Tom Anderson, Bill Moody, Marc Schappell, and Dana Landry decided to found their realty firm, Washington Fine Properties, while surfing in 1998. (Photo by Justin Kriel) BULLS IN A BEAR MARKET THE FOUNDERS OF WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET ADVICE FOR SELLERS AND WHY SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

The purchase of Washington’s historic “carriage trade” realty fi rm, Pardoe Real Estate, by corporate giant Cendant, Inc. (now Realogy) in 1998 left an opening in the greater Washington real estate market for an independent fi rm designed specifi cally to handle the area’s most valuable properties, and the unique needs of the buyers and sellers. Enter Tom Anderson, a 25 year veteran of Sotheby’s; Bill Moody from Pardoe; Dana Landry, and Marc Schappell, who decided while surfi ng in 1998 that it was time to leave the big boys and the homogeneous fi rms behind, and branch out. Eight years later, Anderson and his partners are the big boys, and the fi rm they founded, Washington Fine Properties, handles a startling pertcentage of the sale and purchase of the most valuable properties in the area. WL recently sat down with the founders of WFP to talk about the current state of the luxury real estate market, what should be “top of mind” for buyers and sellers today, and how four friends from diverse backgrounds have managed to put together one of the hottest real estate fi rms in Washington.    In the main hallway, the small salon and dining rooms, grand and unabashedly modern chandeliers drive the look and feel without stealing away the simplicity of the rooms’ overall style. Custom-made by Minami Tada, the chandeliers both illuminate and serve as inspiring ceiling sculptures. WL: How is the market doing? What have been the effects of the sub-prime debacle and the general tightening of the credit markets? BILL MOODY:There is defi nite caution in today’s market. Not everything is selling as quickly as it used to. However, the good news is, there is a “good market” in any market, and for well priced properties, activity continues to be very strong.