exclusive buyer agent: Is an HOA right for you?
- 07/12/17 06:52 AM
… (5 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: 3 Most Frustrating Things About House Hunting Online
- 06/27/17 09:22 AM
90% of home buyers have searched online for homes
according to the National Association of Realtors
So you know, first hand, how frustrating it can be to find accurate information on sites like Zillow. For real estate professionals, these online sites, full of inaccurate and misinformation, make our job very challenging.
Just last week, I met with a new buyer client who...
couldn't understand why most of the houses she found online were not actually for sale
Her favorite house in the online picture sold 3 months ago. She was unconvinced until I showed her the Listing from the Multiple Listing Service. We went through this about a half … (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Winning Strategies for Buying a Home
- 05/20/17 05:32 AM
There are no shortcuts when creating a winning home buying plan
In the Washington DC area, inventory is low and there is competition for almost every house on the market. It can be quite a learning curve for buyers especially if this is their first time buying a home. In order to have a successful home buying experience, you will need to consider the following points.
Save money-The more money you have for a downpayment, the better chance you have of winning in a competitive situation. Aim for a 10-20 percent downpayment. If you don't have that much money saved, there are loan programs … (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Vinyl Siding Installed Incorrectly
- 05/13/17 12:09 PM
What Happens When Vinyl Siding Installation Goes Wrong?
Turns out there is quite a bit that can go wrong if the vinyl siding is installed incorrectly.
In our case, the vinyl siding had been installed without house wrap which is a synthetic barrier that goes over the plywood and under the vinyl siding during installation. House wrap protects the wood underneath the vinyl. Without it, water can get trapped behind the vinyl siding and cause wood rot.
In addition, the siding had improper flashing which is impervious material that is installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure. Water had penetrated behind … (0 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Top 3 Things to Consider When Buying a House
- 04/26/17 10:20 AM
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Choosing a trustworthy agent and lender are critical to starting the process. You have to know that your buyer agent will advocate for your best interests throughout the entire process. Your lender should be local and should also work weekends. These people are the foundation of your home search. Your buyer's agent and lender are on Team (you).
Once you have established your team, the search begins!
Most of the factors shaping your home search will come from you. Since you are the team leader, you decide where you want to live and … (2 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Flip Your Perspective
- 04/18/17 01:25 PM
AERIAL YOGA
increases blood flow to the brain & makes you laugh!
Aerial yoga starts with you in a hammock made of parachute material. Large hooks, secured into the rafters, hold the hammock above the ground. The yoga teacher says the hammocks can hold 2000 pounds, so I knew I was safe. The teacher guides the class through inversions and yoga positions while demonstrating how to move the body using the hammock and straps. Since you are hanging above the ground, you are free to move your body into deeper stretches that you simply can't do on a traditional yoga mat.
Flip your perspective … (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Kensington Day of the Book Festival
- 04/01/17 08:33 AM
"Books are a uniquely portable magic."
Stephen King
The town of Kensington Maryland is sponsoring
Day of the Book Festival
Celebrate all things books and the amazing things inside them!
WHO - Poets, Authors, Musicians, Artists & Vendors WHAT -12th Annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival WHEN- April 23rd 2017 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. WHERE - Old Town Kensington Maryland along Armory Avenue, Howard Avenue & Montgomery Avenue along Antique Row one block off Connecticut Avenue WHY - April 23rd is a symbolic day in literature. In 1995, April 23rd was declared the International Day of the Book by UNESCO. The festival draws … (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: When Things Go Terribly Wrong
- 03/24/17 04:51 AM
It happens...
and almost always things go wrong when there is a breakdown in communication. When things go terribly wrong, it can take a while to evaluate what happened. If emotions are particularly hot, it could be impossible to step back and be objective. But to improve interpersonal relationships and learn from our mistakes, take a deep breath and dive in!
"When you lose, don't lose the lesson." Dalai Lama
Own your mistakes - This is a humble practice but it doesn't mean you should apologize profusely. To own your mistake is to take responsibility for your actions. No one "made" you say something and no other person caused … (13 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: The Importance of Trust
- 02/03/17 04:46 PM
All good relationships begin with trust
When I was in the 10th grade, I transferred to a different high school. I didn't know any girls in my class so I cautiously watched the friend groups to see where I would fit in.
In my first gym class, I was waiting, with a group of girls, for my turn to be timed in the 1/4 mile. The girls were watching another classmate zip around the track. They didn't like her and stood whispering about her until our gym teacher yelled, "Time!"
The girl walked by and I knew that she knew these girls didn't like … (8 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Charming Garrett Park Maryland
- 02/02/17 12:46 PM
Garrett Park is between White Flint and Rock Creek Park
founded in 1898
Victorian style homes on large lots are nestled into this charming community just outside of Washington D.C. Residents have a short commute on the Marc train to Union Station in Washington D.C. Metro's Red line Grosvenor-Strathmore station is a twenty-minute walk.
Garrett Park is on the National Register of Historic Places
The neighborhood has well-established trees and gardens and it feels like you're walking through an old town in England. Homes in Garrett Park range in price from the upper 600's to over 1 million. The small downtown has a post office … (0 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: For the love of Rudolph, please take down the decorations
- 01/29/17 03:25 PM
Christmas was a wonderful day!
and now it's over...
Time to take Santa off the roof and Frosty off the front porch. Rudolph and Santa's reindeer worked hard at Christmas, isn't it time they had a rest, in the storage room, until next year?
We spent the afternoon with home buyers looking at houses in Ellicott City & Caroll county Maryland. We were all a little surprised to see Christmas decorations displayed on front lawns, rooftops, and front porches. Our buyers asked if the holiday decorations meant that neighbors were going to be messy all year round! Good question!
It's been a busy January, with … (52 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Habits of a Smart and Successful Home Buyer
- 01/24/17 11:43 AM
Every home buyer wants a successful experience. With so much to learn and so much misinformation out there, buying a home can seem like a daunting task.
So take a few tips from our smart and successful home buyer!
Know your daily commute - The Greater Washington D.C. area has the worst traffic congestion in the country. According to a study by Texas A&M's Transportation Institute (8/26/2015) Our smart home buyer is looking at commute options including the Marc Train and Metro systems. Review the sector plans for neighborhoods of interest - In Northern Virginia and Maryland, counties will have Master Sector Plans and … (3 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Gratitude is the Attitude
- 01/16/17 12:04 PM
Best New Year's Resolution Ever!
According to StatisticBrain.com, 41% of Americans make a resolution every New Year but only about 9% of us feel we accomplish our goal. Most of us resolve to eat better and lose weight without much success. And this is understandable. After all, January is the most dreary month of the year for much of the U.S. The food deprivation and cold temperatures are a recipe for being grumpy. I know because I made this resolution for several years until I discovered the very best New Year's resolution.
Gratitude
Do you want to feel better about yourself and others, be in … (10 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Cast a Wide Net When Looking for a Home
- 01/04/17 02:02 PM
The Greater Washington D.C. area is the 6th largest Metro area in the country
Choosing where to live when you are looking in two states and the District of Columbia can be overwhelming.
However, if you have a clear process and an advocate on your side, you will have success! And you will be glad you cast a wide net so you have no doubts or regrets when you buy your home. To be sure you're seeing every house that meets your criteria, sit down with your buyer agent and discuss these things.
Price range - after you talk to your lender and get pre-approved, you … (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: 10 Best Tips for Selling Your Home
- 12/29/16 03:00 PM
When you live in a house for 30 years, you acquire lots of stuff.
The family treasures, pictures, the drapes you paid a small fortune for 20 years ago-all need to be sorted, saved, given away or thrown out.
You need a plan if you are going to sell your home.
My friend asked me to stop by her house today. She and her husband are downsizing and moving to a condo closer to shops and restaurants. Their 4 bedrooms, 3 story house is huge and filled with 30 years of family stuff. They are overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. I … (15 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: How to Enjoy Every Moment of the Holiday Season
- 12/14/16 01:07 PM
Family, Friends, Food, Drinks & Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
it's a recipe for sensory & stomach overload
We are social beings, hard-wired to interact with other people.
The extrovert loves parties with bright lights, loud conversation and plenty to eat and drink. The introvert prefers an intimate dinner party with a few friends, candlelight and excellent food. And since many of us are in the middle of the introvert/extrovert spectrum, it's important to have a holiday plan. If we prepare for the uptick in social gatherings we are less likely to be overwhelmed and exhausted by the time January rolls around.
So how do we enjoy every moment of … (8 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Wordless Wednesday-D.C. Life
- 12/07/16 06:48 AM
Living in Logan Circle Washington D.C.
… (4 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Buying a home in Arlington Virginia
- 12/01/16 04:41 AM
Arlington is across the Potomac River from Washington D.C.
Arlington is a very popular place to live. Neighborhoods like Cherrydale, Clarendon, Ballston and Rossyln are all within walking distance of great restaurants, shops, parks and grocery stores. Single family homes in Arlington Virginia range in price from the upper 600's to a million + Buyers may find a one bedroom condo from the low to mid 300's.
Like most neighborhoods with high walkability scores, buyers pay premium prices for homes in Arlington Virginia.
On a side note, Arlington Virginia made news yesterday because of a very large celebrity visitor. Shaq was in town!
Arlington County police … (0 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Finding the Best Buyer's Agent
- 10/31/16 03:17 AM
What is a Buyer's Agent and how do they differ from a Traditional Agent?
According to an article by Realtor.com
"Buyer Agents are legally bound to help buyers whereas listing agents the agents representing the home listing, have a fiduciary duty to the home seller."
When it comes to representation, home buyers have options
1. Most traditional real estate agencies have buyer agents. These agents work for Brokerages that represent both buyers and sellers. These buyer agents work for a Broker who represents the interest of people selling their home and people who want to buy a home.
2. Exclusive Buyer Brokerages or Exclusive Buyer Agencies represent home … (0 comments)
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exclusive buyer agent: Annual Reston Virginia Home Tour
- 10/12/16 07:09 AM
Are you a Fan of Innovative Architecture?
Come to the 15th Annual Reston home tour October 15th! It's a self-guided tour of six private residences and a visit to a luxury apartment at Reston Station where visitors can check out the roof terrace and extraordinary view.
The tour begins at 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and benefits the Reston Historic Trust & Reston Museum
Tickets are available here- RestonMuseum.org $30 per ticket. The homes include a variety of styles, interior designs, and art collections. One of the homes is the architectural work of Louis Sauer an architect known for his low-rise high-density housing developments. Sauer created an … (5 comments)
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