Happy New Year!

This my week of music at the 9:30 Club.  I went to see the Roots on Tuesday and it was an amazing show.  I see them whenever possible because they're such great musicians.  They played for 140 minutes and they rocked it.  I love seeing live music and I really don't take advantage of living across the street from the 9:30 Club.  That's one of my resolutions for 2010...MORE live music. 

 
Tonight, I'm going to see Sharon King and the Dap Kings.  The Dap Kings were the back up band for Amy Winehouse and her big album Back to Black.  I grew up listening to Motown so I love this sound.  I'm also thrilled that we're not doing the typical "dinner out" this year.  Maybe I'll become a 9:30 Club groupie in 2010 and get to know the entire bar staff.   Hmmm.  Could be an interesting year.


Meanwhile, Happy 2010!  I'm hoping for a year of good sales, cool trips, adventures with good friends and fun with my family.  Salud!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

I've just returned home from a great week in NC with my folks.  I managed to get out of DC the day after we received 16" of snow.  The roads in DC were horrific but that's not a surprise to anyone!  They were better in VA but I still saw 3 accidents.  I was glad to make it!  

One of my projects every year is to decorate my parent's house for Christmas.  Every year I do something different on their mantel and this was the winning design this year.  The sprays of silver balls caught my eye at West Elm and a whole look was born.  Since I do this every year, my parents have A LOT of decorations at the house.  The blue ornaments were from previous years.  I like blue/silver/white as a decorating scheme instead of just red and green.  Since my Mom is obsessed with blue and white, the silver/blue/white theme also goes well with her decor.

I'm showing property in Cleveland Park tomorrow which is why I'm back in town.  I'm also trying to get final approval on a short sale purchase that's been lingering since October.  Back to the grind.

The end of low interest rates?

I spoke too soon...I do have something to report!   

According to the minutes of the last Federal Reserve meeting, the Fed is going to stop buying mortgage back securities in March 2010.  That means the lovely, low interest rates of the past year will be long gone.  There's many news items about this development but this article explains it well:  "D-Day for Low Mortgage Rates?"

When I was at my team luncheon on Monday, we asked our broker Ricki Gerger, what interest rates were when she started in the industry.  Her answer:  16.5%!  Seriously!

The interest rates are expected to go up when the Fed stops buying the mortgage backed securities.  Historically, anything below 7% is considered to be a good interest rate.  Keep your eyes peeled for more items in the news about these developments. 

Sick of being sick

I'm down and out with another cold this week.   I've basically been sick since Thanksgiving and I'm over it!  First I had a virus.  Now I have a sinus infection.  I really have nothing interesting to report because all I do is blow my nose.  It's very attractive.  I did go to the doctor yesterday and get some antibiotics so hopefully I'm on the road to recovery.

Meanwhile, I'm showing property later today in Arlington.  I hope my poor client doesn't mind my red nose.  Maybe she'll think I'm imitating Rudolph and getting in the holiday spirit.  Ha!

Things to do

I was showing property in Penn Quarter yesterday and this cute, holiday market has sprung up.  It turns out it's the fifth year the holiday market has been in existence.  It's full of local artisans.  I did a quick tour and saw a lot of great photos, art, t-shirts and jewelry.  There were also home made donuts that smelled delicious but I managed to resist the temptation. 

I also bought a really cute hat from one of the vendors, De*Nada.  Check out the cute scarves by designer Virginia Blanca Arrisueño.  Her scarves were just featured on the today show!

If you haven't finished your Holiday shopping, this could be a good option.  You're supporting local business AND buying original gifts.

Current Obsessions

This week I'm sending my Holiday cards and I'm using Paperless Post for the first time.  Normally, I mail them but I couldn't find any cards that I loved.  Plus people move all the time but their e-mails generally stay the same.  I know e-cards have been around forever.  However, I am TOTALLY obsessed with the fact the cards from Paperless Post mimic the opening of REAL mail.  This was my "business" holiday card for past and current clients.  How cool is that?! 

I'm also currently obsessed with is the Clarasonic Mia .  The Clarasonic cleaning system has been around for a couple of years.  Oprah loves it along with a slew of other celebs and beauty editors.  I never invested because it was over $200 and that seemed kinda crazy.  Then I was reading one of my new favorite blogs Nothing But Bonfires. Holly dedicated an entire post to how much she loved her Clarasonic brush.  One thing led to another and I discoverd that Clarasonic had just come out with the "travel" version of the brush.  That's the Mia and it's a $150.  Hot diggity!  I did a little research and found that www.keepyoungforever.com was giving a 20% discount on Clarasonic products.  And thus, I became the proud owner of a Mia!

This sucker really does work.  My skin did break out initially as all the reviewers mentioned.  That phase only lasted a week.  Now I feel like I've got that pretty glow you get from a series of facials.

Breaking ground on the Howard Center?

DC Mud has a great update on the status of Howard Town Center.   It sounds like they're FINALLY going to break ground in Fall 2010.  Click the link above for the scoop.  IF this ever happens, I'm going to be excited.  Another grocery store within walking distance of the building!  Not that I ever go to the grocery store but I like to pretend.

Teeny, tiny tree

For the first time in 3 years, I put up my teeny, tiny Christmas tree.  The tinsel beauty pictured here has been sitting in a box since we moved in '07.  Although I'm already having moments of "bah humbug" (WHY does Christmas music have to be played in all retail stores?  WHY?), I decided to break it out.  I'm hosting our semi-annual White Elephant dinner next week and I thought we needed more sparkly stuff in our house. 

I'm going to take a break from real estate news this month.  There's been lots of good news in real estate news lately.  I'm siked the tax credit got extended until next year.  I'm also stoked that October's house sales are the best since March 2006.  I'm really thankful that this year was busy.

But I'm burnt out.   I feel apprehensive and I don't know why.

Therefore, I want to spend the month of December reflecting upon the silly stuff that makes me happy.  My teeny, tiny Christmas tree.  The White Elephant dinner.  Going to see The Roots.  Spending time with my family over Christmas and our annual Christmas Eve party.  New Year's with friends at the 9:30 Club. 

I'll still be showing property, going to closings and marketing property.  I'm just not going to write about it.  I'm going to refresh my attitude and get ready for 2010.  Happy December!