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Thank you for visiting our blog.  We have a new and cutting edge website where our blog is being hosted now.  Check it out at:

http://www.brockrealty.com/category/blog/

Should I Take My Home Off The Market During The Holidays?

If your home listing period happens to flow into the holiday season because of circumstances,  you may wonder if you should temporarily take it off the market.  
And you look at your holiday calendars you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded by enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?


But wait! We tell our clients, "The house sure isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things."
"The holidays can be the best-selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses."
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

• Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. 
• Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.
• Relocating families often don't have a choice in when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68 percent of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either before the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
• At Christmastime, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.
• When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.
• With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if your marketed your home during a busier time of the year.
• If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice generally 30-60 days after ratification. 

Appraisal v. Assessment

Folks, we all want to be experts in real estate and know what were talking about at the cocktail party. And we all certainly want to make a "good deal"......But an assessment isn't the same as an appraisal.

Check this out..... Client says to me "....it's such a good deal, (the property) is priced $90,000 less than the assessment!"

I hear this about two dozen times a year. And while a property listed for sale $90K below the assessment may very well be a "good deal", it might not be. Here is why:

An "Assessment", or Real Estate Tax Assessment is issued on all real estate property in respective Counties/Municipalities. The County DOES actually have its own County staff appraisers watch over neighborhoods and help assign values and utlimately put a number to the assessments on all of the real estate- but this happens only once a year! And the County Staff we all know doesn't go inside every single house, every year! The appraisers try to keep up the market the best they can. I'm sure its a tough job, but because of the sheer numbers of properties out there.....assessments by nature can't possibly be as accurate or reliable as a private appraisal. Not only that, if an assessment value is placed on a property in March, and its used as a point of reference in November....the market most likely has changed.  

A real estate appraisal, by a professional appraiser will give you a more accurate number of what the home is worth.  The appraiser is going into homes each and every day and will let all parties know the most accurate value.

If you really are looking for a good deal, work with a great Realtor who can negotiate an excellent price and terms.  

5 Kernels of Corn Story and Traditions during Thanksgiving

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, take a few moments to separate five kernels of corn for each person at the table. Take a few moments and give thanks for your blessings for each of the kernels.

Also, you could give children and bag with 5 candy corn in it tied with a nice  ribbon as a tradition to remember the story during Thanksgiving.  

To learn about why this tradition is done, read on!

Most of us are familiar with the story of the first Thanksgiving in 1621. We are far less familiar with the period the Pilgrims called the "starving time." Following the Thanksgiving celebration that we are familiar with, the Pilgrims continued to struggle with provisions. The general food rations continued to decline through the winter of 1622. The Pilgrims put much of their hope in the Fall harvest of corn but it was a dismal failure.

At one point during 1623, rations were a few grains of corn each day. The Pilgrims were surviving on just five kernels of corn a day. As Spring came and the planting time for the corn crop, a boat was fitted with some fishing gear to catch fish for the colony. There was some success with fish and clams. The Pilgrims planted corn and hoped for a bountiful harvest.

Sadly, a severe drought struck the area and soon withered the corn crop. The Pilgrims held a prayer service to ask God for rain. The prayers were answered the next day in gentle showers that occurred off and on for two weeks. The corn revived and the crop spared. Later that same month another ship of colonists arrived with people and provisions. The harvest of 1623 was the best yet in Plymouth and gave hope that they would never face starvation again.

The tradition of giving five kernels of corn began with the celebration of Forefather's Day on December 22, 1820. There were two main reasons for the five kernels. The first was to remember the sacrifice and the suffering of the Pilgrims. The second was to count their blessings.

Today, the five kernels of corn is a way to remember to the sacrifices of the past and to be thankful for our blessings. There are several traditions with this celebration. The modern celebration is to give thanks for one blessing with each kernel of corn. The more traditional method had a specific pattern.

The first kernel was thanks for the Autumn beauty. The second kernel was to give thanks for loving one another. The third piece of corn was in thankfulness for their family.  The fourth was in thanks for friendship. The fifth and final kernel was in gratitude for the freedom that they found in America.

Natural Elements by Ashley

As a local business we take pride in supporting other local businesses so we will be featuring them here so that you can learn about and support them and find unique items and services you won't find anywhere else!

We're excited to bring you our first feature from a dear real estate client of ours, Ashley Callen who just launched Natural Elements by Ashley. (We really do have the coolest most interesting and awesome clients around!)

Natural Elements by Ashley is a source for naturally shed decorative antlers.  Each room needs a natural element, whether it's a seagrass rug, a plant, or antlers! 

You can see her work and pieces for sale at www.etsy.com/shop/naturalelementsbyash

Ashley also has a blog that covers more than just antlers including people, things to acquire and places to visit in Washington, D.C. metro area.  Check it out at www.naturalelementsbyashley.com

Rental Market Pros and Cons

In a new ranking, Arlington ranked as one of the top 10 cities with steepest rent increases last year. This is not so good for renters but pretty darn good news for investors.  The rental market is booming in our area.  Rent is up an average of 2.3% this year and more in some areas.  Not everyone wants to be a homeowner, but renters are facing a squeeze. With mortgage rates historically low and home values slow to recover, in many cities, the cost-benefit analysis is shifting toward buying. Jobs are plentiful and people continue to relocate to the area.  With less supply of rental housing available in the near term, rental rates will continue to remain strong in the years ahead.  Trulia rated the DC metro area in the 'better to buy than rent category'. The index calculates the price-to-rent ratio using the median list price for two-bedroom properties compared with the median rent for two-bedroom apartments, condos and townhomes. So what does all this mean for you? If you are a renter, you should strongly consider buying while rates are low.  If you are an investor, consider buying as rates are incredibly low and the rental market will continue to remain strong in this area.    (We've helped our clients do both this year!)

Latest Kitchen Design Trends

It's the busiest room of the house, where families eat, entertain, and play. This is why today's kitchen is getting a facelift. The kitchen is the center of activity for families.  With the popularity of open floor plan designs the kitchen - more than ever before - has evolved into the most important part of the family's communal space. In the past, home design was driven by practicality, but now homeowners want function and design to meet - and it starts in the kitchen. Latest trends: Islands: These multi-functional spaces are perfect for informal meals, working on homework, and even family craft and art projects. In order to keep these spaces looking their best, for both personal enjoyment and resale, it's important to keep them clutter free. Color & Appliances: Kitchen design has gone two-tone! The newest emerging trend is for two-tone and contrasting colors on cabinets, counters, and even appliances. PulteGroup is rolling out new Black Ice and White Ice appliances offered by national partner Whirlpool. The new appliance designs are the outcome of extensive consumer research showing kitchens are trending toward more timeless, contemporary styling. Storage: Can you ever have enough storage? For most families the answer is no. That's why its important to maximize the use of all storage areas. Adding larger, deeper drawers, pop-up cabinets for heavier kitchen appliances (e.g. mixers), vertical pull-out drawers for large trays, and even shallow storage compartments in previously wasted areas under the sink or stovetop are great suggestions. Finishes: Every few years, it seems, finish trends change in homes and kitchens across the nation. What was once in is now passe. Just consider the avocado appliances or country blue counters of yesterday! Emerging trends are: Tile with natural-looking materials and larger formatted designs Glazed cream colored cabinets Painted cabinetry in grey tones Contrasting wood floors Larger islands that serve as nook spaces Contemporary cabinet hardware Quartz solid surface manufactured surfaces - "they are becoming favored as much as granite and are expected to continue to gain popularity" If you're interested in contractors to help you achieve a renovated kitchen with the latest design trends we've got their contact information to pass along.  Give us a ring!

It's Buying Time!

If you've got the income. If you've got plenty of tenure on the job. If your credit is solid. If you can otherwise pass muster at the mortgage loan desk. If it's cheaper for you to buy than it is to rent.

Yes, there are lots of "ifs," but it's one of the best times in America to buy a home. And it won't last forever.

We're seeing first time home buyers finally coming to the realization that buying a home now is the best time ever.  As we move into the Winter months with a generally 'slower' market we will have to see if the historical markers hold true this year with interest rates as low as rates were back in the 1970's!

Many investors are seeking second and third properties to add to their portfolios.  Even vacation homes are seeing a boost in sales at this time.  Our first time buyer clients are able to 'move up' to a larger home.

If you've come to the realization that this is a time for you to buy and want to talk about more details on how we can help you assist you in your goals, don't hesitate to contact us.

Knock, Knock, Knocking on Your Door!

Your home's front door is the portal to your domain. What color you give it says a lot about what visitors can expect, from a warm welcome to a cold rejection. While the entire exterior color scheme has meaning, the color of paint on the front door is key. Like a necktie, which is the focal point of an outfit, the front door is the focal point of the home. The color there sends a strong message. Blue: Rest Stop - Behind the blue door is an owner who thinks first of the home as a refuge - calm, serene, and relaxing, the perfect retreat from an often harsh and demanding world. Green: Peace Conservatory - Green connotes health, safety, tranquility, and harmony, all highly desirable attributes for the home environment. Black: Power Center - A black front door projects strength, sophistication, power, and authority, indicating to all who enter or even passersby that the home is a serious place inhabited by a person of substance. Red: Passion Palace - A color with punch, red is vibrant, full of life, energy and excitement. Here's an exciting place to live. Brown: Holistic Home or Dark Dungeon - Painted or stained brown says "natural" and "organic" and feels warm, stable and reliable. However, darker shades can be foreboding, signaling a desire for privacy or isolation. If you've chosen the color for your front door, perhaps that's the way you want it and you viewed. If you inherited the color, maybe it's not sending the right message. Repainting your portal is a quick and easy task that can change minds.

Housing Confidence

While conditions continue to show signs of improvement, favorable mortgage rates are helping housing market confidence amongst consumers. According to Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey for August, 35% of survey participants expect home prices to rise over the next year. Consumer attitudes, while stabilized, increased from August 2011. When asked about mortgage rates, 40% of consumers expect low  rates are too good to last and will rise within the next 12 months. The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Market Index reported that a net total of 19 housing markets were added to the list. To be included in the Improving Markets Index 3 increases must take place: the number of housing permits, employment and home price appreciation. According to CoreLogic, a mortgage and research analytics firm, home prices for July rose 3.8% above last year and is the largest annual gain in six years. Housing affordability continues to be high as low mortgage rates have continued and housing prices are still below their peak reached several years ago. FreeRateUpdate.com's survey of wholesale and direct lenders shows that mortgage rates stayed firm this past week with 30 year fixed mortgage rates at 3.375%, 15 year fixed mortgage rates at 2.750% and 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates at 2.125%, available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee provided borrowers have good credit. Home purchase loans and traditional mortgage refinances require full documentation for employment, income and credit, all of which will be verified by the lender.

Townhouse For Sale Stoneleigh of McLean

Bret and Deanne offer another great new listing! In the heart of Mclean....Open this Sunday,(7/22) from 1-4pm!
If your looking for a spacious move-in ready townhouse, in a sought after McLean community, look no further!

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7009-Alicent-Pl-Mc-Lean-VA-22101/51755890_zpid/

Arlington County Board Approves Increase In Standards for Green Building

A topic that is close to my heart.  I'm glad to see Arlington making progress here on the East Coast!

“Our Green Building Program is a voluntary program that is unique to Arlington,” said County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “This update makes our program even better — providing incentives that will help keep Arlington a regional and national leader in green building and energy efficiency while helping owners and tenants save money through reduced energy costs.”

See the complete article here:
http://www.arlnow.com/2012/06/18/board-approves-increase-in-standards-for-green-buildings/

Adorable Rambler For Sale in North Arlington

Inviting bright front door!

Great home with three bedrooms and four baths only three lights to DC on a quaint and quiet cul-de-sac in the Dover neighborhood of North Arlington.   The main level boasts an updated kitchen leading to a dining and living room with an attached sunroom that provides loads of sunlight all day. The master addition is a retreat with it's own sitting area and private screened porch.  It has a large master bath with double sinks and large walk in shower.  The home also boasts three additional totally renovated baths!  The lush backyard provides a private oasis of it's own with mature trees and plantings and a landscaped sitting area in the center.   Please call or email us if you would like to see this home.  Move in ready!  It is currently listed for $769,000.
Click the following URL to see the listing:
http://mrislistings.mris.com/DE.asp?k=1934600XCKVX&p=DE-170264366-66

Great Falls Estate Just Listed

This home just listed by The Brock Team is one of the most unique and grand homes available for acquisition in Great Falls.  The detail and craftsmanship that have gone into the woodwork, hand-painted details and stonework are unsurpassed. The salt water pool and grounds are lavish and lush.  The home is made of old Virginia brick that is not commonly found nor easy to acquire.  The upgrades are of the highest quality including almost 6 figure chandelier and custom carpets throughout unlike any other. The unique touches that have been added to this home numbers in the hundreds of thousands and has been cared for with the utmost attention.  The home also boasts a five car garage.  This magnificent home is being offered for $3,400,000.

 http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=1913791XONMJ&p=DE-166180457-825

Green Pig Bistro in Clarendon

Monday night was my birthday so naturally we take the family out for dinner at a happening new restaurant in Clarendon called The Green Pig Bistro.  The name sounded family friendly and perfect for a casual gathering.  Upon arrival, we realized this establishment was a bit more happening and upscale than we gathered from the name.  Luckily we decided to have a go at it with a two year old that hasn't grasped the concept of 'sit still' yet along with his older siblings of 5 and 7.
The finishes and decor are a 10 and despite the modern and swank feel, the open kitchen and main open table seating made for a perfect balance. The colorful cooking dishes on the shelf ranging in all colors of the rainbow were quite remarkable.  Now onto the food,  quite interesting including one with pig ears and rabbit cake. These were the most interesting choices. But on a whole the food was quite fresh and well rounded.  We ordered sides including bread buns, macaroni and cheese, french fries and mashed greens for the kids.  Adults had the Rockfish. It's definitely a higher priced establishment with entrees in the $20-30 range but well worth a night out casual or fancy.  This place supports either really.  That's the beauty of the space.
Scot Harlan the owner is also the pastry chef who has studied with famed chefs such as Gordon Ramsay.  It's a great little place locally owned and not run by a corporate entity.  Let's support the little guys out there (including Brock Team of Brock Realty!) that make Arlington so special and unique!  Check it out at 1025 N. Fillmore Street.  Next time, we will have to try dessert when the little one can sit still for more than 10 minutes!