Another two months of home sales in Braemar is giving us the opportunity to reflect on property values in the neighborhood.  This post will focus on the Heritage Series homes.  This particular series includes the following models:  Yardley, Waverly, Zachary & Exeter.  They are what I like to call the "Mama Bear" homes built by Brookfield in Braemar. There were five resales,all Yardleys, during the last two months.  These sales brings us to our average sales price of $340,000.  That's a huge change from last report's $294,000 (January-February 2009).  A change I know we are all happy to see.  The average seller subsidy (closing cost assistance from seller to buyer) was about the same this report, $5,950 from the average $5,435 last report.   As for the days that it takes to sell a Herita... 05/03/2009

It's time for another Braemar Property Value Report for the Courtyard Series homes built by Brookfield.    These courtyard homes are near zero lot line homes...five to a single pipe stem or driveway.  They include the Clarendon, Ballston & Arlington models. The averages for this report are based on one resale in March and April 2009; a Ballston model. The average sale price went up significantly to $325,000.  That's up from $235,000 last report (January-February 2009.)  There was an average of $10,000 seller subsidy(closing cost assistance from seller to buyer) this sale, which is a night and day difference to the lack of seller subsidy last report.  The good news is that the average number of days it is taking to sell these homes decreased again to 29 days, down from 44 days last repor... 05/03/2009

Another two months of home sales in Braemar is giving us the opportunity to reflect on property values in the neighborhood.  This particular post will focus on the Carriage Series homes.  That includes the following models:  Maplewood, Norwood, Oakdale & Parkdale.  They are the detached garage homes built by Brookfield in Braemar. As the market has declined, the Carriage Series homes have been in consistent demand by buyers.  These smaller single family homes are a great alternative for first time home buyers that may otherwise buy a townhouse.  The average sale price this report, after two resales in the past two months, is now $270,500.  That's a slight decrease from $274,483 last report (January-February 2009).  The average closing cost contribution was $8,619 this report, virtually ... 05/03/2009

Another two months of home sales in Braemar is giving us the opportunity to reflect back on property values in the neighborhood.  This particular post will focus on the Arista Series homes built by Brookfield.  That includes the following models:  Canterbury, Allister and Buckingham.  These are the largest single family homes built by Brookfield in Braemar. This Braemar Property Value Report gives us an average of two Canterbury resales, both with finished basements.  The average sale price is now $430,000.  That's a big improvement since the average of $404,967 we saw last report (January-February 2009).  That's an average market value INCREASE of 6.2% in two months.  I like this trend, and I'm sure you do too. The average seller subsidy (closing cost assistance from seller to buyer) w... 05/03/2009

When you look back at this period of real estate history in the United States you will have to wonder how we kept our sanity. The picture of the stockbroker jumping out of the window is the image from the Great Depression. What will be the image of the Real Estate agent who went through the housing boom and then the losses we are looking at today. The Case Shiller report for February, 2009 is out and the month over month numbers are ugly across the board, the year over year numbers are scary in many of the markets, but the numbers I dug up from the data is really freaky. From July, 2006 (the peak of the market numerically) we have 6 major markets down more than 40 percent with Phoenix being down over 50%. With Tampa and Detroit hovering just under the 40 percent line and Washington and ... 04/30/2009

I am self employed.  This means that I: Work longer hours for myself than I would ever work for someone else.  MANY more hours. Do very careful work. Have to think about all aspects of my business and how each affects the others. Wear more hats than I would working for someone else. Do NOT get to set my "own hours" as so many who aren't self employed think I can. Very, very much consider the client and the client's needs. Do NOT get all the terrific tax write offs everyone thinks I get.  It ALL comes out of my pocket! Am responsible for all the money and how and where it goes. Always looking for ways to improve and offer a better product. I could think of more, but I want to get to the parable.  Centuries ago, when I was a missionary in South America, we came up with many parables to te... 04/24/2009

I was invited to and attended a very special military graduation today.  It took place at a U.S. Naval base on the east coast.  And it involved a small group of United States Marines who graduated from, to speak generically, a U.S. military intelligence training school.  My son was one of the graduates. This group of young men, and one young woman, volunteered for this school.  After a series of fitness interviews and various forms of testing, they were hand picked to attend this training.  Even though they were hand picked, only a percentage who began actually graduated.  It was said today, by someone who has been involved in the intelligence service(s) since 1974, that this school is considered to be the finest, and this program the most difficult, offered by any military anywhere in ... 04/24/2009

I have the bad habit of arriving everywhere early.  To me it isn't a bad habit, but it does seem to rub others the wrong way! Arriving early to an inspection in a high-rise building, I was told to go on in and directly to the apartment.  After making my way through the security gauntlet, I went to the unit I was to inspect. I was met at the door by an elderly woman, who somewhat reluctantly allowed me inside.  After all, she did not know me from Adam.  Visibly nervous, she began chatting and tried to portray a very happy mood.  I think she wanted me to know she was a nice person so I would be less tempted to do her in...  Her discomfort was understandable.  I have a pleasant manner and it put her somewhat at ease.  And I have some practiced jokes that let my silly, off-the-wall humor co... 04/22/2009

Well, spring has sprung in most of the country.  I realize some of you have had summer for a while, and others are still getting snow.  But it is time for the Spring/Summer Home Maintenance List. We could call it "Some and Summer."  Works for me... These are in no particular order of importance, and if some item doesn't apply to your house, show the list to your spouse anyway and say, "Wow, look at all the things I had to do to get the house ready for spring and summer.  I'm really on top of it!"  He/she will be impressed with your due diligence... Carbon monoxide detector - try the test button Foundation Drainage - be sure water from downspouts, the garden and any rain properly drains away from the foundation.  Ideally your yard and gardens should be graded at least 1" for every 4' awa... 04/19/2009

TOWNHOMES There are 6 "ACTIVE" Townhomes for sale in the Braemar community of Bristow. These townhomes are priced from $168,900 up to $260,000. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 95 days. Currently, there are 10 Townhomes in the Braemar community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are 2 Townhomes available for rent at this time priced at $1,600 and $1,700 per month. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 12 "ACTIVE" Single Family homes for sale in the Braemar community of Bristow. These homes are priced from $280,000 up to $599,900. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 104 days. Currently, there are 28 Single Family homes in the Braemar community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are 3 Single Family homes availabl... 04/18/2009

TOWNHOMES There are 2 "ACTIVE" Townhomes for sale in the Sheffield Manor community of Bristow. These townhomes are priced from $214,900 up to $240,000. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 86 days. Currently, there are 6 Townhomes in the Sheffield Manor community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are NO Townhomes available for rent at this time. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 2 "ACTIVE" Single Family homes for sale in the Sheffield Manor community of Bristow. These homes are priced from $360,000 up to $410,000. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 32 days. Currently, there are 4 Single Family homes in the Sheffield Manor community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there is 1 Single Family home available for rent ... 04/18/2009

This is another difficult post to write.  Because of its content.  It is frightful, for which I apologize. The beat goes on and on regarding the 500 million pounds or so of poisonous Chinese drywall.  It is affecting more and more homes, now estimated at over 100,000, and more and more people, and was apparently used for over four years.  Its damage continues.  If you missed my first two posts on it you can catch up here: January 29 -- http://activerain.com/blogsview/895160/I-Think-We-Need-To-Recall-China March 21 -- http://activerain.com/blogsview/994937/Update-Chinese-Drywall-The-Lawyers-Have-Landed It is a very serious problem.  It has made the mainstream news.  Most recently, AP, 11 April 2009, reports that bills have been "introduced a bill in the House calling for a temporary ban ... 04/14/2009

On an inspection a couple of weeks ago, a house had been added to and the addition and upgrades were sensational.  In the older part of the house, though, the outlets had been painted so many times that some were simply not usable.  On others the holes were all visible but somewhat closed off so I could not insert my testing device to see how they were. There are many problems with painting outlets: The holes close off and eventually, as I said above, they are unusable.  I have seen many outlets where the receptacle holes are painted so much they are barely visible. The paint sticks the cover plate to the wall and the receptacles to the cover plate.  If work needs to be done on that outlet, the cover plate needs to be cut from the wall, and the outlet fixture cut from the cover plate.  ... 04/08/2009

How's the market in Bristow. Find out weekly with informative market reports delivered to your inbox. Email me if you would like to receive these report weekly. 04/06/2009

I could have taken 30 pictures of this small, front porch and roof. The seller, not from here, nor anywhere above the southern border, proudly proclaimed to the Realtor, not me, that he had built the small 6'x4' roof over the front porch stoop. I would have never guessed differently. Driving up I noticed the two small, turned columns, 3"x9', splayed interestingly and no where near plumb. They were bowing somewhat under the load, and the load was not terrific. The "trim" on the front would best be described as "not symmetrical," or "not professional," or even "not done by an adult..." The trim on the side merely abuts the vinyl siding. One piece of side trim is a 1"x3" and the other 1"x4" - nearly the same! I can only imagine how this roof was attached to the house. The buyer and I guess... 04/05/2009

 There is so much information out there about the real estate market that is can be mind boggling.  Me...I like to deal in cold hard facts....what is going on in one city....does not necessarily mean neighboring cities are having the same experience.. I think it is valuable for the consumer to get information from local professionals (ie... Me... Konnie Mac) to find out what is going on in their part of the world. Here are statistics For BRISTOW, VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE, from February 2009 month end.  As you can see, sales prices have dropped dramatically, although so have days on market,...yet the number of home sold has increased...translation..... homes are cheaper and more of them are moving faster... For more information about real estate or homes for sale in BRISTOW, Virginia call Ko... 04/04/2009

This townhouse in Bramer, a short sale*, went to settlement March 31st.  Had been listed for $217,000 and sold for $220,000, with just under $6,000 going to the buyer for closing cost assistance.  Was under contract about six weeks from the time it was listed in November.  From then it took a total of two and a half months to get this property to settlement. If you are looking for a short sale Realtor, look no further!  As a full-time Realtor, I've had plenty of experience listing and SELLING short sales.  I also teach a Short Sale class to members of the Prince William Association of Realtors.  I know what we need to do to get your home a buyer and approved by your mortgage companies.  And I don't charge anything upfront. Call me today if you are in need of a short sale Realtor. Chris ... 04/01/2009

This goes back to 1989 or 1990 or so.  I was finishing up an inspection on a very nice house.  The inspection went very well.  As we were walking out of the front door, my client, an elderly and exceptionally polite Asian gentleman, asked me if I had a compass handy.  "Sure!"  As I am always somehow Boy Scout connected I am prepared!  I actually have two.  So I dug one out of my tool kit. "What way house point?" "Northeast." "Oh no!  Cannot buy house!  Cannot buy house!" The realtor's jaw dropped!  I did not understand either. "Bad Feng Shui!  The house, bad Feng Shui!" I had never before heard of Feng Shui!  I had heard of, and often enjoyed, Chow Fun, but not this other thing! Neither had the realtor...  She stood right in front of him, looked directly into his eyes, and politely aske... 04/01/2009

I got an interesting email tonight.  It was from a client I visited on Saturday.  The Saturday visit was to help him out.  He is a renter and there is water damage to the parquet flooring inside the front door.  It only happens sometimes.  His landlord accused him of leaving the door open during a long rain storm.  Well, it's a theory, but not a great one. He couldn't figure out why the water was coming in, but knew he didn't leave the door open when it rains. Nonetheless, my client was gong to be charged for damaging the floor.  The landlord had to blame somebody after all. My inspection was an IR (thermal infrared imaging) inspection.  He wanted to see where the water was coming from, albeit sporadically.  It wasn't too hard.  It rained the night before and into the morning of my 1pm ... 03/29/2009

You have probably heard by now that our government, in all its infinite wisdom, has decided to stop purchasing condoms from its long-time supplier in Alabama.  The United States government is the largest purchaser of condoms in the world.  And it should be.  It needs a large and ready supply for its biggest customers - those who attend government schools!  It is a wise, caring and watchful government that takes care of its constituents, of all ages, and, soon, at nearly all levels of education! And, at the expense of American jobs, from whom will this wise, caring, and watchful government be purchasing its annual 500 million condoms? CHINA !! BEAM ME UP, SCOTTIE!! Yes, that wonderful trading "partner" who now provides breakables that didn't used to be, mercury and lead where they should... 03/24/2009