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Washington, DC Real Estate News

By Brian Block, Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
(RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President)
This is one of my favorite times of the year in the Washington D.C. area.  It's the best time to come visit Washington.  To be honest, it may even be reason enough to move here (okay, I've got my own self-interest in mind, since I sell homes in Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia). I'm talking of course about the arrival of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms! According to the official website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, "The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty     of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an        explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of ci...
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By Claude Labbe, Realty for Your Busy Life
(RLAH / @properties)
[yes, I've been swamped for the past month; not at all what you'd expect from Realtors®] I don't 100% agree with the recession simply because while I fully see it's impact, I also see many people who have not been impacted, and I see several neighborhoods where prices are stable (though, yes, I see many where prices have taken the express elevator down) I do like Richard Florida's thinking and was recently listening to a discussion he had on NPR. I've included it here (as well as the original Atltantic Monthly article) and he speaks almost tangentially about the Washington DC area. Regardless of larger economic forces, real estate has been, and continues to be about location. (I can't say it 3 times, but you know I want to). Location involves the home, schools, jobs, transportation, the...
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By Shantée Haynes, Helping the DMV On The Move...
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty)
So just how open are any of you to networking and marketing yourselves/brands to RE professionals ASIDE from other agents/Realtors?? You mean you don't have a separate set of business cards to hand out to a title agent, or occasionally take lunch to a small mortgage office? What are you in this business for?!!? It takes a village to put a family in a home! (LOL) Often, I hear and read from agents and Realtors how important it is to network and get your name out there, etc...Well who better to network with than others who are instrumental in the home buying/selling process as well as yourselves? The same process we come up with to get tactics to sell homes and get listings are some of the same things we can gather to attract others in the RE community, getting on a first name basis with ...
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By Shantée Haynes, Helping the DMV On The Move...
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty)
So, the newbie has FINALLY found a home to hang her real estate hat. I have been mulling over a few different brokers and pretty much came full circle to the broker where I was originally taking my classes. My Branch Vice President implored me to blog about why buyers/sellers should work with me being a new agent. I have had tons of ideas dancing around in my head for months and while I got excited about putting them to work, I must say it’s a whole different story actually conveying why these ideas would be good for new/potential clients. Most of what I have come up with was after hearing how a lot of sellers not only want to get the most they can for their home, but how it may not be easy finding buyers once their home’s listing price has been set. It got my mind going when I started ...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Nightline is a news magazine show on ABC that I try to watch whenever I am up or not doing anything. Yesterday Active Rain's Valparaiso Indiana Real Estate Agents Jeff and Grace Safin of F.C Tucker Company in Valparaiso,Indiana were on the show. On the show they shared a technique called "reverse offer",a move that helped them sell 50% of their homes they tried the method with in 2008. So what is a reverse offer? Here how it works. Once a home has a second showing,the couple gathers as much feedback as possible from the buyer's agent and works with their client to come up with an offer to present to the buyer. Anything could potentially be on the table such as price,closing cost assistance,home warranty,moving time frame and appliances. It depends on what it might take to get the buyer....
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By Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA, 301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA
(Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties )
Homes for sale in Washington DC . . "washington dc relocation" Washington DC  Relocation - DC Relocation Relocating to Washington DC? Not sure which neighborhood is right for you?  Need information about schools, employers, local taxes, and financing?  Whether you're relocating to Washington DC , MD, VA surrounding comunities  we can help make your move successful and stress free.   Online Resources to Help With Your Move Our website www.ReallyNiceHomes.com  makes it easy for you to view our featured listings and learn more about our community including important information about schools, demographics, climate, crime and much more. Contact us for all  your relocation needs for Washington DC   OUR SERVICES AND OUR RELOCATIONG PACKAGES ARE FREE TO RELOCATING FAMILIES! Our guide is desig...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Good news: Unlike some neighborhoods in Washington DC,Home sales increased in Petworth Washington DC zip code 20011 more than 52%. And the total dollar volume sold was $9,149,503 compared to $6,457,500 last year. However the average days of a house on the market in Petworth Washington DC was 142 days compared to 117 days this same time last year. Most home buyers who brought a house in Petworth Washington DC in January 2009 used Conventional loans. And with The $8,000 Tax Credit -- Let's Break it Down,hopefully the numbers of home sales in Washington DC will continue to increase. Here is a breakdown of the Petworth Washington DC Real Estate Housing Report-Zip code 20011 for January 2009   ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 ...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
  ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop GroundRent of Units Sold(No. of Units) Under $100,000 0 0 0 1 0 4 10 0 1 -30 Days 1 $100,000 - 149,999 0 0 0 0 0 10 15 0 31-60 Days 0 $150,000 - 199,999 0 0 1 0 0 21 20 0 61 - 90 Days 0 $200,000 - 249,999 0 0 0 0 0 23 3 0 91-120 Days 0 $250,000 - 299,999 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 Over 120 Days 1 $300,000 - 349,999 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Total 2 $350,000 - 399,999 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0   $400,000 - 449,999 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Type of Financingof Units Sold(No. of Units) $450,000 - 499,999 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 $500,000 - 599,999 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Conventional 1 $600,000 - 699,999 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FHA 1 $700,000 - 799,999 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 VA 0 $800,000 - 899,999 0 0 ...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
My broker has a real knack for getting great publicity for out listings.  One of mine, a wonderful historic home in Cleveland Park, is featured in the Weekend Homes Guide with a long article.  It's great, because this publication has a pretty good shelf life, and it's quite popular with people who are out there looking for a new place.  Ed Schneider and I are holding it Open on Sunday between 1 to 4 pm.  We're crossing our fingers hoping for decent weather!
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By Barbara Canada, Probate & Estate Sales Specialist
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
Things have been going pretty smooth at the house.  We got the kitchen finished and I was able to get the appliances at a very reasonable prices - I happen to be at the right place (Home Depot) at the right time (their annual sale of last year's appliances).  I got a brand new fridge and stove at half price.  I also found a stacked washer/dryer at a used appliance center.  My house was coming together.  I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's Friday morning and I'm in my office.  My phone rings - the contractor tells me that someone broke into the house.  My hart sinks.  Thank God my boss is very understanding and lets me go to take care of the situation.  I get to the house in a record speed.  The contractor has already called the police.  After the inspection of t...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
The numbers are in for Anacostia Washington DC Real Estate Market Report Zip code 20019-Sorry it took me forever to report them. No need to be discouraged by the numbers. Even though sales are down and it took around the same amount of time to sell a house,change is here. With The $8,000 Tax Credit -- Let's Break it Down,the numbers should be getting better soon-let's pray it does. Anyway here is the Anacostia Washington DC Real Estate Market Report -Zip code 20020.   ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop GroundRent of Units Sold(No. of Units) Under $100,000 1 1 0 1 0 3 14 0 1 -30 Days 3 $100,000 - 149,999 0 0 0 0 0 17 14 0 31-60 Days 1 $150,000 - 199,999 0 0 0 1 0 23 2...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
  This is the first Deanwood Washington DC Real Estate Market Report-zip code 20019 for 2009. The good news from the Deanwood Washington DC Real Estate Market Report-zip code 20019 is that more homes sold this year prior to last year and total sale dollar volume is up. Bad news? Houses for sale in Deanwood Washington DC-zip code 20019 are taking longer to sell. Also house values have dropped. More home buyers in Deanwood Washington DC are using the FHA Loan. And with The $8,000 Tax Credit -- Let's Break it Down,more home buyers in Washington DC will want to buy a house in NE Washington-Deanwood. Here is the rest of the report.       ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
  ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop andGround Rent Residential   CondoCoop andGround Rent of Units Sold(No. of Units) Under $30,000 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 -30 Days 65 $30,000-$39,000 0 0 0 0 0 8 31-60 Days 42 $40,000-$49,999 0 0 0 0 2 7 61 - 90 Days 34 $50,000-$59,999 0 0 0 0 1 0 91-120 Days 34 $60,000-$69,999 1 1 0 0 6 8 Over 120 Days 78 $70,000-$79,999 1 1 0 1 5 7 Total 253 $80,000-$89,999 0 4 0 1 6 10     $90,000-$99,999 1 0 0 0 21 9 Type of Financingof Units Sold(No. of Units) $100,000-$119,999 0 0 0 0 32 19 $120,000-$139,999 1 1 0 0 40 34 Conventional 141 $140,000-$159,999 0 2 1 0 50 36 FHA 50 $160,000-$179,999 2 1 1 2 48 75 VA 9 $180,000-$199,999 3 0 2 5 83 90 Assumption 11 $200,000-$249,999 6 12 3 11 ...
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By Curt Canada, Real Estate - Career Coach
(Keller Williams-Capital Properties)
About one year ago around 2:15 am we were suddenly awakened by our alarm system and an unknown sound in our basement. Adrenaline shot me across the room and into the living room. I'm thinking about what should I do. I managed to give my wife a few instructions so that we would be on the same page. The next five minutes seemed like eternity. We had no specific plan for such occasion and so we were all over the place. We managed to get ourselves together while speaking with the alarm company's call center. The police were on the way! I would say that it seemed lightyears before someone showed up. However i think the police were at our house within 10 minutes! They meandered through the house while we stood shivering and crying on the front porch due to the fact that everything had turned ...
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By Barbara Canada, Probate & Estate Sales Specialist
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
I have to start thinking about building a retaining wall in front of the house so the soil does not get washed away by the rain.  I get a student from a local architecture school to prepare the drawings for the wall and take it to DCRA to get the permit.  Since now I know my way around the permit office and their rules, and it's just the wall I want to build, it only takes me a couple of hours to get the permit. A few days later the contractor begins working on the retaining wall.  First he needs to dig a hole across the property to pour the concrete for the wall footings.  Then he can build the wall.  The soil on the hill is pretty loose so it's important to build a wall to hold the soil and stop the hill from deteriorating. I get a call a few hours later - it's the contractor and ther...
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By James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes, When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move
(Real Living | At Home)
After what seemed like a epidemic of Burglaries in December died down in January; it seems they thieves are back at it again. Several cases of break-ins have occurred in the Dupont Circle area of NW DC, where the thieves are coming into buildings, condos and homes through the roof.  Buildings are often secured with locked front entrances.  Residents need either a key or fob to gain access.  Some condos have a front desk to keep away any intruders.   But the roof is often an easy target.  Think about how much more likely you are to leave a door to a roof deck unlocked as compared to your front door? So it seems a group of thugs have thought about this and have scored many laptops and lots of jewelry. The moral of the story; lock-up the top of your house and the bottom! Read the story her...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
If you are a buyer in this market, there are some wonderful opportunities to purchase homes you could not have afforded last year. Still, it is very possible to sabotage your efforts and make offers that just won't work. In the DC area, prices have softened, but not all that much for the District (especially upper Northwest) and some of the close-in suburbs, like Bethesda and Arlington.  Still, I am seeing buyers who going about it all wrong. Here are some of the pitfalls: Buyers make offers based on what they want to spend, not what the house is worth.  If you have a budget of $500,000,  making offers on million dollar homes probably won't work.  Even if they've been on the market for a few months (unless it's grotesquely overpriced), sellers are not likely to give their homes away.  O...
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By Brian Block, Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
(RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President)
    Do you want to live near The White House?  Imagine the President's motorcade being an everyday occurrence.  Catch glimpses of the Marine One helicopters as they take up from The White House lawn.  If you're a political junkie, a Barack Obama White House aide, or just want to be in the center of all the action, here's some news for you.       As of today, there are 60 homes in Washington D.C. on the market for sale within a 3/4 mile radius of The White House, priced from $134,900 to $1.15 million.  The average price to be within earshot of the President is $472,222. Expanding that circle to a one mile radius opens up a total of 281 available properties for sale in D.C., including a renovated home on Embassy Row suitable for a new embassy -- priced at a cool $14.9 million. While I pr...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Most of us real estate professionals use Google Alerts. It is a tool that helps you keep track of information that you are interested in finding out about as soon as it hits the Web. This is a marketing tool that I think can help you become the Real Estate Neighborhood Expert for the neighborhoods and/or subdivisions that you farm and sell real estate. So I was alerted about this article titled "Real estate agents play matchmaker" and I decided to check it out. Here are some excerpts from the article on www.ajchomefinder.com In addition,33 percent of Realtors are involved in social networking sites or blogs for business with the most popular being Facebook,Active Rain and personal blogs according to the NAR". Out of all the millions of social networking sites and websites out there,to m...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Hello my people. I want to say Happy Valentines Day to all of my beautiful ladies. I am sorry I can't give you all roses. But I still have nothing but love for you. And to the guys make sure you get her something very nice. Or you can always do something for her that won't put a hole in your wallet or bank account( A lot of people like to spend money for Valentines Day). Do something for her that won't cost you nothing. I got ideas but my viewership is growing so I have to keep this show blog PG-13-LOL. But here is the "Free Washington DC Area Events" Blog-Enjoy.                                                                  SATURDAY Come to this free event to hear loud punk anti-ballads. Drink specials are on the agenda (But I got your attention now) This event will be at Gazuga on 1...
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