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That Magic Moment
....will last forrrr aaa eee ver....
Twice this month I've had conversations with sellers about why they can't stay in the house for showings / during home inspections. Both involved sellers work from home, one in a completely home based business. In circumstances like that, it really IS a huge imposition for the seller to leave the house, particularly for the many hours it takes a home inspector to do their job properly.
But the answer is still no, sellers need to leave for all showings and especially for the home inspection. Reasons are a little different, here's why;
Owners need to leave during showings other than agent previews. Period. All showings. Even when it's inconvenient, even if you know the agent or the buyers, even if you "promise not to talk to them and stay in the den" (which you won't,) even second showings. Because, in order to really consider making an offer, a buyer has to experience that Magic Moment when they are transformed from being a guest in another persons home to envisioning themselves as hosts and in the quiet of their own lives inside the same four walls. Buyers need to be able to talk - among themselves and with guidance from their agent - about the personal changes they would make, or concerns they have. Almost no polite person is willing to openly criticize another persons home if there is any chance they are in earshot. It's even hard to do with the seller dragging the poor dog up and down the street in front of the house looking alternatively at his watch and the front door. You've probably heard it called "placing the furniture" but an experienced agent can tell you that by then it's already happened. The Magic Moment is as ephemeral as new love, and while it can rarely be as sudden as love at first sight, it really needs privacy to develop.
So why then leave for the home inspection if the Magic Moment has passed and the buyer is in love? A couple of reasons. The first, and most obvious, is because home inspections inevitably turn up something, and it's really important that the buyers feel free to talk about their fears and concerns right there with the inspector rather than waking up in the middle of the night in a panic about the potential downstream ramifications of a dirty air filter. As above, few will do so within hearing of the seller, either for fear of sounding ignorant or insulting, but the reality is that most of what the inspector notes is actually routine and minor - nothing to worry about. Sometimes though, by the time we hear about it, the inspector's comment has taken on another life, aided by the second most predictable moment in every transaction, the dreaded Day of Buyers Remorse, and the buyer's agent is calling to tell us that she's sending over a release. A good agent knows how to avoid this, but only if there is good open communication during the home inspection. Secondly, a similar phenomena to the Magic Moment seems to manifest during the home inspection whereby small, maintenance issues - of the type we all let slide from time to time - seem nefarious and intentional when the seller is home and the buyer is in "guest" mode, as if the seller is trying to pull a fast one, but "no big deal, I can take care of that" when it feels like the buyer is walking through what will be his own home. That alone is worth a few hours at the park.
The good news is, now the local market is once again vibrant, the total number of days a listing stays on the market has decreased, as have the number of showings it takes to see an offer, so the inconvenience is minimized.
Happy Spring everyone,
Tom, Barbara, Susan and Emily.
The Nalls Home Partners
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Client Of The Month
Our clients of the month are newlyweds Theresa Burton and Kevin O'Connell. Theresa and Kevin started their home search last Spring, and during the past year, they have planned a wedding, gotten married, planned and took a honeymoon, and found and purchased their new home! Throw in that nasty work thing, and they've been really busy. Throughout the entire process, they never lost their positive attitudes or their sense of humor. Tom found a "soul mate" in Kevin since both are very fond of hot peppers, the hotter the better. They can't wait for this year's crop! Theresa will try to keep them in line. It's clients like these that make our job fun. It was a joy to work with Kevin and Theresa, and we wish them health and happiness in their new home.
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2012 Vacation Home Sales Up, Investment Dips but Stays Elevated, Prices Rise 
WASHINGTON (April 2, 2013) - Vacation home sales improved in 2012, while investment purchases remained elevated for a second consecutive year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
NAR's 2013 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey,* covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2012, shows vacation-home sales rose 10.1 percent to 553,000 from 502,000 in 2011. Investment-home sales declined 2.1 percent to 1.21 million from 1.23 million in 2011, but those sales had been well under a million during the market downturn. Owner-occupied purchases jumped 17.4 percent to 3.27 million last year from 2.79 million in 2011.
Vacation-home sales accounted for 11 percent of all transactions last year, unchanged from 2011, while the portion of investment sales was 24 percent in 2012, down from 27 percent in 2011, marking the second highest share since 2005.
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions are driving second-home sales. "We had a strong stock market recovery, which helps more people in the prime ages for buying vacation homes. Attractively priced recreational property is also a big draw," he said.
Yun notes an ongoing investor presence. "Investors have been very active in the market over the past two years, attracted mostly by discounted foreclosures that could be quickly turned into profitable rentals," he said. "With rising prices and limited inventory, notably in the low price ranges, investors are likely to step back in coming years."
Click Here to See the Rest of This Article
Information Provided by National Association of Realtors® |
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Regional
Sales Trends
Sales Trends for the Month of March
Single Family Homes
Contracts Ratified Per Month
Montgomery County
(information from GCAAR)
Washington DC
(information from GCAAR)  |
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7701 Marbury Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
$2,249,000
Gorgeous new-build in 2007 beautifully improved by meticulous owners. Six bedrooms, five and a half baths, 7500+ sq ft on four full daylight levels, gorgeous finishes, fantastic room proportions, very large, open lot. Sumptuous master w/the bath and closet of your dreams, Viking/subzero kitchen with an island that goes on for days, mud room, porches, the works! Great sports court, deck & fenced backyard!
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5513 Westbard Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20816
$1,169,000
Come see the fantastic interior of this 5 level, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home in sought after Westwood. Gourmet kitchen with skylights and breakfast room, oversized dining room, butlers pantry are ideal for entertaining. Ample living space with huge family room with fireplace, recreation room, media room, formal living room with fireplace. Great location, less than 2 miles to DC or downtown Bethesda.
Please Click Here to View the Virtual Tour
Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $10,788.40
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5101 River Road #1504
Bethesda, MD 20816
$375,000
Fabulous Location - Steps to Crescent Trail, Whole Food & Metro Bus in Front of Bldg! Spacious two bedrooms and two full baths, unit with Awesome Views from 15th Floor Balcony! Huge Living Room Opens to Gracious Dining Room. Lots of Closet Space. Purchase and Expansion Opportunity Exists with Adjacent Unit Which is Owned by Same Owner. Bldg includes: 24 hr Front Desk, Pool, Fitness Room, & Party Room. Garage Parking.
Condo Fee: $774.00
Condo fee includes: Air Conditioning, Cable TV, Electricity, Heat, Management, Master Insurance, Trash Removal, Water, Pool, and Exercise Room
Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $3,368.12
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Under Contract
6506 79th Place
Cabin John, MD 20818
$1,389,000
Impressive Arts & Crafts home with 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, chef's kitchen w/granite counters & stainless steel appliances, 2 fireplaces, 1st floor bedroom suite with walk-in closet & full bath, master bedroom suite with dual walk-in closets, cathedral ceilings & lux bath. Finished lower level with recreation / media room, 6th bedroom, wine cellar / utility closet & full bath. Front & rear covered porches + 2-car garage & additional front driveway for extra parking! Rear hot tub! Easy commute to VA & DC. Whitman cluster.
Please Click Here to View the Virtual Tour
Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $13,494.51
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Under Contract
506 Jaystone Pace
Silver Spring, MD 20905
$649,000
Beautiful home on cul-de-sac backs to parkland! Four bedrooms, four full baths and 1 half bath, dramatic LR, stunning DR, Chef's Kit, mudroom, office, AMAZING master bedroom suite with sitting rm, upper level lounge, walk-out LL! This house has it ALL!Breathtaking details abound; exquisite built in cabinetry, crown & chair rail moldings, cathedral ceilings & skylights! Huge deck w/ hot tub & great yard + 3 car garage!Please Click Here for the Virtual Tour
Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $6,298.59
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Under Contract
8722 Manchester Road #7
Silver Spring, MD 20901
$119,000
Price is not a typo! Bright, renovated, convenient - and at a price you can afford! Large sunny top floor unit. Generous living room & plenty of room for dining area too; generous bedroom & renovated bath off hall for privacy, nicely done new kitchen with maple cabinets; four big closets + extra storage. Fee include taxes & all utilities- it's a great deal!
Click Here to View the Virtual TourEstimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $850.00
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Sold!
206 Halpine Walk Court
Exceptional townhouse in pristine condition 1 BLOCK TO METRO! This property shines top to bottom - gleaming hardwood floors, palladium windows, vaulted ceilings, sun-filled Corian kitchen with breakfast bar, breakfast room, & stainless steel appliances. Finished walk-out lower level with gas fireplace. HUGE master bedroom with luxurious bath & 2 walk-in closets. 2 car garage! Please Click Here to View the Virtual Tour Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $5,801.20
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Sold!
5321 Ridgefield Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
$799,000
Fantastic four level, four bedroom and three full bath split in great location. Remodeled kitchen with Corian, new full bath with roll in shower, two fireplaces, attached garage, hardwoods, large wooded lot, formal dining an living, enclosed screen porch and deck, all minutes from shopping, DC and downtown B-town. Great deal for a great neighborhood. This won't last long. Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $8,754.64
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Sold!
2710 Colston Drive
Chevy Chase, MD
$749,000
Exceptional colonial with 2 additions on tree lined street in popular Rock Creek Forest! Lovely formal rooms, well done stainless steel & granite kitchen, adjacent breakfast room & mud room / porch, BIG 1st floor family roo, oversize bbedroom's & lovely Master Suite, great lower level with cool Murphy bed, attached GARAGE, gorgeous yard & flagstone patio.
Estimated Tax and Non-Tax Charges in the First Fiscal Year of Ownership $6,689.30
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 Coupon! 10% Off
for Nalls Home Partners Clients!  We Deliver - You Pack - We Pick Up - We Store and Move!410-353-5268
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Today's Interest Rates
30 Year Fixed 3.54%
15 Year Fixed 2.72%
5 Year Arm 2.63%
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Know Your Stuff® - Home Inventory, the Insurance Information Institute's free online home inventory software. This application makes creating and updating your home inventory easy and efficient. And with our free, secure online storage you will have access to your inventory anywhere, any time. You never know when a disaster may strike, but you can be prepared with an up-to-date home inventory.
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Smithsonian Craft Show - Washington, DC's Prestigious Craft Exhibition  Dates:April 24-28, 2013 National Building Museum: 401 F Street NW Washington, DC 20001
The Smithsonian Craft Show is an exhibit of 120 exceptional craft artists, representing works in basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. This is your opportunity to purchase items from the most prestigious exhibition of contemporary American crafts in the nation.
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Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 2013 
Dates: May 11-12, 2013
Hours:
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District presents its annual Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, a two-day event highlighting 140 contemporary artists who will sell their original fine art and fine craft. National artists from nearly 25 states and Canada will showcase painting, drawing, photography, furniture, jewelry, mixed media and ceramics. The festival will also feature live entertainment, children's activities and downtown Bethesda restaurants.
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Walk Score!
What is Your Home's Walk Score? Click on the Above Image to Find Out!
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Check Out Our School Boundary Widget on Our Website!
Find School and District Boundaries
 What School is this Property Zoned to? Click on the Above Image or go to our Home Page www.nallshome.com to Find Out! (Look in the Middle of the Home Page)
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Deb Levy Eagle Bank 1425 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Office 202-292-1581 Mobile 301-332-7758 Fax 301-841-0282 NMLS ID: 481255
deblevy@eaglebankcorp.com
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Counselor Title, LLC
John G. Nalls
4400 Jenifer Street, NW Suite 200
240-498-8290
240-498-8290
240-498-8290
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Chip Castell
301-593-7964
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Brian T. FarasyVice President/Mortgage Banker
NMLS# 728159
15400 Calhoun Drive Suite 170
Rockville, MD 20855
Phone: (301) 279-5145
Mobile: (240) 277-4422
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Alliance Home Improvement
301-260-7695 Main
240-223-7733 Direct
301-260-7693 Fax
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RTS Environmental
Services, Inc.
www.rtsenvironmental.com 301-607-6276 1-800-722-5589 rtsenviro@comcast.net RTS Environmental Services performs Pre-Purchase and discovery inspections for Mold and Asbestos building issues. RTS also provides solutions for issues which may require mold and asbestos removal according to industry methods, practices and standards.
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James Scott, Jr.
6001 Montrose Road Suite 805
Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-3220
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Contact Us
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Nalls Home Partners, LLC.
Top 1% of Realtors Nationwide
4733 Bethesda Ave,
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tom's Cell: 301-237-5170
Barbara's Cell: 240-602-9035
Susan's Cell: 301-943-3851
Office: 240-497-1700
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All information in this e-newsletter is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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