Glut AND Influx of new Agents?

The Real Estate Market at present time is especially difficult to read, navigate and achieve success in - for both agents and their customers. "Why now the continuing surge of new agents to the market", today's Washington Post Real Estate section wonders. The article surmises that if history repeats itself, there's reason to believe that "some agents will drop out soon".

This is already happening. My recent survey of the Virginia Real Estate Testing Centers shows that agent testing and applications has dropped off considerably in the past 4 months, and membership is shrinking in the area Realtor Associations. These Associations require annual dues, so it's likely that they'll take a hit this January 1st as many of the newer and less experienced Agents find success hard to achieve for their first customers.

My business and experience stretches over 22 years in this area. I've seen new agents and agent teams come and go, interest rates rise and fall, regional home valuations shrink and expand. This is definitely the time to stick with absolute knowledge and experience in a tough market, both on the selling or buying side. Trust longevity across market cycles, as you would any major investment strategy.

If your house isn't selling....

Two great articles posted recently about what to do in this very soft "selling" market...

"3 Simple Steps to Reel in Buyers" - by bankrate.com


This is great article - recognizing which improvements will provide a return on investment in YOUR neighborhood is especially important. Also, replacing flooring in lieu of offering a flooring allowance is another good tip.


"What to do if your home isn't selling" - by Sally Anderson


Great information! Tip #1 is especially relevant. Videotape your home and watch it as a prospective buyer would. How many times have you looked at a Virtual Tour and said "What were these people thinking? How would these pictures sell any house????" We also advocate viewing digital images and video on the web, whether it's your website, the MRIS listing, or material provided for posting to our site www.ingridmyers.com - sometimes the image/video quality looks good on your camera, but not at the resolutions provided by your computer. Contact us for more information.

Unique Buying Time for Commercial Office Market

"A unique buying time is now emerging in certain U.S. office market locations. With demand continuing, rising rents will signal improved market conditions. Supply of new office space is constrained, at present, by soaring construction costs as well as time lags required to bring new supply physically onto the market," says ResearchWorldwide.com - The Worldwide Commercial Real Estate Information Portal.


We see this across Northern Virginia - lots of very attractive office space available for purchase or rent, though rental prices continue to increase. Contact me for a full rundown of commercial properties specifically available in the next high-growth Northern Virginia are, Prince William County.

Build-up in Dulles South News - Keep Informed!

Today's (Sept. 3, 2006) Washington Post, Loudoun County section, is chock-full of material regarding news coming out of the Dulles South debate. In one article ("Oops!" VDOT Underestimates Dulles South Traffic), the point is made that VDOT's examination of potential gridlock coming to the area underestimates housing starts by 30,000 units. Other articles and letters to the editor examine more perspectives, including a reference to local board meetings where fully two-thirds of the "residents" attending are actually paid representatives of one interest or another.

Whether you're an existing or soon-to-be resident or business owner in Loudoun County, Fairfax County or Prince William, make sure to keep up on the very important topics around the Dulles South development planning, including the upcoming October 10th Board of Supervisors public hearing.

Dulles South and Braddock South Area News

For the latest news and information regarding the Dulles South and Braddock South areas in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, check Braddock South Online on a regular basis!

Latest news: - 8/30/2006 - Loudoun's Planning Commission voted 6 to 2 to forward the Dulles South proposal to the Board of Supervisors. The panel did so after hearing from about 90 speakers, two-thirds of them in favor of opening Dulles South to development.