Mary Lowry Smith

Coldwell Banker February Market Watch covering January sales in regional markets

2012-02-11T23:21:00Z

Click here to read Market Watch

Coldwell Banker Market Watch- January 2012

2012-01-16T00:06:00Z

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - January 2012 CLICK HERE to read Market Watch

How beneficial is a Realtor's help?

2012-01-15T23:49:00Z

Thre are some good point made in this short videa:

http://www.mristv.com/2012/01/what-is-the-value-of-a-real-estate-pro/

10 Home Winterizing Tips

2012-01-10T16:49:00Z

Those of us living in the DC Metropolitan area got a reminder yesterday that although our winter has been mild so far, heavier weather is on the way. Here are some good practical tips from an Inman News ariticle I hope you'll enjoy:

Click HERE to read the entire article

It's never too early to get ready for Tax Time

2011-11-28T14:19:00Z

Here's a link to an informative article about some tax deductions that will be expiring soon. Don't miss out!

CLICK HERE to read the article

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - November 2011

2011-11-16T15:40:00Z

Check out several different markets in the Mid-Atlantic region with a click of your mouse. Be sure to scroll down for stats on properties $500K and Under.

Coldwell Banker Market Watch-November 2011 CLICK HERE to view

Special deals say Thank-you to Veterans

2011-11-07T16:42:00Z

Click the link for some of the discounted and free offers for veterans this Veteran's Day:

free meals and discounts

Pass them along!

Scary good news for D.C.

2011-10-28T16:12:00Z

Zillow 2011 Trick-or-Treat Index

Condo owners: Send a link to the article to your condo board

2011-10-27T16:29:00Z

New rules for FHA financing hold pitfalls for condominium officials
By Benny L. Kass

Problems sometimes arise when you don't know what questions to ask. Here are three questions you should ask your condo board:

1. What percentage of the building's apartments are currently rented (not owner-occupied)?

If more than 50% of the apartments in the building are rented, any new buyers into the building will need to put 20% down to qualify for financing.

2. What is the average percentage of owners who are 30-days or more late with condo fee payments?

If over 15% of the owners are 30-days or more late with condo fee payments, a buyer's lender will need to apply for an exception to the requirement in order to get the loan underwritten.

3. Does any one person own more than 10% of the building?

If one person owns 10% of the condominium, that will make financing even more challenging for a buyer than it already is today.

When you read Beny Kass' article, you'll understand how important the answers to these questions are to the financial health of your condominium building. If there's a problem with any area, it will make it more difficult to sell in the building and could limit sales to cash-only since financed purchases won't be possible.

Now you know so be sure to ask!

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - October 2011

2011-10-12T19:15:00Z

Check out the latest Market Watch with my annotations for properties $500,000 and under:

Market Watch - October 2011 Click for Market Watch

Forget the market: Buy a house

2011-09-01T21:15:00Z

Click this link to read the article from Smart Money

DC Metro Region 2-year Market Snap Shot

2011-08-04T15:50:00Z

Click on a chart to view.

As of June 2011, 15,538 properties were for sale while 13,811 properties were under contract and sold. The DC Metro market is stable with nearly as many properties moving off the market (sold and under contract) as properties on the market for sale.

The median sold price is equal to the 2-year high in June 2010.

The average number of days it takes a property to go under contract has declined to the level for August 2010.

Have you been thinking about buying instead of renting?

2011-05-05T02:26:00Z

This question is prominent in the media, but how do you know if the time is right for you? Should you wait to see if prices continue to go down? Isn't the home-buying process complicated?

Get answers to these and other questions at Coldwell Banker's Home Buying Seminar.

When? May 14th, 10AM-12Noon
Where? Coldwell Banker Dupont Circle, 1606 17th St NW - between Q & R
(Red Line to Dupont Circle, take the Q St Exit)

Learn about-

available loan programs
working with an agent
the regional sales contract
the stop-by-step process involved in buying in the D.C. region
Foreclosures & Short Sales
online tools

This will be an informal, informative session designed to provide new buyers with the resources to make educated decisions. It's FREE and there's no obligation if you attend. If you want to get up and leave, you can! Don't want to give your email address or phone number? NO PROBLEM! We do this as a service. Will you learn something? ABSOLUTELY!

There's limited seating so call 202-387-6180 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-387-6180 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Want to submit a question online before the seminar? Email: mary@dcredlinehomes.com

Smile if you love colorful marshmallows!!

2011-04-14T20:21:00Z

PEEPS 2011 Entries with the winning PEEP

Think happy thoughts

2011-04-04T22:39:00Z

Did you know?

For every two homes sold, one job is created.
Each home purchased pumps up to $60,000 into the economy.
Home ownership accounts for over $2 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

______________________________________

The above provided by The National Association of Realtors. What a positive spin on monthly sales figures!