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
Showing posts with label Arlington VA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arlington VA. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back After a Summer Hiatus... Arlington Tops on Jobs
Summer 2009 turned out to be a busy real estate market - great for local markets and buyers AND sellers! The first time buyers continue to fuel the market, largely due to the $8,000 federal tax credit.
US News and World Report recently ranked Arlington, VA as the #2 city in the US for job seekers...
No wonder our real estate market continues to be strong and buck national trends.
While no U.S. city has been untouched by the economic downturn, some job markets have been better able to weather the storm. U.S. News & World Report examined a variety of data to identify cities where it’s easier to find a job than in many other places. The underlying strengths of the top cities vary considerably. Some of the stronger cities are state capitals and have lots of government jobs. Others have abundant natural resources, stable housing markets, growing health care sectors, or are in close proximity to military bases.
But overall, what separates these communities from those that have been hit harder is a steady economy that protected them from steep unemployment.
Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 cities that offer the most opportunities for job seekers:
1. Anchorage
2. Arlington, Va.
3. Columbus, Ohio
4. Honolulu
5. Houston
6. Oklahoma City
7. Salt Lake City
8. Shreveport, La.
9. Tallahassee, Fla.
10. Wichita, Kan.
US News and World Report recently ranked Arlington, VA as the #2 city in the US for job seekers...
No wonder our real estate market continues to be strong and buck national trends.
While no U.S. city has been untouched by the economic downturn, some job markets have been better able to weather the storm. U.S. News & World Report examined a variety of data to identify cities where it’s easier to find a job than in many other places. The underlying strengths of the top cities vary considerably. Some of the stronger cities are state capitals and have lots of government jobs. Others have abundant natural resources, stable housing markets, growing health care sectors, or are in close proximity to military bases.
But overall, what separates these communities from those that have been hit harder is a steady economy that protected them from steep unemployment.
Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 cities that offer the most opportunities for job seekers:
1. Anchorage
2. Arlington, Va.
3. Columbus, Ohio
4. Honolulu
5. Houston
6. Oklahoma City
7. Salt Lake City
8. Shreveport, La.
9. Tallahassee, Fla.
10. Wichita, Kan.
Monday, June 29, 2009
"State of the County" - Arlington, VA
So glad we attended Arlington's State of the County presentation this morning! Lots of great information on how well Arlington - and surrounding jurisdictions are weathering the recession. We certainly are glad we live and work in this area!
Some tidbits from today's presentation:
Some tidbits from today's presentation:
- Arlington's unemployment continues to be incredibly low (hovering around 4%)
- Residential real estate is strong and has plateaued but not seen large value decreases as some areas of the outer suburbs have
- Received a AAA bond rating -- and is 1 of only 20 counties in the nation to do so
Arlington will continue to invest in affordable housing, green initiatives and human services -- while maintaining a committment to transit issues (a must in this congested area!).
Arlington, and neighboring jurisdictions, seem to be weathering the recession much better than most of the country. Everyone is hoping for brighter days ahead -- but it is nice to know that when the skies are grey that we weather the bumps well.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Looking for Something to Do in Our Nation's Capital? Check this out!
New in town or just looking for something new and different to do? Be in the know and find out what is going on in and around 'our town' this weekend -- or any time! This website is an exhaustive research of DC happenings - check it out!
http://www.culturecapital.com/
http://www.culturecapital.com/
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Washington DC Market Makes Forbes 5 Best List
Lists are lists, but you have to love it when your market comes out on the 'best' list. We sure do.
We have definitely noticed an uptick in the market in 2009 to date -- in fact we have seen many multiple contracts, bidding 'wars', etc that harken back to the 'height of the market'. We wouldn't say we're going to see the huge increases in home values, but the inventory is drying up a bit - and that will make a more stable market for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.
Read on...http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=18080758
We have definitely noticed an uptick in the market in 2009 to date -- in fact we have seen many multiple contracts, bidding 'wars', etc that harken back to the 'height of the market'. We wouldn't say we're going to see the huge increases in home values, but the inventory is drying up a bit - and that will make a more stable market for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.
Read on...http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=18080758
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Can You Use Your $8k Tax Credit as a Downpayment? Maybe...
This may in fact happen soon! Very exciting stuff for first-time homebuyers. This was announced by Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during a recent meeting. Check out the link below for the full story and press release.
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/05/re_summit?lid=ronav0019
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/05/re_summit?lid=ronav0019
Changes to the Appriasal System - What does it mean?
Well, a lot. It means that appraisers are not fully informed of the properties status and the neighborhood -- and these folks are often being paid less and consumers are paying more. How hard would you work if your pay was cut significantly? It is true that you do get what you pay for.
Appraisals have always been a hot button issue, and we think that changes must be maid to make sure that the appraiser is giving a fair market value analysis. However, the 'new' system is often not providing good information and realiable, knowledgeable folks to appraise properties. Like any profession - there are great appraisers out there, and some not so great ones.
You be the judge - how would you change the appraisal system to guarantee a fair valuation but also providing necessary information on the status of a home? A tough question indeed.
*******************************************************
Washington Report: Appraisal System
by Kenneth R. Harney
Last week saw the official kickoff of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's mandatory new system of appraisals nationwide, and some mortgage and appraisal groups are up in arms over sharply higher costs for consumers.
The so-called "home valuation code of conduct" imposed by Fannie and Freddie puts most appraisal assignments in the hands of management companies, some of whom are owned by major lenders such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
The Appraisal Institute, which represents 20,000 appraisers across the country, and the National Association of Realtors, which has thousands of appraiser members, both have been critical of the new code.
The Institute is particularly incensed at the expanded management company role in appraisals because those companies pay appraisers much less than their standard fees, and tack on thirty to fifty percent extra charged to the consumer.
For example, an appraiser who'd normally charge $325 for a valuation ordered though a lender or mortgage broker, now might be required by a management company to do the same work for $175 to $200.
Meanwhile the consumer, who has no idea where the money is going, is charged $400 or more for the appraisal, and must pay for it up front by credit card, rather than at closing.
The $200 to $225 extra goes to the management company. If the deal falls through and the mortgage doesn't close, that's the consumer's problem. The appraisal fee has already been pocketed by the management company.
Now evidence is circulating in Washington that not only are appraisal fees significantly higher under the new Fannie-Freddie code, but are being extended to FHA mortgages, despite the fact that FHA is not covered by the code.
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has begun documenting the higher fees and other problems with the new code. In one case the association shared with Realty Times last week, a large lender, EverBank, circulated its list of new appraisal fees to be charged consumers through its "automated appraisal system."
Not only does the bank require credit payment for appraisals up front, but it now charges a flat $465 for FHA appraisals and $390 for standard single family conventional appraisals. Flat fees go up to $700 in Hawaii.
Roy de Loach, CEO of the brokers group, cited one member's experience -- where total appraisal fees for a routine FHA cash-out refi ballooned to $1,068 to the consumer.
Home buyers and realty professionals need to be aware of these sharply escalating fees -- and their controversial use on FHA loans that are supposed to be exempt from the Fannie-Freddie code.
Appraisals have always been a hot button issue, and we think that changes must be maid to make sure that the appraiser is giving a fair market value analysis. However, the 'new' system is often not providing good information and realiable, knowledgeable folks to appraise properties. Like any profession - there are great appraisers out there, and some not so great ones.
You be the judge - how would you change the appraisal system to guarantee a fair valuation but also providing necessary information on the status of a home? A tough question indeed.
*******************************************************
Washington Report: Appraisal System
by Kenneth R. Harney
Last week saw the official kickoff of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's mandatory new system of appraisals nationwide, and some mortgage and appraisal groups are up in arms over sharply higher costs for consumers.
The so-called "home valuation code of conduct" imposed by Fannie and Freddie puts most appraisal assignments in the hands of management companies, some of whom are owned by major lenders such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
The Appraisal Institute, which represents 20,000 appraisers across the country, and the National Association of Realtors, which has thousands of appraiser members, both have been critical of the new code.
The Institute is particularly incensed at the expanded management company role in appraisals because those companies pay appraisers much less than their standard fees, and tack on thirty to fifty percent extra charged to the consumer.
For example, an appraiser who'd normally charge $325 for a valuation ordered though a lender or mortgage broker, now might be required by a management company to do the same work for $175 to $200.
Meanwhile the consumer, who has no idea where the money is going, is charged $400 or more for the appraisal, and must pay for it up front by credit card, rather than at closing.
The $200 to $225 extra goes to the management company. If the deal falls through and the mortgage doesn't close, that's the consumer's problem. The appraisal fee has already been pocketed by the management company.
Now evidence is circulating in Washington that not only are appraisal fees significantly higher under the new Fannie-Freddie code, but are being extended to FHA mortgages, despite the fact that FHA is not covered by the code.
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has begun documenting the higher fees and other problems with the new code. In one case the association shared with Realty Times last week, a large lender, EverBank, circulated its list of new appraisal fees to be charged consumers through its "automated appraisal system."
Not only does the bank require credit payment for appraisals up front, but it now charges a flat $465 for FHA appraisals and $390 for standard single family conventional appraisals. Flat fees go up to $700 in Hawaii.
Roy de Loach, CEO of the brokers group, cited one member's experience -- where total appraisal fees for a routine FHA cash-out refi ballooned to $1,068 to the consumer.
Home buyers and realty professionals need to be aware of these sharply escalating fees -- and their controversial use on FHA loans that are supposed to be exempt from the Fannie-Freddie code.
More Info and a Great Link - What You Need to Know About the $8,000 Tax Credit!
It's a great time to be a first time homebuyer! Here's what you need to know to get your $8,000 tax credit!
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_64/6547000/6547753/1/source/First-Time_Home_Buyer_Credit_09_LARGE.jpg
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_64/6547000/6547753/1/source/First-Time_Home_Buyer_Credit_09_LARGE.jpg
Monday, May 11, 2009
What a way to travel!
"Houseswaps" are gaining in popularity - what a great way to see the world! We';re always looking for a vacation - anyone looking for a 4 BR, 3 1/2 ba home less than 5 miles from DC?
Summertime is just around the corner!
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=19562262
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