Main level features a formal liing room, dining room, den, family room with gas fireplace and updated kitchen with granite counters & stainless steel appliances. 

The two level porch and 2-car garage give the house a majestic look!

Eligible for both HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing!

One of the fees being examined is, surprisingly enough appraisal fees.   Buyers often fork over $450-$600 for an appraisal – reason enough to need clarity.  The fact is there is a single line on the settlement statement (HUD-1) stating appraisal charges.  Federal disclosure forms currently don’t tell the buyers where that money is going.  In three of every four cases, according to industry estimates, the person who visits, inspects, measures and puts a market value on the property is receiving only a fraction of the fee paid. Some receive less than half of the fee, with the balance going an appraisal management company that assigns the job to the appraiser. That company may be wholly owned by or otherwise connected with the buyer’s lender, which may be pocketing a significant portion of appraisal fee.

The CFPB is considering whether to shed light on this by mandating two disclosures: what the appraiser is paid and what the management company is taking.

Why should you care?  For starters, “appraisers, builders, realty brokers and others say the costs of appraisals to consumers have increased during the past two years, while the quality and accuracy of the work have declined. In a random sample of 3,600 of its members last year, the National Association of Realtors found that 70 percent reported that consumers were being charged higher appraisal fees — sometimes an additional $100 or more — than was the typical charge previously.”

“Many of the Realtors polled said they saw significant increases in the number of appraisers who were unfamiliar with local market conditions because they were from another geographic area. The same poll also found a growing incidence of sales transactions being derailed by appraisals that came in below the contract price agreed upon between the seller and the buyer.”   (Kenneth Harney, WashingtonPost.com)

Bottom line, Buyers should care because they are paying higher fees than previous years for less than stellar work.  Sellers should care because they may lose a sale or receive less than what their home is worth simply because the buyer was assigned an appraiser unfamiliar with the real estate market conditions in their area.

Upgraded trim, stained in place hardwood flooring on main level!

Gourmet kitchen and expansive family room with fireplace.

Superb Craftsmanship!!

The main level contains a separate dining room and formal living room.  The living room features a brick fireplace and access to the wood deck.

Upstairs is the master suite and 3 additional bathrooms.

The finished walk-out basement has an additional bedroom and full bathroom along with a large recreation room that leads to a fenced rear yard.

Rick Santorum:  stated that it is “important temporarily” for homeowners to be able to deduct losses from the sale of their homes. “… temporarily to … get relief from the federal government.” He calls Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae “two behemoths” that need to be constrained.

Ron Paul: Blames the Federal Reserve for its role in the housing crisis for keeping interest rates too low. The housing mess is ”all government manufactured. The best thing you can do is get out of the way.”

Romney: “You have to get government out of the way. Government created the mess.” He added later that he thinks there needs to be some regulation of the market; in the past the U.S. had “the wrong” regulation.

Gingrich: Rails against the Dodd-Frank law. “If they repeal it, the housing market would be improved overnight.”  He argues earlier in the debate that he was not a lobbyist to Freddie Mac; he was a consultant.

Let us know how you  think the housing market can be improved! 

ALL NEW:  metal roof, hardiplank siding, porch, electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling system, floors, kitchen, baths. Entire home painted in Benjamin Moore Pottery Barn colors. New trims, windows/doors. Gourmet kitchen with Carrera Marble countertops, subway tile backsplash, farm sink, veggie sink, pot filler, glass doors, desk area, bar area with wine chiller. Top of the line stainless appliances. Two HUGE his/her walk in closets for Mbed. Upstairs laundry. Baldwin oil rubbed bronze hardware on all doors. Pottery Barn light fixtures throughout. Two gas fireplaces and one wood burning fireplace.  Low voltage wiring, surround sound in family room with  extra speakers/zones in kitchen, dining, master bath & patio.  Every inch of this home is new and crisp.

Outdoors you’ll find the utmost quality in landscaping with two-tiered patio with outdoor living area,  water fall, pond and two storage sheds.

The property shows like a model home!  Call today for a personal tour.

Kitchen features an island, built-in microwave and breakfast nook.    Off the kitchen is a lovely family room with gas fireplace and dining room with chair rail and crown molding.  Bathroom features double-vanities.

Master suite features double-vanities, soaking tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.

A great deal!!

Master Suite features a Luxury Bath with ceramic tile

Finished basement with rec room and FULL bathroom

Over 2,700 square feet of living space!

February delivery!

Kitchen features granite counters &  lots of storage space!

Peaceful views from roomy 7th floor balcony.

Located just minutes from Courthouse metro.

Fitness room, pool & clubhouse on site, rooftop terrace with DC Views.

24 Hour concierge.