My first visit to the National Botanical Gardens was work-related!  A trade association hired my chamber group to provide background music for a wine and cheese reception.  The idea was to wine and not quite dine members of congress and their staffers who might support legislation the hosts were promoting – a popular form of “lobbying”.Sitting in a straight-backed chair playing the Haydn London Trios, I felt something funny on my foot – a little tickle.  Then another – and oh gosh!  The place was infested with mice!  Every time a nibbler at the reception dropped a piece of cheese on the floor, one of the little guys would run across my foot, across the floor, and grab it!  And I couldn’t play my flute and scream EEEK!!!!! at the same time!  On our breaks, however, I did get the opportun... 10/10/2007

Many of you may have visited Washington, DC.  Tourism is, after all, one of our major industries, second only to our main product – hot air.  But like visitors to many of the world’s great cities, it’s often hard to get any real feel for the place.  You’re down town at a hotel, riding around on the open-air tour bus past the monuments and federal buildings, and when you venture onto the streets alone, you may have your purse gripped to your chest with one hand and a discrete can of pepper spray in the other.Thanks to out energetic young mayor, Adrian Fenty, street crime and pepper spray sales are way down in our nation’s capital.So I’m writing this to introduce you to the Washington I love, starting with my favorite neighborhood, Capitol Hill.   When you see Capitol Hill on your nightly... 10/08/2007

Event: HAPPY HOUR AT TUSCANA WEST www.socializr.com/event/875275315 Hosted by: Ariana Lazar, M Squared Real Estate When: Oct 11, 2007, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Location: Tuscana West 1350 I St NW, Washington, DC, 20005 10/07/2007

In about a month from now,the NBA is going to kick off another exciting season. This is going to be another year with a lot of questions? But one thing is for sure. Washington Wizards is ready to become the elite team of the East. With Antwan Jamison back in his leadership role,Gilbert"Hibachi" Arenas healthy again and Caron Butler aka one of the most underated players in the league back and out to prove that last year was no fluke,this is the year for the Washington Wizards to go all the way. GO WIZARDS. But if you want see your washington wizards up close,you got to come to game. There are many plans such as the V.I.P Full Season, 41 Game Full Season, 21 Half Season Plan and the 13 Game All Star Plan. Some of the Wizards planholder benefits includes Receive discount tickets for every ... 10/04/2007

Here in Washington, there was a sad lead story on tonight's 11 o'clock news. A lovely old condo building on Adams Morgan had a 4-alarm fire that burned today for seven hours.   There was a sad looking shot of the unit owners sitting in a large circle in the park across the street talking with the building managers.  The building itself looked pretty sorry, with a wrecking ball hanging overhead from a tall crane. Thank God no one was hurt.  Another building on that block had a serious fire about fifteen years ago, and that fire brought home to me the importance of advising clients buying condos and coops to make sure they call their insurance agent.  Many people are under the false impression that the owner's association master insurance policy will cover them in the event of a fire or o... 10/01/2007

          I got a call yesterday from a lady from www.househunt.com. She was telling me how good their company is and how it would improve my real estate business tremendously if I would accept leads from their company. They give out two leads a day. Their leads are exclusively for you - That what she said. She said that every real estate agent that utilizes their services have made an additional $72,000 a year. So that said,I want to know if any of the brilliant and creative minds on this site uses www.househunt.com?               Honestly speaking,I HATE REAL ESTATE COMPANIES THAT SELLS LEADS. They sell the same lead to about four different real estate agents - What?  Yes! I am sure you all know that. But I am just curious to know if anybody here uses their service. I want to know if ... 09/28/2007

Your One Stop for Peace of Mind!We're not your tradional real estate group and as you will see, everything about us is different.  Our business is providing peace of mind to our clients and we do so by being the foremost experts in our respective fields.  Our reputation is everything, and the relationships we seek to develop are lifelong.  Combine cutting-edge technology, outstanding service, sprinkle in a little fun and you will quickly see why we're not just your average full service company, we're your leading real estate company squared! We Help You Break Your Lease when you Buy with Us So you found the perfect place and want to buy but you still have 6 months left on your current lease?  No problem, when you are under contract with us to purchase a property we'll help you cancel yo... 09/23/2007

While I was writing the first draft of The Irreverent Guide, a had a wonderful writing coach named Jeff Stein.  He's a professional journalist and has two books already published and is working on a third now.  He was the perfect coach because he knew zip about real estate and lots about writing. After he read my first few chapters, he suggested that I take a sticky note, write on it "IT'S THE RELATIONSHIP, STUPID!!!!" in big bold letters, and stick it to the top of my computer screen.    Without knowing about our business, he put his finger right on the point of it all!  Whether I'm writing a book about real estate or meeting with a client, it's the relationship!  And not just between agent and client! If you have two people buying or selling a place, whether or not they are married, ... 09/21/2007

 Properties that sold 9/10-9/17ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET1701 16TH ST NW #604                          $165,000            $152,500             2731816 6TH ST NW                                    $399,000            $$350,000            188425 M ST NW #F                                     $449,000            $432,000              721314 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #507         $194,000           $194,000              0*910 M NW #117                                      $504,900            $504,900              271007 V ST NW                                         $325,000            $335,000              91312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #405         $399,500            $375,000              261921 9 1/2 ST NW                 ... 09/17/2007

When I first became a Active Rain member sometime last year,I really didn't know the affect that this website would have on me. This website is like a addiction. I am a writer and we writes can write all day if nobody stops us.Besides once this week when I was really tired,I make it a norm to either blog to someone's post or write a post myself everyday. I love reading other people's post. I have learned a whole lot from just about every single post that I have read on here. I only wished that I would've discovered this website soon. But recently,I find myself blogging at least to ten posts a day. If I could more I would. But I got to be honest with you all, I find myself not just blogging to blog. I blog to get as much points as I can get. But I want to know is do just blog for points,... 09/14/2007

 Properties that sold 9/04-9/10ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET1115 12TH ST NW #605                          $337,500            $320,000             36449 R ST NW #202                                 $423,352            $430,000              601529 14TH ST NW #302                          $464,000            $464,000              321512 MARION ST NW #101                      $260,000            $260,000              0*1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #203        $354,900            $350,000              4*1015 O ST NW                                       $725,000            $710,000              118        *Units were part of multi-unit, newly-built complexes; DOM may not be accurate              This area boarders U Street to... 09/10/2007

Current Number of Homes Active and Under Contract: Here is the breakdown as of Sept 10th, 2007Overall in the Washngton DC area the number of homes For Sale, are following the normal seasonal trends.  The number of "Active" properties has increased as home owners try to sell before winter and the holiday season arrive.Here are the number of homes on the market including the number of homes that were taken "OFF" the market last week.   example: Single Family Homes in DC; 108 less on market from last week, but 135 were taken off - in reality 27 new listings came on the market. Washington DCSingle Family:     Actives: 1718 ( Up 178 from last week)  OFF: 24      Under Contract: 356Condos:             Actives: 1390 ( Up 115 from last week)  OFF:  20      Under Contract: 455 Arlington CountySi... 09/10/2007

If you are like me,my real estate business needs a super serious kick it in the you know what-It's that serious. I set some goals. But honestly speaking,the reason I haven't really accomplished some of my goals because I didn't improve on what was working for me and I didn't eliminate things that wasn't working for me at all. And when some things are not working at all,you might need to take a step back to re-evaluate the situation and try to figure out what you can do to help breathe life into parts or areas of your business. I guess it can be like a car that is running well because it needs a new engine. So here are some things that I strongly feel will help you re-charge your business for more success if you are in my situation.   REASSESS YOUR GOALS - If you are like me,you wrote do... 09/09/2007

Thinking of doing a seminar? THINK SHORT SALES Everyone does the "first-time buyer" seminar....think outside the box...do something different. Nine of ten seminars that you see real estate agents do are first time home buyers seminars. And I think that it is a great idea. But what about something on short sales. I mean how many real estate agents do you know hold seminars on short sales? I haven't seen any at all. Well,at least in my area. So I think a seminar on short sales would be a great one. With the foreclosure rate rising rapidly every month,who is best suited to educate them on this topic and how to possibly avoid it - we Real Estate Agents. You might get some first time homebuyers that will attend the seminar and will end up thanking you for educating them on something that th... 09/09/2007

           Finally,after posting blogs,commenting on people's blog and joining blog groups,I am finally in the 10,000 BLOG CLUB. I took a whole lot of blogging but I finally made it. I feel so happy because I feel like I accomplished something. With how things have been going in this real estate market,I will take anything that would make me happy right now. I also want to thank the great real estate agents who I have learned from here on Active Rain-Too many of you all to name.            Real Estate Agents like you are the reason why I keep coming back to this site on a daily basis because I have learned so much from every single blog that I have ready -SERIOUSLY. Also,I want to thank all the real estate agents who posted comments on my blog-especially my last one"What do you do if yo... 09/07/2007

I was just curious to find out. As real estate professionals,our clients come from all different areas with all having different issues. So I was just curious. Say for instance,a married couple needs you to help them sell their home. Problem: Only the husband's name is on the deed and the wife's name is not. And the husband is the one who has dementia. What do you do? Active Rain members,I need your help and advice on this one. What will you do?   To receive a free list of "Houses for sale in Washington DC",please give me a call at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (202) 378-0283 (Direct) and ( 301 ) 560-6700 x1154 (Office). I can also be reached online on my websites www.buyandsellnewhomes.com and www.freelistofhomesforsale.com/  Thank you very much. Looking forward to wor... 09/06/2007

Properties that sold 8/28- 9/03ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET20 LOGAN CIR NW #LL-2                       $387,500            $372,500             1301300 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #306      $359,000            $348,000              791541 3RD ST NW                                  $440,000            $470,000              301711 13TH ST NW #2                            $749,000            $735,000              28910 M STREET NW #303                        $497,400            $484,400              341001 L ST NW #407                              $399,000            $390,000              6              This area boarders U Street to the North; 16th Street to the West; H street to the South and 3rd Street to the East. 09/03/2007

The Mt Vernon Square area in Nw DC sure has  seen a great deal of change in the past couple of years - with much more coming soon.This area which continues the Chinatown revitalization North, from H street to N street and from New Jersey Ave to 9th.  The New Convention Center was the beginning of this transformation.  A area that was once parking lots, abandoned buildings, still shows huge growth, even in a slowing market.Why?  Well a couple of reasons I believe.  One - it's cheaper (for now anyway).  The neighborhoods around Dupont have been quite desirable for years, because of it's mix of retail and residential and proximity to Metro and downtown.  However (Reason 2); there is limited space to build NEW buildings.  Cheap land and a space to build new buildings are helping developers ... 08/27/2007

Between 1908 and 1940, Sears Roebuck is said to have sold about 100,000 homes from their catalogue.  They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and Rosemary Thornton’s book, The Houses That Sears Built, gives lots of details on how they were built and how to spot one.They became popular after World War I, filling a demand around the country for homes for returning servicemen starting families, as well as immigrants coming through Ellis Island.  They were affordable, and supposedly very easy to build.My former in-laws owned a one of these homes on Morrison Street here in Washington.  It is one of many Sears houses located in Chevy Chase, a favorite Upper Northwest neighborhood in the capital.  The original owners ordered it from the Sears catalogue, in 1930 according to the public recor... 08/26/2007

Cleveland Park started off as a place for summer homes, so wealthy residents of Washington could escape from the horrendous heat and humidity - not to mention August outbreaks of typhoid fever! It gets its name from President Grover Cleveland, who was one of its earliest renovators.  He bought an old stone house near 35th and Newark Streets and renovated it for use as a summer White House.  He sold it when he left office, and it has since been torn down. In the late 1800's, street car lines linked the neighborhood to downtown and changed its character, turning it into one of the capital's early suburbs. While President Cleveland's house fell to the wrecking ball, many of the big old frame houses remain, with their wrap-around porches and original details in tact.  And there is an active... 08/18/2007