Are You Interested or Interesting?
June 26th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
A friend of mine remarked one time that people tend to be either INTERESTING or INTERESTED. Now personally, I don’t think I am very interesting.
I know my business, follow market trends, read constantly, am up to date on local and world events, can talk a blue streak about sports, love my family and friends and love selling real estate – but I just don’t know how ‘interesting’ that is. In fact, I don’t think anyone is ever going to walk away from a party saying, “I just met the most interesting guy.”
On the other hand, I am totally INTERESTED. I am interested in everything about other people – where they went to school, how they got to Northern Virginia, the ages of their children, where they live, their hopes and dreams, what they are reading, where they go on vacation, etc.. etc.
Interested or Interesting?
I talk to grocery store cashiers and bag boys, my barber (although that is a very short conversation), anyone with a dog, neighbors, strangers in the coffee shop, the fellow behind the deli counter, policemen, folks at the gym, the fellow seated next to me at a baseball game, visitors at church – well, you get the picture.
What do my clients say? As long as it’s “professional, knowledgeable, reliable, responsive, honest and totally willing to go the extra mile” – well, I’m happy to settle for not being ‘interesting’.
INTERESTED in knowing more about the real estate market in Northern Virginia and how I can help you find that perfect house?
Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s have an INTERESTING conversation!
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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Northern Virginia Mortgage Report for June 25
June 25th, 2012 Categories: Mortgage Update, Real Estate News
From Rob Clark our go-to-mortgage guy:
Rob Clark Preferred Mortgage
Europe is the dominant factor these days for the outlook on the economy and US interest rates. On Thursday and Friday there is another EU summit meeting scheduled.
The question on everyone’s mind is will there be any significant progress to develop a long range plan to boost the EU economies and support the weakening banking sectors?
The key points of data this week are May new home sales and personal income and spending, the June consumer confidence index, durable goods orders, and weekly jobless claims.
We will also be getting the Chicago purchasing managers index for June and the final University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. Whew! Lots of heady stuff there.
Mortgage interest rates, along with the 10 yr note have traded in a narrow range for the last few weeks and what comes out of Europe this week will continue to impact interest rates. Any significant relaxing of the fear factor will likely work against the bond market as the safety trades will be lessened and rates could increase a bit.
RC
Thanks Rob – for more information on buying a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, give me a call, I’d love to help you.
Michael
703.927.4554
Real Estate with Integrity
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Why I Need to Know Everything To Sell Your Property in Northern Virginia
June 14th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
Why I need to know everything to sell your property in Northern Virginia may be a bit of hyperbole but an incident today was just another reminder that the devil is in the details.
I’m working with a great young couple (+ new baby) to sell their condominium., We’ve already found their new place and that contract is set and ready to go. The listing for their existing place will go live on Monday but I already have an agent who wants to show it tomorrow.
Fine! What more could we ask for except – keys! Yes, keys. Especially a key for the main door of their building.
Turns out this is not a key that can be copied and the management office cannot provide another key until next week.
As many times as we talked about keys and lock boxes and when and how agents could show the property, the key to the building was never mentioned. Should I have anticipated this? Of course. Should my clients have mentioned it and then gotten copies made? Of course.
We’ve worked out some temporary measures and nobody will be inconvenienced but it’s a great example of why I need to know everything to sell your property in Northern Virginia!
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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Del Ray Citizens Association Elects New Board for 2012-2013
June 13th, 2012 Categories: Del Ray, Wordless Wednesday
The Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA) has elected a new executive board for 2012-2013. Heading the slate is Bill Hendrickson who will serve as president.
Other officers include:
- David From, 1st Vice President
- Jay Nestlerode, 2nd Vice President
- Rebecca Gordon, 3rd Vice President
- Pat Miller, Treasurer
- Jen Atklins, Secretary
- and Sherrie Good, Sergeant-at-Arms.
The new board has a wide range of expertise in business, the arts, transportation, parks, development and the environment. Most importantly however, they all care deeply about the Del Ray community.
One topic certain to be a focus of the new board is the significant increase of traffic in Del Ray and the illegal use of East Howell Avenue for trucks en route to businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Hats off to these new board members for stepping forward to work on our behalf.
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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Home Values See Highest Monthly Increase since 2006
June 4th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
In a report released on Friday, Zillow reported that both national home values and rents rose in the month of April.
According to the April Zillow Real Estate Market Report, national home values rose 0.7 percent. Rents rose 1.6 percent in the same time period.
This is the second largest monthly increase in home values since January 2006 and it makes April the second month in a row in which home values have climbed.
Foreclosures also continued to decline in April, with 6.8 out of every 10,000 homes being foreclosed across the U.S. That figure was down from 8 out of every 10,000 in March.
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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New Phone, New Dog and A Very Hot Real Estate Market in Northern Virginia
May 31st, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
For those of you who have been following GWSLEPTHERE for a long time, you know we have been notably absent for the past few months.
Nothing was wrong and we certainly didn’t run out of things to write about, rather it was a ‘perfect storm’ of events (including our daughter’s wedding) that conspired against us.
We’re excited to be back however, especially since we have a new phone, a new dog and a very hot real estate market in Northern Virginia. 
You’ll hear a bit more about each of those three things – the new phone, the new dog and the hot real estate market – over the next few days but just let me say this – all three are keeping me VERY busy!
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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Hell’s Kitchen Winner Rock Harper Comes to Taste of Del Ray June 3
May 30th, 2012 Categories: Del Ray, Del Ray Business Association, Real Estate News
Chef Rock Harper, winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season Three, will be the celebrity judge for the Taste of Del Ray on Sunday, June 3. This follows last year’s appearance by Top Chef Fan Favorite Carla Hall.
As an extra treat, the Friends of Del Ray will host a “space limited” reception for Chef Harper in the lobby of Virginia Commerce Bank at 2401 Mt. Vernon Avenue preceding the judging.
It’s a great opportunity to have a glass of wine, support the Del Ray Business Association, and maybe even find out what Gordon Ramsey is really like!
Tickets are $50 and space is limited to 25 people. The reception will take place from 12:30 to 1:30p, with Chef Rock in attendance from 1 – 1:30pm. Cameras and questions are welcome.
To take advantage of this special offering, contact Karen Johnson at [email protected] Remember, space is VERY limited.
Something is always happening in Del Ray – call or text me at 703.927.4554 to find out how you can live here too.
Michael
Real Estate with Integrity
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Happening in June in Del Ray, the Best Little Neighborhood in Northern Virginia
May 29th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
With June right around the corner, let’s take a quick look at what’s happening in Del Ray, the best little neighborhood in Northern Virginia:
June 1 -Artist’s Reception at A Show of Hands
June 3 -Taste of Del Ray
June 7 -First Thursday, Dog Days of Summer
June 16 – Cinema Del Ray
June 23 – Del Ray Music Festival
Want to know more about living in this great community? Give me a call or text me at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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Thank You to All My Real Estate Clients
January 16th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate News
With the new year a few weeks under my belt and the market in full swing, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of my clients for a good solid year of real estate transactions.
Whether you listed with me, allowed me to be your buyers representative, referred me to a friend or just needed a rental, your confidence was the best reward possible.
2012 is going to be a banner year and I look forward to saying thank you many more times!
Michael
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Real Estate Market Report for Alexandria and Northern Virginia September 2011
October 10th, 2011 Categories: Market Reports
If you want to understand what is happening in the real estate industry as it directly impacts your buying and selling decisions, look to the linked graphs below and then call me at 703.927.4554.
Alexandria
Arlington
Fairfax Country
Faquier County
Loudoun County
Prince William
Washington, DC
I will provide you with facts and the current market conditions that are relevant to you, in your local area. It’s my job to dissect those national headlines and give you the right kind of information you need to make the right decisions.
Let’s do this together,
Michael
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