Real Estate Investing

I made it to Washington, D.C. with my brother and sister. My brother is here for a business trip, so I got to tag along and show my sister the nation’s Capitol.  I live in rural America and have decided that city living may be the life for me.  I love the wonderful neighborhoods … each one has its own personality.  There are sidewalk cafes, bistros, and social gathering places.    The METRO is also amazing - to be able to get everywhere inexpensively through a mass transport system should be mandatory for every major city.  Once you get to your destination you walk, so there are healthy benefits.

Meanwhile, I’m staying at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia (about 9 stops from the Smithsonian metro).  Since my brother is here working, he got the government rate and for that I’m grateful.  Otherwise, it would cost $900 p/night - his cost is enormously lower.  Is there a bigger word than enormously? Astonishingly less.  Affordably less.

Outside our window is an apartment complex.  It’s one of my top destinations to find out the cost of buying or living there.  Doing a quick online check, you can get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in the Northwest corner of the District for $400,000.  This covers the Georgetown, DuPont Circle, Columbia Heights areas.

I don’t even think this is the most expensive city in America to live in.  That would be New York according to the Global Property Guide.  Looking in detail at the chart about what it’s like to live across the globe, I think I’m pretty happy to be where I am.

I don’t know diddly squat about changing light fixtures … or really anything about any kind of electrical work.  Sadly, my Dad was an electrician before he retired.  It just scares me.  The idea of messing something up which could cause a fire is a doozy. Worse is the possibility that I could shock (or electrocute) myself!

HOWEVER.  I’m sitting in my living room staring up at my outdated ceiling fan.  I preach to people that changing light fixtures will add value to a home.  Seeing updated ceiling fans, globe lights, porch lights, and more really do make buyers feel a home has been cared for when a seller bothers to do that much.

My ceiling fan is ugly.  It’s got the mesh-like center to the blades.  The globes are round with flowers.  One is cracked.  I want a new ceiling fan in my living room!  So I’ve sauntered over to a Do-It-Yourself site and have read the instructions.

First turn off the power and then proceed to remove the current light fixture - take off the globe or diffuser and the bulb(s). There will either be screws or a cap nut holding the canopy in place - remove these as well and drop the fixture down. Disconnect the black and white wires and check their insulation for cracks.

It looks like all I need to do is connect the new fixture’s black and white wires and then screw it back into the ceiling or remount it if necessary.  I might be able to handle that.

But it won’t be next week.  I’ll be in Washington, DC traipsing around with my sister and brother.  My sister has never been to the nation’s capitol so I get to show her the ropes.  We’ll be riding the metro into the mall area from Alexandria, Virginia.  I hope to write once or twice next week to keep you posted, but if you don’t see me here every day, you’ll know why.

Hope your weekend is marvelous!

Photo courtesy of levantarmialma via Flickr Creative Commons.

I like working with people I know and people they know.  That’s the perfect world of a real estate agent - friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances … and all their friends. However, life doesn’t always happen like we want it.

Let’s say you’re new in town and you need to find a Realtor - how do you know if the person you get is good?  Here are some quick tips to help you find an agent who is knowledgeable, professional, and who actually CARES for you.

Check for designations

There are a vast number of designations that agents can earn. When a Realtor achieves a designation, they will have taken a certain number of classroom hours, plus will have met other measurable goals (for example, have closed 5 transactions).  Some of the well-known designations include:

• Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
• Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI)

Open Houses

When you go to an open house, the agent greeting you may or may not be the listing agent.  If that Realtor does not have the home listed, they are there to meet potential customers because they need the business.  These agents can be very helpful and informed, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask for references.  Also, if you go to an open house and are already working with an agent, don’t lead the open house agent on.  Be very upfront with that fact that you’re already represented.  Hopefully the agent will continue to provide you with information, but I have personally experienced open house agents shutting down.

Online by Social Networking

Believe me when I say that agents are ALL OVER the social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Plaxo, and too many more to mention.  If you’ve accepted a “friendship” from an agent, read what they say.  If they seem knowledgeable and informed, they probably are.  Better yet… if other people talk about good experiences with them, then that’s just as good as a personal referral.

Personal Websites

Visit the agent’s website.  Some people may like seeing that they have a gazillion listings because clearly they have experience.  Other people view mega agents as too busy to provide that personal touch they desire.  It’s really up to the individual and what’s important to them.  I would recommend that first-time home buyers use an agent who can take the time to answer all their questions and hold their hands throughout the process rather than turning them over to an assistant.

Personal Referrals

This is by far one of the best ways to find a reputable real estate agent.  Again if a friend or family member have already worked wtih someone who did a great job for them, you know the experience will be just as good for you!

There are a ton of outstanding Realtors available, but take the time to do a little bit of research before you jump in.