Friday, April 19, 2013



Arlington continues to grow by leaps and bounds and is a great melting pot of nationalities, we also have the developemnt and growth to go along with that and here is some exciting news that I just read about from UrbanTurf.com that I thought was great news!


The Columbia Pike corridor continues to grow.

Construction is about to start on a condo and townhome project on Walter Reed Drive, a block from the rapidly developing Pike, reported ARLnow late Monday.

Columbia Place, developed by Evergreene Homes, will contain 14 two-bedroom, 1,283-square foot condos and eight single-family townhomes and will be located at the corner of Walter Reed Drive and 11th Street S. in Arlington (map). The condo portion of the building will rise five stories, while the townhomes will each be four stories tall with rooftop terraces. Ground floor retail will activate the street level.


Friday, April 12, 2013

Mortgage Rates are dropping! The facts to support this enclosed!

Here are some interesting facts taken from the website Urbanturf.com. I though thought it was interesting and wanted to share it with everyone

After staying above 3.5 percent for several months, long-term mortgage rates dropped below that benchmark this week.

On Thursday, Freddie Mac reported 3.43 percent with an average 0.8 point as the average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Last week, rates averaged 3.54 percent. Rates have more or less been on an upward trajectory since hitting a record low of 3.31 percent in November.

From Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist Frank Nothaft:

Mortgage rates fell further this week following a lackluster employment report for March. The economy added just 88,000 net new jobs last month, about one-third as many as February and the fewest since June 2012. In addition, approximately 496,000 people left the workforce causing the unemployment rate to fall to 7.6 percent.

Here's one from Realtor.com

Mortgage rates saw a decline for the second consecutive week, according to the latest survey by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Loan rates fell once again as response to weak unemployment data reported by the Labor Department last week and continue to move closer to historic lows.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan saw a considerable dip, falling to 3.43% from 3.54% last week. If the current trend continues, loans may come close to the record low reach in November, 3.31%, which represented the lowest average rate on record dating back to 1971.

The low rates have helped keep home-buying and refinancing desirable as the market continues its slow recovery, notes mortgage expert Al Bowman:


If we see an increase in spending, the bond market will likely fall and mortgage rates will rise as it would indicate consumers are spending more than thought, fueling economic growth. However, a weaker than expected reading could push bond prices higher and mortgage rates lower, especially if the PPI gives us favorable results also.

In addition to falling 30-year fixed loans, the average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage is also creeping towards the record low. Listed at 2.74% a week ago, 15-year fixed rates fell to 2.65%, which is a touch above the record low achieved in November, 2.63%.

Hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages also saw a slight decline. The average rate on a 5-year ARM fell from 2.65% to 2.62% this week, while the rate on a one-year ARM dipped ever-so-slightly to 2.62%, down .01% from a week ago.

Of the panelists polled by Bankrate.com in their weekly Mortgage Rate Trend Index, 33% believe that mortgage rates will rise in the coming week, while 66% believe that rates will remain unchanged. “Unchanged until the next international crisis or whatev,” says Bankrate.com assistant managing editor Holden Lewis. “Lately, mortgage rates seem captive to international events, which are unpredictable.”

Friday, April 5, 2013

Cherry Blossom 2013

The DC Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing and the weather should be great this weekend for the family to take a tour. Here is some info to get you started on your way!
March 20th-April 14th, 2013 ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL® HEADQUARTERS
AT UNION STATION

Thursday, March 14 – Sunday, April 14, 2013
Mondays – Fridays 10 AM – 8 PM;
Saturdays 9 AM – 7 PM; Sundays 10 AM – 6 PM

TIDAL BASIN WELCOME CENTER– Paddle Boat Parking Lot
March 23 – April 14; Open Daily, 10 AM – 7 PM
1501 Maine Avenue, SW

DC VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW (202.789.7000)

VISIT FAIRFAX! INFORMATION CENTER
Mondays – Fridays, 10 AM – 6 PM; Sundays, 11 AM – 6 PM
1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22102 (703.752.9500)