Brought The Buyer!

Another one, SOLD!

SOLD!

Welcome Back!

After a great class with Brian Buffini recently, I have decided to go back to the wonderful items of value he offers on a monthly basis. I will be sending these out to my best friends and clients. You could be one of them. If you think of someone who might benefit from these mailings or my services or both, please let me know. I'll be glad to send these informational pieces along and always glad to help your best referrals.

My daugther Meagan has agreed to help me these days and I welcome her assistance. She is a graphic designer and a willing worker who has helpe me immeasurably in gaining a foothold in the cyber world. This new world offers many opportunities to agents, intent on staying in touch with a moving marketplace, the better to serve and assist.

Interest rates are still amazingly low...in the 5% range for conforming money ($417,000) When we bought our house in 1983, the general market rate for fixed rate, 30 year mortgages was 12.625% down from 17%, the previous year.

We refinanced when it went down to 9.5%, then again when it went to 7.5% then again when it went to 5.5%.

One footnote from Brian Buffini's seminar: Opportunity never shows itself with no risks.

real estate thoughts

1. For a lot of people, just the idea of planting roots in a community is the strongest reason, by far. The other side of that motivation is the idea that no one can ask you to leave, that you can decorate any way you want, that you are in a "home", not just a house. If you shop well, you will have a place in a thriving community filled with wonderful people who share many of your same motivations for home ownership.
2. There is the "pride of ownership." When you rent a house, there is always that lingering sense that the landlord/owner can come at any time and claim the house for the landlord's personal use.
3. Saving for retirement is perhaps the next strongest reason, as each payment draws the buyer a little closer to a "paid up" house by paying part equity, part interest.

property values

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. as of 22 January, 2010.  Here's the report on some real estate in Washington, DC.
                                           total tax value       Land              Buildings  
1600 Pa Ave, N.W. '07     $193,926 M   $115,200 M    $ 97,306 M
                                        '08       $381,850 M   $284,544 M    $ 97,306 M
                                        '09       $398,926 M   $298,771 M    $100,225 M    
The observation is that the land increased in value by a factor of 247% in the year between 2007 and 2008.  I wonder what might have happened between the year 2007 and 2008 that would make the value of the White House rise so amazingly in the eyes of the DC tax assessor?

We have heard that property values are decreasing all across the country.  However, the tax assessors in Washington must know something we don't.  These statistics indicate a tremendous rise in tax value has occurred.  I wonder what might have happened between the year 2007 and 2008 that would make the value of the White House rise so amazingly?  It can't be for the tax revenue, as government buildings and property are exempt from paying taxes.

Pressing on...