Especially if THAT NAME is on the FHA BLACK LIST! Ouch, ouch and ouch again.

A couple of years ago I wrote an FHA contract for a Buyer and during the course of the transaction I was asked by the Lender to supply proof that I am the Martha Brown that I say I am and NOT the Martha Brown on the FHA Black List.

Black list???? What the heck is a Black List?? Well it seems that FHA keeps track of names of people that have committed FRAUD in one way, shape or form within the government and/or have defaulted on their government loans such as a FHA loan. Geez. Being I am a party to the contract (I wrote it) they want to know if I am the one and the same. If so then no loan for this Buyer. Well the Martha Brown on that list is certainly not me so I sent the lender my social security # and all was well and good.

Since then I have done a fair share of FHA loans and the good old social security # was all I needed to clear my name from the Martha Brown on the 'Black List'. Not anymore it seems. Maybe the high level of defauted loans or just the tightening of the lending system has caused a change.

But whatever the reason, for a closing coming up this week I found that FHA now not only wants my SS# but to see a copy of my SS card AND a copy of my Drivers License too.

Now there are other documentations I could use, last years tax return, a 1099, anything that has my SS# on it that matches my name as I use it  but if at all possible the good ol' social security card and driver's license is the best.

The list seems to be getting longer, from what I understand, and more and more people are finding they're name attached to that list. Makes no difference if you are the Buyer, The Seller or the Agent. And it's really annoying when a name you are proud of ends up on that 'BLACK/FRAUD LIST' just because....well just because of the name. Ugh.

What's in a name may be a lot more than you think

especially when it such a simple name like mine. 

Gee I wonder if my hubby's 'I feel good' name of James Brown is on there also???? Hmmm

I bet you a donut to a dollar that it is!! LOL

About the Author- Martha Brown is a native Marylander whose passion is real estate. A Certified Residential Specialist, Martha and her partner Nichole serve the Annapolis Metro Area Real Estate Market including Anne Arundel County, Calvert County and Northern Prince George’s County.  

All 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

Visit Martha’s website

 www.TheRealEstate-Lady.com

Martha Brown CRS GRI

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

410-440 7839 Direct

800-735-5122 x5011 Toll Free

Martha@TheRealEstate-Lady.com

‘You’re Maryland Home Connection’

It's Sunday night and the busy week and weekend has come to an end. As I sit here in the quiet of the night planning my coming week I started thinking about the week that just passed. My thoughts went to how much of what makes up my weeks has to do with the time I spend on Active Rain. How you may be asking?? Well.... I am so glad you asked. LOL!

Last week a former client contacted me. I sold her a home a few years back that she has rented out but now wants to move back into. After talking to her a bit I found out that what she really wants is to find a rental close by her work in Northern Virginia. The area she is looking is just the area that Cindy Jones works in. I contacted Cindy and she and my client are touching base to see what they can find. Smiles all around!!

Last week I commented on Pat Kennedy's blog where she mentioned her book. That reminded me of how I have wanted a copy of that book for ions so I commented about getting an autographed copy. She said "Let's do lunch!' What a great idea I thought. Not only will I be able to get an autographed copy but have lunch with Pat too!!

Last week I received a comment on one of my blogs from an agent in Southern Maryland, Cheryl Ritchie.  Cheryl works and lives in the market where I happen to have a beautiful waterfront listing. This listing came to me from my blogging here on Active Rain. In answering her comment I mentioned my listing and offered to show it to her in case she came across a Buyer. Then I said maybe you would want to blog about it too. I figured since she is an active agent in the area that if her blogging about it produced a Buyer then she could sell it. Happy Seller, Happy Buyer, two Happy Agents. She was thrilled and now that I have permission from the Seller she will be doing so. Woo Hoo!!

Last week I made a comment on Vegas Bob's blog that he then turned into a blog of itself. I was honored that he even wanted to. Bob's blogs are always full of amazing photos that he takes from all around the world and he is always such a gentleman when he comments. A blog from a comment. How surprising was that!!

Last week the Active Rain 'Big Guys' stopped by. They left me a congratulations for reaching 100,000 points and then they said thank you for me being here. Whoa!! That was better than any points or features I have ever received. It meant they have noticed I am here. Wow!! How cool is that.

Last week my sweet kitty Pita passed away. I mentioned it to Chris Ann Cleland  on one of her blogs. She immediately offered me two sweeties she has. She even took the time to put their photos up on her answer to me. Ahhhh how thoughtful of her!!

Last week I read a lot of blogs about exchanging comments here on the Rain. Commenting back when someone comments on your blog and leaving comments on others blogs as well. I read that commenting is the way to go, the thing to do. I have to agree. Overtime by commenting back and forth friendships are born. It makes no difference if they are near or far. What makes the difference is what happened above. If I had not taken the time to comment, really comment, and those above had not done the same then all the things above that happened last week would....well they would not have happened

Last week something magical happened on Active Rain once again. The magic that comes from commenting back and forth. Of saying more than 'Nice Blog', 'Thanks for the info', 'Great Post'.Yep...Last week was magical alright.

Dang....I Just Love My Active Rain Friends.

Today, in the mail, I received one of those mass mailing marketing packages that come cellophane wrapped around cards of local businesses that are advertising their goodies. I always open them as over time I have found there to be some interesting and useful goodies going on and this time was no exception.

Now you know me and restaurants. I go out once a month with friends to try some delectable treats in the area and to my delight there was a card advertising Date Night at 3 local restaurants in the Annapolis Md area. Ohh La La!!

All 3 restaurants are located in downtown Annapolis, the perfect date night location. Each location is offering a $19.95 per person 3 course dinner and 1/3 off select bottles of wine. How perfect is that.

So without further ado here are the 3 restaurants with 'Date Night' specials.

OB's Prime- Located at 111 Main Street OB's Prime offers an elegant setting with romance in mind. Come early and enjoy a glass of their award winning wines in the Wine Bar Lounge or after dinner in the Board Room. Dinner menus includes Certified Prime Beef and Seafood entrees all served in generous size portions.

Middleton Tavern- Located at 2 Market Space is one of the oldest continually operating tavern's in America. The authentic 18th century setting in the heart of Annapolis offers a wide a diverse menu from seafood to crab dishes and even an oyster bar. The bar area is a great place to meet locals and was a favorite of my brothers and his many 'on the water' friends.  

O'Briens Oyster Bar & Grill- Located at 113 Main Street O'Briens was known as Fran O'Briens (named and owned by the Washington Defensive Linebacker) back in the day of my single hood. The window high top tables were and are the coveted spots to sit and watch the happenings on busy Main Street no matter the night. Today O'Briens still enjoys the ambiance of those days with nightly dancing and dining on fresh seafood and beef dishes.

Date night is being offered on Wednesday at Middletons, Thursday at O'Briens and Friday at OB's Prime

One of my favorite things here on 'The Rain' is to come across a blogger and then subsribe to their blog by putting them into what I call my Active Rain Bucket List. If they are kinda new at blogging its fun to follow them, watch them grow, hear their stories and see them blossom. If they are an ol' hand at blogging I am delighted to have finally found them. 

As 'The Rain' has grown so has my bucket list of those I wanted to follow. First it was just a few, then 50, then 100, then to my disbelief I saw I was hitting the 200 mark of bloggers in my bucket.

To some that may be a drop in the bucket but to me it seemed like a rather full bucket so today, a rainy Thursday in Annapolis, I decided to delve into my Bucket List of bloggers.

As I scrolled my bucket list I realized those at the top were the same familiar names and faces I see time and time again. Each day they take the time to tell a story, share a thought, share some expertise or reach out to their communities with hyper-local blogs. As I hit the middle of my bucket list I found the weekly, bi-weekly and monthly bloggers. They were just as good with what they shared they just did so on a more restrained time frame. But as I headed towards the bottom of my bucket list I found, to my dismay, that these bloggers, that I had been excited about following and had subscribed to, had not blogged a thing for 3 months or more. Wow...had it been that long since I had heard from them?  No stories to tell??? Goodness how could that be?? I started to wonder what happened that made them stop. 

Now over the last month I had touched base with a few when I did not see them blogging as they normally did. When I did, I found that life was busy or career changes took place that sidelined them from blogging. As for the rest... well maybe it was the same reason. Who knows.

I love the bloggers I follow and I am adding new ones everyday. It is never a good thing when you have to say Bye Bye. But if you become a never blogger then there comes a time when I must say Bye Bye.  Believe me, it isn't easy as I had really enjoyed your blogs when you were blogging.

So now I am back on the prowl, as I always am, for new bloggers (to me) to follow. Bloggers with stories to tell, thoughts and expertise to share, and lots of hyper-local information so I can feel at home in their community. You know, Bloggers who blog.

It's a never ending blogging paradise here on The Rain. 

Oops, there is one I will add.

Perfect.

Overlooking the Severn River and The US Naval Academy in Annapolis MD stands a Memorial to remember and honor those who served and died for the freedom we enjoy today.

Today we honor those who have and are serving our great country. The blood of one is the blood of all. There is no love of country stronger than those names placed on all memorials all across our great country

Tomorrow let us not forget.

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.