Well I can honestly say this week has been like no other. Long days and nights with a computer screen in my face and determination in my soul.

I was lucky, or unlucky depending on how you look at it, of not having any appointments this week. No homes to show or meetings to go to. A week of freedom per se. So I decided to chain myself to the computer to see just how much I could learn, accomplish or destroy in my quest to become better at 'blogging'.

My days would begin at dawn and go way past midnight as I researched and made tons of notes. I reread all my bookmarked posts here on the Rain and followed all the instructions to put to use. I googled the heck out of everything and anything that would help me on this quest of blogging knowledge and downloaded every available program that would make my life easier. I devised a schedule, decided on what I wanted to accomplish and organized a 'blogging' life.

I even dove into Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo and others (Twitter did not make my week.) I re-did my profiles and even figured out how to add a Fan page on Facebook though I still havent figured out how to get Fans there yet.

As the week progressed the few hours I would sleep I would dream about this 'blogging' stuff. Pajamas became my attire of choice as I played worked my fingers, eyes and mind into oblivion. I ate all the wrong things (if it had to be cooked it wasn't eaten) and combing my hair and looking presentable was not even a thought that crossed my mind. I jugged down enough coffee and sodas to sink a battleship. The mission was on and I was on the mission.

So how did I do? Well.....As I sit here bleary eyed and looking like I just got over a bad case of the flu I can honestly say I somehow still feel remarkably sane. 5 days of diving head first into the 'art' of getting better at 'blogging' and 'social media' and I survived.

Though I still have a long way to go I have learned one big thing.

The fire is never as hot as I always imagine it to be so......

Burn Baby Burn

Now I'm off to take a shower and find some real clothes to put on

This historic lady oozes the timeless beauty of years gone by. Masterfully crafted and updated throughout the years 14500 Elm Street in Olde Town Upper Marlboro offers today's modern conveniences with yesterday's charm.

Located within 2 minutes of Rt. 4, 15 minutes from Andrews Air Force Base and 30 minutes from downtown Washington DC.

4 Large Bedrooms                  3 Full and 1 Half Bath

Now priced for you at $389,000

For your private tour of this quality residence call

Martha Brown 410-440-7839 mobile or 301-261-0500 office

Long & Foster Real Estate Inc

Beautiful St. Leonard's Creek has a long and varied history and is most notably known for it's role in the  Battle of 1812 where the British overtook and destroyed the town of St. Leonard before proceeding to Washington, which they burned on August 24, 1812.

Since that time long, long ago, St Leonard's Creek has become a peaceful haven of wooded shorelines, Blue Herons, Eagles, Fox and Deer and beautiful homes intermingled throughout.

One such home is located in St. Leonard's Shores, the first planned waterfront estate community in Calvert County. This haven of luxury and serenity offers 460 feet of unparalleled waterfront offering 180 degree views of St. Leonard's Creek.

Masterfully constructed of Golden Cedar Siding and Stacked Stone this 5500 sqare foot home is the ultimate in quiet luxury and privacy. 

Offered at $1,795,000.

For more photos and a tour of this exquisite estate home go to www.1111ThompsonCourt.com

About the Author-Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in the Annapolis MD area and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help her clients understand the real estate market and to then be able to make sound real estate decisions. Martha is a 3rd generation Annapolitan who writes about her experiences in and out of the real estate market. Her passion has carried over to her granddaughter, Nichole, who is her partner in business. Between the two of them they offer a wide and full range of real estate services that cover 4 counties bordering Annapolis MD. Martha has been in the real estate business for 17 years of which all have been associated with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., the largest independently owned real estate company in the Mid Atlantic.

Martha can be reached  at 800-735-5122 X5011 or Martha@TheRealEstate-Lady.com

To search for homes for sale in the Annapolis Md area or to see Martha's listings visit:

www.TheRealEstate-Lady.com

Announcing October 09 Home Sales For Annapolis MD

Divided into 3 zip codes. 21401 (downtown and close in areas), 21403 (Eastport and out to Bay Ridge) and 21409 (St. Margarets and up Rt.50 to the Bay Bridge.) this update includes SOLDS, UNDER CONTRACT AND AVAILABLE homes as of November 2, 2009.

Home prices vary in all three areas with many listed way below and way above the average sales price noted for each area. All 3 areas showed a slight drop in number of Solds compared to September.  

Absorption rates are calculated using the number of active homes for sale divided by the number of homes under contract.

The Information contained below is deemed to be reliable and every effort has been made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible. All statistics were gathered from the Metropolitan Regional Information Services (MRIS) 

Annapolis MD 21401 Market Update

40 Homes SOLD in October 2009. Average sold price was $493,750

31 homes are UNDER CONTRACT as of November 2, 2009

149 homes are actively ON THE MARKET 

The absorption rate for 21401 = 4.8 months

Annapolis MD 21403 Market Update

28 homes SOLD in October 2009. Average sold price was $361,154

56 homes are UNDER CONTRACT as of November 2, 2009

297 Homes are actively ON THE MARKET

The absorption rate for 21403 = 8.25 months

Annapolis MD 21409 Market Update

15 homes SOLD in October 2009. Average sold price was $473,783

31 homes are UNDER CONTRACT as of November 2, 2009

149 homes are actively ON THE MARKET

The absorption rate for 21409 = 4.8 months

About the Author- Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in the Annapolis MD area and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help her clients understand the real estate market and to then be able to make sound real estate decisions. Martha is a 3rd generation Annapolitan who writes about her experiences in and out of the real estate market. Her passion has carried over to her granddaughter, Nichole, who is her partner in business. Between the two of them they offer a wide and full range of real estate services that cover 4 counties bordering Annapolis MD. Martha has been in the real estate business for 17 years of which all have been associated with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., the largest independently owned real estate company in the Mid Atlantic.

Martha Brown of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. disclaims any implied warranty or representation about the information contained within as to completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. This includes but is not limited to any information provided by third parties such as the MRIS.

How cool is this. just the other day I was stressing over multi tasking with social media and when and how to do it all and Rebecca has answered my prayers with a schedule of sorts to make it all work. Great post and well worth the read and implementing!

As a born and raised Annapolitan Annapolis has always seemed such a pretty town to me. My grandparents and parents all owned and ran businesses downtown back in the Mom & Pop era of business owning. I would spend many a day walking down to the city dock to sit at the waters edge and watch the work boats. Something so calming and peaceful about doing that even at such a young age. Back then there was a 5 & dime on the corner, a grocery store down by ego alley, dress shops and shoe stores interlaced with furniture and crystal shops and the good ol Mom & Pop office supply store (my Dad's). And of course the Market House. Ahh the wonderful fishy smells waffing out as the doors opened and closed were smells of home to me.

Over time downtown Annapolis has changed. Gone are the Mom & Pops, gone are the work boats but the old buildings both commercial and residential have remained, beautifully remained.

As years passed the brick lined streets of old were restored, the power lines running up and down the streets were put underground and flower baskets were added instead. Old homes received facelifts by new owners and old buildings received the same by new tenants. Work boats were replaced by yachts and sailboats, city dock was extened to include a garden and a Kunta Kinde Memorial. As life continued into the 21st century Annapolis grew prettier each day.

Today Annapolis is a bustling city full of artistic talent, world class sailing events, boat shows, coffee shops and specialty stores. It has had its growing pains and businesses have come and gone especially this past year but Annapolis always rebounds and thrives. We must be doing something right as Forbes Traveler Magazine has listed Annapolis as one of America's prettiest towns once again.

About the Author- Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in the Annapolis MD area and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help her clients understand the real estate market and to then be able to make sound real estate decisions. Martha is a 3rd generation Annapolitan who writes about her experiences in and out of the real estate market. Her passion has carried over to her granddaughter, Nichole, who is her partner in business. Between the two of them they offer a wide and full range of real estate services that cover 4 counties bordering Annapolis MD. Martha has been in the real estate business for 17 years of which all have been associated with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., the largest independently owned real estate company in the Mid Atlantic.

Martha can be reached  at 800-735-5122 X5011 or Martha@TheRealEstate-Lady.com

To search for homes for sale in the Annapolis Md area or to see Martha's listings visit:

www.TheRealEstate-Lady.com

All photographs and/or written material and content produced by Martha Brown. All rights reserved and may not be re-produced or replicated without express written permission of Martha Brown, real estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Copyright 2009. Martha Brown

Today I was at a closing with one of my favorite agents on the other end. We had a few minutes to chat while waiting for the checks to be cut (yes we get checks to take back to our Brokers at closing!!) and the subject turned to interesting closings we have had in the past.

I mentioned one I had where I was working with a really cute first time home buyer. I had also just heard of a sweet new closing gift to give so I thought I would give it a try. The gift consisted of bringing a bottle of sparkling apple juice, plastic wine goblets and some cookies to closing. The idea was to open and celebrate right there at the closing table.

Having gotten to the closing a bit early and being this was my first time trying this new gift out, I sat everything up so that when everyone arrived it would be all ready. As the Buyers and Sellers walked in and saw what I had put out on the table the mood was, quite frankly, happy as everyone started giggling and a party mood took over.

As I filled each goblet and passed the cookies around the table the closing officer arrived. She took one look and her jaw dropped to the floor. What are you doing??? she asked in anguish. Do you not know we can not sign papers if everyone has been drinking??

All eyes turned their attention to me in total astonishment as if I had done the most terrible thing. As the stares stayed steady I calmly looked the closing officer in the eyes and said but this is apple juice. Can we not even drink apple juice before signing?

Then all eyes turned to her to hear her answer. But none came forward. Her face said it all though as we watched the flood of relief move across her face as she plopped down in her chair. That's when everyone realized what she had been thinking and the room  filled with laughter. As the closing officer regained her composure and the laughter calmed down we continued onward with settlement.

That day still brings a smile to my face and today it reminded me of how wonderful it made everyone feel at the closing. The feeling of celebration of two parties coming together in mind and spirit over the sale of a home was truly priceless.

That was my one and only sparkly adventure as I never brought another bottle to a closing. But after recalling the story today I think I am going to start doing so again. After all with the level of market stress for Buyers, Sellers and for us agents as well, a little moment of celebration is such a perfect ending to what always seems to be a not so ordinary transaction anymore.

This time though I am going to wait until AFTER the papers are signed before I pull everything out.

No need giving another closing officer a near heart attack.

This has been a week of frustration's as I have struggled with computer issues. Would not have seemed so daunting had I not just come off of learning a new cell phone but alas the techno challenges continued and me in the middle.

Then last night, bleary eyed and disgusted my son called. I started telling him about my computer issues and he said Mom.... Sounds like your computer needs a good cleaning and I have the perfect fix for you. Oh really, I said, as my ears perked up and my heart started skipping a beat.

I sure do, he said enthusiastically.  I was having the same problems until your grandson told me about this simple little cleaning fix. It worked wonderfully for me and de-stressed the situation immediately. It is easier if I email it you and then you can start using it immediately. Fabulous I said....bring it on.

Wow I thought this is absolutely awesome. Once again a youngin to the rescue to save me from my techno challenges.

I must say this fix is absolutely the best thing man or beast has ever thought of for cleaning the inside of your computer. It worked perfectly, was super easy and certainly took a challenging situation and made it better.

It was so awesome I thought everyone should have access to it and what better way to share this awesome fix then to share it here with my friends.

So here you go. Just click below to get the best doggone computer cleaning tool on the market today. It's my gift to you on this LOL Friday.

Best doggone cleaning tool in the industry

Before Active Rain and Now- A Gift I Get To Live Each and Every Day

Before Active Rain and Now....Hmmmmm. What WAS life really like before and how IS it so different now? After all I have not been one where Active Rain catapulted me into social media mainstream. Nor has It made me my local community rock star, a social media whiz or even a prolific writer even though journaling has been a part of me for ions. Nope that has not been the case with me. My journey from before to now has been a different journey.

Before Active Rain I knew without a doubt that real estate was very local and for the most part that is true. Laws, forms, customs, the realities of listing and selling real estate in my little part of the world called Annapolis are truly unique for me. Yet through Active Rain I have learned that real estate, though very local, is also universal. The concerns, challenges, and even the triumphs are really the same from coast to coast. We may solve them differently according to our locale but we all have them no matter where we live and do business. 

Before Active Rain my world of sharing real estate challenges and triumphs was a few close friends in the business. Yet when all was said and done and the sun went down we were still competitors working the same market. But now because of Active Rain I read stories from across the country of others who had a challenge or triumph similar to mine. And then amazingly I read comments where others stepped up and squelched that challenge or truly applauded that triumph. Holy cow. Here was a world where competitiveness was put aside and in its place compassion and sharing took its place.

Before Active Rain I would never have believed with such intensity much less known the true importance of all aspects of social media, from blogging to SEO to becoming an area expert. Oh I am sure I would have heard and read about it and been curious for sure. But now because of Active Rain I am learning and growing each day. My eyes have been opened to really looking at where I live, of seeing it like a child full of wonderment and joy. What once was the every day has become the 'Oh Wow, is that cool or what!' It has made me appreciate at a deeper level this place called home where I live and work.

Before Active Rain my world was more narrow than I ever imagined. Since Active Rain my world has expanded beyond my wildest dreams. How blessed to have found a network of 'friends' who share their worlds, their souls, their triumphs and challenges and most of all their knowledge. Their knowledge of dealings in real estate and of growing with social media.

Looking back I can see my journey of Before to Now has been, quite frankly, slower than many here on the Rain. A slow but steady journey filled with learning and implementing of social media skills and knowledge. But it has also been a journey of incredible growth, an expansion of my thinking, and an awakening of knowledge that will get me there one step at a time. 

Before Active Rain and Now has, on all accounts, been a gift I get to live each and every day. A gift from Margaret Woda, a dear friend and colleague who at the time could have never known how special a gift she was giving me. A gift of community, of brothers and sisters, friends old and new, of neighbors near and far sharing the sweetness of their triumphs and the battle scars of their challenges in this world we work in called real estate.

A Gift of Two Margarets

The NOW of Active Rain has become a window to an amazing world of people

brought my way through the simple click of my mouse.