Earlier this week, I got a call from an agent who showed a listing I have last week.  His people loved it, he said, but the husband was out of town until the end of the week.  They planned to make an offer Friday or Saturday.  This afternoon, Saturday, as I was driving to my Mother's 85th birthday party, he called to say he was sending it via MongoFax and would like to present it over the phone.  I explained that I'd be available late this afternoon to take a look at it and would call him then. Then 20 miles down the Baltimore Washington Parkway, my Blackberry's ear bud tickled my ear once again.  It was a second agent calling to say she was leaving the same listing with her clients and was writing an offer.  And what did my sellers need as a time frame.  An hour or so later, her offer ... 01/26/2008

There is something beautiful and amazing about many of this areas old stone homes.  The one at the right is a 20's vintage craftsman bungalow  here in Washington.  The wall are thick.  The house is solid.  The stone exterior is virtually maintenance free. Nearby, in the same neighborhood is a house I listed many years ago that I called the Perma Stone Palace.   It is covered with a product that was popular during the 1930's.  The original patent was issued in 1929 for Perma Stone, and for a long time, I thought their top salesman lived in Baltimore.   But there were several companies around the country that manufactured the polyester of stone, and one of them, the Lasting Products Company in Baltimore, manufactured a synthetic stone product called Formstone. This stuff is all over Balti... 01/26/2008

Museums, movies, monuments, memorials, music -- D.C.'s got it all (and that's just the 'm's).  If you live in the area or you are visiting and looking for some fun, here's a short list of upcoming events that might interest you.  Should you be considering a move to the D.C. or Northern Virginia region, this sampling will give you an idea of the activities and culture that the area has to offer. MOVIEWhile it got mixed reviews and has become cliche at this point, Sylvester Stallone's latest Rambo movie was released yesterday.  I don't know what number he's up to at this point.  If you want to pass up more intellectual fare, you can spend two hours at the local movie theater listening to Stallone grunt and groan in what's sure to be a good old fashioned shoot 'em up!  Sure to be fun, if n... 01/26/2008

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Here are the Properties that sold in this Washington DC Neighborhood:  1/14 - 1/20Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price           Closed Price     # Days on MarketCondo                       1/1                        $374,400            $395,000                 2*      Co-op                       2/2                        $389,000            $389,000                 115   Condo                       1/1                        $335,000            $335,000                146             Condo                       1/1                        $359,000            $350,000                138              Row House                 4/4/2                     $440,000            $440,000                139Condo     ... 01/21/2008

     Call me crazy - Okay! Maybe I am crazy. But does anybody out there think that the New England Patriots are going to lose today? I mean,I know New England Patriots destroyed San Diego Chargers in Week 2. But this team is a very different team now then before. Plus,they have been a very good Indianapolis Cots team twice this year. That should help them prepare for the mighty New England Patriots. Anyway,I didn't say that the New England Patriots lose. I am saying that do you think they are going to lose? I guess we will find out later today. Update: New England Patriots won this game! But they didn't win the Super Bowl. They lost to the New York Giants. So New England Patriots home fell down afterwards.                                                           To receive a free list ... 01/20/2008

Relocating to the Washington DC ?  Here is a list of some helpful websites for you. James Downing -Your Real Estate Agent Search Homes on the MLS Independent School Evaluation Site Metro (Subway & Bus system) - Includes a map and Trip planner DC Government Web Page VA Government Web Page MD Government Web Page Smithsonian Institution Craig's List (Classifieds for jobs, services & more)  Monster.com (Job search) Moving.com (Moving help and advise) ZIP Car  ZipCar is a local car rental - rent for an hour or a day!                                                   Things You'll Need once you are here:   Info for DC Parking Permit Change your Driver License (DC) Change your Driver License (VA) Change your Driver License (MD) Local Utilities Contact Information           Contact James Downin... 01/19/2008

911 or 311?  Now DC Residents know; or least someone made a decision.In Washington DC, residents have often been told to call 911 for an emergency.  Including a "Real or Serious Crime" emergency.The number 311 - was for "Lesser" crimes.Then we have the "Mayors Response Line" 202-727-1000; which is used to report street lamps not working, graffiti removal, or towing of abandoned cars or trash removal.This lead to many folks complaining (and asking) WHAT IS A "REAL/SERIOUS CRIME"?  Is it one that wasn't important?  Is it a crime that deserves less attention and response to by the Police?The issue is that Police in DC were often accused to giving 311 calls a MUCH lower Priority.  Now this Memo from the DC Police Department: Start Using 911 for ALL Police Calls, Not Just Emergency CallsPLEA... 01/18/2008

Just received an e-mail about this upcoming neighborhood event: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Eye Street, SW6:30pm – 8:00pmFind out how on street parking in Southwest will change in the next eight weeks! Plans presented.Questions answered.Councilmember Tommy Wells will hold a Southwest Town Hall meeting to discuss Baseball Parking Plans that will be implemented in our neighborhood this season.  He will also discuss his plan for Curbside Performance Parking that he believes will help protect residential neighborhoods from traffic and parking at the new stadium and help small business maintain access and availability for their customers.There will be a brief presentation of the parking plan to explain how it will work, followed by an open Question & Answer ... 01/17/2008

There are many great condominums in the Glower Park neighborhood.  The most populous are 1 bedroom units, follwed by 2 bedooms and few studios.   Here is a breakdown of the Condos Curently For Sale in the Glover Park Neighborhood of Washington DC:  Here is a chart showing the Condos SOLD (since Nov 1, '07), in Glover Park: Row Houses in Glover Park.  Both Actives and Solds (since Nov 1, '07) are on the same chart:    Call James for all your Real Estate needs and questions; servicing Glover Park and the Greater Washington DC area. 01/14/2008

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Properties that sold 1/7 - 1/13Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price           Closed Price     # Days on MarketCondo                       1/1                        $299,900            $291,773                143      Condo                       1/1                        $324,000            $305,000                 55*   Condo                       1/1                        $479,900            $470,000                314             Condo                     Studio                      $174,900            $174,900                 49              Condo                       3/2                        $639,900            $620,000                 37Row House                3/3.5                    $1,275,00... 01/14/2008

The Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington will be presenting the 12th Washington, DC Restaurant Week from January 14-20.During Restaurant Week participating restaurant's will offer lunch for $20.08 and dinner for $30.08. It's a great opportunity to try out that restaurant you've heard people talk about! Agents, it's a great time to take out the client you've been meaning to take out to lunch!A list of participating restaurants is online: http://www.washington.org/restaurantwk/ ---Search the MLS for the DC region: http://search.myDCagent.comEddie RangelRE/MAX Allegiance220 7th Street SEWashington, DC 20003202-547-5600www.myDCagent.comEqual Housing OpportunityAll information deemed correct, but not guaranteedEach RE/MAX offi... 01/11/2008

Every month I will feature a different DC neighborhood.This month features: Glover Park.Glover Park is an area in North West Washington DC; just North-West of Georgetown and West of Observatory Circle, where the Us Navy Observatory is located; and more importantly, the Vice-Presidential Mansion.A small neighborhood, (about 1 square mile); it is bordered by parks to the West (Glover-Archibold Park) and South (Whitehaven Park); with easy access to retail shops and restaurants along nearby Wisconsin Avenue to the East.Glover Park is home to many DC residents, including home to the nearby Russian Embassy.  What makes Glover Park so likable by many residents; are the surrounding parks.  The community has a very green, suburban feel - with smaller residential streets and so many trees - this ... 01/09/2008

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Properties that sold 12/31 - 1/6Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price           Closed Price     # Days on MarketCondo                       2/2                       $1,395,000        $1,342,260               7*      Condo                       2/3                        $599,000           $550,000                0*   Condo                       2/2                        $539,900           $490,260                0*             Condo                       1/2                        $499,900           $509,900               90*              Condo                       2/2                        $889,000           $873,100               10Row House                 2/1.5                     $529,000          ... 01/07/2008

There were 19 Properties Sold the the Dupont Circle Area in December.Here are the homes sold in DUPONT CIRCLE* in December 2007:The properties sold between: $310,000 - $2,834,050The average List price was:    The average SOLD Price was: $822,646Average Days on the Market: 52*** Note that several properties sold in less than 2 weeks and 42% sold for List Price or HIGHER! Type           #Bedrooms/Baths          List Price         Sold Price        Days on MarketRow House            6/3                   $1,199,000      $1,150,000              165Condo                  1/1                     $349,000         $349,000                65Row House           4/3/2                 $2,175,000       $2,235,000                7Condo                   2/2                    $549,000         $510,50... 01/04/2008

Here are the Properties Sold in SW DC...  December 2007Last month, 6 homes sold in SW DC / known as the Waterfront.The properties sold between: $189,000 - $285,000The average List price was:    $236,450The average SOLD Price was: $232,333Average Days on the Market: 81 Type           #Bedrooms/Baths        List Price       Sold Price      Days on MarketCondo                 1/1                    $275,000      $255,000             193CoOp                  1/1                    $219,900      $215,000             129Condo                 2/1                    $285,000      $285,000              87Condo                 1/1                    $215,000      $215,000               7Condo              Studio/1                $234,801      $235,000              52Condo              Studio/1   ... 01/04/2008

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Properties that sold 12/24 - 12/30Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price        Closed Price    # Days on MarketCondo                       2/2.5                     $899,000           $870,000              18      Condo                       1/1                        $279,000           $267,500              55   Condo                       1/1.5                     $469,900           $460,000               9*             Condo                       2/2                        $639,000           $630,000              118              Condo                       1/1                        $299,900           $297,000              19*                   *Units were part of multi-unit, newly-built complexes; DOM m... 12/31/2007

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Properties that sold 12/17 - 12/24Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price        Closed Price    # Days on MarketCondo                       2/2                        $409,646           $360,000             111*      Condo                       1/1                        $289,097           $285,000              89*   Condo                       3/2.5                    $1,200,000         $1,150,000            68             Row House                 2/2.5                    $1,475,000         $1,445,000            58              Condo                       1/1                        $369,900           $355,000              45     Condo                       1/1                        $285,000           $280,... 12/24/2007

What's Selling - DC - Logan/Mt Vernon Square Neighborhoods Properties that sold 12/10 - 12/17Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price        Closed Price    # Days on MarketRow House               (4 floor Shell)           $975,000           $845,000             51      Condo                       2/2                        $444,348           $439,000            412    Condo                       1/1                        $380,000           $362,790            148             Row House                 3/2.5                     $735,000           $722,000            67              Condo                       2/1.5                      $399,000          $380,000            190     Condo                       2/2                         $540,000          $538,000       ... 12/17/2007

Late Thursday afternoon, I needed comfort food.  And I found it at the Colorado Kitchen - one of the few real restaurants near my home in Northwest Washington. It's located on Colorado Avenue just east of 14th Street.  A friend and I pulled into a parking space at the front door at 6:05, only to find a big old "Closed" sign on the door, right above the sign on the door promising they opend at 6:00 pm;  Oh dear, were they closed on Thursdays?  But when the staff spotted us, the immediately ran up and switched it to "Open". If we'd gotten there a bit later, we might have had to wait for a table.  This place is often mobbed with a long wait for at the tiny bar, but at 6:05, we were seated immediately.  Before taking our order, the server brought us little sake cups with samples of the soup... 12/16/2007

Properties that sold 12/2 - 12/10Type of Property      #BR/Baths                 List Price        Closed Price    # Days on MarketRow House                 2/1                        $450,000         $450,000               64Condo                       1/1                        $299,900          $299,000              35Condo                       1/1                        $309,900          $301,400              21Row House                 3/2.5                     $499,900          $490,000              31Condo                       2/1                        $215,000          $215,000              21Condo                       1/1                        $454,900          $454,900              0*         *Units were part of multi-unit, newly-built complexes; DOM may not be accurate  ... 12/11/2007