A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE TRAVELED TO ENGLAND FOR MY BROTHER IN LAW'S WEDDING. WHILE VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE NOTICED ALL THE CHARMING SHEDS IN THEIR GARDENS. HAVING NEVER HAD ANY INTEREST IN A SHED, IT BECAME OUR QUEST TO FIND THE PERFECT ONE UPON OUR RETURN TO WINCHESTER.
RATHER THAN OPT FOR A PREFABRICATED SHED, MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO BUILD ONE HIMSELF.
HE FOUND A PLAN FOR THIS ONE IN A HANDYMAN MAGAZINE WE PICKED UP AT LOWES.
Not only does this shed add interest to our yard, it also adds value to our home and a place other than the garage to store our stuff!
BELOW ARE THE ORIGINAL INSPIRATIONS WE FOUND IN THE GARDEN'S OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
Please feel free to post photos you've taken of your own shed's in the comment section.
Luckily, my family's next dinner doesn't rely on my videographer skills! Surely, the house will sell itself before you are motion sick. Moving forward, I hope to have a more steady hand. Since seeing the video, my sellers have removed some furniture and wall art from the upstairs bedrooms and made a number of other improvements. Now that it's late spring, the yard is green and the mulch beds are full of life. Time for an update!
For more details on this property, feel free to check out my site www.langfordhomesales.com or use this QR Code!
If you don’t understand the phrase RE Net and syndication sounds like a bad word, you may need a cocktail of bath and our new book! This is an easy read written by people in your industry with similar challenges and limitations who are actually accessible!
This book is relevant to both new and seasoned Real Estate Agents. It’ll arrive pretty, but works best when read, dog-eared, bathed and written in! It was written so that you can increase your competitive advantage over your peers in your local markets. After all, that's why you're participating in The Active Rain Real Estate Network, right?
My chapter covers using Internet tools to serve the seller. However, there are 8 other topics meant to help you focus your energy in the right direction to profit from on-line tools.
Special Limited Time Offer
Receive BOTH the digital and printed versions of Profit From Technology - A Guide for TODAY’s Real Estate Agent for one low price of $19.95 if you order before June 30th, 2009
Published by Foundation Coaching Group www.fcgpublications.com
Upon being invited to write a chapter in Profit from Technology – A Guide for TODAY’S Real Estate Agent, my number one task was to speak to my readers the same way I would a friend. Kathi Frank, I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity you have given me and I’m honored to write along side the amazing industry leaders you have gathered. Of course, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the wealth of information and personal connections I’ve made via the Active Rain Real Estate Network.
Thank you, fellow authors: Kathi Frank, Brian Block, Missy Caulk, Carol Smith, Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, Joeann Fossland, Colleen Fischesser & Sarah Reiter. And where would we all be without our fabulous publisher, Foundation Coaching Group?!
Have you ever had questions on the Housing Relief for Military Families in the expanded Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP)?
Margaret Woda, Crofton, Maryland Real Estate Agent and blogger extraordinaire, wrote a recent post that blew me away! She was gracious enough to allow other bloggers at Active Rain re-blog her post:
Military families stationed at Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy and other military installations in the Crofton area and throughout the D.C.-Baltimore region will be glad to learn they may now be eligible for relief to their housing woes, compliments of the recent stimulus package.
It comes in an expansion to the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP). administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. The program was intended initially to assist military homeowners affected by base closings under BRAC 2005. It has since been extended to help those affected by the credit and foreclosure debacle, and now it will also help these service members:
Military personnel with PCS orders who are unable to sell their homes
Wounded warriors required to relocate for medical reasons, and
Surviving spouses of fallen service members
The Department of Defense (DOD) will reimburse these individuals up to 95 percent of the loss if their home was purchased before July 1, 2006. According to Military.com, DOD could also elect to purchase the homes for up to 90 percent of the fair market value. (Here's my question: “fair market value” at the time of their move or at the time they purchased the property? It's not clear in anything I found on this topic.)
The Homeowners Assistance Program website has been updated to reflect these new programs, but indicates that DOD is in the process of establishing policy guidance on applicant processing and benefits. Until that time, you may download, complete andmail your application to the appropriate HAP district (Savannah for personnel on the East Coast). However, no action will be taken on the applications until final details are worked out.
If you are entitled to this relief, it could help you avoid the worst from this housing crisis and buy a home at your destination assignment. That's good for you, the housing market, and our economy.
I'll watch for updates on this program and keep you informed, so check back often to the Maryland Real Estate Blog at www.mwoda.com.
Source: Focus on Crofton, USACE.com, MOAA.com and Military.com
I use both Google Docs and GMail on a daily basis. However, I'm planning to cover the topic for my local association and need your input!
Do you know how to wrangle GMail? That intuitive program is much smarter than I am! Tips?
How do you use Google Docs? I use them for my market reports in neighborhood blogs. One central place to update statistics automatically goes out to my blogs. However, I'm sure there are other ways to use Google Docs.
In the Real Estate Industry, there are many uses for Google Docs not being applied today. Any recommendations?
I've often thought how convenient it would be for all area REO/Foreclosure agents to share names plumbers or other service providers who work in each individual town so they don't have to spend hours on the phone for every little job they need a quote on.
Referral Agents may appreciate a password protected Google Doc to check the status of a referral. Do any of you apply this?
I'm a true believer in January being a fabulous month for renewal, focus and optimism! My January issue of O Magazine is already showing signs of wear, and I'm lovin' it!
For a short time and for FREE, Oprah and Suze are generously giving us access to an action plan for 2009. Do you think you can gain from this? I know I can.
This tool can literally help you work towards a financial health and discipline which can lead to you buying a home or even better afford the one you already have! With all things, it's what you make it!
Disclaimer: I am a REALTOR® licensed in the state of Virginia. I follow the Code of Ethics and if you are currently working with a REALTOR®, please call him/her for specific advice or to arrange showings. However, feel free to comment and enjoy my blog!
The information shared here is done in the spirit of entertainment. Please know that my blog is simply an extension of myself via my writings, and doesn't necessarily reflect the opinions of the Active Rain Real Estate Network or my brokerage or broker. While I love comments from all readers, I'm not responsible for the ones made on this blog. The information I share is felt to be accurate, and will be corrected should any mistakes be pointed out.
Whew. What I really mean: enjoy my blog!
Natalie Langford, Realty Direct of Shenandoah Valley, 19 S. Cameron St, Winchester, VA 22601, Wendy Powers Broker, Licensed in VA Equal Housing Opportunity
So, you're falling behind on your mortgage payments, fear the sheriff will come knocking on your door, and you pray for help. Suddenly, you see a sign on the road "We Buy Homes" or "Cash for your home" or maybe you get a phone call with some one who promises you a way to save your house. Please do not fall prey to skammers.
Although there are good people and good programs out there, there are also those who watch the paper or in some other way find out who is facing foreclosure. Read the following article and see what happens to people who ran into the wrong type of help.
I love to decorate! I'm a big fan of HGTV and the side table in my formal living room is weighed down with decorating magazines. What do I read? Southern Accents, Veranda, Southern Living, Cottage Living, House Beautiful, and Domino.
What's just as much fun as leafing through the pages of magazines? Oh, yeah, Zillow's DUELING DIGS!
I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I'll share how it works. (If you don't want to know, stop reading and click over to Zillow). Zillow simply puts up two photos at a time for you to vote on your favorite room. Eventually, there's a winner and you find out just how expensive your tastes are! Or, perhaps surprisingly, inexpensive in some cases!
"OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and public policy."
A fellow real estate enthusiast posted a link on twitter to a very interesting site: OpenSecrets.org: Money in Politics. Already, I've learned that the 22601 (Winchester City) zip code gives around two times as much as the average zip code.
Have fun checking out the site and get results by map or by list. You may find out a lot about your neighbors!
Elizabeth Weintraub, contributing author on About.com's Guide to Home Buying and Selling, covers a topic you should care about if you're considering new construction for your next home.
When visiting a model home, consider keeping your name private until you can secure representation. Otherwise, you may be stuck without it...
If you enjoy this post, consider subscribing to her newsletter or emailing her to let her know you enjoyed it.
Lots of buyers, while well meaning, don't realize that they can hire a buyer's agent to represent them on a new home purchase from a builder. Buying new homes from a builder are really no different than buying a resale home. You're better off hiring a buyer's agent. For example, tonight I negotiated a transaction for a buyer in Natomas. She bought a brand new condo. Her next-door neighbor paid $237,000 for his condo, and it closed escrow two weeks ago.
My buyer bought the model -- which meant she got all the artwork and furnishings in the home, including a brand new gas BBQ grill -- for $22,000 less. You can bet her neighbor didn't get furnishings nor designer paint and window coverings. This buyer received $40,000 in upgrades, plus the furnishings. She paid $215,000, although the builder's asking price was much higher.
What can you get in brand new 3-bedroom, 3-bath, almost 1400 square-foot model condo in Natomas? The answer: $215,000. If you have hired a buyer's agent. The "home consultant" told me that since she lowered the price two days ago, all of a sudden agents are appearing with qualified buyers. Doesn't amaze me. She also told me our offer would not be accepted, but it was!
This builder has sold 20 homes out of 24. The time is right to buy right now! Buyers, don't go it alone with out an experienced agent. The builder pays the commission. Why would you do it any other way?
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
It comes in an expansion to the 
I'm a true believer in January being a fabulous month for renewal, focus and optimism! My January issue of O Magazine is already showing signs of wear, and I'm lovin' it!
So, you're falling behind on your mortgage payments, fear the sheriff will come knocking on your door, and you pray for help. Suddenly, you see a sign on the road "We Buy Homes" or "Cash for your home" or maybe you get a phone call with some one who promises you a way to save your house. Please do not fall prey to skammers. 
I love to decorate! I'm a big fan of HGTV and the side table in my formal living room is weighed down with decorating magazines. What do I read? Southern Accents, Veranda, Southern Living, Cottage Living, House Beautiful, and Domino. 
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