Ready for your new home? How much house can you afford?

I came across an interesting article written by Terence Loose-Yahoo! Homes. He has some really great tips that I thought I could share.

Tip #1: Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio to Make an Educated Estimate

Are you awash in credit card, auto, and personal loan debt, or are you debt-free? It's likely you're somewhere in between. But whatever your financial situation might be, your debt-to-income ratio will be an important factor in determining how much house you can afford.

What is a debt-to-income ratio? Simply, it's how much your total monthly debt is in relation to your gross monthly income. Now let's get into some details.

"Things that are included in the debt-to-income ratio for most people are anything that shows up on your credit report, such as student loan payments, credit card payments, car notes. Also, the mortgage you plan to get will be factored in," says Duffy. He also notes that alimony and child support count as well. Things like groceries, life insurance, and tennis lessons, however, don't count.

So when it comes to deciding how much home - or mortgage - you can afford, your total debt-to-income ratio, including the predicted mortgage payment, should not exceed 40 percent (this threshold can vary from lender to lender).

To fully illustrate this, here's an example. Let's say you and your significant other earn a household income of $8,000 per month. Forty percent of $8,000 is $3,200. So your debt, including your mortgage, should not exceed this amount if you want to qualify for said mortgage. From there, you can figure out how much house you can afford…or at least move onto the next section.

Tip #2: Check Your Credit Score to Predict Your Interest Rate and Monthly Payments

Let's say you figured out your debt-to-income ratio and determined that you can afford a $300,000 loan. That's great, but you'll also have to figure out what your credit score is. If it’s on the lower end, you may be paying more in monthly payments than you imagined.

Tip #3: Factor in Your Private Mortgage Insurance

Private mortgage insurance. It just sounds expensive, doesn't it? And unfortunately, if your down payment is not large enough, private mortgage insurance can be costly and shrink the amount of house you can afford.

First, what it is: Private mortgage insurance, or PMI as it is commonly referred to, is an insurance that protects the lender against you defaulting on your mortgage, according to "A consumer's guide to mortgage refinancings" published by the Financial Reserve Board (FRB). The FRB says lenders usually make you pay PMI when your down payment is below 20 percent.

According to the FRB, the estimated cost of PMI is about $50 to $100 per month. However, Duffy says it can be substantially more since the formula for figuring PMI varies with everything from loan size to loan type, and even how little of a down payment you make. So it can range anywhere from .5 percent of the mortgage amount to 1.5 percent of the mortgage amount - per month.

Let's be conservative and say it's .75 percent on a $375,000 fixed-rate mortgage. That comes out to $234.37 per month tacked onto your monthly payment. And yes, PMI counts toward your debt-to-income ratio.

The good news, however, is that PMI is not permanent. According to the FRB, once you pay down your loan enough to achieve 20 percent equity in your home (based on the original appraised value), you can simply write a letter to your lender asking for them to cancel the PMI. That's probably the best letter to a bank you'll ever write.

Tip #4: Add in Your Homeowner's Insurance and Property Tax Expenses

We know - more insurance. And taxes are kind of a bummer, too. But it's certainly best to plan for them now rather than calculating them during a bout of stress-induced insomnia.

First, let's talk about homeowner's insurance. According to the FRB, your mortgage lender will require you to carry this insurance. It protects you against physical damage to the house by fire, wind, vandalism, and other causes.

As for the cost of home insurance, the FRB estimates a cost of $3.50 per $1,000 of your home's purchase price. So, for a $375,000 home, it would be about $1,312 annually. Divide that by 12 months - because Duffy says that often this cost is added to your monthly mortgage payment - and it comes to about $109 per month.

Now on to your property taxes. These of course vary widely depending on not only the assessed value of your home, but also the county your home is in, says Duffy. The national average is 1.14 percent of the home's value, according to 2010 figures from the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan tax research group based in Washington, D.C. Their data shows that this can vary anywhere from .27 percent (Hawaii) to 2.01 percent (New Jersey).

So let's use the average of 1.14 percent to see what this might mean for your housing budget. On our $375,000 home, that's $4,275 per year, or about $356 per month.

Based on this example, that's an extra $465 you'll have to add to your monthly mortgage payment for homeowner's insurance and property taxes alone.

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.

Northern Virginia Real Estate Spring Market

Just some information that I thought would be useful to anyone in the market to buy or sell this time of year from Realtor.com

Realtor.com’s February 2013 national housing data indicates that listing inventories increased 1.15 percent month-over-month; median age of inventory was at 98 days, a 9.26 percent decrease month-over-month; and median list prices were slightly higher month-over-month at $189,900. These numbers show that home buyers are getting an early start on the spring season despite the fact that inventories recently hit record lows.
The median age of inventory was down by 9.26 percent month over month and total listings are up 1.15 percent month over month, suggesting that many reluctant home sellers are starting to take an early advantage of the recent improvements in housing prices. Annual inventory decreases of -15.97 percent are consistent with a gradual, yet persistent downward trend that has been occurring over the last two years. From January 2013 to February 2013, the median age of inventory decreased in 145 of the 146 markets tracked by realtor.com. The national median list price also reversed its downward trend, rising by 1.55 percent over the month of February and 1.01 percent on an annual basis. In addition, the number of markets experiencing a decline in home prices is shrinking, implying more good news for the housing market and U.S. economy at large.
There continue to be pronounced regional differences in the strength of the housing market. Several areas in California are experiencing the highest increases in list prices coupled with the largest inventory declines. Phoenix, Seattle and Denver are also among the top performers across the U.S. However, many smaller industrialized markets in the Midwest and the Northeast registered year-over-year price declines, as did Philadelphia, Chicago and New York City. While the number of markets experiencing year-over-year list price declines had been increasing, this pattern appears to be turning around as home list prices increased in 78 markets last month on a year-over-year basis and declined in 39.

National Data

• In February, the total number of single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops for sale in the U.S. (1,494,218) increased by 1.15 percent month-over-month. On an annual basis, however, inventory was down by 15.97 percent.
• The national median list price for single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops ($189,900) increased by 1.01 percent year-over-year and 1.55 percent month-over-month in February.
• The median age of inventory of for sale listings fell to 98 days in February, down 9.26 percent from January and 11.71 percent below the median age one year ago (February 2012).

Here is some information that is on the Local side from UrbanTurf.com


Local data

Despite rising home prices, it is still cheaper to buy than to rent in DC (along with the 100 largest metros in the country), according to a report published today by Trulia.
In the DC area, buying is 41 percent cheaper than renting, while in the country as a whole, buying is 44 percent cheaper than renting. Last year, according to Trulia, buying was 46 percent cheaper than renting. But this advantage could close up next year, Trulia predicts: with prices rising faster than rents and mortgage rates moving up, the gap should narrow sharply by next year.
“Mortgage rates are likely to rise in the next year as the economy improves, even though they fell in the past year,” said Trulia’s Chief Economist Jed Kolko. “The consensus among macroeconomic forecasters is for 10-year Treasury bonds –which 30-year fixed-rate mortgages track pretty closely – to rise 6 or 7 tenths of a point over the next year. This translates roughly into a 7-9% higher monthly payment for a given mortgage.”
To determine their numbers, Trulia’s team compared the average rent and for-sale prices of an identical set of properties in each city. They considered the monthly costs associated with buying and renting and factored in one-time costs like downpayments and security deposits.
Trulia assumed that owners will have a 3.5 percent mortgage rate on a 30-year mortgage and will stay in their homes for seven years. However, they also created an interactive map to see how the numbers work with different assumptions. For example, if someone in the DC-area has 4.5 percent interest rate on their mortgage and plans on staying in their home for five years, buying is 26 percent cheaper than renting. With plans to move after three years, the advantage drops to five percent.

Lenders, Mortgages, & Escrows! OH MY!

Purchasing a new home can be a daunting task, and if you are a first time buyer or if this is your 20th home purchase, we always want to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Here is a list of questions that you can ask your lender or can help you in narrowing down your search for the best lender for your needs.
Please remember that we also have an extensive list of lenders that might work for you, please give us a call and we would be happy to provide that information to you.

10 questions to ask your Lender
Be sure you find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions.

What are the most popular mortgage loans you offer?

Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for us and why?

Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost and how long will it be required? NOTE:
Private mortgage insurance usually is required if you make less than 20 percent down payment, but most lenders will let you discontinue the policy when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

Who will service the loan? Your bank? Another company?

What escrow requirements do you have? What are escrows?

How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored?) Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if they drop during this period?

How long will the loan approval process take?

How long will it take to close the loan?

Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

Used with permission from the Real Estate Checklists & Systems
(www.realestatechecklists.com)

U.S. v Czech Republic (Soccer Friendly)

The United States Men's National Soccer Team plays their first World Cup warm-up game today in a friendly against the Czech Republic at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut.

Coach Bob Bradley will use this game to test some of the fringe players and whittle down the 30-man preliminary roster to the final 23 that will make the plane to South Africa for the World Cup, just three weeks away. Bradley will probably use another friendly, on Saturday against Turkey at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, to fine-tune and build chemistry within his starting eleven and subs he will most likely use at the tournament.

Bradley probably has most of the squad penciled in already, but will look for a few fringe players to shine tonight to grab the last few spots. A few key areas he will have to watch are at forward, where Brian Ching, Edson Buddle, Hercules Gomez, Eddie Johnson, and Robbie Findley are all fighting for 2 or 3 slots, midfield, where a similar battle is waging between DeMarcus Beasley, Sacha Kljestan, and Alejandro Bedoya, and defense, where it will be important to see just who is fit with several injuries popping up at the recent camp at Princeton.

The Czech team will feature just 4 players that were on the 2006 World Cup roster when they defeated the Americans 3-0 in the group stage. The Czech Republic will be watching the games from home as they failed to qualify for this summer's tournament. Czech stars Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros are out with injuries.

Arlington, VA; Stress-Free

Feeling stressed? Move to Arlington.

According to the Associated Press Economic Stress Index, which measures counties with populations of at least 25,000, Arlington County was the 14th least economically stressed county in the entire country in the month of March.

So if you've been feeling strained, tense, and/or worried lately think about buying a house in Arlington, Virginia; one of the least economically stressed places in the United States. After all, what causes general stress more than the the economy and finances?

Most Endangered Places in D.C.

The D.C. Preservation League has announced annually a list of the Most Endangered Places in Washington, D.C. since 1996.

It does so in order to draw attention to historically, culturally, and archetecturally signifant places which are threatened by what it deems to be ill-advised alterations or demolition due to neglect or abandonment.

The 2010 list includes Anne Archibald Hall, the District of Columbia Historic Firehouses, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, and several buildings in the Anacostia Historic District.

The Anne Archibald Hall, on 19th Street and Massachusettes Ave NW, was nominated by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. It was constructed in 1931/1932 and was the Nurses' Residence for Gallinger Municipal Hospital (later renamed DC General Hospital) which served the area's poor. The U-Shaped brick structure with limestone trim is the last intact example the hospitals Colonial Revival buildings. It was successfully nominated to the DC Inventory of Historic Sites in 2006 in response to a redevelopment plan that called for the removal of all hospital buildings. Since that time rehabilitation of the Hall ceased to materialize and it now suffers from deferred maintenance and water damage. Unless the District government takes to secure and stabalize the building, it's potential role in any future redevelopment plans for Reservation 13 could be compromised. The building was renamed Anne Archibald Hall in 1952 in honor of the local philanthropist and advocate for the hospital's nurses and patients.

The District of Columia Historic Firehouses were nominated by Sally Berk and D. Peter Sefton. The designers of these buildings include Leon Dessez, the firms of Wood, Donn, and Deming, and Hornblower and Marshall, as well as the Office of the Municipal Architecture. These structures, like Engine Company 22 on Georgia Ave NW, have been in use for over 100 years. They are victims of long-term neglect, delayed rehabilitation, and ill-advised alterations, and threatened by unsympathetic modernization plans. The DCPL would like to focus attention on these important works of public architecture and ward off complacent assumptions that designated landmarks are too self-evidently significant to be remodeled or are invulnerable from neglect or harm.

The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, at 1518 M. Street NW, was self-nominated. It is home to D.C.'s oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation. The Gothic style brick building, designed by Samuel G.T. Morsell, has been a bastian of civil and human rights since it's dedication in 1886 and was rooted in opposition to slavery and the belief that African Americans are entitled to equality. Frederick Douglass's funeral service was held at the church. The building is in need of extensive repairs and renovation. The exterior walls suffer from cracks and water infiltration and outdated mechanical systems are taxing the already limited financial resources of the congregation. The DCPL aims to marshal the expertise and resources of the preservation community needed to assist the congregation.

The buildings nominated by the Historic Anacostia Block Association and David Gerber include 2228, 2234, and 2238 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE as well as 2253 Mount View Pl SE. These structures date back to the turn of the 20th century. They are currently in very poor condition and several are for sale which could lead to demolition in order to make room for commercial use. The DCPL and HABA hope to team with the current owners in order to stabalize these structures, provide basic maintenance, and return them to properties of productive use.

The mission of the D.C. Preservation League is to preserve, protect, and enhance the historic and built environment of Washington D.C. through advocacy and education.

If You List It, Will They Come?

The property that was featured in the 1989 Field of Dreams movie starring Kevin Costner is up for sale. The land, listed at $5.4 million, comes complete with the iconic two bedroom, one and a half bathroom farmhouse with the wrap-around porch, 193 acres of surrounding farm land, six outbuildings, and the baseball diamond (Shoeless Joe Jackson not included).

The site, near Dyersville, Iowa, has been in owner Don Lansing's family for more than a century. He and his wife Becky are ready to retire and give up the property, which has been a popular tourist destination. They have maintained the baseball field built by Universal Studios and there is even a concession stand.

The movie was based on a book by W.P. Kinsella, called Shoeless Joe.

Twelve Home Design Trends

12 Hot Home Ideas

From induction cooking to relaxation retreats, these home-furnishings trends are catching fire.


By Barbara Ballinger February 2010 (REALTOR Magazine)

People today seek to personalize, economize, and make the most of their space—inside and out.

Today’s home owners seek style and comfort, but they’re ever mindful of the toll that our choices can take on the environment. These 12 home-furnishings trends reflect current priorities and aspirations. Some of these phenomena will inevitably fizzle, while others will become mainstays of the home, but for now they are attracting lots of industry and consumer buzz. Here’s a rundown:


#1 Induction cooking
Why trendworthy: Thirty percent more efficient than gas or electric.
Cropping up in more and more homes, induction cooking uses a power coil to produce a high-frequency electromagnetic field that heats only the contents of a magnetic pan, leaving the surrounding surface cooler to the touch. By maintaining a precise temperature, it immediately stops heat generation when the cook element is turned off or cookware is removed, and it doesn’t produce an open flame that heats up a kitchen, says Malte Peters, product manager for cooking products at BSH Home Appliances, parent company of Bosch and Thermador. One downside: Special cookware must be used. Retail prices range from $1,500 to $4,399.


#2 Environmentally friendly cabinetry
Why trendworthy: Popular with green movement.
With sustainable products continuing to draw fans, more kitchen and bathroom cabinets are expected to be fabricated from green materials, says John Troxell Jr., director of design at Wood-Mode Inc., a large manufacturer (www.wood-mode.com). But it’s not materials alone that make consumers pick one line over another, Troxell says. "Where materials come from, how cabinets are manufactured, and whether they’re finished without pollutants will be more important. While bamboo is renewable, it comes from halfway around the world, so is it environmentally friendly given transportation costs?" asks Troxell. He predicts greater interest in indigenous walnut and cherry, less in endangered mahogany and rosewood.


#3 Energy-sipping refrigerators
Why trendworthy: Pares the electricity consumption of a standard guzzler.
Future refrigerators will be better insulated to improve energy efficiency. The challenge is to add insulation without reducing interior space, says Matthew Kueny, senior manager of product development at Miele, which is working to provide a solution (www.miele.com). Also on the horizon: New interior lighting that’s more energy-efficient and that better illuminates dark corners without distorting the look of the food, which is common with the blue hue cast by LED lighting. Miele refrigerator-freezers start at almost $7,000, while simpler conventional models start at $600.


#4 Integrated stone composite sinks
Why trendworthy: They blend seamlessly into a countertop for a cleaner look, plus they’re more durable and easier to clean.
Stainless steel sinks are still common, but stone composite designs built into a countertop are coming on strong, says Tim Maicher, director of marketing at Blanco (www.blancoamerica.com). The prime motivator is growing consumer demand for easier to clean, more durable surfaces that don’t scratch or stain. Blanco’s Silgranit II line offers another perk: multiple colors and textures. The designs will reflect demand for longer, deep models, yet not so deep that aging home owners have trouble setting down or removing pots and pans.


#5 White and beige color palettes, some grays and pinks, bold accents
Why trendworthy: Less intense colors to calm jittery nerves.
Color seers may disagree about which palette will dominate, but they note that softer backdrops are everywhere—offering serenity to soothe frayed nerves as the economy remains turbulent. Mary Lawlor, color stylist with Kelly-Moore Paints (www.kellymoore.com), thinks whites and beiges will remain most popular and that bright colors will provide accents. Anne McGuire and Sue Kim, affiliated with Valspar Manufacturing Co. (www.valspar.com), see the most popular colors as water-inspired blues and greens, along with underwater corals. And Sylvia O’Brien, founder of Colour Theory (www.colourtheory.net), notes that earth tones provide tranquil reactions to the technical coldness in our midst and pink, especially with a pearlized finish, is popular as an accent because of its perceived healing power.


#6 Condo home offices
Why trendworthy: To help home owners maximize small spaces—and obtain a tax deduction.
Owners of single-family homes have long been able to convert a bedroom, den, or basement to an office, but down the road more condo buyers and apartment renters will find homes with small, dedicated spaces for business use, says Robert Kaliner, president of the Ascend Group, developer of the luxury Georgica condominiums in New York, where each glass-wrapped unit will have a home office (www.georgicany.com). Steve Kliegerman, executive director at Halstead Development, which is marketing units with home offices in another New York building, The Fitzgerald (www.thefitzgeraldcondos.com) in Harlem, sees a couple of factors behind the trend: Older, retrofitted office buildings tend to come with nooks that lend themselves to becoming small offices, and the home office tax deduction gives these spaces special appeal.


#7 Interior wall treatments besides paint
Why trendworthy: Easier to install; more personalized patterns, colors, textures.
Less popular in recent years, wall treatments other than paint are making a comeback, says Atlanta-based interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, who cites several reasons: new bolder graphic wallpaper patterns, some in shiny metallics and textured leathers, and easier and less costly application due to new primers. Wallpaper is cropping up on a single focal wall, which saves money. Flynn predicts more home owners will cover an entire wall with an enlarged photo printed in sections.


#8 Do-it-yourself projects
Why trendworthy: Less costly, more personal.
The DIY trend keeps growing as home owners look to cut costs and return to basics. Instruction is readily available in classes, on the Web, and in books. Example: Designer Fu-Tung Cheng (www.chengdesign.com), who helped make concrete a chic, green material for interior surfaces, is now helping even nonhandy home owners construct concrete countertops with his book and DVD, Concrete Countertops Made Simple (Taunton Press, 2008). "The DIY movement represents a trend away from overly complex projects that require professional expertise. The simpler designs are also more timeless and individualistic and more likely to touch the heart," Cheng says.


#9 Outdoor curtains
Why trendworthy: Even backyard "rooms" require some privacy.
As more people construct "rooms" in their backyards for purposes such as swimming, cooking and eating, and relaxing under a pergola, the need for curtains has arisen. New fabrics stand up better to outdoor conditions and visually soften hardscape surfaces. They also screen out nosy neighbors, says designer Flynn. Fabric runs $12 to $80 per square foot, plus installation.


#10 Dual-flush, environmentally efficient toilets, plus more healthful designs
Why trendworthy: Greater recognition that liquid and solid waste have different flush requirements.
Though widely available abroad, dual-flush toilets—with separate mechanisms to handle liquid or solid waste—are gaining attention here, says Lenora Campos with Toto USA, a leading toilet manufacturer (www.totousa.com). The main challenge isn’t convincing home owners to buy the models, she says, but getting them to remember to use the right button. More companies may follow Toto’s lead to construct toilets with glazed concave rims and water nozzles that repel bacteria and wall-mounted models that make cleaning underneath easier. Toto’s Aquia II dual-flush models run from $457 to $686, while the company’s conventional single-flush models range from $350 to $525.


#11 3-D HDTV
Why trendworthy: Images are becoming more lifelike.
HDTVs display a beautiful picture, but they can’t offer a 3-D presentation like your local IMAX movie theater does. The reason: True high-definition 3-D in the home currently lacks a standard and is still too expensive for most consumers. That should change, in part because electronics manufacturers are developing a standard format. When that happens, prices should drop, says Dave Pedigo, senior director of technology for CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association), a national trade association.


#12 Relaxation retreats
Why trendworthy: Increased need to unwind.
Who cares about a home being a castle when most just want a place to unwind? Atlanta architect Johnna Barrett (www.barrettdesigninc.com) has designed several relaxation rooms, where creature comforts include natural materials, color kinetics, programmable LED lighting, candlelight, aromatherapy, a sound-blocking machine, flat-panel TV with DVD player, refrigerator with purified water, and a door. Depending on room size and amenities included, a retreat room could cost from $3,000 to $10,000.

U.S. World Cup Preliminary Roster

Bob Bradley, coach of the United State Men's National Soccer Team, announced the list of 30 players who will train at Princeton before the World Cup in South Africa next month. The squad will need to be widdled down to 23 before their first game against England on June 12th.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Tim Howard (Everton)

Breakdown - Howard is the undisputed number one netminder leaving Guzan and Hahnemann to duke it out for second choice. Guzan backs up American keeper Brad Friedel at Villa and has seen limited action this season in a handful of Carling Cup and F.A. Cup games while Hahnemann, at age 37, usurped Wayne Hennessey in December as the number one choice for Wolves. In any case, all three will be taken to South Africa. Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) could have been brought into camp to compete but it wasn't necessary since the three already listed stood head and shoulders above both Rimando and another candidate in Troy Perkins (DC United).

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes)*, Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)

Breakdown - The biggest question mark for the American back four, aside from Onyewu's health, is at left back. Pearce has been less than impressive in his performances for the national team while his MLS compatriot Bornstein has been extremely inconsistent; going from hero, as his game-tying goal against Costa Rica clinched America's first place spot in CONCACAF qualifying, to goat, in a friendly against the Netherlands where he was responsible for both Dutch goals, giving up a penalty kick on a careless foul and also deflecting a shot into his own net.
A few other options would be to play Spector on the left side where is comfortable, playing there for his club in England, or sliding left-footed captain Bocanegra from central defense. Both have capable backups at their preferred position, Cherundolo at right back and DeMerit at central defense respectively, but Spector may be the best choice because of Bocanegra's lack of pace.
The 6'4" defenseman known as "Gooch" is probably the best defender on Bradley's team but is coming off a major injury that saw him miss most of the Serie A season for the Rossoneri. With nearly no playing time with his club it will be important to see if he can get back to match fitness. Goodson provides depth in the center.
Notable exclusions include fan favorite Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew) and former Mexican national Edgar Castillo (UANL).

Midfielders: DeMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aurhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

Breakdown - This unit his headed by America's greatest footballer of all time, Landon Donovan. He will probably start on the left as he has done since last summer, but may switch to the right where he shined in a loan stint in England at Everton.
This would largely depend on whether Bradley shifts Clint Dempsey from right wing to a forward position, which I will discuss in the next paragraph. However, should Dempsey move up top another option to replace him is Stuart Holden, a promising youngster who moved overseas in January and is also coming off an injury.
Another question is who will partner with Michael Bradley, the coach's son, in central midfield. The choice is between Edu, who has performed well for his Scottish club since recovering from injury, and Clark who stepped in admirably during Edu's absence from the national team. Clark had a recent injury spell after signing for a German club in January (have you noticed the pattern yet?).
Feilhaber and Torres can provide depth in the center and out left where a familiar face is back in the fold after losing Bradley's favor at the Confederations Cup last June. Beasley has made it back onto the roster after a terrible blunder on an American corner kick led to an embarrassing counter-attack goal for the Brazilians.
Missing the cut were Freddy Adu (Aris Thessaloniki), who has failed to live up to his expectations as a youth, and talented Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04) who switched affiliation from Germany but had several setbacks in his rehab from a leg injury.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Hercules Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Breakdown - The only sure thing in the list of forwards is Altidore. All five other candidates, three of which will probably be on the final roster, could make or miss the plane to the World Cup finals.
Brian Ching is a familiar face but shares a lot of the same attributes as Jozy and is also coming off an injury.
Findley and Johnson have the pace to compliment Altidore, but have been virtually unnoticable as of late when given the chance to prove themselves at the international level.
The most in form strikers at the moment are Buddle and Gomez. Buddle is having a career season in the MLS playing alongside teammate Donovan while Gomez tied for most goals scored in the Mexican Clausura, mostly coming on as a substitute.
Something Bradley has probably been thinking about is moving Dempsey or Donovan up top as a support striker. This is Donovan's natural position and Dempsey plays there for his club and has shown a knack for scoring when placed in this situation.
Unfortunately, the extremely promising Charlie Davies (Sochaux), who broke out at the Confederations Cup, failed in his efforts to make the World Cup roster after suffering extensive injuries and undergoing an intense rehab following a fatal car crash in Washington D.C. the night before the team's final qualifying game in October. Also not making the list was a regular from the past year, Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids).

Taste of Arlington

Taste of Arlington® is an annual event that transforms the Ballston area into a lively street festival, complete with local entertainment, lively sponsors, children's activities, and lots of noteworthy restaurants. Over 40 restaurants participate in this spectacular community event, which draws an average of 15,000 people each year who live in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

This year, the event will expand its footprint by providing a deeper flavor of Arlington, showcasing the county's urban villages such as Ballston, Clarendon-Courthouse, Columbia Pike, Rosslyn and Crystal City.

The Ballston Partnership is the host and owner of the event and is organizing it in partnership with the Clarendon Alliance, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, Rosslyn Renaissance and Crystal City BID.

The event will take place Sunday May 16th, rain or shine, from noon to 5 p.m. on Wilson Boulevard near Ballston Commons Mall. Parking is available at the Ballston Public Parking Garage for $1/day and the event is also located on the Metro Ballston-MU station (Orange Line).

There are no age restrictions for entry but you must be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. Pets are also welcome but please do not bring food or beverages to the Taste of Arlington as per Health Code stipulations.

There is no admissions fee for the event but tickets need to be purchased to sample food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased here at a reduced price or at the event.

Tax Credit Extension for Military and Fed Employees

The $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers that expired April 30th was extended a year for military personnel and Federal employees.

Members of the uniformed service, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community serving on qualified official extended duty services outside the United States for at least 90 days starting December 31, 2008 and ending May 31, 2010 are eligable for the tax credit if a binding contact is entered into by April 30, 2011.

Undisclosed Address

Why not display an address when marketing a property for sale? Two common reasons are:

1) To protect privacy or fear of theft.
2) It's used as a marketing tool to generate more calls on the listing.

This often times backfires because people sometimes are annoyed by the lack of data or discount the property altogether because it's location is hidden.

Research shows that the percentage of inquiries a listing receives is the same whether the address is shown or not. The extra interest generated by buyers wanting to know the address is most likely counterbalanced by those who immediately skip over the listing.

However, some technological advances that would enhance the prospect of selling with a shown address include:

1) Online Map Search - Most real estate websites now have options to search for homes for sale by listings or by an interactive map. For most, when the address is not given the location given to the listing is the zip code of the area it's in and a search is not really possible.
2) Mobile Real Estate Search - There are applications for mobile devices that can tell you what listings are in the area you're at using GPS technology. Properties with hidden addresses will likely not be included. This use will become more important over time.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the 5th of May, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday is observed mainly in the state of Puebla and in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. It is often confused with Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16th.

In 1861 Benito Juarez, then President of Mexico stopped paying interest payments to countries that Mexico owed money to. France, in order to force payment of the debt invaded Mexico. The French, having superior arms, were largely successful until May 5th, 1862 the outnumbered Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla.

While this victory merely delayed the French occupation of Mexico the Battle was important not only because of the remarkable odds Zaragoza's men overcame against an army that had not been defeated in almost 50 years but also because no county in the America's has ever been invaded by an army from another continent since.

Arlington, VA: New Resident Checklist

While exploring Arlington's website today I came across a new resident checklist which I thought would be great to share with people moving into the area.

NEW RESIDENT CHECKLIST:

Note: Consumers are now able to choose from several competitors for broadband, electric, gas, telephone (both local & long distance) and television service. Ask your local utility distributor about what choices are available to you.

Cable TV
Comcast of Arlington
Phone: 703-841-7700

Verizon
FIOS TV in Virginia : 866-788-3814

Community Involvement
Find out about civic associations, neighborhood organizations, volunteer opportunities and other ways to become involved in your new community.

Electricity
Dominion Virginia Power provides the regulated delivery (distribution) of electricity to your home or business. Ask your local utility about what electricity supplier choices are available to you.

Dominion Virginia Power
Apply for service by calling 1-888-667-3000/(TTY 800-552-4015)

Gas
Washington Gas delivers natural gas to your home or business and responds to any emergency involving your gas service. Ask your local utility about what natural gas supplier choices are available to you.

Washington Gas
Phone: 703-750-1000/ (TTY 703-750-7975)

Pet Licenses
Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed with the County. Phone: 703-228-3081

Residential Permit Parking
Residential Permit Parking Zones have been established in residential neighborhoods adjacent to major corridors or traffic generators. Red and white "Permit Parking" street signs indicate if a neighborhood is a residential permit area. Only neighborhood residents with County issued permits and their visitors may park on these streets during restricted parking hours; drivers without zone permit stickers (decals), a free FlexPass or a short-term visitor pass risk ticketing and towing. More information is available at the Residential Permit Parking webpage.

Schools
Student Registration: Parents should enroll school-age children as soon as they arrive in Arlington County. Register your child at the school he or she will attend. To determine the appropriate school(s), call 228-7600 and then call the Intake Center at 228-7663 to make an appointment. More information is available at the Arlington Public Schools website.

Taxes and Bills
Learn the local tax rates on personal property and real estate as well as filing requirements for personal property such as vehicle, motorcycles, and boats.

Telephone
Verizon provides and maintains the telephone network to which your home or business is connected. Several competitors provide telephone service (both local and long distance).

Verizon
Phone: 703-954-6222 for residential service. 1-800-826-2355 for business service. (TTY 800-564-0999).

Trash & Recycling/Water/Sewer Services
Call the Arlington County Utilities Services Office 228-6570 (TTY: 703-228-4611). Homeowners, and possibly renters, need to establish a County utilities account for these services.

Vehicle Registration

State of Virginia: New Virginia residents must register their vehicles within 30 days after becoming a resident in Virginia. Immediately upon registration a vehicle safety inspection is required; there is no grace period. In addition, an emissions inspection is required before the vehicle can be registered. The Arlington branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office is located at 4150 S. Four Mile Run Drive. You may title your vehicle in Virginia, register for state license plates, and apply for a Virginia driver's license there. Title and registration services are also offered at the DMV Select office in Courthouse Plaza. For complete details, visit DMV online or telephone them at 1-866-368-5463 (TTY 800-272-9268).

Vehicle Registration, Arlington: After you complete DMV registration, the next step is to register your vehicle in Arlington County. New Arlington residents must register their vehicles with the County within 60 days after moving to Arlington or immediately upon display of permanent Virginia state tags. To register your vehicle with the County, fill out the online form or simply bring your state registration papers to the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 218. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Your first County windshield decal will cost $25.00. With this registration, you are automatically registered on the County's personal property tax rolls. For more information, telephone (703) 228-3135.

Voter Registration
If you are a new Virginia resident, you must register in order to be able to vote in Virginia. If you moved to Arlington from another Virginia jurisdiction, you must transfer your voter registration to Arlington County. Both tasks may be accomplished at the Office of Voter Registration, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 320. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Or, you may register to vote when you register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Registration forms also are available in Arlington Public Libraries and Arlington Public Schools. You must register at least 29 days before a primary or general election or 14 days before a special election. Telephone 703-228-3456.

D.C. United 2010 Campaign

After a disappointing 2009 season for D.C. United, once an elite team in Major League Soccer, the fans were promised major changes at the underachieving club. The team finished 4th in the Eastern Conference but missed the playoffs due to the fact that the eight spots available were given to teams with the highest point totals regardless of conference. They also finished runners-up in the U.S. Open tournament. But this was not enough for the fans who are used to seeing the team bring home silverware including 4 MLS Cups, 4 MLS Supporters' Shields, 2 U.S. Open Cups, a CONCACAF Champions' Cups, and an InterAmerican Cup.

So during the offseason head coach Tom Soehn was replaced by Kansas City Wizards coach Curt Onalfo and star players including Luciano Emilio, Fred, Christian Gomez were let go and fan favorite Ben Olsen retired to be replaced by newcomers Troy Perkins, Danny Allsopp, and Adam Cristman.

Unfortunately, D.C. United is off to a bad start to it's 15th campaign in the league. They have lost their first five games in the league. The team is dealing with injury issues on the defensive backline and a stale offense leaving them with a mere total of 2 goals and 13 goals against in league play. They have brought back Luciano Emilio on a three month loan at a much lower salary to try to add a spark, but he was let go after last year for a reason as he could not get back to his 2007 form that saw him win the MLS Most Valuable Player Award, MLS Golden Boot Award, MLS Newcomer Award, and earn a spot on the MLS Starting XI.

Hopefully as the team becomes more familiar with one another they can turn around their performances and begin getting better results and picking up some points. It's a long season that will also be interrupted by the World Cup in South Africa in June, so they will have plenty of time to try to work out the kinks.

Georgetown's Halcyon House for Sale

The Halcyon House, one of Washington D.C.'s most historic properties, is on the market and listed for $19.5 million.

Built in 1787 by the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddard, the Halcyon House in the heart of Georgetown was the center of much of Washington's social life in the early 1800's.

Stoddard eventually transferred ownership to his daughter, Elizabeth Ewell, who with her husband Thomas had a child. Richard S. Ewell later became a noted Confederate General in the American Civil War under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee.

Over the years the house has had many renovation and many owners including Albert Clemens (Mark Twain's nephew), Dorothy W. Sterling (wife of a U.S. Ambassador to Sweden), Georgetown Univesity (used the building as dormitory), and John Dreyfuss (sculptor).

Amazing Ride Cap'd by Dissappointing Defeat

The number one seed Washington Capitals were beaten 2-1 last night by eighth seed Montreal Canadiens in game seven of the Stanley Cup first round series and now how the rest of the offseason to ponder what could have been.

The Caps team that won the Presidents Trophy after collecting the most points in the regular season and were hyped as the top contender for the Cup in 2010 gave up a 3-1 series lead on the "Habs", an original six franchise that is probably the most decorated in league history but hasn't won hockey's biggest prize since 1993.

The Capitals were plagued in the postseason by star player Alexandre Semin's vanishing act (0 goals and 2 assists while leading the NHL in the playoffs with 44 shots), an ineffectual power play (1 for 33 in the series), and in the last three games, a brick wall of a goaltender by the name of Jaroslav Halak (131 saves on 134 shots in that span).

The Canadiens move on to play Capitals' rival Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Capitals will have to decide what direction to take the franchise in the offseason. Do they dismantle and overhaul the roster? Fire coach Bruce Boudreau?

In my opinion, they shouldn't do either of these things. These players are still young and have several great years of hockey ahead. Coach Boudreau has coached many of them up from the minor leagues as coach of the Hershey Bears so they already know his system and how to execute it. This team seems to have great chemistry and could probably use only minor tweaks to the roster at this point.

The first thing they must do is resign Nicklas Backstrom. The talented 22 year old Swedish center is a restricted free agent this offseason. The second thing General Manager George McPhee must do is find a defensive veteran leader in free agency. Adding a player like Scott Niedermayer or Sergei Gonchar, both of whom are available, could go a long way in helping to develop youngsters Mike Green and John Carlson. Finally, the team needs to figure out what their plan is for next year at the goalie position. They can resign free agent Jose Theodore but would probably be better off letting him go in order to free up salary cap space. If that's the case they can opt to bring in another free agent on the cheap or decide to rely on prospect Michal Neuvirth. Either way, Semyon Valamov should start next year.

It was a great year for the Washington Capitals with a tremendously disappointing finish for the team and fans. But after the initial pain wears away and the media frenzy over the next couple weeks quiets down, looking ahead to next season is going to seem pretty bright I think.

March Sales Date in Northern Virginia

From Northern Virginia Association of Realtors:

March Sales Data

Look How Far We Have Come in One Year: 2010 is On Solid Ground So Far: We Are Headed Out of the Danger Zone, the Statistics Show

News outlets have been reporting that our economy is expanding, inventories have been restocked, and a growth pattern is quantifiable.

So how is the local housing market doing now that the first quarter of 2010 is complete? The snapshot results in mostly good news:

March 2010 realized a net increase in homes sold of about 5 percent. We can conclude that the tax credit, housing affordability and the continued low interest rates fueled this gain.
Interestingly, First Quarter home sales in 2010 are on par
with last year's number, with only a .12 percent increase (12/100 of 1 percent). Statistically speaking that is a push.

The big dip came in days on the market, which dropped 42 percent. Such a negative number in March this year means an average house sold in 52 days, rather than the 89 days it took to sell last year. Months supply dropped too. We now have a five-month supply compared to last March’s six-month supply: statistical evidence that houses are selling.

Average March sales prices rose 10 percent compared to last year, with a nearly 12 percent year-to-date average sales boost.

Casting a wider net across the Greater Northern Virginia market, the average sale price in March rose 18 percent. For the first quarter, sales prices rose almost 19 percent. The overall year-to-date homes sold dropped almost 12 percent, which means sales activity has been slower in the western and southern surrounding counties.
Days on market numbers declined about 43 percent, in a similar trend as Northern Virginia. Adding in days on the market for Greater NoVA, homes sold in 55 days in March, rather than the 95 days it took one year ago.

CNN Money.Com Reports That People Have Growing Confidence

Consumer behavior shows recession is over
By Chris Isidore CNN Money.Com April 7, 2010

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Economists have been saying for a while that the Great Recession has ended. Now, there are signs that the general public is finally starting to agree.

Though still pitifully low, consumer confidence is improving.

But some of the positive economic news of recent weeks, like the best job gains in three years, the continued stock market
rally and early signs of a turnaround in home values, is starting to make people more hopeful.
It's a growing optimism that can best be seen in consumers'
actions, not their answers to various polls.

"If you look at what they're saying, they're still very nervous," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "But if you look at what they're doing, they're more convinced that things have turned the corner."

Voting with their wallets Consumer spending is improving at a faster pace than many had expected at this stage in the recovery.

March 2010 Regional Home Sales

Northern Virginia: March 2010

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® reports on March 2010 home sales activity for Fairfax and Arlington counties, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton.

A total of 1,448 homes sold in March 2010, an increase of almost 5 percent above March 2009 home sales of 1,384.

Active listings decreased by about 10 percent from last year, with 7,232 active listings in March, compared with 8,069 homes available in March 2009. The average days on market (DOM) for homes in March 2010 decreased by around 42
percent to 52 days, compared with 89 days in March 2009.

Sales prices rose compared with those realized last year. The average sales price in March increased by 10 percent from March 2009, to $435,359, compared with last March’s
average of $395,512.

The median price of homes sold in Northern Virginia in March was $372,500, which is an increase of 11 percent compared with March 2009’s median price of $335,000.
The number of pending home sales in Northern Virginia in March was up 12 percent at 2,594 compared to 2,306 contracts pending in March 2009.

Greater Northern Virginia: March 2010

Sales activity in Greater Northern Virginia (NVAR jurisdictions plus Prince William, Loudoun and the Greater Piedmont counties) for March 2010 also shows a slight decrease from March 2009, although average sales prices continue to remain higher.

The number of Greater Northern Virginia region homes sold
in March was 2,656, just under a 4 percent decrease from March 2009’s total of 2,755 sales. Pending home sales remained constant with 4,584 in March 2009 compared with 4,561 in March 2010, a difference of less than one percent.
The average sales price of $373,592 in March 2010 increased by about 18 percent over March 2009’s average sales price of $317,158.

Across Greater Northern Virginia, the number of listings continues to decrease, with 13,831 listings active, which is around 11 percent less than this time last year, when 15,508 homes were available. The average DOM for a home sold in March 2010 was 55 compared with last year’s 95 DOM, a decrease of around 42 percent.

Take a look at this slideshow from the New York Times that depicts residential homes with uncoventional architecture. The homes that are highlighted in this piece include a renovated church, a design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright crafted with the use of seven shipping containers, a residence in a cave, a house made out of materials salvaged from Boston's "Big Dig" construction project, and a converted water tower.