DC, Maryland, and Virginia Real Estate

As a staff member of CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty, I've recently had the pleasure of being able to travel to Australia to learn more about their real estate industry, companies and systems, and to try and understand the similarities and differences between our country and theirs.  One of the biggest differences, which I touched on briefly before in "Dispatches from Down Under Part One", is the rarity, and often lack, of buyer agency in Australia.   As I tried to contemplate how to be a buyer Down Under, I couldn't help to start a mental comparison between the two countries, and why oftentimes one of the keys to homebuying success in this country is a buyer's agent.

C'mon everyone, get happy!  It's time to celebrate!  Why are we happy and celebrating? Because CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty had the top growth % of all CENTURY 2100 Club Companies for both gross commissions and sides in 2012.  This makes us the best of the best in the CENTURY 21 system!  The CENTURY 2100 Club recognizes top companies within the CENTURY 21 system.  To qualify for the 2100 Club each year, a company must earn a minimum in adjusted gross commission.  Top Companies are then invited to attend exclusive retreats, including the recent event in Laguna Beach, California, where CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty was recognized.

Are you out looking for a home in the Northern Virginia or Washington DC area? (Have you been using our nifty new home search website?) Have you been falling in love with the house of your dreams, only to watch those dreams get shattered as another offer comes in late or gets rejected?  Do you know there are secret weapons your real estate agent should be using to help you win in this competitive housing market? 

Train.  Derived from a Latin word "traginare"  that means to "draw, drag or haul."  Not something we necessarily associate with real estate companies or real estate agents.  As a verb, however, the word "train" transforms into something meaning "drawing out"...which has translated into "teaching, instructing, etc."   Training is important for real estate brokerages and real estate agents because it encourages and allows for the brokerages and agents to be their best, most knowledgeable selves.  This, in turn, translates to the best service for those brokerages' and agents' clientele.  To be ill-informed, especially in a business with as many rules, steps, contract clauses and business practices as real estate, is dangerous.  Not only for the real estate brokerages and agents, but also for the client!  As Technology and Training Director here at CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty, this is one of my focuses.  What are some of the ways real estate agents are trained here at CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty?

You're getting ready to go to your new job in Washington DC after recently moving to the area (and buying a home using a fabulous CENTURY 21 Redwood agent!).  First of all, welcome to the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area!  You've probably heard horror stories about Washington DC traffic and tales from battle-scarred veterans about back roads and magical places with gasoline, restrooms and beer to stop off at during or to recover from your horrendous first few days of sitting bumper to bumper with a few thousand of your closest neighbors.  What do you do?  What do you use?