Archive for the 'Book Report' Category
Real Estate is More Than Just an Investment - Making Your House a Home
July 23rd, 2008 Categories: Book Report
The not-so-long ago heady years of real estate often seemed to be about making an investment, making a profit and moving on.
TV shows like “Flip this House”‘, blogs on flipping, and even a “Dummies Guide to Flipping” added to the idea that houses were little more than commodities for consumption.
But what about the old fashioned notion of buying a house to make it a home? A place to grow and nurture family and friends? A place to create memories and experiences? A place, that no matter what, is always “home.”
Akron, Ohio resident David Giffels (a journalist with the Akron Beacon Journal) has written a funny, heart-warming and, at times, heart-breaking memoir about that very process: All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House.
David and his wife, pregnant with their second child, and desperate for more room, finally settle on a run-down, soon to be condemned, early 20th century mansion. The once grand residence lacks functional plumbing and electricity, leaks like crazy, and is infested with all manner of wildlife. There is also beauty - an old staircase, a fireplace in the master bedroom, brass hinges, carved moldings. What follows is a heart-breaking/heart-warming story of how the work, the process of a house becoming a home, affects all their lives.
As I listened to Diane Rehm interview David the other day on her nationally syndicated show, two things caught my ear.
One was a caller who asked about the couple’s realtor and did he “push” them into buying what could easily be considered a “bad investment” just so he could get his commission. David’s response was what I hope we all aspire to.
The realtor did not want them to buy the property at all and thought it was a terrifically bad idea. But, once the Giffel’s made up their minds, the realtor did everything possible to make it a smooth transition - even going to bat with the Department of Health when it was declared uninhabitable!
The second thing? David says that when he is asked how much is house is worth now, he can’t even begin to answer the question. It’s no longer a house, it’s a home - for friends and family and memories.
Do you want to make a house a home for your family? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s see what we can find.
Michael
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Kids and Virginia - Where to Go, What to Do - All Year Round
July 9th, 2008 Categories: Book Report
Today when I was at the store (Potomac Yards Barnes & Noble), I saw two new books that seemed tailor made for anyone who:
- Has a family and is just moving to Virginia/Alexandria
- Has children (or nieces/nephews/cousins/grandchildren/etc) who are old enough for a day’s outing or
- Has lots of family and friends who love to visit.
The first is Fun with the Family - Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids- by Candyce Stapen ( $12.95). Stapen divides the book into six areas: the Shenandoah Valley, Tidewater and Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Eastern Shore, Central Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Highlands.
Within each section Stapen covers a wide range of activities from state parks to museums to homes or sites of historical interest and short descriptions accompany each. She also weaves topical “did you know” questions throughout as well as a plethora of fun facts. Where appropriate annual event calendars make for easy year round planning. Web sites and phone numbers are abundant as are places to stay and eat with a wide range of prices.
The second is Kids Love Virginia - A Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid Tested” Places in Virginia Year Round by George and Michele Zavatsky.
In addition to breaking the state into six areas, with the more pedestrian monikers of Northeast, Northeast/DC, Northwest, South Central, South East, and South West, the Zavatsky’s offers a city index that I thought was useful for planning purposes.
The Zavatsky’s emphasize the importance of age appropriate venues and checking - and double checking - days and hours of operation. I thought Kids Love Virginia offered more detailed descriptions and I really like their seasonal and special events section.
Another feature was a suggested list of business and local government facilities that offer public “tours” with advance planning.
Among others on their list were airports, water treatment plants (great for science experiments), Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and, oh be still my beating heart, Krispy Kreme Donuts!
All you need now is a good map book - ready, set, go!
Virginia
Thanks to my spouse and managing partner for this week’s book report.
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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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