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What I've Learned From My Rich Clients:

I've come to believe that "rich" is a state of mind and not an amount in the bank account. Regarding that state of mind here's a note

Via Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte:

The Savvy Investors:

            Can pull the trigger very quickly.  The procrastinators are always the same people who say: "I wish I had bought..."

            Make educated decisions, not allowing emotion to enter into the equation.  The figures either add up, or they don't.   ...And unlike stocks and corporations' reports, they are public and accurate.  That is quite an advantage!

            Understand that there is a money element in time (time is money).  Sellers are much more likely to relent on the price, if the time element is there (cash deal, no contingencies, urgent offer, etc).           

            They Have Their Own People:  the Real Estate Professional, the Lender, the Attorney, the Accountant.  They pay top dollar for top advice and they are very happy to do it!  As long as they make money, their people can make money...

                Are Proactive:  They ask the right people the right questions.  They study the market, they do their homework.  They NEVER wait for the media to tell them when to make buying decisions.  I can always tell where the market is going by what my savvy investors are doing at the moment.  Savvy Investors all move at the same time...  eons before "the herds" come around to making buying decisions because the media tells them that "now is the right time to buy"...

 

Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte                                               Join The Optimist Group!

 

 

 

           

           

 

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 27 2008 05:30AM

Selling Your Home, Should Family Photos Stay or Go?

Are you selling your home or condo in Northern Virginia?  Contact Will Nesbitt of Condo 1.  Here are a few thoughts about pictures in the home

Via Sandy Shores, Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida Space Coast:

Selling your Home, Should Family Photos Stay or Go?I am still on the fence on this one, and have been for a while now.  Which is typically not like me.  But, I have mixed feelings on this subject. 

When placing a home on the market, should the personal, family photos stay in the house or should they go before the house goes on the market? 

Maybe as a seller this thought has never entered your mind.  Put my family photos away to sell your own home...what do you mean?  Why? What's the big deal?  Well, it depends on who's looking at it (or should I say; looking at them).

When placing a home on the market a REALTOR's job is to make the home  appeal to as many buyers, as we can.  Today, many homes are professionally staged. Kudos to all of you professional stagers, you make our job so much easier!  Those that aren't staged are typically critiqued by the listing agent, prior to the sign going up.  The idea is to clear out as much "excess stuff" and to neutralize the furnishings in a way as to appeal to the broadest range of buyers that we can.  And many times the feeling is...if there are an excess number of personal, family photos, THEY MUST GO or at least the majority of them must go! I feel that it is fine to leave a couple of photos out.

During a showing, we ask that the seller not be home when a buyer is looking at the property.  We want Selling your Home, Should Family Photos Stay or Go?the buyer to feel as warm and comfortable in the home as possible.  We want the buyer to "see and feel" himself living there.  If the seller is there, the buyer often feels uncomfortable being in someone else's place.  And, if the buyer walks through and it is "filled" with family photos, it can make it difficult for some to envision themselves living there.

In the past I have kindly asked a number of sellers to "thin out" some of the pictures in order to make the home more buyer friendly. I have received responses ranging from polite and agreeable to flaming red hot.  One seller told me in no uncertain terms would she remove any of her nearly 75 family photos. She said she would not even put the house on the market!  She was absolutely furious and wanted no explanations of why it was necessary.  I thought I would be escorted to the door!  She did not list the home for sale.

I have been in a number of homes that felt as if all eyes on the wall were staring at me.  In some cases, it  scared buyers off. So what is a seller to do? 

Should the personal photographs stay or go?  You tell me...

6 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 27 2008 05:22AM

Condo Comparison at the Huntington Metro

A buyer recently asked me to do a comparison of condos that are at and around the Huntington Metro. For those who don't know the Huntington Metro is the last stop on the Yellow Line, in Fairfax County Virginia, just outside Alexandria. The Yellow Line is my favorite Metro line because it doesn't have many stops and the ride from Virginia to DC is generally pleasant with nice views of Alexandria and the Potomac. The Huntington Metro has plenty of parking, but it is surrounded by condos and townhouses that have easy access to Huntington's upper and lower levels. The upper level of the Huntington Station exits onto North King's Highway. The lower level of Huntington Station exits onto Huntington Ave. Both exits have plenty of support from buses, but the lower level has better support from taxis.

The condos that I selected for this comparison are Huntingon Club, Hunting Creek Club, the Midtowns of Alexandria and Montebello Condos. I selected these condos because they are within walking distance of the metro. Each of these condos offer different values for different folks. I'm going to break down some of the features of condos in general and then speak to the differentiators between these condos.

Condo 1 of Alexandria serves Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax County

  • For sale --- Live data on all condos for sale in 22303 zip code.
  • For rent --- Live data on rentals in 22303 zip code.
  • Homes for sale --- All homes for sale less than $500,000 in 22303 zip code.
  • Homes for sale --- All homes for sale from $300,000 to $700,000 in 22303 zip code.
  • Homes for sale --- All homes for sale over $650,000 in 22303 zip code.
0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 26 2008 07:33AM

Condo Comparison at the Huntington Metro: VIEWS / balconies

This is part of series of articles comparing the benefits of condos in close proximity to the Huntington Metro

If you need a balcony or patio in your condo, you've come to the right place. All four of these complexes have balconies or patios in most units. The Huntington Club, the Hunting Creek Club and Montebello all have balconies, patios or verandas in every single unit. Now obviously the new units have slightly more appealing balconies, but to sort them from top to bottom, this comparison focuses on the views.

If a good view is something you absolutely must have from your condo and balcony, you're best chance of finding that view is at Hunting Creek Club. Nearly every unit in the building offers a panorama over the city or toward the Potomac.  Some of these units have absolutely breathtaking views.  You must see them to appreciate them as 400 pixels of cyberspace can't approximate what you'll see.

You'll find good views at all the others. Many decks at Huntington Club look toward the US Patent & Trademark Office, the Carlyle skyline and the Masonic Temple at Shooter's Hill.  Montebello has many pleasant views into and above the treetops.  At the Midtowns you'll find a nice view here and there.  So, it is possible to find good views at any of the others. But at Hunting Creek Club you will consistantly find sweeping and pleasant views.

Hunting Creek Club balconies

 

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 26 2008 07:30AM

Condo Comparison at the Huntington Metro: APPEAL / condition

This is part of series of articles comparing the benefits of condos in close proximity to the Huntington Metro

This might be the most subjective criteria I've selected for comparison. Let me underscore that this is just a personal opinion, entirely subjective. You may find reason to disagree with this analysis and more power to you if you do. The purpose of this comparison is to offer a starting point for discussions if you're looking at the Huntington Metro for condo living.

lobby at Midtowns

Also, keep in mind that these are condos, individually owned and individually maintained. There are units that are gorgeous in each of these complexes---I know because I've seen them myself. The Midtowns are so new you'd be hard pressed to find a ruined unit there, but I've seen units in poor condition in all the other communities in this comparison. The point is that this is a generalization of what I've seen and an overall impression. It's not a ranking of any one condo unit.

All that aside, and without further adieu, my top choice for appeal has to be the Midtowns of Alexandria. The Midtowns are elegant, chic and very nearly brand new. The lobbies are first rate. The amenities are sparkling. The hallways nearly smell of new carpet and fresh paint. The structure itself is architecturally interesting. The Midtowns definitely have the most allure.

Montebello has no shortage of appeal as well. The 37 acres surrounding the buildings are a huge plus and appeal to me personally. Montebello has a pleasant design that has stood the test of time. Montebello was built in 1983, but it is meticulously maintained and I would say challenges many new structures in the appeal category. The lobbies at Montebello are stately and yet cozy and functional. Montebello is very pleasant.

The Huntington Club has a certain appeal with its quirky windows, large closets and ample floor plans. The grounds are well-maintained. The common areas aren't possessed with any special appeal, but they are clean and functional. Certainly the laundry room outside the unit diminishes the appeal of these condos in the eyes of most buyers.

Hunting Creek Club faces very stiff competition in this field. The building itself does not compel interest. The grounds are clean and well-maintained as are the lobbies and common areas. The lobby has lost little lustre, but the color choices and furnishings don't speak to my heart. If you're prime concern when buying a condo is the design of the lobby, Hunting Creek Club would probably not be your first choice.

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 26 2008 07:12AM

Condo Comparison at the Huntington Metro: SIZE/price per square foot

This is part of series of articles comparing the benefits of condos in close proximity to the Huntington Metro

In each of these articles I'm doing a head-to-head comparison of these complexes and then selecting a winner from each category. I'm making these selections based upon my personal opinion, and you might not agree with my opinion, but I've put it out there as a starting point for a home buyer's discussion.

Huntington Club

If you want the most space in your condo, for the least amount of cash, then Huntington Club the pick from this category. Most Huntington Club one bedroom units sell for well-under $200k; many are currently less than $175k. Many Huntington Club two bedroom units sell for less than $250k, most for less than $200k. You can even find a three bedroom at Huntington Club for well under $300k. The rooms in these units are large and open. There is ample closet space. When one compares the price of the unit to the amount of living space you get, Huntington Club is the value buy at the Huntington Metro.

Hunting Creek Club is nicely proportioned. The rooms do not feel abbreviated. Even the studios at the Hunting Creek Club are larger than 1 bedrooms at some of the area's newest complexes.

Montebello also "feels" big compared to many newer condos. This is in part due to the floor plans, but the smaller 1 bedrooms at Montebello measure in at 850 sq ft.

As one might expect, the Midtowns of Alexandria---the newest condos in this lot---offer the least amount of space for the most amount of money.

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 26 2008 06:33AM

condo comparison at the Huntington Metro: AMENITIES

This is part of series of articles comparing the benefits of condos in close proximity to the Huntington Metro

Amenities are an important part of any condo buying decision. Amenities such as a pool and fitness room are pretty standard in most condos, but some condos offer a bit more. It is no different in the four complexes surrounding the Huntington Metro.

No matter how you compare them, the best amenities on the block are at Montebello. Montebello's community center is home to most of these amenities and it is well-maintained and pleasant. Here's a list of some of the features of Montebello.

The runner-up in this category is at the Midtowns at Alexandria. The Midtowns have an absolutely gorgeous lobby and lounge (a cyber cafe) on the first floor. The pool at the Midtowns is on a roof deck located half-way up the building. From this party deck, one has great vistas toward the Blue Ridge and the city of Alexandria. There are barbecue stations and more to enjoy here on the deck. The party room is first class and state of the art. It's the type of place you'd be proud to bring guests or enjoy as a resident.

The Huntington Club and the Hunting Creek Club are far behind the first two on this list. These two condos have more pedestrian offerings that are standard fare. Both have a pool, party room and fitness room. (Huntington Club recently renovated their pool.) Hunting Creek Club has a nice tennis court.

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 26 2008 06:30AM

Condo Comparison: Walk to Huntington Metro

Near Huntington Metro

This is part of series of articles comparing the benefits of condos in close proximity to the Huntington Metro

Hands-down, the easiest walk to the Huntington Metro among these would be the Midtowns of Alexandria. From this building's south lobby one can see the buses coming and going. It's literally only paces from the Midtowns to the Metro. Just cross the street and you're at the Metro station.

The runner-up here is the Huntington Club. Admittedly the Huntington Club bounds with the Metro station, so it is physically closer than the Midtowns. But the Huntington Club is built into the hill at North Kings Hwy and that means that residents have to walk up or down the hill to enter the Metro system. It's definitely a more difficult walk from the Huntington Club than from the Midtowns.

Montebello is a short walk through Mt. Eagle Park to the upper level of the Huntington Station. The walk is definitely longer than the walk from the Huntington Club

The Hunting Creek Club is the furthermost from the Metro of the group. Hunting Creek Club residents must walk about 4 blocks to the Metro entrance.

Condo 1 of Alexandria 703 765 0300

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 25 2008 11:41AM

Choosing Paint Color: Part I

Landlords, sellers and buyers will appreciate this tip

Via Michelle Pimentel ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging :

 

When it comes to picking paint colors for our homes...the paint store selections can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. So many different paints to choose from: interior paints,exterior paints, different brands of paint,multiple colors and different types of finishes.

It can all be somewhat confusing just trying to pick out the right color, let alone the type of finish or brand!

 

 

Generally, we will leave the paint stores with  our color swatches. We take them home and    look at them in the comforts of our own environments hoping to select one or two colors that will work for the project at hand.   

For some this task comes easy, for others it can be a very frustrating process!

OH, NO!  You just rolled a gallon of the color you picked out from the tiny paint store swatch and  now that it's dried, it just doesn't look like the color you thought it was going to be! 

How can you be sure to pick colors that will work for you? 

Most stores now offer sample sizes, so that you can test the color on your wall prior to investing in a gallon or more of your favorite color. It is always best when choosing colors, to test them first before purchasing the amount needed for your project. You want to be sure you are going to be able to live with the color and that it is harmonious with your homes decor.  Look at your test spot at various times of the day. This will help for you to see how the color will change with the days light. 

Choosing Paint Color: Part I

Tip 1. Purchase sample sizes of the colors you are considering and test them out prior to investing in a gallon or more.  Roll or brush a generous amount of your sample in order to get a true sense of the color. After it has dried, check on the way your test spot color looks in the room at different times of the day to ensure you will be happy living with your selection day or night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   

For Color Consultations, Professional Home Staging, and Re-Design Services call the experts at Empire Home Staging Solutions.  Serving the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas of Southern California.

Michelle Pimentel,ASP,IAHSP (909) 694-9981

                                                                                                           

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 25 2008 06:33AM

Homeowners--Do You REALLY Want To Sell Your Home?

Staging your home or condo is an important part of the sales process. Here are a few thoughts

Via Kathi Presutti--RE:STYLE LLC:

Letting Go Is Hard To Do...

Selling a home can be a very emotional experience. Here in Michigan, many are losing their jobs, and when they find new employment, it's often in another state. The family is uprooted, and sometimes angry or upset. So, the sale of the home is subtly, or not so subtly, sabotaged by these methods:

Refusal to Stage the Home To Sell

If you are not willing to stage your home, you are not ready to sell it. Period. Because inviting a professional home stager into your home is inviting constructive criticism--advice which will mean looking at your "home" as a "house"--a product on the market, in competition with all the other product out there! if you can't separate yourself from the building in which you live, you aren't truly read to sell it.

Staging can help you overcome this, because once your house is staged, it will no longer feel like your home. This is a good thing. And it will help you to move on to the next phase of your life, if you are truly willing to do that. 

Refusal To Price The Home To Sell

Your Realtor knows the market, and knows what price your house needs to be in order to facilitate a quick sale. Why would they want you to price your home lower, when it means a lower commission for them? If you are not willing to listen to the pricing advice of your Realtor, based on what comparable homes have sold for in your area in the last month (not six months ago--that ship has sailed), then you are not committed to selling your home quickly. And many agents today are realizing this, and won't accept a listing for a house that is priced too high.

Refusal To Keep Your Home In "Showcase" Condition

If you stage your home, price it right, and then don't maintain its staged condition so that it shows well, you are undermining all the work you and your agent have already done. You must keep your house spotless, uncluttered, and show ready!

Refusal to Believe It Will Sell

Call it the "Law of Attraction", or call me crazy, but I swear that buyers sense your energy when they are in your house. If you really don't want to sell, your house WILL NOT SELL! Basically, you get what you hope for--it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, visualize that SOLD sign on top of the Realtor's sign out front--and do this every time you look out the window! 

Here's something else you can do: a gentle "cleansing" ritual. Go into each room and spend some time there. Write down your favorite memories of the room and put them in a bowl. You may want to do this with your family, or they may want to each do it separately. When you have completed your tour of the house, you are ready for the most important part--letting go! Take all your "memories" and burn them (safely!). Then, when they are cool, you can scatter the ashes, bury them or put them in a jar (but don't store them in your current home). Or you can simply throw them away. 

Now, look to the future, and don't look back!

You Are In Control Of Selling Your House

Ultimately, you can blame whomever and whatever you want, but you are the one in charge. Your decisions, your awareness of the tools available, your willingness to listen and cooperate, your positive attitude and your choices determine whether your house sits...or sells!

 

 

RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven home staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com.

 

 

0 comments • Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County • September 25 2008 06:29AM