The Spring Market has Arrived!

The Spring Market has sprung into action! Although inventory levels are down, activity on listings is up, open house visitors are abundant and multiple contracts on listings are happening more frequently throughout Northern Virginia. In Arlington and close in locations, and in certain entry level price points (under say 425K for TH’s)  we are seeing contingencies getting waived and huge escalation clauses for buyers to win contracts. It is a good sign for our market to have such great activity and I expect it to continue for the next few months.

All this being said, pricing properties properly is still paramount to success in getting houses sold. Along the Route 1 corridor close to Amazon’s HQ2 people are definitely “future pricing” their houses. Their hopes to cash in are not bearing any fruit and I don’t believe this pricing strategy is going to get them sales any time soon. At this time, pinpoint accuracy in pricing is the  strategy to undertake. Do not price for negotiations. Do not price higher because the neighbor received multiple contracts (as not all listings with multiple contracts are going above list price as I mentioned last month’s newsletter).  In fact if you are a seller and concerned about things like appraisals (a valid concern) then the smarter strategy is to price it competitively and then to get these contingencies waived as part of the  bidding.  The closer to HGTV ready you are the more these dynamics will manifest themselves.

If you are a buyer, do not despair!  I’ve seen this before (several times!) and I can help you find a house even in the low inventory market dynamic that we are currently experiencing. Although we are below 3,000 active houses for sale in Northern Virginia, the pace of houses coming on the market for sale is increasing each week. We also have access to “Coming Soon” properties through our network of professionals whom we deal with on a regular basis. Having someone scout out properties for you before they officially hit the   market is extremely important, so please feel free to call me to discuss this in more detail, in addition to the steps you can take to make yourself a more appealing prospective purchaser to home sellers.

It’s a good life.

Chris

Local Events

There is always something fun to do in and around Northern Virginia!

St Patrick’s Day celebrations in and around Northern Virginia!

With the weather warming up and the arrival of Daylight Savings Time, the month of March brings more hours of sunlight for outdoor festivals, and plenty of St. Patrick’s Day fun. Welcome spring with a few of these upcoming March activities throughout Virginia/DC!

 Fairfax County

Alexandria—St. Patrick’s Day Parade—March 18th — 12:30pm Bring your chairs and cameras to the Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The parade route extends eastward along King Street, from St. Asaph Street, left onto Lee St., left onto Cameron Street, ending between Royal and Pitt.

Loudoun County

Eat the Rainbow for St. Patrick’s Day (Cooking with Kids) @ Wegmans, Dulles* — March 16th—Start times 11:00am & 2:00pm.  – $10 with Shoppers Card.  Kids will prep and eat a rainbow of fresh     veggies and fruits with some delicious dips. And the special treat at the end of the rainbow is a delicious Green Smoothie to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a fun way to try new foods, plus learn the importance of a wide variety of fruits and veggies!

*This event is also being held at the Chantilly and Fairfax locations.

Washington, DC

Shamrockfest—March 23rd—RFK Stadium Festival Grounds

The largest St. Patrick’s Day festival in the United States. Washington, D.C.’s ShamrockFest is a huge street festival with live music stages, food, plenty of beer, an Irish Village, carnival rides, and much more. The festival features more than 30 bands and DJs on five stages.

Partner Spotlight

A spotlight on one of my valued partners in real estate

Signature Design Interiors

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Design Interiors is a full service decorating, remodeling and staging firm. We are known for our turnkey service and purposeful designs that are beautiful, functional and unique to each individual client.

SDI’s creative team of designers has been working together for over a decade. When you work with us you get the talent of all of our experts in space planning, furnishings, art, color, remodeling, and staging working together behind the scenes to create your project.

We are proud of the accolades we have achieved, which include:
•Voted Best Interior Designer on Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2017 Top Contractors List
Best of Houzz Service 2014-2018
Home Advisor Elite Service Award
•Featured on HGTV’s My Lottery Dream Home and in The Washington Post’s House Calls
•Endorsed by Moms of Arlington

Our Services 

Custom Upholstery & Furnishings • Art & Accessories • Lighting • Flooring • Color Consultations •  Paint & Wall Coverings • Staging • Kitchen, Bath & Basement Remodeling

Let’s Create Something Together. Call 888.969.3326 today. 

Please visit SignatureDesignInteriors.com to meet our team, learn more about our process, and view our portfolio. 

 

Recipe Corner

Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables

This one-pan meal is a true weeknight wonder. Let the chicken roast for 15 minutes while you chop potatoes,
radishes and scallions. Then add the veggies and return the pan to the oven for 20 more minutes, and dinner is ready!

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

-3 1/2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken quarters
-Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
-1 lemon, halved
-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
-1 pound fingerling or other small potatoes
-2 bunches radishes
-1 bunch scallions
-1 bunch baby carrots
-1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F
  • Rinse the chicken and pat dry.
  • Season with salt and pepper, then place skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Squeeze 1/2 lemon over the chicken and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Roast 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut the potatoes and radishes in half and cut the scallions into thirds.
  • Toss the potatoes, radishes, carrots and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and scatter the vegetables around it.
  • Continue to roast until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 20 more minutes.
  • Squeeze the remaining 1/2 lemon over the chicken and vegetables.
  • Top with the dill and season with salt.

 

Is your home smarter than you?

How smart is your home? In 2019, it’s possible your house is smarter than you. Designed to provide energy efficiency, security and comfort conveniences, the smart home can do it all on command. Control lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, televisions, computers and other security features with smart technology that communicates with each other and can be remotely controlled via a smart phone or online. If you’re technically-challenged, don’t worry – we suggest starting small to go big with technology with three easy technologies to make your home smarter this year.

  1. Set Smart Temperatures Most thermostats only read the temperature in one area (usually the hallway) which can make other rooms too hot or too cold. Technology like ecobee4 or Nest comes with room sensors to help manage hot or cold spots. When sensors are placed in  the most popular rooms, the smart gadget can read the temperature, detect occupancy and adjust the temperature so it’s just right.
  2. Sensing Leaks Smart leak detection sensors monitor your home’s plumbing with the purpose of discovering leaks and malfunctions. They can assist you in preventing water damage and the growth of mold and mildew inside a wall due to a slow leak.
  3. Open and Shut If you have ever left home for the day or, even worse, been on vacation and suddenly you’re unsure if you left the garage door open – a smart garage door opener offers convenience, improved home security and peace of mind. Check the open or closed status of your garage door via an app on your smartphone as well as open it or close it remotely – in other words, it’s possible to be on the other side of the Earth and still control your garage door.

Working with the right real estate agent who has the knowledge of the latest gadgets and amenities available in your area can make all the difference.