Posted in Uncategorized on November 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Happy to be home after a visit to my Dad in Pennsylvania. It really doesn’t matter when you stop for a moment and give thanks, does it? Turkey Day is a good reminder to do so. I give thanks for my family, for this wonderful place I call home, and for the fact that I [...]
Posted in FAQs, Finances, tagged Finances on November 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
What You Need for a Mortgage
Looking through this list it may appear intimidating at first. But if you simply set these items aside as you receive them, or make a quick hunt through your files (you do have them, don’t you?), you can probably pull them together without too much stress:
W-2 forms — or business [...]
Posted in Arlington, Economics, tagged Development on November 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Just received an email with this headline:
Washington DC Metro Area Is Most Promising Real Estate Market in the World
Apparently, Roger Arnold — a macro economist who does consulting for government agencies such as HUD as well as think tanks, hedge funds and sovereign nation funds — gave his analysis of current economic news and conditions [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on November 24, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Okay, well, I’ve resisted so far, but it cannot go on like this! Many of my friends are thinking of renting out some space, or restlessly looking for a connection that will get them into an inaugural event, or hosting elaborate parties to celebrate the changing of the guard. Heaven knows we all need [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on November 22, 2008 | 1 Comment »
If you’re new to the Washington DC area — perhaps among the people coming with the new administration — this is a great time to rent. With houses lingering on the market, you have some choice about where to rent. You might even go ahead and call people who are trying to sell [...]
Posted in Agency, Finances, Home Search, Negotiations, Neighborhood, tagged Home Search on November 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In working with people setting out to purchase their first home, it’s very predictable that these mistakes may, and often are, made. With an agent who truly understands the market and the process, and who you trust so that you will hear what they say, you can avoid the same mistakes. You don’t [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on November 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
“Given low home prices, plentiful supply and affordable interest rates, it’s been an optimal time for entry-level buyers with a long-term view.”
So says Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors.
Some highlights from the study:
The number of first-time buyers rose 5% from 2006.
The median age of first-time buyers went down a year to [...]
Posted in Finances, tagged Negotiations on November 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Over the past six months all pretense of knowing how to price a home for sale has just flown out the window. If an agent is being honest they’d tell you this. The real estate market has gone wacko, and with lots of extraneous input (financial bailout anyone?), who knows what’s happening anymore.
So how is [...]
Posted in Arlington, Home Search, Open Houses, tagged investments, Lee Heights on November 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
International TV films my listing
Show Television, one of the major networks in Turkey, was in DC this past week covering the election, and before getting on the plane they filmed another business episode about the U.S. real estate market. Their premise: U.S. real estate is a great investment for Turkish investors. They filmed two of [...]
Posted in Finances, tagged Financing on November 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The conforming loan limits have been annonced for 2009. In our Washington DC market, the new limits will be $625,500. This area has been designated a high-cost area and has the highest limit possible.
As you may know, the temporary loan limits that were instituted under the Economic Stimulus Act will expire on December 31st, 2008. I was glad [...]
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