Margaret Ireland honored by peers

2007 REALTOR® of the Year Margaret Ireland

Things are almost as they should be in the real estate market. While the market in Northern Virginia is slowly recovering from
an 18-month slowdown, agents are looking forward to a more normal housing environment.

"We're seeing a definite upswing where sellers are pricing
where they should be," said Managing Broker Margaret Ireland, of Weichert Realtors®, in Manassas. "We're coming into a more normal environment."

Ireland, who was named the 2007 REALTOR® of the Year by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, said sellers are being more realistic. "Sellers realize they have to be ready to sell and
it will take some time," she said. "You need 30-60 days to sell. Buyers have more time and are not having to make rash decisions. It gives them time to look and think. It's good for everybody."

Ireland believes a big part of the agent's job is to help their clients make rational decisions and not rush into commitments that they may feel, down the line, are not right for them. "Sometimes you can see it on a buyer's face. That this is it. A good agent is there to help keep emotions in check."

Besides not rushing, buyers can also make better decisions by narrowing down the area where they want to live and being realistic with their offers. "Try to decide on an area where you want to be. This is a huge area," said Ireland, who came here with her husband in 1983. "Some buyers feel there are desperate sellers, but that is not necessarily the case."

It's not realistic to expect to sell in a week and a normal environment is a welcome sight, she said. "It's a good market. It's an easier market. There are choices."

Ireland was awarded REALTOR® of the Year in March at the NVAR's annual awards banquet. She has been a NVAR member since 1984 and has worked at Weichert as a managing broker for the past 15 years. Ireland is the Immediate Past Chairman for the NVAR Board of Directors, and also served as its Secretary/Treasurer.