Life in the Fast Lane

Last week, I was living life in the fast lane.  I made an offer, received an offer, finalized details on another offer and had a deal blow up.  I showed property, did two home inspections and hosted a baby shower for a good friend at my house.  (I had help..do you really think I'm that good?? PLEASE.)  I also prepped our house for the installation of our new hardwood floors.  It's only been nine months since the flood from a fire in our building damaged our condo but who's counting??  In addition to all that craziness, I had a friend from Holland staying with us because he got stuck in DC due to volcanic ash.  Needless to say, I didn't have time to update my blog.  I had a thought flit through my mind mid week and then was swamped again. 

As I mentioned two weeks ago, the Spring season has started in earnest and things are moving!  I'm happy to report that 1727 R St, NW went under contract.  I'm also happy to report, my poor, suffering short sale buyer found something else and we ratified.  Whoppee!  We were under contract for SIX MONTHS for his first deal, the short sale, and it blew up because the seller didn't like the banks terms.  I am unhappy to report that 4009 Cole Blvd., SE is the deal that blew up.  The buyer had financing issues.  That's two contracts that haven't worked out.  I'm not happy.  Not to mention, a lot of precious time was wasted for no good reason.  I won't go into further detail or you'll get to experience a large scale rant.  I'm trying desperately to stay positive.  Yahoo. 

I'll be more diligent about updating the blog this week.  I should actually have time to form a thought or two.  Maybe I'll even record them.  Although living in the fast lane last week was exhausting, I'm always happy to be busy.  Busy=business. 

Hallelujah the AC is back!

After a week of no AC, our drainage tray has been repaired and we're living in the land of cool.  We're a $1000 poorer but staying cool is very, very important to me.  Thankfully the weather broke last week and it was bearable after Wednesday night.  We were left with a fine coat of pollen on all of our belongings but everyone in the Bogotti household is a lot happier.

My computer also got a virus last week.  Thankfully my husband is talented at all things computer and knowing when to admit he needs help.  He went on Craigs List and found a computer guru who fixed it for $100.  I was THRILLED.  Geeksquad was going to be a minimum of $300 and that was just to diagnose that I had a virus.  (No duh Geeksquad! Even I know it's a virus.) Not to mention Geeksquad said it was going to take a week to repair if we used their services.

On the real estate front, things are going swimmingly.  Buyers are looking and listings are going under contract.  It's intense out there.

Some of my clients were looking at a house in Chevy Chase and I felt like we were back in 2003.  There were massive amounts of people viewing the property.  It was really cute but it needed a new kitchen and a new bathroom upstairs.  It had central AC on the top floor but none on the main floor.  It was listed at 785K and they were getting multiple offers.  People were doing pre-inspections because it was being sold in "as-is" condition.  That also means offers were probably going to be submitted without certain contingencies.  Sounds suspiciously like 2003 and definitely felt like it too.  It was too much work my for my folks so they decided to pass on making an offer.  Although it's encouraging that certain neighborhoods in DC are a sellers market, it stinks when you're on the buying side. April is going to be an interesting month!

The Joys of Home Ownership

This week has been unbelievably bad and it's only Wednesday.  I'm really busy at work (yea!) but my HVAC (heating and air conditioning unit) managed to spring a leak AND my washer broke.  Again.  Oh..did I mention it's 90 degrees in DC this week?  YEP.  I love my life.

I hate being hot.  Nothing makes me crankier than sweating uncontrollably.  We had our HVAC serviced two weeks ago.  I get it serviced twice a year like everyone recommends.   On Monday, my husband was washing clothes and noticed water pooling on the concrete around our HVAC.  Concerned, we tried to discover what happened.  The washer and the HVAC are side by side in a closet.  Was the washer leaking?  We pulled out the washer, checked the pipes and there were no leaks.  The obvious conclusion was the HVAC.  Incensed, I called the company we used to service the HVAC.  They sent someone immediately to figure out the problem.  They concluded our drainage tray had corroded and needed to be replaced.  No AC available for 7 to 10 days because the tray is a special part and it's going to cost around $900 to fix it.  Really. 

Shortly thereafter, the washer stopped draining.  We were anticipating the worst and were already pricing new stackable washer/dryers.  Thankfully, it was only a sock blocking the drainage pipe so it was a cheap repair.

Oh the joys of home ownership!

First time home buyers credit extended again!

Breaking news:  the first time home buyers credit has been extended once again!!!  Buyers everywhere rejoice.


HA..April Fools!  No such luck people.  The rush has officially started to get something under contract by the deadline of April 30th.  After a slow February due to the snow and a marginal March, buyers are out in droves.  I'm excited to be really busy but also wondering WHY people are such procrastinators.

I'm also happy to report that the inventory has FINALLY increased a little.  Happy April 1st.