Real Estate and Reston, VA: Virginia: Reston

The sun is shining today, but the snow remains. I am trying to rally the troops to get out and continue the effort to move the very heavy snow off of our driveway and shovel out the car that did not fit in to the garage.

In the meantime, here are some photos from yesterday. I am not sure I will be able to add any for today since we don't have a single AA battery in our house (and that is what my camera needs).

Today we begin the 'big dig.' Superbowl parties are limited to neighbors only...but at least the snow has stopped!

We  have had some pretty mild winters over the past couple of years, but this winter, 2009-10, we are making up for lost time.

As I write this, my kids are home from school (again) and I am watching my 13 year old learn to work the snowblower. The past couple of years we never even filled it with gas. It is nice to get some help with the driveway  while he still thinks the machinary is 'fun.'

These picutures I took last week, one month after our first big snow in December:

We have finally been able to remove Mr. Snowman, and the rest of our lights, from the front yard (I unplugged everything long ago when it became clear they were sticking around for a while!). I can't remember the last time we had snow on the ground for a month! Usually it is gone within 3 days.

Since then, we have had 2 storms--one on Saturday the 30th of January and one last night, the 2nd of Feburary. This is the view from my kitchen when I got up this mornig. It was beautiful.

And finally, just for fun, here are some photos of our french bulldog, Gigi. Gigi does not really enjoy the snow...

We are expecting another storm (and they are calling this one big) on Friday night. I will be sure to post the pictures!

Nearly every listing I have ever marketed has initially had at least one item that does not operate correctly or is not in desirable condition. Examples include, but are not limited to, broken ice makers, stained or damaged carpeting, broken Jacuzzis, wall paper (a big problem for most buyers),  and unattractive light fixtures.

In virtually every situation, the seller has asked me if we can just offer a credit at closing.

In virtually every situation, I recommend against this for a couple of reasons:

1. Lenders don't like credits for repairs. They like to know that the house they are taking on as collateral is in great shape.
2. Repair credits can often interfere with the buyers ability to seek seller concessions or get other down payment assistance; the ratios sometimes make them impossible to provide.
3. If you, as the seller,  don't want to make the repair or replace the offending item--usually because it is a hassle--what makes you think a buyer wants to take on that hassle? Usually, they are not interested for the very same reason that you are not interested.
4. Buyers cannot always imagine how the property will look with the change...and will move on to another place that is in better condition.

Think of it this way: you would never show up at a job interview wearing jeans and needing a haircut and assure the boss that you will get it taken care of later--or offer to let him pick out some clothes for you if you are hired . You would take care of it before the interview, after all, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Marketing your home should be the same way.  Present your home to its best advantage and it will stand up to the competition--because, this IS a competition.  Your home may have strengths that a prospective buyer would never consider because they can't get passed the dirty carpets.  If the first impression that a buyer has of your house is the cracked tile in the entryway, what do you think they will expect the condition of the furnace to be?  For many buyers the thinking is that if you don't care enough to fix the things that people see, you certainly won't care enough to fix those that they cannot.

Don't handicap your sale by trying to take the easy path and just offering to throw money at the problem...you will pay much more for it in the long run!

I am always on the look out for new tools that can make the search for a new home, or information about pricing an existing home, easier for my clients. I have had great luck with automatic emails sent from MRIS.  I work with my clients to determine their exact specifications, set up the search, run it, save it, and set up the automatic email. Whenever there is a new listing meeting their criteria, they get a new email.

There is a new product that makes this process more consumer-driven.  Listingbook is an invitation only product. You must receive an opt-in email from your Realtor. Once you have opted-in, you have the power to set up your own searches--and change them at will.  Even better, a couple can both be part of the same search.  You  decide that you want a  4th bedroom and your spouse sees those new properties  pop up...and so does your  Realtor. 

Here is some of the value I see in this for my clients.

1. Home Search: Obviously, this allows a client to define and refine the search as they learn more about their needs, wants and preferences
2. Home Sale: There is both a science and an art to setting a sales price. The core set of information, however, is recently sold properties, currently active properties and those that have gone under contract.  As a ListingBook user, you have all of the information that you need to understand what your Realtor is telling you about the current value of your property.
3. Long Term Planning: Many of us just like to know what is going on with the real estate values in our area and neighborhood. Maybe you are considering a refinance? You don't want to tell the bank that your home is worth 500K if it is worth 300K. You may be thinking of selling a couple of years down the road; it is never too early to begin the process of educating yourself.
4. Information: The information you see in ListingBook is the same information that we, as Realtors, see in the MRIS MLS system. It is current and it is accurate. That is not true for all of the information you can see on line. I saw yesterday that one of my listings, one that was sold 2 years ago, is still up on Trulia. It is marked correctly, as sold, but it is still showing up when people do searches--I doubt someone who is searching for a new house wants to see one that sold 2 years ago!
5. Just for Fun: Who doesn't want to be 'in the know' about what is going on with real estate in their neighborhood...just think how much more informed you will be at the next neighborhood Pizza night!

I will be looking for your feedback on this product.  I see it as an important new tool for my clients (and friends).  If you have had a chance to use it and have some feedback, I would love to hear it.

If you would like an opportunity to give it a try, please let me know and I will send you and Opt-in email.

(to the right of this post, you should see an opt-in button--you can click on that, as well).

Be safe, be happy and enjoy your time with friends and family. This upcoming week is a great time to take stock of all that we have, and all that we can do to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. 

At this joyous time of year, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year!


I will look forward to seeing all of my friends in 2010!

The Blizzard of 2009, Reston, Virginia. And the snow keeps coming!

If you are affected by the storm stay warm and safe. If you are not, enjoy the photos.

Today is our first snow fall. I heard on the news this morning that in the Washington D.C. metro area in the past 5 years, 3 of them we received our first inch of snow on December 5. This year is no exception!

Luckily, we are all snugly tucked inside enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon.  The snow is beautiful, and so far, not so deep that it would prevent us from going any where. Of  course, if you are at all familiar with the area, this small amount of snow can be pretty paralyzing.  For that reason, I think I will stick close to home, sip on tea and enjoy our first snow fall of the winter season.

Here are some pictures from my front porch:

Enjoy your Saturday!

If you happen to be sticking around this weekend, what better way to spend Black Friday (we all know the alternative, and that is not for me) than at the Reston Towncenter Holiday Parade? This will be the 19th annual parade, and based on the fact that my oldest will turn 20 soon, I am fairly sure we have been to most of them!

The parade kicks off Friday morning at 11:00 am with over 70 groups marching down Market Street.  Folks line up along the parade route, so come early!  This is a real civic event; you are likely to see the child from next door marching with the boy scouts or the girl up the street playing with the marching band. Over the years, Reston has done a fantastic job of making this a 'go-to' event.

 The retailers are open beginning  at 8:00 am, so you can get some shopping done and still wander over to the parade route in time to get a great seat.

The calendar of events, as published in the Reston Towncenter Press Release for the event is as follows:

• 8 AM: Reston Town Center retailers opening early
• 8 AM: Run with Alan Webb: 9th annual races for tots to teens to benefit Neediest Kids. Donation of $5 for participation encouraged. Participants can register at www.neediestkids.org.
• 11:00 AM: 19th Annual Reston Holiday Parade
• 12:30 – 4:30 PM: Visits and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Located on Market Street, next to Talbots. Donations will benefit local charities.
• 6:00 PM: Tree Lighting and Sing Along. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to magically light up the Christmas tree, followed by traditional holiday songs led by Reston Chorale and brass quintet.
• 6:30 – 10:00 PM: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street.$5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult.
• All day: Ice Skating Pavilion. Open every day for public skating until March.
• Santa’s Studio: Santa Claus will be at Reston Town Center in his portrait studio throughout the season. Dates and times vary, November 28 until December 24. His schedule is posted at his location on Market Street next to Talbots, and at www.restontowncenter.com.
• Holidays are Here! All through December, Reston Town Center will host performances of music and dance by community groups at Fountain Square, and strolling on Market Street. Horse drawn carriage rides are scheduled for Saturday afternoons, December 5, 12, and 19, from 12 PM until 4 PM. All proceeds benefit local charities. $5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult. The Ice Skating Pavilion is open every day until March. See the schedules and more details at www.restontowncenter.com.

Bring the family, grab your neighbors and friends and come out for a really special kick-off to the holiday season. As you can see, there is something for everyone!  For more information about this event, or other events at the Reston  Towncenter, go to www.restontowncenter.com