April 2005 Article History

There are 10 articles published in April 2005. Here are the first 20:

April 19, 2005

Do you Yahoo? The Northern Virginia Real Estate Guide is syndicated and can be added to your news feeds on myYahoo. Here's how...

Find this button on our intro post or on the right side directory or use this one and Click It!

Comment on RSS Feeds on myYahoo. Follow this article is off. More articles like this one filed in: Blogging , Real Estate Technology

SOLD at $625,000. Elegant colonial on a corner lot in desirable neighborhood. Close to schools and Cascades shopping. Four bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, new kitchen appliances, family room with fireplace. 2 car garage. Porch front with stone. Priced to sell at $637,900. Another client using our SmartSeller^tm custom listing plan.

Here is a gallery of photos of this fabulous home. Note: click thumbnails on gallery page to view larger image.

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Off Market until spring 2006: What a unique property! Living here will make you feel like you are on vacation. 3000 sq foot post and beam log cabin nestled in the wooded hills of Haymarket on 10.5 acres. 3BR, 3BA, loft, finished walk-out basement, large deck and in ground heated gunite pool. 2 story great room, vaulted and beamed ceilings, modern kitchen. Built to entertain or just relax. Rustic, charm, secluded, new (built in 2000), wildlife, spectacular forest surrounds and peaceful are only a few of the words to describe this setting. Relax on a hot day in the pool alcove with umbrella, a cool drink and a good book. Great commuter location!

Call for more information or a private viewing at 703-771-2345 x315.

Offered at $749,900.

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Sold: 1.5 years young Gladwyne Carriage Home by Toll Brothers. Over 2600 sq. ft. of gracious living space. 3BR, 2.5BA, 1st floor master BR, loft, gourmet kitchen. All hardwood on 1st floor, designer tile kithchen floor, upgraded granite kitchen counters and cherry cabinet upgrade, added breakfast bar, custom lighting and many more designer options throughout. Marble surround fireplace. Backs to 11th tee on golf course. Extra easment space between buildings, 2 story living room.

Call for more information or a private showing: 703-771-2345 x315.

Offered at $609,900...

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April 18, 2005

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 Loudoun Habitat for Humanity dedicated it's newest home at 35231 Pennycress Lane, Middleburg, Virginia. This home now belongs to Chitonda Washington. Nearly 100 local guests attended the celebration including several Habitat board members, volunteers, sponsors and family and friends of Ms. Washinton. Pete Kanis, President of Loudoun Habitat served as the master of ceremonies. Guest speakers included Reverand Herman Nelson, Shilo Baptist Church; Bud Green, Habitat Construction Committee Chairman; Pamela McGraw (and Tony), Family Selection Committee Chairwomen; Stephanie Byers, Family Support Committee Chairwomen; Kim Hart, Windy Hill Foundation; and Darcy Justen, Interior design.

This was a great event - joyess, touching and appreciated by all. Affordable housing continues to be a problem in Loudoun County and Habitat is doing its part to find deserving individuals to provide the "Home of Dreams" at below market costs and attractive financing. This is real home ownership with payment obligations; not a give away!

Here is a gallery of photos of the event. Note: click thumbnails on gallery page to view larger image.

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April 17, 2005

If you don't know a REALTOR®, you don't have a lot of friends. In my area of the country, it is a raging seller's market. There are more agents than listings by a large factor. The local real estate association has nearly tripled membership in the last few years. It's a hot market and getting a piece of the action looks easy (getting a real estate license is quick and cheap). The result: there is an abundance of clueless people in this business that don't understand the business, are unprofessional and/or unethical. To highlight the point, The National Associations of REALTORS® (NAR) required all members complete an ethics course before the end of 2004. It's no wonder consumers are running away and fast...

Have you ever wondered what "cheap, full service realty" is all about? It's an oxymoron! Consumers are seeing how little work agents are doing and concluding that they are just as smart and can do it themselves. Many can and maybe should.

It appears many agents are over selling home values to secure a listing and then think an MLS listing, an open house and ad in the paper is all it takes and the buyers will come. And, we all know that open houses and print advertising is about getting more leads, not selling the house. Is our business really a commodity?

Here's a quote by Blanche Evans who is a noted columnist and writes for Realty Times: "With the real estate industry concentrating on liability instead of service, gradually dumbing down the actions that are necessary to warrant a license, more challenges are coming from brokers who want to provide as little service as an MLS-listing-only for the consumer, with no other support. Some new business models are providing advertising services with no need for licensure at all." Find the entire article "Why Commissions Are Falling" under our Real Estate, Favorites directory.

That's why we are taking a compromising approach: Our clients only pay for the services they need and they get experienced, superior, executive level services and representation. It's beginning to work as many of our clients want and need expert representation and a good understanding of what they really get for their money. We are an open book.

I had a cold call from a person a few weeks ago who asked about our SmartPlan™ programs. She simply wanted an MLS listing, yard sign, lock box and some fliers. I politely recommended that she seek out a firm that would provide only those services. They are all over the internet and for as little as $395. A little more if you want to talk to a genuine real estate agent by telephone. I explained that we would never give up our duty to any client to see a transaction to its successful conclusion. If it ever gets ugly, we will be named in the lawsuit as the listing agent regardless of any waiver or release of liability that a client might sign. We simply won't do business that way.

This is a relationship business. One built on trust by being competent and delivering on promises. I hope it stays that way.

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April 14, 2005

The Loudoun Habitat for Humanity board is developing the plan that will guide the organization for several years to come. This is an all-volunteer organization that secures property and funding to build houses for those in need through grants and donations. These are not giveaways! Recipients must devote time and energy assisting in home construction and then purchase the home at an affordable price and financing rates. It is real home ownership! And, in Loudoun County where affordable home ownership is rapidly disappearing, Habitat's service is growing more important.

Truly building a dream...

Pictured left to right: Pete Kanis, President; Bill Fox, Treasurer; Bud Green, Vice President; Tony McGraw, Planning; Pamela McGraw, Family Selection; Jeanette Newton, Secretary. Not shown: Dick Davis, Tony Hudimac and Debi McGhee.

Highlights of the plan...

Vision:
To eliminate sub-standard housing in Loudoun County and to provide a decent home in a decent community for God’s people in need.

Mission:
Enhance the quality of life of citizens in need by

resulting in the continuous growth of affordable homes available to partner families.

Critical Success Factors:

It has been a privilege to work with this fine group of dedicated people to help chart the course for the future. Anyone interested in learning more about Loudoun Habitat for Humanity or would like to explore volunteer opportunities can call 703-777-7884.

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April 9, 2005

I recently posted my article on buying new construction. The National Association of Home Builders publish many useful guides on buying new construction, custom build, remodeling and more. A good resource for the new home buyer!

Explore NAHB consumer resources here.

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April 4, 2005

VIRGINIA HOME SALES CONTINUE STRONG START

Richmond, Va.
March 25, 2005

Virginia home sales are on a strong track for the beginning of the year, with an increase of nearly 10% in pending transactions for February compared to one year ago, according to the VIRGINIA HOME SALES SURVEY, published by the Virginia Association of REALTORS®. In February, 10,703 homes were placed on the market, compared to 9,733 for the same period last year, an increase of 9.97%...

There is no question that housing is one of the soundest investments you can make,” said VAR President Tom Jewell of Leesburg. “We look for this year to continue to be strong, moving from a sellers' market to a more balanced marketplace toward the latter part of the year. Pricing a home correctly for sale continues to be the most important aspect of selling, and for that, you need to help of a professional. And with the relative scarcity of homes on the market, a buyer's agent can help search out the right home at the right price.”

Year to date, 20,212 homes have been placed on the market, nearly 6% more last year's 18,897. In February, 7,739 closings were reported, an 8.80% increase over last year's 7,113. Year to date, 15,558 transactions have closed, compared to 14,187 for 2004, a 9.66% increase.

The average time for homes on the market was 97 days, and the median sales price was $146,750, up 9% over last year's $134,238. Nationally, the median single-family home price was $188,200 in February, up 9.4 percent from a year earlier. The median is the midpoint, which is a typical market price where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less. The average price of a single-family home in Virginia in January was $238,906, up 25% over last year's average of $190,768.

Of the 22 areas of the state reporting, all but five reported increases in closed contracts for the month, with the largest increases seen in Charlottesville, Chesapeake Bay & Rivers, the Northern Neck, and Williamsburg.

With over 31,000 members, the Virginia Association of REALTORS® is the state's largest individual membership trade association. REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may only be used by those real estate professionals who subscribe to the REALTOR® organization's strict Code of Ethics, and who are members of the National, State and Local REALTOR® organization.

Download February Sold Data for Virginia.(pdf)

Download February Pending Data for Virginia. (pdf)

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April 2, 2005

Highlights form an article originally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More indications of change in our industry.

2/5/2005 | The Washington Post: "Realty Industry Feels Pressure"

"Home Buyers Demand Lower Commissions, Better Service"
As reported by Michele Derus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"...the $60 billion question: Can consumers force the residential real estate industry to be cheaper, faster and more transparent?"

"We've got a more focused consumer, and there's more focus on the consumer by alternative business models," Steve Ozonian, executive for Bank of America, said.

"Alternative business models will grow from 1% to as much as 14% by the end of the decade," said Steve Murray, editor of Real Trends."

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