POWER BROKERS

Few things in the Washington area say power more than where you live, and no one knows the local real estate market better than these brokers do. Whether you're buying or selling, be sure to talk to one of WL's power brokers.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN KRIEL

THE CLOSERS

Ellen Morrell, Penny Yerks, Casey Margenau, Jonathan Taylor and Marc Fleisher	Michael Seay, Michael Matese, Michael Rankin, Leslie Kopp and Nancy Itteilag

ELLEN MORRELL WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
I have been in real estate sales for over 25 years, but in the past year I had four sales over $5 million dollars, each one setting a record in their respective markets. My largest residential sale was just last month, a property in Georgetown that was privately listed for $28 million.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PREMIER LISTING?
One of my current favorites is a beautiful river view home located at 1007 Crest Lane in McLean.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
Expertise with integrity. We take our business very seriously as one's home is often one of their largest assets. We provide our clients an extraordinary level of hands-on guidance to achieve the highest and best sale.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
A Stanford White shingle style cottage on the water in Bald Head Island, North Carolina, where there are no cars and perfect sunsets would be just the place. Contact Ellen at (202) 243-1616 (o), (202) 365-0196 (c) or ellen.morrell@wfp.com

JONATHAN TAYLOR TUTT, TAYLOR & RANKIN SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
Forming my own company in 1988. I had been in the business as an agent for 4 years before joining with Wallace Tutt. Michael Rankin joined us as a partner in 1991 and we have been steadily and carefully growing all the while.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PREMIER LISTING?
A grand Chateau-esque residence on Balls Hill Road in McLean that has been 5 years in the making and is approximately 29,000 interior square feet on over two acres of land. It will be ready for the market early this summer and will be available for $15,000,000.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
I take the time and ask the questions to understand my client's needs and goals. Then I strive to provide the best information and most honest, straightforward advice as possible.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
I live in my dream home. I have plenty of space for my wife, two teenage sons and two dogs. Contact Jonathan at (202) 276-3344 (c) or jonathantaylorw@aol.com

LESLIE KOPP LONG AND FOSTER

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
On my first weekend after getting my license, I sold a new house in a neighborhood in which there had been no sales for over a year. It was in the late 80's when the market was really tough.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PREMIER LISTING?
39623 Seacolt Lane in North Bethany is a two-acre, one-of-akind oceanfront estate with over 13,000 square feet. Certainly the finest home ever listed for sale on the Delaware coast, it is being offered at $10,000,000.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
Consistency, honesty and candor are three words that come to mind. Clients need to hear the truth even if sometimes it isn't what they want to hear. I focus on a narrow market, know it thoroughly, and market it aggressively where potential buyers are.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
I have just bought a property right in the heart of my market and am designing my dream house right now. Contact Leslie at (302) 539-9040 x207 (o), (302) 542-3917 (c) or leslie@BestofBethany.com

CASEY MARGENAU RE/MAX DISTINCTIVE REAL ESTATE

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
I cannot say that it was just one sale in particular that put me on the map. An in-depth knowledge of the market and a strong work ethic are what keep you on the map. My largest sale was a home in McLean that went for $6.5 million.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
The newest project from M & A Custom Homes, Putnam Farm Estates in Great Falls. This new neighborhood features seven of the finest quality grand estate homes in the area.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
Give the best possible service and take extremely good care of each client.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
My wife and I have just purchased 5 acres in Northern Virginia and have begun designing our dream home - one that looks like it has been around for 200 years, with classic architecture, old world details and charm but with the best of modern conveniences. Contact Casey at (703) 827-577 (direct), (703) 442-8600 (O) or casey@margenau.com

MICHAEL MATESE WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
Rather than any one single sale, my consistent annual volume of high-end sales has firmly established my presence in the market. My highest recent sale was $3,750,000, in which I represented the purchaser.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
My favorite current listing is "The White House on the Hill", a true Potomac landmark on 5.6 private acres.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
My sales philosophy is to exceed my client's expectations. Listening to my clients, strong knowledge of the market, introducing options and providing expertise enables my clients to make informed decisions.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
My dream home changes with time. Presently it's in Potomac with my family. As my children leave the nest, my "dream home" is a white clapboard farmhouse with a wide porch, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. But that is quite a few years away! Contact Michael at (301) 983- 0060 or mike@michaelmatese.com

NANCY SHAHIN ITTEILAG LONG AND FOSTER

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
Happy clients who have purchased multiple properties and sent us referrals for their friends, family and co-workers. A client's referral and repeat business says it all - after twenty years our phones just keep on ringing. One of my biggest recent sales was the Rose Heard House at 2013 H Street, N.W., which went for $4.9 million.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
All of them! Every listing is a priority.

SALES PHILOSPHY:
It is all about the customer - answering phone calls on the first ring, returning messages within the hour and paying attention to detail are our keys to success.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
Well, that is a tough question! For an in-town residence a penthouse at Turnberry Tower with views of Georgetown would be my first choice. For getaways a private villa on the island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific would fulfill the Audrey Hepburn fantasy retirement life ... but retirement is at least ten years away! Contact Nancy at (202) 905-7762 or Itteilag@aol.com

MICHAEL SEAY W.C. & A.N. MILLER: A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
Being kind and helpful to all has been very helpful in my career. We are all here on this earth to help each other and the only thing we take when we leave is our Reputation and the difference we can make in the lives of others.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
One of my favorites is 4308 Forest Lane in Wesley Heights listed at $4,750,000 by Meg Crowley. It is a home where my best friend lived when I was in elementary school at Horace Mann and where President Nixon lived before that.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
People should want to buy a particular property without a lot of pressure - it has to feel right to them.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
My dream home is where I live now in Spring Valley with my Family. I grew up in Spring Valley and love to take walks through the neighborhood - it is very relaxing and brings back a lot of happy childhood memories.Contact Michael at (301) 229-4000 or michael.seay@Longandfoster.com

MARC FLEISHER LONG AND FOSTER

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
I have had the good fortune to handle hundreds of upper bracket homes over the years, but the biggest residential sale in my career was for $15.1 million in Potomac.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
I have many. They include 9400 Persimmon Tree Road in Potomac; 7013 Natelli Woods Lane in Bethesda; 6609 Kennedy Drive in Kenwood; 7101 Orkney Parkway in Bethesda; and 3101 Cathedral Avenue in D.C.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
Know your market and be honest with people - they are hiring you for your advice and expertise. Say no to unrealistic clients and never give up on a deal.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
I am fortunate to have two that I spend time at. My main residence was recently constructed in the heart of downtown Bethesda and my getaway home is in Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. If I were to envision a dream home elsewhere, it would be on the water in the Caribbean. Contact Marc at (202) 364-5200 x 2927 or marc@marcfleisher.com

PENNY YERKS WEICHERT REALTORS

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
Almost 20 years ago I sold one of the first million dollar houses in a new subdivision called Ballantrae. It was unheard of at the time and set the pace for the incredibly rapid growth of multimillion dollar properties in Northern Virginia.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
I have a very special listing on Crest Lane priced at $5,995,000 that was in Architectural Digest and was decorated by Thomas Pheasant.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
To "tell it like it is." This is the reason I consistently hear when I ask people why they chose me for the job. They feel that I know what I am talking about and they trust me.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
Palm Beach on Lake Worth with beautiful vistas of the water where I can watch people on their boats enjoying a gentler life style, but my husband says I will die on Old Dominion in my 80's with a contract in my hand telling him, "Aussie just one more deal." Contact Penny at (703) 760- 0744 or pennyyerks@aol.com

MICHAEL RANKIN TUTT, TAYLOR & RANKIN SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
It is flattering to think I'm on the map. I work really hard for my clients and our associates.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING:
I have the magnificent custom built chateau in Mclean co-listed with Jonathan Taylor for $15 million.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
I believe in giving my clients great care and all my time and energy when they want it.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
I have a working farm in St. Michaels, Md. The main house has great history and a wonderful character. I don't get there a lot but knowing it's there gives me great comfort. Contact Michael at (202) 271-3344 or MWRankin@aol.com

ANITA SISNEY ARMFIELD, MILLER, RIPLEY FINE PROPERTIES

WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP (OR WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SALE)?
There is an expression in our business that "you are only as good as your lastsale." My most recent sale was also my highest sale - Llangollen, an 1,100-acre estate in Upperville, Virginia. The property was listed for $22,000,000 and sold for full price within 3 weeks of its offering.

CURRENT PREMIER LISTING?
I currently have "Huntland" listed. It is a 550-acre historic property in Middleburg, Va., offered at $17.8 million.

SALES PHILOSOPHY:
Know your market, listen to your clients, be discreet and treat everyone fairly.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME?
Fortunately, I am living on my dream property; a farm tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Contact Anita at (703) 973-1987 or anita@anitasisney.com