karen briscoe: Where We Live: Walter Heights
- 09/20/18 08:26 AM
Walter Heights is a community of just over 50 Single Family Homes located just outside Downtown McLean. This neighborhood sits just off Dolley Madison Blvd and runs along Buchanan St and Melrose Ave. Originally built in the 20s, these homes have plenty of history and with their prime location is a hotspot for grand New Builds.
This neighborhood’s origins are in the 20s, and many of those houses are still around. These homes are well made and have a classic, timeless feel. The neighborhood feels more homey and suburban than you’d expect for it’s amazing location. The neighborhood started out as Sears … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Westwood Park
- 09/12/18 05:17 PM
Westwood Park is a Falls Church community built primarily in the early to mid 60’s. The neighborhood consists of over 170 single family homes. The community runs along Fairwood Ln and its adjoining smaller streets. The great benefits of this community are its location in the beltway, proximity to Falls Church City and the Mosaic District, and ease of transportation.
This community combines an excellent location, within the Beltway, with quieter living. This neighborhood is nestled conveniently between 495, 66, Rt 7, and Lee Hwy and without any retail locations or schools in the direct vicinity means this area primarily gets traffic … (2 comments)
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karen briscoe: 50 Percent of Something is Better Than 100 Percent of Nothing
- 08/22/18 02:47 PM
This famous quote “50% of something is better than 100% of nothing” by the financial guru Suze Orman has numerous applications in real estate. Orman shares that she passes on this sage advice that came to her from her father.
Consider an example that applies to sellers. The client determines that their ideal list price to be $500,000. If they do not receive an offer at that price and thus not sell the home, then they “lose” the entire $500,000. If the market price is actually $450,000 and the seller recognizes that dynamic, then they achieve their objective of selling. In fact, … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: There Are No Perfect Houses!
- 08/01/18 10:11 AM
There are no perfect houses, there are no perfect spouses. Actually it applies to just about everything in my opinion because there are no perfect children, no perfect jobs or companies, no perfect charities or schools, no perfect “you fill in the blank”.
As a real estate agent I most frequently share the line with buyers after a home inspection. It is the home inspector’s job to evaluate the property and detail all the defects and issues discovered in a report. At this juncture some buyers freak out and become unduly concerned that they are purchasing a money pit. When in reality … (3 comments)
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karen briscoe: Why Do Buyers Have Good Manners?
- 07/26/18 12:49 PM
Often I hear from a Seller: “Just tell the Buyer to make an offer.” And that seems so simple, so why don’t they? I believe it is because Buyers have good manners. Buyers don’t want to offend or hurt the feelings of a Seller by making an offer that could be considered “low ball” or “bottom feeding”. So instead, in my experience the Buyers wait until the price is within the range of what the Buyer has determined to be the market price.
In a rising market, Sellers can overcome the possibility of overpricing because the market is moving towards them. … (1 comments)
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karen briscoe: World Class Cities: European vs. Washington, DC
- 07/18/18 09:15 AM
People frequently travel abroad over the summer months. A few years ago, my husband and I took a cruise on the Danube from Prague to Budapest. On the journey we spent time in both Vienna, Austria as well as other small towns along the river. I observed several key similarities to those world class European cities and Washington, DC. Washington, DC was designed by a Frenchman: Pierre L’Enfant in 1791 so has strong European roots.
First, all are located on a river. The cities Prague, Budapest and Vienna are located on the Danube. The Potomac River banks the western border … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Real Estate Market in McLean and Great Falls First Half 2018 Recap
- 07/03/18 12:16 PM
The first half of 2018 is on the books! The number of real estate transactions in McLean and Great Falls is softer than in the same period in 2017, with 562 transactions versus 623 the previous year. The good news is that in comparison to one decade ago in 2008, sales are up over 56%.
The upper bracket market which is $1.25 million plus has significantly improved over the past decade and remained constant year over year. The affordable price points of under $1.25 million has been impacted by supply relative to demand. As there are not as many choices available to … (2 comments)
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karen briscoe: Freedom isn't Free, Home Ownership isn't Either
- 06/27/18 02:18 PM
This next week the United States celebrates the 4th of July I am reminded of a sign our son Drew had in his room growing up that stated boldly: FREEDOM. Drew bought the sign because he found it incredibly ironic that he could purchase something that says “FREEDOM” but that it wasn’t “free.” In order to acquire it, there was a cost expended.
As we celebrate the 4th, let us remember the benefits associated with living in a democracy. Those rights come with a cost. There are many who have given their lives and sacrificed deeply so that America could become a … (3 comments)
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karen briscoe: Going Standby as a Home Buying Strategy
- 05/16/18 03:07 PM
Hot real estate markets occur in those areas and price points that over a period of time experience low supply and high demand. In those situations in order to be competitive, it takes strong strategy and negotiating skills. In one such case I was working with a purchaser client who had already lost out on 5 contracts. Shortly before working with this client my husband and I had been traveling by air and thus the “going standby” strategy was conceived.
Our flight was canceled from Dallas/Fort Worth to Washington Reagan due to weather. The good news is that out of DFW there … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Colvin Mill Run
- 05/03/18 01:35 PM
Colvin Mill Run is a Suburban neighborhood to Washington, DC metro area which consists of just under 50 homes in Great Falls, 22066. The homes in this community all have over 5000 sq ft of living area, and sit on spacious lots, typically around 1 acre. The community sits off of Colvin Run Road a short distance from Leesburg Pike, conveniently located to Tysons, Reston and the local Village of Great Falls.The feel of this neighborhood is very private for its proximity to DC and the beltway. The meandering streets only service this and the surrounding neighborhoods, so cars are sparse. … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Hamptons of McLean
- 04/19/18 08:31 AM
The Hamptons of McLean is a large townhome neighborhood which consists of over 120 homes in McLean, 22101. The community sits just off Old Dominion Dr, just minutes from Downtown McLean and all the great things we have to offer here. The community offers two architectural styles of townhomes, built in the 1980’s.The contemporary, more modern architectural style feature vaulted ceilings and one-car garages and were built by Georgelas. The spacious more traditional architecture townhomes were built by NV Homes. The Hamptons of McLean is the only inside the beltway townhome community in McLean that offers the amenity of a community … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Grass Ridge
- 04/11/18 03:07 PM
Grass Ridge is a large Suburban neighborhood which consists of around 100 homes in McLean, 22101. The community abuts Kent Gardens Park between Westmoreland and Old Dominion, north of Kirby Road. This neighborhood is close to both Downtown McLean, Arlington, and Falls Church, with all the great features they have to offer.
Kent Gardens Park is a wonderful place to spend a sunny day, with it’s trails and scenic Pimmit Run running through it. There is also nearby Kent Gardens Recreation Club which you can learn more about on their website:http://www.kgrc.org/. These places give this area an “away from the big city” … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Real Estate Market in McLean and Great Falls First Quarter 2018 Recap
- 04/04/18 01:24 PM
The number of real estate transactions in McLean and Great Falls closed out the first quarter 2018 softer than in the same time period in 2017, with 210 transactions vs. 242 the previous year. In comparison to the 2008 market just one decade ago, the number is up almost 60%. Allow me to speculate on the reasons I see for the market shift.
First, there was uncertainty as to the effect of the tax reform that took place in the fourth quarter of 2017. This caused many people to put their moving decisions on hold.
Second, inventory levels in many segments were low … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: The Weight of Waiting
- 03/29/18 01:48 PM
There is a cost associated with not taking action, for waiting. It is the weight of waiting. In business it is also known as the opportunity cost; that is, the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. In this case, the party chooses to do nothing. There are both buyer and seller “waiting” stories.
Some buyers choose to wait think that the market is going to go down. Or sometimes they are waiting to save more money for a down payment or for an increase in salary so that they can afford a larger home. Another scenario … (3 comments)
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karen briscoe: First Day of Spring and "Hope Springs Eternal"
- 03/21/18 04:38 PM
The first day of spring is March 20th and is known as the spring Equinox. The length of the day and night is nearly equal on the equinoxes as the Sun shines directly on the equator. This year there is a massive snowstorm forecasted to hit the northeast. It is like living in two worlds at once. As the daylight becomes longer people begin to feel the hope in the air! And yet there may still be aspects of winter prevalent in some areas. Nevertheless, the quote “hope springs eternal” comes to mind from the classic poem by Alexander Pope. It … (4 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Hidden Forest
- 03/14/18 02:30 PM
Hidden Forest is a small Great Falls community, consisting of just over 30 homes in Great Falls. The cluster sits directly off Georgetown Pike, giving the neighborhood the access that many in Great Falls value so highly. The neighborhood is very nearby Great Falls and River Bend parks, and the falls themselves. That along with the 1 acre lush lots the homes sit on, the homes all have a pleasant outdoorsy feel. Commuters will appreciate the easy access to 495 as well as access to two major airports – Reagan National to the east, and Dulles International to the south-west. Residents … (2 comments)
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karen briscoe: "Forever Home"
- 03/07/18 05:08 PM
There are occasions where a client will talk about a "forever home". When a Seller brings up the topic, it is usually when they have built a home that they thought they were going to stay in for quite some time, but circumstances have changed. When a Buyer brings up the topic, it is usually looking into the future, "out there" somwhere and it represents an ideal. Either way there is a connotation that it is the "dream" home, where everything one has ever desired in a home exists and thus reflects a family or person's unique living style and design … (4 comments)
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karen briscoe: Selling and Buying a Home in Spring, is like Driving in Rush Hour
- 02/28/18 12:03 PM
Traditionally the spring market is March through May. In many markets it can start as early as February, around Ground Hog Day. Sometimes sales continue to be robust and the peak selling season will stretch into June. Rush hour for many metropolitan areas is from 7 to 9 am in the morning and 5 to 7 pm in the evening. Commuters hoping to beat the heavy traffic times will get on the road as early as 5 am and often wait to leave after 7 pm. In many instances, home sellers and buyers choose to follow that example.
Rush hour occurs … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: Where We Live: Bryn Mawr, McLean
- 02/21/18 01:16 PM
Bryn Mawr is a large Suburban neighborhood which consists of over 100 homes in McLean, 22101. It comprises of the area along Tennyson Drive and Longfellow Street and abuts the heart of downtown McLean. It enjoys all the wonderful amenities to be found living in this walkable enclave, including the Bryn Mawr park. A heavily wooded park that features a tot-lot, a tennis court, paths, and is a lovely refuge from the busy Northern Virginia community. An insider’s tip, this park is often a cut-through for people walking (or biking as you’ll often catch me doing with my husband on the … (0 comments)
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karen briscoe: What's Love Got to do with it?
- 02/14/18 01:31 PM
Valentine’s Day in the United States focuses on people in love. Tina Turner belted the now famous song: “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and on this special day think of how this theme applies to real estate. Is there any place for love in the purchase and sale of real property? Often there is. There is an old saying that most people buy on emotion and justify the decision on logic.
An alert agent will notice the glimmer of love in the eye of a buyer when looking at homes. There is usually something about the home that triggers a … (2 comments)
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Walter Heights is a community of just over 50 Single Family Homes located just outside Downtown McLean. This neighborhood sits just off Dolley Madison Blvd and runs along Buchanan St and Melrose Ave. Originally built in the 20s, these homes have plenty of history and with their prime location is a hotspot for grand New Builds.
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