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Washington, DC Real Estate News

By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please  email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment.  The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please  email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment.  The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
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By Brian Block, Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
(RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President)
  "Everywhere is Walking Distance if You Have The Time" -- Steven Wright, American comedian The problem is these days people don't have the time.  Gone are the days of walking 4 miles uphill both ways to school.  Nowadays, parents pack the kids in the car and drive them the quarter mile door to door to drop them off to 2nd grade.  We're increasingly dependent upon our cars, even moreso the further out from a city we decide to live. As people tire of the expenses and hassles of commuting and having to hop in the car for everyday errands and to just to grab a bite to eat, walkability has become a more important criteria for neighborhood home searches in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Maybe you want to be close to the Metro, close to stores and restaurants, and leave the car at home...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Cleveland Park is a neighborhood of great architectural diversity.  There are small row houses that sell in the high $600's and historic mansions with price tags in the $4.5 million range.  Some are on tiny lots, with just enough room for the house and a postage stamp garden.  Others have expansive lawns and gardens.  And so far this year, the demand has been for the smaller homes at a relatively low price point. The list of homes currently for sale includes two in excess of $4,000,000.  And they are bringing the averages up.  The highest selling price year to date is lower than that, at $2,407,000. Here are the figures: Currently For Sale:  15 homes (current asking price)Low:   $715,000High:  $4,500,000Average: $1,993,467Under Contract:  8 homes (asking price at contract)Low:  $699,000...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
There have been a bunch of times when I've included a homeowner's warranty to get a transaction done.  And I'm constantly amazed at what I'm finding in the fine print! Now, I am one of those nutty people who actually read fine print, at least some of the time.  Most people do not.  But if you are either purchasing a warranty as part of a listing agreement or including one as part of a sales contract, here are some important questions you should be able to answer: How much are service call deductibles?  If the dishwasher is acting weird, how much will you have to pay out of pocket for someone to show up and determine whether it should be repaired or replaced? What does the agreement say about pre-existing conditions?  If the dishwasher is really, really old and past it's prime and breaks...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
The next time you fly into Washington's Reagan National Airport, look to your left as the plane comes in for a landing.  There you will see the Watergate, a complex that includes a hotel, office building and coop apartments. It was built in the late 1960's, and has been home to many members of Congress, diplomats, cabinet secretaries, and an infamous White House intern. The apartments are spacious and most of the 600 units have large balconies.  They also have spectacular views, usually of either the Potomac River or the Washington Monument.   If you are a music lover, you can walk over the the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and hear the National Symphony, or enjoy a night at the Opera or ballet. For the convenience of the residents, there is a retail level in the basement with ...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
  If the public and government ever needs to hear our voice, it's NOW !!! I never like to sound negative in my blogs, but we need to face reality. Yes, there are some reports saying that the economy is turning around. There are some reports that say that people are spending money.  And even some realtors are saying that they are busier than ever before, in the last 4 months or year. But let's break down some of the reasons why it might seem positive, when overall, I believe that it's really bad out there. This is just my opinion. Keep in mind, most of what is mentioned below would not cost the taxpayers extra money. So important.....   Real Estate is very local.  Some markets are flourishing now, some are average, and some are just outright sluggish. Part of the problem is that many fir...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Arnold is my next door neighbor.  He's what some of us might call an old hippie - his old car boasts bumper stickers like "Love Animals, Don't Eat Them" and "If You Don't Go Within, You Go Without - Meditate!".  He's a wonderful neighbor to all of the single women on the block, as he possesses significant handyman skills. Arnold was literally born in the house next door, and when he was a little boy, he planted some lily bulbs in his front yard and in the little garden strip between our houses.  When I first moved into my house back in 1982, his front yard was still full of lilies.  And every June, his yard and our shared garden strip were wall-to-wall bright orange lilies.  A few years later, he decided that after several decades in the house, he wanted grass, and he dug up all the bul...
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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)
1 Bedroom Condo - GREAT Location 3804 RODMAN ST NW #101, Washington, DC 20016 View Map You will love this wonderful 1 bedroom condo with a great walk-out patio. This condo has lots of light and is fully updated. Comes complete with Washer/Dryer, Hardwood Floors, Walk-In Closet. Small pets welcome and comes with parking. James T. Downing Team Leader - The Downing Real Estate Group REALTOR, GRI, ABR Licensed in Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC 703.244.3971 Direct Jim@JimDowning.com Email Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 5028 Wisconsin Ave. NW Suite 100 Washington, DC 20016 202-362-5800 Office Details Asking Price: $389,000 MLS: DC7081223 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 # of Floors: 1 HOA/Maintenance Fees: 313 Year Built: 1985 Property Amenities - Range/Oven- Sink Disposal- Full Refrigera...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
As I was putting together a list of properties to show some buyers, I noticed that none of the places I intended to show were shown as foreclosures or short sales.  And a lot of these listings were in one of the few DC neighborhoods where we are, in fact, seeing some "troubled assets" on the market.  The showing instructions on some of them showed they were vacant and on Sentrilock.  A couple of others had people living in them or combination lock-boxes, so I had to call a couple of the agents for access.  In talking to the listing agents, I learned that three of the five homes I planned to show were short sales.  Were they approved short sales, I inquired.  But none of the sellers or agents had initiated any contact whatsoever with the lenders.  The agents had no idea whether or not th...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
This blog is brought to you by www.getdcsold.com -We will get it sold-Your home that is. Like my last blog that I wrote DC Free Area Events ,this one doesn't have many events too. But there is always time that you can spend with your family members and friends. Make today your best day ever-Now I sound like Joel Osteen-LOL. Anyway here is the DC Area Events.                                                    SATURDAY Mr and Miss Capital Pride Pageant will be held at the Town Danceboutique on 2009 Eighth St NW Washington DC. Price;$10. Time: 7-9pm. High school bands will compete at the 9:30 Club on 815 V St NW Washington DC for a chance to record their music in the school's studio. Time:11am-3pm. (This is also a sunday event 9:45am-3pm). Price:$5.                                         ...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
This week's blog is brought to you by DC Real Estate and Area Events-"The New Voice of DC Talk". Hello everyone. Welcome to another edition of the "DC Area Events Blog". Well I hate to say this to my two loyal viewers but there are not a lot of activites on my blog this week. But I still have something for you-sometimes something is better than nothing. Just don't tell Lebron James that. I am supposed to be watching Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant darn it....                        So here are the DC Area Events for this week. Enjoy!                                                    SATURDAY Come to Flashpoint and see paintings of spaces like airports or hotels by Trevor Young. Time:12-6pm. Flashpoint is located at 916 G St NW Washington DC. Call 202-315-1305 for more information. Brother...
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By Dana Scanlon, Bethesda MD- Award-Winning Bethesda Realtor
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
Recently, some clients of mine arrived from France, with an interest in investing in USA real estate and possibly relocating here on a permanent basis. I put them in touch with a Washington DC attorney and friend of mine, who specializes in visa programs for foreign nationals wishing to resettle here. No Realtor should give advice to a client about who qualifies for what US Visas, but it can be useful to have a basic knowledge of some of these programs. Details on some of these visa programs were also addressed at a recent CIPS class that I attended. At the National Association of Realtors mid-year convention in Washington DC last month, a panel discussion took place on this topic, and was addressed by Stephen H. Davis, an immigration lawyer based in Florida, who has developed a special...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
In Washington, we are starting to see a comeback of the "private exclusive", the practice of listing your home "quietly"  - no signs, no listing on the Multiple Listing Service, no way of letting colleagues from other brokerage firms know that you want to sell.  So here is the sales pitch a company might use to convince you to go this route: They can sell your home "in house", meaning that your listing agent and the other agents in his or her firm know about it and can show it to any clients they might have.  Selling in house benefits the listing brokerage in a few ways.  The agents involved will probably have a good working relationship - we tend to like to work with people we know and like in our own company.  The listing company does not wind up having to advertise the property, savi...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
There are some amazing properties that come on the market here in Washington, often with lots of history for their agents to feature in the listing brochures.  Of the five highest priced properties for sale in Washington right now, two of them are historic enough be on the National Register of Historic Places.  For each of these properties, you may click on the address for a virtual tour. 1623 28th Street NW OK, I could live very happily in the 3-bedroom gate house for the Evermay Estate, which sits on over three acres of prime Georgetown land, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.  Dating back to the 18th century, it was originally constructed by Samuel Davidson, an international maritime merchant and "FOG" - that would be friend of George.  Um, Washington.  He also ...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
                                                   SATURDAY Jeff Lewis and the Antlers will play Electro Pop music at the Rock and Roll Hotel on 1353 H St NE Washington DC. Time: 8:30pm. Prices: $14,$12 in advance. Call 202-388-7625 for more information. Tom Stoppard's play "Rock N Roll" will be playing at the Studio Theatre on 1501 14th St NW Washington DC. Prices: $41-$61. Time: 2pm and 8pm. ( This is also a Sunday event-2pm and 7pm )                                                       SUNDAY Ralph Harris will be performing stand up comedy at the DC Improv on 1140 Connecticut Ave NW. Call 202-296-7008 for more information. The National Symphony Orchestra will be at the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to perform the World premiere of "Miranda's Waltz". Price: $15-$18. T...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
According to April 2009 DC Real Estate Market Report,sales are picking up. So would this be a great time for you to take advantage of this home buying opportunity. My simple answer is Yes. Why? Please read my blog DC Deanwood Real Estate Market Report Zip code 20019 for April 2009.  In this blog I give three good reasons why the time to buy a house in DC is now. Even though average days on the market have increased-which to you can be a great thing. (I will explain this later ),but home sales have increased from 368 houses sold in DC April 2008 to 417 houses sold in DC this month a 13.2% increase. So why should bad news to home sellers such as the average days of a house on the market which increased from 77 days to 92 days be good news to you the home buyer? It gives you more time as a...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Kiplinger Magazine just released its annual top ten best cities to live in. I was very happy to see Washington DC on the list.                                                                              Washington DC have a 5,263,322 population. Median household income is $81,163. It is of course the nation's capital,home of the Federal Government and K St NW where you will find many of the movers and shakers of Washington DC. Tourism as usual is huge here in Washington DC. Places like the White House and the Smithsonian Museum-( where the sequel to Ben Stiller's new movie Night at the Museum:Battle of the Smithsonian was shot)are places tourists like to visit. Also it is the home of Kiplinger Magazine Headquarters-I didn't ever know that. So did your city make the list. Take a Virtual...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
  Memorial Day   - How many of us truly know what Memorial Day is and what it stands for?  Besides that extra day off, that many of us celebrate it with friends and family. Do you know that today is a day to honor all of those men and women that died while serving in the military. It's not suppose to be a day to honor those men and women that now serve us, but those that gave their lives for us to enjoy the freedom that we have today, as Americans. Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day and is celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. It's a day for those to go around to the cemeteries to decorate the graves of those that fought and died for our country. One of the traditonal ways to observe this time is a national moment of remembrance that takes place at 3 pm on Memorial...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Anyone looking to buy a house in DC Petworth-This would be a great time to buy. Petworth DC Real Estate Market is a good market. While some Real Estate Market fluctuates,Petworth DC Real Estate Market has been stable. However average days of a DC Petworth house on the market was 138 days compared to 99 days this same time last year. Out of the 24 home buyers that brought a house in Petworth DC,12 of them used a FHA Loan. Is a FHA loan suitable for you? Please read this blog by Lawrence Bland The Down Payment - FHA LOans (Pay close attention to Items of Value) and FHA Expert himself Jeff Belonger FHA Loans vs Conventional Loans - 5% down - Things you need to know !!!!  to help you with your decision. Here is the DC Petworth Real Estate Market Report Zip code 20011 for April 2009   Resid...
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