Representing clients seeking to rent...Why? - 04/28/11 11:19 AM
If you are seeking a home to rent, it is often difficult to find an agent willing to represent you.  It is a safe bet that a phone call to any major broker's office will result in a rather short list of agents that have signed on to assist renters. Now brokers will be the first to share that everyone should work with renters (after all, if you play your cards right and stay in touch, they may use you when they become home buyers).  I have never seen a factual statistical analysis showing the ratio of renters that become home … (2 comments)

The truth about caverns... Lilbyrd Cavern - 04/16/11 04:56 PM
There is a lot of information about Luray Caverns in the news lately. I visited them once, years ago. More recently, I visited a cavern locally. Lilbyrd Cavern has only been known for about 45 years. Despite it's location, and outward appearance, it is a very shallow cavern with little known history. Luray has singing pipes of some sort. Lilbyrd has little to offer beyond well worn paths and very easy access. Luray Caverns are part of the park system and I would imagine the maintenance is supported by Federal Funds. Lilbyrd Cavern only has one caretaker and it is left … (5 comments)

Charity? Charity begins at home - 04/15/11 06:21 PM
I can not be the only person that has seen real estate agents promote their business with statements like "we donate a percentage of every commission check to (fill in the name of any charity).  I suppose they are hoping to bond with folks that support the same charity.  Some of them use the old stand by catch all..."we will make a donation to the charity of your choice". Really?  Charity begins at home.
Let me get this straight, if you are hired to perform a job, when you are paid you will donate some of your hard earned money to … (2 comments)

Momma said..there'll be daze like this - 04/13/11 08:57 AM

"I'm not sure you understood me"
When you think back, momma had a lot of advice.  Sadly, a lot of it went in one ear and out the other.  Advice shared was not heeded and lessons learned the hard way followed. Momma said this and momma said that.  Sometimes, we heard and other times we thought we heard what was being shared.  There were many times when words were spoken and we assumed we heard exactly what was being said.  Not so fast grasshopper. Momma never said "there'll be days like this".
Momma said "there'll be DAZE like this".  Of course … (2 comments)

Momma said..Don't talk to strangers - 04/12/11 04:33 PM
I know. I know. It seems like I am often quoting Momma.  In the past, I shared that Momma always warned you not to go out without protection.  That was pretty important advice and those that heeded it are much better off today.  
Another important admonition shared by Momma was "Don't talk to strangers". Let's say you are thinking about buying a home.  You sign on to the internet (you are reading this, so you are a pretty savvy internet used) and begin a search for homes in your area.  It doesn't matter which search terms you use as long … (0 comments)

Rebate for home buyers ! - 04/10/11 10:14 PM
Most of you don't know how in the world that real estate agent called you.  You were just searching for homes on line and all of the sudden an agent calls.  It must be magic!  Sorry to disappoint you, there is no magic involved.  Your contact information was bought and paid for before you even signed in to a website.
When the rules changed and listings became available on the internet, the door was opened for anyone with a website to share local listings with you.  Access to the information could be purchased from the multiple listing service.  The brokers that … (5 comments)

Selling? Consider a Land Contract - 04/07/11 11:04 AM
Selling your home? Depending on your situation, you might want to consider a land contract. In the DC area, home sellers are still facing a depressed housing market. Regardless of the paper tiger pronouncements from the National Association of Realtors, people who live here know that the market is stagnant.
Sellers that place their home on the market face competition with bank owned properties that are for sale at reduced prices, homes put on the market by sellers seeking to complete a short sale (often marketed at a fantasy price), homes being sold by corporations and other sellers that are not … (0 comments)

NEWS FLASH ! LAWRENCE YUN OF NAR MAKES INTELLIGENT STATEMENT - 04/06/11 03:33 PM
       You could knock me over with a feather.  Lawrence Yun, one of the talking heads for the NAR, has broken his string of NEVER uttering an intelligent statement.  Although, I do not have corraboration, CNN Money.com is reporting that Yun has discovered a truth about the current market.  
      "Good borrowers with one or two blemishes on their credit are being denied credit," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors.  Mr. Yun's comment was included in a fast breaking story about the availability of mortgage money.
       The article strips … (3 comments)

Is now a good time to buy a home? - 04/05/11 10:11 PM
Is now a good time to buy a home? This is another one of those questions that seems to be cropping up everywhere lately. It may be the result of the self serving advertisements run by the NAR and lenders and real estate agents.
You have seen them. "Interest rates are at historically low levels", "Home prices have leveled off", and the real doozy "Real estate is the best investment you can make".
I am reminded of an old rock n' roll song "Don't believe all those lies, darlin' just believe your eyes".  Can we begin with one basic fact.  
… (2 comments)

How to choose a Realtor - 04/05/11 12:26 PM
How do I pick a Realtor? I suppose I hear that question more than any other.  I read it on ask.com. I read it on yahoo?  The question shows up on zillow and trulia on a regular basis.  I have read the answers offered by "experts".  Yes, I did say answers.
 Depending on whom is answering, the answers range from ask a friend or family member or pick a few and set up an interview process. Let's say you opt for asking a friend.  Which friend will you ask?  Maybe you will ask a family member for advice? Your comfort level … (2 comments)

Nobody does Spring like Washington DC - 04/04/11 08:49 AM

Washington DC in Springtime
You can read about neighborhoods elsewhere on this website.  You can listen to the nightly news and hear what's happening or not happening on Capitol Hill.  There is no shortage of news about what goes on in the Capitol of the United States.  What you may not have heard and you may not know...Nobody does Spring like Washington DC.
 

This is but a taste of the visual delights we enjoy each Spring
The area around the Tidal Basin draws the most attention.  There is the Cherry Blossom Festival that draws crowds from all over … (0 comments)

List with us for under 4% commission! - 04/03/11 12:33 PM

You do the math
Real estate commissions vary.  They are negotiable. Nothing is written in stone.  I mean think about it. No two homes are exactly alike.  No two homes are priced exactly the same.  The perception that using a percentage will put everyone on the same level playing field is just pure poppycock.  If you don't believe it, just visit open houses in your area.  Keep in mind that the term "tastefully decorated" is in the eye of the beholder.  You will see that some have upgrades, some don't.  Some are well maintained and some haven't heard the echo … (7 comments)

 
Jmacnow Rainmaker_large

John MacArthur Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor

Metro DC Homes

Washington, DC

More about me…

Frankly Real Estate

Address: 6304 Crosswoods Circle #102, Falls Church, VA

Cell Phone: (301) 509-5111

Email Me

Get great free widgets at Widgetbox!



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog