Checking in (right now?) during the holidays

December is an exciting time. You're seeing people you don't see enough of; you're going to parties and restaurants (finally!) you've been trying to get to all year. You might even be making a quick or long trip (two weeks in New Zealand, maybe).

Part of getting on your social media sites is an opportunity to share your good fortune or even, daresay, brag? Keep in mind who's reading your check-ins on Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare: your friends, your families, your work buddies. Everybody.

Including burglars.

December is the time of year when you have the most items in your house that are easiest to walk out of your house. The holidays are the time you're out of your home the most. You're either all in our all out.

Think about what you're telling everybody (I mean everbody!) when you tweet that you've just been to that new restaurant, where you'll be for hours. Or getting on a NYC bus for a day trip. Or heading to Tyson's for the day; hope I won't be there all night!

Consider telling your friends where you've been. New restaurant was a gas last night! Going up to NYC -- yesterday -- sure was fun! Home from Tysons -- took me 9 hours w/ shopping and traffic!

You can keep your Klout score high and your home safe. You don't need to be the most current kid on the block all the time, though.

Remembering the Wild West of 2004: So happy it's in the past

Remember the golden days, when house buyers overpaid for many properties, buying them without home inspections, and losing future appreciations through incredible escalation clauses? In today’s Washington Post, the real estate section revisits that time – we thought, with a little too much glee.

Remember back in 2004-2006, when little inventory initiatated escalation clauses, created blind bids made buying seem like the Wild West for new homeowners?

Skyrocketing home prices in the mid aughts benefit no one. Home sellers received higher prices, but diminished buying power for their next home. Home buyers got into new homes with very little money left in their pockets. We realtors earned more in commissions, but lost out on volume.

Happy customers are always our best customers.

The Post story hinted the days of multiple offers are retunring – a little bit – in high-interest markets like Falls Church and Reston. The story cited that reasonably–priced and slightly-undervalued homes were receiving high interests, and multiple offers.

In this market, multiple offers means three to five – a far cry from the 12 to 20 nearly any home in any category would receive 6 years ago. In these high-intrest markets, competitive bidders might be expected to waive inspections, but not to offer buy backs. This market is not nowhere near as competitive as a decade ago, in part because the inventory is more plentiful.

Two themes of the story are two tenants we’ve always preached to our clients:

1. If you’re selling, price your home fairly and draw the best immediate interest.


2. If you’re buying, and you really want the house, make your best offer – first.

Did you buy a home during the escalation clause? Are you pleased now with your home? Tell us about in a comment below!

Tell me about your Holy Cow house!

Whenever you think you’ve seen extravagant or flamboyant settings in Northern Virginia homes, you need only open the Washington Post Real Estate section to see just how ... humble ... your ideas are.

You know when you take your kids to a play date or birthday party, and you first see the grand piano? Or the 12-foot-wide painting? Or the third addition?

Now check out Castleton Farms.

Conductor Lorin Maazel and singer Dietlinde Ruban Maazel own Castleton Farms in Rappahanock County. What was once – simply – an enormous bed and breakfast, is now a manor that has become their estate. You know, like in that place Bruce Wayne lives.

The Maazels have 10 fireplaces (2 in the master bedroom), lambs in the front yard, a 130-seat theater in the backyard, and the spa — with a steam room for 20 people. Underground, the Farms have "subterranean hallways that look and feel like airplane jetways."

How about you?What homes and houses have you seen lately that make you say, whoa? Pass on your ideas; comment below!

Take a hike in Burke Lake Park – and Arlington

Burke Lake Park has terrific, accessible hiking, according to today’s Washington Post Real Estate section. Cycling and walking trails wrap around the 888-acre park.

Ah, but have they seen the hiking paths and cycling trails in Arlington, VA?

Yes, Burke Lake offers a wonderful train ride every year around Halloween, a must for small kids. You can even get Dad to go on a Fall morning, if you promise to be home in time for football. The American Hiking Society lists the 5-mile trail around the lake as one of the Top 10 U.S. urban fitness trails.

In the article, a ReMax agent said Burke Lake home prices are “getting back in the $800,000s again.”

In North Arlington, hikers have a delight in the many trails that lead to the Potomac River off Military Road – miles of hilly, well-maintained paths for hardy runner, hikers and hounds. I mean, have you seen the outdoor jewel that is Teddy Roosevelt Island?

As for bicycling, consider all the different paths that join North and South Arlington. From the hard-core, hilly W&OD Path that goes through the Cherrydale and Dominion Hills neighborhoods in North Arlington, to the flat, scenic Four Mile Run trail that meanders through Arlington Ridge, Aurora Hills and Shrilington. These Arlington bike paths are wonderful for kids learning to ride, adults on a weekend or early-weeknight workout, or sensible riders commuting to the Pentagon and over the bridges into Washington, DC.

Sure, Burke Lake offers some fine, flat walking. Arlington offers even more challenging recreational hiking, cycling and running trails. In so many ways, Northern Virginia rocks.

How about you? What trails and paths in Northern Virginia have you discovered and love to visit? Comment below!

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/