March 1, 2010

Finally March is here. Another 8" of snow since I last blogged. We've seen alot of shrub, tree and property damage. God bless those people in Haiti and Chile. We've had problems, but those people have had disasters!! Let's start thinking about warming breezes and outdoor evenings. But I just heard from a relative who lives in Tampa. They're having our future "yellow dust" season! You remember, your car, shrubs, patio furniture or outdoor seating is COVERED with yellow dust.

Parkfairfax Condominums continue to sell well. As of this writing there are only 7 units for sale. Call The JOHNandJOHN Team at 703-820-9723 to discuss them. With the $8000 buyer Tax Credit.....the closer we get to April 30th, the more people will be ANXIOUS to buy. Also please remember (for those of you who want to move to another home) $6500 tax credit can be yours!!! Call us now. There are so many good properties in the metro area that are available for sale. You may think $8000 or $6500 isn't alot of money. When is the last time you heard of the government giving a tax break (cash) to purchase property-never!! Why NOT take advantage of this gift.

We've recently found properties for clients on Upland, Harvard & Columbus in Alexandria, and N. Vermont in Arlington. And there's the couple who bought a bargain, completely renovated Hollin Hall area of Alexandria, Fairfax County. Alot of you have told us you think we work only in Parkfairfax and it's our job to let you know that about 1/2 of our annual sales come from Parkfairfax; although we are BY FAR the most productive Realtors for Parkfairfax.

In 2009, we were named the 100th top Team out of all the 85,000 Realtors in all of RE/MAX! In the Northern Virginia Board of 13,000 Realtors, we're in the top 10 again for the 10 year in a row. What does this mean to you, our client or customer-our listings attract buyers from the other top 19 Realtors. Those Realtors know us and our professionalism and WANT their buyers to procure one of our properties. For our buyers, this means we're usually advised of listings before they go public and can therefore let our qualified buyers see them 1st. Or we know when a bargain has appeared and can let you know immediately.

Thank all of you who have referred us business in 2009/2010. We continue to be able to give our clients/customers the ultimate in service working 7 days per week, 365 days per year. All 4 of us appreciate YOU.

Carter, David, John and John

January 25, 2010

Can you believe the snow is finally ALMOST gone. After about 6 weeks of snow sticking around, we're ready for these warm days and nights. Who know what is to come? More snow? Properties have been selling rather quickly. We've attracted buyers for practically all The JOHNandJOHN Team's listings and are eager to help new owners find buyers for their Parkfairfax and other listings in the area. We service DC and Northern Virginia. If you know a seller or buyer who want great service in other parts of the country; we have a network of Realtors who have our education and experience to refer. In N. VA for example, we are in the Top 20 of all Realtors and we communicate with all of them. Just released information from RE/MAX International, The JOHNandJOHN Team is #100 out of 85,000 in RE/MAX. You might say, "How can this help us as sellers and buyers?" Buyers' Agents/Sellers' Agents DESIRE to work with us; therefore they're attracted to our listings (and bring their buyers) because we have a fantastic reputation for being professional, a great track record, work every day of the year and LOVE what we do. We're energized! With 50 year "artificially low" interest rates and the $8000 or $6500 tax credit.......has it ever been this motivating to buy your next home?

Thank You for a fantastic 2009!

Congratulations to The JOHNandJOHN Team's clients & customers. More than 70 of you either sold or bought a home in 2009 and most are capable of taking advantage of the Obama Financial Stimulation Program! Until April 30, 2010 this $8000 credit has been extended; along with $6500 for buyers who want a new home. Read www.irs.gov to check your qualifications.

Parkfairfax's beauty was nhanced by the recent 18" of snow. However, we're ready for spring!

Nov. 12, 2009--How much more luck can a 1st time homebuyer have in today Real Estate Marketplace!! Congrats to you all. This is from www.irs.gov. Congrats also to long term home buyers; there $$$ money for you in this new legislation.

1. 1st time home buyers: Buy a home on/before 4/30/2010 can close (settle) by 6/30/2010 for an $8000 tax credit available on either 2009 or 2010 taxes. (Only if you've NOT been a home owner for the last 3 years)

2. Long term homebuyer: Same dates as above, $6500 tax credit, must have lived in your principal residence for 5 consecutive years during the last 8 years.

3. Income limits: phases out between $125K-$145K (single people) or $225K-245K (joint filers)

Contact your accountant from further details. Call The JOHNandJOHN Team to find that next home. The HOLIDAY are the best times for buyers to pick up real estate bargains.

Summer 2009

Our Parkfairfax Real Estate market seems very stable. It seems the "hot-lane" situation has been halted. Local Resident's complaints along with lack of funding seem to have "done the trick". YEAH!!

For those of you who have waited for combined units to come up for sale (over 1500 square feet), you will soon be rewarded. Our combined units have more square footage than many of the detached houses in Beverly Hills and Braddock Heights. There's a lack of one bedroom units for sale at this time. Call us 703-820-9273.

In the Washington Post today was an article about the 2% increase in values in property during the previous quarter. We see a lot of buyers who haven't quite decided that "this is the time" to buy. This action tells Realtors with a lot of experience (been through hard times before) know "this IS the time to buy". Hard to believe that some properties in Parkfairfax drew multiple offers during the last quarter. The most renovated properties continue to sell most quickly; which means more money for the sellers.

Some appraisers have been horrors for buyers, sellers and Realtors in the past quarter; however, this is changing. We've had several good appraisals during the past few weeks, unlike the early summer. You wouldn't believe some of the prices appraisers were assigning to our precious Parkfairfax properties.

We look forward to hearing from those of you who want to sell and buy. We're here every day of the year! See you in the Shirlington hood at a Restaurant, a bar, the theatre or the grocery store in the next few days....or at one of the 3 Parkfairfax pools.

Wow! What a weekend. We had 4 open houses yesterday. It appears that 2 of those will get offers and one of them "multiple" offers. If you want to hold value, buy Real Estate!!! Like my Grandmother used to say when people wanted to buy her farm land. They're not making anymore land, but money they print every day! She wasn't a fan of stocks/bonds!! Fortunately, homes in Parkfairfax, close-in Alexandria and Arlington, along with D.C. have done acceptionally well. We're so fortunate to live here.

We had out of town guests over the weekend. We ate at Landini Brothers in Old Town Friday evening. It was a birthday event. We expected the typical tourist treatment; but were VERY pleasantly surprised. The service AND the food were exceptional and all 6 of us were happy we'd eaten there. The last time I was there was about 12 years ago at a Christmas party. Wow, what a difference. Sunday evening we ate at Arlington Thai in Shirlington. And they know how to make a Negroni. If you want to know what that is, shoot me an email. You know I have the recipe!

Sunday, May 17th

I hope a FANTASTIC weekend was had by all. Our sellers are celebrating since offers came in on 3 listings this weekend. Two Parkfairfax listings got 2 or more offers!! An absolutely amazing condo at The Representative in Arlington also went under contract. The "Rep" as we call it, has enormous square footage, balconies, and unprecedented monutment views! There are several more listings there. Call us if you want to view them. We can thank ourselves for living/working in the DC metro area where employment is better than most anywhere in the country. Homes continue to sell here. Talking about DC, we got a fantastic deal for one of our clients at The City View in DC, it a brand new building. For those of you looking at new construction; please call us before going. With The JOHNandJOHN Team representing you; you'll be $$$$'ly pleased!! We know how to negotiate with these builders' representatives. The reps are NOT working for you; only your buyer's agent IS working for you. And we have the sources to get you potentially better loan rates than the builders can.

Last evening we went to Busyboys and Poets for dinner at 6pm. It was CROWDED!!! Then to The Signature Theatre to see GIANT-all 3hours and 45 minutes (including 2 intermissions). It was WELL worth the time. See if before it goes to Broadway. Most of the actors are from Broadway productions.

Please refer your friends and co-worker who want to buy or sale real estate to The JOHNandJOHN Team. We're here for YOU!