Archive for June, 2008
Regional Titles Make Green Thumb Gardening – and Curb Appeal – Possible for Everyone
June 13th, 2008 Categories: Book Report
A long cool rainy spring delayed planting and even basic yard clean up for many of us in Northern Virginia.
But now, with half of June, and all of July, August and even September ahead, Alexandria homeowners should head to their nearest bookstore (we love the Barnes & Noble at Potomac Yard) for the very best in regional gardening books.
If you are new to gardening or any kind of yard care (even window boxes or simple pots), a regional guide to plants/flowers/vegetables will take the guess work out of what to buy and how to use it for maximum effect. A few hours of reading and planning will pay big dividends for big or small projects.
Some of our favorite books:
- Virginia Gardner’s Companion, Insiders Guide to Low Maintenance Gardening in Virginia by Donna Williams
- Washington Post Garden Book, Ultimate Guide to Gardening in Greater Washington and the Mid-Atlantic Region by Adrian Higgins
- Mid-Atlantic Home Landscaping by Roger Holmes and Rita Buchanan
- Best Garden Plants for Virginia by Richard Nunnally and Laura Peters
- Mid-Atlantic Gardeners Guide by Andre and Mark Viette
- Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic, Month-by-Month by Andre and Mark Viette (I bought this for my mother-in-law when she moved here from Florida and had to learn a whole new way of gardening)
- Guide to Virginia Vegetables by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing
- Mac’s Field Guide to Bad/Good Garden Bugs of the Southeast
And for the complete novice, the classic Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch is a beginners delight.
Happy Gardening!
Michael
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Largest Unemployment Rate in 33 Years Skews Mortgage Rates
June 9th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Update, Real Estate News
This weeks mortgage news:
- Long term mortgage rates experienced some minor upward pressure last week while short term rates dipped a bit.
- Unemployment rose to 5.5% – a jump of 0.5%. Mitigating factors include an unprecedented number of entry level workers, teens and college graduates all hitting the market at the same time.
- On a positive note, the economy was projected to lose 70,000 jobs but the actual number was 49,000.
- 30 year conforming rates have increased to 6.375% with 0 points – the highest we have seen in 4 months.
- The House of Representatives is proposing a $7500 credit for first time home buyers or those who have not owned a home in three years – but the credit must be paid back over a 15 year period.
- The Senate is proposing a credit of $7000 but it would apply only to foreclosed homes or homes that meet a very strict criteria.
As always, thanks to Rob Clark for sharing his up to the minute expertise.
Michael
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June’s First Thursday is Perfect for a Stroll on the Avenue in Del Ray
June 5th, 2008 Categories: Things to Do
Del Ray celebrates itself on the first Thursday of every month, May thru September, with a mini street festival on Mt. Vernon Avenue and tonight was picture perfect.
From 7pm – 9pm, moms, dads, dogs, iguanas, birds, kids and a belly dancer strolled the Avenue, visiting with friends and neighbors, taking advantage of shops open late and reveling in the cool of evening.
After a day of unseasonably hot temperatures – and some areas of Alexandria still suffering power outages after yesterday’s raging electrical storm – everyone was eager to be out and about.
Sausage samples from Lets Meat on the Avenue, a concert by the George Washington Middle School, face painting, five minute massages, the Alexandria Animal Rescue League, mini bags of popcorn at Barkley Square, freestyle dancing – it’s just all part of living in Del Ray, especially on First Thursday.
Why not join us next time? We’ll be looking for you.
Michael.
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Morton Sherman Chosen as New Alexandria Schools Chief
June 3rd, 2008 Categories: Alexandria
Veteran administrator Morton Sherman was selected last night in an unanimous vote to serve as the new superintendent of the 10,600 student school system in Alexandria. Currently superintendent of schools in Tenafly, NJ, Sherman was also a candidate for the LeHigh Valley School System in Pennsylvania.
The selection of Sherman marks the end of a process that began in January when the school board issued an early end to the contract of then superintendent Rebecca Perry and scratched its initial search in April , firing one consulting firm and hiring another.
Sherman’s contract will run through 2012 and he officially begins work on August 15.
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Continued Up Swing in GDP – However Slight – Helps Balance Economic Worries
June 2nd, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Update, Real Estate News
The Gross Domestic Product (GPD) numbers came in this last week at 0.9%. While well below what economists would call healthy, it was enough to start the reverse some recession-leaning positions.
As quarterly reports with the GDP above zero continue, the probability of recession becomes even less likely.
Overall this is good economic news but the downside is that any acceleration in the economy is likely to lead to increased inflationary pressure and mortgage rates MAY creep upward.
Two important economic reports will come out this week – the ISM Manufacturing Index and monthly unemployment data. I will have more on those next Monday and their impact on the market.
In the meantime, remember that in today’s market the right price – not the number of bathrooms or the state of the kitchen – makes all the difference.
As always, thanks to Rob Clark at Preferred Mortgage for his insight.
Michael
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For Shopping or Dining, Old Town Alexandria Is a Garden of Delights
June 1st, 2008 Categories: Old Town, Scenic Sundays
On upper King Street in Old Town Alexandria, J. Brown, Notting Hill Garden, Embellishments, K. Aubrey, Gold Works and Le Gaulois offer delights to buyer and browser alike.
Michael
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