DC's District Sample Sale

You can now buy tickets for the March 29^th District Sample Sale, a night of designer bargain shopping. 6:30-9:30 for regular folk and at 5:30 for premium ticket buyers. 2101 L Street, NW.  districtsamplesale.com.

Bye Bye Birdie at SSSAS

Oldie but Goodie: “Bye Bye Birdie”, a glorious old timey musical, will be presented at St. Stephens St. Agnes March 4, 11 and 12 at 7:30 and 3/5 at 2. ssas.org/arts.

Free Pancakes!

Free pancakes March 1^st at your local IHOP.  They’d appreciate a donation to Children’s Miracle Network in “payment”.  www.ihoppancakeday.com for the closest location to you.

Where's my car?

There you are at Tyson’s and you cannot remember which garage you parked in.  Whip out your IPhone, iPad or iPod touch and tap once when you park.  The next time you start up, you’ll have walking directions.  Free app at iTunes.com.

Sing along

Arlo Guthrie appears at the Birchmere in Alexandria March 5^th at 7:30.  And catch BoyzIIMen the 13^th.  www.birchmere.com.

Want to learn how?

Cooking classes at Hill’s Kitchen on the Hill (natch!)- events@hillskitchen or Sur La Table – March 1^st is French Bistro cooking at Pentagon Row in Arlington.  For other classes, go to Surlatable.com.

For families

Saturday, February 26^th, visit Family Day at the National Museum of Natural History where kids can make stamp art, enjoy the orchid exhibit and even plant an orchid! 11-3, 10^th and Constitution.  www.mnh.si.edu.

Theatre & Opera

Edward Albee

Plays by the master of repartee will be presented at Arena Stage.  “At Home At The Zoo” February 25-April 24^th and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” February 25^th-April 10^th.www.arenastage.org.

 

Opera!

One of the world’s most beloved operas, “Madama Butterfly” returns to the Kennedy Center February 26^th to March 19^th. It’s the story of an American Navy officer who makes a lovely Japanese woman his temporary butterfly but abandons her when he leaves Japan. www.dc-opera.org.

Sneak Peak - DC Cupcakes!

The 2^nd Season for  the reality show about Georgetown Cupcakes entitled “DC Cupcakes” premieres tomorrow!  Here is a sneak peak…

Laugh a lot

Fiery comic Kathy Griffin appears at the Kennedy Center giving her stand up routine February 25^th.  www.kennedy-center.org.

Fashion Week in Washington

A collection of old Hollywood styles will be shown Friday, February 25^th at Mood Lounge (www.moodlounge.com).  On Sunday, International fashion show at the Embassy of France  from 6-8:30 (dcfashionweek.org).

The Oscars

See all 10 Best Picture nominees at AMC Loews in Shirlington – 10 a.m. to 7 a.m. February 26-27!   amctheatres.com

 

 

Attend a black tie viewing of the Oscar presentation at the National Museum for Women in the Arts benefiting the American Red Cross. Open bar and hors d’oeuvres and pricey but glitzy.

Secrets for First Time Homebuyers

This is a great article from Trulia with some “secrets” for first time homebuyers that can apply to those who have bought and sold before as well!

http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2011/02/surprising_insider_secrets_for_the_5_stages_of_buying_your_first_home?ecampaign=anews&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Ftaranelson%2F2011%2F02%2Fsurprising_insider_secrets_for_the_5_stages_of_buying_your_first_home

Secrets for First Time Homebuyers

This is a great article from Trulia with some “secrets” for first time homebuyers that can apply to those who have bought and sold before as well!

The Artisphere

Have you been to see Arlington’s newest arts venue?  “Juno and the Paycock”, Sean O’Casey’s tragedy about an Irish family will be performed February 17^th through March 20^th.  Saturday matinees, pay what you can.  www.shakespeare.org.

11201 Gunston Video Tour - Luxury Waterfront Living

President's Day Weekend in Alexandria

President’s Day weekend means more than just a day off of work and school in Alexandria!

Click here to hear about the spirit of the weekend in our city & how it impacts the Spring real estate market:

Love the Title!

“Gnomeo and Juliet” features the adventures of garden gnomes in 3-D in a sort of Shakespeare Cliff Notes film.  At Hoffman Center in Alexandria and at Tyson’s among other theaters.  Text “Gnome” and your zip code.

Want to freshen up your home?

Visit the Sample Sale February 17-19 at the Washington Design Center.  Furniture, Lighting, rugs, fabric and accessories.  Washingtondesigncenter.com.

The Goodhart Report - Market Outlook 2011

The Goodhart Report

Market Outlook for 2011 - A Matter of Perspective   "Call it befuddling and confusing...continuing low interest rates...the threat of what might be part of the overhaul of the federal tax system and the deductions for interest payments on the principal residence..." These comments certainly apply to our market today - but they were culled from the opening two paragraphs of a "State of the Real Estate Market" article in The Gazette Newspaper on October 16, 1986. But in 1986, the "low interest rates" referenced were hovering at 10%. It really is a matter of perspective. We expect 2011 to look a lot like 2010 in terms of the overall numbers of sales. There remains modest downward pressure on home prices in some areas but generally, the Washington, DC metro area is in one of the most enviable positions in the country. Predicting the spring market compared to 2010 is challenging. However, with no homebuyers' tax credit this year to spur action, it is reasonable to expect that this spring will be slower than last year. On the flip side, we expect a stronger summer and fall this year. Be prepared for some negative national housing reports if they are comparing month-over-year. The sky isn't falling - there's just a different horizon. Remember that real estate "markets" are LOCAL - the national reports don't mean much and our local reports are looking more positive than they have in the past several years. If one defines "recovery" as at least modest price appreciation and a relative balance in supply and demand, we expect the overall market to move toward recovery by the end of this year. Some areas are already there, but it's going to take a little while longer for things to improve significantly across the board.   So why do we feel this way? On the downside, people don't buy homes when they are uncertain about their own individual circumstances, and until the national economic forecast is more heartening, many potential homebuyers will remain cautious. With the possibility of still-lower home prices in some areas, even serious buyers are trying to calculate which is more likely - a further drop in home prices or a rise in mortgage interest rates. On the plus side, we have the best regional economy and the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Every jurisdiction in our area has an unemployment rate under 5%. Interest rates are low and are likely to stay at, or under, 5% for the next several months. From a historical perspective - witness the "attractive" 10% rates of 1986 - this is almost like giving money away to those qualified to buy. Combined with lower housing costs over the past several years, this makes homes more affordable than any time in the last decade. And, we haven't been affected by foreclosures here as many other areas have been. The problem isn't resolved - it just isn't likely to be as tough here as most other places. And despite all the roller coaster news on housing these days, many sellers are successfully selling properties and many buyers are finding attractive opportunities to own a home, taking advantage of today's buying power. Additionally, we are encouraged by the strong increase in activity in our area during the first few weeks of the year (both in terms of contracts and in sellers wanting to put their homes on the market), suggesting that a recovery here may be well on its way.   View the complete MarketWatch on My Website Today!

Figure Skating

Disney  Princess Wishes on Ice at Verizon Center February 16-21.  Tinker Bell is a special guest!  www.disneyonice.com

Starting Young

Take the kids to the National Building Museum for Discover Engineering Day Saturday, February 19^th.  Learn about the science of popcorn, build a Lego city and work on scout badges plus more!.  10 am to 4:30 pm.  www.nbm.org.

Remember Herb Alpert?

Appearing with his wife, Lani Hall, at the Birchmere February 16^th at 7:30.  He was the trumpeter with the Tijuana Brass in the 60’s.  www.birchmere.com.

Brunch flicks

Sundays enjoy brunch with showings of favorite animated films at EatBar in Arlington beginning at 11.  www.eat-bar.com

Not your same old date

Try bowling (duck pins)  at White Oak Lanes in Silver Spring or Bowl America (cosmic bowling) in Falls Church.  www.whiteoaklane.  Bowl-america.com.

I Love The Goodhart Group Contest

Wow!  We received so many great e-mails showing us your love - we had to pick more than one winner (though only one person won the grand prize - $100 to Restaurant Eve)! 

 

To see the winners & what they won, please click here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/suegoodhart#p/a/u/0/5a_cHl4UQCY

 

Also, please take a look at the youtube video we created with all of our lovely valentines! We would love for you to take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/user/suegoodhart#p/a/u/0/qDK9R7yBQj4

 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the I Love The Goodhart Group Contest.   Our relationships with our clients are special and we could not be more pleased with the response from this contest.  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

For Men Only

Cooking class at DC Coast (includes lunch and wine) from 11-1 teaching a three course meal with decadent dessert.  Contact Jillian at passionfoodhospitality.com for a reservation.

Port City Playhouse

They have moved to a new Alexandria site from the Lee Center to 1819 N. Quaker Lane.  Check www.portcityplayhouse for times and plays.

Moving?

Transfer all cable services to your new home at www.cablemover.com.  You can sign up in advance for package deals with a cable provider that services your new area and have cable tv, internet and phone service hooked up when you move in.

Bored and tired of winter??

 Make-a-Snowflake game:  snowflake.bhg.com.

Rather than candy or flowers

Visit Sunset Hills Vineyard (sunsethillsvineyard.com), Breaux Vineyards (breauxvineyards.com), Gray Ghost (grayghostvineyards.com) for special Valentine’s Day festivities or attend the Virginia Wine Showcase at Westfields Marriott at Dulles February 12^th.  Cooking demos and wine tasting.

New Youtube Channel!

The Goodhart Group is proud to announce the start of our very own YouTube Channel!  Take a look at our new channel and a video of our newest listing 615 Melrose Street in Alexandria by clicking here: 

We encourage you to take a look and let us know other types of videos you would like to see us post. We always appreciate your feedback!

Tunes

The Alexandria Symphony performs a Valentine’s Day concert every year and this year, it’s Saturday, February 12^th at 8 at Schlesinger Hall.  Hear Mozart, Rossini and Dvorak.  www.alexsym.org. 

Eat, Drink and be Merry!

At the Ronal Reagan Building, visit the 12^th Annual International Wine and Food Festival February 10-13.  Wine and food tastings!  Wineandfoodc.com.  Top Chef cooking demos.

Have you ever visited....

...the Kreeger Museum – a fabulous modern home in DC/Palisades?  Right now the feature exhibit is “20 Washington DC Artists”  The museum is famous for its collection of Impressionists as well.  Kreegermuseum.org.

Sipping time

Wednesday, February 9^th, taste Chilean wines at the Lee-Fendall House Museum in Alexandria at 7:30.  www.leefendallhouse.org.

Plan Ahead

For those fans of the movie “Best in Show”, plan to go to the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden February 14-15.  www.westminsterkennelclub.org.

Beyond the Horizon

Here’s your chance to check out one of Arlington’s best kept secrets – American Century Theater with performances at Gunston Arts Center.  This Eugene O’Neil play runs through February 12^th.  www.americancentury.org

Old Things

38^th annual Antiques Show at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria February 5-6.  www.dfshows.com

Favorite Son

Alexandria always celebrates the month of February with a plethora of George Washington themed events.  February6-12, restaurants will feature original cherry recipes; winners will be announced at the annual Washington Birthday Parade February21st.  From the 19^th to the 21^st, Mt. Vernon will be celebrating with free admission on the 21^st. http://oldtownalexandria.patch.com/articles

Flicks

The AFI kicks off a two month series commemorating the anniversary of Ginger Roger’s birth. www.afi.com/silver.  First film is “Flying down to Rio”.

Rare chance to hear

Ruth Bader Ginsburg interviewed by Nina Tottenberg at 7 February 3^rd at Lisner Auditorium.  www.smithsonianassociates.org

For fashionistas!

 February 5^th from 9-4 at the Masonic Memorial across from King Street Metro, shop at a sale featuring boutiques from across the area.   Show up early to beat the crowds.  ww.oldtownboutique.com

Year of the Rabbit

Celebrate Chinese New Year February 3^rd by wearing red, eating dumplings and cleaning your house from top to bottom.  Watch the popular dragon parade in Chinatown February 6^th fro 2-5 (H St. between 6^th and 8^th – Gallery Place Metro)  dc.about.com.