naebaorg: Wordless Wednesday Dryer Vent Fire Hazard
- 08/09/17 07:29 AM
The story coming up in my next blog...
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naebaorg: Why "I told you so" never works
- 08/04/17 05:32 AM
It feels sooo good to be right!
It's a little bit happy mixed with smugness and a lofty feeling of superiority. And there are so many opportunities to be RIGHT-
The waiter/waitress screws up your order-Travesty! How dare they! Do they not know who I am! Are they really that stupid? Daughter finally breaks up with the nightmare boyfriend-You should have listened to my advice long ago! I saw him for who he really was, if only you could have listened to me back then! Husband procastinates...again-If you had started working on this project weeks ago, when I told you, you wouldn't be up … (10 comments)
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naebaorg: Wordless Wednesday-Buying a Home is a Journey
- 08/02/17 05:46 AM
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naebaorg: The Nightmare Neighbor
- 06/20/17 10:16 AM
Single family home, condo, co-op, townhouse....
the nightmare neighbor can lurk in any living situation.
So much of the home buying process focuses solely on the house. Obviously, the house is important but it's equally important to check out your neighbors. Specifically, the neighbors who live next door or behind your home. The close proximity, sharing a fence or property line, means you will interact with these neighbors. When you find the house you want to buy, evaluate your neighbors home and yard.
Is the house well maintained? Mowed lawns and well-maintained gardens are a good sign. Are all their cars in working order? It's … (2 comments)
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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: Best Gardens in the Washington D.C. Area
- 05/10/17 11:01 AM
Washington D.C is beautiful in Spring. With so many outdoor green spaces, parks and gardens, you can easily enjoy the great outdoors.
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land is a historical landmark in N.E. Washington D.C. Tucked into an urban neighborhood, the Franciscan Monastery opens their gardens to the public every day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. From April to September, there are free garden tours on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Noon. The church is magnificent with cathedral ceilings and lots of stained glass windows. Mass is held daily and musical concerts are held weekly. The church and surrounding buildings have … (0 comments)
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naebaorg: Living in Takoma Park Maryland
- 03/30/17 07:45 AM
Why is Takoma Park Maryland such a wonderful place to live?
Takoma Park was founded in 1883 and was a getaway spot from the hectic city life of Washington D.C. Takoma Park Maryland features Victorian and bungalow style homes tucked into rolling hills along Sligo Creek. Sligo Creek Parkway is adjacent to the creek next to paved walking trails and beautiful parks. On sunny weekends, Sligo Creek is full of people enjoying the miles of greenspace in the center of this unique city in Maryland.
Takoma Park Maryland is a diverse city with about 17,700 residents. Takoma Park is considered one of the most … (2 comments)
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naebaorg: Is that Flipped House a Flop House?
- 03/20/17 10:36 AM
The Market is Hot and Investors are Flipping Houses
Flipped houses can be great IF the flippers hired licensed contractors to do the structural, electrical, plumbing and the major changes in a home. If you're checking out a flipped property, ask to see the permits for work completed. If the workers didn't pull the proper permits, consider turning around and walking away.
Steve Carpenter-Israel, Broker & Owner of Buyer's Edge was quoted in a recent CNBC interview about a flipped house that was a flop. Steve said, " It's literally putting lipstick on a pig. "They're just doing cosmetic stuff and actually covering … (0 comments)
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naebaorg: Living in Kensington Maryland
- 03/14/17 02:50 PM
Kensington Maryland a Victorian community
Kensington Maryland is in Montgomery county Maryland Northwest of Silver Spring, Northeast of Bethesda and Southeast of Rockville.
Kensington’s historic area was built in the late 1800’s and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kensington is a small, charming town with antique shops, restaurants and beautiful Victorian style homes within walking distance of the Kensington train station.
According to the 2000 census, the median income for a Kensington family was $96,500 dollars a year.
Single family home prices start in the mid 500’s with classic Victorian, Tudor, Colonial and rambler style homes. There are mid-century style homes … (0 comments)
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naebaorg: How to Buy a Home in a Competitive Market
- 03/12/17 07:28 AM
House Hunting in the Spring Market?
Get ready for the competition
The Spring market came early to the Greater Washington DC area. In fact, throughout the winter in the District, there has been competition for condos and single family homes.
We competed against 8 other buyers for a 900 square foot condo in N.W. Washington in December. One of our colleagues competed with 11 buyers for a single family home in Arlington Virginia. Both of us were successful and our buyers are very happy with their new homes.
Success in a competitive market is part luck, part strategy & part timing.
With this in mind, here … (6 comments)
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naebaorg: Maryland Ranks in Top of Best States to Live in Nation
- 03/02/17 05:55 AM
According to U.S. News & World Report
Maryland is ranked 8th best state to live in the Nation
The "Best State" ranking looks at major elements like the economy, healthcare, education, crime and government. Maryland State Governor, Larry Hogan, is a former real estate agent. He looked happy and proud when he told a crowd,
"This should be good for Maryland real estate."
Here's a video of Governor Larry Hogan making the announcement at a meeting with commercial real estate women. This is shared from his FaceBook page.
Maryland is #5 in U.S. News rankings for education and opportunity. 45% of Marylanders are college educated.
Maryland is home … (6 comments)
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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: Wordless Wednesday-Peppermint Pop Rocks
- 01/11/17 08:44 AM
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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: 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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naebaorg: Wordless Wednesday-D.C. Life
- 12/07/16 06:48 AM
Living in Logan Circle Washington D.C.
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