<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>The Belt Team&#039;s Northern Virginia Real Estate Blog</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog</link>
	<description>Real Estate in Northern Virginia Vienna Oakton McLean Great Falls</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 13:22:10 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Friday Funday Video &amp; Sunday Open House Announcements</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1370</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1370#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 13:20:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Virginia Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vienna Open Houses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1370</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &#38; Open House Announcements. Usually we dedicate our Friday video to those of you who are looking to buy a new home. But today &#8211; our video goes out to those of you who aren&#8217;t looking. We invite you to the &#8220;wild side&#8221; &#8211; and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><strong>TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &amp; Open House Announcements.</strong></strong></p>
<p>Usually we dedicate our Friday video to those of you who are looking to buy a new home. But today &#8211; our video goes out to those of you who aren&#8217;t looking. We invite you to the &#8220;wild side&#8221; &#8211; and to come visit us at our open houses anyway. Maybe you&#8217;ll walk in and feel just like the Troggs when they sang:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Wild thing&#8230;you make my heart sing&#8230; you make everything Groovy &#8220;</em></p>
<p>So listen up, then scroll down for open house details. we&#8217;ve got TWO GROOVY ONES!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z9DVJE_bhVU?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY - 1 to 4PM &#8211; 413 Course Street NE in Vienna &#8211; $699,806</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html"><img class="alignnone" title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/652_413coursefrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="248" /></a></p>
<p>Fabulous 4-level split colonial in the heart of Vienna. Huge family room with gas log fireplace and sliding doors to a wood patio. Just a few steps up to the updated gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops &amp; farmhouse sink. Gleaming hardwoods on 2 upper levels. Dining room with French doors to screened porch with ceiling fan. Living room with lovely picture window. Fully finished rec room on the lowest level.</p>
<p><a title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html">More Info about 413 Course Street in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 South, Right Old Courthouse Road, at the light turn left to stay on Old Courthouse Road, Left on Course Street to the house on left (#413).</p>
<p><a href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Read about &#8220;Life in Vienna&#8221;</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY 2</strong><strong>-4PM &#8211; 609 Ware Street SW in Vienna &#8211; $1,129,000</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html"><img class="alignnone" title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/648_609warestfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="363" height="234" /></a></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">New custom home from District Properties in the heart of Vienna. Gleaming hardwoods on the main &amp; upper levels. Living room with access to full bath could be main level bedroom. Gourmet kitchen with French doors to deck. Kitchen also opens to family room with gas fireplacec. Master suite w/spa-like bath &amp; electric fireplace. Convenient upper level laundry. Finished lower level with rec room, electric fireplace &amp; wet bar &#8211; plus a bedroom, full bath &amp; media room. Fenced yard.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html">More Info about 609 Ware St SW in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 South, Left Nutley Street, Left Courthouse Road, Right Ware Street to #609</p>
<p>Read about <a title="TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com" href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Life In Vienna</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1370/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What&#8217;s Happening This Week in Vienna Oakton Real Estate?</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1362</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1362#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 17:21:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Sellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oakton Market update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vienna Market Update]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1362</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Wondering what&#8217;s happening in the real estate market in Vienna &#38; Oakton? Here&#8217;s this week&#8217;s update. (Contact The Belt Team if you would like statistics on YOUR particular market!) Inventory rose slightly (5%) &#8211; up by 8 units in Oakton and 5 units in Vienna Average days on market for active listings declined in both [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Graph.bmp"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-1094" title="Real Estate Market Update" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Graph.bmp" alt="" width="321" height="281" /></a></p>
<p>Wondering what&#8217;s happening in the real estate market in Vienna &amp; Oakton? Here&#8217;s this week&#8217;s update. (<a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Contact The Belt Team</a> if you would like statistics on YOUR particular market!)</p>
<ul>
<li>Inventory rose slightly (5%) &#8211; up by 8 units in Oakton and 5 units in Vienna</li>
<li>Average days on market for active listings declined in both areas &#8211; down to 91 days in Vienna and 88 days in Oakton.</li>
<li>Housing supply in both areas still shows a Seller&#8217;s Market. There is a 2 month supply in Vienna and a 2.3 month supply in Oakton. (But remember, market supply also varies vastly within the same city, but in different price ranges.)</li>
<li>25% of the homes that went under contract in Oakton this week sold in 2 weeks or less. In Vienna, that figure was almost double &#8211; at 45%.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Last week in Vienna Real Estate (22180,22181, 22182)</span>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Number of Contracts: 20</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 91 days</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Listings That Went Under Contract: 105 days</li>
<li>Inventory: 208 homes on the market</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 90 day contract rate): 2.1 months</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 30 day contract rate): 2.0 months</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <strong>Last week in</strong> Oakton Real Estate (22124)</span>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Number of Contracts: 8</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 88 days</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Listings That Went Under Contract: 51</li>
<li>Inventory: 83 homes on the market</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 90 day contract rate): 2.7 months</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 30 day contract rate): 2.3 months</li>
</ul>
<p>If you&#8217;re thinking of buying or selling a home, <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Contact The Belt Team</a> at (703) 242-3975 for a more in-depth discussion &amp; analysis &#8211; because it&#8217;s only the neighborhood YOU live in (or you WANT to live in) that matters. We&#8217;ll be happy to schedule a consultation and get very detailed about &#8220;YOUR Market&#8221; so that you can make the decision that is best for YOU!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Email The Belt Team</a> (or call us at 703-242-3975) to request a <strong>FREE WRITTEN REPORT</strong> of your home&#8217;s value or to be put on our <strong>FREE PRIORITY NOTIFICATION LIST</strong> for special buying opportunities that are not in the MLS or on the Internet. In a market like this, don&#8217;t you want to know about homes BEFORE they hit the market?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1362/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why Is My Home Not Being Shown?</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1322</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1322#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 19:01:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Belt Team Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Sellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Market]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1322</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Why is my home not being shown?&#8221; This is a question The Belt Team gets a lot when we are called upon to list &#38; sell homes that have already been on the market with another agent. Now, you may be wondering why we weren&#8217;t asked to sell the homes in the first place. And [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>&#8220;Why is my home not being shown?&#8221;</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>This is a question The Belt Team gets a lot when we are called upon to list &amp; sell homes that have already been on the market with another agent. Now, you may be wondering why we weren&#8217;t asked to sell the homes in the first place. And that&#8217;s a great question, so let&#8217;s address that first.</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sometimes, it&#8217;s because the first agent &#8220;bought&#8221; the listing</span>. What we mean by that is that the Seller interviewed several agents and then listed his home with whichever agent gave the highest price. And that price did not correlate with the market. Hence, the home does not sell, the listing expires, and the Seller calls The Belt Team.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Buying-The-Listing.jpg"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-1329" title="Buying The Listing" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Buying-The-Listing-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="180" /></a> <img title="Buying The Listing" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Buying-The-Listing-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="180" /> <img title="Buying The Listing" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Buying-The-Listing-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="180" /></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why do agents &#8220;buy&#8221; listings?</span></p>
<ul>
<li>It can happen for several reasons. One &#8211; the agent did not really know the market &#8211; either this is not their primary area or they don&#8217;t sell very many homes each year &#8211; so their market knowledge is lacking and as a result, they give a price that does not match what the market is willing to pay.</li>
<li>Another reason could be that the Seller listed the house with a friend, relative or some other agent they felt an obligation to. And the same thing happened &#8211; the agent was part-time, not familiar with the area or just doesn&#8217;t do much business. So the Seller paid the price by being <em>over</em> the market and not <em>in</em> the market. Result? No sale. Call The Belt Team.</li>
<li>Some agents &#8220;buy&#8221; listings because they don&#8217;t have much business and they really want the listing &#8211; figuring that if it doesn&#8217;t sell at the higher price, they&#8217;ll just reduce it and sell it later at a lower price. This strategy is NOT in the Seller&#8217;s best interest (the longer a home is on the market, the lower it sells for) and often backfires when the home doesn&#8217;t sell at all. The Belt Team chooses not to do this. We always present an honest picture of the market. Even if it&#8217;s not what our Sellers want to hear, it&#8217;s still in their best interests for us to be straightforward &amp; honest. And if they still want to hire us and choose to price their home so outrageously above the market, we choose not to &#8220;buy&#8221; the listing. It&#8217;s not in their best interest to pursue that strategy and we&#8217;d rather turn them down now than let them down later.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A Seller may have listed with another agent first because</span> she offered a reduced commission and the Seller thought he would save money. But if your home doesn&#8217;t sell, you come out behind. If an agent is that willing to negotiate away their own commission, how well will they do at negotiating for YOU? Probably not very well, and that&#8217;s another reason why they end up calling The Belt Team.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Our recommendation to Sellers is that you select an agent based on his/her credentials &amp; proven experience &#8211; NOT based on price.</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li>How well does he negotiate?</li>
<li>What is his average list to sell price ratio?</li>
<li>How do his listings fare in terms of number of days on market versus the average?</li>
<li>How many homes does he sell every year?</li>
<li>How good of a team does he have to back him up &amp; handle the myriad of details of marketing &amp; more.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Price is a separate issue</span>. The market is the market. Realtors do not control the market. Buyers do. So you need a Realtor who can navigate the market &amp; make it work to your advantage so that you maximize your return.</p>
<p><strong>Hire the best Realtor and THEN, only then, set the price.</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SO &#8211; back to the original question. &#8220;<em>Why is my house not being shown</em>?&#8221;</strong></span></p>
<p>Well &#8211; here are some real examples that we&#8217;ve come across in our market:</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Upside Down Photos:</span></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1326" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/349churchfront1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1326" title="Upside Down Listing Photo" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/349churchfront1-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Upside Down Listings Photos - Seriously?!</p></div>
<p>Where is the first place today&#8217;s consumer starts looking for a home? Yup &#8211; you got it &#8211; the Internet. And as the saying goes, &#8220;you don&#8217;t get a second chance to make a good first impression&#8221;. This week, we were looking through listings and came upon one where all the photos were loaded UPSIDE DOWN. Our guess is that this home was listed with an agent who doesn&#8217;t do much business. Technology changes quickly and they obviously were not familiar with how to upload photos correctly. Could this really keep your home from being shown? YES! Today&#8217;s consumer is impatient. It&#8217;s likely that they will just click on to the next listing and skip this one.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Poor Quality Photos:</span></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1327" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Old-Courthouse-Land.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1327" title="Poor Quality Listing Photo" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Old-Courthouse-Land-300x223.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="223" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Amateur Listing Photos</p></div>
<p>This goes right along with upside down photos. If the photos being used to market your home are not professional, then you are decreasing the chances your home will be shown. While some buyers may be able to look past the poor quality photos, others may not be able. We at The Belt Team pride ourselves on being the best of the best at what we do &#8211; especially when it comes to market knowledge, negotiation &amp; creative problem solving. But we also know what we are NOT. And we are NOT photographers. So while some agents try to save <em>themselves</em> money by taking their own photos, they are actually costing their <em>clients</em> showings and doing them a disservice. This is why we have all our listings shot by a professional photographer.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Data Integrity</span>:</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1330" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 250px"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Data-Entry.png"><img class=" wp-image-1330" title="Data Integrity" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Data-Entry-300x261.png" alt="" width="240" height="209" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">User Error - Garbage In, Gargage Out</p></div>
<p>Over the past years, we have taken on listings which were previously listed with other agents that had the following errors in the MLS:</p>
<ul>
<li>Listed as a 1 bedroom &#8211; when it was really a 2 bedroom</li>
<li>Wrong address</li>
<li>Wrong directions to the home</li>
<li>Wrong county/city</li>
<li>Wrong # of percs</li>
<li>Incorrect utility information (electric heat instead of gas)</li>
</ul>
<p>Do you think this affects the home being shown? ABSOLUTELY! How many more people do you think would have look at the condo that was incorrectly listed as a 1 bedroom, if it was correctly listed as a 2 bedroom? No wonder the home was hardly ever shown! We are all human and we all make mistakes. But it is up to the agent ensure the integrity of the data in the system. This is why we ask all of our Sellers to review our brochures and sign off on them prior to going on the market. And why we send them a copy of the listing once it gos &#8220;live&#8221;. We take data integrity seriously.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Easy Access Not So Easy:</span></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1328" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Access-Denied.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1328" title="Access Denied" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Access-Denied-300x214.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="214" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Easy Access - NOT!</p></div>
<p>Sometimes your home is not being shown because what you think is easy to arrange as far as access, really isn&#8217;t so easy. Unless you&#8217;re in the multi-million dollar price range in our area, it is customary for a lockbox to be put on your door. Agents normally call first and if you are not home, they go ahead and show the house by getting the key out of the lockbox. Any arrangement other than this decreases the likelihood of your home being shown. It&#8217;s just a fact. You may have plenty of reasons why it should be otherwise &#8211; multiple pets, a new baby, an elderly aunt, valuables in the house, But Buyers just don&#8217;t care about that. Agents &amp; Buyers are often on a timeline &#8211; ready to go from house to house &#8211; sometimes only in town for one day. So if they have to wait for a phone call back to set an appointment, or they cannot show your home on Saturdays, or during naptime, or they have to wait until the listing agent can meet them. They will just SKIP IT.</p>
<p>Required showing arrangements other than lockbox also raise a red flag to the buyers and/or their agent that this Seller may possibly be difficult to deal with. And that&#8217;s a bad way to start off a negotiation. Some Buyers/agents just decide it&#8217;s not worth seeing the house in that case.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Priced Out of the Market:</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money.png"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1331" title="Overpriced" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money.png"><img title="Overpriced" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money.png"><img title="Overpriced" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Money-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>Buyers typically search in set increments. For example, a Buyer may be looking in the $650,000-$700,000 price range. If your home should really be priced around $675,000 &#8211; but you decide to &#8220;try the market&#8221; at $710,000 &#8211; you may be missing a whole section of potential Buyers &#8211; especially in a marketplace like today&#8217;s where we are seeing bidding wars again. Some agents are cautioning Buyers who want to end up buying between $650,000-$700,000 to look at homes from $575,000-$650,000 in case they have to escalate the price to get the home they want. So if you&#8217;re priced at $710,000 &#8211; not only will you not get any offers from people who might think about negotiating, you won&#8217;t even get Buyers in the door to see your home becuase you&#8217;ve priced yourself OUT of the market.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Wallpaper Wonderland:</strong></span></p>
<p>Back in the day, wallpaper was &#8220;it&#8221;! When you moved into a new home, the first thing you did was wallpaper &amp; window treatments. Well . . . those days are LONG gone. So if the photos of your home show rooms with wallpaper &#8211; and you&#8217;re thinking &#8220;we lowered the price a little to compensate&#8221; or &#8220;we don&#8217;t have time or don&#8217;t want to pay to take the wallpaper down. And if the Buyer does it, they can choose their own paint color.&#8221; &#8211; that just doesn&#8217;t fly. And it may be why your home is not being shown. No matter how great the floorplan, how wonderful the location, how fabulous the lot &#8211; today&#8217;s Buyers don&#8217;t have the time (or the money) to fix up a house before they move in. They expect move-in ready. One agent I know saw this photo when she was previewing homes recently and posted it on Facebook. Her comment was &#8220;<em>Not even Wonka&#8217;s Lickable Wallpaper could save this room</em>.&#8221;</p>
<div id="attachment_1335" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Wallpaper-Room.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1335" title="Wallpaper Room" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Wallpaper-Room-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">From mris.com</p></div>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>MORAL OF THE STORY:</strong></span></p>
<p>Hiring the best, most qualified, most professional Realtor when selling your home doesn&#8217;t cost you any more than hiring an &#8220;average&#8221; Realtor. And it could save you time &amp; money &#8211; two precious commodities. Get it right the first time. Here are <a title="43 Questions You Need to Ask When Interviewing a Realtor to List Your Home" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/sellers-center.html">43 questions you should ask when you interview a Realtor to sell your home</a>!</p>
<p><a title="Contact The Belt Team" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Contact The Belt Team</a> at (703) 242-3975 if you would like us to sell YOUR home!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1322/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rental &#8211; Just Listed in Vienna!</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1356</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1356#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 13:30:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Northern VA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Vienna]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[JUST LISTED FOR RENT 2730 Bowling Green Drive in Vienna $2,500/month     Don&#8217;t miss this opportunity to live in this great Vienna location. Close to the Dunn Loring Metro &#38; Tysons Corner or easy commuting on Rt 123 or I-66. This cute colonial features a spacious kitchen, formal dining room and formal living room. The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>JUST LISTED FOR RENT</strong></p>
<p><strong>2730 Bowling Green Drive in Vienna</strong></p>
<p><strong>$2,500/month</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_661.html"><img class="alignnone" title="2730 Bowling Green Drive Vienna VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/661_small.jpg" alt="" width="249" height="166" /></a>   <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_661.html"><img title="2730 Bowling Green Drive Vienna VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/661_2730bowlinggreenback1sm.jpg" alt="" width="249" height="166" /></a></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">Don&#8217;t miss this opportunity to live in this great Vienna location. Close to the Dunn Loring Metro &amp; Tysons Corner or easy commuting on Rt 123 or I-66. This cute colonial features a spacious kitchen, formal dining room and formal living room. The family room with gas fireplace walks out to a wood patio, perfect for outdoor entertaining. Lovely wooded lot.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_657.html">More Info about 2730 Bowling Green Drive in Vienna</a></p>
<p>Read about &#8220;<a href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Life In Vienna</a>&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1356/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Friday Funday Video &amp; Open House Extravaganza &#8211; Vienna, McLean &amp; Oakton</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1311</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1311#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 13:35:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Oakton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Virginia Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oakton Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vienna Open Houses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1311</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &#38; Open House Announcements. Is it time for you to move on? Maybe it&#8217;s time to &#8220;right-size&#8221;? Maybe you need a larger home? Or maybe a smaller one? One closer to work? Or closer to family? If that&#8217;s the case then we invite you to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><strong>TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &amp; Open House Announcements.</strong></strong></p>
<p>Is it time for you to move on? Maybe it&#8217;s time to &#8220;right-size&#8221;? Maybe you need a larger home? Or maybe a smaller one? One closer to work? Or closer to family? If that&#8217;s the case then we invite you to visit us at one of our seven open houses this weekend. One of them just might be PERFECT for YOU!</p>
<p>Scroll down for details &amp; directions, but first we bring you our Friday video for a little inspiration. It&#8217;s Tom Petty from his Wildflowers album &#8211; singing &#8220;<em>Time To Move On&#8221;</em>!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/exPyw8OM41k?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="350" height="263"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SATURDAY &amp; SUNDAY  1-4PM &#8211; 2941 Paddock Wood Ct in Oakton &#8211; $419,990</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_657.html"><img class="alignnone" title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodsfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="244" /></a></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">Location, location, location!  Conveniently located near shopping, amenities &amp; I-66/495. This delightful end unit townhome with updated kitchen has gleaming hardwood floors &amp; moldings throughout. Garden windows provide natural light in the kitchen &amp; dining room. Plus you&#8217;ll enjoy a finished lower level with fireplace and half bath. The lower level opens out to a spacious deck &amp; also provides plenty of storage. Local community playground/tot lot!</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From 66 West: Exit Route 123 North toward Vienna, Right Blake Lane, Right Paddock Wood Ct to #2941 on left.</p>
<p><a title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_657.html">More Info about 2941 Paddock Wood Ct in Oakton</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY &#8211; 2 to 4PM &#8211; 413 Course Street NE in Vienna &#8211; $699,806</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html"><img class="alignnone" title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/652_413coursefrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="248" /></a></p>
<p>Fabulous 4-level split colonial in the heart of Vienna. Huge family room with gas log fireplace and sliding doors to a wood patio. Just a few steps up to the updated gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops &amp; farmhouse sink. Gleaming hardwoods on 2 upper levels. Dining room with French doors to screened porch with ceiling fan. Living room with lovely picture window. Fully finished rec room on the lowest level.</p>
<p><a title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html">More Info about 413 Course Street in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 South, Right Old Courthouse Road, at the light turn left to stay on Old Courthouse Road, Left on Course Street to the house on left (#413).</p>
<p><a href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Read about &#8220;Life in Vienna&#8221;</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY 1</strong><strong>-4PM &#8211; 609 Ware Street SW in Vienna &#8211; $1,179,000</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html"><img class="alignnone" title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/648_609warestfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="363" height="234" /></a></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">New custom home from District Properties in the heart of Vienna. Gleaming hardwoods on the main &amp; upper levels. Living room with access to full bath could be main level bedroom. Gourmet kitchen with French doors to deck. Kitchen also opens to family room with gas fireplacec. Master suite w/spa-like bath &amp; electric fireplace. Convenient upper level laundry. Finished lower level with rec room, electric fireplace &amp; wet bar &#8211; plus a bedroom, full bath &amp; media room. Fenced yard.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html">More Info about 609 Ware St SW in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 South, Left Nutley Street, Left Courthouse Road, Right Ware Street to #609</p>
<p>Read about <a title="TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com" href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Life In Vienna</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY &#8211; 1 to 4PM &#8211; </strong><strong>10133 Pine Street in Oakton &#8211; $649,900</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_638.html"><img title="10133 Pine Street Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/638_10133pinestnewfront.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="244" /></a></p>
<p>This lovely home is in a fabulous location in a quiet neighborhood with a rural feel, yet central to lots of amenities and even less than a mile to Vienna Metro. Enjoy a shaded backyard with deck &amp; patio &#8211; perfect for both relaxing &amp; entertaining. Inside, you’ll love the open, airy layout ~ spacious vaulted ceiling family room ~ hardwood floors ~ updated kitchen ~ updated baths upstairs ~ finished walkout lower level with rec room, 4th bedroom, 3rd full bath &amp; office with built-ins ~ plus lots of storage!</p>
<p><a title="10133 Pine Street Oakton VA 22124" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_638.html">More Info about 10133 Pine Street in Oakton</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Direction</span>s: From Route 66: Exit Route 123 North toward Oakton, Right Hibbard, Right Pine Street to #10133 on left.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY &#8211; 1 to 4PM &#8211; </strong><strong>10517 Lawyers Rd in Vienna &#8211; $1,189,000</strong></p>
<p><img title="10517 Lawyers Road Vienna VA 22181" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/641_10517lawyersfront1.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="238" /></p>
<p>Beautifully updated colonial home with a contemporary flair -conveniently located and yet sited idyllically in the privacy of 2.4 acres and a gorgeous, natural setting. Inside you’ll enjoy a spacious, open floor plan – as ideal for family living as it is for entertaining – plus wood floors throughout the main level, 4 fireplaces &amp; an updated kitchen with great wooded views. You’ll love the outdoor spaces just as much as the inside – with two decks, a lovely stone patio, three soothing water fountains, detailed landscaping and even a spa!</p>
<p><a title="10517 Lawyers Road Vienna VA 22181" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_641.html">More Info about 10517 Lawyers Rd in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From 66 West: exit Rt 123 North (toward Vienna), left Hunter Mill Road, left Lawyers Road to home on left at #10517.</p>
<p>Read about <a title="TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com" href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Life In Vienna</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>JUST LISTED – 7325 Yates Court in Mclean &#8211; $1,195,000</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_653.html"><img class="alignnone" title="7325 Yates Court Mclean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yatesfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="241" /></a></p>
<p>You&#8217;ll find this gem inside the Beltway on a quiet cul-de-sac in a tranquil wooded setting! Enjoy gleaming hardwoods on the main &amp; upper levels ~ a spacious living room with French doors to the family room ~ breakfast room with walk-in bay window offering views of the wooded back yard &amp; a sliding door to the deck from the family room ~ screened porch with clear roof houses a hot tub &amp; views of the stars ~ updated master bath with walk-in double shower ~ fully finished walk out lower level. Best of all is the proximity to both Tysons &amp; DC!</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 North, Left Lewinsville Rd, Right Balls Hill Rd, Left Yates Ct to 7325</p>
<p><a title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_653.html">More Info about 7325 Yates Court in McLean</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1311/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Just Listed In Oakton!</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1308</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1308#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 14:22:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Northern VA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Oakton]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[JUST LISTED – 2941 Paddock Wood Ct in Oakton &#8211; $419,990       Location, location, location!  Conveniently located near shopping, amenities &#38; I-66/495. This delightful end unit townhome with updated kitchen has gleaming hardwood floors &#38; moldings throughout. Garden windows provide natural light in the kitchen &#38; dining room. Plus you&#8217;ll enjoy a finished lower level [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>JUST LISTED – 2941 Paddock Wood Ct in Oakton &#8211; $419,990</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_657.html"><img class="alignnone" title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodsfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /></a> <img title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodsfoyer1.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /> <img title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodslr1.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /></p>
<p><img title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodskit1.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /> <img title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodsdeck1.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /> <img title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/657_2941paddockwoodsrear1.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">Location, location, location!  Conveniently located near shopping, amenities &amp; I-66/495. This delightful end unit townhome with updated kitchen has gleaming hardwood floors &amp; moldings throughout. Garden windows provide natural light in the kitchen &amp; dining room. Plus you&#8217;ll enjoy a finished lower level with fireplace and half bath. The lower level opens out to a spacious deck &amp; also provides plenty of storage. Local community playground/tot lot! Open Sat 5/5 &amp; Sun 5/6 1-4pm</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a title="2941 Paddock Wood Ct Oakton VA 22124" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_657.html">More Info about 2941 Paddock Wood Ct in Oakton</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1308/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What&#8217;s Happening in Vienna &#8211; Oakton Real Estate?</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1293</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1293#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 19:10:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Sellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oakton Market update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vienna Market Update]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1293</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What&#8217;s happening in the real estate market in Vienna &#38; Oakton? Let&#8217;s start with housing supply. Overall statistics (see below) say that Vienna &#38; Oakton are both in a Seller&#8217;s Market. But that&#8217;s a pretty general statement. If we take a look at the market broken down by price range, we&#8217;ll see that parts of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What&#8217;s happening in the real estate market in Vienna &amp; Oakton? Let&#8217;s start with housing supply.</p>
<p>Overall statistics (see below) say that Vienna &amp; Oakton are both in a Seller&#8217;s Market. But that&#8217;s a pretty general statement. If we take a look at the market broken down by price range, we&#8217;ll see that parts of our market are Seller&#8217;s Markets, some are Buyer&#8217;s Markets and some markets are Balanced. Whether you&#8217;re a Buyer or a Seller, it&#8217;s really important that you know where you stand. This affects your strategy significantly!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Seesaw.png"><img title="Buyer's Market or Seller's Market?" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Seesaw-300x229.png" alt="" width="300" height="229" /> </a> <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Seesaw-2.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1302" title="Seller's Market or Buyer's Market?" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Seesaw-2-300x229.png" alt="" width="300" height="229" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For example, if you&#8217;re looking to buy a home in the $1,250,000 to $1,500,000 price range in Vienna</span>; you&#8217;ll find that there is a one year housing supply at the moment. This means your strategy when looking at a home that&#8217;s been on the market a while might be to make an offer below list price. And you might ask for more flexible terms. <strong>(Remember playing on a seesaw when you were a child? If you had more strength, then your seat was on the bottom and you could control the seesaw. That&#8217;s where Buyers are in this price range.)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">On the other hand, if you&#8217;re looking in the under $800,000 price range in Vienna</span>; you&#8217;ll find only a 1 month housing supply. Last week 75% of the homes that sold, went under contract in less than 2 weeks &#8211; many in just days &#8211; and some in just hours. So your strategy as a Buyer would be completely different. Many Buyers are losing out on homes because they think it&#8217;s still a Buyer&#8217;s Market, when the reality is that Sellers are in control and are often seeing multiple contracts at prices above list price. Trying to make a low ball offer in this price range is like telling Apple you want to buy the latest IPad, but you only want to pay $9.99 for it. That&#8217;s not gonna fly!<strong> (In this price range, Buyers are on that top seat on the seesaw. If they don&#8217;t play nicely with the Seller, the Seller will just hop off the seesaw and BOOM, the Buyer comes crashing down on their you know what!)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">So where does &#8220;YOUR MARKET&#8221; fall</span>?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">(Statistics below are based on today&#8217;s housing inventory and the past 30 days sales.)</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>VIENNA</strong></span>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Up to $799,999: 80 homes currently listed, 1 month housing supply (Seller&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>$800,000 &#8211; $1,099,999: 409 homes currently listed, 2.2 month housing supply (Seller&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>$1,100,000 &#8211; $1,249,999: 25 homes currently listed, 6.25 month housing supply (Balanced Market &#8211; trending toward Buyer&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>$1,250,000 &#8211; $1,500,000: 36 homes currently listed, 1 YEAR housing supply (Buyer&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>Above $1,500,000: 22 homes currently listed, no homes under contract in past 30 days (Buyer&#8217;s Market)</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>OAKTON</strong></span>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Up to $799,999: 40 homes currently listed, 1.7 month housing supply (Seller&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>$800,000 &#8211; $1,099,999: 9 homes currently listed, 2.25 month housing supply (Seller&#8217;s Market)</li>
<li>$1,100,000 &#8211; $1,249,999: 7 homes currently listed, no sales since November 2011</li>
<li>$1,250,000 &#8211; $1,500,000: 10 homes currently listed, 5 month housing supply (Balanced Market)</li>
<li>Above $1,500,000: 9 homes currently listed, 9 month housing supply (Buyer&#8217;s Market)</li>
</ul>
<p>Detailed statistics for last week in the overall Vienna &amp; Oakton markets are below. <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Contact The Belt Team</a> if you would like statistics on YOUR particular market! (And check back on our blog later this month and we will take a look at how the year-over-year stats compare for the first 4 months of the past five years.)</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Last week in Vienna Real Estate (22180,22181, 22182)</span>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Number of Contracts: 24</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 100 days</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Listings That Went Under Contract: 17 days</li>
<li>Inventory: 203 homes on the market</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 90 day contract rate): 2.0 months</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 30 day contract rate): 2.0 months</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <strong>Last week in</strong> Oakton Real Estate (22124)</span>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Number of Contracts: 7</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 100 days</li>
<li>Average Days on Market for Listings That Went Under Contract: 33</li>
<li>Inventory: 75 homes on the market</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 90 day contract rate): 2.5 months</li>
<li>Number of Months Supply of Homes (Based on past 30 day contract rate): 2.1 months</li>
</ul>
<p>If you&#8217;re thinking of buying or selling a home, <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Contact The Belt Team</a> at (703) 242-3975 for a more in-depth discussion &amp; analysis &#8211; because it&#8217;s only the neighborhood YOU live in (or you WANT to live in) that matters. We&#8217;ll be happy to schedule a consultation and get very detailed about &#8220;YOUR Market&#8221;? so that you can make the decision that is best for YOU!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html">Email The Belt Team</a> (or call us at 703-242-3975) to request a <strong>FREE WRITTEN REPORT</strong> of your home&#8217;s value or to be put on our <strong>FREE PRIORITY NOTIFICATION LIST</strong> for special buying opportunities that are not in the MLS or on the Internet. In a market like this, don&#8217;t you want to know about homes BEFORE they hit the market?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1293/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>THE BELT TEAM HITS LUCKY NUMBER 13 (And That&#8217;s Lucky For Our Clients!)</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1276</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1276#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:11:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Belt Team Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Sellers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160;           We are happy to announce that The Belt Team has added two new members to its ranks. This brings our team to thirteen. Our past clients who are reading this know what a big deal this is. We don&#8217;t just hire anyone. Not only do they have to be ultra skilled at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/13.png"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1286" title="Lucky 13" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/13.png" alt="" width="180" height="180" /></a>     <a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Belt-Team-2012-Updated.jpg"><img title="The Belt Team - Keller Williams Realty" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Belt-Team-2012-Updated-300x201.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="201" /></a>     <img title="Lucky 13" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/13.png" alt="" width="180" height="180" /></p>
<p><strong>We are happy to announce that The Belt Team has added two new members to its ranks. This brings our team to thirteen.</strong> Our past clients who are reading this know what a big deal this is. We don&#8217;t just hire anyone. Not only do they have to be ultra skilled at what they do (because we treat our clients like family!), but they must have core values that align with ours.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>We have both an external mission statement (see below):</strong></span></p>
<p>&#8220;<em>The Belt Team is a team of committed professionals who provide unparalleled real estate expertise in the Northern Virginia market. We put our clients&#8217; and customers&#8217; interests first and serve them with the utmost honesty, trust and integrity, striving to exceed expectations in all aspects of our relationships. Our objective is to help everyone from first-time buyers to seasoned sellers buy or sell your home at the best price and most favorable terms that the market will bear and to do this as quickly as possible with the least possible inconvenience to you. We seek the highest compliment you can give us, the referral of your family &amp; friends. We expect to create a Success Story for each client!</em>&#8221;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>And an internal mission statement that we embrace. It includes things like</strong></span>:</p>
<p><em>“God, Family, Business” drives us both personally and as a business. We strive to make a positive difference in others’ lives – whether that is in our families, with our clients, our co-workers AND in everyones’ lives that we touch.</em></p>
<p><strong>Our team is large, not for the sake of being large, but because this is how we feel we can best serve our clients in today&#8217;s market.</strong> It&#8217;s not your grandmother&#8217;s real estate market anymore and we feel it important to have multiple specialists on our team so that our clients&#8217; true needs are met. It&#8217;s why we have agents on our team who are experts in new construction, military relos, first-time homebuyers, the luxury market and more. It&#8217;s also why we have multiple &#8220;behind-the-scenes&#8221; folks who manage everything from contract-to-close processing, to lender follow up, to research &amp; statistics and our social media strategy.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Let us introduce you to our two newest members!</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Meet Jennifer Riddle!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/JRiddle3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1278" title="Jennifer Riddle, The Belt Team, Keller Williams Realty" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/JRiddle3-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></span></p>
<p>Jennifer Riddle is a Real Estate Specialist and is the newest member of The Belt Team. She is a licensed Realtor and resident of Vienna where she proudly lives with her husband and two boys. A member of OLGC Catholic Church and an active member of the Vienna community, Jennifer especially enjoys volunteering at her boys’ school. Jennifer is a graduate of The University of North Texas and has been living in Vienna for 3 years. Her clients find her previous experience in finance and mortgage to be especially beneficial. As a transplant to Northern Virginia, Jennifer understands the challenges relocation can bring and is ready, willing &amp; able to lend her expertise. As a former client of The Belt Team, Jennifer is thrilled to join the team that helped her family find the perfect home and is committed to sharing that same experience with her clients.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Meet Rachel Crosby!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Rachel-Crosby-2012.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1279" title="Rachel Crosby, The Belt Team, Keller Williams Realty" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Rachel-Crosy-2012-179x300.jpg" alt="" width="179" height="300" /></a></span></p>
<p>Rachel Crosby joins our team as our second Client Care Manager. She is a graduate of The University of Kansas with a degree in Textile Design. Rachel comes to The Belt Team not only with 6 years of real estate experience, but having served as Volunteer Services Manager for the Food Bank of Central &amp; Eastern NC and as a professional costume designer in Kansas City and Chicago. Her artistic background and keen eye for detail give her an edge in successfully promoting your property and ensuring that you get to settlement with ease. Rachel prides herself on exceptional customer service and guarantees a pleasant experience with her midwestern charm. In her off time, you can find her gardening, experimenting in culinary arts or renovating her charming 1940&#8242;s Cape Cod.</p>
<p>Click here to <a title="Meet The Belt Team" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/about-us.html">meet the rest of The Belt Team</a>!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1276/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Just Listed in McLean!</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1273</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1273#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:05:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in McLean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Listed in Northern VA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1273</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[JUST LISTED – 7325 Yates Court in Mclean &#8211; $1,195,000       &#160; You&#8217;ll find this gem inside the Beltway on a quiet cul-de-sac in a tranquil wooded setting! Enjoy gleaming hardwoods on the main &#38; upper levels ~ a spacious living room with French doors to the family room ~ breakfast room with walk-in bay [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>JUST LISTED – 7325 Yates Court in Mclean &#8211; $1,195,000</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_653.html"><img class="alignnone" title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yatesfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /></a> <img title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_dsc_9979.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /> <img title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yatesfr1.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /></p>
<p><img title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yateskitchenbreak.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /> <img title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yateskitchen1.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /> <img title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/653_7325yateshottub.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You&#8217;ll find this gem inside the Beltway on a quiet cul-de-sac in a tranquil wooded setting! Enjoy gleaming hardwoods on the main &amp; upper levels ~ a spacious living room with French doors to the family room ~ breakfast room with walk-in bay window offering views of the wooded back yard &amp; a sliding door to the deck from the family room ~ screened porch with clear roof houses a hot tub &amp; views of the stars ~ updated master bath with walk-in double shower ~ fully finished walk out lower level. Best of all is the proximity to both Tysons &amp; DC!</p>
<p><a title="7325 Yates Ct McLean VA" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_653.html">More Info about 7325 Yates Court in McLean</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1273/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Friday Funday Video &amp; Open House Announcements</title>
		<link>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1268</link>
		<comments>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1268#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:16:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>thebeltteam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[For Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Virginia Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oakton Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vienna Open Houses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/?p=1268</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &#38; Open House Announcements. This week&#8217;s video comes from Nils Lofgren, a DC area native who also happens to be part of Bruce Springsteen&#8217;s E Street Band. His new song &#8220;Dream Big&#8221; might inspire you. (Or maybe you&#8217;re outgrowing your existing home and you&#8217;re already [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>TGIF! That means it&#8217;s time for our Friday Funday Video &amp; Open House Announcements.</strong></p>
<p>This week&#8217;s video comes from Nils Lofgren, a DC area native who also happens to be part of Bruce Springsteen&#8217;s E Street Band. His new song &#8220;<em><strong>Dream Big</strong></em>&#8221; might inspire you. (Or maybe you&#8217;re outgrowing your existing home and you&#8217;re already &#8220;dreaming big&#8221;!) Either way &#8211; stop by &amp; visit us at our open houses this weekend. Dreams are meant to come true! (Scroll down for details!)</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wpytyf_N69c?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY &#8211; 1 to 4PM &#8211; 413 Course Street NE in Vienna &#8211; $699,806</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html"><img class="alignnone" title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/652_413coursefrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="248" /></a></p>
<p>Fabulous 4-level split colonial in the heart of Vienna. Huge family room with gas log fireplace and sliding doors to a wood patio. Just a few steps up to the updated gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops &amp; farmhouse sink. Gleaming hardwoods on 2 upper levels. Dining room with French doors to screened porch with ceiling fan. Living room with lovely picture window. Fully finished rec room on the lowest level.</p>
<p><a title="413 Course Street Vienna VA" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_652.html">More Info about 413 Course Street in Vienna</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span>: From Tysons: 123 South, Right Old Courthouse Road, at the light turn left to stay on Old Courthouse Road, Left on Course Street to the house on left (#413).</p>
<p><a href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Read about &#8220;Life in Vienna&#8221;</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY 1</strong><strong>-4PM &#8211; 609 Ware Street SW in Vienna &#8211; $1,179,000</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html"><img class="alignnone" title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/648_609warestfrontbest.jpg" alt="" width="363" height="234" /></a></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">New custom home from District Properties in the heart of Vienna. Gleaming hardwoods on the main &amp; upper levels. Living room with access to full bath could be main level bedroom. Gourmet kitchen with French doors to deck. Kitchen also opens to family room with gas fireplacec. Master suite w/spa-like bath &amp; electric fireplace. Convenient upper level laundry. Finished lower level with rec room, electric fireplace &amp; wet bar &#8211; plus a bedroom, full bath &amp; media room. Fenced yard.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a title="609 Ware Street SW Vienna VA 22180" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_648.html">More Info about 609 Ware St SW in Vienna</a></p>
<p>Directions: From Tysons: 123 South, Left Nutley Street, Left Courthouse Road, Right Ware Street to #609</p>
<p>Read about <a title="TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com" href="http://theresnoplacelikevienna.com">Life In Vienna</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
<p><strong>OPEN SUNDAY &#8211; 1 to 4PM &#8211; </strong><strong>10133 Pine Street in Oakton &#8211; $649,900</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_638.html"><img title="10133 Pine Street Oakton VA 22124" src="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/images/listing_photos/638_10133pinestnewfront.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="244" /></a></p>
<p>This lovely home is in a fabulous location in a quiet neighborhood with a rural feel, yet central to lots of amenities and even less than a mile to Vienna Metro. Enjoy a shaded backyard with deck &amp; patio &#8211; perfect for both relaxing &amp; entertaining. Inside, you’ll love the open, airy layout ~ spacious vaulted ceiling family room ~ hardwood floors ~ updated kitchen ~ updated baths upstairs ~ finished walkout lower level with rec room, 4th bedroom, 3rd full bath &amp; office with built-ins ~ plus lots of storage!</p>
<p><a title="10133 Pine Street Oakton VA 22124" href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/listing_638.html">More Info about 10133 Pine Street in Oakton</a></p>
<p>Directions: From Route 66: Exit Route 123 North toward Oakton, Right Hibbard, Right Pine Street to #10133 on left.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/contact-us.html"><strong>Contact The Belt Team</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>*********************************************</strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thebeltteam.com/northern-virginia-real-estate/blog/archives/1268/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

