| Real Estate & Property Management Services

The Hot Stove is Heating up. Here we are in the middle of Thanksgiving warm up time and the boys of summer are just beginning to make their splashes. The qualifying offers are being presented and things are ramping up. Out in the midwest there is a big decision looming. A qualifying offer was presented and promptly refuses by two big pieces of the puzzle. The Cardinals are the team I reference here and I believe I know what they should do. John Lackey and Jason Heyward are the two big pieces that I mentioned above. Both had acceptable seasons last year for the team with the best record in the regular season. For John Lackey, it was arguably his best. For Jason Heyward, not so much. The thing that Heyward brought to the table this past season was clutch offense in the post season. His numbers in the regular season, however; were mediocre at best. What this team needs in this corner outfield position is a consistent .300 hitter who can smash the ball over the yellow line in the outfield. What Jason offers is less than this. I hope the Cards don't back up the Brinks truck for this player, who may or may not out perform any of our other options, the best of which is Piscotty. As for Lackey, I have a sneaking suspicion that he is wanting the world after last season and he just may get it. The Cardinals have been very shy about giving a pitcher more than two years, especially one so close to the end. The money he will want, since he's declined the qualifying offer, will probably hamper the teams' ability to go out and replace Lance Lynn, who will miss the entire season recovering from surgery. My advice for the Cardinals, keep doing what you've been doing to be successful and don't fall for these two for the wrong amount of money. Would they help, sure. Would the amount of money they want hurt us more - definitely. I'm not saying I don't like these two, I just like winning more. Still looking for the perfect place to watch the game? Follow the guide below and check out the listings that I've attached.

Check out our
Guide to Northern Virginia Condos!

2,723 sqft

On Site: 0 Days

Listing courtesy of Redfin Corporation

1,115 sqft

On Site: 0 Days

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty, LLC

2,200 sqft

On Site: 0 Days

Listing courtesy of INK Homes and Lifestyle, LLC.

See more in Alexandria

Do you Already Miss Baseball? It's Monday and time to talk sports. The 2015 World Series is in the record books and another season complete. We now know who the Champions are and if they are your team - congratulations are in order. I know that in 154 days my team will be back at it, ready to chase down yet another crown. Until then, so many things are left undone. The off season has just begun. I am sad to see the season go away, of course, but also excited to see what the clubs will do here in the preparation time for 2016. I know some of the things that will be on the Cardinals' minds and I hope they just make the right decisions. I can't tell you what those are, but they make the big bucks to make those calls and I just sit and wait in anticipation. One of the moves on their mind, they've already made. The option for 2016 was picked up by the team on Jaime Garcia. I hope now that he has no desire to get hurt. I also hope he realizes that he is extremely valuable to this team and its' success. Another big potential move the Cardinals will have to make or avoid making is that with our right fielder, former Atlanta Brave - Jason Heyward. His MLB-hating agent Scott Boras will undoubtedly want a lot. I just hope we can make the right decision with this position. The outfield happens to be such a tricky thing in MLB and a lot of clubs have been burned by throwing money away on one player only to have them end up on the DL or worse yet, just lose the talent that they had just a season ago. The regular season numbers for Heyward are far from All Star caliber. His post season average was very good (.357), but he still lacked the power and production numbers that a big budget outfielder needs to have. His clutch defense and presence in the lineup may just be enough to garner a fair offer by the Cardinals. Either way that goes, the off season is so fun and full of anticipation. I can't wait for Opening Day, but until then, it's time to build another championship team ready to make a run at ring number 12. Are you already thinking of your Opening Day party, too? If you still don't have that perfect place to watch the games, use the guide below and check out the listings. Today may be your day.

Northern Virginia — Overview of Northern VA neighborhoods
City — Inside the Beltway, near the Metro, close to shops and culture.
Suburbs — Close to town, but plenty of green grass.
Exburbs — For those who prefer a little longer commute to get a larger home.