All the Data that’s Fit to Print

When not out looking at homes or hosting Open Houses, I get to do one of my favorite things — crunch numbers.  Yes, self-aware geek that I am, that’s my idea of a fun evening.  

Would you rather see the data or simply believe me when I tell you what the market is like?  I actually think both elements are important.  So here’s the data, which confirms it when I say that we are past the low point for home prices in Arlington VA:

This trend is evident across all Arlington VA zip codes.  They say you can’t see the dip until it’s past.  There you go.

 

 

 

Buh Bye 2011

Dear Arlington Neighbors,

Welcome to 2012!  As you know, 2011 was an interesting year for the economy, and also for real estate.  Thankfully we live in one of the most protected areas of the country so that bleak national news has a much lesser impact on us here.  We have the Federal Government, and so we have jobs.  People continue to move into this area for that very reason and when people think about where they want to live in the DC metro area, they think of Arlington.

This past year people still moved to different homes, up-sized, downsized, or invested in real estate.  In the early part of 2011 a lot of activity pushed prices up in Arlington, only to find the market slow considerably by the summer and fall.  No doubt it was a tough year for many real estate agents, as it was the most challenging year of the past decade.  For me personally it was a great year, with $15 million in Arlington sales and a long list of satisfied clients.

What does 2012 have in store for us?  My expectation is that we will once again experience a busy Spring market.  We are also looking ahead to the November presidential election and hoping that outcome will create a greater sense of security and stability for home buyers who are otherwise gun-shy and battle-worn.  But in real estate we should always think long term, and over the long term Arlington real estate is always a solid bet.  I am reminded of one of my clients who recently remarked that her home had provided her with a wonderful community and solid investment over her years of ownership.  What more could you want?

I wish you the very best for 2012 and hope that you can put this contractor list to good use.  Maintain your solid investment and your efforts will certainly be rewarded.  Please call me if you need another name, misplace this list, or have a name you would like me to add.

Sincerely yours,

Christine Rich

direct:  703-362-7764

Arlington VA landmark

In another completely random installment of my Arlington landmark contest, a $10 Starbucks gift card is yours if you can identify this Arlington Virginia landmark.

Arlington VA landmark

[real estate agents and other real estate professionals excluded, sorry]

NORTH ARLINGTON OPEN HOUSE TODAY, 1-4

1616 Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207

I know it’s a gorgeous day out there, but if you find yourself in the Ballston area it’s a short walk to this beautiful home in the Waycroft neighborhood of North Arlington. The home has very nice curb appeal, and it gets even better once you are inside. Enter the house to find lovely living space on three fully finished levels, with renovations in the kitchen and bathrooms where the current owners have spared no expense. The work that they’ve done to this home is simply exquisite.

• 3 bedrooms
• 2.5 bathrooms
• professional landscaping front and back
• renovated kitchen and bathrooms
• wood floors
• backyard deck and patio
• one-car garage
• paved driveway with enough room for 2+ cars
• white picket fence
• lots more
• asking price $689,900

Come see 1616 Glebe Road in Arlington for yourself.  I’ll be there from 1-4.  Would love to catch up with you!

No surprises

I recently had a home buying client tell me that’s what he values most – no surprises.  And that’s really what a lot of my real estate job is about.  There are different kinds of surprises in real estate, and many of them really shouldn’t be surprises to clients if real estate agents take the time to communicate.

But some of the surprises are simply impossible to predict.  They’re surprises to the agents also.  That’s where a creative problem solver will quickly know where to go and who to ask in order to get resolution as quickly as possible, and turn a surprise into a non-issue.

I’ve categorized surprises by how predictable they are, and in turn how much stress they might cause:

LEVEL ONE SURPRISE:  The things that are predictable in a home sale/purchase.  Deadlines, details, decisions that need to be made.  If your agent forgets to tell you about these things, they become a surprise.  They may or may not involve money, but odds are they may.  Everything does.

LEVEL TWO SURPRISE:  Anticipated, but not expected.  Things to guard against, usually by being prepared.  This is where knowing, understanding and using the real estate sales contract to your advantage — whether home buyer or home seller — is very important.

LEVEL THREE SURPRISE:  Not anticipated or expected, but happens anyway.  Here’s where resourcefulness really comes in.  First line of defense — good communication skills.

We like no surprises!

Pentagon City Open House tomorrow (9/25) from 1-4

1211 S. Eads St #1101, Arlington, VA 22202

Great condo for you if you are looking for a spacious 1 bedroom condo with a large balcony, open kitchen, large closets, garage parking spot, and lots of light, and just a few blocks to TWO metro stops and the Pentagon City shopping mall.

#1101 at the Bella Vista is a corner unit (that means lots of windows and light) on the 11th floor, with 866 square feet total.  Compare that spaciousness to any 1 bedroom along the Arlington VA Orange Line, you won’t find it!  This condo is priced at a cool $319,000, and the condo fee of about $400/month includes all utilities.

I’ll be there from 1-4 tomorrow, Sunday.  If you’ve read about the Open House here and you show up, I’ll have a lottery ticket waiting for you!  It may just be your lucky day.

1211 S. Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202

If you win the big bucks, you can just stroll on over to the mall and go shopping!

Special retreat to call home (or country home)

I just want to buy this myself, ok? … but my weekend work schedule won’t allow it.  For anyone out there looking for a fantastic country/weekend home or ready to retire to the peaceful country, this is the property for you!

Just look at these photos:

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• 3BR  DEN  2BA
• Move-in Condition
  
• Furnished & Equipped
  
• 5.7 Level/Wooded Acres
  
• Mountain Views
  
• Gated Community & Wildlife Refuge
• Canaan Valley, WV
• Only about 3 hours drive from the DC area
• Asking Price $375,000
  

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Drifting toward the weekend …

My thoughts are already turning to the weekend, that’s what happens in August in the Washington DC area.  Today just felt like Friday.  So it’s not too early to make plans for your Saturday morning, and I want to encourage you to go to the Falls Church Farmers Market located at 300 Park Avenue in Falls Church City.  It is fantastic.  Beautiful vegetables, gorgeous flowers, gourmet ice creams, delicious baked goods, the list goes on.  Last weekend I bought a ton of tomatoes and I’ve been making (and freezing) pomodoro sauce for a few days now (squeezed in between showing and selling houses, of course!).  Total fabulousity.  Here’s a great recipe.

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The Elephant in the Room

Elephant,
originally uploaded by http2007.

Nope, not a entry about staging or my weight.

Let’s talk abut the economy. Everyone is.

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster for the U.S. economy. One minute we think we are in the clear by signing a debt agreement and the next our credit rating was damaged. And now we head back up the tracks and are told just last night that interest rates will NOT increase because of the credit downgrade.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) made a long-term policy commitment by that it expects to keep the federal funds rates low until mid-2013. Prior to this policy announcement chief economist Victor Calanog had expected the Fed to begin raising interest rates by mid-2012, if not sooner.

This is the first time the United States has experienced a downgrade so what happens next is anyone’s best guess. But for now, it looks like home buyers have more time to take advantage of low mortgage rates.

That’s the silver lining.

Open House This Coming Sunday

Price reduced to $1,275,000, for a simply terrific house, with all the space, bells and whistles, and land you could want.

3611 N. Harrison Street, Arlington VA 22207

3611 North Harrison Street, Arlington V 22207

Special features include:

• Three fully finished levels with 4 large bedrooms upstairs and 2 additional bedrooms downstairs
• Wonderful formal and informal living space on the main level, including a main level study with custom built-ins
• Large, fully finished basement with tons of light and walk-out to backyard
• Delightful Master Bedroom Suite with two walk-in closets, separate bath and shower in bathroom, and separate sitting room
• 20827 square foot (.48 acre) lot with room for expansion out the back
• Park-like backyard setting
• Dual-zoned HVAC system
• Attached two-car garage with mud-room leading from garage to family room
• Brand new berber carpet installed in walk-out lower level
• House interior freshly painted using Benjamin Moore Aura paint
• Two wood-burning fireplaces recently inspected and cleaned
• Brand new front-loading washer and dryer

LOTTERY TICKETS FOR YOU IF YOU SHOW UP AND MENTION THIS BLOG!  HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!