Learning Curve on Using Constant Contact for Mass Emails - 03/31/11 10:16 PM
So what has been the learning curve on using www.ConstantContact.com this evening for mass emails?
Well, first of all, I decided to experiment with the RE/MAX 100 Agents. What can they do? Hit me over the head with a RE/MAX Balloon?
Second, I used the theme of the October 1, 2011 Annual Susan G. Komen Beach walk from 7:30 to 10AM. The start point is the North Beach Fire Department that is located in Chesapeake Beach. <<<Yes, that is what I said.>>> There's a Meetup for Breakfast after wards at Traders if you want to take a hike, bike, plane, car, boat, or … (6 comments)

Can You Even Buy a Box of Cracker Jack? - 03/31/11 06:09 PM
This post could be worded any better. Some concepts have no jurisdictions or boundaries. They are as true in Mid America or the West Coast as in Southern Maryland. My goal is to hand you the prize i.e. the keys so the pre approval letter becomes A#1 important.
Via Nancy Milton REALTOR GRI Edwardsville Illinois (RE/MAX Preferred Partners in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs):
One of the self-imposed rules my teammate and I use when working with buyers is a common one in the world of real estate. We require our buyers to have a pre-approval from a lender before we go out to view homes more … (0 comments)

I was searching the Internet to find a Real Estate Agent in this area and Selected YOU! - 03/31/11 11:11 AM
I was searching the Internet to find a Real Estate Agent in this **** Southern Maryland ****area and Selected YOU!
Then I saw the Golden Retrievers and knew it was you.
That's how the phone conversation started.
Now isn't that a symphony, not just music, to a Real Estate Blogger's Ears?
With XXX posts and XXX comments and XXX years of nonstop blogging, I could have danced a JIG. Instead, I'll load up my iPAD and Riley Rover and head over there tomorrow! My listing hopes are BIG!

… (3 comments)

Have you picked up the phone and called an Active Rain Blogger Today? - 03/31/11 10:27 AM
Have you picked up the phone and called an Active Rain Blogger Today?
I saw a post yesterday by Sheldon Neal on the Featured Blog Front Page of Active Rain. I comment now and then to him but have never met him, never talked with him, never emailed him, never seen him, never. Nope, never anything.
He wrote a post about Breast Cancer a year or so ago that is seared in my brain. Nothing about real estate, just a post about his Mum. Of all his super duper posts, this is the one I think of when I see his name … (6 comments)

White Board: How to Sell Your Home ! - 03/30/11 10:23 PM
If you are thinking of selling your home, view this. If your home is not selling, view this. If you have your home already JUST listed, view this. Just to make it simple, here's the bottom line. Go ahead and view this Zebra Productions video. You will get the point with a Southern Maryland smile.
Via Sheldon Neal ~ That British Agent ~ Bergen County NJ (Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited):
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !


 
Sheldon Neal is a Full Time Realtor® with RE/MAX, specializing in Homes For … (5 comments)

Blogging Is Great For SEO - I've Heard That Before! - 03/30/11 09:54 PM
This is a good explanation of the benefits of blogging. You hear it once, you hear it twice, but this is a very nice piece on the why and where. Matter of fact, I might reread it a few times along with you to make sure I get it all down!
Via Lisa Udy Logan Utah Realtor ( Platinum Real Estate Group):
How many times have you read or heard someone tout that blogging is great for SEO? I would say I hear it about 3-4 times a minute! LOL - Anyways, why is blogging so great for SEO? To all of … (3 comments)

If this Golden Retriever Puppy Video doesn't describe my day! - 03/30/11 09:43 PM
If this Golden Retriever Puppy Video doesn't describe my day!
I have been working with MobileMe and Outlook to prepare my database for my iPAD2 which SCOOBEDOO has shipped and is in transit.
I cannot wait to get it in my hot little hands.
It has been two steps forward and one step back on this longstanding Outlook duplication removal project.
I used a product called Outlook Scrubber to eliminate duplicates in Outlook.
I have the correct data now on three laptops plus my iphone and ipad.
I still have to figure out what buttons to press on the three laptops after … (0 comments)

Wednesday is Project Day for this Southern Maryland Real Estate Agent - 03/29/11 09:40 PM
Wednesday is Project Day for this Southern Maryland Real Estate Agent!
For as long as I can remember, Wednesday is Project Day for this Golden Gal.
By that I mean work on my business not in my business.
I take some big project and tackle it.
Tomorrow is Tote Day. This is a nice way of saying Paperwork Marathon Day.
I have two rubermaid totes filled with paperwork that need to be filed and processed and moved out.
Now I cannot think of anything worse to do. I would almost rather have no shoes in the snow. Please let it be rainy … (3 comments)

Database Duplication Spring Cleaning - 03/29/11 09:20 PM
I got motivated to Spring Clean my Outlook Database Duplicates because:
The Outlook database can be used in social networking to locate contacts in lots of products...this is lead geneartion.
When, not if, you sell your business your database is your asset. Hmm..so I figured get off my asset and get it corrected.
I have a new iPAD coming and a new iPhone in hand that I am learning so the Outlook mess needs to be cleaned up pronto since MobileMe syncs with Outlook with just one contact entry. No cords, no time wasted, enter one lead or contact one time and it is on all your laptops … (0 comments)

Builder and Home Improvement Contractor List at the Courthouse...Constant Contact here I come! - 03/29/11 08:59 PM
I have a lot in Prince Frederick MD that has PERMITS. Let me say that again.<<<< PERMITS>>>> That is a big deal in this turf. So what I am going to do is get a list of Builders and Home Improvement Contracters from Inspections and Permits  at the Courthouse tomorrow and set up a spreadsheet of emails as I google them one by one. Then I am going to set them up in Constant Contact for a cool email brochure. This should be interesting. I also have a bunch of lot listings in the Beach and Prince Frederick  MD that I … (0 comments)

A Home Seller's Bill of Rights - 03/29/11 08:33 PM
This is perfect for the Southern Maryland area also. I think we need one written for Buyers with the same flow. What a great way to frame some important real estate points for Sellers. I love the technology one in particular!
Via Liz and Bill Spear RE/MAX Elite Warren County Ohio: Cincinnati to Dayton (513.265.3004 www.LizTour.com):
A Home Seller's Bill of Rights We the people of The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite believe that Warren County home sellers have certain inalienable rights owed to them in their pursuit of the sale of their home. ....okay...we borrowed from the Declaration too! :)
They are entitled … (2 comments)

Open House QR Realtor Discussion Group - 03/29/11 06:15 PM
I attended an Open House QR Realtor Discussion Group event today in lieu of House Tour. I don't have to be asked twice if my favorite salad from Chesapeake Grill is served, there is a tech discussion, and the home is a beauty let alone maybe 10K below below the Builder Price and only TWO years young.
There were only a few agents so we sat at the table and discussed how 60% of the Buyers are GenX and GenY so they embrace this technology. The Quick response code concept is that you use a smart phone to photograph this square black box  … (0 comments)

More iPhone apps from the USA Today Weekend Magazine! - 03/28/11 08:01 PM
More iPhone apps from the USA Today Weekend Magazine!
I saw an article in the local paper this past weekend with more iPhone and iPAD apps. Most I had already downloaded but here are a few worth a peek for you to add to the lists I have written previously.
I had Groupon but had not checked out Living Social or Whrrl. I had not selected Google Shopper since there was no camera on iPAD1 ! I cannot wait to comparison shop via barcode.
MyFitnessPal Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker is now downloaded.
I also checked out DriveSafe.ly which reads your text and … (3 comments)

10 Great Mobile apps ---- Every agent or matter of fact anyone can use to make their life easier!!! - 03/28/11 03:04 PM

Lori Fleming has the first article I will reblog now that the reblogging feature is reactivated  on Active Rain. I took her list over the weekend and added some of her apps to my NEW iphone that I had not previously loaded on my iPAD. I am still experimenting with them!
Via Lori Fleming CRS.,GRI.,Epro.,CDPE (Century 21 Golden Spike Realty):
My top 10 Mobile apps to make your life mobile!!! AND THE BEST PART IS THEY ARE FREEEEE!!!
1) Google Maps for mobile - m.google.com/maps Use Google Maps on your phone, and never carry a paper map again. This program allows you the ability … (1 comments)

Top Producer 8i - 03/27/11 08:05 PM
Top Producer 8i Training DVD's have gotten a workout this weekend.
The main thing I have noticed is that as your computer skills improve over time, and they do one way or another as a Realtor to keep up with Marketing Techniques, 8i does not look quite as daunting. The other thing I have noticed is that Top Producer has stayed very relevant. You can see recent Twitter and Facebook entries for your friends and even tweet from the Program.
I have noticed the 8i Tech Help is excellent. Bordering on outstanding.
The biggest surprise I have had is that contrary to what they … (2 comments)

Outlook Duplication Products - 03/27/11 07:54 PM
Does anyone know of any Outlook Data Duplication Products?
 I have a database that has multiplied over the years and I need to SCRUB it clean. I saw a few products when I googled this. One let you merge and study each contact entry  field for choices at roughly $50.
 I am not sure how it will interact with Mobile Me which syncs to a cloud and then transports the data to each iphone and ipad and Outlook program on different computers.
I am about to plunge in and give one of these products a whirl. Before I do, it would be … (2 comments)

AAA to the Southern Maryland Jeep Rescue! - 03/27/11 07:47 PM
AAA to the Southern Maryland Jeep Rescue!
I like to lay low on Sundays. It's my day off. So what did I do? I decided to run over to Traders for their great breakfast and hit Rolands for a few groceries and then hunker down for a few projects I wanted to tackle.
Well, that was the PLAN.
So right smack dab in the middle of the gas station the Jeep died. Yep, dead as a doornail. At least it was Sunday and not busy. Well I have been working on my database so all my phone numbers were wiped off … (0 comments)

Red Laser and Panorama and Bakodo iPhone Apps...Easy Peasy! - 03/27/11 07:38 PM
Red Laser and Panorama and Bakodo iPhone Apps...Easy Peasy!
I picked up my Nephews to head over to Prince Frederick MD for a Smoothie this afternoon as part of a Birthday Celebration and I ended up learning a few new iPhone apps.
On the drive, we downloaded Red Laser for QR Code Reading and Panorama for 360 stitchng and Bakado for Bar Code Reading. All three out of the chute work effortlessly. On Bakodo and Red Laser you did not even have to press the button for the iPhone Camera to work and show you the bar code or QR code results. … (1 comments)

How to do Comments on an iPAD for Active Rain Blogs - 03/26/11 02:31 PM
How to do Comments on an iPAD for Active Rain Blogs:
Okay, I thought you had to use LogMeIn.com.  You do need this remote access to your computers to blog on Active Rain. But it is slow and tedious and time consuming and not worth it to me.
But what I really missed was simply doing comments. You can do your ten a day so much more easily while on the road or on a break or while reading in general (which is fabulous with the backlit screen on an iPAD!) So I accidently stumbled on how to do it. And … (10 comments)

Love to mix up the Shopping Venues After an appointment! - 03/25/11 02:06 PM
I LOVE to mix up the Shopping Venues after an appointment! I like to go somewhere completely different than the regular stores within a 20 minute radius of Chesapeake Beach MD particularly if it is a Friday night.
I love to check out the shopping after a listing or sales appointment. I like to BLOOM where I am planted. Tonight I am in the South end of Calvert County so it is a short hop, skip and jump across the Bridge to California, MD where there is a Target, HUGE Walmart, and Restaurants galore. There is an Olive Garden and I am not sure I have ever eaten there. I … (7 comments)

Good Experience with Apple MobileMe Product Today! - 03/24/11 09:20 PM
I had a Good Experience with the Apple MobileMe Product Today!
I have been on Tech Help lines for days getting set up with new database products(s) and learning the ropes of how to use them. When I got my new iPhone and new iPAD it meant I had to give up the ghost on my old antique database system which did not support these new Apple products.
It has been a nightmare.
But one thing about it, you wake up from nightmares.
So, it boils down to this.
For two days I have been  working on the Apple Mobile Me product, which takes … (4 comments)

Constant Contact versus Mail Chimp...A Realtor EMail Blast Program Comparison - 03/23/11 06:26 PM
Constant Contact versus Mail Chimp...A Realtor EMail Blast Program Comparison
Are you using one of these two products and what do you like most about it?
I understand for large email blasts Top Producer 8i has some constraints.
Here's the link to Constant Contact http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp
Here's the link to Mail Chimp http://mailchimp.com/
I am taking the discussion to Active Rain Members before I start my research. Which do you like best or do you have another product to toss in the discussion?
Let's have a Golden Results conversation. I like the quote that life is too short to make all the mistakes. Sometimes … (8 comments)

...I did not think I could make a week of no sweets...but.... - 03/22/11 12:35 AM
I did not think I could make a week of no sweets...but....
It is official, I had a No Sweets Week.
I won the Sweepstakes!
No junk food, no sugar, just healthy foods. Seven days of healthy.
Who would figure?
The first few days I was mean.
The next few days I was GREEN... for St Paddys.
The last few days I could be seen in the fruit and veggie aisles.
One week later, not even a Jelly Bean.
I am Queen of the No Sweets Week.
You can tell the Puppy Photo Ad Pictures take place in a few weeks.
P.S. Did … (5 comments)

You can time the amount of time you spend doing AR Comments and post each day! - 03/21/11 08:08 AM
You can time the amount of time you spend doing AR Comments and post each day!
That's what a clock does, right?
But who remembers to look?
When you click your home page, for the very first time, I noticed it logs your time.
I always figured I spent 15 minutes on a post and 35 to 45 on 10 comments a day.
But no way did I get technical and clock it.
Who needs to? Just look at the home page.
I gave up comments for 6 weeks. I was going to stretch it to 8. Then I realized a … (11 comments)

This Southern Maryland Realtor will drink to that! - 03/20/11 08:28 PM
This Southern Maryland Realtor will drink to that!
First let me explain. There's liquor and there's chocolate. They both have calories. To me there is no contest. Hand me the chocolate.
So when I say drink I mean my new Smoothie kick. I got the idea from the Panera low fat Frozen Mango Smoothie. I came back and concocted my own brew.
Here's what to do. Mix a banana, orange and sliced mango in a blender. Add 80 calorie Dannon Vanilla Yogurt. Blend again. Add ice and blend again. YUMBO.
Then I tried a bunch of strawberries with water and ice. … (2 comments)

Free Market Analysis in Calvert County in Southern Maryland - 03/20/11 05:52 PM
Free Market Analysis in Calvert County in Southern Maryland!
Need to know the value of your Southern Maryland Calvert County home this Spring Season?
It's Southern Maryland CMA Time! It's FREE. It's prepared with 25 years of RE/MAX Realtor Experience!
Visit www.follr.me/GoldenResults for a Digital Business Card. Go ahead, check it out!
Best of all, I will nail that number. You might need a chair. You might need a sofa. You may even need an oxygen tank. But one thing is for sure, when I am done, you will know and understand and SEE the number, too. And sometimes, that is what you … (3 comments)

QR Codes Q and A Time in Southern Maryland - 03/20/11 04:55 PM
It's QR Codes Q and A Time in Southern Maryland...
QR Codes by Realtors have really not made inroads in Southern Maryland.
Then again, I just got my new Verizon iPhone a few weeks ago after years of waiting.
So although I know what it is and what it does, I need guidance on how you set QR Codes up.
My iPhone is ready for the test!
Do you have any good posts or articles or can you explain the ABC's of how to set up QR Codes?
Southern Maryland is ready and so am I!
Respectfully submitted from a Southern Maryland Realtor not afraid … (6 comments)

What Riley Rover has taught me - 03/20/11 01:33 PM
What Riley Rover has taught me:
It takes PATIENCE to get through the Puppy years but boy is it worth it.
There is nothing, I repeat nothing, like a jaunt in the Jeep ANYWHERE as long as we are together.
Whatever is mine is ours.
Put some play in every day.
Put a SNOOZE on the calendar, too.
Take time to give a great big HUG.
Toss a few sticks now and then.
I'll share my toy IF you play TUG of WAR for it.
Find a good place to lie in the sun.
BARK when you don't like something.
Everybody needs … (7 comments)

The Ten Thousand Pound Southern Maryland Spring Yard Clean Up - 03/20/11 01:24 PM
The Ten Thousand Pound Southern Maryland Spring Yard Clean Up..yep, you heard me, The Ten Thousand Pound Southern Maryland Spring Yard Clean Up has taken place.
I had a BIG TREE fall last week. Really BIG. Huge!
So when I contacted Gordon's Lawn Service and asked him to go ahead and do my early Spring Yard Clean up NOW and remove the tree, too, I had to ask him to repeat what he said.
10,000 Pounds. Lots of Equipment. Several Days of work.
So, I did what any Blogger would do. I went back and got my camera when he was almost done. … (0 comments)

The Smell of Spring is in the Southern Maryland Air - 03/20/11 01:07 PM
The Smell of Spring is in the Southern Maryland Air means several things to me.
One is that the Tanger Outlet Coupon hits the Annapolis MD Capital. It is there today. Yeah! What that really means is that I start thinking of a day to the Eastern Shore with my Mom as my customary copilot.
Think Thrasher's French Fries, the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach DELAWARE, and a stop at Nicks for Ribs near Fenwick Island. It also means a nonstop day of Starbucks, Book Stores, Outlets, Panera Iced Tea Stops, and a day on the run in the sun with my Mom.
… (2 comments)

The news is not the same as reading the Newspapers... - 03/20/11 12:53 PM
I took a sabbatical from Newspapers and picked up my News from Internet and my iPAD apps for a few months.
But I have decided it just is not the same.
I totally enjoy taking time to browse through a week of newspapers on a Sunday morning.
It is the small stories and the educational pieces that catch my attention.
You just miss all the good stuff on the computer.
I read in the Washington Post about a man who was so far ahead of himself that he was seen as a kook in his Government job. But as time caught up to … (6 comments)

A dozen houses later.... - 03/19/11 08:25 PM
A dozen houses or so later, a Buyer can have a darn good feel for value within their search parameters.
Sometimes it seems easier for Buyers to get it than Sellers.
Sellers don't see the market competition in person.
They don't see it from an objective ball cap.
They may see the numbers and stats but choose not to get it.
Their goal is to get back what they put into it. Uh oh.
They want to test the market. After all, they can come down.
The only problem is the Buyers REALLY do get it.
They have seen the stats. They … (7 comments)

I got really lucky today.... - 03/18/11 07:36 PM
I got really lucky today. And the thing is I know it.
Actually, I have been lucky lately. I had a deer dart right in front of my Jeep a couple of months back. I swerved, the deer swerved, and all was aok. Then a lady bumped in to me in the McDonalds Drive thru. Same thing, not a nick. Then a lady backed in to me, or rolled in to me with quite a THUD, at a stop light. Again, not a nick. Then a few days back there was a big windstorm and again a big THUD. Frankly, I … (8 comments)

What I like most about Top Producer 8i... - 03/17/11 08:47 PM
What I like most about Top Producer 8i...
I have had 8i for YEARS not for the database but for the CMA. And the Market Snapshots.
Now I am experimenting with it for data management also.
So today I learned I like the Facebook and Twitter feeds so you can see your Facebook Friends recent entries and have lots of conversation points. I also like the quick market activity button for  additional conversation points. It does everything except have the conversation for you and dial the phone.
I bigtime like the FIVE lead product integration (Realtor.com, Wolfnet, REMAX.com, VoicePad, and Tour Factory).
The only … (2 comments)

Now I know why I took so long to change databases... - 03/17/11 08:03 PM
Now I know why I took so long to change databases...
It's kind of like speaking English and then today, okay, let's just switch to Chinese. Geez.
This has been a "Fish or Cut Bait" week when it comes to my Database Change.
I used the original Agent Office for a few decades.
But life moves on.
The old A2K does not sync with the iPAD or iPhone and the old A2K technology is defunct.
They have a NEW Agent Personal Edition that syncs with three of your computers.
If you rig up Mobile Me, then one contact entry also hits your iPhone and iPad … (0 comments)

The Skinny Mini Top Ten Things to Know to Add a Contact to Agent Office Personal Edition - 03/16/11 09:39 AM
What are the The Skinny Mini Top Ten Things to Know to Add a Contact to Agent Office Personal Edition?
Okay, here is your Cheat Sheet a la Golden Results. I am adding to this during the work day so you may want to peek back. Peek a boos are okay to do today.
1. Set up Mobile Me first. Then when you add a contact to Outlook, it automatically syncs on your iPAD, iPhone, and other laptops. One entry one time is worth many dimes of time.
2. When you open a new email, such as a new lead, right … (3 comments)

Outlook Database Duplication Solutions for Realtors - 03/16/11 08:04 AM
Outlook Database Duplication Solutions for Realtors...This is what I am researching lately so I can correct a database duplication error in Outlook. It's a project in process so you may want to check back to read the comments.
I googled "outlook contact duplication correction tool" and found this handy dandy list. Visit:http://www.slipstick.com/addins/contacts_dups.asp or just click here.
Then I studied the list and saw two products that allow more than a simple deletion of Outlook Duplicate contacts. They allow choices and then a merge into one contact entry. The One Click product that was featured and the Scrubber product further down the list are both … (1 comments)

Top Producer and Lead Street NEW Integration Means You want ALL Realtor Product Lead Integration! - 03/15/11 08:30 PM
Top Producer and Lead Street NEW Integration Means You want ALL Realtor Product Lead Integration to work!
Okay, as of last week, RE/MAX Agents now can have all their sales leads from REMAX.com funneled directly into Top Producer 8i. One call to 8i and they help set it up. The system is big time overloaded right now so my very patient 8i rep checked the server and ascertained that my test leads are there and that they will hit my 8i program when it is unclogged from this ensuing NEW RE/MAX Feature Traffic Jam.
So while I was doing this, I decided to check my Voice Pad, Wolfnet, … (4 comments)

How to correct an inconsistent data sync error message on Mobile Me - 03/14/11 11:17 PM
How to correct an inconsistent data sync error message on Mobile Me?
This is a big priority in my Southern Maryland Realtor World to get Outlook and my new iPhone and new IPad working harmoniously. One data entry and every device knows the scoop is my kind of (you thought I was going to say POOP, didn't you?) one stop shopping data entry system.
I could not get help on the Mobile Me Chat line so I googled the error message I was getting and was lead to these Apple.com directions:
To reset your MobileMe Sync data in Microsoft Windows
Open the MobileMe … (3 comments)

Day One of No Sweets until April Puppy Photo Shoot - 03/14/11 10:35 PM
Okay, it is Day One of No Sweets until the April Puppy Photo Shoot. I have a litter of thirteen puppies that I am going to hang out with while friends and family take my ad photos that I will use for the year. By the way, if you are good with a camera, able and willing, holler because I can always use an extra photographer. There's just a few weeks left until the best day of the year...Golden Retriever Puppy time in Southern Maryland!
That's the good part.
The D I F F I C U L T part is this means no sweets for … (6 comments)

Screen Sharing Products for Realtors - 03/14/11 10:00 PM
What are some Screen Sharing Products for Realtors?
I have a monthly subscription to GotoMeeting.com. When I want to learn something or teach something, I use it in a heartbeat. Let's say you have several sellers in different states. Or an out of town spouse. Or weather hazards. Or vacation locations. Or Hatfield and Mccoys and separate sessions are preferred. You can do your visuals like a listing presentation or price analysis right on the computer screen.
But FREE is FREE and worth consideration. There's a program called showmypc.com and another program called crossloop.com. Check them out when you need a quick way to … (2 comments)

Top Producer 8i and Personal Edition Agent Office HUGE Changes - 03/14/11 09:45 PM
The Top Producer 8i and Personal Edition Agent Office HUGE Changes lately boil down to this:
Top Producer now brings in RE/MAX Leadstreet Leads off of REMAX.com. This is BIG. You can have one program manage your Realtor.com, REMAX.com, Wolfnet, and Voice Pad leads. No learning curve except ONE program to manage all leads. One stop shopping.
Agent Office this past week introduced the ability to put their new PE Edition on three computers and synch with the cloud. All your data everywhere on your 3 computers.
In addition, MobileMe for $99/year is an option to add your contacts through Outlook … (2 comments)

Spring Cleaned the Southern Maryland Yard today! - 03/13/11 07:26 PM
I Spring Cleaned the Southern Maryland Yard today!
If I already Spring Cleaned the house, and am in the process of Spring Cleaning the paperwork, so last on the list is to Spring Clean the yard.
Since I have the purple thumb of the County, I got help. I moved a few bushes and bulbs and a tree so everything is looking ship shape. Next comes a crew to remove the HUGE tree that fell in the recent windstorm.
Riley Rover and I watched all the commotion and he dug right along side our help. When his paws got black enough, I sprayed him … (1 comments)

Time Slips away... - 03/13/11 07:20 PM
Time slips away...
I just checked my dates to see when my 30 days of no comments will end. My goal is to be back in the Active Rain Comment saddle again on April 4. I decided the Paperwork had to be tackled head on and I would use this daily comment time as part of the plan. It is working ever so slowly.
What I did not know is one extra month slipped by unnoticed. It is a two month sabatical total.
This is a big week. I hope the paperwork just cranks out. That will mean one big shout from … (3 comments)

No Snacks tomorrow.... - 03/13/11 07:12 PM
No Snacks tomorrow...unhealthy I mean. I have cleaned out the cupboards. No more Jelly Belly Jar. No more Girl Scout Cookies. P.S. I walked a few boxes over to the Neighborhood Kids just to make sure. No more Costco chocolate covered almonds. No more FREE Starbucks Petite Deserts. No more junk.
There, I said it. The sun will be around one more whole hour and that means no more unhealty snacks. I hope noone calls me when the effects of this are setting in.
My latest healthy discovery is a pretty cool Snack. I learned how they made the Mango smoothie at Panera. So, … (2 comments)

It's a car, it's a plane, it's both! - 03/13/11 06:57 PM
Okay, start thinking about your garage dimensions. Start thinking Jetsons and Harry Potter and Star Trek which are my favorites, of course.
There is a cool article in the Sunday Washington Post today by Annie Lowrey. Next year, Terrafugia, which in Latin means flee the Earth, plans to hopefully unveil their Flying Car. It may have just been around the corner technology for 50 years, but get prepared, it is almost here for a 10K deposit, less instruction than needed to become a hairstylist, and the cost of an inexpensive home in Southern Maryland.
More than a hundred prototypes have failed … (1 comments)

Riley Rover's Spring Dance of Joy - 03/12/11 08:07 PM
Riley Rover's Spring Dance of Joy...
Well, this "Tail" started with a HUGE tree that fell behind my Garage during the big windstorm the other night.
It meant I had to put a call in to Sylvester to get help removing it.
Which meant some other yard work got completed this evening while he was here.
Which also meant, Riley Rover's Spring Dance of Joy was a delight to watch.
Sylvester hooked up the hose. It was wonderfully warm for the date. Fifties felt like a heatwave in Southern Maryland. All the neighbors were out doing yard work.
Riley wasn't big on the yardwork, … (3 comments)

Did you get your iPAD2 today? - 03/11/11 09:25 PM
Did you get your iPAD2 today?
Well, let's put it this way. When I called the Apple Store in Annapolis MD and learned at the last big gig the line was roughly 1000 my decision was no way was I going to tackle that mess on a Friday night.
So I figured I would order the iPAD2 at the local Verizon store in Prince Frederick, MD.
No line! I went right in. They sold the WiFi 4 months ago so who would figure they would only sell 3G now?
WAIL@#$%^&*
So I left to meet a friend at Applebees across the street. … (8 comments)

I've given up Active Rain comments for a month, BUT I'll be baaackkk..... - 03/10/11 01:49 PM
I've given up Active Rain comments for a month, BUT I'll be baaackkk.....
I would say I spend about an hour a day on Active Rain and that maybe the comments take 45 minutes and the post the balance of the time.
I made an Executive Decision a few weeks ago. It was me against the PAPERWORK and guess who was going to win?
So I am steadily checking things off the to do list, posting my blog once a day, and looking forward to NORMALCY in a few weeks when I can return to comments.
So, I miss reading your … (6 comments)

Hurry, hurry, hurry up and wait... - 03/09/11 06:04 PM
Hurry, hurry, hurry up and wait...
So much of our business is rush, rush, rush then wait.
Have you ever noticed?
And all the rush up front does not change the wait that comes late.
You get to the gate at the same time one way or another.
My first Broker said do not be in such a rush to put out the fire that you forget to turn the water on.
Slow down, relax, get it right the first time.

 
 
 
… (5 comments)

Another Southern Maryland House Tour Tuesday - 03/08/11 08:55 PM
Another Southern Maryland House Tour Tuesday means I saw a few just listed RE/MAX 100 homes South of Prince Frederick MD this week. It also means , yes, indeed I stopped at Starbucks and sampled for FREE their new Cappuchino Mocha drink just for fun. Then I viewed a potential new listing, countered an offer that came in yesterday on another listing, and as the evening has winded down, I have polished off quite a few Jelly Bellys. It's been a good day in Southern Maryland.
… (2 comments)

While I have been working on photos for my new listing....TWO offers are coming in.... - 03/07/11 09:00 PM
While I have been working on photos for one new listing....TWO offers are coming in....And one more tomorrow.
Okay, I officially declare it Spring in Southern Maryland.
I intended to work more on photos on my new listing just under 600K in Huntingtown MD.
I meant to give it time for a good chunk of the day.
Instead, I have been on the phone discussing offers.
Okay, that's the reason I could not finish. Best excuse imaginable. Plus, I had an offer on another listing. Three in two days.
Spring has officially Sprung in Southern Maryland. Yippee!
… (7 comments)

The Adventures of Riley Rover and Diesel Dog... REVISITED - 03/07/11 12:13 AM
The Adventures of Riley Rover and Diesel Dog
By Cheryl Ritchie, Mosquito Gulch, Home of Riley Rover
Cheryl Ritchie, GoldenGirl@GoldenResults.com
www.GoldenResults.com
 
Riley Rover, a twelve month old Golden Retriever Pup, knows one thing for sure. He is King of his Kingdom. This includes the comfy pile of comforters stacked neatly on the front porch, the dog food bowl that's always filled and refilled for his dining delight, and the endless stack of toys to toss and treasure. Plus, his reign includes this Girl who has a stack of Dog Training Books that don't seem to do much good. Riley Rover … (2 comments)

I like to write about what I learned each day and share it on Active Rain - 03/06/11 07:27 PM
I like to write about what I learned each day and share it on Active Rain.
That is my daily source of Active Rain blogging topics.
I am usually banging my head against the wall each day learning this tech tool or getting that case to settlement.
I love the quote, "Life is too short to make all the mistakes. Sometimes you have to learn from the mistakes of others."
So go ahead, save yourself a few headaches and follow along. You can do it the right way FIRST if I do it WRONG.
Now that has the makings of a good country … (1 comments)

Bring the right healthy snacks home and you won't roam toward the Unhealthy Pantry Snacks - 03/06/11 07:15 PM
Bring the right healthy snacks home and you won't roam toward the Unhealthy Pantry Snacks...what was I thinking?
I was having so much fun in the new Brandywine MD Costco that I broke my rules.
I can't say that the Jelly Bellys or the Chocolate Covered Almonds jumped in the Jeep.
Someone had to put them there and it was not Riley Rover.
And that same someone just polished them off in record timing.
Back to the drawing board.
Only healthy snacks. There are THIRTEEN Golden Retriever Pups in the Southern end of Calvert County that will be available for puppy … (2 comments)

Easier to do a little every day than ONE Big day.... - 03/06/11 07:07 PM
It is easier to do a little every day than ONE Big day....
My Mom does her Laundry on Monday. My Dad brings home Pizza because it is one BIG, COLOSSAL chore on Mondays.
We have the same conversation every week.
Hey, Mom, do a load every day and then you won't be so wiped out on Mondays.
Nope, she likes the one BIG day and I like the every day and that, for eternity, will be the way it stays.
It's a Mother Daughter difference of opinion.
I notice it works on everything. A little cleaning, a little bookkeeping, a … (0 comments)

How do you fix an Internet Explorer Active Rain Log in Glitch? - 03/05/11 09:40 PM
How do you fix an Internet Explorer Active Rain Log In Glitch?
GRRRRrrrr,,,, This has happened a few months ago and I fixed it but did I write it down? Nope.
When I submit my user name and password it logs me in but then the screen does not change so I cannot see anything or do anything.
Next glitch, I cannot insert my photos. I figured it had something to do with pop up blockers so I changed them around and then had this same problem plus created  the new problem above.
GROWL. I know why Riley Rover Growls and … (7 comments)

Just finished this Morning's Realtor Tech Tool Project...Check it out! - 03/04/11 11:09 AM
This is my new on line Southern Maryland Realtor Resume Product at http://www.visualcv.com/ppk1uup
I have been slowly but surely filling in all the products on http://follr.me/GoldenResults and this is one I have wanted to do for a long time. Now I have an online resume to submit to all my Southern Maryland Real Estate Clients.
Check out both products! I have just sent a tech question to find out if my SlideShare Listing Presentation and Success Stories Google Video can also be shown on the On Line Resume along with the RE/MAX Balloon. Typical RE/MAX Agent , I want it all. Stay Tuned … (4 comments)

Are you a SECRET Agent on the Realtor.com Agent List? Here's how to fix that! - 03/03/11 04:48 PM
Are you a SECRET Agent on the Realtor.com Agent List? Here's how to fix that!
It has been a real learning experience to set up my Social Business Card or Digital Business Card on www.follr.me/GoldenResults. Not because of the product itself but because of all the steps you have to take to set it up. Now I can have one little line that links all my Southern Maryland products and tech tools and bio and you name it because now it's all in one place. Cool Beans. The $19.95 upgrade fee was worth it to me for www.follr.me/GoldenResults just to simplify adding … (9 comments)

Have you checked your links lately? And what is follr.me/GoldenResults? - 03/02/11 09:41 PM
Have you checked your links lately? No, not marbles, LINKS?
It's like checking your Algebra problem. Go back and check yourself. You'll be glad you did.
I stumbled across http://admin.follr.com/Registration yesterday which started a whole flurry of Southern Maryland Real Estate Activity.
It is a digital business card. Bottom line, you can use this address on your iPAD or iPHONE and nothing gets left off.
N_O_T_H_I_N_G. YOWZA! Take a peek a boo at mine on  http://follr.me/GoldenResults
Now that is my kind of link. One stop shopping. My whole closet full of Real Estate Stuff on one iddy biddy line.
Go ahead, come check … (3 comments)

What I wanted to know after the Apple iPAD2 Announcement today.... - 03/02/11 06:55 PM
What I wanted to know after the Apple iPAD2 Announcement today....
First question, on March 11 can I go to the Veriizon Store and get the iPAD2 there? Yes, most likely, and if they are not in stock, the order can be placed there and like the other two times for the iPhone and the iPAD1 set up, Verizon will help me set the gadget up using my MobileMe contacts.
Second question, should I get WiFi at $699 or 3G at $829 since I already have the Mi Fi from the iPAD1 Purchase at Verizon? By all means, get the WiFi since the MiFi … (5 comments)

Another Southern Maryland House Tour Tuesday - 03/01/11 08:00 PM
Another Southern Maryland RE/MAX 100 House Tour Tuesday means we rolled through roughly five new RE/MAX 100  listings from Southern Anne Arundel to mid Calvert. We usually spend maybe a max of ten minutes in each home each week. We have it down to an art form. We submit feedback to the Listing Agent about price and condition. We have been doing this quite a few years. It really keeps our pricing skills top notch.
I slowed the Agent crowd down today. Guess how? I had the Seller leave some fresh banana bread and water bottles out for us. I chipped … (1 comments)

 
Austinedit Rainmaker_large

Cheryl Ritchie Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Huntingtown, MD

More about me…

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com

Address: 2049 West Street Suite D, Annapolis, MD, 21401

Office Phone: (301) 855-5215

Cell Phone: (301) 980-7566

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