Fannie Mae Offers Buyers 3.5% toward closing costs

Great news for buyers!! Fannie Mae is offering 3.5% closing costs for buyers who purchase REO (aka foreclosure properties) by May 1st. Great news for first time homebuyers who want to keep some cash in hand to do home repairs!
Follow this link...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012804752.html

Good News for Older Homes in NOVA and DC

Smaller houses are making a comeback away from the giant McMansions that we have seen cropping up in older established neighborhoods. McMansion space is nice -- and so are the features that come with these luxe, gorgeous homes -- but to someone who loves old houses (me) the large homes take some of the charm from original neighborhoods.

This article also offers some great info on staging and making the most of your space -- furniture placement and color play a big role!

http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/Articles/2010/1002_home_livingsmaller

HouseLogic "Own Smarter" - Great Website for Homeowners or Would-Be Homeowners!

The National Association of Realtors recently launched a great new site - HouseLogic. This site provides great info on home improvements, maintenance and energy conservation. Definitely worth a browse...

http://www.houselogic.com/

Arlington, VA Named One of the Seven Most Intelligent Communities!

Wow - in the world. Arlington was selected for its independent identity, high quality of life and key role that it plays in the Washington, DC economy. Another organization lauding Arlington's efforts and underscoring the fact that Arlington is a wonderful place to live!

Check out the link from The Intelligent Community Forum:
http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/index.php?src=news&refno=433&category=Partner%20News

RE/MAX Allegiance Donates Record Amount to Children's Miracle Network

We are proud participants in this program and are delighted that Children's Miracle Network received $173,572 from RE/MAX's efforts in 2009. A donation is made in our clients' names every time we sell a home.

We are honored to a part of this success as this money is used locally at Children's Hospital in Washington DC. Thank you to our friends and clients that have supported us in 2009 to allow us to be a part of such a large donation!

Chrissy & Lisa Moved by Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

Chrissy and Lisa are moving quickly to organize a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The deplorable conditions and lack of basic human needs - including shelter - that the people of Haiti are currently living in has moved us to action. Stay tuned for additional information on this event.

In addition, Lisa DuBois has committed to donating 5% of her real estate commissions to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund for help the victims of last week's massive earthquake (www.ClintonBushHaitiFund.com). You can follow this project on Twitter - www.twitter.com/cbhaitifund. You can help now too - text "QUAKE..." to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, charged to your cell phone bill.