valentinosdcpulse

Last year, local Metro DC area real estate expert Rachel Valentino was introduced to a $4 billion, 300-acre newly opened community called National Harbor and was "completely blown away" by the opportunity. Situated along the Potomac River in Prince George's County, the estate features the Gaylord National Resort, a 2,000-room hotel, as the complex's centerpiece. 

While opportunity blooms, it isn't without conflict. Even before its first attractions opened, National Harbor was making enemies. Developer Milton Peterson chose to purchase Washington's beloved outdoor sculpture, the Awakening, from its longtime home at Haines Point & moved it to National Harbor. The move instantly alerted the public that National Harbor may be developed to lure tourists and conventions away from the District, which would be a potential blow to a city heavily dependent on visitors for tax revenue. 

The lingering obstacle Peterson also may face is the belief among Prince George's VIP's that National Harbor is not meant for them - not as a playground, not as a symbol of the county and not as an employer. 

First introduced as an entirely new "concept" - upscale urban living at its finest, perched on the banks of the Potomac River - it was billed as the urban climate of the future. National Harbor was touted as the place that changes everything. The tag line reads: "How you live. How you work. How you shop. How you play." 

Today, most visitors realize an exciting, vibrant, urban waterfront community that includes fine restaurants, unparalleled shopping, marinas and lavish condo living such as One National Harbor and Fleet Street Condominiums. You'll also find plenty of green spaces and trails throughout the community to enjoy the natural habitats and the great outdoors. 

There is plenty of action planned for residents and visitors to National Harbor. Events include the upcoming Food & Wine Festival and Beer, Bourbon & BBQ, both scheduled in June, along with weekly events such as the American Market and Movies on the Potomac, which are already in full swing. You can visit the National Harbor website for full information and schedules.

If you want to explore the area on your own you may consider taking a Harbor Segs Tour on a Segway® I 2, a highly developed no-emission human transportation unit. Today on the waterfront, Segs are transporting people around National Harbor on a daily basis, with zero emissions harmful to our environment. 

And what about the real estate? Well, here in National Harbor you'll find an array of housing choices, from spacious duplex floor plans to stunning penthouses with spectacular views of the Potomac River. However, the location is (at this time) quite isolated. With no solid transit lines, the only real transportation option to and from National Harbor is by car - your own or taxi - or water taxi from Old Town Alexandria. 

If you're interested in exploring your urban living options here in National Harbor, then call local expert Rachel Valentino today. 

NOTE TO BUYERS: If you are considering previewing a model at any of these communities within National Harbor please make sure that you are properly represented. As on-site sales staff work for the builders you should consider calling a trusted Realtor such as Rachel Valentino to accompany you so you'll be fully informed and in the best buying position possible. Call her or email her today, she'd be glad to assist you in finding the perfect new home in National Harbor.

Nearly two years have passed since Congress passed the controversial $700,000 billion Bailout Bill, which was delivered with enough blame and finger pointing to make every American's stomach turn. Realtors, brokers, lenders, and investors across the country were invested as long time friends of the industry Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae became center participants in this heated Capitol Hill debate and bailout.

The government bailout was originally aimed at making mortgages easier to obtain and afford for the homebuyers in America. At the time, this was welcome news to most on the front line of home buying and selling across the US. But as the past two years have unfolded, many in the real estate market have been left with the same questions and doubts that many other taxpayers have.

By the beginning of 2010, national headlines were screaming "Housing Still Needs a Lifeline".  But now, the number of taxpayers questioning the bailout has grown. Many within the real estate and finance industries felt it in the pit of their stomachs when they heard that on the eve of December 24^th 2009, the US Treasury Department uncapped the credit line for both agencies.

Realtors, brokers, borrowers and lenders alike were left reaching for a bottle of Pepto Bismol when hearing that this latest bailout came only hours after the companies said that their chief executives would be paid up to $6 million on an annualized basis for 2009. Furthermore according to the NY Daily News, in addition to the CEO pay, 10 additional executives at the two companies are eligible collectively for $30.1 million in compensation for 2009. 

By early Feb. 2010, HousingWire stepped in to offer this report on TARP. Meanwhile, with the 2011 budget at hand, the Obama administration stands steadfast behind the bailout pledging to back the troubled mortgage finance giants regardless of the size of their losses.

Also in early February, FoxBusiness released the article:  "White House Projects Lower Losses in Fannie, Freddie; Analysts Skeptical". Obama's Administration holds an optimistic outlook, while other analysts and opposition predict a bleaker outlook. Meanwhile other government plans are forcing honest citizens who could make reasonable mortgage payments seek the shelter of short sales or bankruptcy leaving them without homes. Many really don't get the reasoning behind such policies. Others are left asking what happened to the $35 billion designated to modifying bad mortgages with 800,000 still awaiting results.

If this isn't enough to think about, look at this new can of worms opened up by Congressman Barney Frank. In this USA Today article Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, is now calling for the whole secondary mortgage market system to be scrapped and to come up with a new one.

Based on the blogs they write, many on the front line of real estate sales don't seem to reflect the views of this drastic move. Obviously something needs to be done, but surprisingly this legislation actually has quite a bit of support up on the Hill. Please step in and give your opinion on this overwhelming subject. What are the rest of you thinking right now?

-------------------------------------------------------------
Expect Rachel Valentino, DC area expert to be on top of the hottest topics. If you are in the market for a new home in the DC area, don't let the media news scare you off, Rachel will help you explore all the options still available to you. The door that opens for you just may put you into your next home.