March 14, 2023 | Issue 2, Volume 3

THANK YOU!!!!

We had a great response last month to our renewed newsletter. The open rate was sky-high and the click rate to read our market data made my heart sing (thank you for appreciating a little market data as much as I do!)! And thank you to the people who took the time to reach out to connect personally. It made for a great week! We were especially touched to receive this super kind email from our client Brett, currently residing in Texas:

Cathy & Jackie - Seeing the latest newsletter reminded me, do you need a testimonial from me for use on any kind of website, marketing efforts? You were great on my parents' house and then my condo in Arlington. I rarely do any kind of ratings but you earned it. So if there's something I can say, give me a word length. 

Loving Texas, semi-retirement (with enough money not to worry!)

Brett Moss

A rare white bluebonnet from Brett's yard.

"Bluebonnets will take over my front yard in couple of months!" -Brett Moss

HOW NICE WAS THAT!?! We were so touched! Brett wrote a really nice review which you can find here: Brett's Review . Want to help us out by leaving a review? Click the "Leave a Review" button below! Thank you again for supporting our team and thank you most of all for your continued friendship.

~Cathy💜

This is such a great little drink, I just had to share. The base of this drink is an Earl Grey infused gin which was fun to make with Mike (sometimes a quick trip to the ABC store feels like a date). This was a light cocktail with limited ingredients which we will definitely make again. Recipe by Josh Gagne and Alex Flynn at the Haymaker in Raleigh, NC.

If you have a family recipe you would like to share with us, we would LOVE to feature it! Email your favorite food or drink recipe to cathy.deloach@longandfoster.com.

This little darling did so well and we had so much fun with it! Listed for $539,500, forty-nine showings over five days, and sold for $37,500 over list price with no contingencies.

Want to see more? Click here to see the YouTube Video of this adorable townhome and click here to see the before and after video on Instagram.

Michelle: Hi Cathy - I met with Cheryl today at Home Depot and she suggested I reach out to you. I’m interested in adding a breakfast bar to my Baron kitchen and was curious if that would hurt the resale value (in maybe 8-10 years. No time soon). Mainly I’m curious if adding the bar and leaving no room for a table is bad. Also was curious if you had photos of others that have done that. I’ve seen the ones on the Baron Facebook page. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Cathy: Oh, OK! Do you want seating there?

Michelle: Yes! We have a sliding door to a new screened porch in the breakfast area with the working door on the farther side.



Cathy: Like this?

Michelle: Yes like that! But the bar area would start at the end of the existing counter so it would go further into the breakfast area. The cabinets on that one are even with the wall which I think shortens the kitchen. But same idea. I’m basically just curious if losing space for a table in that area would be bad for resale.

Cathy: I don't think losing the table is the worst thing in the world. For resale, you could always make the family room the dining room. We do that often.

This play date was a trial run for an upcoming dog-sitting adventure! Our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Billie and Sam (right side), will be hosting Remi and Cooper (left side) next weekend. Cooper, far right, is brother/litter mate to our two boys and all three of them came from a breeder in Chicago; it was just coincidence they all three ended up in NOVA. We loved getting the boys together and are looking forward to a weekend filled with pups!

Got a cute pet you'd like to share with us? Or a favorite pet meme or tip? Please send to cathy.deloach@longandfoster.com!

Guess what! Mortgage application rates are UP. Yes, "total application volume rose 6.5% last week compared with the previous week" according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. While mortgage interest rates are higher than they were last year, they are not slowing down this market. Inventory is super low, competition for well-presented and properly-priced houses is fierce, and our listings continue to see multiple offers over list price, reduced contingencies, and super short days on market. The only thing really slowing down this market is a lack of inventory so if you are thinking about selling, now may be the best time to jump in! The good news for buyers? We are seeing more VA loans being accepted--a real boon for buyers in this area! Read the full weekly report here: Bright Weekly Market Update

Looking for more local information? We've got it! Click on the icon below to read more about the Robinson 22032, single-family detached market, the single-family detached KPW market, or the 22032 townhome market. You'll find a complete list of homes coming soon, active on the market, under contract or pending, and those homes which closed in the past seven days.

Would you like more information about how those sales may affect your home's value? Let us know and we will create a customized CMA for you!

CLICK TO SEE LISTINGS

Listings and information are taken from the MLS. If your home is currently listed with a broker, this is not a solicitation of that listing.

Did you hear the news? Kellie and I have formed a property management company! We are bringing all the tools we have in our "home prep toolbox" to landlords and we couldn't be more excited! We've been playing around with logos and are currently debating these two. It's been suggested that these logos may be too feminine but we think knowing the Property Sisters are on the job is a strength! So what do you think? Let us know in the poll below!

~Property Sisters, The Mary & Cathy Team