You have heard it before.  Whether it was on my blog; or some news post – the Real Estate market in DC is heating up.  It some neighborhoods and price-points it’s down right HOT.

However; with years of a slow economy and sluggish real estate market; buyers are still hesitant to make a decision.  Many of these buyers are then losing their 1st and 2nd choices; only to then start from the drawing board.

I have bought several homes for myself over the years.  The one thing I can say is when I walk in; I KNOW – this is the ONE — except once.  That was 2005 when the market was HOT and things were selling in days.  I liked the space; but I wasn’t 100% sure.  I did it anyway because my “gut” said – you should buy it or you will lose it.  Well it turned out to be a great place and a good investment (appreciating in value in a down market!).

While some buyers may never find a home with EVERYTHING they want – you have to listen to your “gut”.  But don’t wait too long – or someone will buy that place!

MOLD in your home is the new 4-letter word no home buyer/owner/seller or Realtor wants to hear.  It can be scary.  It can be quite harmful to your health and it can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

However it is VERY important to understand a few things. The only way to know if something IS mold – is to TEST it.  Now granted; there are some homes I have seen; which my common sense kicks in and says “WE HAVE A MOLD PROBLEM HERE”.  When the whole wall is black and it seems to be “crawling” up the wall; while I can’t say scientifically it’s mold;  I don’t need to hire a testing company either!

Last week on the Today Show; they tested a home for mold.  It was “CLEAR”.  Then they “planted” mold in the form of woman’s mascara.  It’s amazing to say; that most of the contractors/”inspectors” said “YEP; you have a mold problem”.  They all quoted the home owners repairs from $1500 to $10,000.

Only 1 or 2 guys used the common sense approach.  You should have a test done.  Another said; that’s so small; just use bleach on it and clean it up!

If you are worried about mold – have it tested.  There are a couple of basic tests.  The 1st is an Air Sample test.  The tester should collect air samples from several places around the home.  Then one from outside.   They compare the amount of mold inside vs outside to determine if you have a problem.

The other test would be a surface test. If you see a growth on the wall; they can scrape the substance and test that.

Never should you just hire a contractor to remediate; without a test to make sure it’s not just a little problem you can use a bleach and sponge for!

This is an amazing value!  This fully modern 1 bedroom condo features a private entrance; extra storage; your own washer & dryer and all in a small pet-friendly building with LOW condo fees!

TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR !

Perfectly located McLean Gardens has a new condo for sale!  This large 2 bedroom/1 bedroom+den; is fully modernized.  Beautiful wood floors, a fully updated kitchen; modern bathroom and your own washer & dryer.  All in a pet-friendly community.  This is a top-floor;corner unit.  The best of both worlds.  No parking lot view here – only trees and grass!

TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR !!  

This is an amazing renovation of a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath detached home on the Brightwood/Petworth border. A Chef’s eat-in kitchen; large rec room; wonderful private backyard and lots of off-street parking.

TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR !!!

Craigs List is a very useful and popular website to buy and sell most anything.  In Real Estate; it is used by many to promote their homes for sale and for rent.  The thing many love about it – It’s FREE.

Well things that are FREE tend to attract those who do not have your best interests at heart.  In fact it has become a breeding ground for Scammers just waiting to take your money.

In the past 7 days; we have received no less than 5 phone calls from folks looking to rent.  They are all calling about one home or another we have for sale.  They all have similar stories:

“The owner is a Doctor and is overseas.  He says to send him the security deposit and then to call you for the keys”.   or  “I spoke with the owner on the phone and he is going to rent it to me.  I am sending him the money; when can you meet me to give me the keys?”.

NO !  These properties are all for SALE.  In all 5 cases; people were led to belive there was a great place to rent; when in fact it was not.

How do you tell if it’s “FOR REAL” or “A SCAM” ?

PRICE

I can tell in a second a scam vs. a real listing simply by price.  Since I know the going rents in DC; when I see a property for rent for less than $2,000; I know that unless it is a basement or a studio apt; or in a challanging part of town; it is a scam.  Last night I saw a picture of a house for rent for $900/month.  I pulled the MLS listing.  The house is for sale for $865,000.  Doubt they are trying to rent it for that price!

OVERSEAS

If the owners are overseas; or even across the country; it is very likely a SCAM.  Most people who live hundreds or thousands of miles away from their homes in DC; have hired a professional to tend to these matters.

LANGUAGE & SPELLING

Many of these Scammers do not have English (at least not American English) as a 1st lauguage.  The grammer or use of words will sound funny. Many scammers from African nations use British spelling of some words.  Maybe not a red flag if their last name is foreign sounding; but if they are trying to pose as a Doctor from DC with a name like Jones…..

SEND MONEY

Never; ever; ever send a penny to anyone.  If they say they have a home for rent; ask when you can meet THEM or a REPRESENTATIVE to see the INSIDE of the home.  If they can’t get in – they are probably a SCAMMER.

What SHOULD YOU DO?

GOOGLE

Google the address.  Often times you will find the address listed for sale.  Call the Realtor.  Ask them if it’s for sale or rent.  9 times out of 10; if there is a Realtor involved and you have been speaking with the “owner” directly; that person ISN’T the owner.  He is trying to get your money.

TAX RECORDS

Check the tax records to see who the owner really is.  If the email from the “owner” is signed Dr.  Andrew Jones and the tax records show the owner as Robert and Olivia Williams; probably a SCAM.

ASK A FRIEND

Many of the victims are people from out of town.  They don’t realize that a 2 bedroom condo in Cleveland Park or Adams Morgan will NEVER be for rent for $800; or they are not here to meet with and see the property.  Ask a friend to drive by or for their opinion.

If it sounds too good to be true… IT IS

Lastly; you can always contact a Realtor; like myself.  I will be happy to do a quick search and tell you if it sounds like a scam or it’s not.

I’m sure that title made you want to read this post!

This may be off topic for Real Estate in DC; but it’s funny.  I have Google Alerts set to email me when stories hit about various Washington DC neighborhoods or topics.

So yesterday one of the Google Alerts said “Rooster makes life miserable for Columbia Heights woman”.

I thought; what in the $#&! ?  A rooster in Columbia Heights?!

Well no need to call your local ANC person or 311.  Turns out there is a particular pesky Rooster in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.  WHEW!

And folks; don’t worry – the Roosters’ owner found him after the local news ran the story.  All is well and he is back chasing hens around the hen house.

OK; now back to work everyone…

I recently had a buyer who NEEDED to buy a home.  This person is not going to have a place to live in 8 weeks.  This home buying trip from overseas was one of neccisity.

However everything this buyer saw; was not fitting into their wants and needs.  Every home (over 30) were just not “it”.

Then in a move of desperation; this buyer put an offer in on a home that needed so much work.  After some negotiation back and forth; my buyer was about to agree.

These are the time when a buyer needs a 3rd party to council them.  I explained to the buyer MY concerns about this home.  While there was much updating and work to be done visually;  I saw things that would need fixing and correcting that were not as easily visible.

My sense was this buyer would be over-paying for a home which has gone through years of neglect.

The buyer decided not to buy the home.  A good decision – though that put as back at square one.

Real Estate is very emotional and can wear down even the most experianced buyer.  It is important to have an advocate on your side who can be impartial and show you the facts; good or bad.

Of course it is only a wise buyer who actually listens….

This is a great 1 bedroom condo in Washington DC’s Mt Pleasant neighborhood.

Fully updated kitchen and bathroom, extra storage and loads of natural light. Just steps from Rock Creek Park.