Greetings Friends,
There is something about the silence of January that I’ve always appreciated. After the frenetic energy of the holidays, the first month of the year offers a clean slate, a quiet moment to reset. This particular January, however, brings with it a sense of the "unknown." In challenging times like these, the "new" feels less important than the reliable. We find ourselves looking for the steady hands, the proven ideas, and the grounded people who can help us navigate the path forward with confidence.
In this month’s newsletter, I’m delighted to introduce you to a colleague in Reston, Virginia, whose 23 years of experience defines that exact kind of steady leadership. I’m also breaking down the sub-6% moment and why “stale” inventory is quietly becoming a buyer’s best leverage point right now. You’ll also get a look at why I became a Certified Senior Advisor, because the questions around aging, planning, and family logistics are hitting closer to home for many of us.
With gratitude/ps
Reston’s Steady Hand: Meet Marnie Schaar
Marnie Schaar is one of those rare agents who doesn’t just work a market, she lives it. She manages a small, hands-on team out of Reston, Virginia, where she’s also raised her family, so her advice comes with the kind of lived-in perspective you can’t fake. Add in 23 years in real estate, some 700+ homes sold, and you start to understand why clients don’t just hire Marnie, they keep her number saved for life’s big and small chapters.
Originally from Cape Cod, Marnie brings a grounded, steady energy to Northern Virginia’s fast-moving world, where timing, strategy, and calm communication actually matter (wild concept, I know). If Reston or the surrounding NoVA communities are on your radar, I’d love to connect you with Marnie. In the meantime, you can meet her in the short video below.
The Sub-6% Opportunity: Why "Stale" Inventory is Your Best Asset Right Now
In real estate, time is the enemy of price. Data consistently shows that the longer a property sits on the market, the lower the final sale price is relative to the list price.
- · 0-14 Days: Properties often sell at or above list price (The "Hot" Phase).
- · 15-45 Days: Properties tend to sell at list price or slightly below (The "Market" Phase).
- · 60+ Days: Properties enter the "Stale" Phase. Buyers assume flexibility. Negotiation power shifts decisively to the buyer.
- · 90+ Days: The "Stigma" Phase. Buyers assume defects. Lowball offers become common.
All three properties identified this week in The Price Point are in the "Stale" or "Stigma" phase where a buyer can successfully acquire a $2.495M asset substantially under asking. The seller's holding costs: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and capital opportunity cost are mounting. The psychological burden of an unsold home is heavy. And an offer that is "clean" (fast close, solid financing) but "low" (under asking) is often accepted simply to end the pain of uncertainty.
Curious to learn more? Click the link below to view the full listings and DM me to schedule a private showing. And subscribe to The Price Point newsletter to stay on top of what's going on in LA (and beyond).
What is Compass Plus?
Last year, I became a Certified Senior Advisor and joined the Board of Compass Plus. It was an intentional move meant to arm me with insights to better understand the issues older adults face as they age and the resources to be a valuable advisor to the individuals, and families of those, who are in need of such services.
What I quickly learned is that I am the audience and the knowledge I’m gaining is being applied on a regular basis among my family and friends. Things like navigating social security and medicare benefits, decoding tax and cash flow measures, estate planning beyond the will and most importantly, finding a great tasting non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
If you too are looking for answers, I’d enjoy being a resource you can rely on.
What will you demand from your Realtor?
After 40+ years of representing the best interests of my clients, I’ve learned a few things. First and foremost: it’s about YOU not ME. My role is simply to help you get clear on your goals and then relentlessly provide opportunities that will help you exceed those goals as efficiently as possible.
If you know someone who could benefit from that level of advocacy, I'd be grateful for an introduction.
Thank you.
