Your Busy Life blog

Often, buyers will ask about “how safe is this neighborhood”.

Firstly, I suggest they look at their own home for a baseline.  Frankly, it’s surprising how we can all be completely oblivious to that which is going on.

Then, to understand the type and frequency of “crime”, there are 2 sites, the first is national in scope and this other is Washington,DC-specific.

And of course, any buyer considering to buy a home should consider the home’s location at different times of day and night.  Some people don’t want to live next to a whole set of hot dining spots, others do.

This media coverage two weeks ago was about my alternate ego, my life as a landlord.  I’m posting this here because some of my clients choose to work with me because I very much “understand” investments; such a facility allows for better communication between myself and investors.

Check out the story in the Washington Express.

A few days ago, I was interviewed for my thoughts on NoMa, which I think is going nowhere but up.  At the moment, not quite the neighborhood feel, but some parts are already having a nice feel, other parts are moving up.

The story was in the Washington Examiner. If you’d like more background, ping me and I’ll get you lined up.

So often, buyers will ask that I recommend a search site.  There are many many many.

My first criteria is the site be current as often clients will ask me about a listing which was sold several weeks ago, leading to a frustration.

My second criteria is ease of use, some people prefer map-based searches, others prefer text-based.  For those who prefer maps, consider ListingBook.  For those who prefer text, consider HomesDatabase.  With both options, the search will get you moving in the right direction, but ultimately the search should be done in parallel with constant agent communication.

Good luck,

Sometimes, it’s embarrassing to realize I’ve missed embracing a new trend.

Today, I’ve officially written my first contract using DocuSign.  This tool allows electronic signatures which allows for documents to fly through the internet rather than hand delivery (with the time wasted in traffic) or snail mail.

Advantages:  green (much less printing)
fast (seconds rather than 45 minute one way cross town commute)
smart (allows clients to have immediate pdf copies of all their paperwork

Not quite sure why I didn’t jump on this months ago.

You’d like to think that this metro area is in the top of rankings of US Cities.

Surely, the Metro helps, as do some of the urban villages, but we still rank #31.

Ouch, see how other cities are ranking, see Smarter Cities.

The greater Washington DC area made the list, # 8 of 10 for recovery.

I’ll take it, because from what I’ve seen in my travels outside this metro area, many parts of the US are in pain. So, rather than being greedy, I’ll be grateful.

Jobs, growth, diversified economy.  Not so bad.

This application is specific to the Washington DC Metro area, but allows consumers to understand the different cost parameters based on your home’s location.  If you will, a way to put a cost to sprawl

This tool was developed by Urban Land Institute’s Terwiller Center.

Many sellers are wishing it was 2004 still. But it isn’t.  However, consider the reality.  The 2004 seller sold at a high price, to then turn around and buy the new home at a high price.

Today’s seller sells at a lower price, to then turn around and buy the new home at a lower price.

The only people who are happy about 2009 are buyers who waited for a few years.  And the only people who were happy about 2004 were those who could sell and weren’t forced to buy again.

Food for thought.

Every year, this event continues to grow, with more and more artists and attendance.  This event opens Friday May 29th and will proceed until July 4th weekend.

This years installation is at Navy Yard Metro station, at 55 M St SE.

More info than I can properly provide is avaiable at their site.