Martha Brown's Blog

I Stepped Into The Fire of Blogging This Week and....

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:08:47 -0600

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 in Upper Marlboro MD Has Been Reduced!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:41:47 -0600

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

Luxurious Serenity on the Shores of St Leonards Creek Near Washington DC

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:10:28 -0600

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

Being Reassigned to Ft Meade because of BRAC? This Townhouse Rental is Minutes Away!!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:24:47 -0600

Martha Brown | Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. | martha@therealestate-lady.com | 410-440-7839

Ivy Landing Way, Odenton, MD

Reassigned to Ft Meade from BRAC? This home is just minutes away.

3BR/2.5BA Townhouse

$1,850/month

Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Parking	2 dedicated
Pet Policy	No pets
Deposit	$1,850

DESCRIPTION

This spiffy townhouse is ready for move in. Sunroom off kitchen with large wrap around deck. Lower level family room. Master bedroom has walk-in closet with built ins and private bath. Community offers amenities galore. Walking and nature trails, tennis courts, 3 swimming pools, playgrounds, fitness center, party room and more.

see additional photos below

RENTAL FEATURES

- Air conditioning	- Central heat	- Walk-in closet
- Hardwood floor	- Tile floor	- Family room
- Living room	- Bonus/Rec room	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Washer
- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside	- Cable-ready
- High-speed internet

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Clubhouse	- Fitness center	- Swimming pool(s)
- Tennis court(s)	- Playground

LEASE TERMS

12 or 24 months. pets on case by case basis and must be approved by owner.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Welcome Home	Living Room
Kitchen	Kitchen/Dining
Sunroom off Kitchen	Family Room

Contact info:

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

martha@therealestate-lady.com

410-440-7839

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 5, 2009, 6:59am PST

Announcing October 09 Homes Sales For Annapolis MD

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:07:38 -0600

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 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

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.

5 Tips on Choosing The Right Days to Market Your Real Estate Services Online

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:12:22 -0600

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!

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

How to Choose the Right Days to Market your Real Estate Services Online

Effective real estate marketing online has a lot to do with timing. There has been a lot of research conducted, mainly for industries outside of real estate (i.e.retail, hospitality, automotive) on the best days and times to market services and products online. Implementing the right timing to deploy marketing campaigns into your online marketing strategy is an effective way to ramp up your results.

Here are 5 tips on choosing the right days to market your real estate services online

1. Tweet Midweek-

State-of-the-Twittersphere -

2. Publish Your Most Important Blog Posts Midweek

Frequency of great original content is still important in building your readership and traffic to your blog. I recommend to my clients that they blog a minimum of 3-5 times per week to be considered as a true content provider in the eyes of their readers.

That being said when is the best time for a blogger to publish their meatiest, most important blog posts? Darren Rowse of Problogger addresses the timing factor in When to Publish Blog Posts-Timing Considerations,

"If I have a very important post that I want to get as much attention as possible I generally will publish it on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning (my time)."

Rowse's post also gives some advice as to publishing posts on weekends and holidays that is worth the read as well as the comments on the post (82 so far).

Roger Parker of blogforprofit.com recommends that if you were to only blog twice per week to publish those blog posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Clearly publishing your most important blog posts midweek is a winning strategy.

3. The Weakest Link for Email Marketing is Saturday

You may have several email campaigns in your real estate marketing campaign: email flyers, email follow-up, email newsletters. Email marketing is a heavy hitter for real estate professionals but when is the most effective time for you to deliver your messages to your prospects and customers?

According to EMarketer.com the best days of the week to send email marketing are Mondays and Tuesdays and the least effective time by nearly 50% is Saturdays.

The best advice I found and agree with is to survey your email subscribers and ask them when they would like to receive emails from you.

We are approaching the holiday season so it is important to consider the times that people are online and actively shopping. Study these deployment times statistics provided on the emailstatcenter.com website before launching any niche holiday real estate marketing campaigns.

4. Engage your Fans on Facebook on Tuesdays

In findings from Virtue SRM (Social Relationship Manager) the best days to post on your Facebook Business Page is Tuesdays, followed closely Wednesdays with Mondays coming in #3.

**Allow me one deviation~ What I find more or equally fascinating is the 6.49% CLR (Click Thru Rate) of marketing campaigns such as polls and incentives that are run on Facebook business pages. Fans are clearly interacting with their friends on Facebook in a big way and their interactions are also being seen by their friends.**

5. LinkedIn Users Are Active In the Morning

According to a small study by SenderOK Statistics report which was based on a sample of 440 anonymous users the most activity on LinkedIn occurs in the morning.

"LinkedIn use is predominantly an 8AM-Noon activity with very, very little activity in the evening. Of particular interest is that LinkedIn users tend to arrive at work earlier than Facebook users do....Those serious early morning LinkedIn users will spend an average of 29 minutes reading real Email before they get around to checking your connection request which they could have read first if they wanted to."

While this is a small sampling of members on LinkedIn and their behavior I can attest that this mimics my LinkedIn use. The first online activity I do in the morning is to check my email(which of course includes my blog activity) and the first social network site I check is LinkedIn and this occurs normally between the hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Take into consideration the times and days that people are online and engaging in these online activities when you create and implement your online real estate marketing strategy.

Once you taken action use an analytics tool to measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Tweak the times you deliver your marketing messages based on your analytics and direct feedback from your recipients.

Get your game on and use the 5 tips on choosing the right days to market your real estate services online.

Subscribe to Blogging In the Rain, A Real Estate Marketing Blog

Join Me on Facebook. Tuesday I'll be posting a discussion about marketing to women.

***************************************************

Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals.

If you need assistance with online marketing, offline marketing, social networking, or blogging contact Rebecca D. Levinson at #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@bloggingintherain.com.

One of America's Prettiest Towns... Annapolis MD

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:22:47 -0600

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

Add A Little Bit Of 'Sparkly' To Your Real Estate Closings

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:37:03 -0500

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.

LOL Friday- Best Doggone Computer Cleaning Tool In The Industry

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:20:05 -0500

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

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:47:46 -0500

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.

A Week In Review in the World of Real Estate... And The Juggling Begins

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:04:09 -0500

A Week in Review in the World of Real Estate.

And The Juggling Begins

Monday- Up at 6am. Started my week full of energy and high hopes for accomplishing a huge 'To Do' List even though this was a task that was already encumbered by the waiting for and then learning my new cell phone.

Visited a listing of mine, checked brochures, flyers etc. Ran into a neighbor who informed me that the county governmnet offices where she works were putting they're employess on unpaid leave and furlough days more and more often. This was not great news as the county offices were within walking distance of my listing and that crunches the available Buyer pool even tighter. Hmmm, new marketing strategy a must.

Went to another listing to put up an open sign for this weekend and then waited for a potential Buyer who had phoned earlier about seeing the property. Definitely some interest. Need to email him some additional information in regards to his questions.

Onward to the grocery store to make a quick stop and then back to the office to work on the mound of paperwork that seems to grow by leaps and bounds, return/make phone calls especially to my other listings. Checked MLS for new listings that I may want to preview.

Worked with Nichole on finalizing a contract for a Buyer she has been working with. This is his 4th contract as his price range is wildly competitive but this one seems to be working out. Yeah!! Had to get my AR fix in so I wrote two blogs and made comments.

In bed 1am. Hate my new phone.

Tuesday- Up at 6am. In office by 7. Received email that one of my clients investment properties was about to become vacant and he needed to get on market ASAP in search of a new tenant. Had questions though as the current tenant was breaking her lease and he needed info on the proper way to handle. Sent him info from the Maryland Attorney General on rent laws and the procedures for such a senario.

Received an email for a CMA. Then a Buyer who I showed my million dollar waterfront to and wants me to write the contract called to say she was in a near accident and wrenched her arm. In extreme pain. Going to Doctor and will have to get together with me later in the week. Took the open time to preview a couple new listings.

More paperwork, emails, phone calls. Follow up on properties in escrow to make sure all is well. Checked MLS for new listings. Organized listing and blogging photos, updated Top Producer, wrote notes, added some more to my To Do list for the week and then on to AR to read blogs and make comments.

In bed 12:30am. Like my phone a little more than the day before.

Wednesday- Up at 6am and off and runing to 8:30 real estate meeting and then 9:30 office meeting. Few phone calls and emails and then headed out to a Chamber Womens Business Luncheon. Signed up ( or was I coerced??? :0) for help at local school for the Education Committee. Then another asked me to help put together a picture collage for the Chamber's 20th anniversary get together. Of course I said yes to both.

Back to office for more phone calls, emails and paperwork. Nichole's buyer's home inspection found major termite damage and wanted out of contract. Met with a Buyer and contractor at property that has it's own termite issues and a boundary issue as well. Termite issue solved but boundary issue will take more work. Advised Buyer to talk to real estate attorney for guidance and help. Sent new listing I found to a Buyer who is looking for horse property. Checked MLS for additional new listings. Checked into AR briefly.

In bed by 8:30pm. Very tired for some strange reason but liked my phone even more today.

Thursday- Up at 6am and off to 8:30 class on social media by Realtor.com. Great speaker and picked up some great ideas. Of course they were pushing Enhanced Listings (already have), Preferred agent (no interest) zip codes (no) and URL's (no again)

Back to office by 1:30. My email box is brimming over with questions needing answers, people needing help and everything in between. Answered emails, helped Nichole with release of contract paperwork for her Buyer, made phone calls, paid some bills and ran out for 4:30 hair appointment. Dinner with a girlfriend followed. Back home by 8pm. Watched my one and only TV program I enjoy 'Survivor'. Then on to AR.

In bed at 12 midnight. Really like my new phone.

Friday- Up at 7am. No running today. Spending ALL day on phone and/or computer. Conference call with Buyer & lawyer over boundary issue and then just Buyer as we try to work through this issue. One of the owners of the properties in boundary issue called. Got update on Buyer with arm issue and then with Seller on what is going on. Prepared open house paperwork and reminded Sellers. On phone with Buyer who now has more interest in property that I showed on Monday. Wants to see again. Will meet me at property an hour before open house. Buyer who I sent horse listing to wants to see. Also wants me to see if there is another place close by for her sister to purchase. Back to computer to scour area for additional horse properties. Found one across the street. Higher price than my Buyer wants but may work for her sister. Emailed her way. Meeting her Sunday to show both. Heard from CMA client. Was disappointed in overall picture but thanked me for doing. It will be helpful for her to make some decisions she says.

It's now 12 midnight and I am sitting here writing this blog. A week of juggling is finally coming to a close.

I am sure I missed a few things that took place this week but for the most part this is what a week in the life of real estate is like for me. Week after week after week.

Oh... BTW- I love my new phone. And that, in itself, made this week absolutely awesome.

So.... how was your week???

Christophers in Crofton... Fine Dining Near Annapolis MD

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:42:37 -0500

This past weekend was my monthly dining out with friends night and this time around we chose a restaurant located in Crofton.

Located in a small shopping center across from the main gates of Crofton on Route 3 Christopher's Restaurant exterior belies the comfortable and tasteful interior. Rich wood tones along with fresh flowers on each table and booth warms you to a menu of delectable combinations that will delight any ones taste buds.

We joined our friends already nestled in a quiet corner booth and began our night of great conversation, delightful service, and food that tickled our tastebuds. From salad to main course Christopher's menu is a blend of Contemporary American Cuisine with a casual flair with each selection perfectly prepared and served.

As our night ended we were more than pleased that we had chosen Christopher's for this months dining experience.

So the next time you are thinking of someplace new to have a wonderful meal why not take a trip to Christopher's in Crofton. You will be delighted that you did.

About the Author- Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in Annapolis 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

The Information contained in this blog is based on the experiences that Martha Brown has enjoyed. Martha disclaims any implied warranty, representation and/or appropriateness for any experience that you, the reader, may have at the same establishment. This includes but is not limited to any information provided by third parties which is accessed through this blog via a hyperlink.

Holy Tamolee...I'm Like a Fish Out of Water

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:42:06 -0500

It has been a VERY long 4 days. I have been like a fish out of water since my blackberry went on the fritz. The trackball was frozen and I could not scroll up or down only left to right. Yee gads, what to do... So I stayed glued to my computer for receiving my emails. Then yesterday 3 days after it stopped working my granddaughter showed me how I could still actually use it even if the trackball was not working. Leave it to the younger generation to know all there is to know about electronics.

Today my new phone was finally delivered. It was only 3 days late. Yes I asked and paid for express overnite delivery. Needless to say they did not quite make that express delivery work. Nothing new on that front.

My new phone is a Blackberry Storm. No trackball to worry about. I was elated. Excitement was high as I unboxed it and set it to charge while I went on an appointment. I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time I was away and could not wait to get back to my new phone.

Tonight I am hating my new phone. The touch screen is either way too touchy or not touchy enough. I couldn't find the keyboard and when I did I couldn't figure out how to make it stay. I was beginning to fret over my decision and the thrill of my phone finally being delivered was quickly turning dark and gloomy stormy.

I finally got the thing activated and then finally was able to activate my email account. I found Facebook and activated that too but it has disappeared. It is somewhere lost in the touch pad of this new fangled thing called a phone.

I hate feeling like a fish out of water. I wish things were not so darn complicated, at least for me. I am beginning to pine for the old dial phones and the operator on the other end who connected us to our calls. Oops.... so that dates me way back I know but I really just remember hearing about them not using them. Well maybe not.

Ok... so tomorrow is another day. My phone will be charged and ready to go to work. As for me.... I will be charged and ready to go to work also AND this new Storm phone thingy is not going to rain on my day.

I will get the hang of it even if I have to call my granddaughter back over just to show me how.

Did I say how much I love having grandchildren?

They're Banks Are Finally Making Offers....Hopefully It Is Not Too Late

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:36:59 -0500

This past week I have had some rather interesting conversations with homeowners who just a few short months ago were fighting with their banks tooth and nail over re-financing and/or re-structuring their mortgages. Fighting to save their homes.

They're banks are finally making offers. Hopefully it is not too late.

One homeowner after the lack of being able to get anywhere with the bank and refusing to do a short sale contacted an attorney. The attorney filed a lawsuit against the bank. Seems after reviewing all the paperwork, letters etc. the bank had sent to this homeowner the attorney surmised the bank was in default. They had not offered to negotiate nor offered to do a loan re modification. Now the Federal Government has gotten wind of the lawsuit and has red flagged the bank. The bank is all of a sudden calling the homeowner and offering sweet deals. Deals that they refused to offer before.

The other homeowner after months of the bank refusing to negotiate with her moved out of her home believing her only choice was to go into foreclosure. 4 months have passed since that day when she uprooted her family. A few days ago the bank contacted her. They want to 'save her' from foreclosure. They will forgive her 2nd and reduce her first. She is a Federal employee. She could lose her job if she were to default on a federally backed loan product. No big deal when the bank refused to negotiate but a big deal now.

You would think these homeowners would be thrilled that their banks are finally willing to negotiate. They are not. They are angry. Angry that they had to go through hell first. Angry about all those months of feeling helpless, of feeling they were going to lose or did lose something they were trying so hard to save.

Yes these banks are finally making offers but sadly these homeowners are no longer happy in their homes. These banks who took so long to communicate with these homeowners have now made a home that once was 'home sweet home' a very sad home. These homeowners will never have the same warm and fuzzies about this home that they once had. The joy of owning this home is no longer there.

I know banks were inundated with requests for loan modifications, short sales and foreclosures. I know that many borrowers just walked away without even trying to save their homes. I know. But for those who did try so desperately to save their home, the bank, in its slowness to be human has turned these homes into nothing more than 4 walls and a roof.

Hopefully with time these homeowners, and many more like them, can forgive and forget and begin the journey of making 'home sweet home' memories.

After all the bank is finally making an offer. Hopefully it is not too late.

Hopefully.

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

Speechless Sunday- A New Beginning Once Again

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:41:53 -0500

Each day brings about its own beauty, its own challenges and its own memories. Yet each day holds one thing in common....A New Beginning Once Again.

May this day hold a Beautiful New Beginning for you

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

5 Local Marinas Honored as 'Clean' in the Annapolis MD Area

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:05:56 -0500

Annapolis is known for its abundance of waterways and needless to say we have an abundance of marinas along those waterways too. So what a delight when the news came out that 5 local marina's were honored as 'clean' during the states inspection this time around.

So what does 'clean' mean? It means these marina's earned certification for taking on environmentally friendly practices. Practices such as installing rain gardens to treat polluted storm-water to educating boaters on preventing fuel spills. The yacht clubs, marinas, boat ramps and other facilities in the program earn points toward certification for different practices and must be re certified every 3 years. The state run program called the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative is voluntary and yet more and more marinas are joining. All in all Maryland has 139 certified facilities which amounts to 23% of the facilities in the state.

The marinas that were honored in the Annapolis area are:

Annapolis City Dock
Annapolis Maryland Capital Yacht Club
Annapolis Yacht Club
Mill Creek Marina at Naval Station Annapolis
Yacht Basin Co, in Annapolis

These marinas show a real commitment to our bay and its tributaries. The bay is so important to everyone along its shores and the life within its waters and by each one of us contributing in even a small way to its health and vitality is a testament to our growing desire to protect this great natural resource.

Our hats are off to each marina that made the effort to go 'clean'. We appreciate your hard work and efforts to protect the future of our bay.

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

Looking for a Job or Career Change? The Top 10 Employees In And Around Annapolis MD

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:42:52 -0500

We have not remained immune to the unemployment crisis that has hit the nation but statistically we are doing pretty well. Listed as #14 by state with a 7.2% unemployment rate puts us way below the national average of 9.7%. Yes we are a vibrant community holding our own in this economic downturn.

One of the leading factors to our lower unemployment rate is our diverse employment field. Though government and defense-related fields make up the biggest part of our employment sector we also have a healthy diversity in tourism, commercial, retail and high-tech industries too.

If you are looking to make a career or job change then you just may want to take a peek at the top 10 employees in both the private and public sectors in and around Annapolis Md. Clicking on the link will take you directly to the job opportunity page of each employer.

So go ahead and take a look... a new career or job just may be waiting for you. You just never know.

Public-

Private-

Northrup Grumman- Global Security and Defense Related
Southwest Airlines- Airline Industry
Anne Arundel Health System- Medical Field
Baltimore Washington Medical Center- Medical Field
CSC- Business and IT Solutions
Arinc- Communication, Intergration and Engineering Solutions
Booz Allen Hamilton- Leading strategy and tecnology consulting firm
Allegris Group- worldwide staffing and recruiting company
Verizon Communications- telecommunications company
Lockheed Martin- technology

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

Wharfside Bar and Grill...A Trip Worth taking Just Outside Annapolis MD

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:40:00 -0500

After a long, long day in real estate the thought of cooking a meal when I got home was very unappealing to me so I talked hubby into going out for something quick and close by. We headed to Edgewater, a town just a few minutes away from where we live just outside Annapolis. We had a totally different food venue on our mind when we saw the Wharfside Bar and Grill come into view. Having said many a time we should try this place out we decided tonight was the night.

Not knowing what to expect from this little restaurant located on the side of Route 214 we parked the car and looked around. The marguee said it was prime rib night and from the looks of the full parking lot it was a favorite night to be here. So we ventured inside to see for ourselves.

Upon opening the door we were greeted with the unexpected, at least for me. There is no waiting area. No indeed. From the moment you open the door you are IN the restaurant amidst all the buzz of a roomful of happy customers enjoying themselves. The waitress saw us from across the room and said come on in and make yourself comfortable. We have two tables available a two seater and a four. Since it was only the two of us we of course took the two seater near the back of the room.

As we sat down I told our waitress, Debbie was her name, that this was our first visit and I was quite surprised at what I saw. I was expecting something totally different as far as decor and she just laughed and said a lot of people think that.

The restaurant, though small in size is not small in ambiance. Tastefully decorated with corian high top tables, an L shaped bar off to one side and a few TV's along the wall, this restaurant exudes a very comfortable and welcoming style. Off to one side from where we were sitting is an outside eating area decked out with beautiful flowers. This evening was chilly so no one was there but what a nice place to eat on a warmer day or evening.

Since it was prime rib night that is what we ordered and were not disappointed. The cuts were tender, the aujus was perfect along with the creamy horseradish sauce for dipping. We were given a choice of two sides with our meal and we both chose the salad and baked potato. The salad was wonderful with nuts and dried cranberries and the potato was cooked just right.

It was not long before I saw a familiar face while there. A real estate colleague came out from behind the bar area and started making her way around to each table greeting those of us who were dining. When she made her way to ours I learned that Wharfside is owned by her hubby. Small world for sure.

We finished our meal and ordered a dessert to go and headed out the door. As we made our way to our car we both said what a nice surprise this little restuarant was. We were glad we had stopped in.

Wharfside Bar and Grill is certainly a trip worth taking when looking for a casual yet friendly dining experience. The wonderful atmosphere, good food and reasonable prices will delight you on any night (except for Mondays when they are closed).

Oh, and if you get Debbie as your waitress the service will be delightful too.

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

Wordless Wednesday- Summer Over Already??? Aww Geez

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:49:39 -0500

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

14500 Elm St in Upper Marlboro MD- Last Chance Weekend for the $8000 Tax Credit

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:08:06 -0500

Martha Brown | Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. | 410-440-7839

14500 Elm St, Upper Marlboro, MD

OPEN THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 4TH FROM 1PM TO 3PM. COME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LAST WEEKEND TO BUY THIS HOME AND GET THE $8000 TAX CREDIT

4BR/3.5BA Single Family House

offered at $389,000

Year Built	1853
Sq Footage	2,813
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	25,177 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

They do not build them like this anymore. This 4 bedroom 3.5 bath home has stood the test of time and is still a show stopper! The quiet & serene interior offers quality craftsmanship of years gone by and of today. 5 fireplaces, hardwood floors throughout, gorgeous woodwork, corian counter tops, jennaire cooking, all season sun rooms on each level. Exterior offers a 2 bay carriage house garage with loft and plenty of room for hobbyist and/or gardener. Within walking distance of downtown, the lake, walking trails and easy commute to DC.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Hardwood floor	- Family room
- Living room	- Office/Den	- Dining room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Attic	- Washer
- Dryer	- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Garage parking

- Guest parking

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 5 Fireplaces, Full attic with additional rooms, fenced yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front	Back of Home
Foyer	Kitchen
Family Room	Living Room

Contact info:

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

410-440-7839

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 29, 2009, 3:55pm PDT

Memories At Active Rain... A Love Story Of A Journey Without End

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:09:23 -0500

Ahhh.... memories. How sweet the feeling when our mind wanders back in time to those places and events that placed a happy memory in our soul, our heart or in our head. Memories of laughter, of love, of aha's that changed our lives forever.

Like the memories evoked when someone or something comes into your life that was totally unexpected, totally foreign and totally captivating. Something like Active Rain.

Like many I was introduced to Active Rain by a colleague and very good friend. Someone who thought I should try Active Rain, would enjoy Active Rain, could learn from Active Rain. So I peaked in and my first thought was... you gotta be kidding. Me and Active Rain? Oh my!!

It was a foreign entity to me this thing called blogging. I remember logging on and just as quickly logging off, not once but dozen of times. Better left alone I would tell myself as I tried to make sense of what this place called Active Rain and blogging was all about. Yet it would not let me be. I remember it calling my name.... Martha..... come check me out.....come learn and grow and share.... Yes the memories are still fresh and the calling still goes on.

I remember the stress of feeling so behind when it came to blogging and knowing all that others knew about social media that I did not. I remember the feeling of being lost in a world where others knew so much and I knew so little. Yet one day I logged on and realized the stress had disappeared and that too became nothing more than a memory as something else took its place.

Today as I look back at memories brought about by Active Rain I realize that these memories were the beginning of a love story. A love story on a journey without end. A journey full of the willingness of others to share their skills and knowledge. A journey that fills my computer screen from all corners of this great nation and beyond as others share their memories of their hometown and of their journeys lived. Of friendships forged, of lessons learned, of moments in time when I knew I was in love with Active Rain and all within.

Everyday a new memory is made as my fingers wander the keyboard and I visit other bloggers. Each one unique, each one jogging a memory loose of a a life lived through words and pictures. And so it goes that each day will bring something new that will become my favorite memory of all.

Thanks for the memories Active Rain. Memories that I love on a journey without end.

Tick Tock...Tick Tock... You Still Have Time To Beat the Clock... Maybe If You Hurry

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:39:10 -0500

Your Browser Does Not Support Frames. Use this link instead.

For months now the word has been that if you are a first time homebuyer or have not owned a home for at least three (3) years that Uncle Sam will give you a tax credit of up to $8,000 when you buy a home. Hmmmm... sounds like a promising proposition for sure.

You betcha, as many have jumped at the chance. Not only did they jump at the chance of receiving up to $8,000 back in their pockets from Uncle Sam but they jumped at the chance to buy a home at a time when Sellers are wheeling and dealing too. Wow... what an opportunity they took advantage of. Do you think???

But now the clock is ticking louder...tick tock....TICK TOCK... as the door closes on the $8,000 tax credit advantage as of December 1, 2009. Big deal some say as it is only the end of September so there is still plenty of time. Wrong answer.

First off- with the large amount of inventory it may take you a couple weeks to find the home that speaks back to you. After all.. you dont want to settle on just any ol' home.

Second- obtaining a mortgage. Gone are the days of 2 week turnarounds. To be on the safe side you should allow at least 30- 45 days from start to finish.

Third- the new truth in Lending rules could add a least another week onto the settlement date. After all we want to make sure you understand everything you are signing and how all the numbers work when you buy a home.

So lets add that time together and see where we are. 14-21 days to finds a home, write a contract, get a reply and start the ball rolling. 30-45 days to get the mortgage from start to finish, through underwriting and the loan package to the settlement company along with the funds to close. 5-7 days to satisfy the truth in lending rules. That brings us to a grand total of anywhere from 49 to 74 days. One gives time to spare and the other...well oops sorry. It is over the November 30 deadline to settle.

So the reality is you better hurry if you really want to take advantage of Uncle Sams offer.

Really Hurry.

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

From Sale To Sold... Agency Relationships Do Make A World Of Difference

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:45:29 -0500

Helping families, couples or even a single person make the transition from their city to ours is always a fun and exciting time for me when selling real estate. The anticipation along with the trepidation of making such a move can seem and feel quite daunting to them and I love to help smooth the way and introduce them to our area.

Last year one such couple was transferring here from the Midwest. Excitement was in the air as they contemplated their new positions in Washington DC and their new home in the Annapolis Md area. We found the perfect new home for them and before long they were settled in and exploring all that Annapolis, Baltimore and the Washington DC area had to offer.

But alas, the Midwest kept calling their names so when a position became available back in their previous hometown area they jumped at the chance and then gave me a call to come list their home. I was excited for them but knew there would be some challenges ahead as they had only been here a little over a year.

Our first challenge was prices had dropped in their neighborhood. About 2% from when they bought. Not too shabby considering other areas had dropped far more but still not a good thing since it meant money being brought to the table to sell.

Our next challenge was the competition. With 14 available homes on the market all very similar to theirs and 8 of those in their very own neighborhood that was a heavy load to cut through.

Another challenge was that the average days on market was 84 days. Way too long for them to be able to be at their new jobs in the Midwest on time. And our final challenge was our view. We had a lovely woodsy view with a side peak of other homes but we did not have that golf course view so many others on the market had this time around. What to do, what to do.

So we sat down and concentrated on their neighborhood. We looked at the Solds (only 3 recent ones) and the under contracts (only 2 of those) and the 8 available for sale (way too many). The other 6 available we kept on the back burner as they were in the same zip code but not the same amenity filled neighborhood. We went through each and every one with a fine tooth comb and came up with a plan to price and market their home.

Now I will say this property was beautiful as the Sellers had done a fine job of making it a home however there were also a few others out there that were just as beautiful and priced just as well for a Buyer to choose from. So we were quite happy when on the very first day of being listed we got word of a showing. A showing by an agent who I had worked with just a few months earlier.

After the showing I received feedback via email saying that it was a consideration. Great I thought. I emailed back saying thanks for showing and for the feedback and if there was any additional information that he or his Buyer needed in regards to the home to not hesitate to contact me. Then I said if this home works for your Buyer that it sure would be nice to work with you once again.

A few days passed with no word and I was beginning to feel they had moved on when a call came my way saying they were going to write a contract. The call ended by him saying he was taking me up on my offer to work together once again. Wow!!

So now we are under contract. The Buyer is ecstatic over the home, the agent is happy to be working with me and me with him and the Sellers.... well they are ecstatic too. They can not believe how quickly they cut through the competition and that their dream of moving back to the Midwest is actually going to happen and on time.

So how did we cut through ALL the competition and go under contract in 8 days? Well... part of it came from the time the Sellers and I strategized over price and where in the competition we wanted to be. And yes part was the beautiful condition of the property. But another part was the relationship built between me and the other agent. From the two of us working successfully and professionally together in the past to make a home that was for sale by one work to become the new home of another.

Yes, agency relationships are very important. Important between a Seller and their agent and a Buyer and their agent. But they are also important between one agent and another.

It can make all the difference in the world when cutting through the competition.

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

Giving Showing Feedback- Does It Step On Your Buyer Agency Duty of Confidentiality?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:06:30 -0500

Here's a thought. Does giving showing feedback on a listing to the listing agent step on your duty of confidentiality between you and your Buyer?

This question came up today when I went to an Agent Luncheon and was sitting at the same table with a few other agents enjoying our lunch. On the table were feedback forms from the listing agent asking us to give our thoughts.

As for me I dislike these forms. The questions they ask do not work well with my brain as I am a free flow feedback person and hate being put in a box that says check one. I mentioned this at the table and the conversation turned to 'I'd rather do a form here than answer feedback after showing a listing'. Hmmm, interesting I thought so I asked why is that? The answer was our confidentiality duty to our Buyers.

Now I had never thought of giving feedback as breaking any confidentiality agreement between me and my Buyer so that comment got me to thinking. Could that be true? And if it is, where does that leave giving feedback which is so important to Sellers especially in today's market when showings are few and far between.

I mentioned that if it was true maybe we should give our own personal feedback and not that of the Buyer. That's a thought each one answered yet none were totally supportive.

So how does giving showing feedback affect our agency with our Buyer? Of course this is assuming we have a Buyer Agency agreement already in place with our Buyer.

I haven't come up with the answer as of yet but I am checking with the powers to be for a more difinitive answer in my market area.

So how do you feel about giving showing feedback? Does confidentiality between you and your buyer come into play when doing so or not doing so?

Creativity- Making the Most of A Sticky Situation

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:53:23 -0500

This past week while attending the Maryland Real Estate Convention I stayed at a friends condo not far from the convention site. Though I spent very little time at the condo, the time I was able to relax was spent enjoying beautiful views of the ocean and lots of comfortable amenities within.

Upon entering the half bath one day I noticed a little cut out in the half bath door. Wondering what it might be I took a closer look. Well low and behold seems the door swung wider than there was room for so a notch was made in the door to make clearing the toilet a breeze.

I gotta give my friend a 'thumbs up' for a creative solution to the problem.