Lifting the Veil of Confusion - Changes Are In Store for the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
May 16th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
First, let me thank my fellow Coldwell Banker realtor, Susie Blackmon in Ashville, NC, for alerting me -and other readers - to an article that appeared earlier this week in the New York Times. Basically the author, Bob Tedeschi, writes about how the some 900 multiple listing services (MLS) around the country are beginning to loosen restrictions on what can be listed and where.
Ultimately, opening the MLS to all comers (for sale by owner, bank foreclosurers, etc.) will give buyers and sellers alike the opportunity to cast the widest possible net to complete a sales transaction. On the other hand, agents should embrace this new trend and adjust their own strategies to complement the extraordinary reach of the world wide Web. My friend Susie is an adamant proponent of transparency in all things real estate and I can’t say that I disagree.
To read the complete NYT article, click here.
Have a good Friday,
Michael
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Alexandria Celebrates “Bike to Work” Day As Affordable, Efficient and Environmentally Friendly
May 15th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Green Living
Just on the heels of being named as the top walking city in Virginia, Alexandria will recognize national Bike to Work day on Friday, May 16th. Thousands of cyclists across the area will celebrate bicycle commuting as an affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly way of getting to work. It will also demonstrate that the region’s transportation network makes cycling in Alexandria and the greater Washington metropolitan area a feasible and safe travel option.
More than 20 “pit stops” will be available to the commuter cyclists. In Alexandria, the pit stop will take place from 6:30am to 8:30am at Market Square in the heart of Old Town (301 King Street). Cyclists will receive free food, beverages and a variety of services from local businesses and sponsors. A Metrobus will be on hand for cyclists to practice loading and unloading their bikes. Bikes are also permitted on Metro trains.
Alexandria participants will have a chance to win several grand prizes as part of a raffle that will take place at 8:00am. Those prizes include:
- Jannis Commuter 3 bike, courtesy of Wheel Nuts Bike Shop
- Free weekend night stay at the new Hotel Monaco, courtesy of Hotel Monaco
- Complete Performance Overall tune up gift, courtesy of Wheel Nuts Bike Shop
- $100 dining gift certificate, courtesy of HSBC bank
So what are you waiting for? Shimmy into your riding shorts, strap on your cleats, grab your helmet and let’s get going!
Michael
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Why NOT Buy Now? Rare Market Conditions are Skewing Survey Results and Creating Needless Anxiety
May 14th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
For too many long months now, real estate agents and brokers across the country have bemoaned the relentless bad news about the housing market. Without context the numbers are daunting. Without context the information is undeniably grim. Without context no one would ever buy or sell a home again.
So let’s look at the context. No less a personage than David Blitzer, S&P Index Committee Chair, has acknowledged his organizations’ overall and metro-readings paint an incomplete picture. Early this month, top officials with the National Association of Realtors and Standard & Poor’s (which issues the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index) admitted that their monthly reports are giving imprecise readings of price changes at all levels - national, state and regional - due to rare market conditions that are skewing survey results.
This is really just the tip of the iceberg. Click here to get the full, must read, story from Blanche Evans, an award winning journalist with Realty Times.
And when you’ve finished reading the good news, in context, give me a call at 703.927.4554 and I’ll help you find that house you’ve been talking about.
Michael
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