3/29/13

Investing in Real Estate? Not as Scary As You Might Think

For most of us, our home is our biggest investment, our biggest financial commitment. But for those fortunate to have the ability to have other large investments, Washington, D.C.-based investor Justin Pierce believes real estate is a good option. Writing at the Washington Post's "Where We Live" blog, Pierce makes the pitch:
I am struck by how people struggle to find ways to put their money to work. Most people think their only option is to put money into stocks or mutual funds. People are intimidated by real estate and other direct investing strategies. They think they’re too risky. Yet they’ll run off and sink their entire life’s savings into a blue chip company not knowing a single thing about the organization because large American companies can’t fail, right? There are good solid real estate investments all around you, and there are ways you can hedge your bets to protect your investment.
In this informative post Pierce explains how investing in real estate works. But he adds a note of caution, "Remember, there is no such thing as risk free investing or easy money. Anyone who says otherwise is probably a conman."

As always, please contact me, Mynor Herrera, for expert advice on everything real estate. I am licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. And I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

3/28/13

Is the Washington, D.C.-region in another real estate bubble?


Writing at The Washington Post's "Where We Live" blog, Lisa A. Sturtevant, a professor in George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, asked, "Is the Washington, D.C.-area housing market bubbling again?" She points out that average home prices in metropolitan Washington were up by double-digit percentages in three out of the past four months, and some real estate watchers are wondering if we are heading toward unsustainable levels.  Sturtevant asks:
How can prices in some neighborhoods be back to where they were at the peak of the housing market?  How can there be bidding wars again where potential buyers have to be prepared to make an offer — often with an escalation clause — at the open house?  How can it be so difficult for a first-time homebuyer to find a house in her price range that is not too far from her job? Are these all signs that we’re headed for another bubble here in the Washington area, even as much of the rest of the country is just beginning to feel recovery in their housing markets?
"The short answer is no," she writes. "At least not the kind of bubble we experienced in 2002 through 2006." She notes that the critical difference between the current market and the overheated market of the middle of last decade is the nature of the mortgage market. We have stricter underwriting standards, and the demand is more based on market fundamentals. Check out her full post here.
 
Please contact me, Mynor Herrera, for expert advice on everything real estate. I am licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. And I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.


 

3/27/13

How Buying and Selling a House Has Changed in the Internet Age

The Washington Post's "Where We Live" blog took a quick look at the revolutionary changes that have occurred in buying and selling a house over the past two decades. These dramatic changes are largely the result of how the Internet, and more specifically the Web, have become essential tools to all aspects of society. And this is certainly true for those of us who make a living in real estate. And it is equally true for home owners and sellers. 

Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin, Chicago-based real estate experts, wrote the post, and you can read more of their writings at Glink's blog, ThinkGlink.com. Glink and Tamkin wrote:
No question, 20 years ago, real estate was a far less efficient marketplace. You couldn’t really check up on prices, neighborhoods or the reputation of a salesperson before you hired them. In fact, it’s hard to imagine how anything got sold at all.
Check it out here

As always, please contact me, Mynor Herrera, for expert advice on everything real estate. I am licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. And I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

3/26/13

NEW LISTING! Centrally located home within walking distance of park, shopping, dining, retail & more!

Mynor Herrera | Keller Williams Capital Properties | (301) 437-1622
10212 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD
Centrally located home within walking distance of park, shopping,
dining, retail & more!
2BR/2BA Single Family House
offered at $299,500
Year Built 1942
Sq Footage 1,116
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial
Floors 3
Parking None
Lot Size 5,227 sqft
HOA/Maint $0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Mynor Herrera proudly presents:
10212 COLESVILLE ROAD
SILVER SPRING, MD 20901

Centrally located home within walking distance of park, shopping, dining, retail & more! Easy access to 495 & Four Corners, & just minutes of downtown Silver Spring!

This adorable home is a great value & features a beautiful fenced yard, hardwood floors & possibility for 3rd bedroom. Complete driveway installation estimate for $12k available. Great price, great location!

We are so confident in the value of this home that we will send you a list of the other homes for sale in the area so you can see for yourself. Contact me for details!

Mynor Herrera, GRI
Top 5% Realtor® Nationwide
Licensed Realtor® - DC, MD & VA
Partner, Keller Williams Capital Properties - BCC Office
Board of Directors, Greater Capital Area Assoc of Realtors

DreamHomesByMynor.com
Check out my NEW website to:
- Search homes for sale in DC, MD & VA
- Calculate your mortgage rates and payments
- View my beach condo rentals
- Read my blog on all the latest real estate news

Keller Williams Capital Properties
7801 Woodmont Ave. 2nd Fl.
Bethesda, MD 20814
mobile: (301) 437-1622
office: (240) 383-1350
e-fax: (240) 235-7066
mynor@mynorandassociates.com
DreamHomesByMynor.com
Silver Spring
see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES

- Basement - Dining room - Living room
- Storage space - Dryer - Garbage disposal
- Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Washer
- Fenced yard - Lawn - Air conditioning
- Ceiling fans - Central A/C - On-street parking
- Hardwood floor - Tile floor

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- On-street parking


ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


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Contact info:
Mynor Herrera
Keller Williams Capital Properties
611201
(301) 437-1622
For sale by agent/broker

Posted: Mar 26, 2013, 6:48am PDT

3/25/13

NPR: Which Helps The Economy More - A Rebound In Stocks Or Housing?

On Monday's "Morning Edition" broadcast, National Public Radio discussed what helps the economy more, a rise in the stock market or a resurgent housing market. As they noted, both the housing and the stock market have been on the upswing in recent months. NPR makes the case that "a full recovery in the housing market would be more significant to the overall economy. That's because more Americans have something at stake in home values than in stock prices." Many more Americans own their homes than have significant stock holdings. When the housing market heats up, so do housing equity and prices, which makes homeowners feel more wealthy. Thus, folks are willing to spend more, which further fuels the economy. You can listen to NPR's report here.

Please contact me, Mynor Herrera, for expert advice on everything real estate. I am licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. And I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

3/22/13

Gorgeous 4 Bedroom Townhome in Potomac, MD

Mynor Herrera | Keller Williams Capital Properties | (301) 437-1622
12279 Greenleaf Ave, Potomac, MD
OPEN SUN 3/24 1-4 PM. Gorgeous 4-Bedroom/3.5-Bath Townhome in a Fantastic Location! This is a MUST-SEE!
4BR/3+1BA Townhouse
offered at $524,500
Year Built 1970
Sq Footage 1,716
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial
Floors 3
Parking 1 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size 2,047 sqft
HOA/Maint $220 per month

DESCRIPTION

OPEN SUNDAY 3/24 FROM 1-4 PM
Can't make it to the open?
Call Mynor Herrera at 301-437-1622 for a private tour!

Mynor Herrera proudly presents:
12279 GREENLEAF AVENUE
POTOMAC, MD 20854

Beautiful home backing to woods & within walking distance of Harris Teeter, shopping, dining & more!

Spacious home features:

- Private yard with stone patio & built-in BBQ
- Huge family room
- Walkout basement with stone fireplace
- New roof
- New windows
- New doors
- More gorgeous renovations throughout!

Conveniently located near 270 & within minutes of Montgomery Mall, 495, NIH, etc.

Great price, great home & great location! Make an offer today!

We are so confident in the value of this home that we will send you a list of the other homes for sale in Watkins Glen so you can see for yourself. Contact me for details!

Mynor Herrera, GRI
Top 5% Realtor® Nationwide
Licensed Realtor® - DC, MD & VA
Partner, Keller Williams Capital Properties - BCC Office
Board of Directors, Greater Capital Area Assoc of Realtors

DreamHomesByMynor.com
Check out my NEW website to:
- Search homes for sale in DC, MD & VA
- Calculate your mortgage rates and payments
- View my beach condo rentals
- Read my blog on all the latest real estate news

Keller Williams Capital Properties
7801 Woodmont Ave. 2nd Fl.
Bethesda, MD 20814
mobile: (301) 437-1622
office: (240) 383-1350
e-fax: (240) 235-7066
mynor@mynorandassociates.com
DreamHomesByMynor.com

Potomac
see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES

- Basement - Breakfast nook - Dining room
- Family room - Laundry room - Living room
- Master bath - Storage space - Sun room
- Dishwasher - Dryer - Garbage disposal
- Microwave - Refrigerator - Stainless steel appliances
- Stove/Oven - Washer - Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Lawn - Air conditioning - Ceiling fans
- Central A/C - Central heat - Double pane windows
- Guest parking - Fireplace - Hardwood floor
- Tile floor

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Guest parking


ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


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Contact info:
Mynor Herrera
Keller Williams Capital Properties
611201
(301) 437-1622
For sale by agent/broker

Posted: Mar 22, 2013, 10:25am PDT