Embassy reshuffling their attaches and I need a new tenant in Potomac, MD.

Just as everything was going so great, my wonderful tenant has been re-called as part of a governmental reorganization!  It could hardly have come at a less desirable time!  In the middle of the winter, I have to put the house on the market! 

Now, this is an opportunity for me to display my equanimity, that is keeping calm and balanced at a time of stress and turmoil. 

I usually prefer long term leases, but I am willing to rent until July or August to a qualified  family that is in the process of renovating their home.

The house was renovated at the end of 2010, includes new efficient gas furnace, hardwood-floors throughout, 4 bedrooms , 3 1/2 baths, plus a lower level, walk out in-law suite, an office or library on the main floor, gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a large carefree deck and two car garage, with attractive lanscaping.

My son, the real estate market skeptic, is now ready to buy a home in the Capital Hill section of Seattle, Washington.

He needs a Capital Hilll, Seattle expert, patient real estate agent to help him navigate the process.  He would like to speak with someone who has sold lots of short sales, in the event that such properties are available. 

If you fit this description, or know of an agent who would, please contact me, first. 

Have you ever thought of getting a RE license for one other state and gave up because you thought it is too complicated a process? 

After my daughter moved to Florida, I decided that I should have a Florida license.  I did not hesitate and went for it!

At the end of July, I started an online Real Estate course for the Florida license.  I have almost completed the 63 hours of reading, exercises quizzes and tests.   I am certain it has taken longer than the required hours.  When I am done, I can take the state Real Estate test.

Here are the benefits:  I can study when it is convenient for me, and do not need to be in Florida for the courses.  I can even take the test in DC or MD.

After working as a real estate agents in NY, MD, DC and VA for many years, I find this course very useful. This is a complete review of everything I learned and much of what I have forgotten. The forgotten information is the kind I did not apply in my work. Mostly, the myriad of calculations such as tax rates, payments on notes, etc.  I seldom if ever had the reason to deal with it, as the mortgage lenders would handle this aspect with the buyers.  I can see how knowing the information would be useful.

I find it refreshing to learn new things and enjoy the moments when I realize the different ways in which we are taught to practice real estate here and the way the Florida tests suggests we should in Florida.  One example, is the attitude towards the over priced listing.  The correct test answer is: "Do not take it".  This is not how we are encouraged to handle such a situation.  I would rather educate the clients, instead of giving up on them.  But on the test, I will mark the answer they expect.

Another great benefit of this project, is how sharper I feel and how good it feels when I go over the tests and I know the newly learned facts!

If you have thought about acquiring a new license, I would say go for it.  You will be glad you did!

 What a wonderful Open house we had today!!!  We had 35 groups of visitors and agents were still showing after we closed the Open House.

The neighbor's were a valuable source of information to us and the many buyers who where asking questions about the neighborhood, the house, the builder, etc. They told me about a huge oak falling on one of the houses and the roof did not collapse.  Later on, the owners of that home came in, too.   

A few neighbors graciously invited me to see how they renovated their homes. I plan to take them up on the offer and will go to see their updates. They were a friendly group of people, accept for one who might have been shy or suspicious. 

I like to have a lender at my Open Houses, and this time the mortgage lender was very busy with individuals who were interested in borrowing and refinancing.

I am planning a Broker's Open, but I might not have a chance if an offer is accepted.

Some information about the house: It was built in 1938 and only one family lived in it.  The floors , practically, look as if no one lived there.  It has three bedrooms, 3 full baths, a library the size of a two car garage on the second floor with a fireplace.  A gorgeous slate roof, new windows, finished attic, screened porch, garage, and of course, being a center hall house, it has formal living and dining rooms.  Offered at $896,000.

One very lucky buyer will get this gem and I wish them a wonderful life in this house.

Our office got to visit Symphony Park At Strathmore, yesterday.  Leslie M. Fitzpatrick, VP of Sales & Marketing at Michael Harris Homes gave us a concise informative presentation on the development.
By the end of her talk, I was ready to buy at least one of the brownstones.

I am familiar with the homes, since I have visited their brownstones at Park Potomac many times.

Seems to me that this community is much better located, it is close to two Metro stops, adjacent to the famous Strathmore Art Center, about a mile from White Flint and its major exciting re-development.

If you are thinking of buying a townhome, can qualify for a $900,000 to $1,800,000 home, this would be a wonderful place to call home.

Right now, the builder is including the optional elevator a $60,000 value and a pricey membership at Strathmore.

I would be very happy to escort you to this community and tell you about all the other great benefits of living in Rockville, Bethesda, and North Bethesda.

What motivates a buyer to ask an agent they just met to write their offer?

During an Open House, a buyer after spending lots of time in the house, asked me if I would prepare their offer.

Of course, I was delighted to do that, and told them that now I work for the seller. After 4:00 p.m., I will be happy to meet with them and assist them in writing the offer.

When we met the next day, the buyer signed the required forms, looked again at the property for an hour, shared some of their motivations and tactics.  However, decided to hold off on making an offer on a property they consider over priced and new on the market.

In the Buyer Agreement I stated that our agreement is specific to the home the buyer was considering, because I thought it would give the now client the opportunity to get to know me and decide if we can work together.

I was not surprised when the buyer sent an email verifying that our agreement is limited to the one specific property.  But I was curious what is behind such actions?

What does the buyer think he is gaining by having different agents writing for him on different homes?

How often do you get asked in an Open House, that is not your listing, to write an offer?  How do you handle this situation?

If you are a buyer, what is the rationalization for having agents you hardly know write offers for you?

My elderly cousin who is alert and informed signed a listing agreement with a broker in Florida, without reading it. She was too busy and distracted with her move to a retirement community. The agent who was not attentive to details, inserted incorrect information, priced the condo too high and did not give an honest opinion of the condo's value to my cousin.  Unless, she did not know what was a fair price.

Once my cousin settled in her new place, she read the documents and she has not been happy about the whole thing.

She needs an agent who knows the market to come and give her a price point that is reasonable for this area.  My cousin is ready to listen and price it right.

She also wants out of her present agreement, as she does not like the company she is dealing with.

Is there anyone out there who can help her out and guide her in the process?

Today, our Bethesda Garden Club had a picnic and garden tour planned in Jeffersonton, VA.  When I heard that the temperature will reach 100 degrees, I was reluctant to participate.  I listed all the business activities I need to accomplish and was adamant about staying in town.

In the morning, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and decided to take the two hour trip into the VA country side.  I was glad I did. 

This was a true vacation from work, because I forgot my phone, something I never do!  It was great not getting calls and dealing with all the calls at once, when I got back.

For anyone visiting VA and interested in plants, be it flowers, ornamental bushes, and grasses, this would be an interesting way to spend a few hours.  You would need to make an appointment with the owner Bob Wollam at Wollam Gardens.    http://www.wollamgardens.com/

According to Inman News^TM , the latest numbers from Hitwise show Realtor.com was the most popular real estate site on the Internet in April, with a 6.5 percent market share, followed by Yahoo Real Estate (6.1 percent), Zillow (5.52 percent), and Trulia.com (4.75 percent).

I can understand the popularity of Realtor.com, as it seems accurate to me, but how come Zillow and Trulia are so popular with incorrect data so often, or lack of up to date information?  I have no idea how accurate is Yahoo, but I seldom get inquiries quoting Yahoo's data about listings that are no longer on the market.