You Are Free as a Bullfrog, You Can Hop Where You Please

Lovely Cape Cod - Sold $470,000 - See What $470,000 Buys Right Now!

2011-12-31T10:07:00.000-05:00

This lovely home in Arlington, VA sold in November 2011 for $470,000. Now that was a rock-bottom deal on a quiet cape cod with lots of character!

MLS# AR7678219 / 3BD 2BA

If you’re on the fence about whether buying a home is a smart move, let me help by providing you listings of homes in Arlington, VA priced for under $470,000! Contact me for more details, but here's a short list.

MLS#AR7609425 / 3BD 2BA / $290,000

MLS#AR7693016 / 5BD 3BA / $400,000

MLS#AR7730869 / 3BD 3BA / $449,950

Oh…So You Want to Be Bold

2011-07-10T09:58:00.001-04:00

If you are looking to add a touch of boldness to your home’s interior, here are some design inspirations from various hotels from around the world.

Moschino Hotel Milan Italy

Hotel Joyce Paris France

Hotel Monaco Washington DC

The Villa by Barton G Miami Beach Florida

Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli Gargnano Italy

Hotel Fox Copenhagen Denmark

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Wanderlust Hotel Singapore

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T11:13:00.001-04:00

Thank you to all the men and women in military service who have sacrificed so that we may continue to live in freedom.

Then There Was Light!

2011-03-27T19:19:00.001-04:00

As a real estate agent, I can tell you that most home interiors are too dark and gives homebuyers a negative feeling when touring the property. Lighting design in your home should enhance the space overall style with the correct quality and quantity of light. It should also provide sufficient lighting to accommodate how the space is used and the tasks that will be performed.

Below is a list of basic lighting considerations for each room in your home:

Foyer

Ambient and focal lighting are important in this space. Decorative lighting can set the tone, such as a chandelier or sconces on the wall. These decorative fixtures can provide beautiful down-lighting on the floor and accent art on the walls.

via Horchow.com

Family Room

Good overall lighting is required in this space. Adding additional task lighting in the room is useful for reading or playing a board game.

Dining Room

Decorative lighting is a must in the dining room. Adding dimmable lighting is great to create the appropriate mood in this space.

Kitchens

Kitchens are much more task oriented than most other spaces in a home and requires additional light, such as under-the-cabinet lights for countertops and down-lights for the island and the sink.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be a relaxing space; therefore, lower light levels are acceptable. Lamps placed in appropriate areas, such as the bedside tables or near a favorite chair when reading would provide the necessary additional light.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are also very task oriented and should have the proper amount of lighting in the vanity and shower area.

Also, don’t forget the exterior lighting. Some of the same techniques mentioned above can be used in your outdoor space!

via southernliving.com

via landlockedbride.com

Closet Cravings

2011-01-23T17:34:00.000-05:00

Your home may have served your family well for many years, but now may be the time to redecorate one room at a time to have your home reflect your current personal style! Starting with a small space, such as a closet, can be less overwhelming. Using plain wood from Home Depot stained to match an IKEA closet system (with clothes hanging behind the door), the closet below was once a drab and unwelcoming space and now turned into something that is functional and fabulous! To give your closet even more personality, consider adding wallpaper and wall art for style and sophistication.

One weekend at a time, discover your home's hidden potential.

BEFORE via madebygirl

AFTER

Coming to Arlington - Urban Elegance

2011-01-14T23:36:00.000-05:00

Gaslight Square is soon to be Arlington's newest luxury condo development ranging in price from $700,000 - $1.4 million. Abdo Development 117-unit will occupy an entire block of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, bounded by Clarendon Blvd and 16th Street; and blocks away from the Rosslyn and Courthouse Metro stations. According to the Washington Business Journal, Gaslight Square features will include:

Gas lamp lighting between buildings
Direct elevator access into all the upper level units
Two expansive patios (front and rear) on ground floor units
Dramatic open interiors
Soaring ceilings and massive windows

See examples of Abdo’s signature blend of traditional and contemporary architectural details below.

The Award Winning Mercer and Wooster Lofts via abdo.com

The Bryan School Lofts via abdo.com

The Clarens Estate - A Rare Opportunity to Own a Part of History

2011-01-14T00:52:00.004-05:00

Situated atop a hill with commanding views that include 3.5 acres, the Clarens estate is a 19th-century federal style mansion in Alexandria, Virginia; constructed between 1814 and 1816. The estate is best known as the residence of James Murray Mason (3 November 1798 – 28 April 1871), a United States Representative and United States Senator from Virginia and grandson of George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States. Prior to Mason's ownership, Reverend George Smith operated his prominent 'Fairfax School' at Clarens. Notable Fairfax School attendees included George Washington Custis Lee and George M. Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States. During the American Civil War, Clarens was used as a hospital for Union Army soldiers.

Today, the Clarens is a stately, elegant private home. According to the listing, "...the home includes seven bedrooms and nine working fireplaces. It has been completely wired for sound. Recessed lighting and wide-plank pine floors are present throughout and two staircases and an elevator provide access to the four floors. The estate is nestled behind a brick wall on Quaker Lane and accessible through a wrought iron gate, hand-forged by Stokes of England for the property. Additional access exists from Clarens Street, which runs behind the property. On the north side of the home, there is a large parking area and stables, which have been converted into a three car garage. Known for its plentiful springs and orchards, the three and one half acres in the heart of Alexandria are said to have served as George Washington's hunting grounds and are adorned with several historic outbuildings now used as a guest house, potting studio and a well house. The guest house offers living quarters with a fireplace, full bath and a bedroom. To the south of the main house, stands the recently constructed pool house..."

*** Click Here for Virtual Tour ~ CLARENS ESTATE ~ $8,950,000 ***

AX7495243 - $8,950,000, Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.

Unkempt Elegance

2011-01-09T11:17:00.001-05:00

Your bed can become a statement of your personality and the focus of your bedroom. I hope the pictures below will provide you inspiration to create your own serene oasis where the worries of the day melt away.

Anthropologie.com

Chic Glamorous Ambiance - Vermilion

2010-12-10T21:39:00.001-05:00

I recently went to the restaurant, Vermilion, to celebrate a friend's new job. The food was absolutely delicious; the service impressive. The upper-level dining room is filled with gas lanterns throughout and gold frames decorate the interior's exposed-brick walls. The lower-level bar area welcomes you with its plush red velvet curtains and wall coverings. Vermilion's chic glamorous ambiance is a great place to go to dine with clients, meet with friends, or bring a date (reservations required for dining room).

Vermilion Restaurant

I Got You...

2010-11-06T09:37:00.001-04:00

Below are a few quick tips to keep in mind if you want to get to the Settlement table with no problems!

As you may have heard, Lenders are required to complete nearly twice the number of verifications and have several new added steps when processing a mortgage file. A few examples are as follows:

Credit Inquiry

Lenders are now required to obtain a “soft” credit report one week prior to Settlement. This soft pull of the credit report compares the borrowers’ debt from the initial application request to the current date. Purchasing a $19,000 engagement ring after the initial mortgage application and before Settlement is Not a good idea!

Verification of Employment

Your Lender will be required to obtain a verification of employment within 10 days of the Settlement. If you feel the need to tell your Boss to "...take this job and shove it..." it may be wise to hold off until after Settlement.

Tax Transcripts

Lenders are required to pull a copy of the tax transcripts directly from IRS to verify the information provided to the Lender by the client, matches what they provided to the IRS. Lenders are being required to count business losses of the applicant, as well as the spouse, who may not even be on the application.

Disputes on Credit Reports

“...If there is a mistake on your credit report, dispute it...” Not If You Want a Mortgage. According to the Lenders that advises my clients, the automated underwriting systems (Freddie Mac’s LP and Fannie Mae’s DU), may determine the multiple accounts with “disputes” as an error; and assume the credit report as invalid which means you can not get your loan approved. In order to correct this, a borrower would need to contact the three credit bureaus and remove the disputes.

Always, consult with your Lender for the best advice regarding financing. Hopefully, the tips above provide you some insight on what Lenders have to deal with in the current financial world.

Enjoy the weekend and remember, I got you!
Jeremiah Goodman Painting

TeresaJones-VASpecialist.com

Having Trouble Dressing Your Nest?

2010-10-23T13:35:00.002-04:00

Here's a suggestion, go to your closet and take a look at your wardrobe. The colors and style (classic, whimsical, preppy, etc.) of your favorite dresses, suits, or other garments may be the design palette you might want to use in your home to reflect your personality.

As an example of interior design and fashion as mutual influences on personal style, the fashion designers below and their latest 2011 collection, does appear to have a close relationship with their home's interior palette. Enjoy!

Nanette Lepore Design Style - Her Home and 2011 Spring Collection

Michael Kors Design Style - His Home and 2011 Menswear Collection

Exit Stage Left - Celebrity Homes for Sale - The Real Housewives of DC

2010-09-19T10:08:00.000-04:00

Mary Schmidt Amons, one of the cast of the Bravo TV hit show - The Real Housewives of DC, is on the move and selling her McLean, VA mansion. The beautiful six bedroom colonial, built in 1939, has been fashionably renovated to include beautiful crown moldings, box-beamed ceilings, and an open bright kitchen with a lovely breakfast area. The home has a welcoming outdoor living space that boasts a flagstone patio, manicured landscaping and four-car garage parking. The list price for the home is $2,350,000.

Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.

Porch Proud!

2010-09-10T19:35:00.001-04:00

The porch offers a wonderful transition between the outdoors and the comfort of the modern interior of the home. According to the merriam-webster dictionary, a porch is a covered area adjoining an entrance to a building and usually having a separate roof.

My grandparent's residence in Arlington has a screened porch located on the side of the home. It's a place where my family (aunts, uncles, cousins, ... everyone) gathers to sit and talk to pass the time. The porch has always been a relaxing and comfortable outdoor living space for us to chat about everything, offer advice, or just share in the silence.

Others may find the porch to be just another utility space, useful for storing tools or old bulk items for trash pickup. It's a place that has been replaced with indoor air-conditioning, television and video game consoles. The porch for them is no longer a place where conversations with neighbors flourish into connections, but where connections are made with your fingers doing the talking via a text message, Facebook, or Twitter.

Below you will find pictures that I hope will give you inspiration to transform your porch this weekend into a laid-back luxury outdoor living room.

Pictures via CountryLiving.com

Calling All Interior Design Enthusiasts

2010-08-28T10:58:00.006-04:00

Rue Magazine, a new online interior design and lifestyle magazine will premiere September 2010. Below you will find a sneak peek of the latest design trends and gorgeous images the magazine will offer. Enjoy!

Photos via Rue Magazine

Dares to be Different

2010-08-21T11:43:00.038-04:00

This home currently for sale, dares to be different; not a misplaced residence in Old Town Alexandria, which is known for its quaint colonial houses and federal townhomes. Originally built in 1880, the property has gone through many transformations, but is now a rehabilitated masterpiece of contemporary art and is loft style living at its best.

Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.

What Lies Behind the Red Door

2010-08-14T22:18:00.018-04:00

Many believe that painting the front door red brings prosperity and success. Feng Shui believes the red door creates a welcoming energy. The origin and meaning of the painted red door varies. In Scotland, the red door signified a home was mortgage-free, paid for free and clear. Catholic churches painted the doors to the church red to represent the blood of Christ and over time, the red door served as a symbol of safety and sanctuary. In Ireland, it was believed that the red door ward off evil spirits. The red door supposedly was a secret code as part of the Underground Railroad, signally that a home was safe to enter. For now, let's just imagine that what lies behind the red doors below is the peacefulness and tranquility of a quiet retreat in Virginia.

Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.

Shall We Walk Through the Majestic Gardens?

2010-08-08T08:09:00.022-04:00

The summer of 2010 in Washington, DC could be described as “Hot and Humid” at its worst with temperatures reaching 95 - 100 degrees all through May to August; and with the humid air feeling damp and muggy well into the night. However, today is glorious. It’s sunny, no humidity, and the sky is clear with a light breeze rustling the tree leaves. Shall we take a walk through the majestic gardens of Old Town Alexandria?

Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.

MRIS Listing AX7361721

MRIS Listing AX7398664

MRIS Listing AX7038179

MRIS Listing AX7347665

MRIS Listing AX7038179

MRIS Listing AX7361721

Old Town Alexandria - Ahh, the Dream Home!

2010-08-07T19:58:00.020-04:00

Let’s take a peek inside one of the loveliest homes located in the quaint, historic Old Town Alexandria. With two metro stops nearby, King Street metro and Braddock Road metro, Old Town Alexandria offers many popular attractions, including several boutiques and fine restaurants. With its tree-lined streets, Old Town Alexandria is filled with many colonial houses and federal townhomes. Grab your coffee and let’s just daydream together at one of the detached mansions available for sale (AX7324706).

Images obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, (MRIS) Inc.