victoria ray henderson: Live in Fells Point Baltimore!
- 12/15/21 05:21 AM
Fells Point is a neighborhood in Baltimore
Fells Point is a charming neighborhood in Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay. The neighborhood is named after Englishman William Fell who founded a shipbuilding company in 1726 where the famous Baltimore Schooners were built.
The cobblestone streets date back to the 1700s and were created by using Belgian stones used as ballasts in boats coming from Europe.
Today the Fells Point neighborhood is known for good taverns, restaurants, and charming rowhouses. The Robert Long house built in 1765 is the oldest surviving house in Baltimore. There is a small garden next to the house which is worth … (0 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Next Job...Apple Genius Bar Associate
- 12/02/21 11:30 AM
I upgraded my Mac to Monterey last week and all hell broke loose
First, my space bar wouldn't work. My sentences all ran together like a crazy woman's rant! At about the same time my space bar failed, a blue box appeared on the screen. It was square in shape and wrapped around whatever I was typing.
I went to Google to search for answers and found lots of people with similar problems. One answer was to open my computer in safe mode and follow a few simple steps. That didn't work. Another suggested turning the computer off and on. That didn't work.
I … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Should You Buy A Home Near A Forest?
- 11/29/21 11:44 AM
When the pandemic hit, I started walking in the forest near my home. No matter what the weather, I walked in the forest. I identified redbuds, oak, maple, beech, and river birch trees. I took deep breathes and enjoyed my time away from a computer and phone. Like so many people, it took me weeks to settle into working, sleeping, eating, and spending most of my day at home. What made my life easier was time spent in the forest.
Is brain function improved by living near a forest? It turns out there are numerous studies that show living near a forest … (5 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Washington DC Holiday Market
- 11/20/21 05:38 AM
Washington DC is a beautiful city all year round. But during the fall and winter months, Washington DC is magical. With the Capitol, Supreme Court building & National Mall decked out with holiday swag, It's a great time of year to walk and take in the charm.
The 17th Annual Downtown Holiday Market is happening right now through December 23rd. At 8th & F Streets NW, the holiday outdoor market takes over two city blocks. The main entrance is at the National Portrait Gallery which is my favorite art museum in the city.
There's food, drink, and live music and of course lots … (7 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Why We Should Thank Frederick Law Olmsted
- 11/17/21 01:14 PM
Many of our Favorite Parks Were Designed By Olmsted Brothers Landscape ArchitectsFrederick Law Olmsted and Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects were the first landscape architects in America. Frederick Olmsted lived in the late 1800s and is responsible for creating Central Park in New York City, the grounds of the Capitol in Washington DC, and the first park system in Buffalo New York.
My husband and I recently met our daughter at Sherwood Park in Baltimore. She was dog-sitting for the weekend. We walked through the lovely neighborhood of Guilford and through the 6-acre park designed by the Olmsted Brothers. In fact,
Frederick and John … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Now is the time to buy a Washington DC condo
- 11/16/21 08:38 AM
Washington DC Condo Market Right now, there are 751 condominiums for sale ranging in price from 350,000 to 1 million dollars on the Multiple Listing Service in Washington DC
At a time when inventory is historically low and has been for over a year or more, having options is refreshing! Of course, this price range is wider than most homebuyers' search criteria. And this search includes studios to penthouses so again, a broad range but still good news for condo shoppers.
If you are in the market for a DC condo, between now and the new year is the time you could actually find … (1 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: How Much of Your Life is Spent Commuting?
- 11/14/21 06:04 AM
Back to Work & Back to the CommuteWith Covid work restrictions being lifted, rush hour in the Washington DC area is back and just as annoying as it was pre-Covid.
On Friday, I rolled along at 20 miles an hour for several miles inching my way to the American Legion Bridge. This bridge is on the top stretch on the Beltway connecting Virginia and Maryland.
On the "bottom" part of the Beltway, drivers cross the Potomac via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This bridge connects Virginia to Maryland and Washington DC. There are several smaller bridges over the Potomac connecting Virginia to Washington … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Is the house you want to buy in a flood zone?
- 11/12/21 08:04 AM
The FEMA Flood MapAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, flooding happens in every U.S. state and territory and is a threat anywhere in the world wherever it rains.
You've likely seen terrifying videos of flash flooding or flooding that covers city streets and roadways. With more severe weather, there will be more flash floods and flood warnings.
The risk of flooding should not be ignored when you are buying a home. You may think the only areas prone to flooding are close to large bodies of water but this is not the case.
The surest way to know if an … (2 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: The Psychology of Home Buying
- 11/11/21 08:36 AM
Buying a home is an emotional experience. A homebuyer has expectations, needs, and experiences that intertwine in the process. A few years ago, I was working with two buyers. Before we met, they had written a list of what they needed and wanted in a home. They shared the list and I was pleased to read through it as this is a critical step when buying a home with another person.
But one partner had a dream a vision actually of what their home would be like in the future. They hadn't shared this dream with anyone, not even their partner.
Each time we … (3 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: What is an earnest money deposit?
- 11/06/21 05:56 AM
When writing an offer on a property, an earnest money deposit is typically included with the offer. The earnest money deposit or EMD as real estate agents call it shows that you, the buyer are serious about your offer on a property.
This money is a pledge showing the seller you are 'earnest' about your offer.
While not a requirement, it's customary to indicate on the contract that an earnest money deposit is included. In most parts of the country, the earnest money deposit will be between 1% and 5% or more of the purchase price. This money is held in … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: What to Know About Septic Inspections
- 11/05/21 05:49 AM
Are you buying a home with a septic system?
When preparing an offer on a property, always include a home inspection. If a house is on well or septic or both, be sure to include an evaluation of these systems by a licensed and insured septic inspection company.
In Virginia and Maryland, the price of a septic inspection may range between $600 and $700 dollars. The inspection should include; pumping the septic tank, the examination of the in & out baffles, checking the flow diversion valve, locating and uncovering the distribution boxes, and probing the drain fields. If there are electrical components to … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Buying a Condo? Be Sure To Read the Condo Documents
- 07/06/21 12:19 PM
A 2020 census report in Washington DC shows the population nearly tripled compared to the previous decade!
This exciting news means more people than ever before are buying condominiums in the District. If you're considering buying a condo in DC, make sure you take the time to review the condo documents.
But first, what is a condominium?
A condominium or condo is a single privately owned unit within a building or community of units.
Condo owners own what's inside the walls of their condo and share the maintenance of common elements like hallways, foyers and staircases, roofs, and rooftop decks.
Every condo or … (1 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Buying a Home in a Competitive Market? Listen Up Home Buyers!
- 04/06/21 12:06 PM
Members of NAEBA, the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, advocate for homebuyers in every real estate transaction. These professionals share how they protect buyers’ best interests as they purchase a home. We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
Meet exclusive buyer agents Charlotte Lemon with The Real Buyer's Agent in Charleston SC, Rona Fischman broker-owner of 4 Buyers Real Estate in Cambridge MA, and Nikolina Lecic broker-owner of Exclusive Buyers Real Estate in Rochester Minnesota! We're sharing advice & tips on how to buy a home in a competitive spring market!
… (2 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: What Home Buyers Need to Know about Radon
- 03/30/21 04:43 PM
Listen Up Home Buyers Podcast
Today's guests are Glenford & Yvonne Blanc principals of Pro-Spex Residential & Commercial Inspections
Pro-Spex Inspection Company has won Angie's List super service award 8 years in a row.
Today's topic radon gas-what is it, why should you care & how to mitigate the gas if the levels are high in your home.
Listen Up Home Buyers Radon & Deck Safety with Pro-Spex Glenford & Yvonne Blanc produced by Victoria Ray Henderson with The Buyer Brokerage in McLean Virginia. Licensed real estate broker in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
… (3 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Buying a Home in Maryland? Let's talk
- 10/15/20 01:04 PM
Should you put your house buying plans on hold?
"Is it still crazy competive for buyers right now?" and "Is it possible to get a deal on a house for sale?" are common questions from home buyers these days. My answer to both questions is, Yes!
According to new September 2020 data from the Maryland Association of Realtors, in 2020 the active inventory meaning the houses for sale through the Multiple Listing Service is 10,117. In 2019 there were 25, 146 homes for sale.
In addition, the average days a house stays on the market for sale in Maryland in 2020 is 8 days. … (3 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Guide to Buying a Home During the Pandemic
- 09/14/20 10:57 AM
Does finding a home feel like an impossible dream?
As an exclusive buyers agent, I help people buy homes and it's tough out here. Last night one of my buyer clients sent me a text saying, "Did you see what the house on 13th sold for? $80,000 over the list price!" My clients offer was one of 15 offers for the 1500 square foot rowhouse.
My client made a decent offer for the rowhouse on 13th in N.E. Washington DC. He even decided to escalate a little over the list price and keep the appraisal contingency. But as I told him, you can't … (3 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Are Your Home Buying Plans On Hold?
- 04/30/20 01:07 PM
In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, our lives have flipped upside down.
No rush hour delays, no happy hours with friends, no fixed work schedules
Life changed so quickly & dramatically, it feels like we are in the middle of a catacalysmic shift, silently altering the way we live today and the way we will live tomorrow.
So what does this mean for you-the home buyer who had planned to be house hunting this Spring?
I am working with a few home buyers who have to find a home this Spring or they won't have a place to live. One couple has to find … (4 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Listen Up Homebuyers Podcast
- 09/02/19 05:55 AM
This new podcast features buyer agents from all around the country. In this first podcast, Andi Defelice, Associate Broker with Exclusive Buyers Realty in Savannah Georgia talks about VA loans, obtaining seller credits and more!
Here's a link to the podcast, Listen Up Home Buyers
… (1 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: What Is A Pocket Listing?
- 06/27/19 12:15 PM
Has a real estate agent told you they have a pocket listing just for you? What does that mean and is it really the best deal?
A pocket listing is a real estate industry term where a listing broker holds a listing agreement with a seller and both sides agree not to advertise the property. Pocket listings are not on the local Multiple Listing Service and there will be no sign in the yard indicating the property is for sale as a pocket listing.
The pocket listing is a unique arrangement where a seller has asked the listing broker to only show their … (1 comments)
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victoria ray henderson: Wordless Wednesday-Humpback Whale
- 06/06/19 08:14 AM
Breathtaking! So close to such a magnificent animal.
… (6 comments)
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Fells Point is a neighborhood in Baltimore 
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