Memorial Day in Washington, D.C.

What an amazing time to be in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.!  We’ve listed out all the great events taking place this weekend and throughout the week!

Signature Theatre

A favorite Stephen Sondheim musical “Company” comes to Signature Theatre May 21-June 30. Bobby, the bachelor, and his quirky married friends star. You’ll hum the music as you leave!

Summertime at the National Building Museum

New this year at the Building Museum is a partnership with Hill Country who will bring smoked brisket, pork & chicken sandwiches after 4 Wed-Fri and after noon weekends –on west lawn.

Films

From 5/22 to 8/21 NoMa presents their 6^th annual film festival Wednesdays from 7 pm with music, give aways, food trucks and picnicking – coolers ok – dogs on leash ok – 2^nd and L.

Studio Theatre

“The Real Thing” by one of America’s favorite playwrights – Tom Stoppard – 5/22 to 6/30.

A Prairie Home Companion

At Wolf Trap May 24^th, catch up with all the latest from Lake Woebegon and Garrison Keilor.

Concerts in the Garden

May 24^th through August 30^th there are weekly concerts at the National Gallery of Art. Ruthie and the Wranglers start the series off. BYO snacks and sip on pitchers of sangria – 5-8:30 pm.

Gateway Park in Rosslyn

May 24^th, watch “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off” at Rosslyn’s Gateway Park. First of summer series.

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney is at FedEx Field May 25^th with his “No Show Tour” at 5 pm with Eric Church and the Eli Young Band.

Something Different

May 25-26 is the annual Hunt Country Stables Tour where you can see thoroughbred breeding farms, fox hunting barns and country estates in Upperville/Middleburg from 10 am to 5 pm.

Kennedy Center

“The Guardsmen”, a 1920’s Broadway comedy smash hit, 5/25-6/23 at the Kennedy Center.

Strawberries!!

The Delaplane Strawberry Festival is May 25-26 this year with live entertainment, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, hayrides, antique cars, children’s games and, of course, strawberries!

National Memorial Day Concert

On the eve of Memorial Day, folks will gather on the west lawn of the Capitol to hear The National Symphony Orchestra, Joe Mantegna, Gary Sinease, Colin Powell and others at 8 pm.

Open House Tour: May 19th, 1-4 pm

Don’t let the rain stop you from coming by our open houses tomorrow. It is going to be a fantastic day with  seven open houses!  We hope to see you there!

1010 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://1010wythe.mcenearney.com/

912 Bernard Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://912bernard.mcenearney.com/

6033 Grove Drive, Alexandria, VA 22307

http://6033grove.mcenearney.com/

10 West Walnut Street, Alexandria, VA 22301

http://10walnut.mcenearney.com/

700 South Overlook Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305

http://700overlook.mcenearney.com/

6211 Randall Court, Alexandria, VA 22307

http://6211randall.mcenearney.com/

1911 Windsor Road, Alexandria, VA 22307

http://1911windsor.mcenearney.com/

The market is HOT! This month’s Market in a Minute.

Please see the links below for a recap of the “Market in a Minute” for DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County and Loudoun County below!  

WashingtonDC_May2013_StatPak.pdf

NorthernVA_May2013_StatPak.pdf

Montgomery_May2013_StatPak.pdf

Loudoun_May2013_StatPak.pdf

The HGTV Effect

As we head further into the Spring season, many begin to think about a new home, fresh renovation, or selling their existing home.  Lately, we have been hearing from clients and friends who watch home renovation shows on networks specializing in home searches and sales.  We too at The Goodhart Group have a slight addiction to these types of shows, but what person in the real estate industry isn’t interested in all things to do with the home?  We have begun to notice a slight impact this type of television is having on our clients.  Many have looked towards home renovation rather than selling as an option and even want to renovating  themselves as they have seen many do on television.  While we love the idea of customizing your home to what you need, make sure that you do your homework and understand the time and money it does take to renovate.  Remember, television has the beauty of editing, but in real life these things can drag on for more than an hour long episode!    In addition to renovation being a topic of conversation, we have also noticed a different attitude from home purchasers in the way they search for homes as well as the offers they submit.  While these types of shows provide a fantastic glimpse into the real estate transaction, prospective buyers must always keep in mind that these are different markets and we never know all the details of the home being purchased.  In the end, we can’t get enough of this type of television ourselves.  Just remember that it is always smart to consult a real estate professional in your market before making any decisions!

Link

President Ford’s Alexandria Home

This interesting story about President Ford’s time living in Alexandria was just posted last week on WETA’s blog. Fun fact: The former Ford home, 514 Crown View Drive, is located just down the street from our lovely listing at 402 Crown View Drive! http://402crownview.mcenearney.com  Fun fact #2:  One of our other clients is also featured in this story as one of the Alexandria policeman protecting President Ford.

What to do this weekend!

There is a lot going on this week in our area!  Check out all of the details below.

 

At the Birch

“Asleep at the Wheel” is at the Birchmere May 15^th, Texas swing with this country music group.

Zoofari

Folks flock to the National Zoo each year for Zoofari, samples from 100 restaurants and more!

News Groupie?

Six journalists – Nina Totenberg, Karen Tumulty, Clarence Page, Stephen Hess, Chris Wallace & David Leonhardt are participants in a Smithsonian forum May 16^th from 7-9 pm.

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day, 5/17, with stops for refreshments at Carlyle, Mark Center & Market Square.

 Reston Town Center

View, purchase and experience art directly from the artists who created it at Reston Town Center’s Art Festival May 17-19.

Bethesda Blues & Jazz

An Evening with Branford Marsalis is May 17^th in Bethesda at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, the former art deco 1938 Bethesda Theater.

Rosslyn Flicks

First of the 5/17 to 8/30 season movies at Rosslyn Gateway Park is “The Breakfast Club”

Del Ray Movies

May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17^th are dates for Cinema Del Ray this year.

Alexandria Symphony

Last concert of the season 5/18 features two familiar and popular works – Rimsky Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” and Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” at 8 pm at Schlesinger Hall.

Horses and the Infield Fun

May 18^th is the Preakness at Pimlico race course.  Some say all the fun is in the infield enclosure!

International Museum Day

Free admission to participating museums.  Try The Kreeger, Phillips and  Hillwood May 18^th.

National Asian Heritage Festival

May 18^th on Pennsylvania Avenue, enjoy the National Asian Heritage Festival with 70 performing groups – martial arts, lion dance demos, Pan-Asian cuisine musical acts + more.

Chow!

Always a big crowd event, Taste of Arlington is May 19^th from noon to 5 with over 40 restaurants, a beer/wine garden and art festival to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

From the Desk of Sue Goodhart

As we rounded out the first quarter of 2013 I had to take a step back and remind myself that all that has happened this year in the Washington, D.C. real estate market is true.  Rewind to 2010 as many in this area, and of course, the rest of the country were still in the throes of an economic recession.  While trying to remain positive, I have to admit my outlook at times was fairly dismal.  However, as our country and our Washington, D.C. community has done so often in the past, we faced troubled times with fervor and resilience.  With that same confidence we stand here today looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure some of you have read the articles with stories of homes receiving over 100 offers within hours of being on the market.  These are some isolated cases and we have to be more realistic about the way we look at our current market.  The truth is that there is a shortage of inventory in our market and an excess of buyers.  As buyers continue to take advantage of low mortgage rates and feel that it is finally safe to move forward with a home purchase, they are spending this Spring market out on the hunt for a new home.

If you have been thinking about selling your home but have been hesitant, now is the time to reconsider as more buyers decide to dive in.  With all this in mind, it is important to remember that not all homes are going move quickly.  Homes that are priced properly and staged well will have the most potential of a fast and successful sale.  As you consider the possibility of placing your home on the market, remember to seek out a real estate professional for their opinion.  The way that we perceive our beloved homes is not always the way the market will see the same space.  Enter the market with an open mind, flexibility, and willingness to do what it takes to get your home sold.

Here at The Goodhart Group we are moving into the second quarter with excitement, anticipation, and determination to find the right home for our buyers and the right buyers for our sellers.  We are cautiously optimistic that 2013 will bring the right balance to the Washington, D.C. community.  For some, the light at the end of the tunnel may just be a small twinkle, for others it is the warmth of a home fire.  Either way, the real estate market in the first quarter of this year is one indicator that the economy here is truly looking up.