12 Days of Jennerette

The Buffalo Sabres play the Washington Capitols tonight at the Verizon Center. As I told you yesterday I would have something special for you Caps fans. Here it is, from the greatest hockey commentator in the business, Rick Jennerette's 12 Days of Christmas:



By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Merry Christmas Canada!

In honor of both the Christmas season and the Buffalo Sabres beating the Toronto Maple Leafs last night I post this video; Bob and Doug McKenzie's 12 Days of Christmas. Happy Holidays Canadians!



Not to worry Caps fans, there's more for you tomorrow.

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

Cerrato Out; Allen In

Things are changing for the Washington Redskins, and the way things have been going lately (i.e. since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999) that's a very good thing, at least if you're a football fan.

Snyders' longtime second-hand man and Executive VP of Football Operations, Vinny Cerrato, resigned December 17. Cerrato has taken a lot of heat from the D.C. media for overspending in free agency on over-the-hill free agents that were once great NFL players such as Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Irving Fryer, Jeff George, and Mark Carrier. He was also blamed for shortcomings in the NFL draft, with depleted picks (from trading up or signing restricted free agents) and neglecting the trenches (Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery are the only standout offensive lineman drafted, in 2000 and 2003 respectively).

While the Redskins have produced off the field (they are currently the second highest grossing team in the NFL) they have had a pretty bad decade on it. Now, however, the Redskins hope to have a fruitful football future with their latest addition, General Manager Bruce Allen. Bruce is the son of the Washington Redskins Hall of Fame coach George Allen. He has NFL managerial experience with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although for much of his career Allen has worked with former coach and current Monday Night Football commentator Jon Gruden, his appointment has been linked in the media with the potential hiring in a new head coach in Mike Shanahan, two time Super Bowl winner and former coach of the Denver Broncos.

Washington Redskins hire General Manager Bruce Allen

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Dropcards

http://www.realtythoughts.com/

As a real estate professional your main focus in business has to be people. Converting those people into clients can be a tedious process which heavily weighs on trust and reputation. In the past the main avenue for getting new leads and networking was handing out business cards whenever possible. With the increase of social networks and the Web 2.0 culture, real estate pros must engage people where they frequent – the web. So I guess you’re wondering what this has to do with business cards? There’s a neat tool I want to share that encompasses both worlds of live interaction and social networking online. It’s called a dropcard, and it allows you to give people you meet your business card via text message or over the web. Not only does it allow you to give your contact and business information, it also enables you to connect with these new contacts via the various social networks you have a presence in.

www.mydropcard.com

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Zillow Home Value Index

Zillow.com has compiled a list of cities that are having the best year-over-year increases in home value. The study included cities with more than 20,000 residents and compared their October 2009 Zillow Home Value Index with it’s 2008 Index. The Zillow Home Value Index measures the median home value in an area. According to the research the cities with the most appreaciation of home values include a few near my hometown of Grand Island, NY in the Buffalo Metro Area. Here’s the top ten (Buffalo Metro Area in bold):

1. Charleston, WV (17.0%)
2. New Orleans, LA (14.2%)
3. Wilmington, DE (13.4%)
4. Amherst, NY (12.5%)
5. West Seneca, NY (11.5%)
6. Mequon, WI (11.4%)
7. Rochester, NY (10.6%)*
8. Cheektowaga, NY (9.8%)
9. Florence, SC (9.7%)
10. North Little Rock, AR (9.0%)

* Near SUNY Brockport where I attended college

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Best Music From the Past Decade

The latest issue of Rolling Stone includes several lists including the best songs and best albums of the decade. Being an avid music-lover I'm going to list my top 10 favorites from both categories. (Note: Music selected only from R.S. lists)

Favorite Songs from the Past Decade: 1. Crazy (Gnarles Barkley) 2. The Seed 2.0 (The Roots) 3. Welcome to Jamrock (Damian Marley) 4. Paper Planes (M.I.A.) 5. 99 Problems (Jay-Z) 6. Rehab (Amy Winehouse) 7. Hurt (Johnny Cash) 8. B.O.B. (Outkast) 9. Clint Eastwood (Gorillaz) 10. All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)

Rolling Stone: 100 Best Songs of the Decade

Favorite Albums from the Past Decade: 1. Kid A (Radiohead) 2. Back to Black (Amy Winehouse) 3. Toxicity (System of a Down) 4. Raising Sand (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss) 5. Elephant (White Stripes) 6. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Wilco) 7. Kala (M.I.A.) 8. Sound of Silver (LCD Soundsystem) 9. The Grey Album (Danger Mouse) 10. The Marshall Mathers LP (Eminem)

Rolling Stone: 100 Best Albums of the Decade

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

The ATM: The greatest thing since the locked vault

Paul Volcker, the former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman and current chairman of President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, dropped some heavy news on an audience of some of the world's most senior financiers. He claimed that the ATM was the single most important contribution their industry has made in the last 25 years.

Volcker told delegates at a business conference in Sussex, who had been discussing how to rebuild the financial system, to "wake up". He said credit default swaps and collateralised debt obligations had taken the economy "right to the brink of disaster" and added that the economy had grown at "greater rates of speed" during the 1960s without such products. At least the automated telling machine had at least proved "useful".

New York Times

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Real Estate Urban Legend

Courtesy of The Gory Details...of Real Estate:

"Be forewarned -- no, this is not about kidney harvesting, Nigerian Lottery winnings, or Bill Gates giving everyone lots of money for forwarding an email -- there is an email making the rounds titled "HR 2454: CAP AND TRADE ENERGY BILL", which purports that new legislation will require all homes to retroactively pass new energy standards before they are sold.

Some even say that all homes will now be required to get a "label" for your house every year, proving that your home meets new energy standards.

This is all patently and unequivocally FALSE. (and you can even check Snopes.com here to doublecheck)

Firstly, whoever started this email has a serious conspiracy theory complex. They also probably fall into the category of "birther", "teabagger party member", or "Glenn Beck-lover".

Bottom line, our gub'mint is not going to do anything - ANYTHING - that will adversely affect the real estate market, which is absolutely one of the key elements in our ongoing, slow economic recovery. Why do you think they recently overwhelmingly voted to extend the first time buyer $8K tax credit bill, as well as extend the $729K conforming loan limit? They want to encourage people to have more confidence in home ownership.

Anyway, I also consulted our National Association of Realtors (NAR) position on this, and below is what it said. The most revealing statement, which contradicts this email is that this bill "Does not create a federal energy audit requirement for real property".

"The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act by Reps. Waxman (D‐CA) and Markey (D‐MA). Following NAR’s long‐standing policy to only take a position on legislation, or provisions within legislation that have a direct affect on real estate, NAR worked with our Congressional allies to strip the Energy Bill of provisions that would have adversely affected our industry.

After multiple consultations with the NAR Climate Presidential Advisory Group, the NAR Land Use, Property Rights and Environment Committee, and state associations who had dealt with energy audit legislation at the state level, the Land Use, Property Rights and Environment Committee directed NAR staff to concentrate on the real estate provisions in the bill. As a result, NAR issued calls for action and made this a talking point for Capitol Hill visits during its recent Midyear meeting.

Overall, REALTORS® succeeded in making a number of positive changes affecting the real estate provisions of the bill. The House‐approved bill:

• Does not create a federal energy audit requirement for real property;

• Exempts existing homes and buildings from any federal guidelines for new construction energy efficiency information labels.

• Prohibits the implementation of any labeling during a sales transaction.

• Leaves the decision to states as to whether to require energy audits, disclosures, etc.

• Provides property owners with significant financial incentives, matching grants and tools to make property improvements and reduce their energy bills;

• Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating residential and commercial buildings under the Clean Air Act;

• Eliminated an early proposal to allow citizens to sue over minor climate risks under the Clean Air Act; and Establishes green building incentives for HUD housing, including a loan program for renewable energy, block grants and credit for upgrades in mortgage underwriting."
  

http://gorydetails.typepad.com/the_gory_details/

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

Rage Against Simon Cowell

London, England (CNN) -- At least half a million Facebookers are raging against Simon Cowell, trying to keep his British TV talent show "The X-Factor" from claiming the number-one spot on the British singles chart on Christmas Day.

They've vowed to download the Rage Against the Machine song "Killing in the Name" starting on Monday to make it the number-one single in the country on the Sunday before Christmas.
It might seem like a frivolous contest, but hundreds of thousands of pounds -- and a place in history -- are at stake.

A Christmas Number One enters the history books, exciting passion, disgust, joy and, yes, rage.
British music fans sometimes take the high road. They put the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at the top of the charts three times: First in 1984, then in 1989 and 2004 when anniversary editions came out.

Once upon a time, they got into the spirit of the season -- with "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Mary's Boy Child," and "When a Child is Born" all topping the charts on Christmas Day in days of yore.

And often they just buy the songs they like, paying no heed to the season's mistletoe and wine. The Beatles topped the Christmas Day chart four times. The Spice Girls claimed the title three times. Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Westlife all had Christmas number ones. So did Pink Floyd, with "Another Brick in the Wall." (Merry Christmas, everyone!)

Most infamous of all are the songs that drive you around the bend. Mr. Blobby's single "Mr. Blobby" -- no, really -- was the 1993 chart-topper. The theme song from the kids' show "Bob the Builder" took top honors in 2000. Slapstick comic Benny Hill ruled the charts in 1971 with "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West.)"

And, to the everlasting fury and despair of John Lennon fans, "There's No One Quite Like Grandma," by the St. Winifred's School Choir, claimed the top spot in 1980, weeks after the former Beatle was gunned down, knocking off his "(Just Like) Starting Over."

Historically, there has been a lively business trying make Christmas number ones -- and to predict what they will be, said Rupert Adams of the William Hill betting shop.

"It used to be massive -- five years ago you would have all the big record producers try to get in on the Christmas sales," he said. "Hundreds of thousands of pounds" would be wagered on the results, he added.

Then came Simon Cowell, the flat-topped, smirking, eye-rolling impresario behind "The X-Factor."

Winners of his talent show have taken the top slot for the past four years, and William Hill now runs a separate pool for betting on what will be the number two single -- behind "X-Factor winner," as they generically call it.

Cowell is the unstoppable force in front of which Jon and Tracy Morter are trying to put an immovable object.

"2009 X-Factor is in its final stages and we need to gain more people here to try once again to stop this manufactured crap stealing our national heritage of a CHRISTMAS No.1!!" they say on the page of their Facebook group.

"We were bored of the Christmas Number One being predictable," Tracy Morter said. "When we grew up it was always exciting wondering what it was going to be. (The song) was sometimes rubbish but it was fair."

Now, she said, people are pre-ordering the X-Factor winner's song without even knowing what it is.

They've signed up more than half a million members in a week for a Facebook group dedicated to putting Rage Against the Machine on top of the charts.
Rupert Adams, for one, is taking notice.

"X-Factor winner" still tops his list of most likely chart-toppers -- people who place a £5 bet on it at William Hill will win only £1 if they're right -- but the Morters are at least making it competitive.

Adams -- who runs the William Hill betting, or "book" on the Christmas Number One -- makes Rage Against the Machine the second most likely winner. William Hill will pay out £10 on a £3 bet if "Killing in the Name" takes top honors.

"X-Factor will sell somewhere around 800,000," guaranteed, Adams said. "For Rage Against the Machine, on Monday I would have given you 100 to 1. But since then, there's this Facebook group and they now have half a million members."

The critical question -- and what makes this fun for Adams, he said -- is whether group members will actually shell out money on the song.

"We have absolutely no idea how strong this group is," he said. "Having lots of mates on Facebook doesn't mean you are going to transfer that to sales."

Cowell himself dismissed the campaign as "stupid.

"It's not going to change my life particularly" if the X-Factor winner isn't number one on Christmas, he said at a press conference with the show finalists in London Thursday. "It does, however, change these guys' lives."

Cowell accused the Facebook group of "treating our audience as if they're stupid," and said the Rage Against the Machine movement was "quite a cynical campaign geared at me."
Tracy Morter laughed off the accusation.

"He's going to get his sales anyway -- we're not going to persuade people not to buy it," she said. "People are pre-ordering without even knowing who won."

What she hopes is that people who would not normally buy music will purchase the Rage Against the Machine single -- and donate money to Shelter, a homeless charity, at the same time.

She insisted she did not have a grudge against X-Factor contestants.

"We're not against the contestants in any way. I watch it. I enjoy seeing who's good and who's not," she said.

Cowell proteges are unlikely to spend Christmas unwrapping presents alone, whatever happens.
William Hill lists Susan Boyle as the fourth most likely Christmas chart-topper, at 25-to-1 (behind Walt Disney-backed Miley Cyrus at 20-to-1), and former "X-Factor" winner Leona Lewis as sixth, at 33-to-1.

Just as a reminder of how random the Christmas Number One contenders can be, the Muppets are joint fourth with Boyle, the frumpy Scottish woman who went viral when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" on Cowell's show earlier this year.

Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Take That and George Michael round out the top 10, while number 11 is World War II sweetheart Vera Lynn, whose greatest hits album this year fueled a mini-comeback this year for her -- at age 92.

Whatever the winner, oddsmaker Adams is delighted that the field is once again competitive.
"It could be a bumper year" for betting, he said. "It could be the best year since the X-Factor came onto the scene."

Then again, it might -- just might -- be another year like 1972, when Little Jimmy Osmond topped the charts with "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool."

Facebookers rage against Simon Cowell's Christmas juggernaut

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

2010 NHL Winter Classic

There is a game at Fenway Park on New Years Day. However, the Boston Red Sox will not be on the field. It will be their athletic city brethren, the Boston Bruins, taking on the Philadelphia Flyers on an outdoor icerink in the third annual NHL Winter Classic Presented by Bridgestone.

The game, played as a regular season matchup for 2 points, will serve as the NHL's showcase of the year since there will be no NHL All-Star game due to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The past Winter Classics were a huge success. The first, colloquially known as the "Ice Bowl", was played in 2008 between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY and seen by 71,217 fans in attendance. The second, between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, was played this past New Years Day at Wrigley Field.

These games are truly wonderful. Between the size of the crowds, the throwback uniforms, and the amazing visuals there is so much to love about the Winter Classic. Being an outdoor event, it harkens back to a simpler time for the old-timey traditionalists, which hockey has plenty of. But it's also something kids can get a kick out of; many children laugh at the tuque's worn by the goalies to keep their heads warm.

The ice-truck is on it's way to Fenway as I write this and construction on the rink will begin within the week. I can't wait to view the sights and hear the sounds of this years Winter Classic on New Years Day.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/winterclassic/2010

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

Is It Time to Start Taking Those Overpriced Listings?

I absolutely hate taking an overpriced listing and simply would not do it. It seems like one big waste of time to me since the market has been declining for the last 4 years. It is like going to work and not receiving a paycheck.

If a seller is overpriced from day one then they will really be overpriced 3-6-9 months down the road. However, the market is looking more positive as inventories are declining and unit sales are up. It appears that we are in or coming close to a bottom.

So should you start building your listing inventory even if the sellers are overpriced? If you ask some of the largest producers in your market they will probably say yes.

I’m always looking to learn in this business so I like to observe the biggest producers. Most of them take a lot of listings. There is definitely a direct correlation between being a huge listing agent and selling a lot of real estate. If you look closely at some these large producers you will notice that they don’t always take a listing at an aggressive price.
In fact, many of their listings are over priced. However, in time they manage to get the seller to see the light and eventually many of them sell. Start observing the larger producers in your market and I think you will see the same patterns.

I read recently that a seller accepting the realities of the market is similar to the stages of the grieving process.

Stage 1 – Denial

During this stage the seller does not believe that the value of their home has fallen that much. They read stories and hear the news about the horrible real estate market but somehow their home and neighborhood are different. Those things apply to everyone else.

Stage 2 – Anger

When reality begins to set in the home seller will likely get angry. “How can my home be worth this little? After all I bought it before the housing boom. I am not going to give my house away!”

Stage 3 – Bargaining

When the seller gets past the anger stage they will often look for ways to bargain. Reality has not totally set in. There is a search for ways to get most of the “perceived value” that they had in their heads. This might come in the form of listing with that one Realtor who gave us the price we liked (1st listing agent).

Stage 4 – Depression

When it finally becomes clear that the bargaining is not working the home seller may face a period of depression. They see no working solutions and cannot accept the fact that their home is worth much less than they thought.

Stage 5 – Acceptance

The final stage is acceptance. They realize that the perceived value in their head was wrong and the market dictates the value of their home. They are not happy about it but atleast they can now move on to the next chapter in their lives. This is where they might be on to the 2nd or 3rd listing agent. As a listing agent these are the sellers you want to find.

If the market is flattening out and you have the time and patience to hold the hand of a seller during the grieving process this may be a great time for you to start taking those overpriced listings. If you get a number of them chances are good that the seller will eventually see the light and accept the market realities. When that happens your overpriced listing can quickly become a very attractive, aggressively priced one.

By: Marc Rasmussen

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

Ever Buried Someone in Your Backyard?

Are you having trouble selling your home in today's down market? Do you enjoy new fads? Do you believe in good luck charms? One desperate home-seller in Brooklyn, NY sought the help of St. Joseph; the Catholic saint long believed to help with home related matters.

According to lore now spreading on the internet burying St. Jospeh in the yard of a home for sale promises a prompt bid.

After she and her husband held five open houses, even baking cookies for one of them, she ordered a St. Joseph “real estate kit” online and buried the three-inch white statue in her yard.
These statues are flying off the shelves and website pages as skeptics and non-Catholics seek some sort of leg-up in these troubled times.

You can read the entire article on the RealEstateJournal website.

Update: Her house has sold! Congrats to her and apparently burying St. Joseph in her yard helped.

David Cowgill Real Estate Blog

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Group of Death

The draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa took place on Friday, December 4th in Cape Town. The purpose of the draw was to find out which countries will face each other in the group stage of the tournament.

Qualification for the World Cup finals began in September 2006, right after the World Cup in Germany. After four years the nations involved have been widdled down to just 32 (see "2010 FIFA World Cup" blog) which were placed into eight groups of four teams. Each team will play one game against the other three in the group in order to determine which two countries, based on highest point total, will move on to the knock-out stages. Teams get three points for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss. In the event of a tie in total points the tie-breaker is goal difference, then goals scored.

Teams were seeded into four pots of eight teams for the draw. The teams in group one were chosen based on the FIFA World Rankings from October 2009 and also includes the host nation. The remaining groups were based on FIFA confederations. Group two was from Asia, North America and Oceania, group three from Africa and South America, group four was from Europe.

As it happened, with the help of special guests including actress Charlize Theron and footballer David Beckham, the groups were chosen as follows:

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece. Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia. Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana. Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon. Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia. Group G (aka Group of Death): Brazil, Korea DPR, Cote d'Ivoire, Portugal. Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile.

Get ready to cheer for your team this summer.

WorldFace - What if World Politics was Social Networking?

Have you ever wanted to tell People's Republic of China to "Free Tibet" or Brazil to "shut up and play soccer"? Now you can!

A friend of mine recently introduced me to a social media site from England called WorldFace. It was set up by the group Team Fishcake. The premise was inspired by a conversation between friends on msn. What came out of it was a Facebook-type website involving nations.

"What if world politics was social networking? This site shows you what's going on in the world today using a format that the kids of today might be a little more familiar with." It's also "an interactive, which means you can add your own bitingly satirical statuses and comments." Though "any inapproapriate, offensive, or just plain rubbish suggestions will be immediately rejected."

A few of my personal favorites:

Hugary: Is going to have Turkey cooked in Greece.

United Nations: Is very, very, very angry with North Korea, and is in the middle of debating a very strongly worded letter stating how angry it is.

South Africa: Can't wait for the World Cup draw. How did we get seeded? Spain: You get seeded because you're paying for the competition as hosts. We are going to win it though. Brazil: @ Spain - try to make it out of the first round for once.

http://www.teamfishcake.co.uk/worldface/index.php

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Green Energy Wind Farms Don't Affect Property Value

DENVER - Wind farms have no measurable effect on nearby property values, according to a government report published Wednesday.

In the latest study, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory spent three years examining nearly 7,500 sales of homes in 10 communities near two dozen wind farms in nine states.

The findings, however, are unlikely to cool the debate over the placement of massive wind turbines which to some represent progress, but to others an intrusion.

Questions about the integrity of the $500,000 Berkeley study were aired even before the report was released.

New energy infrastructure almost always runs into opposition, and in many cases for good reason.

There is a lot of research showing that nearby coal-fired power plants, transmission lines or other permanent fixtures can suck the value out of a home.

The Berkeley study, however, is not the first to show that wind turbines might be different, and previous studies have not tamped down opposition.

About 150 miles south of Denver in the tiny town of La Veta, many believe a proposed 7,000 acre wind farm would forever alter the postcard view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Two other projects have been proposed as well.

Mayor Mickey Schmidt is aware of previous studies, but says he still believes it's just common sense that wind turbines will hurt property values when it is the mountain vistas that bring many people to La Veta.

Researchers at the Berkeley National Laboratory looked at homes 800 feet to five miles from wind farms. About 1,000 sales involved homes that had views of the turbines, including sight lines through trees or just blade tips.

Researchers say the took into account the recession and other characteristics such as the number of bedrooms in a home or location of schools, said Ryan Wiser, a study co-author and project manager for the Berkeley Lab.

"That's not to say there are not individual homes or small groups of homes that have been impacted by the presence of wind projects," Wiser said.

If there is an impact, Wiser said, the frequency was to small to measure statistically.

Conflicts will likely become more frequent in coming years. About 1,649 megawatts of capacity from wind farms was added from July through September — enough to power 480,000 average households. That is about 18 percent more than the same period last year and more projects are coming on line next year.

Texas dwarfs any other state as far as wind power goes. Not far from Big Spring, about 300 miles west of Dallas, hundreds of turbines churn out power at one of the biggest wind farms in the country, without much effect on home prices, said real estate agent Sherri Key.

Some potential buyers say turbines are too noisy, while others say "they're so gorgeous," said Key.

Associated Press

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Ovi Out Again

Washington Capitols superstar Alexander Ovechkin has been suspended by the NHL for a knee-on-knee collision with Carolina Hurricane Tim Gleason that left the two time Hart Memorial Trophy winner limping off the ice Monday night. He was given a five minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct by the referees.

Ovechkin, the Capitols goals and points leader, will miss the next two games against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night and the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night. He is listed as day to day with a knee injury but is expected to be back for the December 7th game versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While this is the first suspension of his career it's Ovechkin's second game misconduct in the last three games. He recieved a five minute major and was ejected from last weeks game against the Buffalo Sabres for a boarding call on Patrick Kaleta. He also missed six games earlier this season with an upper body strain. In his first four seasons he had only missed two games due to injury.
Ovechkin has stated that there was no malicious intent behind the hit and that he's glad Gleason was not hurt too badly. However, controversy visited him during the playoffs last year following a knee-on-knee collision with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar for which he suspiciously recieved no supplemental discipline by the league.

Capitols coach, Bruce Boudreau, concerned about the players health, has said "He plays pretty reckless...I don't want to see him getting hurt. Maybe he has to pick his spots a little bit better. It's something that will have to be addressed by us, I guess." Ovechkin has stated that he will not change the way he plays.



The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Things I Learned While on Vacation

I travelled to Buffalo for Thanksgiving last week to see my family and friends in the place where I grew up and here are a few things I learned:

1) D.C. transportation is great.

I took a cab to the Ballston Metro, the Metro to Union Station, the MARC train to Baltimore, a shuttle to the airport, and a plane to Buffalo. I didn't need to drive to the airport and park my car in long term parking which was nice. It took some time (3 hours, I think) but I didn't mind. I didn't have any problems and made it with plenty of time to spare. And I got away relatively cheaply (under $20 excluding the flight).

2) As soon as you move out of your parents house, you no longer have a room at your parents house.

I learned this several years ago when I went away to college. I didn't have a room after I graduated so I rented an apartment in the city. And now that I have moved away from Buffalo it hasn't changed when I come home for the holidays either. Even with the many rooms in my folks' house, there are even more relatives that come visit (it truly is great to see everyone, and who can blame them after enjoying the delicious feast we had). So the couch is my kingdom for now (and I secretly enjoy passing out on it anyways).

3) There is no such thing as vacation if you visit after closing.

My brother closed on a house a few weeks before my visit. So I spent most of the week painting and cleaning to get it ready to move in because my brother/father/mother were at work all week. I'm hoping it will pay off in the form of an available bed come Christmas.

4) It's a lot easier to elude the designation of D.D. when you don't have a car.

My car was left at my apartment in Arlington, obviously. So while going out with old friends (the night before Thanksgiving is annually the biggest party night of the year) I was not stuck as the designated driver. But, as always, I made sure I had a safe way home.

5) There's no place like home.

It was great to go back home and see my family, friends, and old stomping grounds (I think local food is always the thing you miss the most while away). Catching up, reminiscing about old memories, and creating new ones is something to cherish. On my return, however, I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't been in Arlington for very long, but I got the same feelings as I touched down last night. It felt great to be "home". It's a long process but I'm slowly getting acclimated to my new surroundings, making new friends, and I am learning everyday. I'm slowly becoming an Arlingtonian.

By: David

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Information

Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 type A influenza, is a human disease that spreads from person to person; not from pigs.

Symptoms are similar to the common flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. These are common signs of other conditions as well, so a test is really needed to know if you indeed have the H1N1 virus.

At risk persons who may come into contact with the swine flu are those who are pregnant or have asthma, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, neurological disease, immune suppression, or other chronic conditions.

Healthy people who becoming infected with swine flu that do not have to take care of a children are expected to pull through just fine after a couple miserable days. But be aware of any warning signs of severe disease such as trouble breathing or getting worse after feeling better. While sick you should stay home, always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and immediately throw it into the trash, and wash your hands. If you must be around others, it's a good idea to wear a surgical mask.

Swine flu, like the common flu, is spread by coming in contact with airborn droplets from a cough or sneeze or touching a surface that has been contaminated by a cough or sneeze with H1N1 present and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why washing your hands is very important even if you are not sick.

Anti-viral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are effective when used within 48 hours of contact with the swine flu, but their use is not usually necessary.

A vaccine is being made in large quantities and shipped as soon as possible but demand is expected to outstrip supply for most of fall 2009. By the end of January 2010, every U.S. resident who wants the vaccine should be able to get it.

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

2010 FIFA World Cup

Yesterday the final six nations qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer. The World Cup, an international soccer tournament, occurs every four years and is the world's biggest sporting event. Here is the list of 32 nations that qualified for the 19th World Cup finals (Current FIFA World Ranking in parenthesis):

Asia [AFC]: Australia (24), Japan (40), Korea DPR (91), Korea Republic (48)

Africa [CAF]: Algeria (29), Cameroon (14), Ghana (38), Ivory Coast (19), Nigeria (32), South Africa (85)

North, Central America and Caribbean [CONCACAF]: Honduras (35), Mexico (18), USA (11)

South America [CONMEBOL]: Argentina (6), Brazil (1), Chile (17), Paraguay (21), Uruguay (25)

Oceana [OFC]: New Zealand (83)

Europe [UEFA]: Denmark (27), England (7), France (9), Germany (5), Greece (16), Italy (4), Netherlands (3), Portugal (10), Serbia (20), Slovakia (33), Slovenia (49), Spain (2), Switzerland (13)

Notable Nations That Did Not Qualify: Croatia (8), Russia (12), Czech Republic (15), Ukraine (22), Bulgaria (23), Israel (26), Egypt (28), Columbia, (30/T), Northern Ireland (30/T).

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Homebuyer Tax Credit FAQ's

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

Question: I am a firsttime homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I
entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase, which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement, you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phaseout range).

Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I
have found a home with a nonnegotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.

Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.

Question: I am an eligible firsttime homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on
November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30 (or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

NAR Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

The Mike Webb Team: http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/

Is Washington Becoming a Seller's Market?

Guy Wolcott, co-founder of Sawbuck.com, the online brokerage based in D.C., shared some local inventory numbers with me recently. Looking at the inventory of homes listed for sale on the local multiple listing service, Metropolitan Regional Information Services, the cupboard is pretty bare in spots.

At the current sales pace, Manassas Park City has just 1.3 months' worth of listings. Manassas City, just 1.4 months. Falls Church City, 2.1 months; and Fairfax County just 2.7 months. Arlington County has 3.9 months.

The rule of thumb says 6 months' inventory marks a balanced market--favoring neither sellers nor buyers. According to the MLS data, the Washington metro area as a whole has only 4.5 months supply available--making it a bit of a seller's market. The District, proper, has 5.1 months' supply.

Montgomery County has only 3.8 months' supply, but with that exception, Maryland still has enough inventory that favors buyers. Prince George's County has 8.1 months' supply, and the Maryland suburban counties, combined, have 8.4 months' supply.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-address/

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Football Sunday's

Not sure where to go to watch your favorite football team? You should definitely check out Crystal City Sports Pub on 23rd Street. Boasting three floors of dining area, bar seating, and over 100 televisions, this is a Mecca for from-out-of-town football fans on the holy day of Sunday. I met up with a few friends yesterday in order to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Tennessee Titans. I found out that the owners Bill Payne, Bill Daughtry, Jim Madden, and John Finlay have created a neighborhood sports bar for everyone's neighborhood.

As they show every game on the screens that litter the walls the crowd is quite diverse. Chances are that you will be perched near someone wearing your teams jersey (2 tables away), as well as someone wearing the colors of the opponent (next table over).

The food was good, well-portioned (I had Buffalo-style chicken fingers that came with steak fries), and reasonably priced ($7.89). They also have a decent range of brews to choose from. I didn't actually look at a beer list because as walked past the taps I noticed they had one of my favorite ale's, Smithwick's, on tap. In passing, and among others, I also saw Leinenkugel's Classic Lager, Yuengling Lager, Hook & Ladder Lager, Guinness Stout, and the standard American domestics (Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light...). There's not "something for everyone" but, much like the fans in attendance, there is a good variety.

Crystal City Sports Pub: http://www.ccsportspub.com/index2.html

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Stormin'

With the weather being what it has been all week, I decided today I would put together a listing of songs about rain, storms, bad weather, etc. A playlist of sorts, entitled "STORMIN" and it goes as follows:

Rain When I Die (Alice in Chains); Soulshine (Allman Brothers Band); No Rain (Blind Melon); Shelter from the Storm (Bob Dylan); Comin' in from the Cold (Bob Marley & the Wailers); Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival); JTR (Dave Matthews Band); Let it Rain (Eric Clapton); I'm Only Happy When it Rains (Garbage); November Rain (Guns 'n' Roses); Fire and Rain (John Denver); Fool in the Rain (Led Zeppelin); I Can't Stand the Rain (Missy Elliot); Purple Rain (Prince); Naked in the Rain (Red Hot Chili Peppers); Riders on the Storm (The Doors)

***For Optimal Listening Pleasure, Listen During Rainstorm On a Covered Porch***

www.northernvirginiahouses.com

IMAGE/PROJECT

The Arlington Arts Center's upcoming juried photo and video show is entitled IMAGE/PROJECT. The AAC received entries from across the nation—from New York, to Chicago, to Los Angeles, and all points in-between. From that pool, internationally recognized artist Taryn Simon selected thirteen artists working in photography and five video artists to be featured in our galleries. The show will open on Friday, November 20, with a reception from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

List of finalists: Morgan Ashcom (Free Union, VA); Leslie Awender (Topanga, CA); Jason Burch (Jersey City, NJ); Judith Connell (Falls Church, VA); Elizabeth Crisman (Baltimore, MD); David Hartwell and Josef Jacques (San Francisco, CA); Jason Havneraas (Brooklyn, NY); Linda Hesh (Alexandria, VA); Jaime Kennedy and Kelly Urquhart (Kent, OH); Alma Leiva (Miami, FL); Karen Ludlam (Brooklyn, NY); Jeroen Nelemans (Chicago, IL); Minou Norouzi (Los Angeles, CA); Nicholas O’Brien (Chicago, IL); Adam Pape (Chicago, IL); Laurie Rubin (Chicago, IL); Michael Wallace (Cleveland, OH)

http://www.arlingtonartscenter.org/aacnetwork/finalists-imageproject-announced

Also visit http://www.northernvirginiahouses.com/.

Veterans Day

National Veterans Day Ceremony

The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11:00 a.m., a color guard, made up of members from each of the military services, renders honors to America's war dead during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The ceremony takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater.

The Veterans Day National Committee also selects a number of regional sites for Veterans Day observances throughout the country. From stirring parades and ceremonies to military exhibits and tributes to distinguished veterans, these events serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own observances.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

Visit The Mike Webb Team at www.northernvirginiahouses.com.

Tax Credit Dealine for Home Buyers Extended

The deadline for the federal tax credit to first time home buyers has been extended. The federal government has also included an expansion for prospective buyers that already own a home.


The federal government has extended the $8,000 tax credit to new home buyers, and those who have not owned a home in the last three years, when they sign a contract to buy a home before April 30, 2010. Congress also added a $6,500 tax incentive to those buyers who currently own a home and have lived there for the last five years.

NAR to Launch HouseLogic Website

The National Association of Realtors is planning to unveil a new consumer website called HouseLogic on November 12th. This presentation will be shown at the NAR's Annual Conference and Expo in San Diego. The website is designed to be a go-to resource that will help homeowners protect, maintain, and enhance the value of, for most, their most important investment; their home.

The site will also contain business building tools and information for realtors as well as content designed to help realtors maintain contact with their clients after the sale.

The site will also allow homeowners and realtors the ability to speak together to federal legislators on public policy issues on which homeowners and the real estate industry have a common interest.

The HouseLogic website will be promoted to consumers beginning February 2010. Until that time it will be in beta and promoted mainly to realtors to become familiar with it and provide feedback to houselogic@realtors.org. Further details will be coming in REALTORS Magazine Daily News and at realtors.org.

http://www.houselogic.com/

Tax Credit to Home Buyers Extended and Expanded

The White House has confirmed that President Obama will sign into law an extension on the federal tax credit to first time home buyers sometime this weekend. The bill, which also includes an expansion for prospective buyers that already own a home, passed in Congress just days ago. The tax credit was due to expire at the end of November, however, members of Congress worked hard to renew the important economic stimulus package.

Congress has extended the $8,000 tax credit to new home buyers by seven months. They also added a $6,500 tax incentive to those buyers who currently own a home and have lived there for five years or more.

http://cbs11tv.com/national/congress.jobs.homebuyers.2.1293300.html

Distressed Property

When buying a shortsale, forclosed home, or real estate owned (REO or bank owned) property, it is important to have someone experienced in distressed properties working for you. You will need an agent that is current on national and state-specific information and regulations involved with these kinds of transactions, and can limit risk to you, the buyer. "Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers, but it's extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional ... for these kinds of purchases," said NAR President Charles McMillan.

If you are selling a distressed property, you want an agent that can direct you to finance, tax and legal sources. It is also important to have someone in your corner that can help you qualify for short sale and negotiate with lenders.

If you are looking into buying or selling short sale, foreclosure, or real estate owned property make sure that you have an experienced realtor working for you, and make sure that they are specifically certified to handle distressed property transactions.

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20091105_agent.htm

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, commonly known as National, Washington National, Reagan, Reagan National, or DCA, is located in Arlington, Virginia and is the nearest commercial airport to Washington, D.C.; located 3 miles south of the central business district.

Built in 1940 by the federal government, it was originally called Washington National Airport, but was renamed to honor former President Ronald Reagan on his 87th birthday in 1998 by President Bill Clinton. It is owned by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

The airport is a focus city for U.S. Airways, which has near hourly flights to LaGuardia Airport (New York City) and Logan International Airport (Boston).

Reagan National has U.S. immigration and customs facilities for corporate jet traffic only, therefore it only recieves internation flights from airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance (Nassau, Bermuda, and most major airports in eastern Canada).

You can get to DCA by flight (obviously), subway (via Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metro station), taxi (all fare is now metered), shuttle (door-to-door service available), or road (via George Washington Memorial Parkway or U.S. Route 1).

http://www.mwaa.com/national/

The Metro

The MetroRail (commonly referred to as the Metro) is the rapid transit system used in the Washington D.C. area. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (which also operates MetroBus). It services Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland as well as Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria in Virginia.

Since 1976 it has grown to include 5 lines (with a 6th in the construction stages), 86 stations, and 106.3 miles of track. It is the 2nd busiest transit system in the United States, after the New York City Subway. In 2008, 215.3 million trips were taken on the MetroRail.

Passengers enter and exit the transit system using a wallet sized, stored value, paper card with a magnetic-strip. Frequent riders often use a SmarTrip proximity card. Fares vary on time of day and distance travelled.

http://www.wmata.com/

D.C. United 2009

The 2009 season is over for D.C. United. The Washington D.C.-based professional soccer team missed the MLS Cup Playoffs as the season ended last week, on goal difference alone. As we wait for (there's always...) next season at RFK Stadium, let's take a look back on the season that was.

D.C. United's coach for the 2009 season was Tom Soehn, at 43 years old he has been an assistant under Bob Bradley (current coach of the U.S. Mens National Team) and Peter Nowak (assistant to Bradley and coach of the U.S. Mens U-23 National Team). He has also been a manager with the Chicago Fire.

In January, for the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, United selected midfielder Rodney Wallace from the University of Maryland with the 6th overall pick. In his rookie season Rodney made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals. Also chosen by United were Chris Pontius (7th overall; midfielder/forward; UC Santa Barbara), Milos Kocic (21st overall; goalkeeper; Loyola College in Maryland), Lyle Adams (26th overall; defenseman; Wake Forest University), and Brandon Barklage (36th overall; midfielder/forward; Saint Louis University).

The team's statistical leaders over the past year have been Luciano Emilio (4 goals), Bryan Namoff (3 assists), and Josh Wicks (19 appearances in goal). The side was captained by Jaime Moreno. The Bolivian has played in 308 games for United during his career.

The team eventually finished 10th overall in the MLS, were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League in the group stage, and finished 2nd in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

We look forward to seeing what they can do in their 15th season during 2010.

http://www.dcunited.com/

Night of the Living Zoo

The National Zoo (Smithsonian National Zoological Park) is celebrating Halloween with the "Night of the Living Zoo" on October 30th from 8 p.m. until midnight. Enjoy the park and see the animal exhibits while dressing up in costume (prizes will be given for best group costume; 2 or more people) and enjoying such treats as palm readers, fire eaters, talking bats, and illusionists. There will also be a live performance by the musical band Soulive (featuring Shady Horns with special guest Nigel Hall). Food and beverages (event is sponsored by Magic Hat Brewing Company) will be available. It is a 21 or older event and, unfortunately, tickets have already sold out.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/LivingZoo/

Housing Prices: Major Metro Areas Showing Slow Decline

Housing prices in 20 major metro areas are not yet making year-over-year gains, but the decline is slowing according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller home price index. The report indicated that home prices are about where they were in 2003, before the bubble began. Prices in the D.C. area were up 1.4% from July to August.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economywatch/2009/10/home_prices_most_major_metro_a.html?hpid=topnews

Buy a House in Arlington, Virginia

"The urban villages that make up the majority of Arlington real estate provide terrific neighborhoods, shopping centers, and restaurants. Shirlington, Columbia Pike, Ballston, and Pentagon City – in addition to many other prime Arlington real estate spots – are always bustling with residents, workers, and visitors. Many Arlington real estate owners spend time both outdoors, along the Mount Vernon Trail, and indoors, at the many shops that make up the Crystal City underground. In addition, several Washington, D.C.-area landmarks call Arlington real estate home; both the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the Defense Department Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where the Internet was created, are located here.
This ethnically diverse city has one of the most educated populations in the country. Not surprisingly, twenty percent of the jobs in Northern Virginia are in Arlington, which makes Arlington real estate an ideal investment for business owners and commuters. But there are many other reasons to consider investing in Arlington real estate. The city offers easy access to I-395, I-495, I-66, and downtown D.C. And with its excellent public schools and convenient Metro access, the value of Arlington real estate has risen much faster than the national average in recent years." (Long & Foster Living)

http://virginia-homes.longandfoster.com/Northern_Virginia_Real_Estate/Arlington.aspx

Halloween Playlist

Being a music-lover, one of my favorite things to do is make playlists about EVERYTHING. Not the coolest thing ever to admit, but it's my thing. Here's what I came up with for the theme of "Halloween":

Jack'o'lantern's Weather (311)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
Wolfman Jack (Binary Star)
Dead Man Walking (Bruce Springsteen)
Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniel's Band)
Drink to the Dead (Clutch)
I Put a Spell on You (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Halloween (Dave Matthews Band)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Dr. Funkenstein (Parliament)
Wolfman's Brother (Phish)
Ghost of Tom Joad (Rage Against the Machine)
Living Dead Girl (Rob Zombie)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads)
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)

Happy Halloween!

Arlington County Government

Arlington, VA is governed by a five person County Board, whose members are elected to staggered four year terms. The board elects a County Manager, who is chief executive of the County Government. Arlington, like all Virginia counties, also has a Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Commonwealth's Attorney, Treasurer, and Commissioner of the Revenue; all elected officers. There is also an elected five member School Board.

County Board: Barbara Favola (Chairman), Jay Fisette (Vice-Chairman), Mary Hynes, J. Walter Tejada, Chris Zimmerman.

Virginia Congress: Patsy Ticer (Senator), Mary Margaret Whipple (Senator), David Englin (Delegate), Albert Eisenberg (Delagate), Robert Brink (Delegate), Adam Ebbin (Delegate).

School Board: Sally Baird (Chair), Libby Carver (Vice Chair), Ed Fendley, Abby Rafael, Emma Sanchez-Violand.

Constitutional Officers: Frank O'Leary (Treasurer), Paul Ferguson (Clerk of the Court), Dick Trodden (Commonwealth's Attorney), Beth Arthur (Sheriff), Ingrid Morroy (Commissioner of Revenue).

http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/topics/TopicsLocalGovt.aspx

National Association of Realtors

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is the largest trade association in North America, representing over 1.2 million residential and commercial real estate brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others in the industry of immovable property. The President of NAR in 2009 is Charles McMillan.
The NAR governs the hundreds of local Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which is a database of properties which are on the market. Using MLS, realtors have access to information about listings for sale in their area.
NAR requires realtors to take a code of ethics and offers additional certifications in specific areas of the industry.
NAR has a weekly, two hour radio program called Real Estate Today, which includes a local market report for each radio station.

http://www.realtor.org/

Gulf Branch Nature Center

The Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington, VA is a beautiful park to visit. It is staffed with friendly and knowledgable people who provide environmental education programs for all ages and small groups. It features exhibits, a small classroom, a children's discovery room, a live-animal exhibit room, a restored cabin, and a pond. It also has public restrooms and is wheelchair accessible.
Located at 3608 N. Military Road, the Gulf Branch Nature Center is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as Sunday 1 to 5 p.m (closed Monday and Tuesday).
A few examples of upcoming events are the Coyote Campfire (mmm...smores!), the Animals' Thanksgiving (animals are thankful too), and the traditional Fall Hunt (followed by venison stew...if you're lucky).

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/nature/ParksRecreationScriptsNatureGulfbranch.aspx

Halloween, one of the oldest and most popular holidays, is an annual celebration on October 31. Dating back 2,000 years, it has roots in the Celtic pagan festival Samhain and the Christian All Saints Day, though it is largely a secular celebration today. Around the time of the Great Famine, Irish immigrants brought varieties of many Halloween traditions to North America.
The name is derived from All Hallows' Even. Even is derived from evening, which can be further shortened to e'en. Hence, the holiday's original name of Hallowe'en.
The feast of Samhain, honoring the dead, was held every October 31, the end of the Celtic calendar. A harvest festival, Samhain signified the end of summer with huge bonfires. Believing that souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages, and that not all were friendly, Celts set out gifts or treats to pacify them. This is where our tradition of trick-or-treating comes from.

Trick or treat! It’s that time again. Time to carve your pumpkins, visit haunted houses, and figure out what to do about a costume. That’s right, it’s October and Halloween is on the way.

Let’s start with the pumpkin. You have several options here. You can carve a face (jack’o'lantern) or a design. I prefer the design technique, but it’s important to use a stencil if you are like me, and were not graced with artistic talents. You can find tips and designs here: http://go2.wordpress.com/id=725X1342&site=virginiahousingtrends.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dltk-holidays.com%2Fhalloween%2Fmpatterns.htm. You can use the seeds to make a great holiday snack. Here’s a recipe for over-roasted pumpkin seeds: http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv310.htm.

It’s also a fun time of year to take the kids to a haunted house/hayride/etc. Here are some places near Arlington: http://www.festivals-and-shows.com/haunted-houses-in-virginia.html

And as far as costumes, always the hardest part for me, you can go to places such as a Spirit Halloween Store (5857 Leesburg Pike, Ste. B. in Falls Church, VA) which have huge selections of ready-to-go costumes, or you can make your own costumes. Here are some ideas for home made costumes: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/halloweentheme/a/091399.htm.

Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!

Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason University

Did you know that you can get a college degree in real estate? The George Mason University Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship "seeks to advance real estate research and education in real estate development and finance."
The center serves to advance real estate knowledge through innovative and pertinent multidisciplinary research on real estate development and finance, address critical and timely issues of interest to the development and finance commutities, hold seminars, workshops, symposia, and forums to examine the current state of the industry and to anticipate future industry opportunities and challenges, and support the highest quality real estate degree and executive education programs that prepare both students and industry professionals alike for tomorrow's real estate environment.
They offer a Masters of Real Estate Development (MRED), a multidisciplinary degree spanning the School of Management, School of Public Policy and Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering.

http://realestate.gmu.edu/

Best Places for College Grads

Richard Florida is a professor of management at the University of Toronto, and the author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who's Your City?. He recently researched the best metropolitan areas for new college graduates to relocate to. He was searching for places with strong social networks which will allow grads to find jobs, be satisfied with their communities, enjoy vibrant nightlife, and find a life partner. His findings came to these conclusions:

1. Boulder, Colorado
2. San Francisco, California
3. Washington, District of Columbia
4. Madison, Wisconsin
5. Boston, Massachussettes
6. Los Angeles, California
7. New York, New York
8. Santa Barbara, California
9. Worcester, Massachussettes
10. Bridgeport, Connecticut & Trenton, New Jersey (tie)

http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2009101304

Home Ownership Still a Good Investment

Despite the negative perception about the housing market in recent times, owning a home is still generally a good investment.
Homes have appreciated by an average of four percent annually since World War II. This investment hedges against inflation and comes with significant tax benefits.
Also, unlike a stock, it's an investment you can live in. Owning a home gives you a sense of security, independence, and community.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33243863/ns/business-real_estate//

2009 NVAR Convention and Trade Show

Tomorrow, October 13th, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors will be hosting it's 2009 Convention & Trade Show. The theme is "NVAR Goes Back to School". This year it will be held at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), a new location for the event.
The NV/RPAC Breakfast will feature speakers John Harris and Jim VandeHei from POLITICO, a political journalism organization based in Arlington.
The trade show will feature many exhibitor booths with businesses (both local and corporate) there to offer help and answer questions.

http://www.nvarconvention.com/

2009 Nobel Prize in Literature

Herta Muller, a German novelist and essayist born in Romania, has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature. The exiled writer described the oppression in her native country posed by dictatorship in much of her work. The Swedish Academy described Ms. Müller, “who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed.” Muller, 56, emigrated to Germany in 1987 after years of persecution and censorship. Her most popular works are "Land of the Green Plums" and "The Appointment".

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/books/09nobel.html?_r=1&hp

Obama's Decor

On Tuesday, the White House released a list of works it has borrowed for its walls. With the help of museum curators, from which the works are being borrowed, Michelle Obama has chosen 45 pieces to don the Obamas' temporary residence and offices.
There are seven works from African American artists, four from Native Americans (12 more depicting Native Americans). 41 of the creators were male, to six female artists. None of the works were done by a Latino.
The collection seems to focus on Native American and African American pottery, paintings of "black life" in the 19th century, and several abstract pieces. There is also a handful of sculptures as well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/10/06/GA2009100602826.html?sid=ST2009100603682

In your house, the wall decor (and artistic compliments) are as important as the furnature chosen (see past blog).

German-American Day

Today, October 6th, is German-American Day. It was a celebration of German heritage that was popular in the 19th century, faded away around World War I, and was again revived in 1987.
Around 1 in 4 Americans claim to have German ancestry. Some notable German-Americans are Adolph Coors, Albert Einstein, and the engineer whom designed the Brooklyn Bridge.
President Ronald Reagan, in his proclaimation of German-American Day, stated, "The United States has embraced a vast array of German traditions, institutions, and influences. Many of these have become so accepted as parts of our way of life that their ethnic origin has been obscured. For instance, Christmas trees and Broadway musicals are familiar features of American society. Our kindergartens, graduate schools, the social security system, and labor unions are all based on models derived from Germany.
German teachers, musicians, and enthusiastic amateurs have left an indelible imprint on classical music, hymns, choral singing, and marching bands in our country. In architecture and design, German contributions include the modern suspension bridge, Bauhaus, and Jugendstil. German-American scientists have helped make the United States the world's pioneer in research and technology. The American work ethic, a major factor in the rapid rise of the United States to preeminence in agriculture and industry, owes much to German-Americans' commitment to excellence."

http://german.about.com/od/teaching/a/geramday.htm

Choosing the Right Furniture

Furniture shopping can be an extremely daunting process. Searching for gear that fits your personality, taste, and price range takes a long time. With so many choices, from style, era, and practicality, there's a lot of variety out there.
A person's choice in furniture reflects a lot about their character. It can tell people that you are fun, dull, classy, trashy, edgy, or bland, etc. It's important to find something that suites you. After all, it's one of the first things someone notices about the room they walk into, and you have to use it everyday.
There are also choices to make regarding age. Do you want something new or antique? Modern or traditional? People have always needed places to sit, sleep, eat, etc. so there's a long history to choose from.
Also, you need to think about what materials your potential purchase is made from. Is it durable enough that it will last as long as you would like? Are you the kind of person that likes change, and are going to need a new couch in a few years anyways? Either way, the price will often depend on this characteristic.

Also important to note: when you list your house with Mike Webb Team, LLC we provide free staging for your house, at no additional cost to the owner.

http://www.find-a-real-estate-agent.net/blog/

$8,000 Tax Credit Set to Expire on November 30th

The $8,000 federal tax credit for first time home buyers is set to expire on November 30th. Congress is now debating whether to extend the program which some say is essential to a fragile real estate market.
As of right now, anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years qualifies for the rebate. As many as 40% of all homebuyers this year will qualify for the credit, which by the end of November will have been directly responsible for several hundred thousand home sales.
Members of congress have proposed more than 20 bills to extend and/or expand the tax credit, many shaped around a $15,000 rebate program that will be offered until September of next year for any buyer that stays in a home for at least 2 years.

San Francisco Chronicle

The Lincoln Memorial

Continuing with the theme of Washington, D.C. based memorials, I write today about the Lincoln Memorial, located across the National Mall from the Washington Monument. It was built in memorium to President Abraham Lincoln and is overseen by the National Park Service.
The achitect was Henry Bacon, the sculpter of the Lincoln statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior murals was Jules Guerin. Construction finished in 1922 and the building itself is in the shape of a Greek Doric temple. The stones used to build the structure are from several regions of the United States. Inside is a statue of a seated Lincoln and the inscription of two of his speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his speech given at his second inauguration. The murals depict an angel, the freeing of a slave, and the unity of the North and South.
The landing on the steps leading up to the monument is the sight of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Lincoln Memorial can be seen on the back of the penny and $5 bill (U.S. currency), both of which contain Lincolns portrait on the reverse side.

http://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm

Arlington House

I was thinking today about what it'd be like to live in the Arlington House (minus the tourists), also known as the Robert E. Lee Memorial. The Arlington House is a National Memorial, overseen by National Park Service, in Arlington, VA that was once the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The Greek Revival-styled mansion was designed by George Hadfield, who also worked on the design of the U.S. Capitol Building, under orders of George Washington Parke Custis, step-grandson of President George Washington, to be his home. Custis' only child to survive into adulthood, Mary, wed Lee shortly after his graduation from West Point Academy.
The mansion was built on a plot that included 1,100 acres of land, purchased by Custis' father in 1778, around the beginning of the 19th century. The house features 3 levels, two kitchens, 1 very small bathroom (yikes!), 8 massive columns on the portico, and North and South wings off the main structure. The building alone covers almost 28 acres. Some of the more interesting aspects include the wine cellar, school and sewing room, and the conservatory.
Over the centuries it has been used as a family home, plantation, military headquarters, community for emancipated slaves, and cemetary.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/arho/tour/home.html

Washington D.C. Sports

Washington D.C. is one of eight cities in the United States with 5 professional sports teams (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS).
The Washington Wizards (formerly the Washington Bullets) play basketball in the NBA. They play in the Verizon Center in Chinatown. They have won one championship (1978). Former players include Earl "the Pearl" Monroe, Elvin Hayes, Dave Bing, Moses Malone, and Michael Jordan. Current stars include Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Nick Young.
The Washington Redskins play football in the NFL. They play at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. They have won 3 Super Bowls ('82, '87, '91). Former players/coaches include Sonny Jurgenson, George Allen (coach), Art Monk, Joe Gibbs (coach), and Bruce Smith. Current stars are Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, and Albert Haynesworth.
The Washington Capitals is a professional hockey team in the NHL. They play in the Verizon Center. They have not won a Stanley Cup. Former players include Rod Langway, Dale Hunter, Mike Gartner, Peter Bondra, and Jaromir Jagr. Current stars are Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Mike Green.
The Washington Nationals play at Nationals Park. They have not won a World Series. Formerly the Montreal Expos, they were founded as the Nationals in 2005. Current stars include Livan Hernandez, Adam Dunn, and Alberto Gonzalez.
The D.C. United play at RFK Stadium. They have won the MLS cup 4 times ('96, '97, '99, '04). Former players include Marco Etcheverry, Jeff Agoos, and John Harkes. Current stars are Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio, and Christian Gomez.
Other sports teams in Washington are the Washington Mystics (basketball, WNBA), Washington Freedom (soccer, WPS), Washington Bayhawks (lacrosse, MLL), Washington Kastles (tennis, WTT), Washington D.C. Slayers (rugby, ANRL), Baltimore Washington Eagles (football, USAFL), D.C. Divas (football, IWFL), D.C. Explosion (football, NAFL), and Washington RFC (rugby, RSL).

Washington D.C. Music

Researching the local music scene, I decided to write down my favorite musicians and musical groups from Washington, D.C. Being fairly new to the area, I hope there's much more to come:
-DJ Kool (rap)
-Duke Ellington (jazz)
-Fugazi (emo)
-Marvin Gaye (r&b)
-Minor Threat (punk)
-Thievery Corporation (dub)

So far I think my favorite venue is Madam's Organ, and my favorite show has been Atmosphere (Blueprint, P.O.S.) at the 9:30 Club.


*If you contact Mike Webb to buy or sell a house with him, I promise he will sing for you.*

Wakefield High School

Wakefield High School is one of three high schools in Arlington, VA. It's located one block from Alexandria and is fully accredited based on Virginia's SOL examinations. In March 2008, the school had 140 teachers to 1364 students. That amounts to just under 10 students per teacher.
Wakefield has recently pushed to encourage students to take more AP programs. The school offers the Spanish Immersion Program and views the arts (music, theater, and visual arts) as an important part of a student's learning experience. All seniors are required to to participate in a senior project prior to graduation.
On the first day of school this year, President Barack Obama gave a speech to students at Wakefield that was televised nationwide.
Wakefield's sports teams are known as the Warriors and their colors are green, white, and black. Athletically, they participate in the Virginia High School League. They play their homecoming football game against Edison this Friday at 7:30. Come to the game. You may run into Mike Webb. He's a licenced realtor who would be more than happy to talk to about buying or selling your house (between plays, of course).

Intelligent Cities

"Do you think a city is complicated enough that we can say it has a sort of intelligence?" (asofterworld.com)

Intelligent cities (communities, clusters, regions, etc...) are those territories characterized by high capacity for learning and innovation, which is built-in the creativity of their population, their institutions of knowledge creation, and their digital infrastructure for communication and knowledge management. The distinctive characteristic of intelligent cities is the increased performance in the field of innovation, because innovation and solving of new problems are distinctive features of intelligence (Komninos 2002 and 2006).

http://www.factmonster.com/us/cities/most-intelligent.html
In early 2007, Travelandleisure.com and CNN Headline News asked more than 60,000 Americans what they like—and don't like—about 25 large American cities and used the poll results to rank the cities based on a variety of topics, including most intelligent, most attractive, and best culture. Washington, D.C. is rated #4. Find a house nearby with Mike Webb.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Built to commemorate the United States' first president, George Washington, the obelisk is made of marble, granite, and sandstone and stands at over 555 feet tall at the end of the National Mall. It is the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. and the tallest purely stone structure in the world. Designed by Robert Mills, it's construction, started in 1848, took almost 40 years and was halted for a period during the American Civil War.
You can visit the monument anytime, but in order to take the elevator to the top for an amazing view you can pick up a free ticket at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street. These tickets are first come-first serve and are for same-day use only, so get them early because the Monument is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
When you look out over D.C. and the surrounding areas, you have the perfect view to pick out a house. Make sure to call Mike Webb to see when you can move in.

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm

Autumn in Virginia

Virginia has so much to offer during the colorful months of fall. Between seasonal activities such as picking apples, meandering through a cornmaze, or choosing the right pumpkin, and the spectacular sights and stunning views, like the vibrant foliage on the National Scenic Byways or a firey skyline over the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can experience all of Virginia's autumn transformations with your family and friends. Now is a great time to be part of the changes around you. Advance yourself by buying a beautiful and affordable house in Northern Virginia with Mike Webb.

http://www.virginia.org/fall/home.asp

Rock The Red

Having been a Northern Virginia resident since 1976 and a capitols fan just about from the beginning. This is a very exciting time for me. For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about its HOCKEY!! and the Washington Capitols. They start there playoffs tonight against the New York Rangers at the Verizon Center in DC. Alex Ovechkin is arguably the best offensive player since the Great One himself. Although I have no tickets yet I will be watching on TV and encourage everyone to rock the red. Lets Go Caps, Lets Go Caps, Lets Go Caps etc...

Open House controversy

Having been in the Real Estate business full time since 1992, I have heard it all about whether Open houses work to actually sell houses. My Opinion has not changed over the years, the fact is that Open houses do work to sell houses. Find an agent that says Open houses don't work and you will find an agent that does not like to hold Open Houses. Its just that simple. I was talking to a Realtor a few days ago, (one of my colleagues) and we were brain storming about how to increase business in this market. He told me his wife actually said to him that because he has been in the business over 20 years that he should be at the point that he does not have to work weekends any more. I could not believe it, that is like telling a veteran surgeon that he does not have to spend any more time in the hospital. Realtors work nights and weekends, and that includes doing Open Houses on Sunday, of the 52 weeks in a year we do Opens at least 45 of those weekends. I have met so many Realtors over the years that struggle with the nights and weekends hours and I always wonder why they even bother to get in our business.

We had three Open houses this past weekend and had an average of 15 groups through each open house. So far none of them have sold as a direct result of the Open house, however the previous two weekends we had an average of 3 Opens also and two of those houses did sell one of which we sold ourselves. One of the best reasons to do Open Houses is to get feed back from the market place (buyers) as to the condition, price etc. on that house. The seller always appreciates direct feedback from the buyers. Don't get me wrong Open houses are not the cure all for selling houses, but it is one of about 10-15 different ways we market listings. Give me a call to discuss the rest. If your a Realtor out there struggling with the weekend schedule, just get over it, plan on working those two days and taking the other five off. That would be better than trying to take the weekend off. Happy House Hunting and Happy egg hunting.

$8,000 Federal tax credit for first time Buyers

Just wanted to comment quickly on this part of the stimulus plan. It appears to be creating some urgency with buyers that we have not seen in our market place here in Northern Virginia in a few years. The high lights are, 1. $8,000 tax credit does not have to be paid back. 2. There is an income limit. 3. The house has to be bought between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. Follow the url for all of the additional details. http://www.vhda.com/vhda_com/apps/DocumentLibrary/document_load.asp?docid=2672

Happy House Hunting. Oh Yeah dont forget. Tomorrow is April fools day. Dont let any one get you.

Open Houses for Sunday March 29, 2009

We had 3 Open Houses this Sunday and all of them saw a lot of traffic. I sat on one at 1509 S. Randolph st. that is listed for $549,500 it is a 3 br 3 ba 3 finished level cape cod with a lot that is 12,086 sq. ft. We had over 30 groups through this House. We also had one open at 2102 S. Quincy st. that is a 3 br 2.5ba end townhouse listed for $434,000 and we had 15 groups through that one. The other Open house was on S. 22nd St. and it is 3br 3.5 bath end townhouse with 4 finished levels and a 2 car garage. It is listed for $459,000. To see these as well as our other listings and to search the mls yourself. Go to my web site at Northernvirginiahouses.com .

Great to be an American

I think about growing up in this country and think about what a great child hood I had. Especially relative to most other parts of the world. One of the things I like about this country is our acceptance of other peoples beliefs and ways of life, whether it be there religion or there customs or there right to voice there opinion no matter what it is. Living in Northern Virginia is the quintesential example of this. We have so many different cultures and ways of life, not to mention all the different kinds of food there are in this area. During these very tough economic times we are all going through sometimes it is important to focus on the things we have to be grateful for, the little things. When I do that I tend to feel better over all. So today I think I will focus on the positives, try not to watch to much news and it is a whole lot easier. Buying your first house is such a big part of being an american, the whole country is focused on making this a possibility again for every one. It really is a great time to buy a house.

The National cherry Blossom Festival

It is that time of year again. Some of the best weather for the Washington Region begins with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It begins on March 28th and ends on April 12, with the parade being held on Saturday April 4th. The official site can be found @ http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org If you have not been, you really must take the time and go down to the tital basin and see them.

Right Now! It really is a good time to buy a house.

I remember about 15 years ago when the market was similar to the way it is now, (extreme buyers market), a local real estate company had this radio ad that said, " right now really is a good time to buy a house". That was 1994 or 1995 and at the time it was really hard to tell. Well hine sight is 20/20 and if you would have bought a house back then it would be worth a lot more today. After 3 or 4 years of our market correcting here in Northern Virginia I beleive we are at that point again. You add to that interest rates being at an historic low and prices having dropped dramatically and it is a bit of a perfect storm for buyers to take advantage of this market.