marshall henderson: Where to live in the Washington DC area
- 03/01/17 04:55 AM
Working in Washington DC and living in Northern Virginia or Maryland
The lines between urban and suburban in the Greater Washington DC area are merging thanks in large part to the Metro subway system.
MARYLAND
Takoma Park, Silver Spring & Bethesda Maryland are cities adjacent to Washington DC. In fact, there is a Takoma Park in DC and in Maryland, divided by Metro's red line train. The red line is shaped like the letter "U" and runs from the Shady Grove metro stop in Derwood Maryland to the Glenmont metro stop in Silver Spring.
Downtown Silver Spring feels more urban than suburban with restaurants, bars, … (0 comments)
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marshall henderson: Million Dollar Homes in Washington D.C.
- 02/20/17 05:37 AM
"...the most important city in the world"
This phrase is from an old radio commercial about a bank in Washington D.C.
and it's pretty accurate. Much of what happens in Washington D.C. has an impact on the country and world. There's an exciting vibe in D.C. with people from all over the world working and living together.
We have buyers move here from overseas and across the country. They work for the State Department, foreign governments, Department of Justice, non-profits and the Washington Post.
Most major corporations have a presence in Washington D.C. with thousands of people employed in sales and management positions.
There … (0 comments)
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marshall henderson: What Are Egress Windows?
- 02/16/17 06:09 AM
An egress window is required in every bedroom including basements. Code varies depending on where you live.
Many homes for sale in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland pre-date code requirements. If you are replacing windows in an older home, it's a good time to consider bringing the basement windows up to code and making an egress window. This video shows an egress window in Silver Spring Maryland.
YouTube Victoria Ray Henderson
HomesBuyHendersons
HomesBuyHenderson FB
… (4 comments)
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marshall henderson: 5 Things a Home Buyer Should Never See
- 02/15/17 10:41 AM
A recent house tour ended abruptly when buyers made a mad dash out the front door. I couldn't coax them back in and there was no way they would be writing an offer on the property.
What happened?
Oh, Rats! The Sellers left rat poison on the kitchen table and several inhumane glue mouse traps on the floor.
Don't get me wrong, I want to know everything about a property! I just don't want to dodge vermin while I'm touring the house.
Do You Want to Sell Your Home?
5 Things a Home Buyer Should Never See
Mail & Bills - Stacks of mail on the kitchen … (6 comments)
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marshall henderson: Living in Glen Echo Maryland
- 02/09/17 07:07 AM
Kayaking, hiking, bird watching, pottery, contra & swing dancing
All this and more in Glen Echo Maryland
Glen Echo Maryland is the smallest town in Maryland. Charted in 1904, Glen Echo is along the Potomac River, north of Georgetown and in Montgomery county. Glen Echo Park was an amusement park until 1968. Today Glen Echo Park is an arts & cultural center. Classes in pottery, sculpting, fine arts & dance are available to all ages. Glen Echo Park hosts a Washington Folk festival every year and dancing in the Spanish Ballroom every weekend.
Home prices range from the low 700's to several million dollars … (2 comments)
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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: Buying a House between Baltimore and Washington DC
- 01/26/17 06:09 AM
Ellicott City Maryland
ranked 4 times by Money magazine as one of the top 20 places to live in the U.S.
Ellicott City Maryland is a 30-minute drive to downtown Baltimore. The Marc train service, from the Dorsey station, delivers commuters to Union Station in downtown Washington D.C. in a little over half an hour.
AreaVibe gives Ellicott City Maryland a liveability score of 86. Ellicott City gets an A+ for amenities, A+ for education and A+ for housing.
There are planned developments with HOA's and luxury estates on acres of land. Ellicott City Maryland is close to major roadways like I-95, Rt. … (2 comments)
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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: Buying a House from a Smoker
- 01/12/17 02:14 PM
It's an unusually warm day in the Washington D.C. area
The sun is shining it's 65 degrees! My client and I open the front door of a cute Cape Cod house and the smell of old cigarettes wafts out the door.
She looks at me, wrinkles her nose and says, "Is there a surefire way to get that smell out of a house?" And that is the big question.
How Do you Get Cigarette Smoke Out of a House?
It's not easy. According to the Mayo Clinic, third-hand smoke is residual nicotine and other harmful chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. The … (18 comments)
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marshall henderson: How to Determine the Value of a Home
- 01/10/17 11:55 AM
A Simple Guide for Home Buyers
Evaluating the value of a home is the most critical part of the home buying process. But how do you know if the list price is a good price? What should you consider when determining the value of a property?
No matter where you are buying a home, there are specific steps to take before writing an offer. If you've found a house you want to buy, follow these simple steps for success.
Have your buyer's agent send you comps for the home. Using the Multiple Listing Service (the main source for listing information) your buyer's agent will … (2 comments)
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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: Decorating with house plants
- 01/02/17 03:36 PM
Keep Close to Natures Heart
John Muir
Potted plants and trees can make a patio or screened porch look gorgeous in the summer. But when the weather turns cooler, you need to be creative with arranging and displaying tropical plants indoors without creating a jungle.
Here are a few things I've tried that keep my trees and plants looking good when I bring them indoors for the winter.
Keep your potted plants off the carpet and hardwood floor - This is a mistake you only make once! Water is not a friend to your wooden floor or carpet. The plastic or ceramic saucers are … (4 comments)
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marshall henderson: The Best Most Original New Years Resolution
- 12/31/16 07:11 AM
My son works part-time as a waiter in a nice restaurant near the university. He loves his co-workers, boss, and the kitchen staff. Serving people is demanding work and he's had some difficult customers. He's learned that some people can be rude and mean-spirited even when the service is good. But thanks to a positive work environment, he enjoys his work.
So what is the best most original New Years resolution?
Treat every person who serves you, as a waiter, checker, gas attendant, clerk, with kindness and as if you know them personally. After all, they are someone's son, daughter, mother, father, sister-- … (6 comments)
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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: What to look for in a condo inspection
- 12/15/16 09:35 AM
Living in a condominium means sharing some of the building maintenance responsibilities. The shared areas are called common elements.
In Washington D.C., the review period for condo documents is three business days.
What to look for in condo documents & what to consider when buying a condo
Are there any special assessments? Special assessments are big projects like replacing elevators, windows, balconies and roof repair or replacement. Review the capital improvement fund. This is the money set aside so major projects can be funded. You want to know there is a sufficient amount of money in this fund. Review the minutes from previous meetings. … (9 comments)
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marshall henderson: 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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marshall henderson: Wordless Wednesday-D.C. Life
- 12/07/16 06:48 AM
Living in Logan Circle Washington D.C.
… (4 comments)
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Working in Washington DC and living in Northern Virginia or Maryland 
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