11 Ways to Create a Welcoming Front Entrance for Under $100

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  Wouldn’t it be nice to approach your home’s entrance with a grin instead of a grimace? Take our tips for beating a clear, safe, and stylish path to your front door. Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

5 House Hunting Tips for Buyers

Here are five tips to think about when you are looking at someones home for possible purchase:

1. Shhhh! - When touring a home refrain from discussing your reactions until you have left the house. While far from common it is possible that the seller is recording your comments with listening devices.  This could compromise your negotiating position and you wouldn't want to insult the owners by making fun of their home.
2. Social Media No-No's - Comments made inside sellers homes are not the only ones that could get back to the owners; buyers should think similarly about anything they say on social media sites. Buyers should also refrain from posting photos of the homes they've toured online (unless the seller has granted permission).
3. Amateur Inspections - Remember, you don't have to do a thorough inspection of the home while on tour, you should hire a home inspector to do that once an offer is accepted.
4. Online Research - Once you find a home you are interested in run a Google search of the address and review any information that comes up.  Also consider a Google or Bing map search and take a look at the satellite view so see what is around the property.
5. Door to Door Research - It can also be helpful to knock on neighbors doors and say "We're thinking about buying this house. What can you tell me about the home and the neighborhood?" (Plus, you'll get to meet potential neighbors.)

As always, if you or any of your friends are thinking about buying a home I am here to help.  Rates are low and its a great time to buy.

Six Fun Things To Do For the Holidays

Here are six surefire ways to experience winter traditions and they are right in our back yard.

• Experience a true "Washington" Christmas: Christmas at Mount Vernon has a plethora of activities for the whole family ranging from fireworks at the Christmas Illumination to Aladdin, the adorable Christmas Camel!
• Go Ice Skating: Through December 24th you can skate on the new Tysons Corner Center Plaza or bust a move on the Reston Town Center Pavilion Ice Rink through the winter season. If you're busy, there's no rush, the skating here is open until March. Also, art and figure 8's match perfectly along the National Mall on the National Gallery of Art Skating Ice Rink.
• Attend a Holiday Light Show: The mesmerizing Meadowlark Walk of Lights takes you on a lighted trail through a holiday fantasy land through January 4th. Timed tickets are required so get yours today! Or, in Centreville, drive through the Bull Run Festival of Lights and then be sure to stop at the Holiday Village at the end of the route for some s'mores, children's activities and holiday merchandise.
• Say Hello to Frosty: The theme for this year's ICE! at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center features Frosty the Snowman.
• Attend Holidays at the George Mason University Center for the Arts with a variety of performances in November and December or make plans to spend holidays at the Kennedy Center at one of their enlivening performances.
• Go Shopping: One of the biggest holiday attractions in the region is our world-class shopping. The grand kickoff happens on Black Friday and Fairfax County is your one-stop shopping destination for everything on your family's list!
• And don't forget donuts with Santa at the Workhouse Arts Center, Nov 29th - Dec 20th.

From the Fairfax Convention and Visitors Bureau