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Foxy’s Big Adventure

Fetch Fetch is a pet store in Old Town Alexandria that sells gourmet doggy-treats and other high quality gourmet goodies. I thought it would be fun to take my dog Foxy on a field trip to Fetch and the bakery that makes these gourmet doggie biscuits. Foxy at River Towers Foxy was eager to leave River Towers on her big adventure, even if she didn't know where she was going. Foxy in the car So we jumped in the car and took her around the corner to Old Town Alexandria VA. Foxy's Pit Stop Once we were in Old Town, Foxy decided to read the doggie-newspaper. One can learn a lot from a green patch on a brick-sidewalk. Foxy approaches Fetch Then it was off to Fetch and to see Marion. Marion and Foxy Foxy is Marion's adopted grandbaby. Marion always greets Foxy with a big hug and lots of kisses.Foxy loves the cookies at Fetch, but she was soon distracted ... she saw trouble coming. Foxy and Magnum Yep. Trouble at least that's what Foxy calls that adorable Jack Russell Terrier named Magnum. Magnum wanted to play, but Foxy didn't like sharing Marion's attention. Foxy's not on the man-hunt and had no interest in Magnum. Xanadu Bakery So we left town and headed to Beltsville, where they bake the Zanadu cookies sold in Fetch and Chateau Animaux. Painting at Xanadu The art work at the bakery was wonderful, but Foxy wanted to see where the action took place. cookie cutters at Xanadu She toured the bakery and found that everything is human grade, made with great loving care. Here's the cookie cutter. Foxy working She grabbed a green tea and cookie and they put her to work, bagging and labelling cookies.
Over the years, Doolittle's Chateau-Animaux has been featured in numerous articles, radio and television broadcasts, both national and international, including: USA Today, Pet Product News, Pet Business, Dog World (Japan), Washingtonian, Washington Business Journal, WASHINGTON spaces, Sam Donaldson's "Live in America" (ABC radio), Washington, D.C. Style, The Vicki Gabereau Show (Canadian Television Network), The Hill Rag, Voice of the Hill, Roll Call, The Hill, The Washington Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Post Magazine, NBC Style: A Show for You (WBIR-TV 10, NBC, Knoxville, TN), It's Christopher Lowell (Discovery Channel), The Delta Shuttle Sheet, Pleasure-Scene, Budget Living, WTTR radio, CHAMPS' Capitol Hill Business Quarterly, CHAMPSdc.org, Barracks Row Bulletin, WFAA-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; KHOU-TV, Houston, TX; KING-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, WA; KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ; KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO; KGW-TV, Portland, OR; WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC; KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX; WVEC-TV, Hampton-Norfolk, VA; WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA; KASA-TV, Albuquerque,-Santa Fe, NM; WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY; KOTV, Tulsa, OK; KVUE-TV, Austin, TX; KREM-TV, Spokane, WA; KMSB-TV, Tucson, AZ; KTVB-TV, Boise, ID; NorthWest Cable News, Seattle-Tacoma, WA; TXCN, Texas Cable News Network; Newswatch on CH 15, New Orleans, LA; Local News on Cable, Norfolk, VA, and others.
Click here to view Chateau-Animaux Press Coverage
Chateau-Animaux regularly sponsors community events in Washington, DC, including weekly dog and cat adoptions with Capitol Cats, Homeward Trails, K-9 Lifesavers and the Washington Humane Society, "Pride of Pets" fundraiser for PETS-DC, the Washington Humane Society's "Bark Ball", and the annual Halloween dog costume contest -- "Howl-O-Ween!"  Dennis Bourgault has served as President of the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals, and the Boards of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District and Barracks Row Main Street.  
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Tips for Home Sellers

When it's time to sell your house, townhouse or condo here are a few simple tips for realtors and home sellers alike.

Turn on your heart light.

Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside. Whether you are showing your home in the evening or in the day, lights add color and warmth. Prospective owners feel welcome in spaces that are bright and airy.home buyers dreaming of a home

Don't crowd your buyers.

Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter your home. Rather than giving  your house the attention it deserves, prospects are likely to hurry through. When the  homeowners are present people often feel uncomfortable looking in closets and laundry rooms an other private areas. Additionally, rooms filled with people give the impression that the space is small.

I love pets ... but not your pet.

Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. Some prospects are allergic to some animals. Sadly, many people love their pets, but they don't like your pet. It's in your best interest to keep the animals outside or out of the way of potential buyers.

Don't create distractions

Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. Most of us love music, but not all of us love your music. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the music. Turn off your TV because the last thing you want is for one of your buyers to watch the game while his wife falls in love with your house.

Give a wide berth.

A smiling seller is a welcome site, but a pesky seller will chase a home buyer away. It's important to be friendly but avoid being conversational. Anything you say could be construed to imply a warranty or could cost you thousands in negotiations.

Put things in perspective.

Some buyers will point out shortcomings or flaws in the property. It's best not to respond orally to these challenges. Utterances like these are seldom personal in this context. So, never take offense. Understand that these statements might be an indication of the buyer's ignorance, but sometimes the buyer attempting to frame negotiations with these statements. To engage the comment is to agree with the premise of the utterance.
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The Benefits and Disadvantages of Condos

This article is reprinted by permission from CondoBenefits.com

Advantages

  1. Condos on average are more affordable then other types of housing.
  2. Maintenance of the exterior of the building will be take care of.
  3. The peace of mind living next to neighbors if help is needed.
  4. Condos can be located in major cities surrounded by restaurants, night clubs, and local bars.
  5. Many condos offer a pool, gym, and basketball/tennis court for those who are active.
*Bonus* Condos are often located in high rise building making for spectacular views.

Disadvantages

  1. 1. There are condo rules by the condo corporation that would have to be followed.
  2. Condos can have additional fees such as corporation fees.
  3. Only your interior walls inward are own by you (depending on which type of condo you own.)
  4. You will have to share the pool, gym, and basketball/tennis courts will your other neighbors.

Self Search of Real Estate in Northern Virginia

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A little about Belle Haven Marina

Belle Haven Marina
Docks at Belle Haven Marina on the Potomac River
Belle Haven Marina is found on the George Washington Parkway just south of historic Old Town Alexandria. Belle Haven Marina is owned by the National Park Service and operated by Belle Haven Marina Inc. The Belle Haven Marina is a short walk from River Towers, Belle View and New Alexandria. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks and sail boats are available for rent. Sign-up for sailing lessons and your package will include a limited number of free hours of sailing. The Marina has a short pier and the George Washington Parkway has many points to fish the Potomac River. Many anglers rent or own boats which ply more serene and secluded spots nearby.

From the marina, one can see the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

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What is a condo?

A condominium is real estate with certain specific properties. Although there are various types of condominiums, the most common legal arrangements involve individual ownership of each unit, with joint ownership of the communal or common areas by all of the residents in the building. Condominium developments can be commercial or residential. In the case of residential property, a condo can be composed of one or more a high-rise buildings, garden-style buildings, townhouses and---in special causes--even consist of individual houses. While some condominiums are located in large multi-unit buildings, others may be detached form each other and be located in a gated or planned community. Some condominiums may be located in resort or vacation destinations. Most usually, a condominium is a housing unit or apartment in a multi-unit building in which each unit is individually owned, with common areas and the property in general jointly owned by the residents and the owners of the building, or all of the residents together. So the structures that make up a condominium complex are divided into living units, which are each owned by individuals. Jointly, these unit owners all have an interest in the rights and duties of the common areas, such as the parking lot, lobby, roof, etc.

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Why choose a condo?

Watergate at Landmark
Watergate at Landmark
People choose condominium life for a number of reasons. Some condos are less expensive than a traditional single-family house. Additionally, many condos have added amenities and facilities which an individual cannot afford on his own. Most condominiums have amenities you won't find on a similarly priced single family residence. For example, a typical condo has (at minimum) a pool, a work-out room, and party room. A similarly priced house would not enjoy these amenities. Another benefit of condo living is that owners share in the burden of maintenance and lawn care. This means that some of the exterior maintenance and lawn care is provided by the condo association and the expense of that care is part of your monthly condo fee. Many older condos have utilities included in the price of the condo fee. In new condos it is more typical to share the cost of water, but individually pay for other utilities. Condo life in some ways is simpler for active lifestyles. Many condo owners choose condo life because they love life and they don't want to be bogged down with maintaining a lawn or cleaning gutters. A condo owner can walk out the back door and enjoy a dip in the pool while the other guy is spending time writing checks to pay his utilities.

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Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park

Fairfax County has a number of RECenters throughout the county. One of these is the Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park. The park is located in Annandale just outside the Capitol Beltway. The center features swimming, fitness and racquetball facilities as well as other recreational activities such as crafts and dancing. The center is ADA accessible with curb ramps, automatic doors, ample parking, an elevator, and a wheelchair accessible unisex bathroom and dressing stalls. The Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park has a natatorium (inside pool). The pool and natatorium is accessed via locker rooms containing saunas and showers. At the natatorium one will find a large 50 meter by 25 yard pool with one 3 meter and two 1 meter diving boards. The pool also has a Super Slide. The natatorium is equipped to handle swim-meets with plenty of seats for spectators. In addition to a natatorium, this RECenter has a gymnasium with six basketball hoops and volleyball nets. The center has various courts for sports like racquetball, squash and wallyball. Local youth and adult leagues make good use of the gym, so it's a good idea to call the center to make reservations for courts. The center also contains a cycle studio. Overlooking both the gym and the natatorium is a well-equipped fitness center. The fitness room features cardiovascular equipment and Cybex machines that are networked with FitLinxx. There fitness room has has free-weights and an area to stretch-out before your work-out. Check the calendar for both beginners and advanced group fitness classes. The RECenter isn't just for sporting activities. Retired and older adults gather for activities at Audrey Moore's senior center. Dancers and soon-to-be dancers make good use of the dance room where instructors hold scheduled classes for a wide variety of activities like salsa dancing, ballroom dancing and square dancing and more. You can try your hand at arts and crafts in the craft room or even fire-up the kiln and make your own pottery in the pottery lab. Aspiring photographers can make use of the dark room. Just outside the natorium is an outdoor sundeck. The center is situated in Wakefield Park which has many trails for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. A portion of the pride of Fairfax County Parks, the Cross County Trail, courses through the park. The Cross County Trail is over 40 miles long and connects the entire county from one end to the other. Outside the center are lighted courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, softball and soccer. The Wakefield Skate Park is found here as well. From early May to late October, the grounds are also used on Wednesday afternoons the Wakefield Farmers' Market. Audrey Moore RECenter 8100 Braddock Road Annandale, Virginia 703-321-7081 Map/Directions
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10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Wood Floors

  1. What color range do you want — light, medium, or dark?Hardwood floors
  2. Do you want a floor with more natural character, or less?
  3. What board width do you want?
  4. Do you want engineered or solid-based floors, depending on your home’s conditions?
  5. How critical is length to you in reducing the overall number of seams?
  6. Do you want more aggressive graining like oak or a mellower grain like walnut?
  7. Do you want flooring prefinished or unfinished?
  8. How thick is the wear layer in the floor you’re considering, which will affect your ability to refinish it over time?
  9. What type of finish are you going to use? Can it be refinished and, if so, how?
  10. For wider planks that provide greater stability: Where is the wood coming from, how is it dried, what is its moisture content, and what type of substrate is used in the engineered platform?
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Millennials Poised to Put Their Mark on Housing

Sixty-five percent of the millennial generation, ranging in age roughly from 18 to 34, say that their intention to purchase a house has significantly increased in the past year, according to a survey from PulteGroup. “As the economy continues to stabilize, more young adults will wean off of mom and dad and start to live on their own, spurring added economic growth,” HousingWire reports. Nearly 20 percent of men ages 25 to 34 reportedly live with their parents, while 9.7 percent of women that age still live at home.
Your Realtor Stuart Nesbitt
Your Realtor Stuart Nesbitt
As this generation gains greater financial security, more millennials will begin to embark on their own. A recent article from Barron’s notes that Generation Y could surprise the nation in upcoming years with their spending power and economic growth. The generation is 7 percent larger than the baby boom generation. "Millennials have witnessed the housing boom and bust, but still believe home ownership is a good investment," says Fred Ehle, vice president for PulteGroup. Source: “Millennials Rightly Positioned to Boost Economy,” HousingWire (April 29, 2013)

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Home Ownership Rate Drops to Lowest Point in 18 Years

The U.S. home ownership rate has fallen to its lowest point since 1995, the Census Bureau reports. US Census Bureau The home ownership rate dropped to 65 percent in the first quarter, down slightly from 65.4 percent a year earlier. Housing analysts say tight credit conditions, constrained inventories of for-sale homes, and an increase in single-family rental homes have caused the home ownership rate to fall. Paul Diggle, a property economist for Capital Economics, says he predicts the home ownership rate will likely fall for the remainder of the year. The home ownership rate peaked in June 2004 when it stood at 69.2 percent. Source: “U.S. Homeownership Rate Falls to Lowest Since 1995,” Bloomberg News (April 30, 2013)