Looking for a 3 level Condo for a great price?

Look no further. This owner is offering closing cost assistance and/or Down payment assistance on this 2 Bedroom condo in Frederick MD. Take a look...

490 Carrollton Dr, Frederick MD 3 Level Condo

490 Carrollton Dr, Frederick, MD 21701 View Map

Remodeled and ready!!!

Here's your chance to own a 3 level condo under $200k. Down payment assistance available. THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE close as quick as your lender allows. Unit is updated and waiting for you to move in. Fresh paint, new carpet, Ceramic Tile in the Kitchen and Brand New Bathrooms. Spacious bedrooms. You are going to be spoiled with all the space for the price. Convenient to shopping, restaurants and places of worship. Quick to major commuter routes and major companies like MedImmune & Bechtel.

This property is waiting for movers!

Details

Asking Price:

$179,000

MLS:

FR6704795

Bedrooms:

2

Bathrooms:

1.5

# of Floors:

3

HOA/Maintenance Fees:

161

Subdivision:

Sans Souci Regime

Year Built:

1966

Property Amenities

- Range/Oven
- Sink Disposal
- Full Refrigerator
- Washer/Dryer

- Dishwasher
- Basement
- Patio
- Fenced Yard

- Central A/C
- Family room
- Dining Room

Contact Info

Bob Carney
Asst Manager, ABR, ePRO

Cell 240-285-4918
Dir 301-831-7500
Email | Website

Assigning Domain Names to Subdomains on Bluehost

OK you learned how to create a Wordpress.org blog using bluehost on Agentgenius’ blog. Benn did a fine job at explaining it. If you haven’t started yet, here’s a couple pre-requisites to this tutorial.

1. You need a bluehoust account. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR BLUEHOST.COM NOW. (yeah, I get a referral, but come on you’re getting this info free)
2. Created a subdomain and installed Wordpress on it. (Use Agentgenius tut if not done yet)
3. A fresh pot of coffee. (or a six pack of your favorite beverage)

For the purpose of this Tutorial… I created “Subdomain.bob-carney.net” and installed wordpress on it. By doing this first, I can create a beautiful layout and get some links and information on it prior to launching it to the public. Maybe you want to test a couple variations and have a group review them. Just create another subdomain and install your blog platform on it. (Wordpress is by far the easiest, but its not the only open source software; nucleus and b2evolution) By the end of this tutorial, I will have www.gb4h.com as the assigned domain. You will still always be able to access the blog by typing http://subdomain.bob-carney.net.

On your Bluehost cPanel, your domain menu is where you will create your Subdomain and your Addon domain. The Addon Domain is where you going to click for this tutorial.

This next step takes place on your Domain registrar. For my domain GB4H.com it is registered at Godaddy. This next graphic is the Nameserver section. I changed them prior to make the changes on Bluehost, if you don’t do this first, you will be asked to enter your EPP code. This will need to be requested from your registrar. Godaddy has a link that you click to email to you. It’s much easier in my opinion to just change the Nameservers first.

Here’s your next step in the Addon menu. A key note here…DO NOT PUT “www” in front of your domain. In a sense you are creating another subdomain…in actuality, the “www” is a subdomain of your domain. (another note; if your domain is registered with Bluehost, use the drop down from top selection)

This is where Bluehost will link your previously created subdomain. (My subdomain is called “Subdomain”, I know creative!)

OK now, GB4H.com is assigned to Subdomain.bob-carney.net. They are one and the same anything that you do in cPanel to files will reflect in the other one.

OK, off to our wordpress site. Open a browser and type in your new domain. At this point when I type GB4H.com in the URL field, it takes me to my wordpress site, but the URL immediately changes to http://subdomain.bob-carney.net.

Sign in and head over to the Options tab. You will see the below fields with “http://subdomain.bob-carney.net” in both fields. This is what is telling the page URL what the blog domain is. So change the bottom one. You can change the top one too. I don’t see any problems if it remains as is.

OK now your done. You have just set up your blog. Like I said early this is great when you are creating a new site and don’t want the domain to show it off yet. Maybe you have the domain already on another blog…like wordpress.com (the free web-based wordpress blog)

One final tip before you go...since the site is new. Make this last change so you don’t lose any SEO opportunities. While you are in the options section. Go over to “Permalinks” and make the following change.

By selection the option with the title, you will enhance your SEO by including the title of your post URL. Google likes that. The later you do this in your blog, you will have to make changes to your .htaccess file (whole different post)

Well there you have it. Peace out.

Thanks to Josette Skilling for inspiring this post.

Getting ready to change my Static Website- Getting ready for a Virtual Assistant

I have been kicking this idea around about changing my static website for sometime now.  Ever since I started blogging, I really never give that site much attention.  I mean really, why do I need to have it?  Well, for starters, it's another place on the internet for someone to find you. It has a Page Rank of 4.  If you use it right, you can use all of these little sites to help your other sites gain popularity in your search rankings.  If you notice one thing about my blogs and websites, I try to mention them on each of the other sites with some quality back links.  And by that, I mean don't just mention your website like this...  "You can visit my website at http://gotbob4homes.com and start your home search."  You have to really use all that HTML will give you.  Bold letters, alt tags and some descriptive anchor words.  Like this... "When you are looking for real estate in Frederick MD, I would say stop by my website to start house hunting."  Hover over the links...see that little gem? It's call "alt tag" you have it here when you highlight your words and click the Hyperlink tool (or ctrl-K for you power users) and put something in the description area.  It helps Google define your website.  

Back to me changing sites... In this whole process, I have been looking to learn Joomla, Mambo or Drupal to actually make my site.  I know, you're like Joo-pal what?  When you sign up on Bluehost, you have a free tool to install various website software called Fantastico.  (If you are going to self host your websites, I highly recommend Bluehost. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR BLUEHOST.COM NOW.)  Wordpress is one of them and that's the platform I use for my blog. Anyways, Joomla and friends are various open source CMS (Content Management Software.)  They have a lot of components that you can really tie a lot of items up neatly in one place.  It just takes some time getting used to and can be overwhelming to learn. But I wasn't giving up, I was just running out of time and also tired of paying for Advance Access to host my site, since I have all of this space.  The traffic wasn't there to justify the expense.  

One of the finer things about Twitter, is when you think out loud on there, people are listening.  I was throwing out some of my concerns and thought about what I was doing.  Mostly asking everyone if they knew an easy CMS application.  Jeff Turner kept ribbing me, why would I even want to fight with Mambo or Joomla... CAUSE I WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED, that's why!!!  (his suggestion was a wise one...use Wordpress for Content Management.)  Believe me, I did that too.  I have created multiple sites with that too.  

But then came along, @Virtuallin, she approached me about my problem and offered to help.  That she did...she offered to put something together for me to look at and then gave me the keys to break it.  Not quite like that, but just as dangerous.  Turns out she is the Joomla Queen.  Go ahead and search for something related to Joomla, I am sure one of her many sites will show up.  We have been working on it for a while now (mostly her.)  And almost ready to unleash it on the world with my old domain on it.  I will let you take a look at it shortly...I am not done tooting Cheryl Allin's horn.  Yes, that's her real name.   @Virtuallin is her Twitter name and also the play on words for her company.  Cheryl is a Virtual Assistant.  Whenever you think you're too busy to get stuff done, but not confident enough to hire a personal assistant for the office, you'll need to think about a Virtual Assistant.  There are quite a few out there waiting to help.  Cheryl does more than websites, but that is her specialty.  Her prices are very reasonalable, even for a cheap skate like me.  Not only did she put together a fine website, for a very reasonable price threw in her new Drip Mail program.  (you need some like this to help maintain new leads.)

If it wasn't for Twitter and me thinking out loud amongst my followers, I would still be racking my brain.  Cheryl has helped alleviate  my problem and free up my time to look for business instead of maintaining my business.  That's only one of the many benefits of a Virtual Assistant.

As promised take a look at what I used to have and what I will have soon.  

OLD Advance Access Site                                              New Joomla Site

Again, if you're looking for some great website help, think about calling (or Twittering @Virtuallin) 

Yeah, that's coming from me...Mr. "I'll do all that techie stuff myself" 

Wordpress: How to write today and post automatically in the future

Trying to keep up with your blogs while you are on vacation can be a daunting task.  Not that I have been on vacation anytime lately. But if I ever was on a vacation, I would want my blog to post while I was on vacation so my readers wouldn't miss me. I stumbled upon a post that showed me how but forgot to book mark it so they would get some link love.

You always worry about losing your traffic because you neglect to post on your blog...now you don't have to worry...just do it ahead of time. 

Here's how you do it.  First and foremost you have to write your post ahead of time.  We'll keep it simple with one, but it works for multiple post.

1. Write your post.
2. When you  are done and ready to save, here's what you do 1st. (very simple)
3. Edit time stamp box to the date and time you want to automatically post
4. Click Publish on the Post Status Section
5. Click Save (NOT PUBLISH)

You've received a Hallmark e-Card = virus WARNING

Isn't that nice?  Someone thought of you to send you the very best.  Just delete it...it's a fake.  You will get a virus.

A couple items to notice that it's a fake.  First off, the spelling.  It's received not RECIEVED.

And Hallmark will always tell you specifically who the card is from...it won't be addressed to you from a "friend" or "neighbor" 

If you hover above the link that says click "here"... you will see that it doesn't have Hallmark.com in the address but an IP address with an .exe extension... that is bad.  It will run a program on your computer immediately. 

On Hallmarks website you can contact them to report the incident and what else to do.   Here's the warning posted on their website.

At first Norton Antivirus, didn't do anything to the virus.  But when I download AVG free version, the virus was deleted and quarantined.  

If you really meant something from the sender...they would of sent you a real card!!!   

8 Random Things About Me...I Have Been Meme'd

OK, I want to thank Midori for this, again painful experience, like once wasn't enough. I am not sure what other secrets that I could possibly share but lets give it a try...

1. I have had this book on my bookshelf for two years but have never read it...guess I'll do it tomorrow.
2. I seriously think I should be on Ritalin...Not that I'm hyper, I just cannot focus on one task at a time. I have to be running around like a chicken with my head chopped off or I'm not happy. Uhh look butterflies!!!!
3. I was a Radio station DJ at PSU in New Ken. We played Punk, when Punk was the only Alternative Rock. The Sex Pistols, Dead Milkmen, Depeche Mode, and we also play heavy metal. :) (yeah, you'll have an earworm after clicking the last one)
4. I was the President of the Chess Club in High School and was the A/V guy and stage hand for theater club - Total nerd!
5. My favorite movies are the old Monty Python movies; Search for the Holy Grail, Life of Brian and the Meaning of Life
6. Best days of Boating are the day you buy and the day you sell it. I had a 20 ft Bayliner when I was in college and we used to be on Three Rivers all the time...If it weren't for beer and gas back then I would be a rich man today.
7. This page left blank intentionally
8. I really wish life was much simpler...I love technology but it has really changed the way we work and relate to everything and everybody in life. And I don't think its all that great for our kids future but its hard to break. I am sorry they can't have a childhood like we did...batteries not included!

In line with requirements of this meme...I need to name 3 people and one of which is someone from my external Socnet circle...hmm

Jimmy Gardner a Twitter Friend (His Meme)

Lisa and Robert Hammerstein since the link to me everywhere - Who are the Hammersteins?  (Their meme)

Bob Hefferon because he is brand new to Active Rain as of today and already posted a blog. Hopefully he will participate.

Bob Carney REALTOR Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. 1512 Ridgeside Dr Mt Airy, Maryland, 21771 US	Work: 301-831-7500 Mobile: 240-285-4918 bob@gotbob4homes.com http://focusonfrederick.com
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

How to use Mail Merge in your Publisher files

I had a quick question from Pamela LeBlanc today about Mail Merge and Publisher. She is creating a post card for a neighborhood.  She needs to pull the tax records from our MLS and merge that file onto her postcard. I thought I had already wrote about this, but I was wrong. I did one on Using Mail Merge on Microsoft Outlook.

So here’s how you use Mail Merge on Microsoft Publisher…

First you will need to get your data file. If you have a mail list already, you won’t need to build one from the tax records. This is also a good way to build your farm list. In Pamela’s instance, this is only going to be a one time use and she can delete the data file after she is done. Her Sellers want to offer a bounty to the neighborhood to bring a bona fide buyer (and close on the property.) It’s time to think outside the box! (she knows and I know it’s still in the price and condition that is the magic combination.)

Search for your neighborhood in the tax records for the homes you want in your mailing. I did a search for Wormans Mills but only found a few homes. Looks like the majority are called Park Place on the Tuscarora now.

Now you are ready for exporting the file. I leave it as “Tax Default” This way all the data fields are in the file for you to use. You might want a part of the tax record included in your mail merge like the transaction date to remind the buyer how long they had the house. (Not in Pamela’s use)

Now you have your data file. Remember where you saved it.

NOTE: If you are using one of the Workstations in one of the Long & Foster workrooms, you will not be able to merge this file to Publisher. You will need to save it, open MS Excel and then open that txt file. If it doesn’t automatically place all the fields into columns, Click on Data and then “Text to columns”. Save this file as excel workbook. This will be your new data file.

Open up your Publisher file (the postcard.) I prefer the postcard to be broken into two files one for the front and one for the back. Otherwise it is more difficult to print. So I will refer to the back of the postcard only.

• Now under tools is the Mail Merge and Catalog Merge. Click and follow the series of questions. You are going to click next at the bottom after each step.
• First you will add your data file that you saved earlier. The file will be “tab deliminated”
• Next… Here you will set up your card. You will have a selection of fields to place on your card.
• I sometimes just Use “Current Resident” instead of the homeowners name.
• “Property Address” is the whole street address
• Then the TaxParcelCity, state and zip
• Notice the illustration below. I pushed enter after “property address” and Taxparcel zip only. It doesn’t look that way because the field title is longer than the actual data it is replacing.
• Next will show you a preview of what your data looks like with real information. Needs formatting? Just click “previous” on the mail merge tool.
• Now you are done. Print your mail merge document.

Budget tip: I usually print on 110 lb cardstock full sheets not the perforated type. It cost about $6 at Sam’s Club for 250 sheets (1000 postcards) After that I take my completed merge to Kinkos. They will 1/4 sheet cut them perfectly for less than $4. The post office won’t kick them back for not being uneven. One last thing, make sure you have your Presorted Permit stamp printed on the corner.

There you go you have your postcards with all addresses in place, and cut perfectly.

I am taking a poll of favorite Christmas Movies.

OK, as a request of my very good friend Kevin Lynott(a meteorologist with NOAA out in Wyoming) , today’s Fun topic is what is your favorite Christmas Holiday Season Movie. I have a few favorites that are always a must. Absolutely, National Lampoon’s Christmas Holiday Vacation is top of my list. Christmas Holidays with the Kranks (Ok, I’ll stop with the PC,) Elf, A Christmas Story…I like the newer movies if you couldn’t tell. Maybe your favorite is on this list from before 1991. Maybe it was one of the original Christmas Carols? I almost forgot about Emmet Otters Jug Band Christmas.

TO VOTE You'll need to head over to Focus On Frederick.com

I know, I know Blatant attempt to drive traffic to my site...ba hum bug!!!! :)

OK NEVER MIND HEADING OVER... Here is the survey... VOTE!!!

SEO Gurus where are YOU?

I have a quick question.  I am looking to drop my Advance Access website.  It now has a PR of 3.  See it at gotbob4homes.com.  I really don't get much traffic but have built it up from page 50 on Google for my key words of "Frederick MD Real Estate" to page 1 see it here 

Will I be penalized if I move it to say Point2Agent or make a new CMS website on my bluehost server? 

Maybe if I mention Brad Carroll or Karen George their Google alert will go off.  They have great insight to the whole SEO issue. 

Has anyone done this before and how was your results?  I appreciate your input. 

The Latest Craze in Real Estate Social Networking

Yep, you heard it...Another Social network online!  THis one is way tooo cool.  You can change your profile page to reflect your personality.  Add photos for your friends and collegues to see.  There is even a section that you can have upload videos to your website.   You even have the ability to send pictures and video straight from your phone. 

People have always want more ways to network with others, drive tons of traffic to your websites.  You can even up load your active Rain Link and get points for doing it...what more can you ask for???

So to get started...click on  my "Real Estate World " badge at the bottom of the page and create your own account. (no you don't get referral points or notoriety for inviting the most people)

1. Upload your profile picture.  This is very important...others will recognize your face before they will your name!  Besides you don't want to go around looking like this.

2. Use the menu bar under "My Page" to edit your theme...this is where you will really set yourself a part from the others...rumor has it...the right theme also drives SEO.

3.  Now that you have uploaded your profile picture, you now upload more personalized items like videos and more pictures of you at the beach or sloshed at a couple of parties.

4.  Remember to contribute by blogging and blogging some more...this will make you popular by contributing to the site. 

5.  Here again...join up and socialize, drive business, gain internet popularity...solve world peace!