The Friend Group January Newsletter 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

New Year's resolutions can have significant impact on your real estate goals. One question we keep receiving is "Is now a good time to buy? Our answer is yes, at the right price and with the correct mindset. Many buyers currently have trepidation and assume that buying in the future when rates dip will be easier and less costly. Not too long ago that mindset manifested itself with increased prices and competition during Covid. Three tips:

Speak to a lender or financial advisor that you trust to get pre-approved or to find a tool that enables you to leverage your cash for a purchase. 

Call us to help you start your search for a primary, secondary or tertiary home anywhere in the United States. We can do a current assessment of your property and provide accurate valuations for you at no cost. 

Prepare for the process to take much less time than you anticipate. You'll be able to refinance your home when rates start to decline and you won't have to worry about multiple offers that push your price higher than you'd prefer.

Real Estate in the News

Mortgage demand jumps nearly 10% to start the year, even as interest rates tick up again

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) increased to 6.81% from 6.76%, for loans with a 20% down payment.

Courtesy of CNBC

Local Happenings

Georgetown vs Syracuse

Halftime Highlight

The Hilltop is a special place to me. The strongest bonds I have were forged on campus. I was reminded of the importance during halftime of the Syracuse Georgetown Game and I shared it with my eldest sons. I'm happy to have them and a University that appreciates current students and alumni.  

HOYA SAXA!

The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, first performed in 1892 as a "fairy ballet." My Daughter had the privilege of performing in her first Nutcracker over the holidays! She was a bumblebee and she did an amazing job!

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Martin Luther King Day, January 15, 2024.

Happy MLK Day! This picture comes from a visit I took with my kids to the MLK Memorial in Washington DC. In light of all of the dissension exiting today, this was a startling reminder of how fleeting peace can be. My choice on MLK day will be to spend quality time with my family and reflect on all blessings we have to be grateful for.  Happy New Year to each of you, be well.

The Nobel Peace Prize 1964

The American Dream 

Kevin has been selected to Host a national show focusing on Lifestyle, Culture and Real Estate. The show airs on national networks of CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and The Travel Channel, and has recently been nominated for an EMMY. 

Inquire for more details

The Friend Group Welcomes Ashley Superville!

Ashley is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and comes from an extensive project management background where she was heavily involved in her family-owned construction company. There, she developed hands on construction experience with both private and publicly funded residential and commercial projects. Over the past 8 years Ashley has worked with several notable development and equity groups as a trusted consultant and advisor. She has since completed over $90 million in combined development projects, development marketing, and sales. Ashley will focus on development and multi-family projects, as well as be a leader in our investment property line of business. 

Inquire for more details

What to Cook January 2024

Recipes include meatless tacos, easy pastas, and soups that slay the cold. Vegan stews, spicy lentils and even Chickpeas! All of these recipes sound delicious, look even more appetizing and best of all appear to be easy to prepare. Enjoy!

Courtesy of Epicurious

Carly Westerfield is the Recipe Production Assistant at Epicurious and Bon Appétit. Prior to joining the team, she worked in the kitchens and dining rooms of SingleThread Farms and Quail and Condor Bakery in California, and Eleven Madison Park in New York. She’s also had her food styling work featured on Food52 and in the New York Times.

Featured Listings

CONTRACTS

Kalorama

1901 Biltmore St NW

Multi-Unit  $2,000,000

FOR SALE

FOR SALE in Columbia Heights

1468 Newton Street Northwest, Unit 1

3 BD   3 BA   1502 SF   $735,000

Columbia Heights

1468 Newton Street Northwest, Unit 2

2 BD   3 BA   1307 SF   $775,000

Columbia Heights

3657 13th Street Northwest

5 BD   4 BA   2452 SF   $1,199,000

Kalorama

2446 Kalorama Road Northwest

5 BD   6 BA   5714 SF   $4,790,000

20-25% of transactions in DMV are off-market. Ready to achieve your next real estate goal?

Let's Connect!

Kevin Friend

Senior Vice President
M: 202.320.2205
O: 301.298.1001
kevin.friend@compass.com

Office: 301-298-1001

Compass Real Estate is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.