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What a Terrific Year this has Been!

We'd like to take a moment to thank all of our clients -- We are wrapping up the most successful year Fall Properties has had since we opened the doors in 2003. We sold over 80 homes this year, with gross sales over 50 Million dollars.

Our 'Days on Market' remained pretty consistent -- 21 days in 2010, 22 in 2011. But the average price of the homes we listed and sold was $658,380 compared to $491,573 last year. That's another strong stat for us.

We focus on the close in suburbs of Northern Virginia: Our clients bought or sold in Falls Church, Arlington, McLean, Alexandria, Annandale, Fairfax, Vienna -- we even had a few far flung sales in Gainesville, Manassas and Fredericksburg! And the business was evenly distributed among our six full time Realtors.

Our new location in the City of Falls Church increased our exposure, and the agents who joined us in 2010 really spread their wings in 2011. Our distinctive signs were everywhere!

Fall Properties represents everything that an independent brokerage should be: we offer personalized customer service, strong internet marketing, and substantial knowledge of our local market. Our agents are well trained and fully supported by a strong administrative staff. And because we are "locally owned, locally operated," we have a flexibility you won't find at a national agency, and a determination to see your contract through to closing.

Even in a challenging economy, we have managed to survive and thrive. We owe it all to you. Thanks again, enjoy the holidays, and we'll see you in the Happy New Year!

4 Reasons to See Open Houses this Weekend - Maybe One of Ours!

Yes, I know it's a very busy holiday weekend, regardless of your religious affiliation. But this is the height of the Spring market -- homes that are in good condition and priced right are selling in a matter of days, with multiple offers.

Low interest rates, lack of inventory, and an improving economy have all helped turn the market around, but four big financial reasons should be pushing you out the door to see what's available:

    1) Interest rates are increasing. That means housing will cost more, even if prices stay low. Waiting for the market to "bottom out" isn't making as much sense as it did just a few months ago.

    2) The 30 year mortgage may be on its last legs. The government's role in supporting home ownership is changing, with the possible elimination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and a guaranteed 30 year rate may soon be a thing of the past.

    3) Qualifying for a mortgage is going to get tougher. Minimum credit scores of 690, 20% down payments, increasingly conservative debt ratios -- these are all proposed changes to requirements for a qualified residential mortgage.

    4) Rents are going up. As the supply of available rentals decreases, and demand for them increases, rental costs are expected to go up accordingly.

So pack your gang into the car and take a look at some of the fine homes open this weekend. We have two Open Houses on Saturday - 211 S. Lee Street in Falls Church City and 306 Commerce Street in Old Town Alexandria.

And on Sunday, you could stop in at 2748 S. Buchanan Street or 4839 Little Falls Road, both in Arlington, or 1824 Westmoreland Street in McLean. We even have a listing at 427 Lincoln Avenue in Falls Church City that's open Sunday. Follow the links for more photos and information.

Enjoy your holiday, and then get out there and see what the Spring real estate market has to offer you. It's a great time to buy!

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.

Friday is National Wear Red Day - Fight Heart Disease in Women

The Number 1 killer of women continues to be Heart Disease. Every year another 450,000 American women die of cardiovascular disease -- that's one mother, sister, or friend nearly every minute of the year. While 1 in 30 will die of breast cancer, about 1 in 3 die of heart disease; that's more than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

Why wear RED? Primarily to raise awareness. Heart attacks have long been associated with men; as a result only one in five women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat. And it's largely preventable. 80% of cardiac events in women may be prevented if we make the right choices in diet and exercise, and quit smoking.

Follow this link to the Go Red Heart Checkup and take charge of your own heart health. Research has shown that women who "Go Red" make healthier decisions: 1/3 lose weight, more than half increase their exercise, 6 out of 10 change their diets, and 1/3 talk to their doctors about developing heart health plans.

I've done all of those things, and I'll be wearing red pumps on Friday! Join me.

Come to the annual Valentine's Auction and Gala to benefit the Falls Church Winter Homeless Shelter

On Saturday, February 12th, you are invited to this fabulous event! From 8 until 11pm, you can help support the Falls Church Winter Shelter while you party to the live music of Sudden M-Pac, with their own Andre Jackson serving as Master of Ceremonies. There will be a wide assortment of delicious food from many Falls Church restaurants, and Rob Donovan will be behind the bar.

Opportunities for FUNdraising will include both live and silent auctions and raffles. There are some terrific auction items already, with more coming in everyday. You can bid on a Photo Safari (6 days) in South Africa (value $4000), a Beach house in Captiva for a week, an Outer Banks beach house for a week, a signed soccer ball from the Washington Freedom, or a signed Stevie Ray Vaughn poster. There's also a Washington Freedom jersey signed by all the original players, some one-on-one soccer coaching, restaurant gift certificates, manicures and pedicures, handyman and landscaping services.

You may know that homelessness is on the rise, and our area is no exception. During these freezing winter months, the Shelter is filled to capacity. Each night, it provides a warm bed to its 12 residents, plus a shower, and a hot evening meal. Counseling services and mentoring from community volunteers strive to move the residents into more permanent housing solutions. All of this takes time, energy and funding...which leads to you!

For $25 (by Feb 5), or $35 at the door, you can enjoy this exciting evening of great food and great music for a great cause. You can purchase your tickets online or by sending a check (made out to Falls Church Winter Shelter) with the names of the attendees to Jody Kane, 1100 N. Tuckahoe Street, Falls Church 22046. The Gala will be held at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Building at 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington 22203. There's free parking underneath on Taylor.

And for more information, to donate, or to volunteer, please contact Stacy Hennessey (of Fall Properties, of course!) at stacyhennessey@gmail.com or 703-395-4868, or email Hannah Jordan at HJordan3@cox.net.

Change is coming to West Falls Church rail yard

In February, expansion will begin at the W. Falls Church rail yard  in anticipation of Metrorail's extension to Dulles airport. Trees and other vegetation will be cleared to make room to store and maintain Silver Line cars from 2013 until the project is completed in 2016, when a new yard will be added at the airport.

The tree removal will facilitate the correction of a flooding problem in the area where a stream needs to be realigned. The trees need to be down before the area's birds start nesting at the end of March, but Metro plans to replant some trees and landscape the area in September.

Additional noise, traffic, and heavy construction vehicles on neighborhood roads have concerned residents of the area, but Metro has set up a 24-hour Construction Hotline at 877-585-6789. Do you have trouble picturing just where the rail yard is? I did, so here's a link to a map of the area.

 

5 Reasons to List Your Home with a Small Brokerage

There is a common misconception that only large real estate companies possess the resources to market listings, recruit and train top agents, and get homes sold. Here are 5 reasons to consider using an independent firm (like Fall Properties!).

1. Personalized Customer Service: Working with a small firm is much like working with a team -- because there are fewer players, every person associated with the small firm is familiar with each transaction. You will always speak with someone who knows who you are. Since buying or selling a home is such a large transaction, this level of comfort can be very reassuring.

2. Strong Internet Marketing: Since 80% of home searches start on the internet, this is an important piece of the puzzle, but one that requires more time than money to accomplish. A small firm will have an online presence that takes advantage of the long reach of the internet (Realtor.com) along with the ability to touch people on a more intimate level (Facebook).

3. Market Knowledge: "All real estate is local" is a catch phrase that means regardless of what may be happening on a national scale, what's happening in your community is what really drives your market. Who knows your market better than a locally owned and operated brokerage?

4. Better Agent Training: At a small firm, training is tailored to the specific skills and challenges of each new agent, with one-on-one sessions with the broker where they learn first hand how to be a Realtor -- taking photos, writing ads, interacting with clients, showing homes, etc. The broker is available to advise and assist whenever it's necessary. The well trained agent, working with an involved broker, can make a smooth road to settlement.

5. Flexibility & Determination: Without the interference of company protocol, a small firm can adapt quickly to changes, whether they be in the market, on your street, or in your own circumstances. And a small firm is more determined to see your transaction through to closing, partly because they are more mindful of the company bottom line.

In a challenging economy, the small firm that provides quality customer service with a strong internet presence, knowledgeable agents, and attention to the fluctuations of the local market, will survive and thrive. Put them to work for you and discover that size really does matter.

Start Your Home Ownership with this terrific Condo at Fairlington Mews

  

On Sunday,8/22, take a drive to South Fairlington and come to an Open House at our new listing - 4656 S. 34th Street, #B1, in Arlington 22206. This is a top floor 1bedroom+loft, 1bath unit with soaring cathedral ceiling with skylight and ceiling fan. It draws your eye up the spiral staircase to the enclosed loft, featuring a custom garden-style window--what a great room!

This home features a cheerful bright kitchen with recessed lighting, separate dining room, laundry, spacious bedroom, and storage space in the attic. The refinished hardwood floors, replacement windows, and decorative moldings all speak to pride of home ownership. With interest rates unbelieveably low, you should really think about buying. This home is priced at $320,000, and it will be a terrific beginning for someone -- why not you?

Stop in at the Open House from 1-4pm!

Are you taking advantage of the tax credit?

Here we are in the first week of March, and the Spring real estate market is heating up -- even if the weather isn't. Since the Home Buyer Tax Credits have an April 30th contract deadline, the market is seeing a lot of very focused buyers.

The mid-Atlantic states, and Northern Virginia in particular, are seeing the return (for now) of a seller's market. With folks trying to capitalize on the credits, the still historically low interest rates, and the 30+ inches of snow we received in February that kept some houses from going on the market, we have a real shortage of listings.

As a result, newly listed homes, particularly if they're priced well, are receiving multiple offers, with escalation clauses. This is terrific for the sellers, but if you're a first time home buyer trying to beat that April 30th deadline, this can be heartbreaking. Having a professional Realtor in your corner can make the difference in whether you succeed or fail.

If you're finding your home search to be more frustrating than it is exciting, contact us at Fall Properties. We'll help you find your next home, negotiate a successful contract, and guide you to closing with a minimum of intrusion in your daily routine. 

And if you've got a home to sell that would be desirable to first time home buyers, let us help you get it on the market so you can be one of those lucky sellers that take advantage of this climate. We can coordinate cleaning, staging and repairs quickly with our list of vendors, so you can make the most of this opportunity.

Let us help you with all of your real estate needs.

Blizzard of 2010 - Digging Out Safely

Yuri Sagatov, owner of Sagatov Homes Inc., a premier Design/Build firm in Northern Virginia, and husband to our Michelle Sagatov, sent out these helpful suggestions for keeping your home safe while you're digging out of the snow.

1) If you have a heat pump, you'll want to keep snow from piling up around its sides. 18 inches clear on all sides is recommended. If snow builds up on the sides of the heat pump, it becomes more difficult to draw heat from the surrounding air which greatly reduces the efficiency. In the worst case, if snow piles up too high, it can cause the unit to freeze up and it won't provide any heat at all.

2) If you have appliance vents or air intakes (mainly for furnaces or water heaters) which exit the wall of your home and terminate near the ground, you'll want to keep snow from covering these as well. If these pipes are covered with snow the appliance will not be able to draw in the air needed for combustion or to exhaust the combustion gases and will shut itself down. Worst case here would be the loss of heat or hot water.

3) This large amount of snow could cause major flooding issues in the days to come. To minimize the possibility of water entering your basement, clear paths from your downspouts away from your foundation so the water melting off your roof is channeled away from the foundation. If you have a sump pump, the area outside where the pipe discharges needs to be clear, with the water channeling away from the house.

These tips should help ensure that your heating and hot water systems operate properly through this storm and the next!