Silver Line Update

I started my blog around the time the construction for the Silver Line Metro began.  I wanted to name the blog after the Silver Line Metro yet the name was already taken.  That is how I ended up with the Silver Lyne.

Originally, the Silver Line was scheduled to open in 2013.  Construction delays, cost overruns and so forth have moved the Opening Day further and further into 2014.  It is believed that the Silver Line Metro will open sometime in July 2014.  For a complete history of the Silver Line Metro Construction project, wikipedia has a nice recap of the timeline of events here.

It is an exciting time for the Tysons Corner area and sure to bring many changes to the lives of citizens who live here.

If you would like to buy or sell a home in the Tysons Corner area, call me today.  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.  Thank you.

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

Best Long-Term Invesment

The real estate market has improved steadily and slowly since the peak years of 2005-2006.  For years, real estate fell behind gold, stocks and bonds as the long term investment of choice.  Understandably so,  with the mortgage debt crisis threatening the financial stability of the country and housing values plummeting in the short term.

The KCM blog breaks down a survey on investment strategy with results by age group and percentage in an interesting post today which can be found : here  The survey shows that real estate is once again the preferred top long term investment of choice.

Luckily, there is a plethora of capital in the DC area.  Bank sales, foreclosures and short sales are rapidly snatched up by investors and home seekers.  That is not to say that there are not challenges in the real estate market in Northern Virginia.  Some properties, bought at the height of the market in 2005-2006, are not yet selling for their former peak prices.  The values are getting closer to peak pricing with each passing year.

For more information on the Northern Virginia real estate market call me today.  I can assist you in selling and/or buying a home and provide the guidance necessary to make informed decisions.

Thank you for visiting the Silver Lyne blog,

Carla Brooks

brkslong@aol.com

703-577-4960

PS Picture is a courtesy of free digital photos

Carpe Diem!

                                                  Enjoy the splashes of color!

Call me if you would like to buy or sell a home, or have a real estate question.  I am here to help.

                                                                       Thank you,

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

Excellent Contrast Colors

Looking for some versatile paint color Inspiration?

The following colors have been utilized by designers to coordinate entire homes:

One way to test a color that you are not sure of is to cut some large squares of poster board and paint the color onto the board.  By holding this painted board up in the room, one can get a better sense of how the room & furniture will coordinate with the color.

Grecian Green is a very soothing and very neutral color.  Love this color with leather furniture!

Ceylon Ivory coordinates well with organic colors like light olive, earthy greens, and muted shades, used on ceilings, walls and trim;

This picture does not portray the true shade of Vanilla Ice Cream.  It is a wonderful, sunny, happy neutral...a very warm welcome in any room! 

Interactive Cream is a light capturing neutral, a very versatile paint color;

For a drastic change in any room, bring in a pop of color with a bold jewel tone like Blue Lake;

This color has orange in it, forever happy!  Pair this color with blue for a french country look or with grey for a trendier look or keep it as a very happy neutral.

Wheat Grass is spring and summer wrapped into one color. Pair Wheat Grass with reds, oranges, or corals or soften with greys and whites.

Stratton Blue is part of the Historic Color Collection, a timeless color.  Pair with White Dove trim to complete the look.  This color goes well with pinks, roses and corals.  Pair Stratton Blue with Chocolate and creams for quiet eloquence.

I must confess, I painted my family room at least 5 times until I found the shade that best suited not only the room, but the entire home.  A pre-painted color board really helps.  Most paint stores offer sample paint colors for around $7.  The availability of this paint sample makes painting a board super easy.  If the sample doesn't work, move onto another shade! 

Thank you for visiting the Silver Lyne, I really appreciate you stopping by...

I am here to help so call me today with your real estate questions,

Carla Brooks

703-577-4960

brkslong@aol.com

LinkedIn

   Networking is a large part of the real estate industry and therefore a large part of my job.  LinkedIn is a wonderful resource I have been enjoying over the last several years.  More and More business professionals are joining LinkedIn.  The wealth of information is enormous and its right at our fingertips!

Here is an article that I found today that is sure to be a pep talk for anyone in the walk of life:

Neil Steggal, Director, FAICD

The synopsis is:  

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” – President Calvin Coolidge

In order to achieve complicated or difficult goals, persistence is the most significant factor. There are lessons to be learnt from the successful, persistent leaders in all walks of life who have overcome enormous obstacles.

1. Hold Firm to your vision: Even when others tell you it’s foolish or unachievable.
2. Train Your Mind to focus on your vision: This doesn’t mean be blind to issues but don’t allow the problems distract you from the objective.
3. Grow Stronger: Constantly improve your skills and knowledge, constantly question and analyse especially after failure
4. Change: Be prepared to change 180 degrees if you are wrong, accept your failures
5. Be Reliable: Be there, be seen trying, be consistent, and demonstrate that even small steps are still results delivered and failures lessons learnt on the journey..
6. Complete the Task: Finishing the job requires the courage to hold your vision, an ability to think through and overcome obstacles and to persist when others would walk
7. Never Ever, Ever, Give Up: Keep at it despite the obstacles, despite negative comment, despite the odds

Enjoy your day and thank you for stopping by the Silver Lyne.

Call me today to discuss your real estate plans, I am here to help.

                                                 Carla Brooks

                                           brkslong@aol.com

                                                703-577-4960

Fabulous low-cost bathroom update!

A great way to update on older bathroom without gutting the room and spending at least $8,000-$18,000 is to do the "shortcut".  If your bathroom floor is currently linoleum, this job is a breeze.  If your bathroom floor is currently an older tile, its a bit more tricky....

If the current floor is linoleum:

A contractor can easily:

lift up the existing toilet and set to the side

take out the current vanity  or leave current vanity in place
install backer board (purchased from local hardware store)
Install new tile with your choice of grout

reinstall toilet or replace toilet
install new vanity (your choice-- I have seen beautiful ones at Costco with granite tops for $199--this is a steal! I have also happened upon custom "oops" vanities at Lowe's and Home Depot just ripe for the taking at a very much reduced price).  A pedestal sink is a nice update as well.

labor: $300-$400 for backer board installation and tile installation and toilet removal and install
materials: tile (50 square feet times $2 per square foot) $100

grout: $ 30-80

backer board: $50-150

new toilet water hose: $15

If your current floor is older tile:

A contractor will have to quote a price to remove old tile.  Many older bathrooms were built with tile installed directly onto a concrete medium.  These floors are rock solid.  It is sometimes better to install new tile over these floors.

If the floor is not set in concrete, then chances are it is set on a material used years ago that doesn't give.   The older materials that didn't give were not enough support for the ceramic tiles.  Very often, the tiles cracked and/or came loose from the foundation.  If your floor was set on a poor quality medium, you will have to take up the floor tile and install the DuraRock just the same as if the floor was finished in linoleum.

Additional tips:

Replacing aging light fixtures and mirror will complete the updated look.

Adding a crisp shower curtain (or drape) will conceal any distraction from an older shower and/or tub.

The tub shower combo is being phased out in favor of a bigger shower with sitting bench.  It is always nice to have at least one tub in the house.  Its possible to use dead hall space or a small closet to put a shower and keep the tub.  The old cast iron tubs are pieces of "art".  They are difficult to remove and can be resurfaced for about $450-$500 with a guarantee.  The new tubs are fiberglass and they easily crack.  Why swap out an old cast iron for a new fiberglass that could crack?

A bathroom update is always recommended if your bathroom is aging and a new bathroom is not in the budget.

Call me today for specific information on what contractors to call and materials to use.   I can assure you that many of my clients have done the above "short cut" with incredible results and for a fraction of the cost of a complete bathroom "redo"!

Thank you for visiting the Silver Lyne,

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

Improvements that add the most value to the home

To make the most of the homeowner's budget, I recommend improvements that will always add value to a home.  Not all projects will add value.

A new kitchen will always add value to a home.  Quality cabinetry with durable countertops and energy efficient appliances are the ticket to winning the hearts of buyers.  The kitchen is the most used room in the house, make it special:)

Finish the basement!  An unfinished basement will hold back a homes value since it is a whole level that will, for the most part, not be usable.

Professional landscaping will give your home that finished look.  The yard is the "first impression" a buyer will have of your property.  Curb appeal can add 10-20% on to the value of a home.

Your roof is important.  It provides protection for the inside of a home and the outside drainage (gutters).  A new roof adds measurable value to a home.

An enclosed garage is a great feature in cold weather areas of the country.  It provides protection for cars, lawnmowers and such.  If you have an open carport, enclose the garage.  If you have no garage, check with your local authorities to see about a building permit for a garage.

If you would like to discuss upcoming projects, call me today, I am here to help!

Thank you for visiting the The Silver Lyne!



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

PS photos are a courtesy of free digital photos