RE/MAX Realty Group Day in The Park 2008 - 08/30/08 09:09 PM
Last Sunday our office had an office BBQ at the Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg.  It was a really fun afternoon.  Our office does a really great job keeping us things positive and fun. 
Kara Hurley, one of our office managers and party organizer extrodinaire, thought it would be a fun afternoon for us all to come out and hang out together and just let go of the market for a bit.  I think it is really a great thing that even in tight times our brokers and managers are trying to keep things up and positive for all.
The … (3 comments)

Come Live In The Heart Of Gaithersburg - 08/30/08 08:21 PM
… (2 comments)

Maryland Farm Bureau, Save Money and Help Your State . . . - 08/30/08 11:44 AM
I belong to the Maryland Farm Bureau and really feel it is a worthwhile cause. It is a non profit organization that is privately run to support our Maryland Farmers. 
 It costs $60.00 a year and I save on my Home owner's Insurance on my home.  I think we save about $110 a year.  Maybe that is not a huge amount, but you also get benefits for belong to the Farm Bureau.
Here are the Farm Bureau's top ten reasons you should join;
1.  Maryland Farm Bureau is the organized
voice of Maryland agriculture
2. We advocate for an abundant, affordable,
and safe food … (3 comments)

Hey, Check Me Out, - 08/30/08 11:16 AM
Well, not really ME in particular.  I am talking about where you can go to check folks out that may come into your home to do work or if you are shopping for a home, you may want to check the sex offender registry.
We all want to protect our families, no question about it.  In the past, people have bought homes only to find out that a criminal or sex offender lives right down the street.  That could be unnerving to say the least.  However, it is up to YOU to find the information and make the final decision.
It … (2 comments)

A Tough Call . . . - 08/30/08 10:52 AM
I received a phone call from some parents trying to help their daughter who is behind on her condo today.  That is a pretty common thing in our current market these days. She is in arrears on her payments by 5 months.  They have talked to the bank about listing the condo as a short sale and called me up.
I have never met these folks before but I could hear the anguish and frustration in their voices.  They have paid some of their daughter's mortgage payments for her, enough to keep her in the condo.  She is still in arrears though.  It … (20 comments)

Worst Traffic Day of The Year . . . - 08/28/08 10:36 AM
The DC area, with it's suburbs, is ranked as one of the top 5 worst traffic areas in the country.  Right up there with Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and DC.  Actually, without looking up the exact statistics, I think these cities are the top 5 worst traffic cities in the country?  I know, I know you folks down in Miami have some complaining to do too, so go ahead.
The traffic is always something we contend with in our area.  Heck, I time showings and appointments around it just so I don't have to run late or suffer the pain of sitting … (9 comments)

Suburban Maryland Home Show Expo 2008 - 08/28/08 10:05 AM
If you are anything like me and my husband, home improvement is a never ending process.  Don't get me wrong, it is a labor of love but it is definitely labor.  One of the previous owners had done several improvements ten years ago, but we have since improved upon their improvements. 
There are so many choices, it can be daunting.  Where do you start? What is your budget?  That is why the Home Show is a great place to start.  Everyone you want to talk to all in one place! 
We look at it as eating an elephant, one bite at a time … (0 comments)

"Jazz It Up" on the Rockville Town Square - 08/23/08 07:35 AM
Have you been to the new Rockville Town Square?  It is fabulous.  There are all kinds of new shops and restaurants.  They even have a Gordon Beirsch brewery/restaurant.  It is so much fun. 
Come out Satruday, August 30th from 10:00 am to 5:00pm for the Rockville Town Square Jazz Festival.
There will be live Jazz all day long, food tastings and the shops at the Rockville Town Square will have store specials.
The tastings will be featuring the Rockville Town Square restaurants including;
Austin Grill, Bobby's Crab Cakes, Greystone Grill, La Tasca Tapas Bar, Oro Pomodoro, Taste of Saigon and many … (1 comments)

My Emperor's New Clothes- Gaithersburg Art's Barn - 08/22/08 09:25 AM
This is the last weekend to see the play at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn.  My Emperor's New Clothes by Larry Shue will be preformed by the Sandy Spring Theatre Group for the last two shows this weekend.  It is a similar version of the story we all grew up with by Hans Christian Anderson.
The Friday show starts at 7:30 and the Saturday shows start at 2:00 in the afternoon.    The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in the heart of the Kentlands.  Tickets are $14.00 for adults and $12.00 for residents of the City of Gaithersburg.
Bring the … (0 comments)

Take a risk & miss a mortgage payment for relief? - 08/22/08 08:57 AM
I want to get the word out to as many consumers as possible so you don't fall prey to such programs.  Always call your lender first to discuss your loan, never take advice from some stranger on the phone.
Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages :
WARNING !!!  WARNING !!! WARNING !!!  Beware of others giving you bad advice. Now, this is not the law, this is just my opinion and my advice.
Lately, I have received a few phone calls from either past clients or from consumers reading my posts. They are telling … (3 comments)

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade September 1st 2008 - 08/22/08 08:35 AM
Gaithersburg will be say good bye to summer with a big send off.  On September 1st the 70th annual Gaithersburg Labor Day parade will be held at the intersection of Russell and Diamond Avenues in downtown Gaithersburg. 
There will be Fire engines, marching bands, giant balloons and clowns celebrating the weekend.  The parade will start at 1:00 and last until about 2:00.  Bring your the family and your chairs and enjoy the afternoon.  There will be free parking at the city parking garage and shuttle buses from Gaithersburg Middle School.
If your group is  interested in participating in the parade you may contact … (0 comments)

Market Statistics Germantown Maryland, 20876 - 08/20/08 02:12 PM
Currently there are 29 sales in the zip code of 20876 pending settlement.  Volume over last year at this time is down by about 38%.  Sellers are netting approximately 89% of their asking price.
Total new listings in 20876 for July is 56, this includes townhomes, homes and condos.


Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20876 Germantown, MD From: 07/01/2008 to 07/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 08/07/2008
Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. - MLS Resale DataCopyright 2008 - Information deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.
… (0 comments)

Market Statistics July 2008 Boyds Maryland 20841 - 08/20/08 02:07 PM
Here are the real estate market statistics for Boyds Maryland for the month of July 2008.  Even though the average home price is down by about 27%, the dollar volume is only down a little over 6% from last year at this time.  I believe the short sales and foreclosures have affected the values.  The good part is that Boyds is a strong draw for sales because the actual volume is almost the same as last year this time.


Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20841 Boyds, MD From: 07/01/2008 to 07/31/2008                … (0 comments)

Market Statistics July 2008 Germantown Maryland - 08/20/08 02:01 PM
Here are the market statistics for July 2008 for the 20874 zip code of Germantown.  As you can see there are 70 pending sales.   The volume change from last year at this time is about -28%.  However, time on the market has decreased.  The majority of homes sold in 20874 sold between 1 and 30 days. 
Numbers are low, but buyers are still out there looking for homes.  The key is pricing your home correctly.

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20874 Germantown, MD From: 07/01/2008 to 07/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 08/07/2008
… (1 comments)

Want your Mortgage Loan to close fast, here's a few tips. - 08/20/08 01:10 PM

Via Jason Sardi, Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker:
How fast your loan closes is often up to you.I tell folks two things these days and both can result in great opportunity. There is an abundance of inventory (houses) in most markets and the money (interest rates) is still cheap. That said, Lenders & Banks are combing through files with a fine toothed comb these days; everything has to be pretty much perfect. No more of the days of throwing things against the wall, lax & scattered documentation, or loan files that are missing this or that or that other thing they are asking for, … (0 comments)

What'Old is New Again. . . . - 08/17/08 07:22 PM
When I was a kid I can remember my Mom hanging the laundry out to dry on a nice sunny afternoon.  She always said the sun made things smell better.  I just thought that was what everyone did.  Then, the next thing I knew we had an electric dryer delivered to our house and boy we thought we were we something.
After the dryer came, the clothes were never hung out to dry on the clothes line.  Sure, we had the drying rack thingamajig for delicate clothes, but never did our unmentionables go back outside.  Then it seemed that you weren't supposed to … (23 comments)

Sales Statistics For Gaithersburg Maryland 20878 - 08/13/08 03:34 PM

These are the statistics for the month of July 2008 for zip code 20878.  This would include Gaithersburg, North Potomac and the Darnestown area.  As you can see the average sales price is down about 38% from last year.  The chart also shows us that the average contract is netting the seller approximately 92% of his sales price for a closed sale.
These statistics are furnished by MRIS.

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20878 Gaithersburg, MD From: 07/01/2008 to 07/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 08/07/2008
Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. - … (1 comments)

My Career As An REALTOR, Let Me Count My Blessings . . . - 08/13/08 03:19 PM
I think I am the luckiest person on the planet.  I do what I love.  Even though I can complain with the best of them, I am so lucky.  I know we are dealing with a trying marketplace but it will pass.  This will make you better at what you do.   
Think about what you do, you help people find their dreams.  That is what it is, a dream.  When the reality sets in that a person has the ability to purchase their first home, you get to be a part of that.  How cool is that?  Everyone imagines the … (14 comments)

Email Fliers, Let Make Them More Effective . . . - 08/13/08 03:01 PM
Today's marketing is indeed for the house, but isn't part of for ourselves as well?  Sure it is.  We all know the three main cogs in the wheel are Price, condition and location.  Or in today's market, PRICE, PRICE, PRICE to get our listings sold.
I do believe you should have a quality brochure for each property.  Buyers can take with to jog their memory, virtual tours are a must, the magazine - well, I think that is more for our self promotion to keep our faces out there in front of the public and yes, I still do it.  I … (17 comments)

Learning about Alzheimer's and Silver Alert - 08/06/08 09:36 AM
This is a funny story with a serious message. . .
Awhile back I was on my way to an appointment and of course I was running about 10 minutes late. So I am driving down the road pretty focused, minding my own business.
This is a fairly large road, 3 lanes in each direction 40 mph speed limit going through town. As I get to the interstate on-ramp, I notice this older gentleman standing at the corner of the road and the on-ramp. He was probably 75 - 80ish, dressed to a tee. Navy blue pants, button down shirt, blue … (17 comments)

Market Statistics for Boyds Maryland 20841 - 08/01/08 11:48 AM
Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20841 Boyds, MD From: 06/01/2008 to 06/30/2008                Statistics generated on: 07/08/2008
 
… (3 comments)

June 2008 Market Statistics for 20874 - 08/01/08 11:46 AM
Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20874 Germantown, MD From: 06/01/2008 to 06/30/2008                Statistics generated on: 07/08/2008

… (0 comments)

June 2008 Market Statistics for 20878 - 08/01/08 11:44 AM
Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format
ZIP Code: 20878 Gaithersburg, MD From: 06/01/2008 to 06/30/2008                Statistics generated on: 07/08/2008
… (0 comments)

You Go Girl!! . . . - 08/01/08 07:16 AM
 
 
You know the saying.  You go Girl.  It is kind of like the female version of that jump in the air high five thingy?  Whatever you guys call it?!!  It is something that we say to women when they show us their strengths and that they have overcome or accomplished something major in their lives. 
We all know that we are stronger than we realize, just sometimes we need a little nudge.  So this story will be about women and their strengths when it comes to home ownership. 
I work with many first time homebuyers.  I love them, they are … (73 comments)