A Washingtonian in Brussels

Le Pain Quotidien, a cafe on the corner of King and Washington Streets in Old Town, Alexandria (also in Georgetown and Bethesda) is quite the find. While there are plenty of great restaurant choices in Alexandria, this place offers something different- and is one of The Goodhart Group's favorite lunch haunts.

This restaurant, which originated Brussels and now is in several locations in 10 countries, is first and foremost about the bread. The founder believes he found the perfect recipe and we agree! The bread before the meal is enough to keep you coming back, while the tartine with chicken and mozzarella and the hummus platter are our particular favorites. If you are in the mood for a guilty pleasure, try the French Toast- it's so sweet you don't need syrup, but if you have an extra sweet tooth ask for it with agave nectar- its delicious.

While dining at this restaurant, you have your choice of seating. If you prefer to eat in privacy there are several small tables for 2 or 4. However, one of the more unique things about this restaurant is the large communal table in the forefront of the restaurant where patrons are encouraged to dine. This type of dining encourages intimacy and opens you to a new kind of eating experience.

If you like what you ordered, or don't have time to set down for a bite, don't worry! You can buy the breads and ingredients to take home since the restaurant also serves as a bakery and grocery for organic products such as breads, coffee, teas, chocolates and honey.

Here are the locations in our area:

Georgetown: 2815 M Street 202 315 5420
Alexandria: 701 King Street 703 683 2273
Bethesda: 7140 Bethesda Lane 301 913-2902

Guten Appetit!

http://lepainquotidien.com/

A Walk-Off Homerun for Real Estate Marketing

You hear it all the time. Real estate's favorite slogan: location, location, location. So today, with gas prices at record levels, what better location than one where you can walk to everything you need? A new website, http://www.walkscore.com/ allows you to look up the location of your house to see what you can walk to in your area. It will even give you a "walk score", which rates the walkability of your location.

This feature may be even more useful for buyers who are looking to move into a walk friendly neighborhood or city. You can look up different neighborhoods or specific addresses to see their walk scores, giving you a good idea of what your lifestyle would be like in that location.

Not in the housing market? You can use this feature too! Look up what restaurants, bars, movie theatres, grocery stores (and more) are within walking distance from your home, hotel or current location.

To see it in action, check out the link above or see how it works in the marketing of one of our current listings. http://mcenearney.com/search/listing.php?subloc=adv&listing_type=res&listing_key=10444400672&page=1&order_by=price_low_high&results_per_page=20&for_rent=0&for_sale=1&mls_id=&active=1&min_price=450000&max_price=950000&min_beds=&min_baths=&zip=&address=royal

And just in case you were wondering- all of The Goodhart Group and McEnearney Associates listings feature walk scores. Feel free to view our listings (listed further down the page on the right side of the blog) and their walk scores at http://www.mcenearney.com/. Just type in the address or price of the listing.

Happy walking!

Results Matter! McEnearney leads the pack in the Metropolitan Washington Area

In the first half of 2008, McEnearney Associates has surpassed the competition in the DC area by commanding the highest average sales price in the area, the highest percentage of list price to sales price, and the fewest average days on market. Therefore, not only are McEnearney agents getting properties sold, we are doing it faster and at a better price than the competition! This is especially impressive since generally speaking, more expensive properties take longer to sell and typically sell at a deeper discount to the original list price, making our feat even more impressive.

If you are looking to sell your home, trust the experts. Choose Sue Goodhart, the #1 top producing agent at McEnearney Associates to get the job done!

For the full report, or for help selling your home, please contact our office or McEnearney Associates. 703-549-9292. sue@suegoodhart.com

(This information is based on all home listings that went to settlement between January 1 and June 30, 2008 in Washington, DC, Montgomery County, Maryland, and in Virginia - Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park. Only those companies with at least 200 settled listings
were included. Data derived from the MRIS Multiple Listing System, and are believed reliable but not guaranteed. Some Re/Max, Keller Williams, Jobin, Fairfax Realty, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker offices are independently owned and operated.)

Featured Property: 2902 Adams Place

This adorable 3BR, 2 and 2 half bath cape cod is the epitome of the American dream home. Everything inside and out has been completely renovated creating a welcoming space for both living and entertaining.

The main level features an open floorplan with a stone fireplace and wide plank, red pine floors. A gorgeous state of the art kitchen with breakfast bar and table space looks over the oversized back veranda and large fenced backyard.

Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms, including the master suite with an incredible master bath. The walk-out basement is also impressive with a beautiful bathroom, a rec room featuring wall-to-wall carpets and a stone fireplace, and space for a home office.

Please contact us for more information on this gorgrous home. Also, feel free to visit the our website below to view more pictures and details on the home.

http://suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90005723744

"1776" Comes to Alexandria

This Saturday, July 26th the Tony Award-winning musical "1776" is set to premiere at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. The play, which will be running from this Saturday until August 23, shows audiences the struggles and triumphs of the members of the Continental Congress as they strive to create a new nation.

Come watch a part of history as you make it during the 75th season of "1776" at the Little Theatre.

July 26-August 23
600 Wolfe Street Alexandria, VA 22314
http://www.thelittletheatre.com/
703-683-0496

Something Old, Something New, and Something Chinese

For something new this weekend, get a bite to eat at PING by Charlie Chang in Shirlington Village. Many of you may remember the old Charlie Chang's. Well, its back better than ever. Same location- new menu, decor and attitude. The feel of the new restaurant is chic yet relaxed and the food is delicious- a big step above your standard Chinese fare. More good news- since it just reopened, the crowds have not yet mobbed the restaurant as often happens in Shirlington. So, stop by soon and check it out!

For more information, go to the website: http://www.charliechiangs.com/CCPing-AboutUs.htm

Good Real Estate News!

I know you all have been waiting to hear something good regarding Northern Virginia real estate for the first half of 2008 and here is some good information gathered by McEnearney Associates:

• We have had three consecutive months with an increase in contract activity when compared to the same month of the previous year.
• The overall supply of homes—the number of available homes divided by the number of homes going under contract is just 4.3 months, down from the 5.2 months one year ago.
• The supply of homes in each price category under $1,000,000 is five months or less.
• While average sales prices have fallen in every property type—condos, attached and detached homes—prices remain well above levels seen in 2004. Only those who purchased at or near the peak of the market and have to sell now are struggling.
• Mortgage interest rates remain at very attractive levels and that fact seems to be keeping some buyers “in the game”. Where prices have come down the most, buyers are lured by affordability.

There are areas of concern—higher priced properties are more likely to be taking it on the chin with much slower activity than lower price ranges. Condos are still having a tough time of it. In general, homes are taking longer to sell than last year and are selling at a deeper discount to original list price. However, I see this as the market getting back to the more normal cycles we saw in the earlier part of the decade.

I think this is a great time to by buying if it is your first time and a fabulous time for collecting some investment property. Who wants to put your money in the stock market when you can have a renter paying the mortgage on your investment? The rental market is really hot!

As always, please let us know if we can help you with any of your real estate needs.

Best,
Sue

House and Style Update: Green is the New Black

These days, everyone is talking about going green. To keep up with the times, increase the value of your home, stay healthy and do your part to save the world- you should think about greenifying your home! Making your home "green" can be costly in the short term-but it doesn't have to be.

There are plenty of little ways to go green with little effort and cost. Wrapping the water heater in a padding blanket keeps it from losing radiated heat and can be done at around $20. For $50, you can buy a water-heater timer that will shut down the water heater overnight. If you have ceiling fans, using them in both the summer and the winter will circulate the air from the furnace and the air conditioner- using less energy as a result. Not only do these changes help the enviornment but they will also save on your monthly utility bill! For a little more effort, but still low cost, using low- or no-VOC paints and finishes is also a good idea. It will even improve your health!

If you are willing to spend a bit more money to make your home green, putting in solar panels are the best way to do so. This is probably the most costly change you can make but it will pay off in three ways: an increase in the value of your home, a decrease in your utility bill, and a healthier home. Putting in energy efficient appliances such as EnergyStar rated appliances is another way to make a big difference. If you are installing a new furnace, make sure it has a high SEER rating to measure its energy efficiency. Our last suggestion is to put a rain barrell under your rain spout to collect water. This water can be used to water your plants and lawn.

Making your house earth friendly will pay off in the long run. It will make your home soar in value when it comes time to sell your home and you will be doing your part to work towards a greener planet. It's worth it!

Featured Property: 635 First St #405

Your life will be picture perfect living in this 2BR, 2.5 BA condo with 2 underground garage spaces. Conveniently located near plenty of restaurants and shops, this luxurious Old Town, Alexandria condo has it all.

Hardwood floors, recessed lighting and crown molding add polish to the large, spacious light-filled rooms. The living space includes an eat-in gourmet chef's kitchen, a formal dining room with Waterford crystal chandelier, den, and living room with French doors opening to a private balcony with treetop views. Each of the two bedrooms have their own private bath--the master suite complete with a luxurious soaking tub.

Move into perfection!

For more information, please contact our office at 703-549-9292 and ask for Sue Goodhart or visit the following link:

http://suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90010801953

Saturday is Caribbean Night at Historic Gadsby's Tavern

Spice up your Saturday night and choose from two flavors of margaritas while preserving a local landmark at Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society Caribbean Night. The evening will feature a silent auction that will benefit the preservation of the historic City Tavern ice well.

Not a member? No problem. While the cost is $30 for members, it is only $40 for non-members if you pay in advance and $50 if you pay at the door, but reservations are required!

Please call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org for more information.

Saturday, July 19th. 138 N. Royal St, Alexandria, VA.

Stargazing- Outside and On-screen at the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Alexandria

Friday-Saturday, July 18-19 – Comcast Outdoor Film Festival.

This weekend, the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival will sponsor free outdoor movies to benefit the Hopkins House, a local charity that provides education programs and services to children, youths, and their families.

Friday night: Bee Movie

Saturday night: Transformers

Both movies begin at 8:30 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Alexandria, VA.

For additional information, call Comcast at 703.567.4488 or the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686.

Featured Property: 2119 Marlboro Drive- $849,900

This lovely, center hall colonial has it all. You can't beat the location- just stoplights away from 395 and 495 and steps to Ft. Ward Park and Bradley Shopping Center- yet nestled in the quiet serenity of an intimate and peaceful neighborhood.

The floorplan was designed to impress with large, formal yet open rooms framed by new windows. The gorgeous eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, maple cabinets, stone tile backsplash and recessed lighting overlooks a large, picturesque fenced backyard. Upstairs, you will find 4 spacious bedrooms including an impressive master suite complete with a large bathroom and a sitting room. Last but not least, a 2 car garage and driveway complete the package. Have it all- for only $849,900! To see more photos of the home and for more information, please visit the following link or contact us for a showing! http://suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=10443887830

Sign of the times: Short Sales & Foreclosures

There is a lot of misinformation swirling around about short sales and foreclosures. The current state of the economy and its impact on the housing market has led to many foreclosures and short sale offerings. Often, the general public (and some real estate agents too) are unaware / uninformed about how foreclosure sales and short sales are negotiated and ultimately brought to settlement.

Q: What is the difference between a short sale and foreclosure?
A : A foreclosure occurs when a property owner has stopped paying their mortgage and the lender (mortgagee) has taken formal steps to reclaim the property and evict the borrower (mortgagor). After this process has occurred the bank can then sell the property to a new buyer.

A short sale occurs when a seller / owner must sell their home but will not net sufficient proceeds to pay off the existing mortgage/s. The seller must inform their lender of their situation and hardship(ie: divorce, job loss, transfer etc) to explain why they must sell their home now and why they can not afford to re-pay their loan. The “short sale” property is then listed typically at a “below market” price in order to trigger an offer.


Q: Sounds like a deal- What’s the catch?

A: The short sale properties or those listed price/terms “subject to third party approval” often have little or no chance of making it all the way to settlement. Sellers may perceive a short sale as an opportunity to get out of a mortgage they can no longer afford. Prospective buyers think there is the opportunity to get a “great deal”. However, this is often not the case.

Sellers may not realize that the bank may require them to liquidate retirement accounts or other assets in order to pay off the loan rather than approve a short sale. Buyers don’t realize that they may be tied to a property awaiting approval from the bank that may never come. The banks are not in business to lose money. In certain cases after the seller has accepted a purchaser’s offer the bank will respond (sometimes weeks later) that the offer is too low and will not be approved. This reopens the entire negotiation.

A property that has been foreclosed on is often in less than pristine condition. If one is unable to make timely mortgage payments it is likely he or she hasn’t been maintaining the home in top condition. Truly a Buyer Beware situation- considering the bank is most likely to offer the property in AS IS condition!


While some short sales do actually make it to the settlement table they are not without risk and there is a lot of concomitant frustration! Before getting in the foreclosure / short sale game you need an agent with experience in navigating the process. We have experience helping our clients find the properties that have a chance to actually be sold. Give us a call to help you in your quest for a “deal” that really is a deal. Not one that merely appears to be based on the list price!

Client Praise for Sue Goodhart

Here is a snippet from an e-mail we recently received from a past client now living in Kansas City...

"We are selling our house and moving yet again, although this time just a few miles away. We've really had to prod our real estate agent to get aggressive about selling the house we're in right now, and as we closed the door behind her after we met with her yet again Tyler said, 'Ugh, I wish we had Sue Goodhart again. We need another Sue Goodhart!' "

Please let us know what we can do to help you buy or sell in the Washington, DC area!