Good-bye to Uncle Julio? Visit Soon!

The Montgomery County Council is considering saying good-bye to Uncle Julio, the popular restaurant on Bethesda Avenue. The restaurant would be replaced with another high rise under the County’s newest plans.

An Open Letter

Dear Friends,

I know that with COVID-19 comes a lot of uncertainty, anxiety, and even fear as we anticipate what is to come. I want to make sure you know that I am here to help in any capacity you may need–whether that is real estate advice or otherwise.

As a realtor in the DC area for over 30 years, I know lots of local professionals, and I am happy to connect you with wonderful people and companies who can help meet your needs (again, whether real estate related or not) during this challenging time. Despite the constant barrage of bad news, there are good people out there who want to do their part for others–particularly for those whose health or livelihood are directly impacted by this virus.

When it comes to real estate, I’ve gotten questions from some of you about whether it’s even wise to buy or sell a home during this unprecedented time. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that the market continues to hum along–homes are still selling and buyers are still buying. I have had several offers come in this week on my listings, and I continue to have conversations with buyers who are actively shopping for a new home.

Furthermore, real estate professionals are making adjustments to the way we do business to ensure that we carry on working as usual and that the health and safety of our clients is first priority. I am no exception!

For sellers, I can easily replace an in home consultation with a Facetime call or video conference and virtually gather the information I need to put your home on the market. I also have ways to work around showings, including making full use of my relationships with people and companies who buy homes outright.

For buyers, I am more than happy to tour a home and have you right there with me on Facetime, Skype, you name it–there are plenty of ways to provide a virtual tour of your dream home while you remain in the comfort of your current home.

I am here to offer sound advice based on facts, market conditions, and research–if you need a voice of reason, please give me a call!

And beyond the real estate market, if you need someone to talk to, to connect you with local resources, or simply to offer support, I am here!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 240-401-5577 or lise@lisehowe.com at any time.

Finally, a huge thank you to our medical professionals, grocery store clerks, sanitation workers, mailmen and women, and everyone else risking their health so we can maintain some normalcy in these difficult times.

And to everyone who is uniquely vulnerable right now based on their livelihood, their health, their age, or anything else–I am thinking of you and I am here if you’d like to reach out.

Sincerely,

Lise Howe
240-401-5577
lise@lisehowe.com
The Lise Howe Group
Keller Williams Capital Properties
4646 40th Street NW
Washington DC 20016

Put Love in Your Life – Adopt a Dog or Cat!

The Christopher is Pet Friendly

Adopt a dog or cat and put love in your life! I just adopted a standard poodle from a rescue organization and I am feeling the love! There is so much emphasis in February to design the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day. Of course it is fun to sip champagne and eat chocolates, but it’s only an evening. True love is what we all are after – in one form or another. Maybe this is the year to find that true love in the eyes of a rescued pet!

Romantic Things to Do in the DC Area

romantic activities in Washington DC for children

February is here, which means many are scrambling to make plans for Valentine’s Day. If you are looking for some romantic things to do in the DC area, we have a few suggestions. While we recognize some people have a strong distaste for Valentine’s Day and choose not to acknowledge it, others enjoy the opportunity to spend some time with their loved one, or at the very least view the day as a good excuse to eat chocolate.

If you’re one of those people who enjoys celebrating Valentine’s Day, we’ve compiled a list of romantic things to do in the DC area. If you fall into the first category and wish that February 14th were just a normal day, then feel free to stop reading here (but consider treating yourself to some Valentine’s candy–that’s harmless!)

Neighborhood Spotlight: Alexandria

Let’s get one thing out of the way: we recognize that Alexandria isn’t exactly a neighborhood. With a population of around 150,000 and around 200 independent restaurants and boutiques, Alexandria is better described as a small city. Nonetheless, we chose to feature it because it’s chock full of things to do and comes with some major perks for residents. For starters, living in Alexandria means an easy commute whether you work in DC or Northern Virginia! Alexandria offers easy metro access and it’s a hop, skip, and a jump to Reagan National airport for those who travel frequently. And, if you’re moving to the area to join the ranks at Amazon’s new HQ2, Alexandria is a perfect spot to call home–close to Arlington but with arguably more charm!

Even if you aren’t looking to move in 2020, this small city is most certainly worth a visit for both DMV locals and out of town visitors alike. Don’t take our word for it–Alexandria was named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2019! Read on for our guide to this lovely and historic town.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Rockville

For our first Neighborhood Spotlight featuring a community outside of DC city limits, we chose Rockville, Maryland. Rockville is one of the most populous towns in Montgomery County, and although it’s a fairly easy half hour drive into Washington, Rockville offers plenty of things to do, drink, and eat in its own right! We’ve compiled some recommendations below for locals and visitors alike–as our list will prove to you, there’s really no need to fight Beltway traffic to have a good time!

Neighborhood Spotlight: Park View

Park View is an up and coming (or already arrived depending on your point of view) neighborhood in Northwest DC directly north of Howard University. Development in Park View really started heating up around 2009, and 10 years later there are now a plethora of great restaurants and shops. Park View offers easy walkability to hot neighborhoods like Shaw and also boasts 2 metro stops on the Yellow/Green line for access to the rest of the city (not to mention direct metro access to Reagan National airport.) Park View is a lovely place to stroll, and it offers both peace and quiet on residential streets with a thriving commercial section on Georgia Avenue. Without further ado, here is a list of the best things to do, places to eat and drink, and a little information on housing in Park View:

Soothe Your Dog on July 4th

Tips to Soothe Your Dog

Days like the 4th of July are a challenge in our house. My first poodle, Poirot, just didn’t like the sound of the explosions and cracks of thunder or the way the air changes during a storm. It began to get better as he got older because his hearing was not as acute as it … Continued

Skip the Mall on July 4th

You may not want to go to the Mall for the July 4th fireworks, but there are lots of great places to watch the sky light up without all the crowds. Here are a few choices that will give you a great view without a lot of traffic! Washington National Cathedral I confess that this … Continued

Pet Friendly Outdoor Restaurants

The Christopher is Pet Friendly

It is so much fun to bring your best four-legged friend to a pet friendly outdoor restaurant! Clearly the DC City Council understands how much we love our pets! In 2017 D.C. City Council members approved a bill allowing establishments to custom tailor policies about welcoming your furry friends. Montgomery County and Northern Virginia jurisdictions are equally … Continued