shoppingwithdana: Ready for 2025?
- 12/31/24 08:24 AM
I don't know about you, but I am ready to turn the page on 2024. It had its ups and downs in many facets of my life and I survived, my business survived, and my family survived. As a matter of fact, I think that should be my theme song tonight as I celebrate New Year's Eve!
What would be a good theme song for you this evening?
Happy New Year and Enjoy!
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shoppingwithdana: I'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday for a Hamburger Today
- 11/09/23 08:12 AM
If you haven't seen some of my recent posts, I'm expanding on an ActiveRain post I wrote in 2015 where I listed 20 things I learned tending bar. Today's post focuses on the fourth of twenty lessons.
Lesson #4: Always get paid in fullOne night I was working at Mr. Eagan's, an Irish Pub in Washington DC, and we had a pretty good crowd though I can't remember why. On Sundays, the kitchen closed at 9:00 and after that, I was on my own. I had booth of very loud and boisterous people who ordered appetizers, entrees, and several rounds of top shelf drinks. … (17 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Your Undivided Attention
- 11/03/23 09:10 PM
I'm expanding upon an ActiveRain post I wrote in 2015 where I listed 20 things I learned tending bar. While most ring true today, this lesson is a harder one to relate to real estate completely because I got married before I became a REALTOR®
So today's post focuses on the third of twenty lessons.
Lesson #3: Never date a customer or clientAs a bartender, you control the drinks and the cash register on behalf of the bar owner. Customers will flirt, beg, and make all kinds of promises to get a drink on the house and you have to be firm. Your tips are … (15 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Let them eat cake!
- 09/08/23 10:04 AM
I'm expanding upon an ActiveRain post I wrote in 2015 where I listed 20 things I learned tending bar. While the list still rings true, I'd like to expand on each of the 20 lessons a bit more. I also realized that these lessons were accumulated through many service jobs I've taken on, including as a waitress at a New Jersey Diner (Golden Coach), at a New Jersey bagel shop (Bagel Town) and at an restaurant/ice cream shop in DC (Swensen's). Sadly, all three of these businesses are no longer around, but the lessons I took from them live on in … (15 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: First Impressions are Crucial
- 09/01/23 07:08 AM
I recently re-read an ActiveRain post I wrote in 2015 where I listed 20 things I learned tending bar. In reflection, the list still rings true to me, but I wish I had taken the time to expand on each of the 20 lessons a bit more. I also realized that these lessons were accumulated through many service jobs I've taken on, including as a waitress at a New Jersey Diner (Golden Coach), at a New Jersey bagel shop (Bagel Town) and at an restaurant/ice cream shop in DC (Swensen's). Sadly, all three of these businesses are no longer around, but … (7 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: What is your favorite house style?
- 06/05/23 08:34 AM
When my husband and I were buying our first home, we knew more about what we didn't want in a home, than what we did. We were living in a one-bedroom, 4th story walk-up apartment in downtown DC with two cats. The litter boxes were in the only bathroom, which we shared with our guests. Finding parking for our 2 cars was usually challenging, but we were close to a metro stop, so we had access to the whole DC Metro Area.
Searching by Process of Elimination
So what I figured we wanted was a detached home in DC, MD or Northern VA … (10 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: DC Real Estate - Market Update for February 2023
- 03/01/23 09:02 AM
Wondering what's happening with real estate in Washington DC? Here are the numbers for January 2023.
What's TrendingNotice that New Listings and Pending Sales are up this month over last month, but both are down compared to last year. Closed Sales are down from last month, and from last year. We often see a drop because of the winter holidays when people are busy and not buying homes in December.
Winter PricingPrices are down from last year as well as from last month to this month. While we generally see lower prices in Washington DC in January and February, this year sales decreased … (4 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Montgomery County Real Estate - Market Update for February 2023
- 03/01/23 08:39 AM
Wondering what's happening with real estate in Montgomery County Maryland? Here are the numbers for January 2023.
What's TrendingNotice that New Listings and Pending Sales are up this month over last month, but both are down compared to last year. Closed Sales are down from last month, land from last year. We often see a drop because of the winter holidays.
Winter PricingThere isn't much of a surprise that prices are up from last year. We saw huge escalations in price in 2022. The prices dropped from December to January. Again not a surprise. Interest rates made some buyers nervous and the active … (3 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Now is Not the Time to Pause Your Home Search
- 02/14/23 06:54 PM
Yes. Interest rates are higher than when you looked last year. Do you remember last year? When you were bidding way above the list price, removing all your buyer protections, including inspections and appraisals? That wasn't fun and you didn't end up buying a home. It wore you out and you wanted to take a break. I understand. It wasn't fun. For you, or for me.
Interest rates have come down a bit and we are currently in a market with a lot less competition. Sellers are seeing their homes sit a bit longer and they are more open to the idea … (8 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: What's Happening in Virginia?
- 10/21/22 10:46 AM
Virginia's September Market Update As the interest rates increase, there are some shifts in the real estate market in Virginia. Statewide, the market has been cooling since September 2021, but counties in Northern Virginia saw some fierce competition for housing this spring and summer. September is seeing a slow down across the state.
Take a look at the statewide numbers in this video from Virginia REALTORS®.
If you'd like to see a market report for your county, city or neighborhood, give me a call at 202-271-5301.
… (1 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Real Estate Monthly Market Update for September 2022
- 10/17/22 08:36 AM
Curious about what is happening in the Maryland Real Estate Market?
Maryland REALTORS® has a monthly infographic that compared September 2022 to the market in September 2022. It is important to remember that interest rates are quite a bit higher this year than they were last year so we expect to see how the interest rates impact the real estate market in Maryland.
As you can see the market is reacting as many expected. The inventory has dropped year over year and both the average and median prices have gone up year over year. Basic supply and demand.
We are also noticing few new … (2 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Have a real estate question?
- 09/27/22 01:18 PM
Have a Real Estate Question? Ask me anything.
Really. How often do you get the chance to get answers to your burning questions?
As part of the Hollish Hill Group, I'm committed to Honesty, Integrity, and Service that Cannot be Better. Meaning, I'll do my very best to get an answer to your real estate questions. Even if it's an industry secret, or something agents don't typically explain to the public. Don't miss this opportunity. I usually only offer this to my clients.
So,
Have a Real Estate Question?Ask me anything.
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shoppingwithdana: Charred Oak Estates Market Report - December 2021
- 12/16/21 07:42 PM
Charred Oak Estates Market Report
Bethesda, MD
Reporting on Activity from November 2021
Curious about what's going on with real estate in Charred Oak Estates and how colder weather and change in Covid protocols is impacting home sales?
Let's look at the numbers from November 2021:
As you can see from the charts, the numbers of Sold properties is above the 5-year average, the number of New Pending Sales is below and the number of Active Listings is within the range of that of the 5-year average. This low inventory continues to be a challenge throughout the DC Metro Area. Very few homes are sitting … (1 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Charred Oak Estates - Market Report for October 2021
- 11/29/21 11:52 AM
Charred Oak Estates Market Report
Bethesda, MD
November 2021
Curious about what's going on with real estate in Charred Oak Estates and colder weather and change in Covid protocols is impacting home sales?
Let's look at the numbers:
As you can see from the charts, the numbers of Sold properties is above the 5-year average, the number of New Pending Sales is above and the number of Active Listings is below that of the 5-year average. This low inventory continues to be a challenge throughout the DC Metro Area. Very few homes are sitting on the market.
March's inventory of homes for sale was a bit … (3 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Homes Sell Fast in Falls Church
- 06/10/21 04:21 PM
This beautifully maintained Falls Church home went live Thursday and went Under Contract on Tuesday. My team of agents at JPAR Stellar Living did an excellent job getting this home ready, staged, photographed, marketed and SOLD.
Although this is a seller's market due to the incredibly low inventory of homes for sale, this week we saw a lot more listings hit the market. Buyers had choices.
Each spring the National Capital Area has a period of low inventory so what we're seeing is not unusual. However, this year it seemed longer. I suspect some of the delay had to do with concerns about … (2 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: April 2021 Virginia Real Estate Report
- 06/08/21 10:49 AM
Curious about the real estate market and what is happening in Virginia? This video by Virginia REALTORS gives you an overview of the Market in April of 2021. You may be hearing a lot in the news about the low inventory and multiple offers, but it's important to focus on the facts rather than anecdotal information.
If you are interested in information about specific citites or neighborhoods, give me a call at 202-271-5301.
… (1 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: What happened in Maryland in April 2021?
- 05/26/21 08:04 AM
Curious about the housing market and what happened in April 2021?
Well, let's take a look at the lovely infographic that Maryland REALTORS puts out each month.
As you can see, sales and prices have gone up from 2020, the year of Covid uncertainty. Inventory, however, is down. Even though there is low inventory, sales are rising and this trend seems to be continuiung. Now is a great time to be a seller.
Curious about the numbers for you neighborhood in Maryland, DC or Virginia? Give me a call and I'll send you a more localized report.
… (2 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Charred Oak Estates - Market Report for March 2021
- 04/12/21 08:24 PM
Charred Oak Estates Market Report
Bethesda, MD
March 2021
Curious about what's going on with real estate in Charred Oak Estates and how the vaccine roll out is impacting home sales?
Let's look at the numbers:
As you can see from the charts, the numbers of Sold properties is below the 5-year average, the number of New Pendings is above and the number of Active Listings is below that of the 5-year average. This low inventory is consistent throughout the DC Metro Area. Nothing is sitting on the market.
March's inventory of homes for sale was a bit lower than the 5-year average with less than … (4 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: What I've learned about growing my business
- 03/28/21 05:16 PM
When I first began in real estate, I worked with two very experienced men in our office who had very different, yet successful styles.
One was very direct and was the first to pick up the phone and have a direct conversation with his clients or with agents. Everything about his marketing was direct. He hosted fun, large-scale events and smaller dinner parties at his home. He also made a customized premium item each year and hand delivered one to each of his past clients.
His clients really liked his direct approach and referred him tons of business. He also had tons of … (15 comments)
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shoppingwithdana: Has the Spring Market of 2021 Sprung?
- 03/27/21 10:26 AM
How do we know when the Spring Market has sprung?
Each year there is a period of time where there are ALOT more buyers than sellers in the market. It begins on January 2nd and runs through a few weeks after the Super Bowl. Then we hit Spring Market and houses start hitting the market and we slide into Summer Market and the buyers learn what they need to do to win and we get homes sold and buyers into homes all before the school year begins.
So what about this year? Will it be different because of the pandemic?
During 2020 there was … (5 comments)
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I don't know about you, but I am ready to turn the page on 2024. It had its ups and downs in many facets of my life and I survived, my business survived, and my family survived. As a matter of fact, I think that should be my theme song tonight as I celebrate New Year's Eve! 
;)
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