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Celebrate Earth Day - Add Rain Barrels to your Home!

It's a simple idea - catch rainwater and store it to use later. You'll save money on your water bill, make your plants and lawn happy, and help to save the Chesapeake Bay. And Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria and Falls Church have teamed up to run a regional rain barrel program that makes it easy to participate!  

Over the past 4 years, 2300 rain barrels have been installed as part of the program. There are workshops where you can build your own, or you can purchase a pre-made barrel -- register here, but don't delay. The workshops fill up quickly.

The black plastic barrels hold about 50 gallons, are 23 inches wide and 41-44 inches tall. They used to hold pickles, olives, peppers or onions, but have been recycled for this program. When you place a rain barrel under your downspout, it collects water from the roof. There is a fiberglass screen built in that keeps mosquitoes out. And once your barrel is in place, you'll be reaping the benefits right away.

Your lawn and your plants will love the rainwater...it's naturally soft and better for them than municipal water. Better for washing your car, too. Since you'll be using the saved rainwater instead of water from the tap or faucet, your water/sewer bill should be less for the summer.

And rain barrels decrease stormwater runoff, so there's less stream erosion and pollution heading into the Chesapeake Bay. Everybody wins!

Thanks to a grant from Dominion Power, you're going to see artistic rain barrels sprouting up all over Northern Virginia this Spring. After a couple of months on display, they'll be auctioned off in June with proceeds going to support the continuing rain barrel program. Happy Earth Day, everyone.

FIRSTfriday on April Fools Day!

So basically, anything goes. We're hosting a reception for this month's featured artist, Ged McManus, at our offices on Friday evening, from 5:30-7:30. Ged's art, as you can see here, is powerful and lovely. Drop in for a drink and a nosh, to meet the artist and shoot the breeze with the rest of us.

As prep for the exhibit, I asked Ged to give me a bio, and this is what he sent me, unedited and delightful:

Ged McManus is a laconic, brutish sort whose native insensitivity is balanced only by the long hours he spends at work. A slave to his own proclivities, Ged passes his time commiserating with his Boston Terrier (Rudy) and "towel-gliding" off the roof of the shed that stores his beloved hockey equipment. Upon their reading of this, Ged will be survived by his wife of 26 years (AnnaLise) and two daughters (Hendrika and Josephine). In the off-hours, you can find Ged at Ireland's Four Provinces, where he indulges his omnipresent struggle to find meaning in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...

Join us, won't you?

Enjoy Spring Flowers at these (FREE) Area Gardens

"I love Spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden"

This quote comes from Ruth Stout, an American gardening author, and I agree with the sentiment. Here in the DC metropolitan area, we have a lovely Spring, although sometimes you might miss it if you blink! After a gray dreary winter, I'm ready for sunshine and warmer temps to coax color back into the landscape.

If you don't have a garden of your own, or if you just want to witness Spring's bounty, here's a list of local gardens that are free and open to the public. Enjoy!

U.S. Botanical Gardens, DC: This living plant museum includes a newly renovated indoor conservatory, rose garden, an exotic jungle and 4000 different plants.

National Arboretum, DC: Famous for its bonsai collection, the Arboretum is 446 acres of beauty, with 70+ varieties of cherry trees and the largest display of azaleas in the area.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC:Along the East bank of the Anacostia River, this 12-acre park features waterlilies, native plants and small animals - frogs, toads turtles, fish.

Green Spring Gardens Park, Alex., VA: 20 different themed gardens, and a native plant trail leads through the woods to two ponds.

Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD: 50 acres of gardens, indoors and out, and a spectacular butterfly show in the summer.

Smithsonian Gardens, DC:8 different 'outdoor museums' are part of the SI complex. Our favorites are the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, and the Enid A. Haupt Garden.

If you click on the names of the gardens, you will be directed to their sites with more details, directions, hours, and photos. Happy Spring, everyone! 

More FREE Seminars for April and May!

Our series of FREE seminars "Let's Talk Tuesdays!" continues to draw people into the  office, so we're keeping them going with some new topics and the repeat of some popular ones. Every Tuesday evening from 7-8pm we offer real estate related seminars, with time for questions afterward. You can sign up online or call 703-536-7001 to reserve your place.

• April 5 - First Time Homebuyer
• April 12 - Home Inspections - common issues
• April 19 - Empty Nester
• April 26 - Growing Pains - expand or build?
• May 3 - Staging your Home to Sell
• May 10 - Home Mortgage update (Frank/Dodd bill implementation)
• May 17 - Homeowner's Insurance - information
• May 24 - Seniors Housing Choices
• May 31 - Estate Planning

Hope to see you here this Spring! And if there's a topic you'd like to see us include in the future, please suggest it. We're always open to your ideas.

 

 

 

 

Who Knew Art Could Make Such a Difference?

Since the first of 2011, we have been participating in FIRSTfriday of Falls Church. Each month a different artist is featured on the walls of our office. I had no idea the impact this revolving display would have on us.

Our first month featured Christine Miller: her landscapes and still lifes were calming, subdued, classic. It was a treat to be surrounded by "real art" -- oils and pastels on canvases, framed beautifully. Christine's work made me feel grown up.

In February, Wendy Wang's paintings went up. Her style is quite different from Christine's. Her background in portraiture showed in her ballet pieces, but much of her art was very free form and alluring. More abstract, and quite stimulating here in the office. The nude that went up over the sofa was spectacular. Wendy's work made me feel sophisticated.

Now, for March, Atti Vakili Wheeler has taken over our space with vibrant colors and dancers that pop right off their canvases. The life and energy they bring are especially obvious coming as they do at the end of winter. Her work has put a spring in all of our steps. Atti's work makes me feel ALIVE.

The point of all this -- art can have a profound impact on both mood and ambiance. I can't tell you how exciting it is to watch the change as new art is rotated in...everyone is affected. Art draws you out of yourself. It can be as mind-altering as music, as uplifting as sunshine.

We celebrate these artists at a reception on the first Friday evening of each month. But if you're in the area any time, stop in and see what's hanging on our walls. This is like owning a private gallery. I can't wait to see what's next! 

Thinking of Selling? Here's Why You Should Do it Now!

Normally, the best time of year to put your home on the market is Spring, once the weather has stabilized and things start to bloom. But this year, for a number of reasons, you should try to get a jump on the market.

Interest rates, which have been historically low, are starting to move up. This will help move buyers forward, but quickly will limit what they can afford to buy.

Although prices may still be soft, this can work for you, especially if you're planning to move up. That home you dream about will never be more affordable than it is right now.

Buyers are out EARLY. With the economy showing signs of life, people who have been sitting on the fence are out looking at open houses and planning to buy. Their purchasing power right now is HIGH...as interest rates go up, that power will go down.

Inventory is only going to increase. Getting your home on the market sooner rather than later will help you avoid additional competition.

The foreclosure mess is still very much with us, but those homes haven't been feeding into the market recently because of the robosigning disclosures. Eventually, those foreclosed homes will be released, and their prices will be discounted (40% on the average). Beating these homes to the market will only help your bottom line.

So if you've been toying with the idea of selling this year, it's time to make up your mind and get that FOR SALE sign in your yard. And we'd love to see it hanging from a Fall Properties sign!

 

Are You Looking for Fine Dining in Falls Church?

I have the solution for you...Idylwood Grill! This charming restaurant - and wine bar - is located in the strip mall that's behind the Idylwood Plaza shopping center (where Whole Foods is located on Route 7). You would NEVER guess that this gem is hiding here.

First, let me tell you about the ambiance. It's cozy and personal, warm and welcoming. On Yelp, one reviewer described it as "smaller bistro feel with bustling New York-esque environment," and I have to agree. The lighting is soft, and the sound level is controlled well enough that even when it's crowded you can still have a comfortable conversation.

Second, the service is great - attentive without interfering. Wait staff is both accommodating and ready with helpful suggestions, and the owner is usually on site, so you will probably meet him. He's delightful, and very knowledgeable about the wine pairings. Trust his judgement, Hedi knows his stuff. Your food will arrive hot (!), and you'll never be rushed.

And now to the food...exquisite! Idylwood Grill serves a broad range of dishes, with a list of specials that are always reliable. Wine suggestions are included on the Specials menu. Steaks are cooked to perfection, seafood is fresh and delicious, pastas are dreamy creations. And the sides are modern takes on traditional ingredients.

Take a chance on this neighborhood find. You'll be delighted with this Georgetown-like dining experience in such a convenient location. It's the perfect date night restaurant minus the hassle of driving into the city.

Idylwood Grill, 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043 Reservations: 703-992-0915

Congratulations to Sagatov Associates!

On January 29th, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Metro DC chapter awarded their 2010 Capital COTY Grand award for Whole House Renovations: $250K - $500K to Sagatov Associates, Inc. We feel particularly proud since our Michelle Sagatov is married to Yuri, owner of SAI.

The renovation that earned SAI the award converted a single story ranch home into a modern 2-story Craftsman masterpiece, creating an exciting open design for modern living while maintaining a traditional feel. The Capital COTY awards are the highest honor in the remodeling industry, and NARI's DC chapter members include 500 remodeling companies that adhere to a strict code of ethics and professionalism.

Sagatov Associates is one of Northern Virginia's premier Design-Build firms, with over 25 years of high end experience in sophisticated renovations, new homes, designer decks and screened porches, kitchens and baths.

Michelle and Yuri often work as a team to help their clients choose whether to move or renovate. They analyze your goals and budget, explaining the design/build process, so you can make an informed decision about your next step. They will be holding a seminar on the topic "Move, Renovate or Build?" on Tuesday,February 15, from 7-8pm at the Fall Properties offices in Falls Church.

7 Things I Hate about February

(and believe me, I could just as easily make it 17 or 70 - I really hate this month!)

1. The holidays are lousy. Groundhog Day, which is just plain stupid since we're doomed to face 6 more weeks of winter regardless of whether there's a shadow or not. Valentine's Day, which is right up there with New Year's Eve for potentially the most disappointing holiday of the year.

2. Football season is over. I like the routine of my weekends during football season. And just as Mother Nature really puts the hammer down, and I'm housebound, there's nothing worth watching. (Not an NBA fan, hockey lasts too long, college hoops don't pop till March)

3. Which leads me to the weather. It's the dregs of Winter without the promise of Spring -- cold, dark and grey. By February, snow stops being fun, and I'm sick of ice. Everything seems to be covered in a dull glaze of road salt and sand. I miss color in the landscape.

4. I am tired of all my winter clothes. 

5. Cabin fever is at an all time high. Kids, adults, pets...we all need to be able to run around outside in lightweight clothes breathing fresh air and feeling the sun on our skin. In February, trapped inside our stuffy homes, lumbering around in layers of heavy clothing when we go outside, the freedom of Spring seems so far away...

6. February is to Winter much as August is to Summer. It's the "too" month - too cold, too snowy, too dark, too isolating, too boring, too depressing.

7. (although this could be 7-9) As one of the women in the office put it so succinctly: "I hate February  because I am fat, white and hairy." Nobody feels very attractive in February. First there are those pounds left over from the holidays. Second, everybody looks a little too pasty this time of year. And third, well, hairy is pretty self-explanatory.

So let's recap. I hate February, but we're already 8 days into it, so I guess I'll survive. Just 20 more bone-chilling days to go and it'll be March. It might come in like a lion, but it goes out like a lamb...

 

 

Will You Buy a Home in 2011?

After the erratic market we've had in real estate these last few years, there's a lot of pent-up demand for housing. Will 2011 be the year when buyers get off the fence? If you're one of those hesitating, here are some things to consider:

Why do you want to buy a home? The main reasons have little to do with finances. We buy our homes to have a good place to raise our children, a safe place for our families to live; to have more space, and control of that space. There is talk of 2011 being the year a house again becomes a home (as opposed to a short-term investment). If you do buy this year, be sure that you are buying a home that you can live in comfortably for awhile.

How long is awhile? At least until you can make some money when you sell -- experts are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 10% by 2015 for homes purchased in 2010. And prices are still down, so buying before they start back up makes a lot of sense.

Have home prices stabilized? In most of the country, they may slip a little bit more in 2011. But interest rates are starting to creep up, so you need to keep your cost (monthly payment) in mind when you are crunching numbers. Waiting for the rock bottom price won't do you any good if the interest rate came up while you waited. That teeny percentage stretched out over the life of your mortgage can cost you more in the end.

So go ahead and look. Your home is one of the largest investments you will make, and whether you're making your first purchase, trading up for a more substantial home, or downsizing, 2011 could be a great year in real estate. Sit down at your computer -- over 80% of home searches begin on the internet. It's the perfect activity for ffffffffreezing February!