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SHOCK AND AWE IN REAL ESTATE

THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY SPRING MARKET!

I don’t know if buyers have just had enough of the wait or of all the doom and gloom. What is very clear is that we are in a very hot spring market and there are not enough homes to sell. In some of the hottest areas multiple offers and escalation clauses are back in the game. For a better understanding of the overall picture, check out this quick video from our local MRIS/MLS. ENJOY!

Chinese Money Monster Gobbles up US Real Estate

Over the past 3-4 years I have read article after article talking about how the US Real Estate market is a bargain for foreign investment. This turns out to be especially true for China. Billions of Dollars in properties are being gobbled up all over the country.

Should we be worried or sad about this? I don’t really know, not my line of work. What interests me is why are American investors not seeing the same opportunities. Well, maybe they are, just not as visibly or on that scale. I also think that we have forgotten what a great investment actually looks like. Expecting outrageous returns hurt the market  and took us down a horrible path. Correcting that will take years.

Should you buy just because it is cheap?

What will the expected return be? Is it even realistic?

Here is just one article about the subject

http://bigrockinvestments.com/chinese-interest-hawaii-market/

Here in the DC Metro Area, we have an abundance of opportunities to invest in great Real Estate and the time is now.

Investments are always to be taken seriously, but there is a method to the madness. It’s called homework of DUE DILIGENCE!

Ask questions! Get the numbers looked at. Have enough of a margin to cover a rainy day or a month!

Later this week I will discuss the top ten things to look at when investing in Real Estate.

Real Estate Market Statistics for DC Metro | RBI

Real Estate Market Statistics for DC Metro | RBI.

Amazing numbers to look at.

Prices are up slightly

Rates are down

MANY qualified buyers out there

WE NEED GREAT HOMES TO SELL!!

DC METRO MORTGAGE MARKET MINUTE

BRIAN MARTUCCI is one of my favorite lenders in the DC Metro Area. He is my go to guy when I need a quick and precise answer about loans.

Cash for DC Metro Caulkers. How much and when?

TAX DEDUCTIONS AND COMMON SENSE

We are all awaiting the new initiative. Even from a non recession point, this is a good thing for homeowners to spend a little time and money on. If someone told you to spend $500-1000 on your car and get significant better mileage, you would do that – right?

Keeping your home updated is part of responsible home ownership. There is more to that than just adding Stainless Steel Appliances and Granite counter tops.  These to items are in many markets now considered standards. Certainly in the DC Metro Market.

Thank you HGTV!!!

That’s right, HGTV has for a few years been driving the look sellers swoon over when they remodel. The look the Property flippers and designers must have in order to sell.  I don’t disagree that to get the very best price, looks are not deceiving! You have about 30-45 seconds to grab the attention and make a buyer fall in love. Talk about SPEED DATING!!

What we, as Realtors have realized is that these, HOME -FLIP- FLOP-HUNTER -SUPER SELLER -DESIGNER- AND-TRILLION- DOLLAR -LISTING SHOWS also push the bar higher for buyers.

GOING GREEN COSTS GREEN, BUT IT IS WORTH IT!

GREEN has become the new gold, both when you buy it and sell! The consumer is very savvy and way more educated than just a few years back. This is a blessing in disguise! No longer will you have to compete on Appliances, Kitchens and baths. Now you can get the hottest contract with the highest price by burning wood and going

TOTALLY TANKLESS!!! You can  also isolate the attic and push out the Raccoons and Bats.

Install Radiant Heating just like at Grandma’s house?

HOW TO STAY IN FRONT OF THIS ALL

Sellers will constantly need to stay ahead of this curve to get maximum return on their  homes. How do you do that? You have a great relationship with your Realtor. Have them be a sounding board for your fix up or renovation projects. Ask for stats and local ideas. Go look at a couple of houses in the area to get tips and ideas. If you do not have that kind of a relationship with a Real Estate Consultant, get it or find a new one.  You should certainly ditch any  Realtor who says:”I don’t have time for this right now’.  Funny, they have time if you want to sell your home!

So, stand by and wait or  just call me to come out and give you the 411 on what’s next in the green, design or just plain hot area!

I have the time, knowledge and stats to help you make the best choice for you!

Want to know more? Check out this article from YAHOO GREEN

Enjoy,

Justin

The very best neighborhood in the DC Metro Area

I’ve written a little bit about a great neighborhood in McLean, Virginia. It got me thinking about where other great neighborhoods might be. I know a few, but would like to see what you all think. So, maybe this should be a competition of sorts. I’ll see what we can do about that. In the mean time think about it. Where is the best place and why?

Post here or email me at justin@thenielsenrating.com

HAPPENS IN THE VERY BEST OF NEIGHBORHOODS!

Going places on a Sunday afternoon with small kids can cause a few challenges.  The first one is usually that you get into some great conversations and the time goes by all too fast.

Sunday we went to a house party at my client’s house in McLean, VA.  I knew at the time that this would be the perfect neighborhood for them,but I had no idea how truly great a fit it was.

From the get go it seemed like EVERYONE had kids.  Young ones, preteens, babies, toddlers all over the place. They were having fun!  Playing outside!  Who does this anymore? Fantastic neighborhood.  This is among the top ten for anyone who would like great schools and playmates for their kids.

Staying way too long with all these nice people, we also needed to get home and get our kids to bed.  We faced a huge challenge.  The food at the party was great, but the kids played and we talked. So we were HUNGRY!!!  Where to go?

Going to Arlington with a slight hope of meeting up with other friends, we came across LIBERTY TAVERN. Chic and cozy with a classic style and a fantastic menu.  This was going to be interesting.

Upstairs in the restaurant, they were set up for us, kids and all.  Highchairs, Etch-a-sketch, and a kids’ menu with real food. Yes, REAL FOOD FOR KIDS!  They had the usual burger and fries, pizza, etc.  We like to have our kids eat as close to our food as possible.  And they could. The kids’ menu also had yummy orecchiette with butter and cheese, Icelandic Char, veggies, fruit salad and dessert.  It was all very well prepared and came out quickly.

My wife and I had:
Tagliatelle with Rabbit Confit.
Seared Diver Scallops with Lentils
Roasted Duck breast with “Cassoulet”

It was all REALLY good.  My only thought was with true classics come
some real challenges.  Confits are preserved with salt.  Therefore, you need to be VERY careful on how much more you put in the dish.  It was only slightly too salty.

Service was impeccable.  Our server was knowledgeable and prompt.  We talked about food and he recommended many items on the menu.

Great place to bring kids, a date, friends or just watch a game.

Happy New Year!!

It’s again been a bit since last post and although I have several posts up in draft form – here I am!.

January 1 and I have not posted half of what I had set out to post.

Well, the good thing is that with each new year, we can start over.

Here I go about starting over.

We saw a great movie tonight with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

Julie and Julia. I highly recommend this movie as a former chef and probably a life long infected foodie.

The commitment the author had to her blog was truly inspiring.

I can only hope for that kind of tenacity and grit!

Happy New Year everyone, welcome to 2010!!!

Justin

Local Wino’s unite!

This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Its even good for my heart!

Check them out here:  http://mbbwl.org

MBBWL’s mission is to represent a diverse group of Maryland constituents in advocating for improved alcohol laws in our state. Our vision is to make Maryland one of the most progressive states with regards to alcohol regulation by enabling consumers, wineries and retailers.

MBBWL was formed in 2005 to advocate for beer & wine laws that:

1. Benefit consumers
2. Promote competition
3. Protect the environment
4. Support Maryland’s brewers and wineries

MBBWL represents all Marylanders — consumers, retailers, producers and distributors — who share our values. Specific reforms that we support include allowing consumers to order wine delivered directly to them. We have over 3,000 members and welcome your interest.

Justin

Snow White, Dirty Harry and the Gnome Home?

FUNKY, FUNNY AND FUNCTIONAL?

Don’t get me wrong I really like this house. Maybe not enough to want to buy it or live in it, but I find it very cool.

You still need to be a little brave and very secure to build a home like this. Some might call it Chutzpuh, I don’t know.

This house is in a close suburb to Washington DC. Bethesda is north of DC on the other side in Maryland.

Most houses in the area are very conservative in looks with some very liberal owners.

My guess is that most neighbors are  just fine with the house.

SHE LOVES IT!!

Hands down, this is one of my daughter’s favorite homes and she gets the giggles

every time we pass it. That alone, is worth a detour on our way home.

Years ago in Carmel by the Sea, California I saw houses that look like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs lived there.

That was naturally silly for even stars like them have a  hard time with those prices! I actually met Mr. Clint Eastwood there one evening.

A VERY nice guy. Is it a coincidence that Dirty Harry lives there?  I think not! He is a huge fan of Snow White!

What do you think? Style and purpose? Fun? Hate it?