Real estate round-up: October 14

Check in every business day for the latest edition of Real Estate Round-up, where we post a list of our favorite real estate news stories from DC and beyond.

Headlines from the DC Metro Area: Father battles Fairfax County zoning laws for sons' treehouse Washington Post County officials say the Grapin family violated zoning regulations that try to ensure that everyone lives in a safe, well-kept neighborhood. Washington not ready for electronic real estate transactions Washington Examiner The next big tech thing for homebuyers and sellers may be start-to-finish online real estate transactions, but industry experts said the Washington area is not ready to make that jump just yet. Shirlington Crest reduces prices by $60K DC Urban Turf While reminiscent of DC's iconic row houses, with brick exteriors and classic stonework, Shirlington Crest townhouses are designed with a modern sensibility that means open floor plans, high ceilings, spacious master suites, luxurious bathrooms and two-car garages. Your next place: Solar Decathlon edition DC Mud While saving the planet is obviously more important than improving the "vibes" of your sunroom, there's a parallel there with the green retrofitting that some people are calling the "Third Industrial Revolution."

National real estate news stories: Mortgage pro: Don't let one denial stop you Hsh.com There are hundreds of lenders in the U.S. and each has its own series of overlays. Some are strict while some are loose, and most can be found on Google. If your loan has been turned down for any reason, start a search for new mortgage lenders. Your loan may be approvable--you just have to find the right bank. Get a mortgage with little money down Bankrate.com First-time homeowners often aren't in the position to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment, either. Luckily, options exist to help new buyers get mortgages without selling their organs to come up with the cash.

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