Have Four Years Really Gone By?

                                         Wow, its time to vote in another Presidential election.

According to the news today, voters are turning out in record numbers compared to the last presidential election.  I hope this is true.  After all, the election and the issues are important.   I like to believe that the more people voting in our country, the more patriotism there is.  And its exciting to be around people passionate about their country and the issues confronting our society and economy.

While visiting Paris in 1998, I loved the feeling of passion of the French people.  The people seemed connected to life and committed to what makes them happy.  How could one argue with that?  I'm amazed at the number of American blogs devoted to French inspired decor and French Living and reading these blogs I know I'm not the only one who feels the passion of the French people.

I'm proud of the younger generations for being so interested in the political leaders.  They seem to understand that the decisions made today will have a bearing on their futures.  I don't recall having much interest in politics while in high school and college.

My 5 year old grandson came over the other day, sat down on the couch and proudly announced his Presidential pick!   Of course, his pick mirrored his parent's preference yet I don't believe I knew anything about the United States Presidents when I was 5 years old.  Part of this awareness is the exploding media coverage of political issues and events.  Some of might be more inclined to feel the way the 4 year old girl (on the u tube video) crying because she was so tired of hearing about "Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney".  How cute is that?

In any event, I bring out the old Ty Beanie babies every 4 years and let them duke it out in my kitchen until the results are in.  Anyone passing through my kitchen will remember to vote!

Hope to see you with your "I Voted" sticker tomorrow:)

And remember, if you'd like to buy or sell a home, call me today!

                                                      Carla Brooks
                                                      703-577-4960
                                                  brkslong@aol.com

"No more 'n a sock full"

Years ago, when I first started my career in real estate, I was so excited to get a call from a homeowner who wanted to sell their home.  The market sales were robust and I was itching to do get out there and  learn the business.

One day, I got a call from a gentleman in Falls Church.   He was definitely selling a home and he wanted to speak to me about listing his property.  Yes! I thought, this is what I have been waiting for.

I arrived to the appointment on time and proceeded to tour the home with the seller.  When we got to the basement I could see it was unfinished.  I asked the seller point blank if the basement ever leaked.  He told me that as a general rule no.  On occasion, however, it has leaked yet "no more 'n a sock full" at one time.  Seeing my bewildered look, he further explained that when he has come down to the basement and seen water during a storm, he bunches up a sock and throws it in the corner and the water has never been more than a sock could handle.

Oh, ok, I thought.  Now how do I explain that to prospective buyers as a listing agent?

Well, the owner ended up selling on his own and I didn't have to be concerned with the proper disclosures to prospective buyers.  I'm sure the seller did his own explaining...... just fine:)

I'm wishing all of you safety during Hurricane Sandy and I hope none of you have any water issues and if you do I hope its "no more 'n a sock full" !.  God bless!

                                                  Carla Brooks
                                                  703-577-4960
                                             brkslong@aol.com

ps. image is courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Water Line Replacement Insurance

For years, I have been recommending the insurance offered by Dominion Power to clients.  Dominion Power offers water line replacement, resulting landscaping costs, and sewer line replacement  insurance to customers for a low monthly fee.

This past week I found out first hand how the reimbursement program works when I discovered a water leak in my front yard.  The first step was to call the Fairfax County Water Authority and have them confirm that a water leak existed.  If the leak is a slow leak then the water to the house can be left on without interrupting water service to the resident. Luckily, my leak was a slow leak and my water supply could be left on.

  Once the leak is confirmed by the Fairfax County Water Authority, the next step is to notify Dominion Power.  Dominion Power then sends out their contractor (American Plumbing) to survery the situation and decide what needs to be done and when a contractor will be sent out to do the work.

I waited over a week for the contractor to have a crew in place to repair the leak.  I was told that the customers with no water service would be taken care of first.  This made sense, yet did not make the wait period any easier.   I watched water build up in my front yard for over a week and felt concerned that somehow all this water might possibly damage my lawn.

Anyway, the repair date arrived and all went smoothly.  The repair can be done without digging up the whole yard since the new line (copper 7/8 inch) can be placed inside the old line (plastic 1 inch) and connected to the  house lines. 

After the installation, the Fairfax County Inspectors have to come out to approve the installation.  No one notified me that the inspectors would be out the next morning so the final inspection failed. The next morning an inspector showed up from the county.  I was surprised to see the inspector since again no one called to schedule an appointment.  The inspector told me that the county had so many water lines to inspect that they did not have time to call.  Ok....

Anyway, the work passed inspection and the copper line will be guaranteed for 10 years.  The catch?  There's always a catch, right?  Since the ruptured line was plastic the insurance covers only a like-kind line replacement.  The insured party has to pay for the upgrade to a copper line.  How much did the upgrade cost?  $610 !!!

So there you have the drill.  The insurance is well worth the monthly fee since a line replacement could run thousands of dollars. 

If you'd like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own. 

                                                           Carla Brooks
                                                         703-577-4960
                                                      brkslong@aol.com

Appraisals

Now that the real estate market has more buyers than sellers, some properties are escalating in price with multiple bids.  Appraisers are scrambling to bring values in, at (or above) the sales price so the buyer can qualify for a loan.  The appraiser generally must provide 3 comparable properties in the general area of the property under contract that support the contract price of the property being appraised.

When an appraised value comes in low on a property under contract, there are a few options open to the buyer and sellers:

1. the seller can lower the sales price to the appraised value.

or

2. The buyer can make up the difference between the appraised value and the contract price by bringing more money to closing

or

3. the seller and buyer can negotiate a new price somewhere in between the contract price and the appraised value

or

4. the buyer can void the contract

According to statistics with the National Association of Realtors, 15% of contracts are negotiated to a lower price due to low appraisals and 11 % of contracts are cancelled due to low appraisals.

The realtor's role in the process is to keep the buyers and sellers informed at the listing stage of the property, the contract negotiating stage and the contingency period of the contract.

If you'd like to buy or sell a property call me today,  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own....

Carla Brooks
brkslong@aol.com
703-577-4960

Early Preparations for the Civil War

In December of 1860, it was obvious that great changes would be taking place in the country regarding the conflicts over slavery and states rights. South Carolina had given notice of its intent to secede from the Union and other states were certainly thinking in the same direction.

After many years of peace and tranquility, there were few armed forces to speak of in the capital. There was the Potomac Light Infantry(1 company), The National Rifles (1 company), the Washington Light Infantry (160 men) and a small group called the National Guard Battalion.

President Buchanan put his feelers out for the formation of a "union" defense team that would keep the capital safe. Lieutenant General-in-Chief Scott was summoned to Washington and chose Brigadier-General Charles P Stone to assist him in "rallying" the loyal Union supporters together. Letters were sent out to at least 40 respectable and well known District gentlemen to advise them that their support was needed to sustain the District. The responses were varied, some outright declining their services, some sarcastically retorting, and many enthusiastically offering their support.

While support for the District was being organized, support for the Confederate side was organizing behind the scenes as well.

Oddly enough, as General Stone was progressing with his volunteer army, he was incredulous to learn that President Buchanan has issued an order to the Ordnance Department not to issue arms. This was  on the advice of the District Attorney--Robert Ould.

Eventually, Mr President was convinced to issue the order to arm the volunteer army lest he lose the support of the citizens and the Union crumble... Here is Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy under President Lincoln:

As the inauguration of President -Elect Lincoln approached, many attempts to sabatoge the inauguration and assassinate Lincoln were averted. Most likely, President Lincoln would never have held office without the support of the volunteer army.  The volunteer army saw to it that the President elect arrived safely in Washington DC for his inauguration.

The military forces of the United States army in December of 1860 were comprised of 1108 officers and 15,259 men.

Who was running the country at the time the Civil War broke out?  Here are some of the leaders in the administration in 1861.

The Secretary of War from 3/4/1961 to 1/15/1862 was Simon Cameron:

The Secretary of State under President Lincoln's entire term was William H Seward:

General Winfield Scott was the General in Chief of the army when the Civil War broke out. At 75 years of age, 6 ft 5 and approximately 300 lbs, General Scott was not in good enough physical shape to lead the Union forces.   He was replaced by General George McClellan at the end of 1861.  

Salmon Chase was the Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln until July of 1864:

If you would like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today.  Your transaction will be treated as if it were my own.

                                                                 
                                                                 Carla

                                                           703-577-4960
                                                         brkslong@aol.com

ps.All pictures and sketches were taken from THE CENTURY WAR BOOK

                                                                 

Fall is here!

Years ago, my sister gave me a small piece of a vine to plant below my deck.  Since that time, this small "vine" has grown into a monstrous wonder of beauty.  Each September, there is rush of white blossoms that take my breath away.  I'm not sure what the name of this vine is yet I have seen it growing wild along nature pathways.

Enjoy Falls beauty!!

                                                                  Carla Brooks
                                                                703-577-4960
                                                               brkslong@aol.com


If you'd like to buy or sell a home, call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own!

Supply and Demand

"The educated consumer is our best customer" was the mantra used by "Syms" Department store many years ago.  Who could argue with their logic?

If one has a good product, at a competitive price,then the educated consumer will be able to recognize it for what it is and be more apt to purchase it.

Likewise, in real estate.  An educated consumer should understand how supply and demand determine pricing in a local real estate market.

That's why I love the Long & Foster Market Minute reports.  One can search by zip code area and find out the latest statistics on the housing market.  Try it!

And call me with any questions you might have.  I would love to work with you to buy and/or sell a home...

                                                       Carla Brooks
                                                    brkslong@aol.com
                                                      703-577-4960