Karen hit it the nail on the head with this post!  Understanding the decision points in a contract--and that a 'yes' will mean you continue on--is a great way to educate buyers.  Sometimes a 'no' simply means more discussion is required and other times it means the deal is done.  As facilitators, it is our job to determine if a 'yes' is what they really meant, and as consultants, it is to help them determine if it is a smart move given all of the information that is available.

At the end of the day, the deal is not ours...it is always the decision (and responsibility) of the client. Our responsibility is to help them get the best transaction at the best price.

Please leave comments for Karen.

The power of the written word is incredibly powerful.

Blog Action Day 2010, October 15,  is an opportunity for bloggers from all over the world to come together and post about an issue of incredible importance to the entire world. The purpose of Blog Action Day 2010 is (from their website):

About Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion around an important issue that impacts us all.

This year the topic is WATER. 

All that is required for participation is that you register with the site and post your Water Oriented blog on October 15. By registering with the site, you are registering that you are particpating in the effort to bring awareness to the issue.

Don't worrry if you are having trouble coming up with ideas. There are ideas posted on the website to help you get started.

Consider joining the effort to raise awareness of this global issue.  I have participated in the past and found it to be easy to do, and a great way to use my writing to bring recognition to a global problem.

Moving to the D.C. area? Have you considered Reston, Virginia. What about North Point in Reston?

When you move to a new area, it is often hard to figure out both  what kind of house you want,  and what the community will be like, as well.

I have a listing in Reston that is a great house: www.1124RoundPebble.info.  It is a beautiful 4 BR, 3.5 BA colonial with a .56+ acre lot (large for this area), updated kitchen with Stainless Steel and granite, adjoining family room and formal living and dining rooms. The lower level is finished and there is a deck on the back.  With a 2 car adjoining garage, it is the perfect home for many home buyers.

What makes it even better is that it is located in the North Point section of Reston. This particular community is located between Baron Cameron Avenue, to the south, and Route 7 to the North. I recently wrote an article about North Point for the Reston Connection, August 25-31, 2010 edition. In that article, Insiders Guide; Living in North Point (which is not available as an on-line link) I wrote:

'Living in North Point is like living in a small town. My husband and I have raised our children here and have known many of our friends since our oldest started Preschool at Lake Nursery Kindergarten (LANK, as it is known is a long-time favorite pre-school for Restonians). Our youngest son will start high school at Herndon High School (HHS) this year. We are looking forward to 4 years of the strong community that centers around HHS.'

'Any of the walking trails in Reston are a great way to get to know the community. There is no better way to connect with Reston than covering its many paths and walking around its many lakes. Get out of your car and see the community from the paths that wind throughout Reston. Walk to the pool or up to Browns Chapel. Take a bike ride up to Baron Cameron Park and watch a baseball game or soccer game...or take the dog to the dog park.'

If your house shopping has you worried about picking  the right community, I can speak from experience: North Point in Reston is a great place to live!  With a strong sense of community, great places to shop and eat, plenty of outdoor space and activities and a location close to Dulles Airport, Tysons Corner, Route 7, the Dulles Toll Road and more, North Point in Reston is a place you should consider.

Please let me know if you would like to see some of the wide variety of homes available in the area or my listing on Round Pebble Lane. 

Even Pest Control companies are having a tough time getting rid of them.

Some of the 'holistic' treatments I have heard discussed include:

**Vacuum them and immediately discard of the bag

**Order some Praying Mantes, who will eat them

**Spray the outside of your house with a solution of DAWN Dishwashing Detergent (only this brand) and water.

I can't guarantee that any of these will work, but right now, nothing else does, so one of these might be worth a try! This story on the Today Show talks about a Stink Bug eating cat...might be worth a try!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

We have all walked into listings--or even just our own homes--and thought, 'gosh, that is a strong smell.' The solution for most of us is to somehow mask the odor until it naturally dissipates.  There are house sprays, scented candles and plug-in-scent options. But have you ever wondered how other people react to these products?

I can remember one listing that I was previewing. The scent of plug-in-scent was so overpowering that I immediately began sneezing and I could feel my sinuses filling up. Granted, I have allergies and am very sensitive to smells, but if I react that way, couldn't a Buyer be equally as allergic? When the listing agent called for feedback, I told her the house was lovely but that the plug-ins were very, very strong. She seemed extremely irritated by this feedback.  I am sorry she chose to take it that way, but I was providing legitimate feedback. It would have been the same feedback I would have provided if there had been a stinky litter box. Strong smells put off some buyers.

For this reason alone, I recently asked a client to remove a plug-in scent while the house was listed.  At first she seemed unclear about why, but when I explained to her the different ways that people react to scent--and how we did not want  a negative reaction to turn-off a potential buyer-- she happily complied.

Recently, there has been discussion about whether these artificial scents are even safe. The Washington Post published an article last week about this topic, Some air fresheners contain ingredients that may be harmful.

There are so many chemicals in our homes already between cleaning products, building products and off-gases from furniture, that it seems almost trifling to worry about a plug-in scent in the powder room, but it did get me wondering. Am I putting my family at risk when they use the powder room (which sports a plug-in scent--very light smell, you can be assured)?

Unfortunately, the 'open the window' solution is not always a viable one. When it is 95 degrees in the shade, an open window can be more of a turn-off to a buyer than an 'Lilac' scented house. Often powder rooms, one of the rooms where we frequently see scent, don't feature windows. Most have exhaust fans, however, and that can be a good solution for natural aeration.

At the end of the day, people who are very sensitive to smells will form an opinion of your home, or listing, not only by what they see, but by what they smell. When your objective is to sell your house, remember that what smells good to one person does not always smell good to another.  When at all possible, deal with the source of the odor and remove the need for artificial smells and scents. This is the best solution to a rather 'smelly' problem.

 

Since I posted this yesterday, I have been told it is a hoax. I just went onto Snopes.com (which I usually do to check out this sort of thing--but for some reason did not do yesterday) and there is a LINK that explains that this is one of those hyped-up situations that someone felt compelled to put into an email and it has gone viral. Sorry for the trouble.  Lesson learned...always check the facts!

I know that I am very busy fielding calls from clients, friends and family on my cell phone. The last thing I need is to start getting calls from telemarketers on it, too. The instructions below tell you how to block these calls.

For most Reston Residents, Clyde's of Reston at  Reston Town Center is an area institution. Known for it's good food, excellent service and casual atmosphere, it is a perfect choice when meeting a group for dinner or lunch. Everyone will be able to find something on the menu and it will be well prepared and served.

 Clyde's Willow Creek  Farm is a completely different restaurant. Still providing a good variety of well prepared food, and with always  great service, the feel is totally unique and perfectly suited to Loudoun County.  As you approach the restaurant, you see a beautiful old building in the midst of suburban Ashburn. Assembled from pieces of 3 disassembled historic buildings, the atmosphere is that of an old country inn.  There are many different rooms, as well as an outdoor seating area. These rooms vary from a huge room with very high ceilings to a small, cozy, private room with a round table--and everything in between.

I have had lunch there with 2 girlfriends, I have entertained family and friends for a graduation luncheon, I have hosted my mother-in-law's birthday dinner there, gone there for a business lunch and I have attended a business seminar. Each of these very different experiences took place in a different part of the restaurant and all were in the perfect setting. 

The atmosphere is casual, but it is a great place to get dressed up and go for a celebration, too.  I have always felt appropriately dressed...whether in jeans or a dress.

Each Spring the property allows the EarthDay@Loudoun Family Festival to take place on the grounds. This event, which features vendors who support ecological practices and green products, is held each Spring. There is a live music stage, vendors and companies that can provide information about green products and services.

If you haven't had a chance to grab a bite at Clyde's Willow Creek Farm, I suggest you give it a try! It is definately worth the trip from Reston. I think you will make plans to return!

From Reston: Via Rt. 7, head west to Claiborne Parkway South. Continue to Broadlands Boulevard and turn right. Restaurant will be on your right. From The Dulles Toll Road: Head west and continue onto the Dulles Greenway. Exit at Claiborne Parkway, turn left at top of ramp and head west. Turn Right on Broadlands Boulevard to restaurant on right.

Readers of all ages will gather this Saturday for a special event on the National Mall, the National Book Festival.  Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 5:30 p.m., admission is free and all are welcome.

This year, the National Book Festival is celebrating 10 years!  As always, the organizers have assembled an impressive program  and amazing list of participating authors.   The format is for an author to do a presentation and then be available for book signings.

Some of the authors who will be there include:

• Isabel Allende 
• Jonathan Franzen
• Julia Glass
• Brad Meltzer
• Katherine Paterson 
• Jane Smiley
• Scott Turow
• Gordon S. Wood

This is an amazing event for readers of all ages. You may have noticed that the list includes authors from many genres and includes both Children's works, and Teens & Children authors.

I won't be able to make it to the mall this weekend, but I hope to hear from some of you who are able to attend.

A listing came on the market this morning that I thought would interest a client of mine. There weren't any photos loaded yet :( and I wanted to see if the lot would work. It was close to one of my regular walking paths, so I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my Blackberry (for the camera) and set off.

I was able to do a quick preview of the exterior of the property, get in my exercise, and field a call from one of my clients. All in a mornings work!

The walking paths are  one of the things I love best about Reston. The Reston Motto is: Live. Work. Play.  I live the motto every day.

If you would like to learn more about Reston, check out my blog  or go to the Reston,VA website for more information about the community.

I saw this clip profiled on the local news this morning and had to check it out myself. As a huge fan of public libraries, I am always happy to support them in their endeavors...and now that they are producing videos, who knows how the library model will change!

Kudos to the Librarians of Central Rappahanock Regional Library for creating a clever & funny public service announcement.

And now for the video....

Libraries Will Survive