I recently took a listing in Alexandria, VA, and the seller requested that I create and share a “coming soon” listing with other local agents, even though it won’t be on the open market for six months. She prefers to sell it quietly, and I offered a discount on my commission if we’re able to do it without the extensive (and expensive) marketing that we use for homes on the open market.
Continue reading “How do you buy a home before it hits the open market?”
2018’s housing market is hot, with Seattle, Washington enduring the highest rise in home prices, up 14 percent from 2017. So how does Seattle’s market compare to ours in the Washington DC metro area?
Continue reading “How does the DC market compare to Seattle?”
The high value of luxury homes comes from the unique perks they offer, and selling any home entails communicating its value for the price. When people seek luxury, they search for amenities like tennis courts, a pool, a magnificent view, a coveted location, and an expansive lot. The more high-end amenities a home offers, the stronger the perception of its luxury status.
The weather is sweltering and the air is still and thick. You’ve just finished some rigorous yard work and the sweat is dripping off of you. Wouldn’t you like to take a cool, refreshing dip in your crystal blue pool? Who wouldn’t? But how does having a pool affect your property value?
Continue reading “How does having a pool affect the value of your home?”
We’ve talked a lot about how, in the DC area, when the fireworks go up, sales come down. Follow along with this vlog as Eric explains how, and why, it’s still okay to sell in the summer!
I wish I’d purchased a home every year of my career, and that I still owned all 30 properties to provide me with steady income as I grow older. Yes, there would be headaches – maintaining properties, replacing furnaces, dealing with unpaid mortgages – but there would also be houses I purchased for $125,000 that would now sell for $450,000. Or houses I purchased for $175,000 that would now sell for $750,000. If I had 30 of those, I’d be in a different economic sphere.
Have you ever wondered if it’s OK to sell your home “as-is” or in “as-is” condition? What is an “as-is” property? In today’s vlog, Eric explains how and why you would sell a home “as-is”.
Like a smile and a handshake when you greet someone, your home’s curb appeal serves as its first impression, prompting buyers to draw immediate conclusions about living there. Does the exterior of your home “smile” and say, “Welcome, come on in!” or does it say, “I don’t put much thought into how I present myself”?
Continue reading “Why Curb Appeal is NOT as Important as it Seems….”
Retirement from the military can be remarkably different from retirement as we imagine it. The average age of a retiring officer is only 45, versus 62 for the general population. There is a transition back to civilian life that can be complex, especially if the retiree is dealing with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder or physical disability. Depending on which state a military retiree decides to reside, benefits can vary widely.
Continue reading “Learning More About the Nation’s First Retirement Community for Military Families”
In March of this year, when the DC area was hit with a large windstorm of up to 70mph, we had a listing in Oakton, Virginia, that had a massive tree fall on the property. You can catch up on the original video right here. Last week, we re-visited the property to get a sense of how renovations were coming along. Follow Eric as he walks the property for the first time since renovations began.
Continue reading “TIMBER! Part 2: Home Renovation Progress from Oakton, VA”
