Real estate wire fraud is rampant in Alexandria and Northern Virginia according to Jay Crowder, Sr. VP for PHH Home Loans in the Mid-Atlantic Region.As unscrupulous computer wizards become more and more adept at "breaking and entering" computer systems, hacking is moving to a whole new level of e
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11/20/2015
In the interest of expediency and "fair use", I am reposting this entire article as seen in today's Media Bistro update. The long term impact remains to be seen but it certainly puts copyright laws to the test. A federal judge ruled in favor of a defendant who reposted an entire article in a c
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06/21/2011
With Congress and the President at an impasse, it's worth looking at the impact of a government shutdown on real estate. Rob Clark, our go-to mortgage guy, has shared a list from PHH Home Mortgage on what might happen during a shutdown: Tax transcript - If the IRS is on furlough, tax transcripts
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04/08/2011
The Del Ray Citizens Association's (DRCA) 10th Annual Meet-n-Greet will take place on Monday, March 14 in the George Washington Middle School Cafeteria from 7-9:00pm. Originally designed to introduce new residents to local businesses, the Meet-n-Greet is now a forum for city agencies, city counci
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03/13/2011
In an announcement that went out on our local list serv yesterday, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is launching a local buying program similar to Groupon. Called "Try It Local", the program offers savings of 40-90% from retailers, service providers, and restaurants who are members of the Alexa
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02/23/2011
Real estate agents are frequently asked by sellers for "feedback." Sometimes it's feedback from an open house but more often the seller wants to hear from every agent and client who visits the house. I have mixed feelings about the logic of this process. If your house is not what a buyer is loo
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02/21/2011
Giving back is clearly a learned behavior and it's never to early to start. *This summer my daughter challenged herself to raise almost $10,000 for cancer research by climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. **My son, a Realtor in South Carolina, works with the Exchange Club on an annual c
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12/22/2010
Our friend Jordon Wright, a chef, writer and entrepreneur who brings a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to everything she does, has written a terrific review of luxury hotels in Virginia and Maryland for a holiday get away. Whether you want an last minute Christmas get away or you're still looking for
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12/21/2010
Words of Wisdom for the Holiday Food Table 1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickl
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12/18/2010
Shop Del Ray in Alexandria for All Your Holiday Needs! It's no secret that we love Del Ray. It's been our home for the past 20 years and we think it's a pretty special place. The Del Ray Business Association, of which we are a proud member, has put together this terrific video on why you shoul
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12/07/2010