I got a call yesterday from a lady from www.househunt.com. She was telling me how good their company is and how it would improve my real estate business tremendously if I would accept leads from their company. They give out two leads a day. Their leads are exclusively for you - That what she said. She said that every real estate agent that utilizes their services have made an additional $72,000 a year. So that said,I want to know if any of the brilliant and creative minds on this site uses www.househunt.com?               Honestly speaking,I HATE REAL ESTATE COMPANIES THAT SELLS LEADS. They sell the same lead to about four different real estate agents - What?  Yes! I am sure you all know that. But I am just curious to know if anybody here uses their service. I want to know if ... 09/28/2007

Your One Stop for Peace of Mind!We're not your tradional real estate group and as you will see, everything about us is different.  Our business is providing peace of mind to our clients and we do so by being the foremost experts in our respective fields.  Our reputation is everything, and the relationships we seek to develop are lifelong.  Combine cutting-edge technology, outstanding service, sprinkle in a little fun and you will quickly see why we're not just your average full service company, we're your leading real estate company squared! We Help You Break Your Lease when you Buy with Us So you found the perfect place and want to buy but you still have 6 months left on your current lease?  No problem, when you are under contract with us to purchase a property we'll help you cancel yo... 09/23/2007

While I was writing the first draft of The Irreverent Guide, a had a wonderful writing coach named Jeff Stein.  He's a professional journalist and has two books already published and is working on a third now.  He was the perfect coach because he knew zip about real estate and lots about writing. After he read my first few chapters, he suggested that I take a sticky note, write on it "IT'S THE RELATIONSHIP, STUPID!!!!" in big bold letters, and stick it to the top of my computer screen.    Without knowing about our business, he put his finger right on the point of it all!  Whether I'm writing a book about real estate or meeting with a client, it's the relationship!  And not just between agent and client! If you have two people buying or selling a place, whether or not they are married, ... 09/21/2007

 Properties that sold 9/10-9/17ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET1701 16TH ST NW #604                          $165,000            $152,500             2731816 6TH ST NW                                    $399,000            $$350,000            188425 M ST NW #F                                     $449,000            $432,000              721314 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #507         $194,000           $194,000              0*910 M NW #117                                      $504,900            $504,900              271007 V ST NW                                         $325,000            $335,000              91312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #405         $399,500            $375,000              261921 9 1/2 ST NW                 ... 09/17/2007

When I first became a Active Rain member sometime last year,I really didn't know the affect that this website would have on me. This website is like a addiction. I am a writer and we writes can write all day if nobody stops us.Besides once this week when I was really tired,I make it a norm to either blog to someone's post or write a post myself everyday. I love reading other people's post. I have learned a whole lot from just about every single post that I have read on here. I only wished that I would've discovered this website soon. But recently,I find myself blogging at least to ten posts a day. If I could more I would. But I got to be honest with you all, I find myself not just blogging to blog. I blog to get as much points as I can get. But I want to know is do just blog for points,... 09/14/2007

 Properties that sold 9/04-9/10ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET1115 12TH ST NW #605                          $337,500            $320,000             36449 R ST NW #202                                 $423,352            $430,000              601529 14TH ST NW #302                          $464,000            $464,000              321512 MARION ST NW #101                      $260,000            $260,000              0*1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #203        $354,900            $350,000              4*1015 O ST NW                                       $725,000            $710,000              118        *Units were part of multi-unit, newly-built complexes; DOM may not be accurate              This area boarders U Street to... 09/10/2007

Current Number of Homes Active and Under Contract: Here is the breakdown as of Sept 10th, 2007Overall in the Washngton DC area the number of homes For Sale, are following the normal seasonal trends.  The number of "Active" properties has increased as home owners try to sell before winter and the holiday season arrive.Here are the number of homes on the market including the number of homes that were taken "OFF" the market last week.   example: Single Family Homes in DC; 108 less on market from last week, but 135 were taken off - in reality 27 new listings came on the market. Washington DCSingle Family:     Actives: 1718 ( Up 178 from last week)  OFF: 24      Under Contract: 356Condos:             Actives: 1390 ( Up 115 from last week)  OFF:  20      Under Contract: 455 Arlington CountySi... 09/10/2007

If you are like me,my real estate business needs a super serious kick it in the you know what-It's that serious. I set some goals. But honestly speaking,the reason I haven't really accomplished some of my goals because I didn't improve on what was working for me and I didn't eliminate things that wasn't working for me at all. And when some things are not working at all,you might need to take a step back to re-evaluate the situation and try to figure out what you can do to help breathe life into parts or areas of your business. I guess it can be like a car that is running well because it needs a new engine. So here are some things that I strongly feel will help you re-charge your business for more success if you are in my situation.   REASSESS YOUR GOALS - If you are like me,you wrote do... 09/09/2007

Thinking of doing a seminar? THINK SHORT SALES Everyone does the "first-time buyer" seminar....think outside the box...do something different. Nine of ten seminars that you see real estate agents do are first time home buyers seminars. And I think that it is a great idea. But what about something on short sales. I mean how many real estate agents do you know hold seminars on short sales? I haven't seen any at all. Well,at least in my area. So I think a seminar on short sales would be a great one. With the foreclosure rate rising rapidly every month,who is best suited to educate them on this topic and how to possibly avoid it - we Real Estate Agents. You might get some first time homebuyers that will attend the seminar and will end up thanking you for educating them on something that th... 09/09/2007

           Finally,after posting blogs,commenting on people's blog and joining blog groups,I am finally in the 10,000 BLOG CLUB. I took a whole lot of blogging but I finally made it. I feel so happy because I feel like I accomplished something. With how things have been going in this real estate market,I will take anything that would make me happy right now. I also want to thank the great real estate agents who I have learned from here on Active Rain-Too many of you all to name.            Real Estate Agents like you are the reason why I keep coming back to this site on a daily basis because I have learned so much from every single blog that I have ready -SERIOUSLY. Also,I want to thank all the real estate agents who posted comments on my blog-especially my last one"What do you do if yo... 09/07/2007

I was just curious to find out. As real estate professionals,our clients come from all different areas with all having different issues. So I was just curious. Say for instance,a married couple needs you to help them sell their home. Problem: Only the husband's name is on the deed and the wife's name is not. And the husband is the one who has dementia. What do you do? Active Rain members,I need your help and advice on this one. What will you do?   To receive a free list of "Houses for sale in Washington DC",please give me a call at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (202) 378-0283 (Direct) and ( 301 ) 560-6700 x1154 (Office). I can also be reached online on my websites www.buyandsellnewhomes.com and www.freelistofhomesforsale.com/  Thank you very much. Looking forward to wor... 09/06/2007

Properties that sold 8/28- 9/03ADDRESS:                                           LIST PRICE        CLOSE PRICE    DAYS ON MARKET20 LOGAN CIR NW #LL-2                       $387,500            $372,500             1301300 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #306      $359,000            $348,000              791541 3RD ST NW                                  $440,000            $470,000              301711 13TH ST NW #2                            $749,000            $735,000              28910 M STREET NW #303                        $497,400            $484,400              341001 L ST NW #407                              $399,000            $390,000              6              This area boarders U Street to the North; 16th Street to the West; H street to the South and 3rd Street to the East. 09/03/2007

The Mt Vernon Square area in Nw DC sure has  seen a great deal of change in the past couple of years - with much more coming soon.This area which continues the Chinatown revitalization North, from H street to N street and from New Jersey Ave to 9th.  The New Convention Center was the beginning of this transformation.  A area that was once parking lots, abandoned buildings, still shows huge growth, even in a slowing market.Why?  Well a couple of reasons I believe.  One - it's cheaper (for now anyway).  The neighborhoods around Dupont have been quite desirable for years, because of it's mix of retail and residential and proximity to Metro and downtown.  However (Reason 2); there is limited space to build NEW buildings.  Cheap land and a space to build new buildings are helping developers ... 08/27/2007

Between 1908 and 1940, Sears Roebuck is said to have sold about 100,000 homes from their catalogue.  They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and Rosemary Thornton’s book, The Houses That Sears Built, gives lots of details on how they were built and how to spot one.They became popular after World War I, filling a demand around the country for homes for returning servicemen starting families, as well as immigrants coming through Ellis Island.  They were affordable, and supposedly very easy to build.My former in-laws owned a one of these homes on Morrison Street here in Washington.  It is one of many Sears houses located in Chevy Chase, a favorite Upper Northwest neighborhood in the capital.  The original owners ordered it from the Sears catalogue, in 1930 according to the public recor... 08/26/2007

Cleveland Park started off as a place for summer homes, so wealthy residents of Washington could escape from the horrendous heat and humidity - not to mention August outbreaks of typhoid fever! It gets its name from President Grover Cleveland, who was one of its earliest renovators.  He bought an old stone house near 35th and Newark Streets and renovated it for use as a summer White House.  He sold it when he left office, and it has since been torn down. In the late 1800's, street car lines linked the neighborhood to downtown and changed its character, turning it into one of the capital's early suburbs. While President Cleveland's house fell to the wrecking ball, many of the big old frame houses remain, with their wrap-around porches and original details in tact.  And there is an active... 08/18/2007

   AV sold PricePrice vs.     Last YRUnits SoldUnit Sold vs. Last YRDOMDOM vs. Last YR.% Sales Price$565,1946.61%74010.61%6017.65%96.39%While the Real Estate market in many parts of the country remains slow and declining; the state of the market in the Nation's Capitol is looking up.In the month of July, the average SOLD price has increased over last year, as has the number of homes sold.  Days on the market (DOM), is still higher than last year, but is down from it's highest point in years.  In March the DOM was 84 days.  So we have seen some improvement this year.Homes in the District of Columbia are selling at an average of 96.39%.  No huge deals here.   08/16/2007

BEAUTY IN ANACOSTIA?This D.C. neighborhood on the east bank of the Anacostia River is primarily known for its excessive crime rates.  Out of 195 D.C. homicides in 2005, 62 occurred in the Greater Anacostia area of the District.  But amidst this turmoil, neglect, abandoned homes, and bad reputation, there exists an oasis of beauty!Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Yesterday I ventured to Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, the only National Park Service park dedicated to cultivating water-loving plants.  I first learned about Kenilworth about a week or so ago in The Washington Post story "The Life Aquatic" which detailed the Waterlily Cultural Festival held at the gardens on July 21st.  The article described the beauty of the lotus flowers and waterlilies and said that the annual festiv... 07/30/2007

If you've outgrown your house, you have a couple of choices. You can try to change the house with a renovation or addition. Or, you change your location - move! My house, which I love in many ways, wasn't working.  I chose renovation.  The next time, I will just move. Move is a 4-letter word.  I get that.  But, so is renovation!  Actually, it's a bunch of 4-letter words: DUST MESS LEAD FUNK WORK  There are a bunch of other adjectives that have more than four letters, like disruptive, expensive, disconcerting, upsetting, uncomfortable, inconvenient, daunting and I could go on.  I know, because I am experiencing it all first hand! I'm sitting at my I-Mac wearing a mask to minimize the amount of lead paint that I inhale.  My contractors gave it to me.  That would be uncomfortable. My forma... 07/19/2007

Halfway through the year, here are the top twelve sales in Washington D.C. so far in 2007.  D.C.'s Top Dozen Sales: (information provided by MRIS) 1.  2860 Woodland Drive, NW 20008 -- topping the list at a sales price of $7,400,000, this home in Massachusetts Avenue Heights is on almost an acre with 6 bedrooms, 5 and 2 half baths and a pool.  Yearly property taxes on this home are $82,055! 2.  2401 Kalorama Road, NW 20008 -- this interesting home was originally built in 1754 in Massachusetts and moved to D.C. in the 1930s and reconstructed on this lot in Kalorama.  The updated kitchen includes a Vulcan stove and SubZero fridge and sold for $7,165,000 in February. 3.  3249 N Street, NW 20007 -- this 1820 home in the heart of Georgetown featured a garage, chef's kitchen, home theater, lib... 07/08/2007

Community News:  This is a Message from your Realtor - Cheryl S. Miller The National Fireworks on the Mall can be viewed just about anywhere in the Nations Capitol.  Traditional many family spend a great portion of the day on the mall to secure their front row seat.Those families wishing not to spend their day in the hot sun may tend to congregate on one the major bridges such as I-395 or I-295.  Although local law enforcement frowns on motorist  pulling over on the bridge, these bridges general come to a complete stop during the display, leaving just enough room for light traffic or emergency vehicles to get through.  Families choose to watch from these areas to avoid the high volume of traffic.  Arlington, Virginia, has a great spot to enjoy the fireworks on the Mall. One of three gre... 07/01/2007