Long & Foster execs part with brokerage’s longtime Georgetown office for $8.5 million – Washington Business Journal


Washington Business Journal

Long & Foster execs part with brokerage’s longtime Georgetown office for $8.5 million
Washington Business Journal
D.C.-based developer Penzance Cos. has acquired Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.’s longtime Georgetown office building for about $8.5 million but doesn’t plan to displace Greater Washington’s largest residential real estate company from the premises …

Former President Obama Finally Buys the DC Home He’s Renting: 6 Smart Reasons Why – Realtor.com News


Realtor.com News

Former President Obama Finally Buys the DC Home He’s Renting: 6 Smart Reasons Why
Realtor.com News
“It was always a little perplexing why the Obamas would ever rent if they planned to stay for anything longer than a year,” contends Washington, DC, real estate agent Rachel Valentino. Her reason: “While they’re buying at market value, they can
Obama Purchases Washington DC Mansion For $8.1 MillionWestern Journalism
Barack and Michelle Obama buy amazing $11m home in Kalorama, Washington DCNEWS.com.au
PHOTOS: Obamas buy house they were renting in DCKFSN-TVall 46 news articles »

Something To Talk About This Memorial Weekend

Re: Mortgage Note Investing

How many of your real estate industry friends have ever done a “note” deal?

When I hear about note opportunities, it is music to my ears.

I’ve been waiting all week to use that line. I couldn’t resist.

Mortgage notes are everywhere around you. Most people think that only banks create mortgages. The reality is, a lot of wealthy people own “paper” on all types of property.

When wealthy people want to sell, well, just about anything, they know that they have a lot of options. Creating paper is simply one of the options.

Especially these days. The interest rates are so low at banks, if you have a chance to create “paper” (industry slang for a mortgage on a property) you can often get a much higher rate of return vs. a savings account. If they don’t need more cash, owner financing can be a great option.

But it doesn’t stop at houses.

Friends of mine have bought and sold cars, boats, land, apartment buildings, and even businesses and small companies – all using a wide variety of “owner financing.”

This creative process of owner financing will open your eyes to a whole new world of opportunity.

Our guest speaker this month at WREIA is a real go-getter. He is somebody who took a note class years ago and actually walked out the door and implemented what he had just learned.

You will be shocked to learn just how much of an opportunity there is in the note market. Some of his recent stories are nothing short of impressive.

It’s not just “mom and pop” that want to buy or sell notes. Banks, mortgage companies, hedge funds and private persons all are out here in the note markets – buying and selling every day. It’s a huge market.

Why are there so many people out here? Because it can be terrifically lucrative.

But – be aware. There are plenty of chances to make a mistake and you can screw up in this market. BIG time.

When you are out and about this weekend, maybe hanging out with friends or family – ask around and see if anyone has ever bought or sold something by creating a note for it.

Lots of us have done it. We are talking about the purchase of anything that allowed a buyer to pay over time versus paying all cash right now. Once you find someone, ask how the process worked for them.

Most people are surprised by how positive (and easy) the experience can be.

If you have been beating your head against a wall trying to make a deal work – having some additional knowledge could help you figure out a solution.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

*********

Let me know how I can help you,
John Peterson
301-881-5541
Washington REIA Network, President
Profitable Property, Founder

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Expands Presence in Maryland – RisMedia.com (press release)


Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Expands Presence in Maryland
RisMedia.com (press release)
Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate has added its latest Maryland brokerage, Crofton-based Apex Realty LLC, to its franchise network, the company recently announced. The newly-named Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Live Well Group, led by …
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate adds Crofton firm …Baltimore Sunall 2 news articles »

Millennials and first-time homebuyers are spending a lot more on renovations

That’s a positive for confidence in the housing market, according to the annual Houzz & Home Survey on residential remodeling.

“It’s a pretty strong reflection of the housing market condition,” Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz, told CNBC. “The home renovation market has mostly recovered, and is in line with the prerecession peak.”

Still, those 55 and older continue to outspend millennials, nearly three times as much. Overall, homeowners who renovated last year spent an average of $60,400, about in line with the $59,800 on average in 2015, showed the survey from Houzz, an online platform for home renovation and design.

More at http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/04/millennials-and-first-time-homebuyers-spend-lots-more-on-renovations-survey.html