washington dc real estate: DC's Bloomingdale-LeDroit: Historic and Revived - 10/03/10 08:56 AM
 Are you in the market for a historic home with character in the Washington, DC, area?  Does a remodeled Victorian row house located within a few miles of the US capitol, downtown area, and several prestigious and well-known universities sound like your dream home? The Bloomingdale & LeDroit neighborhoods may be just what you're looking for.  
Bloomingdale is located in Ward 5 and lies right in the heart of the Washington, DC area with neighboring LeDroit Park to its west. This revived community is an ideal "suburb" in DC, and is home to older and new younger residents alike.  
Some notable past residents of the Bloomingdale/LeDroit neighborhoods include Samuel … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: Raw Food, Fast Food Right in DC - 09/24/10 01:41 AM
In the busy, fast-paced world of Washington, DC, how do you eat right?  A wonderfully colorful variety of fruits and veggies can be had for quite a deal at those quaint little produce stands popping up all over in the summertime. What's great about the DC area is that you can find such healthy alternatives right in the city, as well as in more suburban areas.
Your local farmer's market offers veggies that aren't pre-packaged, stamped, and wearing those small stickers that mean you probably should be looking elsewhere for your nutrition requirements! Irradiated, non-organic produce is just not ideal. If you … (4 comments)

washington dc real estate: Get Happy for H Street in Washington, DC - 09/17/10 11:23 AM
Once upon a time, the H Street corridor of the Northeast was one of the biggest shopping and entertainment districts in the DC region. The 1968 riots that followed the death of Dr. Martin Luther King disrupted that for a time. As recently as 5 years ago, much of it was still a mix of boarded-up storefronts, Chinese carry-out restaurants and discount beauty salons. The DC Main Streets program helped older businesses expand and undergo facelifts, and promoted new housing and business development in the area. 
For starters, The Atlas Theater reopened, which we were thrilled to see. The Argonaut and other … (2 comments)

washington dc real estate: Landscape, Don't Just Plant, at Your DC Home - 09/13/10 04:13 PM
When you are preparing to sell your DC home, some of the top staging tips include improving the curb appeal of your property. Plant some colorful flowers, the experts say, or at least put out a few pots of plants or flowers. This approach may save the day for a property that is basically well-groomed, but it begs the question of how to best show off a yard.  
It comes down to a basic question: Should you "plant" or should you "landscape"? Planting implies a certain amount of impulsiveness; landscaping requires planning.  
A landscape is a planned artistic design that considers the … (1 comments)

washington dc real estate: Restaurant Week, Part II: Eating Your Way through DC Neighborhoods - 08/14/10 11:20 AM
In our last article, we suggested that you Ditch Your Grocery List as you satiate your palate and explore some of the more than 200 restaurants participating in Washington DC's Restaurant Week August 16-22nd. Eating your way through DC neighborhoods is a fun way to explore DC and try some great new restaurants. 
Here are few interesting places to explore: 
A nice starting point is Glover Park, a neighborhood in Northwest Washington, DC just steps away from Georgetown and cradled by the serene forested parklands of Glover-Archbold Park and Whitehaven Park. Home to embassies and a closely knit body of residents, Glover Park … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: Ditch Your Grocery List During Washington DC's Restaurant Week! - 08/11/10 07:24 AM
Have you been salivating for some exciting new restaurants, but tend to stick to your old favorites? If so, ditch that grocery list during Washington DC's Restaurant Week and head for the city! Destination DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington are proudly presenting the 16th bi-annual Washington, DC Restaurant Week from August 16-22nd. You can try some interesting food at neighborhood restaurants around the area and, in the process, add some new favorites to your list. 
Restaurant Week occurs twice a year during the winter and summer - during the slower seasons. During these weeks, many of D.C.'s finest restaurants are … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: Washington D.C. Charter Schools: A Better Way to Teach Your ABC's - 08/04/10 12:24 PM
Washington, DC public schools have been on life support in the media for some time, but after a lot of hard work by students, teachers, and administrators, things are getting better, especially in our charter schools. Since good schools seal the deal for many home buyers, this is good news for families who would like to move to DC's diverse neighborhoods and be confident that their children will receive a good education.Charter schools were envisioned as a way to prompt public school reform and give lower-income families better educational options. Since they are publicly funded, any DC student can attend for … (2 comments)

washington dc real estate: 3001 Veazey Terrace NW #1423 - SOLD - 07/14/10 04:00 AM
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washington dc real estate: 3166 18th St NW - Under Contract - 07/06/10 02:41 AM
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washington dc real estate: 1526 17th St NW #102 - WITHDRAWN - 06/24/10 06:45 PM
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washington dc real estate: Opportunity Still Knocks for New Homebuyers in Washington, D.C. - 06/18/10 11:39 AM
Unless you are one of the special classes that may still be able to take advantage of the tax credit (special rules apply to members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community), you may be pretty bummed. Like many potential clients I come into contact with, you may have been thinking about buying a new home in the metro D.C. area and now find yourself wondering if it's too late or that you "missed the boat" on the tax credit. Are you one of the millions thinking, "The banks aren't making it easy - I missed the Federal … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: 1239 Vermont Ave #209 - Under Contract - 06/11/10 03:55 AM
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washington dc real estate: National Harbor Revisited Spring 2010 - 05/28/10 01:26 AM
Last year, local Metro DC area real estate expert Rachel Valentino was introduced to a $4 billion, 300-acre newly opened community called National Harbor and was "completely blown away" by the opportunity. Situated along the Potomac River in Prince George's County, the estate features the Gaylord National Resort, a 2,000-room hotel, as the complex's centerpiece. 
While opportunity blooms, it isn't without conflict. Even before its first attractions opened, National Harbor was making enemies. Developer Milton Peterson chose to purchase Washington's beloved outdoor sculpture, the Awakening, from its longtime home at Haines Point & moved it to National Harbor. The move instantly … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: Take Cost-Saving Steps Towards a Healthier DC Home - 05/22/10 11:53 AM
Whether you are a DC homeowner or you're looking to buy, taking steps to "go green" not only adds curb appeal to your home, but it also makes good financial sense. It also feels good and is better for you, your family and the carbon footprint you leave behind.
 There are many steps you can take to move towards a better planet while saving money. Start on the DSIRE website to find state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in your area.
Many energy providers and product manufacturers are offering programs and rebates, … (3 comments)

washington dc real estate: Negotiating Your Mortgage Modification - 04/24/10 09:21 AM
These days, while some people are trying hard to buy their first home, others are trying to hang on to the one they have.  Because of unemployment, loss of income, adjustable mortgage resets, falling homes values, many find themselves in need of a mortgage modification to keep up with the payments.
Banks may not want to modify loan terms, but often, doing so is cheaper for them than foreclosure.  President Obama's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan set up the Making Home Affordable Program to facilitate refinancing and modifying loans, and banks have been encouraged to get on the bandwagon and help … (0 comments)

washington dc real estate: Increase Your Odds of First Time DC Ownership - 04/17/10 01:22 PM
As a famous sage (actually a Realtor in North Carolina) once said, the media has made it sound as if in the current buyer's market, homes are almost free.  While it is true that home values have dropped and made it possible for buyers to buy a lot more home for their money, this does not mean sellers are willing (or able) to give their home away.  The media hype has made first time buyers unrealistic and unprepared make a successful bid on a home. 
It is also true that prices are down from a year or two ago, that homes … (2 comments)

washington dc real estate: 36 Q St NW #1 - WITHDRAWN - 04/16/10 03:56 AM
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washington dc real estate: 1225 13th St NW #102 - SOLD - 04/15/10 04:40 AM
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washington dc real estate: Helping Junior and Sissy Buy Their First Homes - 04/14/10 04:58 AM
It is a known fact that many people buy their first home with at least some help from the bank of Mom and Dad.  Like prudent loan officers everywhere, Mom and Dad may need some convincing that the kids are ready to buy and won't require monthly help to make the payment.   Especially if they are homeowners themselves, they need little convincing though, that homeownership is good deal, especially when the numbers show that there is little difference in the mortgage payment vs. their current rent in DC.
With the Home Buyer's Tax Credit in play, there are a couple of … (2 comments)

washington dc real estate: 3510 16th St NW #303 - Under Contract - 04/14/10 03:37 AM
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Rachel Valentino, Valentino & Associates (Keller-Williams)

Rachel Valentino

Valentino & Associates

Washington, DC

More about me…

Keller-Williams

Address: Keller Williams Realty - Reston/Herndin, 11700 Plaza America Dr #150, Reston, VA, 20190

Office: (703) 679-1700

Mobile: (202) 270-6972

Check out Valentino & Associates for the best in condos, coops, hi rises,single family homes, & investment property in DC, VA, & MD. First time homebuyers. Senior Real Estate Specialist. Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist. Keller-Williams Real Estate, Valentino & Associates.

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