Standard and Poors/Case Shiller Home Price index-Washington DC numbers for October - 12/29/09 12:08 PM
The Case Shiller Home price index for October has come out. If you don't know what this is, it is an index that tracks changes in prices in residential markets for 20 metropolitan area. One of the reasons that I like it is it really points out something we know but sometimes forget when bombarded by the media....real estate really is local. Some areas have dropped dramatically since the peak of 2006 and others have had more modest declines. Same for an improving market.
There were modest gains in many areas in the September to October time frame. The largest increase … (2 comments)

Some advice for buyers in a buyers real estate market- Arlington, Va. - 12/27/09 11:46 AM
Over the past year I have picked up on a buyer syndrome that hurts them when it comes to procuring the home the really want.
The syndrome is believing that you can make a really low offer no matter how the home is priced. I'm writing about this because I have seen buyers frustrated time and again. Granted we have more active buyers in our local market then in many other area of the country but I have to believe that this situation occurs in other areas as well.
Please note......the greatest advantage of working with a knowledgeable realtor is knowledge. Use … (2 comments)

Happy Holidays from Mystic and the Arlington, Virginia area - 12/24/09 06:55 AM

Mystic the wonder dog and I extend our Holiday wishes to everyone for a wonderful season with friends and family. I am grateful this year for the warmth of my neighbors, my clients, my friends and all those who have come into my life and especially those that have stayed. In spite of the economy it has been a good year for us and we have all those that support us and love us to thank. We love you too!
There have been a few rough patches this year for us. Some tough times for my daughter in her Freshman year … (1 comments)

Real estate statistics for Arlington, Va. zip code 22205 for November 2009 - 12/22/09 06:39 AM
 
These statistics are from our multiple listing system and do not include for sale by owner transactions or any other unreported transactions that do not appear in the MLS. By way of disclosure, 22205 is the zip code I live in although I have lived (a couple of times) in 22207 and work in all Arlington zip codes as well as other Northern Virginia cities.  
I think it's worth noting that the average sold price has stayed relatively stable while the average list price has gone up. The average sales price as a percentage of the list price has dropped. … (1 comments)

Recycling, Trash Pickup and Real Estate in Arlington County, Virginia - 12/22/09 05:52 AM
I received an email from the county that if your (mine) trash and recycling pick up is Monday or Tuesday this week, it is cancelled. The pickup will occur on the 28th or 29th.
I would like to say that my cul-de-sac is plowed but alas.....not so. I did however, leave the cul-de-sac yesterday. Woo hoo! A little slick but managable. Still too hard to show houses though. Can't find a place to park, side streets are still unplowed.
Also, no mail again. This is a first. I have not received mail since Friday. This will definitely be a snowstorm to remember.
… (5 comments)

First time home buyer credit changes - 12/21/09 09:24 AM
So while I am waiting for the snow plow here's a review of the changes in the first time home buyer credit. We've talked about this a couple of times but questions keep coming up so here's what I know at the moment:
To Qualify for the credit the purchaser must have a contract in place no later than April 30, 2010 and closing must happen no later than June 30, 2010.
Income limitations have been increased. the credit phases out between $125,000 and $145,000 modified ADJUSTED gross income for individuals and between $225,000 and $245,000 for married couples.
The price … (0 comments)

Snow report from the cul-de-sac - 12/21/09 09:18 AM
The snow report from the cul-de sac in Arlington, Va. is.....whew, that's alot of shoveling. The driveway is cleared, the car is clean and now I am having a fantasy that the snow plow will come and clean the cul-de-sac. I am closing my eyes and seeing it happen. I could use a little help from you folks out there. Close your eyes and see the snow plow. :-)
Your Arlington Realtor
… (3 comments)

The Snowstorm, Overlee Knolls. Arlington, Va. 22205 - 12/20/09 01:52 PM
 

 
Two feet of snow later, this is the view from my front porch. Lots of shoveling going on but it's a beautiful day. I have the home for sale across the street. I don't think anyone can get down the street to see it. It's in Overlee Knolls, Arlington, Va. Hopefully, the plows will have come by tomorrow. Hope springs eternal. In the meantime, I'm just trying to enjoy the day.
 
… (2 comments)

Yikes Stripes! The New HUD-1 and Good Faith Estimate - 12/17/09 04:51 PM
So......I sat in on a educational session for the new HUD-1 today. For any non-realtor readers....this is the statement that you get before (hopefully) settlement that tells you what all your charges are and if you are a buyer what you have to bring to the table (in terms of money) and if you are a seller what you will net (hopefully on the positive side).
Well, not many changes to the HUD-1 itself but the rules and regulations relating to the good faith estimate, of what the HUD-1 charges will look like, that lenders provide buyers have become quite onerous. … (5 comments)

Holiday season in Arlington, Va - 12/17/09 06:47 AM
Things seem to be finally slowing down for the Holidays.
We do need more inventory for buyers so I hope we see some homes coming on after January.
On my "to do" list this year is education. I will be getting trained on the new HUD-1 one form today so I'll blog onthat tomorrow. and will be getting my "green" designation next year so I can help buyers and sellers make their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
I bought a hybrid car this year....Toyota Camry. I am doing alot more driving this past year than other years. Many buyers have … (2 comments)

New Fannie Mae Automated Underwriting (DU) Eligibility Changes. - 12/13/09 05:42 AM

Via George Souto (McCue Mortgage) FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages CT.:
Today Fannie Mae released Automated Underwriting (DU) Version 8.0 and these changes are bound to have a big impact especially on multi-family houses.  Some of the changes included in this release are as follows:
Minimum FICO score 620 (was 580) 2 Unit Owner Occupied Property - maximum LTV 80% for purchase & rate/term refinance (was 90%) 2 Unit Owner Occupied Property - maximum LTV 75% for cash out refinance (was 85%) 2 Unit Investment Property - maximum LTV 75% for purchase & rate/term refinance (was 80%) Unit Investment Property - maximum LTV 70% for cash … (1 comments)

Open Houses-some thoughts. - 12/13/09 05:36 AM
Lots has been written about open houses. In particular whether or not to do them and who you represent when you do them.
I believe when you are the listing agent your # 1 priority when you hold an Open House is to represent the owner. That being said...one way to represent the seller well and potentially get new clients is to be very aware of the neighborhood comps. Hopefully, if you've done your homework and your owner is working with you and the house is priced well and when you engage someone who has come to see the home you can … (3 comments)

I need a house! - 12/12/09 03:56 PM
I have clients that need a single family house in Annandale, VA or Falls Church, Va under $350,000. Inventory is down and many sellers are waiting till after the holiday to list their home but we need a house ASAP. Needs to be clean but not necessarily updated. We need a basement....finished would be good and a fenced yard a plus. If your an agent or an owner and you've got one......CALL ME! My clients are well qualified an ready to write. Thanks.
Jane Jensen
571-228-5656
… (1 comments)

Great house-Walk to the East Falls Church Metro + It's in a cul-de-sac in great neighborhood. - 12/10/09 08:41 AM
… (1 comments)

Doggie needs a home. - 12/10/09 08:01 AM
Jackie Kyles posted this link to a doggie that needs a home for the holidays. She is West Virginia.
Here is the link. Please pass it along and help get this doggie a forever home.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/photoView.cgi?petid=15125459
… (0 comments)

Northern Virginia Schools - 12/10/09 07:57 AM
Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School for the Sciences and Technology in Alexandria for once again being named US News # 1 school.
According to them not only does TJ offer a challenging academic curriculum but the students do projects related to the social responsibility of educated people. This seems like a far cry from the "all about me and how much money I can make" that so much of the 80s centered around. Perhaps we are moving towards a more civil and caring society. Giving back is where it's at. I think I'll make that my 2010 motto.
Also congratulations to Langley … (0 comments)

Homes for sale way down - 12/09/09 08:34 AM
I was watching Good morning America this morning and they were reporting on some new housing statistics.
The number of homes for sale in the hardest his areas is down 50% from this time last year. Good News. The reporter attributed this to the incredible interest rates, the lower home prices and the first time home buyer credit.
IMHO alot of the credit goes to the credit. Alot of people that would not have bought were motivated by the credit. In some areas it's alot of money in others it's a small part part of the purchase but either way it's … (2 comments)

Interested in Arlington Real Estate? - 12/02/09 06:11 AM
Here's a link to a great video posted on November 10 by the county on youtube.
I've lived here for 18 years (almost 19 now....phew) and I've learned a few new things about my home.
Arlington, Va is such a great place to live. I moved around alot growing up so I never really felt like I had a home town. This is it now. My daughter was born and raised here so it's home to her too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueV4TxjlQ2E
… (0 comments)

Price Reduction - 12/02/09 05:50 AM
I'll be reducing the price on 6238 22nd Rd. N. Arlington, Va. 22205. It will be $629,900. That's a 20K reduction. Walk to the East Falls Church metro, Lost Dog Pizza (ABBIE award winner), minutes to I66 and it's in my Cul-De-Sac. You get to be my neighbor! It really is a great neighborhood. I was watching people in the cul-de-sac the weekend before last and it looked like a Norman Rockwell painting.
This is a 3 bedroom 1.5 (easy to make it into 2) home with wood floors, fireplace, new windows and front steps, new siding and more. It's extra … (2 comments)

The Arlington Rap song - 12/01/09 02:03 PM
Ok, Arlington is not the "hood". Check out this tongue in cheek video posted on youtube by a very funny young man, Remy.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1RMuoQnKo
For those that don't know...it looks like Remy lives in Garfield 1021. The "rap" is about the various neighborhoods in Arlington and the preponderence of Starbucks.
 
 
… (0 comments)

The stock Market, Real Estate and Intuition - 12/01/09 12:10 PM
The National Association of Realtors announced that the pending home sale index went up a seasonally adusted 3.7% in October. Analysts were suprised and the stock market is rallying on the news.
Why didn't anybody ask me? We could have had a rally last week. Really, when you're out here working every day you get a "feel" for the mindset of buyers. There are still plenty of people who want to and can buy a home but did not because they didn't "feel good" about it. With the stock market up, and the economy starting to pick up people are starting to … (1 comments)

 
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Jane Jensen

Arlington, VA

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Century 21 New Millennium

Address: 6641-A Old Dominion Dr., Mclean, Va, 22201

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