ABOUT DEBORAH KNUCKEY... Ever since my parents put me to work on a fixer upper at age ten, I have had a passion for real estate. I have renovated Victorians, Federals and Colonial homes and multi-units in the area. I pride myself on knowing houses inside and out, leveraging the web to make transactions easier and sales more effective.... and never, ever, having a cheesy photo on a business card. I limit the number of clients I work with to ensure each client gets my full attention. I am supported by two great assistants who ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

My interests include modern architecture, historic preservation, and green building techniques. I'm a member of the Urban Land Institute and the National Building Museum. I have an MBA from UCLA and am licensed in DC, MD and VA. In addition to real estate, I write about renovation and personal finance.
Guide to Home Remodeling
Financing Home Remodeling
Finding Good Financial Help
My personal finance books

ABOUT CONTINENTAL PROPERTIES... Continental Properties, Ltd. is a boutique real estate brokerage serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia. All of its agents have deep experience and were successful, high volume agents at other firms before joining Continental.

CODE OF ETHICS... I do this work out of a passion for real estate, not a relentless desire to earn squillions. Because of that, I pledge to:

* Always strongly recommend you have a buyer broker representing your interests... while it is legal for Realtors to represent both sides of a deal, I don't think it is always in your best interests. If I am representing a seller, I prefer to pass potential clients on to a trusted colleague.

* Be straightforward with you. I don't think you should buy or sell just to make me a buck. I am happy to help you think through your options and would rather help you make the right decision even if it means I lose a commission. I'd rather have a loyal non-client than an upset client.

* Honor all confidences and always look out for clients' best interests.

* Take the time to educate you about buying or selling, complete all appropriate disclosures,and ensure that you feel comfortable about the process before you are in the middle of it. It won't take long, but it will take a weight off your mind.

* Refer you to a Realtor I trust if I don't have the expertise to serve you. This could be because I don't know the neighborhood you want to buy in or because you need special information about a program that I do not and cannot know all the ins and outs of. It is the best for all involved.

And the usual fine print... Just like all licensed Realtors, I adhere to the National Association of Realtors' Code of Ethics, as well as the ethics and laws of the areas where we practice.

While I may sometimes give unsolicited opinions about the color you should paint walls and the need to remodel a bathroom, I am not.... contractors, lawyers, home inspectors, zoning experts, yadda, yadda, yadda. Nor do I play one on television.