Experience Counts
Whether you are buying or selling property in today’s real estate market, it’s important to know that you have a local REALTOR with many years of experience working for you… one who prides herself on having helped many families achieve their goals of homeownership. You will find me to be an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with true commitment to providing you with the high-quality, specialized real estate service you deserve.
My Service Strategy Is Simple
By concentrating on my clients’ particular goals and working diligently until they are met, my clients are able to sell and buy their homes quickly and at the best prices. No home is too large or small to get my fullest attention. As a local area expert with knowledge of the communities, my objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.
“Maria is an excellent realtor who assisted me with a rather complex real estate transaction where all parties were remote, including overseas buyers. Maria made this experience essentially effortless for me, thanks to her deep knowledge and extensive network. She is a unique resource.” – DC Condo Seller
“I have spent many years living and working outside of the U.S., working with professionals, literally, from around the world – your demonstrated professionalism and competence is quite impressive, indeed, superior. I greatly appreciate the manner in which you and Norris have advanced my interest to its present position. I look forward to your, (you and Norris), continued advice and actions.With kind regards, I thank you.” – Al
“I met Long & Foster Realtor Maria Hardy-Cooper through a very good friend who had worked with her on the purchase of a second home. What we thought initially would be a very smooth intra-family sale of an estate property, turned out to be anything but that! However, throughout the roller coaster process which ultimately resulted in the property being sold on the open market, Maria never wavered in providing excellent guidance and support, culminating in the successful sale and settlement of the estate property at $30K above list price. Maria Hardy-Cooper shall forever be my Realtor of choice!” – Seller VM
“Maria has been our trusted agent for over 15 years. When considering our recent purchase, Maria was our first and only thought about who should represent us. Throughout the entire process, Maria was thorough with every detail and maintained a positive approach. It always showed that she had our back and we appreciate her counsel.” – Buyers of Ellicott St NW
“You cannot find a more knowledgeable, professional and personable agent than Maria. Her passion and expertise are an unbeatable combination. She was my only choice when I decided to sell my house; and by the way she was the agent who sold it to me 12 yrs prior. We have stayed in contact and she has always been super responsive, even when I just had a question. Her advice and efforts were directly responsible for my home receiving an offer above my asking price by the third day it was on the market.” – Seller of 26th St NE
“Thanks again Maria for all of your help (in finding condo.) You have been great. Both calming when I overreacted and nurturing, just to be a genuine human being. I’ll definitely make sure to pass your contact information over to my friends. ” – DC Client
I’m ready to help with your Real Estate needs!
Sellers Call for a detailed market analysis
Buyers Get in touch and prepare to be a homeowner
Securing Your Dream Home
Protect your investment! Learn about the importance of hiring a Buyer’s Agent, about my background and skills as a Buyer Agent and the Long & Foster All-Inclusive Experience.
Agents Who Are Realtors® Are Worth Every Penny Of Their Compensation
Here’s a look at ALL the things – big and small – that an agent who is a Realtor® may do to help clients when buying and selling a home.
At Home With Diversity Certification
Recently completed… At Home With Diversity certification with the National Association of Realtors. The At Home with Diversity® certification is designed to enable Realtors to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. It educates on topics such as diversity sensitivity, how it applies to U.S. fair housing laws, and ways to develop professional guidelines for working with people in the increasingly multicultural real estate market.
Four Reasons Why Now’s a Good Time to Sell
While the housing market traditionally heats up with the weather, buyers are looking year-round. If you’re thinking about selling your home, here are a few reasons why now is a great time to get it on the market.
Appreciation. Your home’s value is based on the market, not the season. In the last few years, home values have increased by more than 20% in some areas, creating a significant profit for homeowners when selling.
Motivated buyers. Spring and summer are generally considered the “peak seasons” for real estate, but prospective home buyers that start shopping in January are serious, motivated and ready to buy.
Reduced competition. Inventory is already tight, and it can be even more restricted in the winter months. With fewer homes on the market, sellers face less competition. A home that’s in great shape and shows well will stand out.
Winter weather: Use colder temperatures to your advantage by making your home look and feel warm for showings with plenty of heat, warm lighting, a cozy fire and perhaps the smell of freshly baked cookies.
If you are considering selling your home, I’ll be happy to provide you with a comparative market analysis of your home’s value. Plus, I can offer advice on how to get your property ready for market and guide you throughout the entire selling process, no matter the time of year.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to buy a home, I can help you prepare so you’ll be ready to make a winning offer.
Museums To See In D.C.
Check out The Arts and Industries Building (AIB)! This is the Smithsonian’s second oldest building and a national hub for creative exchange between ideas and objects from our past and our future. AIB opened in 1881 as the country’s first U.S. National Museum, an architectural icon in the heart of the National Mall. Its soaring halls introduced millions of Americans to wonders about to change the world—Edison’s lightbulb, the first telephone, Apollo rockets.
Over the years, AIB was the origin and incubator for almost every other Smithsonian museum, debuting everything from dinosaurs to rocket ships. Never fully renovated, the building closed completely in 2004 due to structural concerns. Now, for the first time in 140 years, we are reimagining the building in its entirety to renew its original purpose: to be an incubator for thinking about, and even solving, some of the biggest challenges we face today.
Best Practices For Buyer Love Letters? 
Buyers competing in a hot real estate market might try to stand out from the crowd by sending a “love letter” to the seller. Real estate professionals can use these best practices to help both buyers and sellers avoid potential fair housing violations that love letters can trigger.
Curious What Your Home Is Worth?
– What renovations offer the best ROI?
– What home renovations would you recommend to improve property value?
– How does my home’s property value compare with similar houses and others in my area?
– How do I increase the value of my property?
– How does my property compare with similar houses?