What is Planned for Bethesda?

Woodmont East is starting to take shape!
The Montgomery County Planning Board gave preliminary approvals last Thursday to the JBG Companies, which are now actively moving ahead in plans to develop Woodmont East. The last vacant parcel next to Bethesda Row is going to be host to a large-scale, mixed-use project which will include 208,579 square feet of office space in one tower, and 250 residential units and 9000 square feet of retail space in the other tower. Running between the two will be the much loved Capital Crescent Trail, which will remain open for, at the very least, most of the construction period.


“The trail will come right through the two of them,” said Matt Blocher of JBG. “As far as what happened at the hearing, [the approval] permits us to close the trail for up to five days at a time if there is significant construction procedures. At this point, we’re not sure if we'll need to close it, except for at the end of the job when we have to do the paving.”


Although the formal approval process is nearly completed, several key components need to be worked out before construction can proceed. The JBG Companies have not started to design the building beyond the site plan guidelines required by Montgomery County. Design and permitting is anywhere from 12 to 24 months, and then construction is 24 months.

50 Buyers in the Rain on Sunday

Even though it rained cats and dogs on Sunday, I had more than 50 people lined up to visit my listing at 12307 Old Canal Road, Potomac, MD. At one point I felt like I was in a wedding reception receiving line as I stood at the door greeting people and shaking hands, and ushering in people lined up outside. I think it is a great house at a really good price. It has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a family room, huge mud room, lovely deck, updated kitchen with corian counters, a finished basement, one car garage, all for just $599,000. It is in the Richard Montgomery High School district with its international baccalureate program, so it is a very well regarded program. It is even very close to I-270 and the Beltway so that the new buyer can get to Dulles Airport or Baltimore really easily! In addition, it is very close to several orthodox temples so that families can walk to temple on holy days.

I actually ran out of flyers after 2 hours - who would have thought that 40 flyers that said "Just Listed" wouldn't be enough to get through the afternoon!

The good news is that we are working on an offer which would be wonderful for my sellers. The pressure is on me since this is my daughter's hockey coach's house (and the home of a classmate of my daughter!) They both play for the Montgomery Youth Hockey Association - the Montgomery Blue Devils!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me and for all of us that there actually is a spring market and that maybe there is a small rally coming along. I will keep you posted.

If you would like to see the house for yourself - here is a tour link!
http://www.realtourinc.com/index.cfm?action=Tour&ido=27052515

The Views in DC are Monumental!

For the last 2 weeks I have been showing properties in downtown DC to a couple who want a balcony for morning coffee or a roof terrace for dinner parties. The thing that I have been struck by time and time again as we go around the city is how incredible the views are from so many condos in downtown DC. I step out onto the balcony and turn my head to the right or left - - and there it is - a national landmark. Frequently it is the Washington Monument, peeking over the nearby buildings. Then my thoughts immediately turn to the Fourth of July when I know that the city's night sky will be illuminated with starbursts of color around the Monument.

Sometimes it is the dome of the Capitol (or just the Indian atop the dome) which I can see. Occasionally it is the National Cathedral on Mount St. Albans, gleaming serenely at night, or the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in NE Washington with its distinctive Byzantine dome.

This afternoon I was on a roof terrace in Columbia Heights with an incredible view of the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and St. Matthews Cathedral (where John Kennedy's funeral service was celebrated in DC). In many ways the Washington cityscape is like any other city, but it is blessed with spectacular landmarks that represent the United States around the world. I am having so much fun showing condos right now!

My advice to buyers right now is that there are some wonderful condos out there with incredible views! Call your realtor or better yet, call me and let me show you the best of my hometown. Along with the spectacular views are the incredible prices coupled with the low interest rates, plentiful choices, motivated sellers, and 1st time buyer credit. For the first time in a long long time a buyer can get an incredible deal on a wonderful condo that promises enjoyment for years to come! Don't miss out on it.

NEW STORE IN BETHESDA

The Apple Store is Open
After months of secrecy (that really wasn't a secret), the new Apple store has opened on Bethesda Ave in Bethesda. The new space is directly across from the old Apple store, but easily three times as big as the old location. I ducked in to the new location today to retrieve my 15 year old daughter who was hungrily eyeing a new computer - funny how her "old" IBM is suddenly unsalvageable! The store is beautiful, even on a grey rainy day, but I was struck by how empty it seemed. There probably were just as many people in the new store as there had been on similar days in the space across the street, but the new space is so big that people seemed lost in it. The old space which almost crushed everyone into one another created a visual energy level that said to passersby that something exciting was going on inside. How could it not be exciting - look at all those people there. No doubt Bethesda will grow into the new space quickly. Betheda Avenue is enhanced by the sleek storefront which replaced the old Blockbuster, but I miss the congestion of the old location!

For any questions about real estate in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, or if you are planning to relocate to my home town, just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or check out my website, www.homesinchevychasebethesda.com

KENWOOD CHERRY BLOSSOMS

The long winter is finally coming to a close and the cherry trees exploded last week in a cloud of pale pink and white blossoms. Spring is finally returning to Washington as the peak blooming period for Washington's beloved and oh-so-delicate cherry trees took place in the first week in April. Thousands of tourists and Washingtonians alike took advantage of the warmer weather to stroll around the Tidal Basin or take out a paddleboat. The traffic came to a standstill as tourists dodged between the cars on their way from the Lincoln Memorial or Washington Monument to the Tidal Basin. Fortunately, however, the Tidal Basin is not the only place to enjoy the blossom. Some very smarat tourists have discovered that cherry trees also line the street of Kenwood, just over the District line in nearby Bethesda, MD. The streets of Kenwood are lined with cherry trees, and when in bloom, neighborhood children set up lemonade stands for the visitors who are picknicking on front lawns or among the cars threading their way through the neighbhood. On weekends, even the adjacent streets are full of couples and families taking a stroll in the sunshine. But even if it's slightly congested, it will be nothing compared to downtown DC, and I can guarantee you'll feel as though you're walking through a soft sweet smelling cloud.

If you want to check out real estate in Kenwood, or anywhere else in the DC metro area, just visit my website, www.homesinchevychasebethesda.com

Most Expensive Home Sales in Bethesda/Chevy Chase 1st Quarter 2009

Top 5 Sales in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD in 1st Q 2009 (edit/delete)
The top sale in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD in the first quarter of 2009 was a condo at the Somerset , 5630 WISCONSIN AVE #1405, which sold for $3,635,000. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo, a FSBO, is 3396 sq ft unit with a monthly condo fee of $2100 and annual taxes of $23,783.

8813 CHALON DR, BETHESDA listed for $3,499,000 and sold for $3.100,000 on January 30. This home was a custom built all brick 6/7 BR,8.5 Ba Colonial with over 9000 fin sq.ft. on 1.3 ac. Some of the amenities included custom woodwork, a 2 story marble foyer, 2 staircases, 5 Fpls, top of line finishes, materials & features throughout.

On January 21st, 6409 GARNETT DR, CHEVY CHASE sold for $2,900,000 (with a list price of $3,100,000.) Sitting on nearly 1/2 an acre, this 12 year old home has 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a pool, 3 car garage and a semi circular drive. It even has an elevator to go to all 3 levels and 6400 square feet of living space.

5320 Wapakoneta sold on March 2, 2009, for $2,680,000, without ever going on the market. This is another custom home with an elevator, copper roof and gutters, slate deck, 3 stone and wood fireplaces, a sun room, gym, wine cellar, theater, and mud room with lockers. 6350 square feet of living space on a 12,000 sq ft lot!

Number 5 in the top sales was another condo at the Somerset - 5630 WISCONSIN AVE #305, CHEVY CHASE- for $2,395,000 (listed and sold). 2710 sq feet, a $1900 a month condo fee, renovated by Frank Bell with high ceilings, cherry hdwd flrs,(din/liv rm) custom builtins,grand liv rm, balcony,sep din rm, study,Chef's kit,Master suite,addit bed/bA 2PK SP/ Amenities inc indr/outdr pools,tennis,clubhse,gym,spa.

Update on Kenwood Forest

Market Update on Kenwood Forest One of the best neighborhoods in Chevy Chase is Kenwood Forest, a community of nearly 400 townhouses and one level one bedroom or studio condos, created between 1978 and 1980 from an apartment complex built after WWII. While prices have dropped over the last 2 years, buyers still call me frequently asking to be notified whenever a new listing comes on the market. Small wonder since Kenwood Forest townhouses are well designed with at least 2 baths upstairs and a half bath on the 1st floor; the community is very well maintained with amazingly low condo fees; and homeowners can walk to two metros and every imaginable cuisine in the many restaurants of Bethesda. Want more info about Kenwood Forest, just check out www.kenwoodforest.com for floorplans and answers to all your questions.

Basic Statistics - grouped by Status
Provides Basic statistics on listings


Status: ACTIVE (1)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 - 1980
Max $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 - 1980
Avg $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 1980
Status: CNTG/NO KO (1)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 - 1980
Max $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 - 1980
Avg $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 1980
Status: SOLD (8)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $375,000 2 3 2 1 2 2 - 1977
Max $599,000 3 4 3 2 100 100 - 1982
Avg $524,469 3 3 2 1 25 31 1980
Status: All (10)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $375,000 2 3 2 1 2 2 - 1977
Max $599,000 3 4 3 2 100 100 - 1982
Avg $529,675 3 3 2 1 25 30 1980

HERE COME THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Cherry Trees Are Blooming Again
It happens every year! The 3750 cherry trees around the Tidal Basin burst into bloom and the city explodes with tourists. Most of the trees are Yoshino Cherry, but there also are Kwanzan Cherry, Akebono Cherry, Takesimensis Cherry, Usuzumi Cherry, Weeping Japanese Cherry, Sargent Cherry, Autumn Flowering Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Afterglow Cherry, Shirofugen Cherry and Okame Cherry.

In 1912, the people of Japan sent 3,020 cherry trees to the United States as a gift of friendship. The First Lady, Mrs. Taft, and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. These two original trees are still standing today near the John Paul Jones statue at the south end of 17th Street. Workmen planted the remainder of the trees around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park.

Then in 1927 school children created the first festival when they reenacted the earlier tree planting. By 1934 the festival had grown to a three day celebration, and then in 1935 the first Cherry Blossom Queen was crowned. By the early 1990s the festival had become a 2 week celebration.

If you haven't ever had a chance to walk around the Tidal Basin when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, you have missed one of the truly wonderful DC experiences. Families bring small children, grandparents, and family pets for picnics and a leisurely stroll around the Tidal Basin. Another wonderful event is to rent a paddle boat and see the blossoms from a water view.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the blossoms this year!

A New Look for Southeast DC

St. Elizabeths Hospital Gets Green Light

After years of delay, DC’s St. Elizabeths Hospital (home to criminally insane people such as John Hinckley) possibly will begin a huge redevelopment effort to become the next headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). General Services Administration (GSA) has received two crucial approvals necessary to relocate the DHS to the vacant St. Elizabeths West Campus, in Southeast Washington DC. According to GSA, the only hindrance now is to allocate the funds and select the team.

In December, the agency received a favorable Environmental Impact Statement concerning the project; in January, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) gave approval of the GSA’s master plan for the site. This is the first relocation of a federal government agency east of the Anacostia - and one that paves the way for the District to pursue their own redevelopment initiatives in the surrounding Congress Heights neighborhood.

Since DHS is currently housed in 70 buildings at 40 locations throughout the city, GSA determined a move to St. Elizabeths “to be the only reasonable alternative.” It’s a maneuver that will require the construction and renovation of some 4.65 million square feet of office and shared use space, plus construction of a new Coast Guard headquarters and the requisite parking.

With approvals in hand, the GSA expects actual construction to commence by the third quarter of 2009. While this all seems to be great news for the area, locals fear the project may become a high-security fortress that encourages no interaction with the local economy. Others worry about potential harm to the environment from such a massive build-out. Preservationists are most disturbed about changes to St. Elizabeths historic character.

The NCRC report acknowledges that damage will occur to St. Elizabeths buildings, despite the fact that the West Campus was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 1990. Since the West Campus is a federally-owned parcel, the District's own, typically stringent Historic Preservation Review Board has no bearing on what happens to the structures on the property.

The Fenty administration, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Office of Planning also has plans to redevelop the District-controlled Eastern Campus into more than 2 million square feet of mixed-use development.

St. Elizabeths West is to be built in three phases over the next 8 years – the first of which is intended to start by the end of the year. Though the District has yet to commit to a timeline for their development of the campus' eastern flank, McGill says that, “In terms of putting people in place on campus, the Coast Guard is going to be the first tenant. We anticipate that to be far enough along for them to begin moving in in 2013.”

WHY BUY NOW?

Okay - I admit that I like selling homes, and I like helping people like you find a new home that is that perfect match and a good investment for you. I came across the following remarkable quote from the author, David Bach, which says, "The average homeowner is worth 35 times more than the average renter." If that is true, then that is an amazing statistic!

David Bach advises renters to take action immediately and start saving part of their paycheck every month to help accumulate a down payment. He also encourages renters to borrow 10-20 percent less than what the bank is willing to lend; that way they're only buying as much home as they can afford. (I promise as a point of honor that I never will push you to buy more than that which your comfort level allows.)

The longer you rent, the longer it may take you to eventually get into homeownership. If the market conditions have scared you, perhaps you're not looking at the other side of the coin. Even though you are buying a home for shelter and emotional factors, owning a home still becomes part of your investment portfolio, provides tax benefits, allows you to build equity (it still exists), and, if you buy now, you may get an excellent deal.

However, it is a scary time to jump into the market. As the Washington Post has continually noted, buyers are sitting on the fence, waiting for something to change. In fact, someone recently told me that they were still casually looking for a home, but planning to make a purchase in 6 months since property values were going to continue to go down.

Now, I absolutely agree that property values probably are going to stay soft. Certainly, I don’t expect prices to start to turn up for quite a while – years in fact. However, I don’t agree that waiting is necessarily the best approach.

According to a MarketWatch news article, buying a home now can provide some real negotiating power to request improvements, price reductions, help with closing costs, and more. "People can get a lot of what they need and almost all of what they want today," said Jay Papasan, one of the authors of "Your First Home".

While poor market conditions have created a troubling situation for some homeowners, the downturn has made the buying market ripe for others. The affordability of homes is better than ever. The National Association of Realtors' housing affordability index concluded that homes in December of 2008 were more affordable than at any other point since 1970 (the start of the index). And with numerous foreclosures on the market and prices dropping in many areas, now is a good time to buy. But in order to make your purchase profitable, here are some things you should consider.

How long will you be in the home? Some experts advise that if you are planning to move within a year or even two years, buying may not be the best option because of the expenses associated with moving. However, if you're searching for a place to live for, at least, several years, buying now could be a good choice for you, particularly if you buy a property that has good rental potential in case your plans change unexpectedly.

How much you can afford. Don't let tighter lending regulations scare you off from making a purchase. Instead, understand what you truly can afford. Don't get caught up in buying too much home. In fact, these days, the trend is moving toward smaller homes - simpler living.

Mortgage rates drop to historical low. How much home you can afford is affected by mortgage interest rates that, right now, are highly appealing. Good credit, documenting your income, and a substantial down payment will make you a better candidate for the better mortgage rates.

Freedom to choose. Now, unlike several years ago, the market has a large inventory in many areas. The market time to sell a home has increased which creates a large inventory of homes, everything including new, existing, and foreclosures. Buyers can peruse the market and have the freedom to select the home they really want. If you're interest is in a new home, know that many developers are getting more competitive with their pricing because they also have taken a hit by the ailing economy.

Quality of life. Buying a home can create a higher quality of life, giving you pride of homeownership, and something to enjoy improving and developing over the years.

Tax credit benefit. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1.

There are lots of opportunities out there. Last night I saw a new listing just posted - a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo on 13th St. near M St. It is a foreclosure listed for $339,900 - 1000 sq ft - loft style. A one bedroom in the same building sold in October for $333,000- but was only 680 sq. ft. The foreclosure is being sold as is and is a perfect candidate for a loan that includes renovation financing. (That is the building at the top of this blog.)

So - if you are ready to take advantage of this very interesting market, just give me a call. I will be glad to help you find your dream home.

Last Year When We Used to Be Rich - or the Tale of My Washing Machine

I have been waiting for over 5 weeks for Sears to repair my one year old washing machine. Sears repair men have come out four different times with various new replacement parts but the washing machine is a big, new, complicated front loading steam washing machine, which can't be fix. These days, nothing is fixed any more - whole panel boards are pulled out and replaced because all our appliances are so computerized that they defy repair. Of course, every time that Sears replaced a component in my washing machine, they either ordered the wrong part or identified and fixed only part of the problem. Hence, the 5 week wait.

Finally yesterday I lost my temper when Sears said my next appointment was scheduled for March 20th. I demanded that they replace my unrepairable machine. Surprisingly, Sear agreed! Score one for the home team. Not only that - they are giving me a full credit for the machine. Now here is the embarassing thing. I had spent a ridiculous amount of money on the now old machine - because I could. I bought the best machine I could - not the best machine for my family of 3 - the machine I had bought before was (1) in retrospect, ridiculously expensive; (2) more "versatile" than I ever needed; and (3) way too complicated.

Now of course, all I want is a basic machine, powered by two gerbils in the basement, so that I know it won't break, but I am using the credit they are giving me to buy my new machine (and I hate to leave money on the table....)

The lesson I take away from this is that the last few years have been an incredible ride of unnecessary consumption - I didn't need a machine that complex or that offered so many bells and whistles that I never used and only broke faster. All of us have been spending our energy acquiring shiny toys rather than things we need. In addition, I really do believe that we no longer make anything in this country, and apparently we can't even fix anything that we rely on. We really are in a sorry state of affairs.

Now that everything is crashing, we have stopped consuming entirely. Instead, we all are pulling in our belts, as we now lurch the other way, afraid to spend on anything. There has got to be a better balance.

So, on behalf of Americans every where, please go out and buy something - something with quality and value. Buy something that should work longer than 3 nanoseconds and stimulates the economy (like a house) or a car or even a good washing machine. Don't be a spendthrift like we have been for the last 10 or 15 years, but don't be so frugal that we stall the economy even more!

We have got to get back to some kind of rational thought process, and where better to start than with a revival of the US real estate market, which is the engine of the US economy. It is filled with great deals for buyers! Go to it!

In seaside Ocean City, MD, where 91 percent of the homes are vacation home properties, owners were buoyed by the prospect of reduced property taxes after assessed values dropped 36 to 45 percent over the last three years, according to county officials.

Scouting the slopes in Colorado's ski resort areas of Aspen, Beaver Creek, Steamboat and Vail will uncover some home prices in the toniest areas still holding steady, but overall sales are down by about 40 percent, according to a University of Colorado's real estate center.

In Maui, both home prices and sales are down about 25 percent each, according to the island's real estate association.

And don't forget California's resort areas. Home prices in the Golden State are down by 50 percent or more in many locations.

That's only the beginning. Lower prices and less competition are the tip of the iceberg-sized list of factors that make it a good time to consider a vacation home buy.

"In many vacation markets, you can pick up a beach condo or a mountain cabin at a decent price. In some markets, homes are back to 2000 prices," said vacation home guru Christine Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway.com (an online vacation home rental Web site).

She says a host of market conditions have converged to make buying a second home a smart move right about now.


Take the stock market. Please.
"Stock market woes have always pushed people to look for alternate investments, and real estate is a consistent stronghold," she says. "Yes, home values are down right now but they have always rebounded. I wouldn't recommend buying a second home with the expectation of flipping it for a quick buck, but if you hang onto it for a while -- and better still, turn it into a vacation rental property -- you'll make a nice profit," Karpinski says.


Interest rates are cooperating.
On Dec. 24 Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey revealed 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hadn't been lower since Freddie Mac started the survey in 1971. "Rates have been reasonably low for awhile, following earlier rate cuts toward the beginning of the year. That's good news for anyone who's in the market for a mortgage," Karpinski added.


The pressure of bidding wars is off.
"Housing bubble or no housing bubble, you're not going to get bargain basement prices on, say, a cottage right on the ocean—but if you're willing to buy a few rows back, you'll likely find that prices have fallen substantially," notes Karpinski. "Because houses aren't flying off the shelf, there's less pressure on you to make a quick decision. You can afford to take your time, do your research, and refine your plan," she added.


Vacation rental demand is on.
Economic pressures on travel budgets are forcing those who once traveled abroad to stick closer to home. To further save travel dollars, domestic travelers want the most bang for their getaway bucks. Vacation homes provide all the comforts and options of home (eating in, game rooms, wirelessness, etc.), often at a per-person rate that's cheaper than a hotel.

Karpinski says, "Vacation homes tend to be less expensive than hotel rooms. This is especially true if you're traveling with extended family or a group of friends. Not incidentally, in many areas of the country, rental demand exceeds supply. The Sunshine State (Florida) is a prime example. Buy a vacation home in a market like Cape Coral, Daytona, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Indian Rocks Beach, Kissimmee, Madeira Beach, Orlando, Panama City Beach, Sanibel Island, West Palm Beach, or Windsor Hills, and you can't lose."

The weak dollar makes American destinations attractive to European travelers and others holding stronger currencies. Also, business travel continues to generate vacation rental income -- especially when foreign business associates come calling.

"It's a far more comfortable option; plus many companies work out deals with homeowners whereby they can get volume discounts," said Karpinski


A vacation home can pay for itself.
When your monthly mortgage payment is less than or equal to one peak week rental, twelve weeks of rental will cover your mortgage payments for the entire year. Other costs, including bills for your phone, power, cable, and association dues, may be paid out of your earnings from approximately five off-week rentals, Karpinski says.

The calculations don't consider the added cost of a property manger you may need if you are not a do-it-yourselfer. Despite the convergence of positive factors pointing to an opportunity to buy a second or vacations home, the fundamentals still apply. Strong credit, low debt, high savings and other assets are a plus

Get Ready for the Spring Market and Landscape that Yard!

A lot has been written about landscaping yards for curb appeal because buyers see the outside first when they drive up to a home. So it makes sense to make this area as attractive and inviting as possible. Doing that requires thinking about what would really make a property alluring.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars landscaping a home when you're about ready to put your home on the market. Instead, investing a few hundred dollars could make a huge difference to a buyer. In fact, curb appeal can be the sole reason prospective buyers ever end up entering a home. That's why listing agents will often give their sellers tips to help them fix up their homes. Here are a few things you can do.

1. Color is key.
An attractive landscape usually has color. Many people add flowering plants along the walkway and porch area to create a focal point on the home. The colorful plants add a cheerful welcome and create a memorable landscape. Remember, buyers will generally visit numerous homes in a day, so anything you can do to help them remember yours, in a positive way, will increase the chance of a second visit or even an offer. Colors that grab the most attention are red, orange, and yellow. Cooler colors such as blues and purples help to relax people and can be perfect in meditation gardens.

2. Use colorful mulch.
Maybe you have an area that needs some sort of mulch. You don't have to use the traditional wood chips, which soon deteriorate, to fill in planter boxes or backyard playgrounds. Rubber mulch uses recycled ground rubber that comes in several different colors including green, brown, blue, and cypress. "Make sure any recycled mulch you buy is tread-free. You don't want to have any steel. You don't want to have a lot of tread. You need to look out for that. There are companies that just offer black tires recycle and that's usually going to be pretty dirty," says Paul Parker, owner of San Diego Backyard Adventures.

It can be bought in small quantities such as 40-pound bags or large super sacks. "It will not deteriorate; it's going to last," says Parker. A 40-pound bag will cost approximately $20. Parker adds, "This product is going to look good for literally five or 10 years and, if you're concerned with the short-term, you can put the [mulch] down and it's going to add color and be pleasing to the eye."

An added benefit is that if your home has a backyard playground and you put mulch underneath it instead of wood chips, you gain a higher level of protection and an additional selling point to feature. "It's definitely going to add value because oftentimes if you put a play system on a hard surface there's no safety—but if the [rubber mulch] is already there, it's going to add a lot of value," says Parker.

3. Artificial grass.
Green grass is a beautiful feature in a yard but keeping it green can be a challenge no matter where you live. Using synthetic grass in various areas of your yard can transform an ugly area of dirt into a lush-looking yard. Parker cautions homeowners to choose the grass products carefully, "There are some products out there that are being cheaply made. So [the grass] has a single blade rather than a much thicker weave. You want to make sure the grass you buy has at least a 10-year warranty," says Parker.

4. Illusion of space.
Hide boundaries such as fences and walls. Make them appear boundless by breaking up the line of the wall which can create a closed-off feeling. Paint and the placement of plants help give an illusion of more space. Using tall but thin plants in your yard (as opposed to wide ones) can make a small area look bigger. Curved lines can help soften the look of a home that is constructed with too many straight lines or right angles.

5. Clean up the driveway.
If you've been a do-it-yourselfer with your automobiles (oil changes, etc.) then maybe it shows on your driveway. Oil spills are highly unsightly and will, if not chase away prospective buyers, at least create a memory of your home that you don't want. Clean up the spills and move the parked cars to give buyers a chance to take in the entire residence. Many will snap photos and make notes to review for later. Don't let an oil mark leave a black mark in buyers' minds.

The Silver Lining to Foreclosures

Yes, I realize that it is hard to put the words "foreclosure"and "silver lining" together in the same sentence. However, while the foreclosure is a tragedy on a personal level for someone or a whole family and a national tragedy for all of us, it does create an opportunity for home ownership for someone who had been priced out of the housing market before.

The Washington Post just did an article in its real estate section on Saturday, February 21, 2009, which described one of the beneficiaries of the housing bust - young couples who couldn't afford to buy a home before. These buyers are helping all of us by taking those vacant houses off the market and turning them into homes again. They are helping to rebuild the economy by buying new furniture and renovation or construction supplies from Loews or Home Depot.

The National Assocation of Realtors said earlier this month that 45 percent of all sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were distressed sales. Working with foreclosures is not profiting by someone else's misfortune as one ActiveRainer said recently. There are a lot of potential homeowners out there who can benefit from the supply of foreclosed homes, and finally get a chance at that best of American dreams, home ownership. If the financing is done responsibly this time, it can be a great turn around and one in which I am proud to be a part.

If you are interested in find a foreclosure, please give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.

There's More To Washington Than Politicians!

Welcome to Washington, which is not just home to Presidents and other politicians, but regular people too. Even if you aren't planning a trip to DC any time soon, I would like to share a little of my hometown. Maybe you will come to Washington some time - and I hope you look me up! It's a great city and I love to tell people a little of its history and some of its quirks. It's like any hometown, but more famous!

You probably saw the concert on Sunday afternoon of the Inaugural weekend in front of the Lincoln memorial. Did you know that there have been other famous concerts and performances there? Here is a little history of the Lincoln Memorial, and maybe some things you don't know.
Of course, the Lincoln memorial is a monument honoring the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Construction was begun in 1914, and its design by the New York architect Henry Bacon is based on a Greek temple with 36 doric columns. Each column represents one state of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death. Inside the 99ft tall marble temple is a large sculpture of Abraham Lincoln seated in a chair. The northern wall contains an inscription of Lincoln's second inaugural speech, the southern wall has the Gettysburg address inscribed. Above the inscription is a mural depicting the angel of truth freeing a slave. The memorial has been used many times as a gathering place for protests and political rallies. The most famous was the March of Washington in 1963, when Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech 'I have a dream' A marked tile on the memorial's steps shows where Dr. King stood. On August 28, 1983, crowds gathered again to mark the 20th Anniversary Mobilization for Jobs, Peace and Freedom, to reflect on progress in gaining civil rights for African Americans and to commit to correcting continuing injustices.
In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow the African-American Marian Anderson to perform before an integrated audience at the organization's Constitution Hall. At the suggestion of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of President Roosevelt, Harold L.Ickes, the Secretary of the Interior, arranged for a performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday of that year, to a live audience of 70,000, and a nationwide radio audience.
As a girl growing up in DC in the '60s I remember that on summer evenings the National Symphony used to perform on a barge on the Potomac in front of the Lincoln Memorial and crowds would sit on the steps leading down to the river from the traffic circle around the Memorial. Eventually the city could no longer tolerate having one of its major commuter roads, Rock Creek Park, closed to traffic several nights a week, and the concerts stopped.
The memorial is located at the west end of the National Mall. From the top of the stairs in front of the temple, you have a great view of the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. You might remember the view of all the people in the reflecting pool during one of the protest scenes in the movie, "Forest Gump."

There are some great legends about the Lincoln Memorial, but they aren't true!
For instance, people claim that Robert E. Lee's face is carved onto the back of Lincoln's statue, looking back across the Potomac at the Custis Lee Mansion in Arlington Cemetary.
Another popular legend is that Lincoln is shown using sign language to represent his initials, with his left hand shaped to form an "A" and his right hand to form an "L". The National Park Service denies both stories, calling them urban legends.
But, there really are stalactites growing under the Memorial in the "basement." 20 years ago I took a n evening tour of the Lincoln memorial and its stalactites. The tour was fun, but they have cancelled it for secuirty reasons!
So the next time you see a picture of Washington, I hope you will put the city on your to do list, and plan a trip with your family. I would love to show you around!

Posted by Lise Howe on 01/27/2009 10:20 PM