Following our June 28th dinner in support of the VA’s Community Outreach program, we will be taking the summer off.  Our next event will an effort to raise funds for the Golden Age Games.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) co-sponsor the National Veterans Golden Age Games each year. This partnership fosters an exceptional, quality event that promises serious competition and lasting memories for our nation’s older Veterans.  The request have MAM raise funds for these games came from our most recent co-sponsor – Julius Fleischman.   As we talked, I came to learn that Julius was a disabled Vet.  As I am always curious, I asked him where he had served.  Thinking he would say Iraq or Afghanistan, I was surprised when Julius said Europe.  Wondering how he could possibly have been injured while serving in Europe, I of course asked what he was doing there.  His very low key response was, “Fighting the Germans”.  If you did not have an opportunity to meet Julius in June, you will most definitely want to come in September.  He told us all how he get involved with the VA and its efforts to have vets participate in activities that stretched their limits.  While in his 80’s, Julius did eight parachute jumps in a six hour period.  This apparently set some type of record.

Due to the current economic downturn, 11.3 million homes in the U.S. are currently “under water”  (the mortgage balance exceeds the property’s value).  In an effort to assists those both looking great investments and those caught off guard by the downturn, the Bob Nelson Team is putting a greater focus on tracking, listing and selling foreclosure and short sale properties particularly  in the Langley, Mclean and Oakton high school districts.  Most everyone is aware that the lower priced homes got clobbered by the drop in real estate values, but few know that this has begun happening in the upper end price points as well.  There are currently five foreclosures and 15 short sales on the market in the three school districts.  These range in price from $229,000 to $3.25 million.  Please drop me an e-mail or give a call if you would like additional info on the short sale process or learn more about possibly purchasing one of these homes.

We are also planning to put together a short sale seminar within the next several weeks.

Join us for dinner at

The Old Brogue in Great Falls

Monday, March 29th

Seatings at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Reservations Highly Recommended

(703) 759-3309

Approximately 90% of your dinner bill

will be matched and donated to this month’s charity.

Lift Me Up! Therapeutic Riding

Door Prize Drawings will be held

Also Ask About Our Buy a Vet Dinner Donations

Hosted by

The Bob Nelson Team

Previous Co-sponsors Include:

Bob Nelson

Knight Point Systems

Terry Nelson – Mercury LLC.

Kevin Shiner – Shiner Roofing and Siding

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Danny Ott – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Chris Melnick – LSA Title Services

Gary Kaihara, DDS

The Old Brogue

Previous Door Prize Donors include:

Golds Gym

Dominion Title

Adeler Jewelers

Casa Noble Tequila

Elite Fitness Concepts

Campbell Mechanical

PF Chang’s Restaurant

Great Falls Design Build

Lodgecliffe Bed and Breakfast

I have just added a new link to a website call Neighbor City.  Going to this website will give you direct access to homes for sale.  This includes foreclosures, for sale by owner, and regular sales.  Please feel free to make use of this to conduct your searches and then contact me if you would like to take a look at any of the homes you find.

As many of you have already heard, I have changed the name of our monthly events to Military Appreciation Mondays. This month’s event to be held on Monday January 25th at the Olde Brogue in Great Falls, Va. and will be supporting the group Thanks USA. This wonderful organization, the brainchild of two local teenagers provides college scholarship money for the children and spouses of our veterans with priority going to the families of those vets who have sustained injuries. Please come out and show your support.

As always, you need do nothing other than come out and enjoy dinner and a fun event. Myself and my co-sponsors will each be donating ten percent of your tab to Thanks USA. In addition, we will be selling door prize chances for a variety of items to include, but not limited to: jewelry from Adeler Jewelers, gift cards for PF Chang’s restaurant, gift baskets, a one year service contract for your heating and air conditioning system, etc.

We are again inviting several servicemen and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A minimum donation of $25 to Thanks USA, earns you privilege of buying dinner for one of our vets. If you would like to buy dinner for a vet, please e-mail or give me a quick call.

Whether you sign up to buy a vet dinner, purchase door prize entries, or simply come eat dinner your presence goes a long way towards helping raise funds for the organization and showing that we all respect and care about our veterans.

We are again doing two seatings (5:30 and 7:30) to accommodate the overwhelming response we have had to the last four events. Please be sure to make a reservation early since the Snuggery portion of the Old Brogue has filled up for both seatings in the past. Call the Brogue at (703) 759-3309 to do so. Invite your friends and let’s try to fill the entire restaurant this time around!! The only cost to you is your dinner.

If you know them, please be sure to thank my co-sponsors:

The Old Brogue

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Kevin Shiner – Shiner Roofing and Siding

Danny Ott – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Chris Melnick – LSA Title Services

Gary Kaihara, DDS

and our door prize donors:

PF Chang’s Restaurant

Dominion Title

Adeler Jewelers

Campbell Mechanical

Elite Fitness Concepts

Golds Gym

Let the games begin.  Boy being the grandparents of twins can be so much fun and exciting.  We have been watching Robert and Reagan prepare to walk for the last several months.  Last night I received the video “Robert’s New Trick”.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but had my suspiscions.  I hope you enjoy watching this.  It was late last night that I got to my e-mail after a long day.  Nancy was blearied eyed and half asleep when I came down from the office and suggested she check her e-mail.  Of course she had trouble with the speed of her laptop and was ready to give up opening the message.  Once she finally had a chance to see the video, she simply couldn’t go back to sleep. 

I promise there will be more to follow.

Thank you so much to those who have stepped up to brighten Christmas for the children of our injured servicemen.  Twelve of the sixteen families on the list have been fully accounted for with 25 of the 33 kids ready to have a wonderful Christmas morning.  Nancy and I ran out on Friday to do our shopping for the Helmuth kids.  We simply couldn’t resist the urge to buy “any toy that makes noise” for the one year old girl.  It was a great deal of fun picking out toys we thought the twins would enjoy.  We also had to learn all about transformers for four year old Nathaniel!!

If you are still considering showing your appreciation to our vets, please take a look at the remaining names below.  Once you let me know who you would like to purchase a gift for, drop an e-mail to Santa@BobNelsonTeam.com.  We will then give you the address and contact info for the family.  Feel free to visit the websites for Our Military Kids, Operation Second Chance, Thanks USA, the Semper Fi Fund and the Yellow Ribbon Fund if you’d like to show your support to these wonderful grassroots organizations.

Kids Still in Need of Gifts

Weissmiller Family (Adopted by the Moran and Vamvakias families – Thank you Mary and Don)

• 12 yr old girl: in-line skates (size 6-7)
• 7 yr old girl: roller skates (size 1)

Jensen Family (Adopted by the Grimes family – Thank you James and Susan)

• ·         13 yr old girl: Ipod Touch
• ·         9 yr old girl: Wii gaming system
• ·         6 yr old girl: Littlest Pet Shop toy house

Fulkerson Family

• 18 yr old boy: laptop computer for his school work and for college next year  (A  big thanks to Shiner Roofing and Siding for offering to purchase the laptop.  Again my thanks Kevin.)
• (A short note about this one.  It seems that the Fulkerson boy is a senior in high school.  He had come home from school and accidentally left his car door unlocked.  Someone actually stole the laptop out of the car from the son of an injured vet.  I realize this is a large item to be requesting.  I’m imagine he would be happy to receive a good condition laptop if nothing else.)

Thank You to Those Who Have Agreed to Purchase Gifts for the Families Below

Bellis Family (Adopted by the Hoernig family – Thank you Laura and Family)

• 14 yr old girl:  electric guitar, JC Penney’s gift card
• 11 yr old boy: football, Tennessee Titans merchandise, JC Penney’s gift card
• 6 yr old girl: Barbie doll, furreal electronic dog, JC Penney’s gift card

Broesch Family (Adopted by the Heil family – Thanks Tim)

• 15 yr old girl: art supplies (paint brushes, charcoal pencils), iTunes gift card
• 7 yr old girl: books, craft supplies, a Barbie doll

Brown Family (Adopted by Knight Point Systems – Thank you Lindsey)

• 7 yr old boy: Xbox 360
  
• 1 yr old girl: Disney princess toys/merchandise

Christiansen Family (Adopted by the Christianson family- Thank you Vickie and Family)

• 9 yr old girl: Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery
• 4 yr old girl: Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker

Deen Family (Adopted by the Matthews family and Collingswood Nursing Home – Thank you Catherine)

• 16 yr old girl: iPod
• 15 yr old boy: video games
• 14 yr old boy: video games
• 9 yr old boy: board games
• 3 yr old girl: educational toys teaching the alphabet and numbers

Helmuth Family (I can’t resist.  Adopted by the Nelson Family. 

• 3 yr old boy: Transformers, action figures, books
• 1 yr old girl: any toy that makes noise!  (I love this one)

Loper Family (Adopted by the Borland Family – Thank you Dodie and family)

• 12 yr old girl: digital camera
• 11 yr old boy: remote controlled cars
• 10 yr old boy: nintendo dsi
• 7 yr old girl: American Girls doll

Sherrill Family (Adopted by the Copito family – Thank you Debbie and family)

• 14 yr old boy: new sports bag (for carrying sports equipment to practice)
• 11 yr old boy: new sports bag (for carrying sports equipment to practice)

Hall Family (Thundercat Technology)

• 8 yr old boy: gameboy

Holsey Family (Adopted by the Grossmans.  Thank you Jackie!)

• 15 yr old boy: gift cards to Footlocker and Macy’s

Pointer Family (Adopted by the Heil family – Thanks Tim)

• 13 yr old boy: ripstick skateboard

Williams Family  (Adopted by the Smiths – Thanks Laura and Gene)

• 14 yr old girl: gift cards to Barnes & Noble or AMC Theaters

• 6 yr old girl: Barbie doll, clothes (pants size 6x, shirts size 7)

I have recently teamed up with Our Military Kids and Operation Second Chance in an attempt to bring some holiday cheer to our injured service members and their families.  We’ve compiled a Christmas Gift Wish List for the families of our brave veterans.  I’m hoping everyone will check out this list and consider purchasing one item, serving as Santa for an individual child or even sponsoring an entire family.  The latter is a great option for a small company or office to consider.
The list below will be posted until Christmas and will be updated over the next few weeks.  Give me a call or drop me an e-mail (santa@bobnelsonteam.com) to let me know how you would like to brighten a family’s Christmas day.  Once you have done so, we will give you the full contact info for the family to allow you to send your gift(s) directly to them.  I would also encourage you to click on the links above and visit the two websites to learn more about these wonderful grassroots organizations.

Bellis Family (Adopted by the Hoernig family – Thank you Laura and Family)

• 14 yr old girl:  electric guitar, JC Penney’s gift card
• 11 yr old boy: football, Tennessee Titans merchandise, JC Penney’s gift card
• 6 yr old girl: Barbie doll, furreal electronic dog, JC Penney’s gift card

Broesch Family (Adopted by the Heil family – Thanks Tim)

• 15 yr old girl: art supplies (paint brushes, charcoal pencils), iTunes gift card
• 7 yr old girl: books, craft supplies, a Barbie doll

Brown Family (Adopted by Knight Point Systems – Thank you Lindsey)

• 7 yr old boy: Xbox 360
  
• 1 yr old girl: Disney princess toys/merchandise

Christiansen Family (Adopted by the Christianson family- Thank you Vickie and Family)

• 9 yr old girl: Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery
• 4 yr old girl: Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker

Deen Family (Adopted by the Matthews family and Collingswood Nursing Home – Thank you Catherine)

• 16 yr old girl: iPod
• 15 yr old boy: video games
• 14 yr old boy: video games
• 9 yr old boy: board games
• 3 yr old girl: educational toys teaching the alphabet and numbers

Fulkerson Family

• 18 yr old boy: laptop computer for his school work and for college next year

Helmuth Family (I can’t resist.  Adopted by the Nelson Family. 

• 3 yr old boy: Transformers, action figures, books
• 1 yr old girl: any toy that makes noise!  (I love this one)

Loper Family (Adopted by the Borland Family – Thank you Dodie and family)

• 12 yr old girl: digital camera
• 11 yr old boy: remote controlled cars
• 10 yr old boy: nintendo dsi
• 7 yr old girl: American Girls doll

Sherrill Family (Adopted by the Copito family – Thank you Debbie and family)

• 14 yr old boy: new sports bag (for carrying sports equipment to practice)
• 11 yr old boy: new sports bag (for carrying sports equipment to practice)

Weissmiller Family

• 12 yr old girl: in-line skates (size 6-7)
• 7 yr old girl: roller skates (size 1)

Williams Family

• 14 yr old girl: gift cards to Barnes & Noble or AMC Theaters

• 6 yr old girl: Barbie doll, clothes (pants size 6x, shirts size 7)

Hall Family (Thundercat Technology)

• 8 yr old boy: gameboy

Holsey Family (Adopted by the Grossmans.  Thank you Jackie!)

• 15 yr old boy: gift cards to Footlocker and Macy’s

Jensen Family

• ·         13 yr old girl: Ipod Touch
• ·         9 yr old girl: Wii gaming system
• ·         6 yr old girl: Littlest Pet Shop toy house

Pointer Family (Adopted by the Heil family – Thanks Tim)

• 13 yr old boy: ripstick skateboard

Northern Virginia: September 2009
The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® reports on September 2009 home sales activity for Fairfax and Arlington counties, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton.
 
A total of 1,684 homes sold in September 2009, a 2.06 percent increase above September 2008 home sales of 1,650.
 
Active listings decreased by 24.40 percent from last year, with 6,889 active listings in September, compared with 9,112 homes available in September 2008. The average days on market (DOM) for homes in September 2009 decreased by 32.26 percent to 63 days, compared with 93 days in September 2008.
 
Sales prices peaked compared to those realized last year. The average sales price in September increased by 4.94 percent from September 2008, to $427,881, compared with last September’s average of $407,748.
 
The median price of homes sold in Northern Virginia rose in September to $375,000, which is an increase of 7.68 percent compared with September 2008’s median price of $348,250.
 
The number of pending home sales in Northern Virginia in September shows an increase of 13.22 percent at 2,012 compared to 1,777 in September 2008.

 
Greater Northern Virginia: September 2009
Sales activity in Greater Northern Virginia (NVAR jurisdictions plus Prince William, Loudoun and the Greater Piedmont counties) for September 2009 shows a decrease from September 2008.
 
The number of Greater Northern Virginia region homes sold in September was 2,961, an 11.88 percent decrease from September 2008’s total of 3,360 sales. Pending home sales showed a slight increase of less than one percent from September 2008’s 3,741 to 3,770 in September 2009.
 
The average sales price of $366,798 in September 2009 increased by 10.21 percent over September 2008’s average sales price of $332,803.
 
Across Greater Northern Virginia, the number of listings showed a decrease from 2008 numbers, with 13,666 listings active, which is 28.45 percent less than this time last year, when 19,100 homes were available. The average DOM for a home sold in September 2009 was 62 compared with last year’s 101 DOM, a decrease of 38.82 percent.

As anyone who has worked with me knows, I have avoided getting involved with short sales.  The prospect of having a short sale agreed to by banks was typically a long involved one that often ended in frustration for the buyer, seller and  yes the realtor.  One of my recent clients can personally attest to this.  Jen had put an offer in on a property in February.  She was still waiting to hear back from the bank in September when she and I first met.  Jen had fully expected to be settled into her new home by now.  In the interim, prices had started to go back up due to our strengthening local market.  Fortunately, when we began looking at homes, I didn’t have to give Jen my anti-short sale  discussion.  She already understood!  Within about 2-3 weeks of searching, we found what she was looking for in a home, ratified a contract and will be settled before the end of October.  Congrats!!

Now the banks are apparently going to make it even harder to get approval for a short sale.  The following article appeared in Weekly Real Estate News.  Just remember the old adage, “If its too good to be true, it probably is.”

Daily Real Estate News  |  October 9, 2009  |   Share

Banks Making Short Sales Tougher
Banks are backing away from short sales, forcing sellers to pay extra at closing or demanding a promissory note for the amount due. One-third of borrowers owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth, according First American CoreLogic.

When their situations were really tough, most banks preferred short sales because they were their best opportunity to get the most money back. But with an improving economy, and because the losses on many of these properties have already been written off the books, banks are increasingly reluctant to negotiate a short sale.

Today, banks demand 9.5 weeks to respond to a short-sale request, compared to 4.5 weeks a year ago, according to research firm Campbell Communications. Their reluctance is frequently stymieing sales and frustrating real estate practitioners.

“It drives me up a wall,” says Robert G. Hertzog of Summit Home Consultants in Phoenix. “[The bank is] holding my client hostage.”

Source: BusinessWeek, Christopher Palmeri (10/09/2009)