Citing a Brookings Institutie Study, the Huffington Post has included Washington, DC as one of the "Cool Cities" in the United States that are favored by those hipsters lucky enough to not have to live with their parents.  And it's the only city on the east coast to make their list.  Since I moved here after graduating from college, it's changed a lot.  So many of the neighborhoods in town have lost any funk factor they may have had, and downtown has completely reinvented itself.  There are many ways to have fun here. If you are a foodie, there are open air markets and high end grocery stores all over the city, not to mention zillions of amazing restaurants, with food from every continent on earth - well, maybe not Antarctica. There is a lot of live theater.  The number of Actors' Equit... 11/10/2011

Wordless Wednesday:  Logan Circle Late BloomerWordless Wednesday:  Yesterday, I was previewing some places off Logan Circle and was struck by the late blooming flowers that were in the front yards of some of these historic homes.  This rose was one of my favorites.   If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at:  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167     11/09/2011

When you cross Rock Creek Park on the Duke Ellington Bridge, this wonderful mural of Marilyn Monroe welcomes you to Woodley Park.  Back in 1981, Salon Roi, a great place to go for a spa day, comissioned artist John Bailey to do the Marilyn mural.  Now, 30 years later, the colors are a little flat.  She probably needs to have a little work done.  If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at:  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167   11/05/2011

I was coming home after previewing some homes on Capitol Hill, and passed our seat of government just as the sun was setting and there was a big old cloud behind the Captiol dome.     If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at:  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167 11/02/2011

In case many of you don't know I have a new hobby-Photography with my phone (Don't know which camera to get yet. Any suggestions?)So I have decided to use my love for my new hobby for my other new hobby-viewing Art and Sculptures. Last Thursday when I visited the Sackler Gallery of Art on 1050 Independence Avenue SW,I took a picture of the Ganesha. In India Ganesha is the Elephant God. It is known to Hindus as the remover of obstacles and is often invoked at the initiation of new projects or at the entrance to temples. His blessing brings good fortune and insures prosperity. Bless me Lord.:-) Happy Sunday everyone. 10/30/2011

What a surprise! Until today, I really hadn't had the heat on.  I mean, it's barely autumn!  And then it started to fall, first just a few flakes, and then lots of it was swirling around the air.  Then it finally began to stick.  This should give all of the global warming skeptics something to talk about. 10/29/2011

Whether I'm at my block's book group meeting or a neighborhood picnic, the subject of Crestwood real estate never fails to come up.  Traditionally, one of Crestwood's draws has been prices that are somewhat lower than those west of Rock Creek Park for a close-in neighborhood with wonderful residents and many amenities.  It is surrounded on three sides by Rock Creek Park, has a mix of architecture, and is very convenient to downtown.  And until the big price run-up between 2002 and 2007, it was relatively affordable. What's happening now?  If we look at the numbers for the year-to-date, there are some interesting signs. Total Number of Sales:  so far this year, 28 homes have settled - the highest number since 2005 (32 sales), and by the end of the year, we could set a record. Average and... 10/27/2011

In This Market, Can You Find a Steal of a Deal in Northwest DC? If you are one of the many people who've called me asking if I can help you find a great deal in a foreclosure or short sale in a house in Georgetown, Kalorama, Cleveland Park, or one of the other popular Upper Northwest neighborhoods, I hope you weren't offended by my reply:  "NO!" I can find you a great house, and it will be a whole lot easier to buy it than it was in 2006, but it is unlikely to be a short sale, a foreclosure or a steal, at least not in Northwest DC west of 16th Street. There are some homes that are priced below market that are for sale (regular sales), and these are usually granny houses or estate sales needing a lot of work.  In some popular neighborhoods, prices have risen steadily, making it seem as t... 10/25/2011

It seems that all of my conversations with prospective home buyers include concerns on their part that prices may go down again.  With all of the talk of double dip recession possibilities and the huge number of about-to-be-foreclosed on properties, that it might be better to just wait it out. And it might indeed be better. Or it might not be. Let's say that worst case, you buy now and prices decline.  This has happened more than a few times during my three decades of selling real estate.  And while what happens in the past doesn't necessarily tell us what will happen in the future, the prices have always come back at some point.  Prices tend to go up and down in cycles, and the up cycles usually involve higher highs. If you find yourself having to sell during a down part of the cycle -... 10/25/2011

Why do I think this is a great time to buy? Let me use the block where I live as an example of the difference that timing can make. There are some sales on my block here in DC that illustrate how it works. In May of 2002, I sold a house across the street that set all records on the block when we found a buyer willing to pay $440,000.  Then in 2005, they decided to move.  The buyer's agent told them she thought it was worth around $750,000.  Another agent suggested he could get $885,000, a wacko price.  And he did, although it involved some slight exaggerations in the property condition category. But hey!  It was 2005. Then, a couple of weeks ago, the house across the street, similar in every way except it was in much better shape, settled for $674,900.  But wait!  There was another big ... 10/24/2011

Any time of the year when you are looking for a perfect photo opp, Washington's Rock Creek will oblige.  But in the fall, it's even more perfect than usual.  So when I headed out with my trusted Nikeon D80 (yes, today, I used my big girl camera), I was very happy to come across this scene.  While many of the leaves are still quite green, there are spotches of yellow, orange and red.  Sometime over next weekend, it will probably peak.  I, for one, can't wait!  If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at:  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167       10/23/2011

When a seller hires me to sell their home, it is a joint effort.  The seller's job is to get the place in top showing condition.  My job is to market your home aggressively, to get as many ready, willing and able buyers for your home in the front door. And when I show up for a listing appointment, I am armed with a written plan that I incorporate into my listing agreement.  Here are some of the elements: I will work with you to get you home in top showing condition.  While we can do some staging, if your home needs professional help, we will share the cost with you. Once your home is ready for prime time, our professional photographer comes to your home and takes fabulous photos of your home for the virtual tours and marketing materials. The Evers & Company Art Department will create be... 10/21/2011

Home prices in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, DC have taken a slight dip this year.  The average sales price in 2010 was $269,000 and this year homes are averaging $240,000.  Home sales fall behind last year's sales.  In 2010, 145 homes sold in the Brookland neighborhood and so far only 103 homes have sold this year.  Currently there are 45 homes under contract in the 20018 zip code so home sales could pass sales from 2010.  The last quarter could see an up tick in home sales in the Brookland neighborhood.  For more information on the home sales and home prices in Brookland, Washington, DC check out the Washington Post.   10/17/2011

  A while back, I took one of my all time favorite photos of some deer creating mischief in a neighborhood yard.  We were driving down Matthewson Drive when I spotted them, and I pulled out my handy little Lumix to take advantage of the photo opp.  And what amazed me when I looked at the shots later was that the antlers looked like they were made of velvet or felt.  And of course I wrote a blog post about it! And I didn't think about these fellows again until the other day when I opened an email.  It was from an office of the National Park Service out in Colorado asking my permission to use these images in a Federal government publication. And I thought that was pretty cool. So yeah.  You never know who's reading your posts here on Active Rain. It might even be the government!   And I g... 10/17/2011

With the end of 2011 just around the corner, it seems that home sales in the Petworth section of Washington, DC  area are holding.  The sales prices dipped just a bit in 2011 but not enough to cause any alarm.  Home sales are on par to either break even or surpuss the number of homes sold in 2010.  This is good news for the Washington, DC area especially since we seem to be heading into a double dip recession. For more information on the home prices in Washington, DC visit the Washington, Post.     10/17/2011

Rock Creek Park's Pierce Mill is reopening today, with restorations completed. It will be opened to the pubic on weekends between 10 AM and 4 PM. This wonderful old stone structure is located at the corner of Tilden Road and Beach Drive, right on the Creek.  When I took this photo yesterday, the leaves were just beginning to change.  I love the way they look against the old stone struture.    10/15/2011

One of the keys to aging gracefully is staying active.  Getting your butt off the couch and moving!  DC is in the top 25 cities for staying active when you retire.  The city has plenty of bike and walking trails and not mention all the culture from the Smithsonian museums, art galleries, concert halls and all the Washington Memorials & Washington Monument.  Also, Zagats ranked Washington, DC as one of its top places to get a good meal.  All and all there is not a lack of things to do. The weather in Washington, DC is sometimes a mix bag recently we had an earthquake just in case you missed that piece of news. Overall, the weather is stable that allows residents to get out and enjoy the sites.  If you decide  Washington, DC metro area is the place where you want to retire there are many... 10/13/2011

During the last few months, I've gotten a bunch of calls from buyers and sellers who would like me to be their second, or even their third, agent.  And when I ask the questions about the status of their current agreement with their last Realtor, they almost always say that it has weeks, even months, to go, but they plan to fire their agent. Not so fast! When you sign a contract with a real estate brokerage firm to sell your old house or help you buy a new one, it is just that, a contract.  And it's pretty binding. The agreements are usually boiler-plate language drawn up by the local area Board of Realtors.  One of the important functions is to ensure that the agent who you hire gets paid for his or her efforts at settlement.  In the Washington Metro area, our forms allow the agreement ... 10/10/2011

This afternoon, I dropped by an Open House in the shadow of the National Cathedral.  As I stepped out, I looked south and saw the spire with the scaffolding around it.  Then I realized it was for the earthquake repairs. The church is closed to the public while they are being completed. A few months ago I read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.  It was about medieval cathedral builders, and a few times there were little collapses, once during services, and some worshipers were killed or injured.  Guess the guys in charge here are taking a the precautions seriously.   If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at :  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167 10/09/2011

Whether you live here in Washington, DC or if you are visiting, a trip to the top floor of the National Cathedral is a must.  From the windows on this level, there is an amazing view, not only of the gargoyles and stone work of the building itself, but also of the city.  Right now, however, the Cathedral is closed to visitors while the continue to inspect and repair the damage resulting from the recent earthquake, and it is scheduled to reopen on November 12th.   If you are     If you are planning a move to or from the Washington, DC area, I can help!  I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  You may call, email or text me at :  Housepat@mac.com 202-549-5167   10/07/2011