Information
Take a moment to browse my resource center to look for answers and information including the latest trends in the local market.Search the Washington Metropolitan area for Homes
Tips
Washington DC Tips
- Washington DC Halloween Safety Tips
- Your House and Animal Control
- Winterize Your DC Home
- Learn About Washington DC
- Experience Rock Creek Park: The Gem of Washington DC
- An Introduction To Aging In Place
- An Aging in Place Remodeling Check List
- Benefits of Working with a Realtor Versus Buying or Selling Your Home Yourself
- Fireplace Safety Tips for Your Washington DC Home
- How to Summerize Your Washington DC Home
- Summer Grilling Safety Tips for Your Washington DC Home
- Ways to Prevent House Theft While You're Away on Vacation
- Popular Types of Window Treatments for Privacy
- Common Real Estate Terms Defined For Home Sellers In Washington, DC
Energy Tips
- Summer Energy Conservation Around the House and In the Car
- Energy Conservation Tips for the Winter Season
Washington DC Real Estate Tips
- How To Prepare Your Capitol Hill Home For A Quick Sale
- Easy Tips For Selling Your Washington DC Area Home
- Four Tips for Selling Your Trinidad Home in the Winter
- Tips For Prepping Your Chevy Chase MD Home and Kitchen to Sell - On A Budget
- Tips For Selling Your Washington DC Home
- Play Up The Positives When Selling Your Home In Washington DC
- 12 Smart Ways To Gather Cash for Your Down Payment
- Get Your Home Ready to Show In 10 Minutes
- Easy and Inexpensive Improvement Projects to Increase the Resale Value of Your Washington DC Home
- Making a Positive Move
- Six Mistakes Home Sellers Should Avoid
- How To Dress Your Home For Sale Success
- Do's & Don'ts When Pricing Your Home
- How to Find a Real Estate Agent in Washington, DC
- When is the Best Time to Buy in Washington, DC?
- How to Outsmart the Competition to a Fast Sale
- What Every Washington DC Homeowner Should Know
- Keeping Tabs On Your Washington DC Home Equity
- Essential - and Quick! - Staging Ideas for Selling Your Washington, DC Home
- What the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Means for First-Time Home Buyers
- Credit Score an Important Component of Mortgage Process
- What the Extended Homebuyer Tax Credit Means For You
- Cleaning Your Washington DC Home is an Essential Part of the Sale Process
- What is Foreclosure?
- What is a Short Sale?
- Tips for Your Washington DC Move
- Packing Tips for Your Washington DC Move
- Ways to Increase Your Credit Score for a Smoother Mortgage Process
- Four Tips for Selling Your Northern Virginia Home in the Winter
- Choosing the Right Mortgage - What You Should Know
- What Escrow Is And Why It's Important When Buying A Home In the Washington DC area
- Reasons To Sell Your Washington DC Home Before Reaching Foreclosure
- Four Tips for Selling Your Washington DC Home
Articles
- How Cancelling Credit Cards Can Hurt Your Chances Of Buying A New Home
- Can't Sell Your Home? Learn To Love Your Trinidad Neighborhood Home
- Know How Much Your Washington DC Area Home is Worth Before Trying To Sell It
- Getting Your Washington, DC Area Home Ready To Sell - Windows, Doors and Odor Control
- Avoid Stressing Yourself Out When Buying A Home In The Washington DC Area
- Is the Trinidad Neighborhood Right For Your Next Home Purchase?
- Experience Rock Creek Park: The Gem of Washington DC
- Washington DC Shepherd Park
- Washington DC Chevy Chase History
- Takoma Park DC
- Historic Capitol Hill
- Radon and Your Washington, DC Home
- Keep Your Washington DC Home Secure While You're Away
- Thinking of Buying Your First Home? Follow These Tips to Prepare for Your Purchase
- The ABCs of Home Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction
- Be Prepared: What to Expect with Closing Costs
- What is Private Mortgage Insurance?
- What is a Home Title?
- What is A Home Owners Association?
- Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Washington DC Home?
- Where to Check for Water Damage Before You Buy a Home
- Keeping Your Carpet Clean in the Winter is Tough - But Salt is Even Tougher on Carpet
- Essential Tips For First Time Homebuyers in the Washington DC Area
- Tips On Cleaning Up Credit When Buying A Home In the Washington DC Area
- There Is More To Buying A Home Than Interest Rates
- Good Reasons You Should Consider Buying A Home in the Washington DC area
Useful Links
Website links to various associations, community organizations, product suppliers and manufacturers and vendors that service home owners. NOTE: Michelle Buckman Does not Endorse any of the companies and or the products listed.The use of these products, companies and or services is at the discretion of the individual.
- Nature Unlimited
- www.nature-unlimited.com
- natureunlimitedllc@yahoo.com
- 1-877-549-2982
- Gary Sidell, attorney
- http://www.manta.com/c/mtw1cg3/gary-m-sidell-attorney
- suitcase@erols.com
- 202-331-9666
- Chasen & Chasen
- www.chasenandchasen.com
- 202-244-4006
- Ray Hrabec, loan officer
- http://rhrabec-gmmllclo.mortgagewebcenter.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1
- 703-259-0724
- Tom O’Keefe, Loan officer
- www.homeloans.com/loans/tom-okeefe/index.page
- (202) 966-8809
- Michael Femiano, Loan Officer
- www.homeloans.com/loans/michael-femiano/index_reno.page
- 301-910-6069
- Diane Cook, President
- www.metropolitanmortgagedc.com
- dianecook@aol.com
- 202-965-9814
- Capitol Pest Control
- www.capitolpest.com
- 301-279-8764
- Trexglobal
- www.trexglobal.com/partner/michelle_buckman
- National Floors Direct
- Washington Dc Flooring Contractor
- Digital Assembly Line
- Washington DC SEO
- Home Improvement
- Northern Virginia Trim Wrap
Community News
- Avalon Theatre
- Mosquito Control in Washington DC
- Safe Holidays Make Happy Holidays in Washington, DC
- Historical, Cultural, and Accessible: Northwest Washington D.C.'s Shaw Neighborhood
- Historic Cleveland Park Neighborhood
- Eastern Market Brings Fresh Foods, Exotic Crafts, and Sense of Community to Capitol Hill
- Trinidad Neighborhood on the Upswing, Offers a True Sense of Community
Buckman Videos
Michele Buckman has put together some videos discussing the current DC market and what the future may hold for the real estate market in the Washington DC area.
Washington DC Real Estate Resource Center: What is a Homeowner's Association?
Many homes in the Washington DC area may be part of a homeowner's association (HOA). An HOA is a legal entity or organization made up of members who own property within the HOA community. Oftentimes, the HOA officials are elected by the HOA members and community; these officials are responsible for developing and maintaining a budget, approving home and community maintenance and construction, and enforcing and following community regulations and rules. The HOA also collects monthly dues from homeowners and can issue fines against homeowners who do not follow HOA regulations.
Buying A Home With A Homeowners Association (HOA)
When buying a house with an HOA, make sure you thoroughly read the HOA manual, rules, and regulations, and make sure you can abide by them in your new home and community. Find out with the monthly dues are and if those dues may increase and the last time dues were raised. You should also be sure that the HOA has a healthy budget and no pending lawsuits. An HOA can be a great asset for your new home, as an HOA protects the property values of homeowners, creates a great community atmosphere, and takes care of such common grounds and facilities as pools, sport courts, and community gathering places.
HOA - More Information
For more information on the role of an HOA and how to assess an HOA when buying a home, contact Michelle Buckman. Representing W.C. & A.N. Miller and Christie's Great Estates properties in Chevy Chase, Northwest Washington DC, Capitol Hill, and the Trinidad neighborhood, Michelle works with a full range of clients, notably first-time homebuyers.