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Considerations for Buying a New Home

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Thinking about buying a new home can be exciting, exhilarating and bit scary all at the same time. The investment in a home is a large one — perhaps even the largest single purchase expenditure of your entire life! But rather than fretting about that fact, think instead about the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you are purchasing your first home or are a seasoned real estate wheeler-and-dealer, let the excitement win you over and have fun thinking about and planning your new home.

Evaluating your options means more than simply picking out the best white house in the neighborhood and snatching it up — unless that particular white house is exactly what you’ve always dreamed of — then buy it! Plan for the future when buying your home in the present; that sounds like something I just made up, but in reality — it is true. That doesn’t mean you should buy “more house” than you can afford, rather it means think about how long you plan to be in the home, the size requirements you need and how your life may change while in the home.

For example, if you think your living arrangements may change (marriage, divorce, family moving in, etc.) then work that factor into your home purchase. Instead of buying a home that is two bedrooms and one bath, perhaps you should go for an extra of each to accommodate the upcoming changes.

Always consider more than the immediate circumstances when making the all-important decision of buying a home. You may find a “good deal” on a home in a less desirable neighborhood with a less than average school district. While you don’t mind the neighborhood and you don’t have any school-aged children, what will you face when trying to sell the home in the future? Just because it is a “good deal” doesn’t mean you have to have it. Again, this is not to say you should walk away immediately, but if you think you plan to sell the home within three to five years, then you should at least consider the resale value before buying it.

If you’d like to discuss your options further, or just bounce a few ideas off of me, give me a call. I’m happy to talk it through and show you properties throughout the area.

~ Michelle

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Jazz Festival Anyone?

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Spring is here and this weekend as we take time to remember friends and loved ones on Memorial Day, enjoy some of the musical magic offered by the DC Jazz Festival. My friends from the Chevy Chase area will be attending and I hope to see many of our friends and neighbors there too.

The largest music festival in Washington, DC, the DC Jazz Festival offers more than 100 performances in dozens of locations throughout the city. The Festival organization invests in year-round music education for DC students and residents, promotes music education in schools and supports continued efforts to diversify the jazz music audience. What a great program, that adds to the community through cultural advancement – exactly what we need.

So gather your friends, coworkers, friends and everyone else and explore your city – there is surely something for everyone!

Be safe this holiday weekend and enjoy all that jazz!

~ Michelle

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Tips To Prevent A Home Break-In

Friday, February 4th, 2011

It’s a subject we don’t want to think about, but unfortunately, we have to.  According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports more than 1.5 million homes were broken into in 2006. The FBI report also states that of those break-ins, a measly 12.6 of the criminals were actually caught that’s less than 200,000 of those homeowners who saw any type of justice for the crime on their property. A couple little known facts about property crimes such as burglary: the majority of break-ins occur during the day when homeowners are at work and nearly 40 percent of all homes broken into are not forced entries. That’s right, 40 percent of the homes were open to intruders – through unlocked windows and doors.

While the statistics can be startling, with a few simple tips, you can help prevent your home from being the subject of criminal activity.

  • Know what others can see. When items like bicycles, snowblowers, lawnmowers and other power tools can easily be seen from the road, they tend to draw thieves like magnets. Simply put these items in the garage or storage space and remove the temptation.
  • Look in your own windows. Open all of your curtains and blinds then take a walk around outside your house and look in. You may be surprised at home much people can see by simply glancing in as they walk or drive by. The popularity of flat screen televisions has grown significantly and with many mounted on the wall, it makes them that much more visible to passing traffic. Look in the windows and notice how many valuable items you have within sight distance and how many are near the window. It may require a bit of rearranging – or even attention to closing the curtains or blinds – but keeping them out of sight is your best bet.
  • Pay attention to your garbage and curbside recycling. When you purchase a new big-ticket item like a television or stereo equipment, don’t advertise your purchase by dismissing the packaging to the curb. Again, this is a tell-tale sign of the valuable items in your home.
  • Secure your yard. This doesn’t mean to install a 12-foot chain link topped with barbed wire fence, rather it simply means maintaining your landscape to avoid providing protection for thieves. Tall shrubs and overgrown trees near your home provide a fantastic hiding place for would-be intruders to wait until they can easily enter your home. That passing car isn’t a problem if they can duck behind the bush under the bedroom window. You don’t have to get rid of them, just keep them manicured.
  • Know your neighbors. While you do not have to become best friends with your neighbors, become friendly enough so they recognize suspicious behavior at your home. Let them know when you’ll be out-of-town for a even a few days so they will not dismiss activity as your own.
  • Pretend it’s Fort Knox. This should go without says, but apparently it needs to be stated for at least 40 percent of the homeowners out there. So, lock your doors and windows all the time. All it takes is once and a thief can make his way into your home and off with your prized possessions.

~ Michelle

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Time To Gear Up For Spring

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

I know, it’s still winter outside, but it’s never too early to start planning for warmer weather…at least in my book.

Spring is the perfect time of year for getting your home ready to sell. While the weather outside is not conducive to outdoor projects, think about what you can do inside the house. Whether it is organizing that closet that seems to collect the random items from throughout the house or even that bookshelf that just needs some attention, why not get going on those projects now? Staying inside to keep warm shouldn’t mean you can’t be productive as well.

Taking an hour or two now to go through your belongings will save you time later when it seems you simply don’t have enough hours in the day to accomplish all of the items on your to-do list.

Go through the closets and pack-up any clothing items that you no longer wear and donate them to your favorite charity. Many area shelters, such as N Street Village accept a variety of items including clothing, shoes, boots, coats and blankets, not to mention household goods. A complete list of accepted items, as well as items that are greatly needed, is available on the N Street Village website here.

The National Zoo accepts items for donation that you may not think of. The zoo needs night lights, plastic kiddie pools, full length mirrors, tools, building supplies and many other items.

Office supplies are a hot commodity for charitable organizations like The Alternative House, which provides emergency shelter, food, clothing and crisis intervention for more than 2,000 Washington, DC area youth and families. Currently, The Alternative House accepts donations of office supplies — i.e. printer ink cartridges, printer paper, pens, etc., toiletries, cleaning supplies, hotel samples, storage containers and storage bins.

All area charities are in need of donations and no matter what items you have to donate, there is an organization that needs them. Charitable Choices provides a list of Washington, DC and Northern Virginia charities that accept donations of various items, the list sorted by item can streamline your process even further.

Organize your home while helping those in need – it’s a perfect win-win solution. Happy cleaning!

~ Michelle

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Explore New Things This New Year

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope 2011 is off to a great start and wish you all the luck and success.

The holidays are over, the festivities done and relatives have left, but it’s still cold outside. Stay indoors where it’s warm, or at least venture to somewhere you may be somewhere warm inspired by a photo.

Now through June 12, take a look “Beyond the Story: National Geographic Unpublished” and see what National Geographic has been holding back from us.

From our friends at National Geographic, about the exhibit,

“In the course of a year more than 1.5 million images are made by National Geographic magazine photographers. Each photographer returns from an assignment with thousands of images. Together with photo editors they then embark on the painstaking process of winnowing thousands of shots into a handful of published images that will tell a compelling story. While only about a dozen photos appear in a National Geographic article, there are always more than a handful of favorites in each assignment. The sheer volume of images means that many never get the spotlight they deserve. This exhibition features fifty unpublished photographs from fifteen photographers covering everything from the wilds of Madagascar to new leisure pursuits in booming Shanghai. The pictures were selected by editors and photographers and represent a tiny fraction of the unpublished favorites from 2010.”

Check back soon for more information on lessons, event and seminars available in our local communities.

~ Michelle

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