Attack of the Open House Balloons

What does a top producing agent dislike most about her job?? One might think the long and unpredictable hours would be it, but no. It's the balloons. The Sunday open house, struggling with your signs, popping and flying off into space balloons. I tried to ignore the balloon thing when I started my career in real estate. Back then I had to blow up my own balloons, tie the stupid knot and then tie on the string. That was back in 1992 when the market was rough. So one Sunday the helium was out or I had just had it with the balloons—I don’t remember which-- but I neglected to take balloons and tie them to the open house sign in front of the house. The house was an odd duck, overpriced but in a good location in Del Ray on a pretty busy street. Despite the fact that I had an ad in the paper, signs everywhere and had passed out flyers, my seller was livid that I did not have balloons on the sign at the front of the house. Explaining that other, more important factors would bring a contract did not work. We did finally sell the house but it was not because of the balloons. However, since the verbal thrashing I have made it a point to bring balloons to my open houses.

Now, 16 years later I am fortunate enough that one of my assistants will kindly blow up my balloons. But the round bouncy beasts still choose to attack me while I am driving my car, creeping up on me, blocking my rearview, and causing extreme hair electricity! Then, when executing another dreaded part of the job—putting up directional signs to the open house—the balloons wind up being tangled, or escape when you open the door and threaten all those nice birdies who live in the bay. At the end of the open one has the same balloons to contend with. I often try chasing children down the street offering my half dead balloons so they don’t die a slow death in my car. I am often greeted initially with blank stares but then I get some smiles as they realize I am one of those nice strangers.

I would be very happy if there was green movement toward all real estate agents and companies to stop with the balloons—save the bay, the birds and my static electric hair. Anyone willing to join me in this important effort? That way I can get back to what I really enjoy about this business--helping my clients make the best decisions in the topsy-turvey world of real estate!

This Weekend's Open Houses

2519 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302

http://2519kingst.view24hours.com/

$999,999

4BR

305 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://305royal.view24hours.com/

$674,900

3BR

2661 S. Walter Reed Drive B, Arlington, VA 22306

http://2661swalterreed.view24hours.com/

$299,950

2BR

For more information and directions, please visit our website:

www.suegoodhart.com

A perfect time of year for Farmers' Markets!

I am a huge fan of Farmers’ Markets. The granddaddy of them all is the Alexandria Market at City Hall/Market Square. It opens at 5 each Saturday throughout the year and those in the know go really early to get the best flowers. Joseph squeezes fresh orange juice and sells his homemade mozzarella and there are crafts and baked goods and produce for sale around the fountain. Also on Saturday mornings is the Arlington Market at the Courthouse and the Del Ray Market at the corner of Oxford and Mt. Vernon Avenue.

And Sundays, the largest and most diverse market is at Dupont Circle. I like the small market at the corner of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed from 9-1 on Sundays. Free range and grass fed meats, produce, coffee, baked goods, soaps and folk music! And the newest market is across from King Street Metro on Wednesday afternoons – produce, Hispanic treats, baked goods and hand made soaps. Nothing can beat sun warned tomatoes, juicy melons, ripe peaches and sweet corn right from the farm that morning!!

A look into my crystal ball...

Dispensing real estate advice is one of the things I love to do best! If I only had a crystal ball—it would make the job so much easier. These new twists and turns may make the market more challenging to predict, but fortunately because I have been in the business for a while I have a pretty good sense of the market.

It's always interesting to see the effects of the economic turmoil as it effects our clients. I just received an email from a client who works in sales for a major hotel chain. She is really worried about her job and has wisely decided to hold off buying until she feels certain her job is not in danger. So sad! She has been saving her money for several years and taking good care of her credit so that she would be ready to buy. This would be the perfect time to buy—prices are low and rates are the best we seen in a while, but unfortunately she has no job security.

I have another client to whom I recently sold a great townhouse in Warwick Village. She has a secure job with the federal government. She tells me her friends are nervous about buying now. I’ve told her that the only people who should be nervous about buying now are those who need to worry about their jobs. On the other end of the spectrum I have a buyer who has been making a living as a day trader who got “caught” in last week’s market drop when his funds were frozen. Of course, the perfect house for him and his significant other came on the market. We can only hope that his funds become ”unfrozen” and the house remains on the market.

So here is my advice—if you have the funds and job security this may be one of the very best times to be buying property in our area. Don’t wait! The spring will likely bring a better market than we have seen in a while which means sellers will do better—not buyers!

Sue

Shopping Under the Stars

An evening filled with shopping, food, drink while walking down the historic streets of Old Town under the stars- what could be better?

Tonight, Wednesday September 24, the Old Town (Alexandria, VA) Boutique District is sponsoring an evening of shopping under the stars to celebrate the launch of their new website. http://www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com/

The shopping district offers a wide array of shops including those catering to fashion, shoes, beauty, jewelry, home, children, gifts, and maternity needs.

So come stop by the newly minted Old Town Boutique District from 5pm-8pm tonight! Check out the website for more information on the shops and upcoming specials.

Vote by Absentee Ballot- Save time and cut down on long lines!

Consider voting with an absentee ballot. Hundreds of thousands of new voters have registered in Virginia, and of course we want every one of them to vote---and everybody else. In the City of Alexandria alone, a record number of 72,000 voters are anticipated to vote this election.

If you have already decided whom you're voting for, voting via absentee ballot will free up space in the long lines at the polling places. We don't want anybody to turn away because there's a long line and they don't have time to wait to vote. Just call or email your county registrar or go to their website.

In Alexandria, the qualifications for absentee voting are as follows:

You commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open. (Take into account those days when traffic is heavy or the weather is bad and it takes longer than usual to get to and from work.) You are a caretaker for a confined family member.

You are unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability.

You will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of work, or school, or vacation.

To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit www.alexandriavoter.org and click on "Absentee Voting," or call 703.838.4050.

You can vote absentee in person at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office, 132 N. Royal St., or by mail. In-person absentee voting hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voting hours will be extended to 7:30 p.m. on the following weekdays: October 16, 20, 22, and October 27. The office will also be open for absentee voting on each Saturday in October and on Saturday, November 1. The deadline for voting absentee in person is Saturday, November 1, at 5:00 p.m.

If you wish to absentee vote by mail, download an application from www.alexandriavoter.org, or contact the Voter Registration Office to get an application mailed to you. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail or fax is Tuesday, October 28. The application must be received by the Voter Registration Office at 5:00 p.m. on that day. Absentee ballots by mail must be received by the Voter Registration Office on or before November 4, at 7:00 p.m. For more information, call Tom Parkins, Registrar of Voters, at 703.838.4050.

Featured Listing: 200 Pickett Street #304

Located in sought after Hallmark Building and conveniently located just off Duke Street with easy access to 395, Old Town, and metro this sizable condo has plenty to offer.

1200 square feet with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, seperate dining room, eat in kitchen and HUGE balcony!

The building, surrounded by plenty of open space and located across the street from a park, has a pool, tennis court, exercise room, large lobby, and party room. A metrobus also picks up directly in front of the building!

What more could you want?

http://www.suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90041042257

Please contact us or visit the above website for more information on this property!

Our Open Houses this Weekend

2661 S Walter Reed Drive #B.

Arlington, VA 22206.

$299,950

2BR

305 S. Royal Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

$674,900

3BR

2119 Marlboro Drive

Alexandria, VA 22304

$849,900

4BR

For directions & more information on these and our other listings, please visit our website:

www.suegoodhart.com

The "Proof" was in the food... and wine!

Marty and I tried a wonderful new restaurant in DC called Proof. It's located right across from the Verizon center and parking was easy with valet. We went with our friends Cindy and Bert Knotts to celebrate Bert's birthday. The name of the restaurant comes from a quote by Benjamin Franklin that "beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy". However, the restaurant takes its name from the understanding that Frankling meant wine, as he was known to be a wine aficionado as opposed to a beer drinker--and the wine certainly was great.

The atmosphere was casual, the service was good but boy hold on to your plate or they will wisk it before you are finished! I had the heirloom tomoato salad as an appetizer and Cindy and Marty had the beet salad. Burt went for the recommended Ahi Tuna as an appetizer. The choices for entries were nice—Marty had the Pennsylvania pork loin and it riveled the dish that he loves at his favorite NYC rest called Savann. I had the Halibut—wonderful! It was great fun to venture out of our beloved Alexandria and a good time was had by all.

Great place to visit in Washington, DC

If you have never been to the National Building Museum, you have missed a glorious experience! Awesome great hall with huge columns and many exhibits including a permanent exhibit called “Washington: Symbol and City”. Best gift store of any of the museums – especially during the holidays. Daily docent led tours at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30. Ongoing events such as the Building Zone for children ages 2-6 and “Green Community”. On Saturday, October 11th, you can participate in the Festival of the Building Arts with a nail driving contest, a construction vehicle petting zoo, a ballet featuring skid steer loaders plus glass designers, stone carvers and woodworkers. 10am-4:30pm at 401 F Street across from the Judiciary Square Metro stop. Stop in the Blueprints Café for lunch.

A great read from our past client Helen Cooper!

Just out! One of our clients has written a new book called “The House at Sugar Beach”. The author is Helen Cooper, a journalist for the New York Times and a local Del Ray resident. The book tells the story of Helen’s childhood in Liberia and the family’s escape to America in 1980 after a coup d’etat. Fascinating reading! Available on Amazon..

Let’s not use our homes as piggy banks

I often sit at the settlement table and am awed by clients who have stayed in their home, paid off their mortgages and walk away with a small fortune. We have all used our home equity as our “emergency fund” to buy cars, put kids through college and pay for home improvements. It will be tougher to do that now since prices have dropped and banks are stingier with their money. What is the alternative? Set up a savings account and fund it every month to be used for home repairs and home improvements.

Featured Listing: 2661 S. Walter Reed Drive #B

Welcome home to this 2BR condo at The Arlington- conveniently located down the road from Shirlington Village, and minutes to 395, DC and Alexandria. Nestled into a quiet courtyard, you'd never know you were minutes to it all!

The kitchen has been completely remodeled with all new appliances to open to the dining room, accomodate a pantry, extra counter and cabinet space. From the kitchen and dining area, walk out to an oversized balcony overlooking open space.

This beautifully maintained home also boasts living room with a fireplace and HUGE storage closet. You will also be impressed by the large windows providing tons of light throughout the home, laminate wood floors and the oversized closet in the master bedroom.

The bathroom has also been remodeled with extra cabinets, new tiling, and a large rainforest showerhead.

Please contact us or visit our website for more information on this property!

http://www.suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90020015467

Sunday, September 14th Open Houses

This weekend, we will be holding open the following properties. Please come by and visit us!

305 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

$674,900

3BR

2425 Phillips Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306

$469,900

5BR

2661 Walter Reed Drive #B, Arlington, VA 22206

$299,950

2BR

3001 South 6th Street, Arlington, VA 22204

$719,000

3BR

Please visit our website for more information on these properties!

www.suegoodhart.com

www.mcenearney.com

Alexandria Festival of the Arts

This Saturday, the Alexandria Festival of the Arts is scheduled rain or shine along King Street from Washington Street to the Potomac River. The annual festival is ranked by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the 100 best art shows in the United States! Come by on Saturday to view more than $15 million in paintings, life-size sculptures, handcrafted jewelry, photography, ceramics and much more from 200 of the country's top award winning artists. For more information, please visit http://visitalexandriava.com/press/releases

Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

Rain or Shine. Admission is Free!!

They Say an Apple a Day...

The heat and humidity typical of Washington summers is starting to die down as we head into the cooler fall months. If you are looking for a way to enjoy the cooler weather and escape for the day, consider exploring the countryside of Virginia by spending the day apple picking. You will have a great time- and maybe even keep that doctor away!

Here's a website with a great list of local "pick your own" apple orchards. Happy picking!

http://www.americantowns.com/va/alexandria/news/apple-picking-orchards-and-apple-farms-guide-for-alexandria-virginia-3795

Mortgage News!!

Just out on NPR – Interest rates have gone below 6% for the first time since 2005. No word on how long these rates might last so if you’ve been thinking about buying, now is the time. And if you’ve been thinking of selling, this news should certainly bring out more buyers.

Great Article for New Buyers!

Hi there- I just recently came across an article from The Washington Post that talks about buying in the current market. This is a great and informative read, especially if you are a first time buyer or haven't bought a property in the last three years! Please let me know if you have any questions about the article. Best, Sue.

Plenty to Coax Home Buyers Back To the Market
By Elizabeth Razzi
Sunday, September 7, 2008; Page F01

If you've been watching for the fleeting, best time to buy a home, this fall may be it, especially if you're a first-timer.

That's not because all is suddenly well with the housing market. It's not. But there are signs that things are starting to stabilize. Pair that with limited-time-only offers from the government, and this fall's market looks awfully tempting for buyers.

For example, even though the Federal Housing Administration recently boosted its loan limits to $729,750 in expensive areas such as Washington, it's going to take some of that back come Jan. 1, when the loan limit will shrink to $625,500.

Because it's one of the few remaining alternatives for buyers with low down payments, the FHA is a mainstay of the mortgage market now. It accounted for 29 percent of all applications accepted by lenders in July, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The FHA allows down payments of as little as 3 percent, but that will rise to 3.5 percent as of Oct. 1. If you're scraping dollars together for a down payment, try to set your closing for the end of this month.
If you're going to need an FHA mortgage from $625,500 to $729,750, start touring homes now, and make sure to close by the end of the year.

Also keep an eye on the expiration date for the new tax credit of up to $7,500 for first-time home buyers. It requires that you close on the home no later than June 30, 2009. That may seem like a long way off, but it will loom larger come spring, traditionally the busiest time for real estate sales.

It's reasonable to expect title companies, loan officers, home inspectors and others involved in real estate closings to be swamped as the deadline nears. Get your purchase contract signed -- and your loan application submitted -- no later than the end of May; earlier would be better.
This so-called tax credit will shave $7,500 off your federal tax bill due April 15. If you don't owe tax, you'll get the money as a refund.

But it's not exactly a tax credit; it's more accurately a no-interest loan because it has to be paid back to the IRS. After two years, you start to repay the money by adding $500 to each year's income tax bill. If you sell the home during the 15-year payback period, you have to pay the outstanding balance out of your sales proceeds. If you sell for a loss, the IRS will forgive the debt.
The payback requirement has drawn criticism and even some recommendations that buyers turn down the $7,500. But I see no need to abstain.

Here's why: Your tax situation is going to be changing so dramatically after becoming a homeowner that the payments on that tax credit/loan will simply add one more ingredient to a complicated soup. For most people, becoming a homeowner triggers their first need to move from simple, one-page EZ tax forms into the granddaddy Form 1040 that allows individual deductions, such as mortgage interest and property taxes.

New homeowners can get an immediate benefit from the credit -- and other tax breaks -- by filing a new W-4 form to have a smaller amount of tax withheld from their pay. When payback starts in two years, another slight adjustment to your W-4 would make payback relatively painless.

More cash in the paycheck can help new owners adjust to the myriad new expenses (tools, repairs, unexpected bills) that come with homeownership without resorting to expensive credit card debt.

If you haven't owned a home for three years (the government's definition of a first-time buyer in this case) and your income qualifies for the new tax credit, I say take it.

That is, take it, unless you're buying in the District. First-time buyers in the District can get a better deal -- a real $5,000 tax credit that doesn't have to be repaid. It's available to buyers with modified adjusted gross incomes of up to $90,000, or $130,000 for couples filing jointly. (The credit is reduced once income hits $70,000 for singles or $110,000 for couples.) And the "first-time buyer" definition is looser, too. It's a one-year restriction on prior ownership in the District, even if you have owned a home somewhere else for years.

The law says you can't claim both tax credits, so if I were a first-time buyer in the District, I would go with the smaller amount that doesn't require payback.

These government incentives happen to be peaking as we enter the second-busiest season for Washington area real estate, September and October. The pickings this fall are about as bountiful as they're going to get. Inventories remain swollen, and sellers still expect to pay buyers' closing costs or offer other incentives. But there are signs that inventories are starting to shrink, especially in Loudoun and Prince William counties, which have experienced some of the worst of the foreclosure crisis locally.

Consider recent inventory trends reported by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, the local multiple-listing service.

In July 2004, in the throes of the boom, homes were selling almost as fast as they came on the market. There were only 1.1 to 1.5 new listings for each sale throughout the area.

In July of 2006 and 2007, as inventories were building rapidly, that ratio of new listings to sales ballooned, peaking at 2.26 in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church; 2.77 in Loudoun County; and 3.15 in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.
That ratio now has shrunk significantly. In July, there were only 1.44 new listings per sale in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church; 1.35 in Loudoun; and 1.26 in Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The ratio remained more stable through boom and bust in the District and Montgomery County. In Prince George's County, however, where the bust hit later than in Loudoun and Prince William counties, the ratio rose in July compared with a year ago, with 2.79 new listings for each sale. That market isn't stabilizing yet. But things are looking promising elsewhere.

Featured Listing: 305 S. Royal Street

We have just put this lovely townhouse built in the late 1700's back on the market as it was off temporarily getting "spruced up". Some fresh coats of paint and new Berber carpet on the third floor are among some of the improvements made over the last couple of weeks.

Located in one of Old Town's premiere locations, you can walk to almost anything you can imagine, shops, restaurants, grocery stores, churches, and yes, even the Potomac River from this 3BR home. Don't feel like walking? That's just fine since there is OFF-STREET parking!!

Gorgeous, original hardwoods and crown and dentil moldings show off the charm of this cozy townhouse, while a bright updated kitchen, sunny bedrooms, dining room with french doors leading to a private brick patio and a third level with private bath are among some of the properties best features aside from the prime location.

Own a piece of history in one of the best locations Alexandria has to offer!

Today's Open Houses

Our apologies for the delay in posting our open houses for today- but we have three great properties open and we hope you will stop by and see us!

910 Prince Street- $1,298,800

2519 King Street- $999,999

2119 Marlboro Drive- $849,900

Please visit our website for more information and how to get to these great properties!

http://suegoodhart.com/

Featured Property: 910 Prince Street

Walk to everything from this stunning, historically accurate renovation in the heart of Alexandria’s historic district.

The original charm of this 1880’s residence has been preserved with restored, original heart pine floors and large wood trim, low profile windows. These original details elegantly combine with crown and chair rail moldings, high ceilings and gorgeous custom woodwork throughout the home.

The gourmet, eat-in kitchen has all of the latest updates and finishes including Subzero Refrigerator, Dacor Gas Range, Kitchenaid hood and dishwasher, tiled backsplash, recessed lighting, a built-in speaker system and new historically correct, true divided light windows. The main level also includes a living room with gas fireplace, formal dining room, powder room and cozy family room off the kitchen.

Upstairs a quaint sitting room, custom curly maple cabinetry, 2 bedrooms and the luxurious master bathroom with steam shower, claw foot tub, vessel sink and skylight add charm to the home’s upper levels.

Outside, you will find a brick patio, garden with a fountain and TWO off-street parking spaces!

Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of history- but with none of the hassle or headaches.

Please contact our office for more information on this amazing property.