January/February 2025

Market News

bits & pieces

Happy New Year everyone! On a general note, the National Association of Realtors reports the median existing home sales price in November 2024 rose 4.7% from the year prior, the 17th straight month of year-over-year price hikes. At the same time, the average 30 year fixed rate loan stood at 6.91% as of December 18th, below its 2024 peak of 7.39% in May.

BRIGHT MLS, which covers most of the Mid-Atlantic region, reports December home sales were up 4.2% over November. Next time we will be able to bring you complete end of year information for 2024 but we are definitely moving from the 'new normal' to just plain 'normal'.

Curious about what is happening in 22301, the zip code for Del Ray and parts of Rosemont? Click here for specific data, sales, and inventory.

Interested in a different zip code? Let me know and I'll get you what you need.

Are you thinking about buying or selling? 

Or know someone who is? 

Give me a call at 703.859.6362 

Resources!

Sometime in the midst of the December holidays both Michael and I got "scam" calls that could have had disastrous results. I got the first call. It was (supposedly) from an Alexandria police officer calling to say I had missed a jury summons for federal court and needed to pay a fine or a subpoena would be issued for my arrest. The well spoken caller gave me a name and badge number, knew my address, had an answer for every question and just about had me - particularly because I had received a jury summons earlier in the year.

And then I remembered a Washington Post story about a similar scam in Baltimore and how hundreds of people had been defrauded. When I said I was going to hang up and go to the police station I was told the "judge" would definitely issue a citation if I "broke the chain of communication". I hung up. Michael got the same call about a week later. All this is to say scammers are convincing and vigilance is paramount. Two good resources are Scam Advisor and the American Banking Association. I would also highly recommend a recent podcast, "Confronting the Shame, Success and Stigma of Scams" with Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post.

Now, on to some fun things! I realized the other day how differently I source information now than say even five years ago - que Instagram and YouTube! It's easy to dismiss both but there are some really informative channels out there. Two of my favorites on Instagram right now:

And for some of the best in design voyeurism, check out HOMEWORTHY on YouTube. These renovation and design budgets are not for most of us but I learn a lot about the use of space, particularly in smaller properties, and the details that make such a difference. Dreamworthy!

Highlights on my January/February Calendar

Jan. 21 - Official opening of Virginia Tech Innovation Campus

Jan. 24 - Bao Li and Qing Bao make their public debut at the National Zoo

Jan. 26 - Commemoration of the 1942 visit of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt to Christ Church Alexandria to observe a National Day of Prayer for peace and victory. Appropriate prayers and hymns will be incorporated into the 10:00am Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist. Guest preacher the Very Rev. Ian Markham, Dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary and the British Embassy will be represented by Admiral Timothy Woods, Defense Attaché.

A reception will follow the service.

Are you ready to buy or sell or know someone who is? Give me a call/text at 703.859.6362 or email me at virginia.amos@cbmove.com and let's talk more about your specific needs. Be sure and check us out at @vasellsrealestate on Instagram too.