Long & Foster’s Year-End Capital Region Market Report Details Real Estate Trends

Across the Capital Region, home sales declined nearly 22% in 2023, compared to the year prior, as home buyers were challenged by higher mortgage rates and reduced inventory, according to the Long & Foster 2023 Year-End Capital Region Repo rt.

The sale of luxury homes (properties above $1.5M) saw a smaller decrease, down by 15% year-over-year. At year’s end, inventory dipped — down 16% for properties of all price points and up 1% in the luxury segment.

It is often said that the only thing constant about real estate is change. At Long & Foster, we attribute our more than 50 years of success to continuous innovation. We’ve thrived by diversifying our businesses, which now include real estate, mortgage, title, insurance, inspection, property management, and vacation rentals.

In 2023, we embarked on a comprehensive research project to enhance this all-inclusive business model, creating an even better experience for clients by streamlining the home-buying and selling process.

Despite the challenges often associated with the current real estate landscape, we see it as an exciting time full of opportunities. “In 2024, we’re committed to transforming the way real estate is done with a focus on serving our consumers,” said Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate.” Stay tuned as we continue to shape the future of real estate.”

Working with our team, you’ll experience firsthand the benefits of our all-inclusive model — so that when it comes time for you to buy, sell, rent or own a home, we’ll help make your dreams big and your worries small.

In addition to highlighting major trends in the D.C. region, the Long & Foster Region Market Report spotlights individual neighborhoods. It also summarizes the local luxury market by the types of homes (for example, single-family and townhomes) sold in individual neighborhoods, providing an in-depth analysis of the residential market. View the report in its entirety here.

For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Agents and Teams Honored by Bethesda Magazine

“Top Real Estate Producers” list includes more than 70 Long & Foster agents and teams

Long & Foster Real Estate congratulates its more than 70 agents and teams who were named to Bethesda magazine’s “Top Real Estate Producers” list.

Agents were eligible to appear on the list individually and as part of a team. Named on the list were individual agents with total sales in Montgomery County and Upper Northwest D.C. (zip codes 20015 and 20016) of at least $8.5 million from Nov. 1, 2022, through Oct. 31, 2023; and teams with at least $17 million in sales during the same period.

Bethesda magazine also identified an elite group of agents and teams as “top-tier producers.” Agents with this designation generated at least $15 million in sales and teams recorded average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

“We are proud of our agents and teams who were named to Bethesda magazine’s top producer’s list,” said Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “This shows that our agents are proactive and well-equipped to help their clients navigate today’s housing market.”

With several award-winning offices in Bethesda, including the newest one in the trophy-class Avocet Tower, Long & Foster is well-positioned with many talented and professional agents who are experts in the luxury market. In addition, the company’s reputation of honesty, integrity and best-in-class customer service spans more than 50 years and is extended to all clients, whether purchasing a home in the luxury or standard real estate market.

Sales data was provided by the real estate brokerages and offices that are listed. The complete list has been posted on Bethesda magazine’s website and can be viewed here.

To learn more about Long & Foster, visit longandfoster.com.

Stunning Lake House at Joe Brooke Farm Hits the Market for $1.8M

Home offers its own dock and outstanding views of Dover Lake

If you’re looking for a secluded lakeside estate, look no further than this gorgeous custom home, built by Alan Coleman in the exclusive community of The Meadows at Joe Brooke Farm in Manakin Sabot, Virginia.

The residence is listed by Pam Diemer at the Grove Avenue office of Long & Foster Real Estate, exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties. Located at 736 Woodson Place, the home, on nearly five acres has four bedrooms, three full and one-half bathrooms, over 5500 square feet, and is being offered for $1.8 million.

“Constructed of the finest materials, this home has a warm and inviting interior with a floor plan designed to capture fantastic views of Dover Lake,” said Diemer. “Ideal for indoor and outdoor entertaining, you’ll also enjoy fishing and kayaking from your own dock.”

As you travel down the property’s long regal driveway, you’ll notice the home’s long, expansive design situated in a park-like setting with well-manicured landscaping, plenty of parking – and Dover Lake in the background.

Stepping into this Cape Cod style home through the welcoming covered front porch, you’ll find an open concept design with gleaming wide-plank wood flooring, high ceilings, tall windows, and spacious rooms exuding traditional quality. A wide center hallway extends to the rear of the home’s French doors providing a view of the lake.

The foyer is open to the living room, leading through an arched opening to a spacious and magnificent dining room, where your dinner parties and family celebrations will be remembered. The linen white kitchen is well-equipped with a Jenn Aire gas range top, double convection oven, warming drawer, Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a center island, gas fireplace and a lake view from the kitchen sink. For informal dining, step into the sunroom, flooded with natural light with windows on three sides, bluestone flooring and a vaulted ceiling.

The large family room features lake views, two fireplaces and French doors connecting to the covered rear porch. Enjoy three-season outdoor living lakeside on the screened porch with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.

For quiet time or to work remotely, there is a study with built-in bookcases. A luxury oversized first-floor primary suite offers two closets and a creamy marble bathroom with a soaking tub and separate shower with seat.

The gorgeous wide-plank hardwood flooring continues to the second floor, where you’ll also find nine-foot ceilings, a guest suite, two additional comfortable bedrooms and a large hall bath, plus a huge playroom with a wet bar. Two walk-in attics provide abundant storage.

The lower-level recreation room offers nearly 700 square feet of carpeted space for games, media or a gym. A few of the other outstanding features of this home include a 50-year Grand Manor shingle roof, two new gas furnaces and heat pump systems, an oversized 23-foot by 24-foot garage, and freshly painted interior.

Learn more about 736 Woodson Place by visiting Diemer’s website by clicking here. To view a video about the property, click here. For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Real Estate is one of the nation’s top real estate companies as part of HomeServices of America.

Long & Foster Leaders Recognized as RISMedia Real Estate Newsmakers

Three Long & Foster executives named as 2024 Newsmaker Honorees

Long & Foster Real Estate is proud to announce that three members of its leadership team have been recognized by RISMedia as 2024 Real E state Newsmakers. The honorees include Patrick Bain, chief executive officer of The Long & Foster Companies, J ackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate, and Kathleen Wilks chief marketing officer of The Long & Foster Companies.

All recipients of RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmaker awards were chosen based on online nominations on RISMedia.com by industry sources and RISMedia’s in-house editorial team. The individuals selected by RISMedia were placed in various award categories according to their contribution to the real estate industry.

“It is an honor to be ranked by RISMedia as one of the industry’s best, especially among such other talented real estate leaders,” said Bain. “I’m especially proud that two members of my leadership team – Jackie and Kathleen – have also been recognized on this prestigious list for their ability to positively impact our agents, their clients and the communities we serve.”

Bain was named president of the Long & Foster Companies in 2023. He was named as a “Trailblazer and a Luminary”, on the RISMedia Newsmakers list for his work in guiding the strategic direction and operations of Long & Foster’s real estate, property management, mortgage, title, insurance, inspections, corporate real estate and development services. In addition, he oversees the company’s enterprise functions: HR, legal, marketing, information services, finance and facilities.

Recognized as an “Influencer”, Thiel was appointed president of Long & Foster Real Estate in 2023, overseeing 200-plus offices and thousands of agents across eight states and Washington, DC. She directs the company’s strategic growth, advancing Realtors’ careers and giving clients excellent experiences. Her leadership focuses on collaboration, active listening and taking appropriate action on feedback.

Wilks was also honored in the “Influencer” category. A passionate marketing executive with real estate and creative agency experience, she leads the marketing department to support Long & Foster’s thousands of agents to ensure they have the best resources available to grow their businesses and support clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

To view the complete list of RISMedia’s 2023 Real Estate Newsmakers click here.

Long & Foster Real Estate is one of the nation’s top real estate companies as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit L ongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster’s Patrick Bain Named as an Inman Power Player

Patrick Bain, president and CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, has been named to Inman’s list of the Inman Power Players. In its second year, the exclusive list includes industry executives, founders, innovators and visionaries who play a crucial role in shaping the future of real estate.

“The Inman Power Player list showcases so many exceptional and innovative leaders in today’s real estate industry, and I’m honored to be recognized among so many notable contemporaries,” said Bain. “Over Long & Foster’s more than 50-year history, we’ve driven our industry toward innovative ways of doing business—our all-inclusive approach is one of the most well-known and desired among consumers. We’re pleased to earn this recognition not only for what we’ve brought to the industry so far, but what we’ll continue to deliver going forward.”

Inman is one of the industry’s top media outlets, and the list was curated by its editorial team. Over 120 professionals were included on the list, including Gino Blefari, CEO of HomeServices of America, Long & Foster’s parent company.

To view the list, go to https://www.inman.com/power-players-awards/.

Long & Foster Leaders Named to Annual Swanepoel Power 200

Patrick Bain and Jackie Thiel among real estate leaders recognized

Patrick Bain, president and CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, has been named to the annual Swanepoel Power 200. Bain ranked as No. 158 on the list, which includes 200 influential CEOs, top executives and other leaders in the residential real estate industry. Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate was named as a top executive on the watchlist, which acknowledges up-and-coming residential real estate industry leaders.

“Those named to the Swanepoel Power 200 are truly dynamic, innovative leaders, who are experts at what they do,” said Bain. “It’s an honor to be recognized among those talented individuals who have had such a tremendous influence on the real estate industry.”

The rankings are based on a number of criteria including an individual’s personal influence, their tenure in the industry, the office they hold and the decision-making power of that office. They also consider the financial resources of their company or organization, the company or organization’s significance and contribution to the industry, the company’s geographic reach, and the individual’s recent activities, growth and potential.

“It’s an honor to be named to a list that includes so many of our distinguished peers and top real estate industry professionals,” said Thiel. “It also validates Long & Foster’s success and I’m very proud to be part of it.”

The Long & Foster Companies is the parent company of Long & Foster Real Estate and part of the HomeServices of America network. HomeServices’s President and CEO, Gino Blefari ranked as No. 3 on the Swanepoel Power 200 this year and Chris Kelly, HomeServices Executive Vice President ranked as No. 20.

For more information about the Swanepoel Power 200, visit Swanepoel.com/power200/. For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Real Estate is one of the nation’s top real estate companies as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster’s Jackie Thiel Featured in Washingtonian

The Face of DC’s Leading Real Estate Company

Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate has been featured in the January 2024 issue of Washingtonian as ‘The Face of DC’s Leading Real Estate Company’.

Thiel is joined by the area’s top business leaders, chosen by Washingtonian as smart entrepreneurs, moving their industries and our region forward.

The article discusses Long & Foster’s all-inclusive real estate experience of bringing together everything and everyone consumers need – real estate, mortgage, title, insurance, inspection, property management, and moving – to make it easier for people to buy and sell homes.

Washingtonian subscribers can read the full article at https://emagazines.com/Account/Washingtonian.

Athena Petersen to Lead Long & Foster’s Baltimore, Eastern Shore and Western Maryland Region

Long & Foster Real Estate has named Athena Petersen as senior vice president and regional manager for its Baltimore, Eastern Shore and Western Maryland region. Petersen brings over two decades of real estate sales and management experience to her new role.

“I’m honored to lead Long & Foster’s Baltimore, Eastern Shore and Western Maryland region, where our company continually ranks at the top of all real estate brokerages,” said Petersen. “Just as I’ve grown my career at Long & Foster, I strive to help agents and real estate professionals grow theirs with us, too – ensuring they have all the resources they need to succeed in the business, for themselves and their clients.”

Petersen most recently served as managing broker of Long & Foster’s Reston and Fairfax Centre locations—two of its top offices in Northern Virginia. She oversaw the offices’ strategic recruitment and retention, managed their daily operations and supported over 150 agents. Throughout her tenure, Petersen has developed many effective programs, including a mentoring initiative and comprehensive training on the brokerage’s tools and resources. Petersen’s focus on leveraging Long & Foster’s all-inclusive real estate experience has also proven invaluable to agents on her team.

Prior to entering real estate management, Petersen built a thriving real estate sales business. She earned her license in 2002 and joined Long & Foster as a sales associate. She quickly became a top producer in the company and earned membership in its prestigious Gold Team. Through these experiences, Petersen learned first-hand the support and resources that both agents and real estate managers need to compete and win in today’s market.

“Real estate is all about relationships, and that’s how Athena leads – with passion and connection, ensuring she supports her team and their clients, so they have everything needed to achieve their real estate dreams,” said Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “She’s a knowledgeable professional whose endless determination and innovative approach align perfectly with our sales associates and our broader leadership.”

Petersen is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in information systems. She’s also licensed in Maryland, DC and Virginia. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Lynn Kemmerer Named Managing Broker at Long & Foster’s Reston, Fairfax Centre Offices

Long & Foster Real Estate has named Lynn Kemmerer as managing broker of its Reston and Fairfax Centre offices in Northern Virginia. Kemmerer brings two decades of real estate sales and management experience to her position, and she most recently led Long & Foster’s professional development division, overseeing agent training programs across the organization.

“The agents at Long & Foster’s Reston and Fairfax Centre offices are among the best in the business, and I’m honored to lead their top-performing teams,” said Kemmerer. “Helping agents reach their dreams is my passion and this new opportunity will enable me to make a positive, first-hand impact on so many of our exceptional real estate professionals and their clients.”

Kemmerer started her real estate career as a sales associate at Long & Foster’s Alexandria office. She later worked with the firm’s Arlington and Great Falls offices. After a brief period at a small franchise in D.C., she returned to Long & Foster as sales manager of its Reston office in 2018. There, she supported the office in training new associates and coaching agents from foundation to mastery levels. Kemmerer also mentored several associates, helping them grow their sales.

Prior to her real estate career, Kemmerer worked in training and project management with a Northern Virginia-based government contractor. During her 12-year tenure, she was responsible for a variety of training initiatives—developing and deploying courses to teach technology, creating a comprehensive training center and leading training courses for a wide range of users.

A resident of Great Falls, Kemmerer is highly involved in the community and has volunteered with local sports organizations and Fairfax County Public Schools. She is a member of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Ranked Among World’s Top Training Companies

Brokerage honored by Training magazine for second consecutive year

Training magazine, the leading publication for learning and development professionals, has named Long & Foster Real Estate to its prestigious list of the world’s top training companies for 2024—the Training APEX Awards. Long & Foster not only ranked among some of the business world’s top companies but also is the only residential real estate brokerage honored for the second consecutive year.

“Long & Foster is known as the brokerage that teaches new sales associates how to succeed and provides the insights and education for well-established agents and teams to build and grow their careers,” said Patrick Bain, CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, parent company of Long & Foster Real Estate. “Our training programs have always received top ratings from participants, and I’m so proud that we earned this tremendous honor again.”

Long & Foster has long focused on having the best trained and best equipped real estate agents in the business. The company provides sales associates with a wealth of marketing and technology tools, as well as a variety of business development, continuing education and other learning opportunities—many of which are offered to its agents for no cost.

“This award is a testament to the hard work our training and professional development professionals have done to create such incredible learning programs for Long & Foster and our sales associates,” said Jackie Thiel, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “I give my deepest congratulations and thanks to our many talented team members for being honored once again.”

Lee McGinnis, senior vice president of Long & Foster’s General Brokerage Operations, added, “It’s an honor that Long & Foster has again received this recognition. We look forward to continuously developing our team of professional agents by building new and innovative training content and platforms to add value to our agents and their clients across the East Coast.”

Training magazine will recognize all the honorees of its Training APEX Awards at a ceremony in February 2024, at which point the publication will announce the final rankings. You can read more about the awards here.

Long & Foster is one of the nation’s top real estate companies as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit Longandfoster.com.