va: FORGET LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!!
- 12/27/07 02:17 AM
For years people have been told, "The three most important things in real estate are location, location, location"
If you live in the home at the right that may well still be true, but it will not be true for the rest of us in 2008.
For 2008, the three most important things in real estate are "Price, Condition and Terms."
If any real estate agent tells you something else you may be talking to the wrong real estate agent.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR 2008
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va: SELLING TO OUT OF COUNTRY DIPLOMATS
- 12/26/07 10:18 AM
It is one thing to sell to Americans who are out of the country such as my blog about John and Kay who were in Hawaii and purchased their home through me over the internet without ever having seen the home before they arrived for settlement.
It is quite another thing to sell to foreign diplomats who have never been here before. My buyers were stationed in Sudan, were assigned to Washington, DC. and were totally unfamiliar with our real estate procedures.
They visited my website and solicited my help in finding them a home prior to their arrival. Thus began a cycle of phone … (2 comments)
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va: I LIST HOMES, BUT NEVER MEET THE SELLER
- 12/25/07 01:13 PM
Sellers frequently contact me through my website to market their property.. That is not unusual except I am contacted by out-of-town sellers. They look at the depth of my experience and my utilization of technology.
My website details my ACTION PLAN to market a property. There are not many real estate agents that are making that type commitment for all the world to see.
The owner of the Greenbriar property at the right lives in Atlanta - he was unable to come to town to meet with me, discuss my recommendations and sign the necessary documents. I sent him a very detailed market analysis and included my recommendation … (15 comments)
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va: MILITARY FAMILY RELOCATES VIA THE INTERNET
- 12/25/07 07:34 AM
John and Kay were in Hawaii with orders to Fort Belvoir. They contacted me through my website
They were interested in purchasing their first home and preferred working with an agent with in-depth experience.
During our initial conversations we discussed location, financing and dates for a house hunting trip. John told me there was not going to be a house hunting trip. He selected me because of my in-depth experience and technical capability - he expected the entire transaction to be ready when he arrived with his family.
I sent homes via e-mail, lenders contacted them and arranged financing. The homeowner of the home they wanted … (5 comments)
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va: WHERE THE HECK IS HECHT'S?
- 12/24/07 02:14 AM
The Hecht Co. had been a leading mid-Atlantic department store since 1857. In August of 2006 the company was purchased by Macy's.
Each year my husband and I visit a different local mall to window shop and admire the decorations - this year we headed for Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax. Imagine our surprise when we saw two Macy's stores in the same mall. Macy's closed the Hecht's store, remodeled it an reopened it as Macy's even though there was already a Macy's in the mall.
It is not the same in the real estate business. Each time the real estate market heats up, … (19 comments)
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va: PLEASE TELL MY HUSBAND TO STOP
- 12/23/07 04:21 AM
My husband decided many years ago that a girl from Albuquerque had very limited appreciation of snowmen. The fact that I spent alternating Christmas holidays with grandparents in South Dakota and Illinois did not register. Every year I get a "surprise" gift of one or more snowpeople
There is no way I could possibly show them all to you in time for Christmas.
Believe it or not, I even have a snowman magnet on the refrigerator door that plays "Jingle Bells".
The big guy at the bottom is 42" high and welcomes guests in our foyer. Fortunately, he disassembles and goes in a small box. Yes, he's tin!!!!
Wooden … (4 comments)
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va: AN HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA CHURCH ROOF
- 12/21/07 07:23 AM
The Christmas ornament at the right is a slate roof section from one of the most historic churches in Northern Virginia.
Old Presbyterian Meeting House on South Fairfax Street in the City of Alexandria was chartered as a Presbyteian congregation in 1772 . The sanctuary you see pictured was built in 1775.
The front steps were the highest review point in Alexandria. It was on these steps that General George Washington made his farewell review of his troops as they paraded past.
One of the buildings on the church grounds that was built in 1787 is Flounder House - it was the … (0 comments)
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va: ORANGE HUNT ELEMENTARY German Choral Singers, Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia
- 12/19/07 10:59 AM
Every year during the holiday season the Rotary Club of West Springfield invites Springfield area school students to perform at one of our club meetings. We meet every Wednesday at 7:30 AM at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on Old Keene Mill Road.
This morning we were entertained by the Orange Hunt Elementary School German Choir. Fairfax County Public Schools have foreign language immersion programs available at the elementary school level. Orange Hunt Elementary teaches German. This choir of elementary school children entertained us with a selection of German Christmas Carols and they were OUTSTANDING. The citizens of Fairfax County can … (2 comments)
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va: FAMILY OWNERSHIP BY THREE GENERATIONS OVER 71 YEARS
- 12/19/07 07:48 AM
On December 16, The Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger ran a cover story about the J.E.Rice Hardware Store which is located in the Manassas Shopping Center on Mathis Avenue.
Their saying is, "If we don't have it you don't need it or they don't make it."
J.E.Rice, Sr. opened the store in 1936 at another location and opened this store in1957. The founder's three grandchildren still operate the store which stocks in excess of 35,000 items. One of the reasons for the store's continued success is the willingness of the owners and staff to provide reliable service. It … (2 comments)
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va: CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE FOR THE BIRDS
- 12/18/07 04:52 AM
One of my very favorite birds is the cardinal which just happens to be the Commonwealth of Virginia state bird. Every year I purchase my Christmas cards from the NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION here in Reston Virginia. I always order Christmas cards from them that have a cardinal on the front of the card. However, since the drawings are copyrighted I can't scan them and show them to you, but the artwork is outstanding.
The National Wildlife Federation supports more than birds, but since elephants and tigers are not allowed in my subdivision I have to settle for birds. As a matter of fact … (5 comments)
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va: BURKE CENTRE AND I STARTED AT THE SAME TIME
- 12/18/07 01:31 AM
Developers began working on Burke Centre in 1976 - the same year my husband and I were licensed to sell real estate. Over the years we have both matured. In our case, Arthur and I have sold many homes to and for people in the Burke area.
During that time we have invested in several Burke properties for our own portofolio.
Some of the major improvements we have seen impact on Burke in the past 31 years are
VRE has come to town
Fairfax County Parkway has facilitated commuting to the east and west
Shopping As you may know the shopping options in Burke Centre were very limited … (0 comments)
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va: MY CLIENT AND I ARE PREGNANT!!!!
- 12/17/07 07:59 AM
The year is 1977 - Arthur and I are newly licensed. As you can see, being brunette is all the rage.
My very first client (also named Karen) is equally pregnant. I just met she and her husband at an open house. Shortly, I will sell them a Virginia rambler on Reservoir Road. Their daughter Heather will precede our son Max by a few months.
Since that time I have sold three homes to them and for them when they relocated and returned to Virginia. All three of them were in Springfield. Finally, they stopped being transferred and I sold them their fourth property in Kingstowne.
Remember their daughter Heather? I sold she … (12 comments)
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va: IS BURKE STILL A GOOD INVESTMENT?
- 12/17/07 06:52 AM
In 1978 my husband and I bought this two level town home on Burke Manor Court for $46,000. We had only been real estate agents for 1.5 years and it was our first investment property. We were as proud as we could possibly be. It was just a few steps from the railroad tracks and Burke Lake Road had not been relocated yet.
This year those homes are selling for approximately $300,000. There is no question a 650% increase over 29 years is very satisfactory. We have long since sold this home and have invested in others over the years.
It is still a … (0 comments)
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va: IS YOUR REALTOR® A CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST?
- 12/17/07 06:18 AM
Over 8,000 RE/MAX agents have earned the CRS or Certified Residential Specialist Designation. That is many more than the closest competitor and almost twice the national average of those who have earned this prestigious National Association of REALTORS designation.
It is obvious the RE/MAX agents as well as those of other firms who have invested time and funds to complete the requirements consider it a valuable resource to assist them in meeting their client's objectives.
My husband and I have both met the requirements and feel confident this has improved our real estate knowledge.
When you are contemplating buying or selling real estate you would do … (1 comments)
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va: ARE REALTOR® DESIGNATIONS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
- 12/12/07 09:50 AM
The answer to that question depends on who you ask. Licensees who have invested time and money will be more likely to say they are valuable. By the same token, agents who have not invested time and money will usually comment they are of little or no value.
I was one of the initial applicants to register for the e-PRO series of courses offered by the National Association of Realtors. Has it made me a technical wizard? Unfortunately the answer to that is a resounding NO. However, it has made me aware of the importance of a prompt response to email inquiries as well as giving … (15 comments)
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va: PORT POTOMAC TOWN HOME NOVEMBER 2007 MARKET REPORT
- 12/09/07 09:07 AM
This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for PORT POTOMAC. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Prince William County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 19 DETACHED HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2007
SALES STATISTICS (4 SOLD)
CONTACT ME for assistance with PORT POTOMAC or PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE.
… (0 comments)
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va: PORT POTOMAC DETACHED HOME NOVEMBER 2007 MARKET REPORT
- 12/09/07 09:01 AM
This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for PORT POTOMAC. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Prince William County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 50 DETACHED HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2007
SALES STATISTICS (3 SOLD)
CONTACT ME for assistance with PORT POTOMAC or PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE.
… (0 comments)
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va: KINGSTOWNE NOVEMBER 2007 TOWN HOME MARKET REPORT
- 12/09/07 05:40 AM
This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for KINGSTOWNE 22315. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 43 TOWN HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2007
SALES STATISTICS (6 SOLD)
CONTACT ME for assistance with KINGSTOWNE, VA or FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE.
… (0 comments)
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va: KINGSTOWNE NOVEMBER 2007 TOWN HOME MARKET REPORT
- 12/09/07 05:39 AM
This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for KINGSTOWNE 22315. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 43 TOWN HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2007
SALES STATISTICS (6 SOLD)
CONTACT ME for assistance with KINGSTOWNE, VA or FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE.
… (0 comments)
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va: KINGSTOWNE NOVEMBER 2007 DETACHED HOME MARKET REPORT
- 12/09/07 05:38 AM
This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for KINGSTOWNE 22315. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 7 DETACHED HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2007
SALES STATISTICS (NONE SOLD)
DOMM = Days on the market for the current listing
DOMP = Total number of days on … (0 comments)
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