The weather is sweltering and the air is still and thick. You’ve just finished some rigorous yard work and the sweat is dripping off of you. Wouldn’t you like to take a cool, refreshing dip in your crystal blue pool? Who wouldn’t? But how does having a pool affect your property value?

We've talked a lot about how, in the DC area, when the fireworks go up, sales come down. Follow along with this vlog as Eric explains how, and why, it's still okay to sell in the summer!

I wish I’d purchased a home every year of my career, and that I still owned all 30 properties to provide me with steady income as I grow older. Yes, there would be headaches – maintaining properties, replacing furnaces, dealing with unpaid mortgages – but there would also be houses I purchased for $125,000 that would now sell for $450,000. Or houses I purchased for $175,000 that would now sell for $750,000. If I had 30 of those, I’d be in a different economic sphere.

Have you ever wondered if it's OK to sell your home "as-is" or in "as-is" condition? What is an "as-is" property? In today's vlog, Eric explains how and why you would sell a home "as-is".

Like a smile and a handshake when you greet someone, your home’s curb appeal serves as its first impression, prompting buyers to draw immediate conclusions about living there. Does the exterior of your home “smile” and say, “Welcome, come on in!” or does it say, “I don’t put much thought into how I present myself”?

Retirement from the military can be remarkably different from retirement as we imagine it. The average age of a retiring officer is only 45, versus 62 for the general population. There is a transition back to civilian life that can be complex, especially if the retiree is dealing with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder or physical disability. Depending on which state a military retiree decides to reside, benefits can vary widely.

In March of this year, when the DC area was hit with a large windstorm of up to 70mph, we had a listing in Oakton, Virginia, that had a massive tree fall on the property. You can catch up on the original video right here. Last week, we re-visited the property to get a sense of how renovations were coming along. Follow Eric as he walks the property for the first time since renovations began.

The seasonal real estate market can vary dramatically by region. In the DC metropolitan area, there’s an old saying: “When the fireworks go up, the sales come down.” It’s not that inventory creeps higher in the summer; there’s a noticeable decrease in buyer interest as people go on vacation, focus on their out-of-school kids, and engage in summer activities.

Defining a legal bedroom may seem simple, but despite clear building codes the process is wrought with grey areas. Requirements differ from county to county, so it's always safer to check with a Realtor or appraiser before you sell your home!

Last week we talked about sustainability and potential ecological upgrades for your home that could increase its value. This week we hit a related topic – the air quality outside of your home.