Gifts of Appreciation

One of the agents in my office signed me up here on Activerain just this past January.  I didn't have the first clue.  Not one Iota of what I was getting myself into or how to do it?  I would log on read and learn stuff, check out different ways to do things here and there.  Bookmark some of the posts for their good content.  I even made a couple of comments, whoa go figure.  Then the thought of actually POSTING something made me some kind of nervous.                                                                                                   

So one day my cell phone rings and this voice on the other line says,  Hi, This is Kathy McGraw calling you about Activerain.  I thought huh?  Okay, what did I do wrong now?  She said that she had seen me Lurking in the comment section and wanted to help me with my first post.  So, she did.  She sat on the phone with me and walked me through the process for about 30 minutes, I am slow you know and she has the patience of Jobe.  When I got off of the phone with her, I just thought, wow - that was really great?  What a nice person to take the time out to help me get me started.  If this is the kind of place Activerain is, I want to be a part of this community! 

The other part about Kathy is that when she writes a post, comments on your post or answers back to you, she is really talking to YOU.  She knows you.  That makes her a true gem in my book.

The other gift of appreciation for me is Jennifer Bukaty and her post Is Anyone Home?  If you didn't read it, please do it now.  It is about the fact that there is more to the foreclosure crisis than just the troubles the banks are having. 

The thing about this post was shortly after, I was showing REOs to my investor and we came upon a similar property.  I could tell someone must have been there recently.  Two pillows on the floor and a blanket.  Gallon jugs of distilled water in the bathroom and kitchen.  It made me email Jennifer to say, I thought about your post today because something similar happend to me.  I wonder if I would have paid as much attention to this situation had I not read Jennifer's post?  Jennifer called me that night and we talked for a long time and we talked about trying to help some of the people in trouble?  I mean what happens to some of them, there are little kids involved, homeless?                                                       

This got some of us talking in the office and we are trying to come up with different ideas of how we could maybe help some of the folks hit so hard by foreclosure. We have talked about having a food drive of some sort.  We have listings in our offices that are pending foreclosure, all we have to do is ask, maybe some kindness will do us all good. I appreciate Jennifer for reminding me that we all can do more to help.

I was Found on ActiveRain Today!!

I have been reading post after post about getting business from AR. My friend, who I got to sign up and has NEVER done anything with her blog, says to me "someone found me on AR today."  I thought, wow, you don't even participate in the community or anything?  I was getting worried, thinking I am never gonna get one!!

 Finally, I got a call today.  It was kind of funny because I was sitting at my desk answered my phone and this voice was very friendly and said, Hi, we want to come and meet with you right away.  I just so happenend to have some time in the afternoon for them to come and get qualified and have our Buyer Listing appointment!!

I thought it was interesting that they knew how long I had been at my office and other information.  I thoought, they must have read my main profile page?  I asked them how they found me, they said ActiveRain.

They are a very nice couple and relocating to the Montgomery county area from Texas. 

It was my first, it was really fun.

Thanks, AR!!

Rockville, MD Single Family Sized Townhome

Audrey June-Forshey | RE/MAX Reatly Group | 301-921-2672 2 Calabash Court, Rockville, MD Single Family Sized Townhome!! 3 Bdrm Townhouse offered at $718,188 Year Built 1999 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $110 per month DESCRIPTION Beautiful, bright & pristine in every way. Turn-key condition & ready to move in. Hardwood floors through out the main level, high end kitchen with 42 inch cabinets & granite countertops. Private landscaped patio, deck w/ professional gas grill. Master suite w/ private dressing area & luxury bath. Close to Traville Center see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Fireplace Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Granite countertop Basement Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Audrey June-Forshey RE/MAX Reatly Group 301-921-2672 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: May 6, 2008, 5:36am PDT

I know Open House is REALLY Geared Towards Buyers, But. . . . .

I am not a big Open House fan.  Yes, in the busy market it was a great tool but we all know that it is a pacifier in the mouth of a seller.  They want to know we are earning our keep.  With all of the fabulous virtual tours that are done now, we can skip the 1970's way of marketing homes. 

 I also explain to my sellers that open house is mostly designed for agents to pick up buyers.  Yes, we are going to show and try to sell your home, but the chances of someone wandering in off of the street in a random way are pretty slim.  We all know most consumers are shopping online and will most likely make an appointment with their agent to see a home and not wait for an open house. Okay 'nuff said.

HOWEVER, when you have a listing in "the neighborhood" you know sells quickly or that you farm on a regular basis, I have had great success with a Pre- Open house.  I will mail out on the Monday or Tuesday prior to a Sunday open post card invitations to the entire neighborhood.  The postcard will read something like; SSHHH come to the neighbors only Pre-open house from 11:00 to 1:00 ( or whatever time you want to make it?).  Refreshments will be served and you can take a look at the new kitchen/bathroom/remodel/whatever is special about the home before the public gets there.

When I do this, I have a mad house of homeowners in my open house.  They ALL want to see the home and go through it but don't want to be the "nosey neighbor" coming through the house. They ALL tell me that!  They'll say, This is so nice, we have always wanted to see this home and now I don't have to feel like I am intruding. 

 The other good part about it is many of them will know each other and stay around and shoot the breeze for awhile and drum up more conversation with you, helping you get to know them.  I think the last one of these I did, I had a head count of almost 75 people from a neighborhood of about 400 homes, pretty good? Actually, I got two listings from one of the pre opens I did.  The funny part was the sellers didn't really care if I did te pre open or not for their home because they knew it would just be their "nosey neighbors?"   Kind of ironic? The folks had a good time too!  I have my marketing materials there, great way to meet face to face - belly to belly stuff. 

Okay, hope this helps!  Good luck!!

Some of the Smartest People in the Country are Right in Frederick MD

The other day I was heading back to my office after meeting with investor clients of mine in Frederick.  I saw this sign and almost wrecked my car slamming on the brakes, one to make sure I was reading this sign correctly and two, to give credit to some pretty smart folks. Besides, the world is now one camera shot away from a blog post :)

Here's your sign;

This sign is on one of the busier streets in Frederick Maryland.  These folks are trying to get the word out, I am just trying to help.  Oh yeah, they aren't even a bank, or some sort of media outlet nor are they are real estate company?  Who are they?  They are Petersen' Carpet and Flooring.

This sign is outside their store, I wonder how many folks drive by day after day and see, ignore or believe this sign?  Just think a carpet company to tell us what most folks should know.  I know we have money in our retirement accounts and 401Ks, but I know for sure the real estate that my husband I own has more equity in it than the other accounts do.

So I am going to listen to the folks at Petersens  and know that my real estate is STILL the best investment my husband I am have!! Maybe we should all try to start thinking like Petersons and feel good about our real estate again!!

Big Box Store with a Heart

The other day I headed over to the Costco next to my office.  I like going there about as much as I would like to have every tooth in my head drilled with no Novocaine.  I don't really like it.  Too many people in there for me.  Anyway, when I have to go, I strategically pull into the lot and park way over on the far side of the lot so I can get in and out with relative ease. 

When I drove up to the parking lot I noticed a bunch of the shopping carts grouped in a semicircle with that yellow caution tape threaded through the carts.  I parked up from the carts, got out of me car and noticed two Canadian Geese waddling back to towards the carts. 

It seems they built their nest there and the employees built a barricade around the nest.  As I stood there and watched them, I watched the mama go, uncover the nest ( they cover it up when they leave) and sit back on it for awhile.  Papa stood guard, posed for my pictures and kept guard of his little woman and their imminent brood.

I really like Canadian Geese.  I know they poop all over the golf course, but that is life - watch where you are stepping.  You know they are monogamous and will usually come back to where they were born and nest in that area every year.  My neighbors have a pair that come back to the pond in their yard every year. 

I was told by Duck hunters years ago that if they were hunting geese they could shoot 2 a day.  The reason was that they were a pair.  If one was shot, the mate would come back to look for it and then they would shoot it to put it out of it's misery.  I'd like to put some of the hunters out of their misery as well.  I know that is kind of morbid, but it shows the intense relationship that even animals can have!

So, my hat is off to the Costco employees for protecting the little couple and making the world a little bit nicer place :)

Next Time I am Wearing a Crown instead of a Cap!

Next time I am Wearing a Crown Instead of a Cap!

It is Sunday afternoon in Darnestown Maryland.  As my husband and I walk together all the guys are so glad to see me.  "Hi, Audrey, we are so glad to see you."  "Hey look everyone look, Audrey is here."   My husband and I just grin.  You see, it is Spring and Coed Neighborhood Softball has started in Darnestown and the women are a must.  It is not because I am so good, they just need 3 breathing females on the team to play!

Then Linda and her husband show up, and the same thing happens.  Hey, everyone, Linda is here and so on.  We girls laugh and say we have not been this popular since our wedding days.  The guys make us feel like queens because they need at least 3 of us in order to play!

In our town we have six softball teams that are made up of from different neighborhood combinations. You must own/ live in the Darnestown area of Gaithersburg to be able to play. Each team must have three women playing at all times.  There are several rules that have been put into place for safety purposes.  There is no sliding into home plate.  The men have to bat opposite until they are 50, then they can bat normal.  For some of the guys, it doesn't matter - they still knock it out of the park. The women use a smaller ball than the men.  There are all kinds of little rules to keep it safe and fair for the girls.

There is a six foot circle drawn around the home plate so there is no pushing the catcher out of the way in order to score.  That is good news to me seeing how I am the catcher for my team.

My husband, Mike, is the pitcher.  He does a pretty good job.  However, when he is not on his game and I sigh, not having anything to do with the fact that he is about to walk another person and we might lose the game because their best hitter is on deck kind of sigh.  No, it would have anything to do with that, and Mike can still hear my sigh only like a husband can.  It can be amusing to say the least. 

The games have umpires, strikes are called, and batters are walked.  It can be pretty exciting. Scores, wins and losses are kept and there is even a trophy at the end of the year.  Neighbors bring their lawn chairs and cheer their neighbors on.  After the game is over, we sit and visit, watch the next game if there is one, have a beer.  It is a great way to know your neighbors in a small town way that is not normal in the DC suburbs.

It is neighborhood softball and is a lot of fun, there are those that you have to remind them that they are not in the World Series, but I guess that is just how some folks are.  All I know is next week when I need a boost in morale; all I have to do is show up to the ball field.   

Market Statistics for March 2008 Zip Code 20878

 Dear Fellow 20878ers,

Here are your market stats for the month of March 2008.  Even though some of the numbers are down we still hav 53 pending sales for the month and Days on Market, if priced well, are low.

Please let me know if you have any questions in regard to this information.

Thanks,

Audrey

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format

ZIP Code: 20878 Gaithersburg, MD
From: 03/01/2008 to 03/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 04/08/2008

Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. - MLS Resale Data
Copyright 2008 - Information deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.

For more information you may contact me at Audrey@audreyjune.com

Adventures when showing homes

Today I was out showing homes and the showing service did not call the seller at one of the homes that I wanted to show.  The seller was a bit surprised but then let us in to see her home.  This reminded me of a story from A few years ago.                                

I was out showing homes to friends of mine.  We were looking in a specific neighborhood for a specific type of home.  I called the listing office to set up the appointment to show the homes in the area.  We get in the car and get the show on the road.  We saw two, they were pretty good, one was a real consideration.  We get to the next home, I knock on the door and say, "hi, I am Audrey June from RE/MAX Realty Group we have an appointment to see your home."

The seller practically screams at us and says, "NO you don't.'  No one has called me to say you were coming.  I said I wasn't sure why they didn't call but that I was told we were set to see the house?  If it was not an inconvenience, could we please come in and take a look around?  All of the sudden the listing agent sticks her head out the front door of her home and they exchange words about us not having an appointment and that if we didn't have an appointment we were NOT coming into his house.  The listing agent concurred and told us to go on if we did not have an appointment.  I know I called, but it was not worth the argument, because I was not going to win.

We turned around, my friends were a little freaked out by his attitude and went back to my office and bought one of the other houses. He should have known, that was probably the buyer of his home.   I guess they showed us.  Protected themselves right out of a contract.

The irony to the story is that after I got married, I put my own house on the market.  It was before the market went crazy, but still moving right along. My husband, Mike, knew to turn on all of the lights, open the blinds, and leave when someone was coming to the house.  We had two showings scheduled for the first Saturday morning and the house was set.

 So, I am out showing houses to clients and all of the sudden Mike calls me on my cell.  Susie Agent from your office is at the front door and wants to come in!!  I said, And you are letting her in, right? Mike says, Well, she doesn't have an appointment!!  I just laughed and said, um, please turn on the lights and do your thing and let her come in.  I guess I thought Mike would know everything about real estate through osmosis since he was married to me. I said to him, " You never know, that could be the buyer of your home."  It wasn't the buyer that day, but you never know?

Since that happened years ago, I always prompt my sellers that you never know.  Your house is on the market, people could be out with their agent and drive by the sign and ask their agent to knock on the door to see if they can see the house.  You never know, that could be the buyer of your home?  

I always explain safety to them, not to let people come in alone or at night.  Get the card, if it doesn't feel right, tell to come another day and so on.  However, on a Saturday afternoon, someone may just come with the agent and knock on the door to see your home.  Some call the office from the driveway, it is sort of the same thing. You have to be prepared for anything, yes, it is inconvenient, but the more accessible your home is, hopefully the faster it will sell and you can be rid of the inconveniences.

 You never know. . .

Something fun and different to do in Bethesda!

If you like to meet new people and cook, I have a great suggestion. 

 L'Academie de Cuisine Culinary school

located  in Bethesda Maryland.  LAC is an accredited culinary school.  If becoming a professional chef is of interest to you, I have included a link to the school. 

This link will provide you with all the information you will need.  It has a complete class schedule, descriptions of the classes and recipes.  If you have someone special that really enjoys cooking, LAC has gift certificates available too.  I got some of these for Christmas.  This is a great gift for everyone.  I got to learn some fun recipes, I made them for my friends and family so they got to enjoy my class as well.  Kinda neat!

For the novice, LAC also has a recreational school. The recreational school is broken down into to two areas.  One is the demonstration classes. This is where you can come and watch Chef Francois Dionotcook for you and watch as he shows you how to prepare the recipe. The second is the participation classes.  These are the ones that I like best.  You get to get in there and actually make all of the recipes.  You can register for everything from baking bread to making soufflés.   They also teach knife skills, making candy and cake decorating classes.  

There are single session classes.  These classes are 3 hours long, you will watch a demonstration of the items to be prepared and then you will actually make the recipes right there in the classroom.  You may also sign up for classes that are a series.  They are usually 3 classes that meet once a week. There are intense weekend classes for real cooking junkies. 

There are usually several recipes for each class.  It is usually two or three main dishes and several side dishes. All of your ingredients are all measured and set out for you in your station.  Just don't mix up the salt for the sugar like I did when I was making English Toffee!  We had to start that one over.  There are also helpers there to assist you and the teaching chef.

The reward is when you are finished cooking, grilling, or baking you sit down with everyone and have a meal and a glass of wine to experience your cooking abilities.  The recipes are printed and yours to take home and try again.   

So next time you are trying to think of something new to do, think L'Academie de Cuisine.  It is a lot of fun and a great place to meet new people!!