Thursday, March 18, 2010

Testimonial letter from a satisfied client in Maryland

December 12, 2009



Dear Adam:

It was a pleasure doing business with you. We sincerely thank you for all of your efforts in finding us a home for our move from Florida and we would happily recommend your services to anyone who would be looking to rent, buy, or sell a home in the area. We especially appreciate that you checked in with us after we moved in to see how our move was going and to ensure everything with the repairs was going as planned.

We appreciate you outstanding service, professionalism, and attention to detail. On a personal note, we both have enjoyed our conversations and e-mail correspondence. We will confidently and happily refer our friends and acquaintances to you.

Thank you again for all of your hard work.

Sincerely,


Chaundi and Natalie Randolph, Esqs.

Thank you,Chaundi and Natalie.
I appreciate your business and always have time for people's referrals,which I am very grateful for.

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-4370

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132

As the deadline for 1st time and repeat buyer tax credit approaches,housing prices are going up. Make sure you have an agent who knows the market


Interesting real estate article in Washington Examiner.
Sellers are perceiving that buyers will pay more for a house than the otherwise would because they want to take advantage of the first time or repeat buyer tax credit,where a buyer must get a home under contract by April 30,2010 and settle by June 30,2010.

The sellers see the tax credit as a product in heavy demand that buyers are getting in line for in the next 6 weeks or so. They are probably right. But,buyers more than ever,especially those with buyer agents who know the market and have access to the sales comparables,can tell when a house is priced outside the market.

Why would a buyers put an offer on a home for tens of thousands of dollars over asking price,when the tax credit limit for first time home buyers is $8000 and for repeat buyers it is $6500? The tax credit is more than offset,for lack of better words,by this pricing strategy.

There is also a lot of housing inventory out there,so the only way this strategy only works,I think, if a buyer needs a specific model home,in a specific subdivision and this model in this specific subdivision rarely comes up...and it is a highly sought after model that may bring multiple offers.

To me,sellers should be listing their homes for sale based on the market and the property condition of their homes. Many buyers want homes that are updated and show well. Otherwise their homes will sit on the market for a while,beyond April 30, 2010 and risk buyers who didn't find a home stepping back onto the fence unless their is another first time/repeat buyer program created. Again,sellers


http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/economy/Home-prices-jump-as-tax-credit-deadline-approaches-87619552.html

If you want to talk about the market,let me know. I am here to help.
I am whereever you want to be in Metro DC.

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-4370

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132


Oh,by the way,I am never too busy for your referrals.

Friday, March 12, 2010

With today's mortgage rates + the $8k and $6500 tax credit,you can buy a lot of house. Sellers: these can be your buyers.



It is a great day to buy your home. The lower the interest rate,the more house you can buy! And if eligible you can still take advantage of the first time home buyer $8k tax credit or the $6500 repeat buyer tax credit,if you find a home,get under contract by the end of April and settle by the end of June. If you are thinking of buying,contact me for a free home buyer consultation to determine your purchasing power and the area(s)you want to buy in.

It is also a great day to put your home on the market to sell. The more house buyers can buy, the more potential buyers are out there considering your home,if your home is priced well,shows well and marketed well. Contact me for a free pre-market consultation.

Below are interest rates from Jacob Darwish @ Weichert Financial Services.
Please contact him for additional details and options. 301-807-0449 - Direct:
301-807-0449 - Direct: 301-718-4100 ext. 110 – Office



• 30 Year Fixed
Loan Amount up to $417,000 4.875% / 0 points
• 30 Year Fixed
Loan Amount $417,001 - $729,750 4.990% / 0 points

• 5 Year ARM
Loan Amount up to $417,000 3.625% / 0 points

• 5 Year ARM
Loan Amount $417,001 - $729,750 3.875% / 0 points

• Jumbo 5 Year ARM
Loan Amount up to $1,500,000 4.625% / 0 points

• Jumbo 7 Year ARM
Loan Amount up to $1,500,000 5.000% / 0 points

• FHA 30 Year Fixed 5.000% / 0 points

• VA 30 Year Fixed 5.000% / 0 points

Remember, I am anywhere you want to be in Metro DC and I always have time for your referrals.

Adam Bashein
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-3470

Adam Bashein
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132

Friday, March 5, 2010

From 'Cradle to Grave' in Kemp Mill Estates



Welcome to 718 Horton Drive in sought after Kemp Mill Estates. Listed by Long & Foster. This home is in a very desirable quadrant of Kemp Mill,located between Lamberton Drive and Kemp Mill Road. While the home isn't on a cul-de-sac street and Horton Drive isn't a "no outlet street",it is a short quiet destination street. Most people don't drive on Horton in order to enter or exit the subdivision since it doesn't connect main roads.
Another interesting feature about Horton Drive is that the "even side" of the street has a sidewalk,which stops just before 718 Horton Drive.

718 Horton Drive has a driveway and has good curb appeal. You can tell the home is well kept. You can enter through the front door,or the side door where the kitchen is. In addition the home has a walkout basement with sliding doors to a lovely fenced backyard. The backyard is a generous size and includes a basketball court and a storage shed.

Once you enter through the front door you will need to take one step up or several step downs. To your immediate left is the coat closet;straight ahead is the entry foyer,which you need to step up into;almost immediately in front of you are the steps to the basement and to the right is the kitchen,which you step up into. Not a big deal to take one step up to the main level area,but surprised, with the concept of a rambler,that the builder didn't design the entry to be competely level with the rest of the area.

The kitchen is well maintained. It has a front bay window and a side entrance. The counters and floors are clean and original. There is room for a diner table in the kitchen. The sellers chose to give the buyers an opportunity to make the kitchen their own and factored that into their asking price of $459k. The dining room and living room are open. The sellers had the home painted over the summer so it is fresh and clean.

The master bedroom is at the end of the hallway on the left side. It is has 2 exposures and built in closet/shelf space. The bathroom is clean and room to add a medicine cabinet for toiletries. The second bedroom,right across from the master bedroom also has 2 exposures and 2 sets of closets. The third bedroom has one closet and appears smaller than the second bedroom. There is a second full bath in the hall for the other 2 bedrooms and guests to use.

Downstairs is a nice family room/play area and there are sliding doors to the backyard.
To your immediate left of the play area is a full bath and a generous sized laundry area. Not everyone with this home model has a full bath in the basement (and wouldn't be hard to add if they didn't),but it makes perfect sense,with there being bedrooms downstairs and adds value.
Down the hall is one bedroom with 2 exposures and a closet. I'd add a carpet. To the right of the steps is the second downstairs bedroom,again,which not all models have and this adds value to the home. The bedroom has closet space and a window. Some owners of this model leave the area unfinished,perhaps to use as storage space,and there is storage space under the steps. Other owners have finished this room,but it doesn't have a window. So it has value as an office,but might not be considered a full bedroom.

The home shows well,is very clean and move in ready. If you want a fully updated home then preview this home. If you like it,figure out the costs of the renovations you would do and if the numbers work.

There is a similar home located at 11725 Stonington Road,which is more upgraded than 718 Horton Drive. However,11725 Stonington only has 1 bedroom downstairs (if you want a 5th bedroom/office,you would need to finish the area). In addition,it has a 1/2 bath downstairs (no shower or tub).

The thing you cannot change to 718 Horton Drive without structural work is if you want/need the home to be on one floor. In order to go the backyard from inside the home,you need to go downstairs. If you want a family room on the main level (get an addition),you could perhaps set up the living room as a family room if you don't need a larger area and change it to more of a living room when you are entertaining a large group of guests. .

Again,the home is neat,well kept,on a side street in a sought after section of Kemp Mill.

If you or someone you know is interesting in seeing the home,let me know.

Life is good!

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-4370

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Close in Country living: 3 bedroom, 3 full bath rambler in Silver Spring on just under an acre of land


Welcome to 508 Rockford Drive in Springbrook Forest,close in This 3 bedroom 3 bath brick rambler home sits on a lovely lot,just less than an acre of land. Home is on a mostly level lot. You may have seen or heard about this home before. It was originally listed in March 2008 for $575k,then relisted in November 2009 at $550k,before being rented in January 2009. It is now vacant and listed by Long & Foster at $499k.

The driveway leads to 2 covered parking spaces,with a carport and a 1 car garage. Right above the garage is a lovely porch for you to enjoy views of the trees. Porch makes a great area to relax in and a nice breakfast area.
You go up some steps to the front entrance. On the left is a kitchen which you can make into your own. It is in average condition.
There is a door from the ktichen to the porch. The kitchen also leads to the dining room which has hardwoods and continues into the living room with the hardwoods. There is a fire place in the living room area. The master bedroom has a skylight and a private full bath,which is in good usable shape. You may choose to upgrade it. Down the hall are 2 other bedrooms,one of which has a unique feature -its own private bath. There is also a 3rd full bath in the hallway.
The laundry is downstairs as is the entrance from the garage into the home. The downstairs is an average size.
This is a nice warm home,which one could make into his or her own as is and be happy or add on/tear down and build a home of his/her dreams.
It is priced ok based on scarcity of lot type, but not great based on a recent sale at 601 Rockford, also a rambler, which is on an ever so slightly smaller lot. 601 Rockford sold for $472k. When comparing the two homes,601 Rockford has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It also has a larger basement than 508 Rockford. To me 601 Rockford felt like more living space than 508 Rockford. But there aren't many homes on this size lot on the market. If 12043 Remington,which is 2 + acres and listed at
$499,900k sells before 508 Rockford,it will impact the price position of 508 Rockford.

If you or someone you know is interested in previewing the home,call me.

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-4370

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132

Oh,by the way,I am never too busy for your referrals.

Country living 3 bedroom rambler on 2.23 acres of land in Springbrook forest



Welcome to 12043 Remington Drive in Springbrook Forest,a subdivision in Silver Spring,MD. This is unique opportunity in Silver Spring to buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 2.23 acres of land at the list price of $499,900.

This brick home has a nice country feel,with a wood fence in front of the home and the home being nested by trees. The driveway leads to your one car garage

There is a walking path to the main entrance of the home. To your right is the living room with hardwood floors and a fireplace,that contniues into the dining room area. From the dining room,you can go outside to the porch ,which is above the garage. Dining room also leads into the kitchen,which also has a door to the porch. The kitchen has some updated appliances: s/s refridgerator and s/s dishwasher. The oven is dated and pretty small if you like to cook,much less entertain. But a new oven shouldn't deter you. The kitchen overall is average and could use some upgrading.

The home has 3 bedrooms on the main level,including a master bedroom with a private full bath. There is a second full bath in the hallway for the other 2 bedrooms to share.
Downstairs is the basement which is a fairly nice size,is unfinished,but has potential. The garage is attached to the basement.

This home has great potential whether you buy it as is and upgrade it or you want to build a custom home on a large piece of land. The home needs to be aired out a little,as there is a scent of smoke. The home is listed with Long & Foster. It is priced aggressively,as a home in the same subdivision on less than an acre of land recently sold for $472k and another home on just less than an acre is on the market for $499k. So in terms of land, this home is the a great value. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets multiple bids and sells at or above the asking price.

If you or someone you know is interested in previewing it let me know.

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info
301-943-4370

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132

Oh,by the way,I'm never too busy for your referrals.

information deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Pricing your home to sell


I try to keep up with the status of homes which my buyers lost bids on and on homes which I didn't list. Why? For buyers,I want to know what homes sell at, so when other similar home comes on the market,we can refer to the home that they previously bid on and factor that into the price they offer.

From the listing side, I want to see what the homes sold at and compare that to the price range I suggested. Sellers choose their realtors based on several factors,including but not limited to a relationship they may have with a realtor,the marketing plan which impresses the sellers the most and the price which the listing agents suggest. I lost a listing agreement last spring less than 5 minutes in when the seller wanted to just know the price range I suggested. My range was over $30k less than what she had in mind.

For a home listed for less than $200k,that is quite a difference of opinion. She told me the conversation was over and was going to ask a neighborhood expert to list her home. I was fairly confident in the price I suggested,but maybe there was something about the neighborhood I didn't know. I felt badly that I lost the listing.

I noticed that the listing recently expired,over $30k above the price range I suggested. As much as I don't like losing listings,in this case I won because of the effort, money and time I would have invested if she chose me to list at "her price". From what I see,the market in that neighborhood hasn't improved since then,so hopefully she can list again at market price or rent her place out in order to move into the home of her dreams.

Adam
adambashein@mris.com
www.basheinhomes.info

Adam Bashein
Licensed in MD & DC
Weichert Realtors
7821 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac,MD 20854
301-718-4100 ext. 132