketing. As an accredited Home Staging Realtor, I believe that much of the work of selling your home has to be done before the sign goes up on your house. If you have family, friends or colleagues who plan to list their property, I would be honored if you would pass on my name and contact information.

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Is the Reston, VA Real Estate Market Rebounding?

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:18:57 -0600

I ran across an article today that I thought was worth sharing. It was from the Washington Business Journal and it was discussing the findings of an Urban Land Institute report which shows that there remains a shortage of workforce housing in the Washington D.C. area within 20 to 30 minutes of 6 workforce employment centers: Downtown Washington, D.C., Reston and Herndon, Alexandria, Tysons Corner, Bethesda and Rockville

I have several buyer clients right now that have not been able to find homes. Both of these clients are looking in Reston VA. It seems to me that we are beginning to run in to an inventory shortage. Homes that are priced above the comparables are remaining on the market, but those that are priced fairly and are in good shape are generally moving within a reasonable time frame. I have seen that there is still a bit of a struggle for sellers to determine what is a reasonable comp and what is not. I will tell you that when a home hits the correct price, it WILL go under contract.

My experience, combined with the findings in the ULI report, would indicate to me that at least in the Reston/Herndon area, we are on the way up from the bottom of the real estate market.

If you are a buyer who has been on the fence, this might be the time to jump in and find your new home. Unless you would rather wait and pay more later...

For the full text of the article: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/11/02/daily36.html

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!

The Great Cereal Scandal: Are We That Naive?

Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Reston,VA (Momentum Realty,LLC) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:33:37 -0600

Did you know that if you feed your children Kellogg's Coco Krispies it will help boost your child's immunity? Really?

Apparently, new cereal boxes have been printed and distributed with a banner stating this fact. Last week the San Francisco, CA City Attorney, Dennis Herrera, sent a letter to Kellogg and the Food and Drug Administration asking Kellogg to prove their claim. Really?

Kellogg is stating that they have added additional Vitamins C, D and E which provide support to the Immune system. Okay...

This is the silliest scandal I have heard about this week (I say this week since there seems to be a new silly scandal each week for the press to obsess about). As a parent, if I am feeding my children Coco Krispies, I am clearly not worrying about their health relative to their breakfast diet. Before you jump all over me, what I mean is that sometimes you just want your kids to eat breakfast. If that is what it takes to get them to eat, more power to you! If I wanted to make sure that my family was getting a balanced breakfast diet, I doubt that I would head to the sugary cereal section of the grocery store.

I have seen this story featured on CNN, NBC and in USA Today. Gosh, you would think that we all believe everything we read on cereal boxes. Is it really fair to the American public for the press to assume that we are all too naive, and yes, stupid, to doubt the validity of a banner plastered across a Coco Krispies box? If I select Coco Krispies for my family, do you think that, maybe, it has to do with the fact that I believe they will actually eat it? My family is not a big cereal family, but if they were, I would buy what they would eat. Maybe it is just me, but I find that buying a box of cereal that my family won't eat is a true waste of money. I am quite sure that I am not going to swap out my Special K for Coco Krispies because of their banner claiming a Immune system boost.

I guess it just makes me wonder why so many people are focused on such a silly issue? Is there nothing else for the press, the city of San Francisco and the FDA to worry about? I think there is plenty wrong with the food system in our country and Coco Krispies is probably at the bottom of my list of concerns.

Do we really need the media to tell us that Coco Krispies is not a cure for the H1N1 flu? Are Americans that naive? Of course, we just finished a period in time where people believed it when the banks told them that their homes were like bank accounts....maybe we do need protection from ourselves.

I guess it brings me back to that old adage, 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.' And just in case you believed the labels on your cereal, now we must apply that to our breakfast choices as well!

Holly Weatherwax, Associate Broker

EcoBroker,Graduate of Realtors Institute,Accredited Buyers Representative,e-pro and Accredited Staging Professional Realtor

I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!