Don't be fooled by the beauty of the seemingly quiet Westchester at Contee Crossing Apartment complex.  While the apartments are aesthetically pleasing to the eye the upkeep for the inside hallways leaves much to be desired.  The cleaning crew can be seen "spot" cleaning the ceramic tile flooring every 2 months or so.  Only when a complaint is made will they come out and really clean.  Further, once you've made a complaint the management team does nothing and I repeat "NOTHING" to remedy the problem.  We once found a used condom in the stairwell and reported it to the office.  One week later the condom was still there.  I went to the office and had one of the leasing representatives come with me to the stairwell where I showed them the USED condom.  I was told it would be cleaned up immediately.  Immediately in this complex means 3-5 days later.  Also, when you sign your lease it's extremely clear what you can and cannot do on the property.  However, some residents are allotted apparent preferential treatment and can do whatever they like.  The majority of the residents are considerate but there are a few that aren't.  Again, if you complain to management NOTHING will be done.  We have been plagued with noise outside of bedroom windows in the summer months by some inconsiderate residents.  You expect some noise because the weather is nice, however, after 10:00 p.m. the noise should cease.  Unfortunately, there are some residents that either can't read or just don't care.  I have personally witnessed people shooting cramps on the sidewalk at 3:00 a.m., men sitting on the retaining wall drinking beer, talking loudly at 1:30 a.m.  You can call the police who will respond but the residents will disburse only to return once the police have left.  There are residents who are in direct violation of their lease when it comes to cleaning up waste from their dog.  I complained about it and management told the resident it was me that complained and it resulted in an altercation with that resident in the breeze way.  Many times management was alerted to these issues and others and their response was "we can't correct things unless we are made aware".  Once made aware management AGAIN does nothing to correct the problem...rather they add to it.  The apartment complex is roughly at 50% capacity.  It appears that as fast as leasing gets a new tenant another tenant is leaving of their own accord or they are being evicted.  I haven't met a single person that has renewed their lease.  I have however met quite a few residents that have also made complaints to management and now realize that it's futile.  While I know it's wrong to stop paying your rent I can honestly say that I understand such drastic measures in dealing with Westchester at Contee Crossing.  Management is extremely lazy.  Most days the community manager can be found outside of the leasing office smoking in the garage.  You can bring your issues to the leasing office but understand that NOTHING will be done to alleviate the issue.  I am speaking from my own personal experience.  I went over the head of the community manager (smoker in garage) to the operations manager because of the noise coming from the apartment below us.  I sent two letters to this individual with no response until I sent the same two letters to her supervisor.  She responded to my letters at this time but did NOTHING to address my issues with the apartment.  Instead she spent most of her time explaining to me in an email that I can't break my lease.  Westchester will be all smiles to get you to sign the lease for the "luxury" apartment...remember the condom in the stairwell?  The community manager did listen to my concerns and actually appeared to care and want to assist.  However, she lied to my face after my fourth letter regarding the same issue.  My frustration level is off the charts!  Too bad for me as I've signed a lease for one year and there's not much I can do about it.  I have consulted with an Attorney who did advise that I am entitled to the covenant of quiet enjoyment...which I have constantly reminded management to no avail.  I feel like my hands are tied and I'm royally SCREWED.  Think long and hard before signing a lease with Westchester at Contee Crossing. 

Educate Your Sellers before the Showings               

Design a simple one-page "What to do Before the Realtor & Prospective Buyer Arrives" step-by-step outline about what to do prior to a showing and give it to your sellers with instructions to follow the steps for EACH showing. The instructions should be polite but firm and should include, but not be limited to: 

• Minimize sound (turn off the television)
• Maximize light (open all blinds and turn on all lights)
• Accentuate favorable smells without overwhelming
• Eliminate dirt (vacuum and dust)
• Spruce up the walk way (sweep the porch, shake out the Welcome mat)
• Minimize clutter (pick up the newspapers/magazines, mail and put away dishes)
• Remove all invaders (hide the pet, get rid of grandma, and leave the premises)

You don't want to offend the sellers, but you DO want to educate them and insist your short list of instruction is followed every time their property is shown.  Leave no doubt...and no doubt you'll have better showings.

Home Buyer's Seminar

Have you thought about buying but don't think you can?

Do you have questions about the home buying process?

Would you like to know what you can afford?

Would you like to own a home and STOP paying rent?

Did you know the seller can pay for most if not all of your closing costs?

If you like you can get pre-qualified at the seminar...a lender will be in attendance.

A title representative will be available to answer any questions you may have about settlement.

Please attend my Home Buyers Seminar...I promise you will enjoy yourself while learning.

I conduct Home Buyer's Seminar on a regular basis.  I usually hold my seminars on Thursday evenings

from 7:00 p.m.  - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m.  - 12:00 p.m.

Classes are small!  Seminar dates and times available by calling 240-245-1828.  Reserve your seat now!

Karen Y. Copeland, M.S.

Associate Broker

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

1525 Pointer Ridge Place, Suite 101

Bowie, MD 20715

Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your Home Sale Self-Destruct.  And How You Can Avoid Them.

Taking the wrong approach to selling your home can be a lot like lighting a fuse and hoping the bomb won't go off.

Mistake #1:  Pricing With Your Heart, Not Your Head.  An asking price not based on the most accurate and up-to-date market information can be instant death for a home sale.  You need to know if you're asking too much or much too little.

Mistake #2:  Selling in Your Spare Time.  Getting your home sold takes more than just putting a sign on the lawn or an ad in the paper.  You need to make sure the right prospects know about your home, and one missed phone call could be "the one that got away."

Mistake #3:  Losing Your Ground in Negotiations.  The complications and technicalities of a real estate transaction can confuse even a rocket scientist. The goal is to be in the driver's seat, and preparation is critical to preserving your interests.

Mistake #4:  Finding Out Too Late That Your Buyer Isn't Qualified.  How can you tell if an interested buyer is really prepared to buy your home? Wasting time with the wrong person could cost you time in finding the right buyer.

Mistake #5:  Forgetting to Set the Stage.  Do you know the ten most common details buyers look for in a home?  Sometimes the most minor cosmetic changes can make all the difference.  

Mistake #6:  Choosing the Wrong Real Estate Agent.  All real estate agents make the same promises and provide the same services, so they're basically all the same, right?  Wrong!  The professional you hire to help you with your sale can make all the difference.  How do you know what to look for?

Mistake #7:  Not Calling ME before selling your home.  I've helped many home sellers with these questions and more, I've prepared an in-depth brochure filled with all the information you need to make your sale successful. Even if you don't choose to work with me, I'd still like to offer you this valuable resource. Simply call (240) 765-1339 today and ask for my special report, 29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar). There's absolutely no obligation, and you wouldn't want to sell your home without it, so call today!  Karen Y. Copeland, Associate Broker, Realtor®.  Direct 240.216.8534, Office 240.765.1339, E-mail kyc@mris.com

Answers to the Ten

Most Common Questions

Home Sellers Ask

Selling a home? For most people, it's a little like being on trial: They're faced with more questions than they could imagine, and one wrong answer could cost them dearly. For first-timers, the decisions and implications of selling their most important investment can seem overwhelming. Even for experienced home sellers, keeping up to date with the changes in the real estate market-or perhaps finding ways to overcome the problems they ran into last time-can be daunting. That's why information becomes such an invaluable commodity for anyone selling a home today.

Local real estate professional Karen Y. Copeland, of RE/MAX Specialist has compiled a list of answers to ten of the most common questions most home sellers face.

"How can I be sure now is the right time to sell?" For some home owners, the decision to sell at a particular time is necessitated due to job relocation or some other factor that makes the answer to this question an easy one, Copeland says. However, "for the majority of sellers, moving is a more subjective matter," she adds. Therefore, one of the most important first steps any potential seller can take is to decide exactly what his or her own personal motivations for selling are.

"How do I find out what market conditions are like in my area?" After sellers know why they want to sell, the next step is to get a clear picture of the current local real estate market to determine whether factors are in favor of allowing them to achieve their goals, she says. According to Copeland potential sellers can compile this information themselves by researching home sales to find out what comparable homes are selling for, or they can talk to a Realtor® they trust who can provide them with this information as well as current insights on the market.

"How much can I expect to get for my home?" For the most part, Copeland says, pricing will depend on how much similar homes in the area are selling for. "But each home is different," she adds. "The best price is the one that takes all of the property's advantages and disadvantages into account as well as the goals of the seller." For instance, if the sellers absolutely must sell within a given time frame, they may need to set a slightly lower price than a similar home with owners who are in no rush and want to maximize their profit.

"How long will it take for my home to sell?" Local real estate boards keep track of the average length of time most properties stay on the market in the area. Copeland advises prospective sellers to pay close attention to the time frames established in their listing agreement before they sign with any agent. They should ask their agent how long most of his or her listings remain on the market, and what will happen if their home doesn't sell within the prescribed time. "But beware of an agent who promises extra speedy results," she says. "They could be simply pricing too low just to get the sale quickly."

 "Can I save money by selling my home myself?" Initially the idea of not having to pay a commission to an agent may be tempting to some sellers. However, any erstwhile do-it-yourselfers should also be aware of exactly what's involved in selling a home and make sure they have what it takes to follow through with every step. The majority of home owners choose to let a professional real estate agent handle all the legwork and paperwork for them-as well as any potential problems that may arise in even the seemingly simplest of transactions. In addition, by listing with a Realtor,® home owners have access to the Multiple Listing Service, the marketing tool that accounts for the vast majority of home sales. "Even if sellers choose to go it alone," Copeland says, "they should still talk with a Realtor® they know and trust. Many professionals will still offer to help with paperwork and marketing for home owners handling their own sales. This way, if something unexpected does happen, the seller has already built a relationship with a professional who is ready to help."

"Does choosing the right agent really make a difference?" Contrary to conventional wisdom, all Realtors® are not created equal. "The key to choosing the right agent is to find someone whose personal style and methods fit in with your own," Copeland says. Start by getting referrals from friends or by contacting local agents and setting up interviews. Never go blindly with a referral. What works for your friend may not work for you.

"How can I find the right Realtor®?" Take time to interview each potential agent. Look at the professionalism of his or her marketing materials and get a feel for how comfortable you feel talking with this person. Don't be afraid to ask for references. You should feel confident that the agent you choose is a trustworthy and knowledgeable individual, working full-time and representing a solid and reputable agency, who will treat your best interests as paramount. If you don't, look for someone else.

"What do I need to do to prepare my home for sale?" Selling your home involves more than simply putting a sign in the front yard. To maximize your home's appeal to potential buyers, you may need to be willing to make some minor cosmetic changes or repair major problems. Ask your Realtor® for a complete list of cleaning and makeover strategies, as well as other details which can add to the curb appeal and ultimately may make your home worthy of a higher price.

"What if there's something wrong with my home? Do I have to tell the buyer?" "It is always in the seller's best interest to disclose everything regarding the state of the property," Copeland says. "In most cases it is illegal not to." In many areas laws have been established to hold the seller accountable for home defects even if the seller wasn't aware of the problem. "Sellers should consider going above and beyond the law's requirements for home inspections and disclosure," she adds. "This will make buyers more comfortable about buying your home and, in some cases, even paying more for it."

"How can I tell a good offer from a bad one?" Each seller should know in advance what his or her "bottom line" is, what contingencies or terms would be acceptable and what would not. In addition, the seller should find out whether the buyer has been pre-qualified for financing-something most real estate agents will quickly determine right from the start-before seriously counting on any offer. Beyond that, each offer should be reviewed for a deposit, the price offered, the down payment, the terms involved, occupancy details and any contingencies. "Any offers should be reviewed in private with the seller's agent," Copeland says. "This way, the home owner and the agent can openly discuss how well this offer matches the seller's goals and what should be included or deleted from any counteroffer that may be necessary."

Copeland has included this information and more in an insightful special report titled, "Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale." She created the report specifically for consumers who need the right information to make the best decisions regarding their home sales. She is offering the special report free of charge as a community service to anyone who's considering selling a home. To receive a free copy, just call me at 240-765-1339 or feel free to send me an email at kyc@mris.com.

Home Loan Guaranty

VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible service members, veterans, reservists and unmarried surviving spouses obtain homes condominiums, residential cooperative housing units, and manufactured homes and to refinance loans.  

Loan Uses: A VA guaranty helps protect lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan.  It can be used to obtain a loan to:

•1. Buy or build a home.

•2. Buy a residential condominium.

•3. Buy a cooperative housing unit.

•4. Repair, alter or improve a home.

•5. Refinance an existing home loan.

•6. Buy a manufactured home with or without a lot.

•7. Buy and improve a manufactured home lot.

•8. Install a solar heating or cooling system or other weatherization improvements.

•9. Buy a home and install energy efficient improvements.

Eligibility

In addition to the periods of eligibility and conditions of service requirements, applicants must have a good credit rating, sufficient income, a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and agree to live in the property in order to be approved by a lender for a VA home loan.

VA Guaranty Varies with Size and Type of Loan

The VA guaranty varies with the size of the loan, and is issued to protect lenders so they may make loans to eligible borrowers.  Because the lenders are able to obtain this guaranty from VA, borrowers do not need to make a down payment, provided they have enough home loan entitlement. 

To obtain a COE, complete VA Form 26-1880 - Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan - and mail to:

VA Loan Eligibility Center    

P.O. Box 20729

Winston Salem, NC 27120

It is also possible to obtain a COE from your lender. 

For additional information or to obtain VA loan guaranty forms, visit http://www.homeloans.va.gov/.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding the VA process, purchasing a home or selling your current residence.  I can be reached via my website: http://www.kcsellshomes.com/ or telephone at 240-765-1339.

I look forward to speaking with you in the very near future.

Calling all prospective buyers!  What information are you in need of?  I thought it would be nice to hear directly from you...the prospective buyer...as to what information you need to make an informed decision.  Via Active Rain you have a number of seasoned agents and lenders just waiting to assist you in anyway we can.  This is your chance to ask any question(s) you want and get a number of different answers and not feel any obligation to anyone. 

I'd like to share with you a few questions I've been asked recently and my response to them:

Question: What's included in my mortgage payment? 

Answer: Most loans have 4 parts: principal - the repayment of the amount you actually borrowed; interest - payment to the lender for the money you've borrowed; property taxes: the annual city/county taxes assessed on your property; and homeowners insurance - a yearly amount to insure the property against loss from fire, smoke, theft, and other hazards required by most lenders.  The PITI payment is derived from adding the yearly costs together then dividing by 12 for a monthly payment. 

Question: How do I obtain information about local schools?

Answer: You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or the local schools.  I've included a link for the State of Maryland:  http://schools.pgcps.org/

Question: How do I obtain current crime statistics for each neighborhood or county?

Answer: In the State of Maryland Realtors aren't allowed to discuss crime issues.  I always direct my buyer(s) to the local police authorities.  In Prince George's county you can call the non-emergency number for the Prince George's County Police Department 301-333-4000.

I hope you...the Prospective Buyer will add to this Q&A forum by posting your questions.  Remember you have Realtors, Lenders and a host of other participants to question.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Karen Y. Copeland