If you can buy real estate now, then do it

from Washington Blade, Volume 54, Issue 13, March 31, 2023

This Zurich bar was once a meeting place for a secret gay society

By JUSTIN NOBLE

Doom and gloom goes the economy as of late. Trust me, I am right there with ya! I had coffee with a friend last week who is in the consumer banking industry. They were saying how a large majority of their customers were pulling funds from their bank given the most recent banking revelation. It seems when issues occur with the banking industry, folks panic and pull. This past weekend I had impromptu drinks with a good friend of mine who is in the luxury retail industry. She mentioned that her company’s district has begun to experience a consumer pull back, which I recall happening in my old retail days as well. When the economy is currently trudging through rocky waters - a majority of consumers will halt all points of buying in retail settings aside from what they might deem as essential. For me EVERYTHING is essential…but that’s a conversation between my therapist and me.

While they say that history repeats itself, it’s difﬁcult to see a global pandemic that has caused such a ripple effect on so many industries and continues to do so many months after inoculations began. With so much hesitation in the banking industry and retail industry – several of my colleagues and I have seen an increase in purchase power within the real estate market. I can speak of this as an agent in the DMV metro area in addition to an agent in the nearby Joe Biden homeland of Delaware. When consumers are sluggish to move in the stock and banking markets typically we see them pull money together and invest in the real estate market, which in the end causes a new issue of compounding an already low inventory market.

You might hear real estate agents speak to you and say that “Anytime is a good time to buy,” which is not always the truth, but just take a moment to Google my name, look into my eyes, and say to yourself, “NOW is a good time to buy!” After you rid yourself of all the feels and butterﬂies you receive from looking into my eyes – please believe me when I say now is a great time to buy if you can.

That “if you can’’ part at the end is key. Interest rates have gone down substantially during the past month. For the week ending March 23, the nationwide average for the popular 30-year ﬁxed-rate mortgage was 6.42%, according to Freddie Mac. That’s down from last week—and it’s the lowest level in more than a month. Housing prices have remained steady, inventory super low and demand super high – the real estate industry has been experiencing these same trends since the pandemic started. While the banking and retail industries lay in a state of ﬂux, the real estate market remains consistent as of late.

According to Realtor.com the median listing price has increased +6.3% and new listings have decreased by 20% based on last week’s numbers. With the real estate market truly being a constant positive or neutral trending marketplace - to me it sounds like a great place to park some money, right? Whether you are looking to buy or sell a piece of real estate in this current economy just remember that people always need a roof over their heads. Typically said people will pull back on the luxury items that are not always needed in tougher times, however we always need a place to call home with a roof over our heads.

Justin Noble

is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty licensed in D.C., Maryland, and Delaware for your DMV and Delaware Beach needs. Specializing in ﬁrst-time homebuyers, development and new construction as well as estate sales, Justin is a well-versed agent, highly regarded, and provides white glove service at every price point. Reach him at 202-503-4243, Justin. Noble@SothebysRealty.com or BurnsandNoble.com.

Legal Notice

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2023 FEP 000026

Date of Death 10/22/2020

Name of Decedent: Michael Leroy Williams Sr. NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Katharyn A Phelps whose address is 103 Graiden Street, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michael Leroy Williams Sr, deceased, by the Orphan’s Court for Prince George’s County, State of Maryland, on December 30, 2020.

Service of process may be made upon David Roberts 1717 N Street NW, Ste 1 Washington, DC 20036 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been ﬁled with the Register of Wills, DC.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1900 2nd Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and ﬁled with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20001 within 6 months from the date of ﬁrst publication of this notice.

Date of ﬁrst publication: March, 31, 2023

Katharyn A. Phelps, Personal Representative, 240-839-0035

A True Test Copy Nicole Stevens, Register of Wills

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Tell ‘em

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COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APT.

1 BR, 1 Bath, Basement Apt. available now $2,000 per month, all utilities included, WiFi & free cable. Columbia Heights neighborhood across from Cardozo High School. Walking distance to Georgia Ave, Metro Stations & Whole Foods. Please email: dnsthemnce@gmail.com or call (240) 603-3190 to set up visit. References requested!

FOR RENT

1830 PROVIDENCE ST.

Brand new reno! 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 level, end unit, rowhouse in Ivy City. New flooring, paint, kitchen, appliances, hardwoods, open floor plan, washer/dryer, solar panels, energy efficient, large private fenced back yard, goodsized closets, 2-zone heating/ cooling. Lots of living space. Near distilleries, breweries, art galleries, Union Market, and parks. Click link in online ad for full details. Listed by owner.