“Realtors® bring value to home buyers and sellers, and this weekend, Realtors® are bringing them together through the Realtor® Nationwide Open House,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “The event will give consumers the chance to find out more about home ownership, allow buyers to pursue their dream of owning a home, and give Realtors® an opportunity to connect with consumers about the housing issues that matter most in their area.”

Reference: Realtor.org

Want to know how the real estate market is fairing in your area?  Check out these short market video updates for local areas to include MD, VA, WV, DC and PA.

Real Estate Market in Washington DC - April 2011

• Year over year comparison should take into consideration the 2010 tax credit incentives.  Regardless market looks promising
• Pending sales were down 24.4% (1,140 contracts)
• Inventory levels were down 17.7% (3,587 units) – don’t worry there are still plenty of properties to choose from
• Increase of 1.4% in Median Sales Price to $350,000
• Closing negotiations have moved towards buyers with sellers captured 93.7% of Original List Price (a decrease of 2% over the 95.6% number in April 2010)
• 244,000 jobs were added in April 2011
• Unemployment increased to 9%

While people are inclined to bring in flowers, paint the deck and work on the curb appeal, often the lawn itself is neglected. The positives of a well-maintained grass yard are many and it’s important to get your grass in tip-top shape before showing your home.

When it comes to growing grass, consistent care is key and failure to invest in long-term turf care can open the window to any number of problems in your lawn.

It’s also important to give your grass the fertilizing lawn care and control treatments it needs based on the season. Lawn care for growing grass as we enter May has different needs than what is expected in late summer and fall.

The way you mow your lawn can either make growing grass easier or harder. In the spring, you need to keep the grass high. You never want to remove more than one third of the total blade height when mowing, or you could chop off the food-producing parts of the grass blade and end up with a brown lawn instead of a green one.

You should also leave grass clippings on the lawn to help recycle important lawn fertilizing nutrients.

Lawn care experts share that growing green plants is the best thing you can do to clean the air and grass is considered to be better than most other plants or trees at removing carbon and other impurities from the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, grass takes carbon from the air and stores it in the ground.

“A grass lawn enriches the soil by providing a home for beneficial micro-organisms and insects that eat nature’s leftovers—decomposing grass clippings, plant leaves and other vegetation—and recycle nutrients back into the soil,” said Michael McDermott, a lawn care expert in Larchmont, N.Y. “It also pollinates plants and serves as food for other animals, making grass an important part of nature’s cycle.”

An important component of growing grass is to properly water it, and it is better to water deeply (down to a depth of 6 inches) and less frequently, than lightly and more often. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water. Make sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn.

Grass also acts like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days. Those are selling points that can help any home sale.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778. Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

More parents and grandparents are finding a need to move in with family, as many can no longer afford the increasing rates of the adult communities where they once lived. Furthermore, the economic climate is forcing many kids to return home once their schooling is done.

A recent multi-generational study conducted by the Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C., revealed that multigenerational living has been on the rise over the past decade, fueled by demographic and cultural shifts.

“One of the things that struck me about this change is that it’s coming from all directions,” said Paul Taylor, author of the report. “More young adults are moving back home, more elderly are moving in with their middle-age children and more middle-aged children are moving back with their elderly parents.”

Data from the study shows that in the 10-year span between 2000 and 2009, the number of households practicing multi-generational living increased to 33%, with more than 49 million Americans currently living in homes with three or more generations.

Real estate professionals are tending to highlight features such as finished walkout basements and bonus bedrooms today more than ever. That’s why when your agent tells you that switching out your office or transposing the basement play area to one that resembles more of a bedroom is the way to go, you should be listening.

When selling your home, you need to look at the process from the perspective of all buyers, not just yours. Consider how a multigenerational family might use the various spaces available, and give prospective homebuyers options to easily transform from single-family to multigenerational living.

Therefore, any home that contains bonus space is a viable candidate for a multigenerational buyer who’s planning to bring an ill or out-of-work family member back into the fold.

Experts agree that intergenerational living is easier when each family subunit has its own space. “Everyone who is going to share the home should have a private area of their own,” said Amy Goyer, a multigenerational expert at AARP. “It is best if there is more than one common area so that children and adults have spaces to relax in without everyone having to spend all their free time in the same room together.”

Multigenerational house design can be applied to just one structure or can be accomplished with two or three units to keep families together while preserving their independence and privacy.

According to Cam Marston, author and founder of the research firm Generational Insight, there are a number of benefits for different generations of a family living together. “It’s less expensive, obviously, but more importantly, they can learn from one another,” Marston said. “Separating generations keeps them aloof from the trends and important things impacting each generation. When they are all under one roof, they can grow up sooner and stay young longer. It works on both ends of the generations.”

Another thing for home sellers to consider when it comes to attracting multigenerational buyers is the home’s accessibility for people who might be living with aging parents who use wheel chairs or walkers.

Creating a complete, accessible living space on one level with safety features can make a home attractive to people of all ages.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778. Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, most notably on windows, baseboards, trim and doors. Many layers of lead-based paint have been disturbed through the years during remodeling or home repair and it’s necessary for anyone selling a home to be aware of this.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a report revealing that lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, resulting in reduced intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

In a study released by the Department of Health, the agency reported that about 75% of all homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Furthermore, it’s estimated that more than 38 million homes in the U.S. still contain lead paint.

So, a chief concern of anyone buying or selling a house should be to address the possibility of any lead paint in the home and it’s vital that anyone dealing with paint in older homes treat it as if it is hazardous material.

Real estate agents and their sellers are required to disclose any presence of known lead paint and lead hazards during the sale or rental of housing. The same holds true for renovation and remodeling contractors, who are required to warn customers of the hazards of lead paint.

Last year, the first federal regulation on the remodeling industry was enacted concerning this important hazard.

To ensure that all lead paint is removed safely and effectively, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting” rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

The law requires that anyone who is paid to renovate a home that was built before 1978 be trained and/or certified to follow lead paint safety practices. The new rule lists prohibited work practices, including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter. It also requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed.

For homeowners who are unsure about their homes, sometimes it’s easier to replace windows, doors, or woodwork than it is to remove the lead-based paint. This way, all traces of any paint will have been removed from the home.

Agents know that there’s no question that a home is worth more if they can say for certain that it contains no lead paint, so for the peace of mind of everyone involved, deal with all lead paint issues as soon as possible.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778. Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

That’s why it is essential that you showcase your home through images in the best way possible.

According to the National Association of REALTORS^®, nearly 90% of all homebuyers begin shopping for homes online. Many flip through photos of the homes and send a list of those they want to see to their agent. In fact, homes with few or no photos are often passed over simply for that reason, even if the home’s description matches a buyer’s ideal listing.

Many agents believe that apart from staging, no other marketing investment is as important as professional photography in marketing a property effectively. So, to generate more buyer interest, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of professional real estate photographers in the past few years.

The best photographs are most likely to come from someone who has an eye for the underlying beauty of the home’s structure and spaces; has specialized equipment and techniques for lighting and perspective control; and uses workflow processes for post-processing of the images for use on the Web and in publications.

Let’s face it, as much as we all like to think we take great photos, a professional has an eye for seeing the best vantage points and lighting options and also has better equipment to make the photos bright, clear and sharp. A professional photographer will most likely use a 10mm lens that can capture up to 85% of a room and lighting that can illuminate the entire room.

The same holds true with taking video of your home to add to a website listing. An amateur can show what each room and yard looks like, but a video professional will make the strongest elements stand out and provide a much better video narrative of the home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any shakiness or dullness that someone not that experienced with a video camera may give you.

Before bringing in someone to photograph or video your home, it’s essential that it is clean and de-cluttered so the pictures entice a buyer to want to see the home in person. You don’t want clothes, pets or anything else distracting people from the photo at hand.

Indeed, homes showcased with the best photographs and videos will attract more sellers and help speed the home-sale process to a successful conclusion.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778.  Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

However, making-energy efficient home improvements doesn’t have to mean sweeping changes and, by creating a better carbon footprint for your house, you will attract green-conscious homebuyers.

Recent studies have reported that 80% of homebuyers identify energy savings and comfortable surroundings as key factors when deciding between listings, so more agents today are working with home sellers on innovative energy, environmental and ecological approaches and opportunities for selling the home.

One simple and easy change concerns the lighting in your house. Today’s green lighting isn’t limited to the fluorescent light bulbs to which most people have quickly adapted. There are plenty of other options including LED gaining in popularity as a viable and affordable home-lighting source.

LED is an energy-efficient, semi-conducting light source that started growing in popularity in 2007. In the past, LED lighting appeared as unattractive blue hues but today’s LED lighting offers the same bright white output as incandescent lighting. Plus there is an affordable price tag to go with it and people understand the value of it.

LED lighting can also be used in some areas of the home that will better showcase features when one looks around. From track lighting over the fireplace to under-counter cabinet lighting to can lighting in the hall, LED fixtures can cast dramatic light on your home’s best features.

There are plenty of other benefits as well. LED lighting uses 75% less electricity than the standard incandescent light bulbs, and LED bulbs last 50 times longer than standard bulbs, saving you money.

Energy-efficient lighting should also be used in exterior locals of the home, such as around any deck, pool, patio or garden. These low-energy emitting lights are perfect complements to any outdoor features you want to show off.

Of course, once someone buys a home, they can just make the changes themselves, but a savvy real estate agent will tell you that a homebuyer will judge your eco-friendly actions in a positive light and may be more inclined to deal with you.

Taking advantage of these modern lights will not only let you help the environment, but it may benefit your pocketbook as well.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778. Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades, and a great-looking deck may entice more people to come see your home.

Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?

Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and barbequing.

Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks, which cost significantly more but will last longer with less maintenance.

For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard and really add unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.

By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon, a deck is the perfect place to be.

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS can be reached at 866-225-5778. Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

I’d recommend keeping your face and fingers away from the mesh cage enclosing the turkey and peacocks.  That turkey is aggressive!  The cows and sheep were friendly but docile.  They enjoyed coming up the fence to be hand fed grass.  As long as you keep your hand open, palm up you’ll walk away with all your fingers.   Don’t think for one second that you’ll get by without feeling the soft muzzle of the sheep tickle your hand or the huge cow tongue swipe over your hand and up your wrist!  There were also bunnies, pigs and their piglets, chickens, horses and goats.

There were also wagons standing by for hay rides.  Unfortunately there were no scheduled rides today as there was a horse show event taking place.  They wouldn’t want the horses to get spooked or distracted by the sight and sound of a wagon carting around dozens of screaming, laughing and pointing children (okay yes I probably would be laughing and pointing too!).  In addition to all the animal enclosures the park also has a carousel, playground, country store, indoor arena and antique farming equipment from the 1920′s-1950′s.  We would have stayed longer but it started to rain so we headed out.  We’ll be back again soon!

Click to view slideshow.

Part-time (possibility to go full-time)

Flexible schedule required (daytime, evening, weekend, holiday)

Real Estate license required (if hired it will be put in referrals company – you cannot actively sell real estate while in this position)

Ability to type 40+ wpm

Ability to work on location (Fairfax, VA)

Able to work independently and multi-task

Aptitude for Social Media

Excellent skills: customer service, communication (verbal and written) and MSOffice

Responsibilities: Confer with prospective customers regarding their needs, utilize real estate market knowledge and research skills, conduct pre-qualification interviews, manage customer relationships in accord with standard real estate practices, maintain confidentiality while working closely with customers/clients/partners, communicate effectively with customers over the phone as well as through email and online systems, assign agent(s) to potential clients using a rating system, obtain updates from agents on the customer/client files, interact over the phone as well as in person with real estate professionals and loan officers, attend all trainings and company events/meetings, reporting daily on source statistics and functionality.   Other responsibilities may be added on as the department grows and expands.

Send resume with salary requirements to miranda.opiela@pcrmove.com