11769 Hollyview Dr.

Great Falls, Va.  22066

Priced at $899,000

Spacious main level living combined with fully finished basement, huge two level glass enclosed Florida Room and multitiered decks make this a great home for entertaining.   Requiring a limited amount of TLC, this home is one of the best Great Falls opportunities in the under $1.0 million market.

Selling your house in today’s market can be extremely difficult.  It is for that reason that every seller should take advantage of each and every opportunity that appears.  Each fall, such an opportunity presents itself.  This fall, that opportunity may be just too good to pass up.

Below are five reasons you should consider pricing your house to sell in the next 90 days.  Meet with your real estate agent and mortgage professional today and see whether it is the right move for you and your family.

1. Entering this time of year, the buyers are more serious.

We all realize that buyers are not quick to pull the trigger on the purchase of a home today.  There is no sense of urgency with the supply of eligible properties at all time highs.  However, at this time of year, the ‘lookers’ are at the stores doing their holiday shopping.  The home buyers left in the market are serious and are more apt to make a purchasing decision.  Less showings – but to more motivated purchasers.

2. If you are moving up, you can save thousands.

The Chicago Tribune stated in an article last week that sellers who want to ‘trade up’ should act now:

It could be a bigger house, different neighborhood or a better school district, but it comes with a higher price tag. Do the math; this might be the right time.

A home that was once worth $300,000 may now be worth $240,000 in a market where prices have fallen 20 percent.  Wow, you think, the seller is taking a bath.  But that seller may also be a prospective buyer who wants a house that once was valued at $400,000. With an equivalent market drop and a realistic listing price, that house may now sell for $320,000.  So, in effect, the person is losing $60,000 on the sale of one home but coming out ahead $20,000 on the purchase of another.

Keep in mind the spread may be even greater.  There’s a smaller pool of potential buyers for more expensive homes, so sellers may be more willing to cut their price to get a deal done.

3. Interest rates just fell again – to 4.19%.

Professor Karl E. Case, the founder of the Case Shiller Pricing Index in an article in the New York Times last month actually did the math for us:

Four years ago, the monthly payment on a $300,000 house with 20 percent down and a mortgage rate of about 6.6 percent was $1,533. Today that $300,000 house would sell for $213,000 and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 20 percent down would carry a rate of about 4.2 percent and a monthly payment of $833 … housing has perhaps never been a better bargain.

4. You beat the rush of inventory that is coming next year.

Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market from January through April as homeowners put their houses up for sale in preparation for the spring market. As an example, here is the number of listings available for sale in each of those months in 2010.

-  January – 3,277,000

-  February – 3,531,000

-  March – 3,626,000

-  April – 4,029,000

You won’t have to worry about this increasing competition if you sell now.

5. You have less ‘discounted’ inventory with which to compete.

This year, sellers of non-distressed properties have been given an early holiday present. With banks declaring a suspension on the sale of many distressed properties (foreclosures), there has been a large supply of discounted properties removed from competition.  No one knows how long this self imposed moratorium will last.  However, while it does, every homeowner has a better chance of selling their property.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to sell in the near future, there may not be a more opportune time than this fall. Serious buyers, great move-up deals and less competition from foreclosures creates the perfect selling situation. Don’t miss it!

If you have a chance, please be sure to give a big thanks to our co-sponsors and door prize donors.

Co-sponsors include:

The Old Brogue
LSA Title Services
Gary Kaihara, DDS
The Grossman Family
Julius Fleischman
The Norman Family
The Nelson Family
James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage
Carrillon Capital

Door Prizes for this month were donated by:

Adeler Jewelers

Lodgecliffe Bed and Breakfast

Dominion Title

PF Chang’s

Maison Du Vin

Great Falls Design Build

State Farm Insurance

Great Falls Exxon

B. Sweet Pies

This month I am moving a little outside the norm for MAM by raising funds for our veterans who are over 55 years old. I am particularly excited by this effort since it gives us a chance to say thanks to the Vietnam Era vets and those who came before them. The request for this event came from Julius Fleischman, one of our newest co-sponsors. Julius fought in the European Campaign during WWII.

Date: September 27th.

Where: Old Brogue – Great Falls, Va.

Time: Two seatings – 5:30 and 7:30.

Please be sure to make a reservation by calling: (703) 759-3309.

As always, you simply come out and have dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls. Myself and my cosponsors will each be contributing a 10 percent match (A 100 percent match this month) of your dinner tab to The Golden Age Games.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a co-sponsor, please contact me at bob@bobnelsonteam.com or call at (703) 999-5812.

You can also show your support through:

A. The purchase of door prize entries. (ALL Proceeds will go directly to The Golden Age Games)

B. Our buy a vet dinner initiative. We hope to have between 10-15 enlisted personnel for whom you can buy dinner.

C. Or you can make out a fully tax deductible donation to Veterans Administration.

Please come out strong to show your support. This is our first time back after the summer and I’d love to have a huge turnout to show our active duty personnel and veterans just how much we appreciate their service.

If you have a chance, please be sure to thank my co-sponsors.

The Old Brogue

LSA Title Services

Gary Kaihara, DDS

The Grossman Family

Julius Fleischman

The Norman Family

The Nelson Family

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage

Carrillon Capital

Previous Co-Sponsors

The Heil Family

Mercury LLC

Knight Point Systems

Shiner Roofing and Siding

and our door prize donors:

Adeler Jewelers           Dominion Title

PF Chang’s                      Lodgecliffe Bed and Breakfast

Elite Fitness                   Fitness Together

Turner Framing           Maison Du Vin

Great Falls Design Build     Pinkman Baseball Academy

Legenter LLC.               State Farm Insurance        Downs & Assoc. Insurance

Please read the following to learn more about the Golden Age Games and their importance to our veterans.

Celebrating its 25th year, the National Veterans Golden Age Games offer sports and recreational competitive events for Veterans 55 years of age and older. It is the largest sports and recreation competition for this age group of military Veterans in the world! The Games continue to serve as a showcase for the rehabilitation value that wellness and fitness provide in the lives of older Americans.

The National Veterans Golden Age Games are an outgrowth of the historic involvement in geriatric programs by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For many years, VA has put major emphasis on health and fitness with the goal of Veterans living healthier, longer lives. Many of the events began as recreational activities at VA hospitals and nursing home care units across the country. Inspired by the health and fitness movement for America’s senior citizens, the Games extend that concept to our nation’s aging Veterans. In 1985, the first National Veterans Golden Age Games took place in Albany, Georgia, with 115 competitors representing VA medical facilities across the United States.

A “fountain of youth” for the rapidly aging Veteran population, the Games provide a multi-event sports and therapeutic recreation program for eligible Veterans receiving care at any VA medical facility. It is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national seniors’ program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. This event truly reflects VA’s mission – to provide quality programs and health care for America’s aging Veteran population. It has become one of the most progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the United States and the world.

Over the years, competitive events at the National Veterans Golden Age Games have been adapted to meet specific needs of the participants. The Games have separate age groups and gender divisions. Additionally, because many Veterans also face medical challenges, events were added for those who use wheelchairs and those who have visual impairments. To accommodate the varying degrees of physical conditioning, motor and cognitive skills of the participants, basic competition rules were adapted. The modification of rules and use of adaptive equipment in many events allow non-ambulatory and visually impaired Veterans to participate, in separate divisions where needed and with ambulatory and sighted Veterans when possible. This has made the National Veterans Golden Age Games a truly adaptive therapeutic sports competition that has become a model for other local, state and national senior sports events.

Since 2004, the National Veterans Golden Age Games have been a qualifier for the National Senior Games, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Through this partnership, gold, silver and bronze medalists in certain events have the opportunity to compete further, among America’s elite senior athletes.

During the second four months, a total of 101 homes an increase of almost 2.5 times the first four month.  These had a price range of between $594,900 – $6.5 million.  Of these, 43 were priced under $1 million, 18 $1.0 – $1.25 million, 34 between $1.25 – $2.0 million and six over $2 million.  In addition, another 48 homes are currently under contract.  Of these second four month sales, I have had a total of  $5.3 million either sold or under contract at this writing.

WE ALL CARE AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, NOT JUST ONE MONDAY EACH MONTH.

This month we will be showing our support to the troops who are on the frontlines of the war on terror.  Military Appreciation Mondays will be raising funds for the Great Falls, Va. based group Neighbors Foundation. NIF has provided over 1,600 care packages to servicemen and women serving YOU AND ME in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some of the things sent include:

• Snack and food items that hold up well in a combat environment.
• Over 75 current magazines regularly donated by Time Warner.
• Holiday items to bring some seasonal cheer.

This month’s dinner at the Old Brogue will be on May 24th.  As always, we will be doing two seatings at 5:30 and 7:30.  As always, you simply come out and have dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls.  Myself and my cosponsors will each be contributing a 10 percent match (typically a total of an 80 percent match) of your dinner tab to Neighbors International Foundation.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a co-sponsor, please contact me at bob@bobnelsonteam.com.

You can also show your support through:
A. The purchase of door prize entries. (ALL Proceeds will go directly to Neighbors Foundation)
B.  Our buy a vet dinner initiative.  We will have between 10-15 enlisted personnel for whom you can buy dinner.
C.  Or you can make out a fully tax deductible donation to Neighbors Foundation.

Be Certain to make at Reservation for
Either the 5:30 or 7:30 Seating by Calling
The Old Brogue at:  (703) 759-3309

Hope to See You There

Please come out strong to show your support.  Due to the heavy rain and the Caps game, last month’s attendance only reach 80 people.  While our vets in attendance appreciated this showing, I was hoping to break our previous best of 130.  We did manage to raise nearly $3,000.  This in part due to one of my recent clients who committed to donating $600 to Our Military Kids.  I was also thrilled to learn last month that the March dinner in support of Lift Me Up’s therapeutic horseback riding raised enough money to jump start that program’s efforts and fund three veterans.

Please be certain to thank my co-sponsors when you have a chance.

Last Month’s Co-sponsors

The Old Brogue

LSA Title Services

Gary Kaihara, DDS

The Grossman Family

The Nelson Family

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Previous Co-Sponsors

Mercury LLC

Knight Point Systems

Shiner Roofing and Siding

Danny Ott – George Mason Bank

and our door prize donors:

Billy Casper Golf Adeler Jewelers Toll Brothers Homes

PF Chang’s Dominion Title Lodgecliffe Bed and Breakfast

Casa Noble Tequila Elite Fitness Golds Gym

Turner Framing Maison Du Vin Mr. Wash (Car Wash)

Great Falls Design Build Home Equity Builders Campbell Mechanical

State Farm Insurance Downs & Assoc. Insurance

I recently wrote a quick note to some folks who bought a Deck House in Reston.  I had said I wanted to stop by and see what they had done to their new home.  I knew from the moment we walked in the door that it was the perfect home for them.  Here is what Gene wrote back to me.

Bob. Come by anytime. We have done a lot. It has been fun. Thanks for helping us get it. I have never lived in a house I love more. You are the man Bob. See you soon.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to get by and see the home again.
A young couple (who are soon to have their first baby) bought their first home in Reston earlier this year.  We had looked at several homes together, but this particular townhome was an excellent value and in great shape.  Here is what Megan recently sent me.

Hi Bob, we’re really enjoying the house.  Of course you can stop by.
We’re out of the house until the evening most weekdays, so would over
the weekend work for you?

We’re sorry we haven’t been in touch, and we really appreciate all
you’ve done to help us get it.

I look forward to getting by and see it soon.  It will be even more exciting next fall after the baby is born.  I know they have to be extremely excited.

April is national Month of the Military Child.

I hope you can come out for this month’s Military Appreciation Mondays event at the Old Brogue which will be in recognition of the contributions made by the children of our Servicemen and Women.  I am particularly proud to be bringing back the truly special program – Our Military Kids. These dedicated folks provide support to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel as well as to children of injured service members through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring.  Such activities help these children cope with the stress of having a parent in a war zone or recovering from injury at home.  OMK grants are made to honor the sacrifices that military families make and to ensure that their children have access to sports, fine arts, or academic tutoring programs.
To show your support, simply come out and have dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls.  Myself and my cosponsors will each be contributing a 10 percent match (typically a total of an 80 percent match) of your dinner tab to Our Military Kids.

You can also show your support through:
A. The purchase of door prize entries. (ALL Proceeds go directly to Our Military Kids.)
B.  Our buy a vet dinner initiative.  A minimum donation of $25 to OMK entitles you to purchase dinner for one of our vets.
C.  Or you can make out a fully tax deductible donation to Our Military Kids.

Be Certain to make a Reservation for
Either the 5:30 or 7:30 Seating by Calling
The Old Brogue at:  (703) 759-3309

Hope to See You There

Feel Free to Post the Attached Flyer in Your Office
and forward this email to whomever you think may want to attend.

We Would Love to Break 150 Attendees

I am proud to say that last month’s event in support of the Lift Me Up! therapeutic horseback riding program for our injured vets had approximately 125 people in attendance and raised approximately $4,500. This was our best total to date.  I would like to particularly thank Col. Pete Hilgartner (USMC Ret.) for helping out with a book signing at the last two events.  Let me know if you would like to purchase a copy of Colonel Hilgartner’s book “High Pockets War Stories”.  A $10 donation will be made to OMK with each sale.

Please be certain to support my co-sponsors whenever you have a chance.

Mercury LLC

Knight Point Systems

Shiner Roofing and Siding

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Danny Ott – George Mason Bank

LSA Title Services

Gary Kaihara, DDS

The Old Brogue

and our door prize donors:

Mr. Wash

Golds Gym

Dominion Title

Turner Framing

Maison Du Vin

Adeler Jewelers

Casa Noble Tequila

Home Equity Builders

Campbell Mechanical

Elite Fitness Concepts

PF Chang’s Restaurant

Great Falls Design Build

Lodgecliffe Bed and Breakfast

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