Mona LaCovey Blog

Real Bird Suports Our Web Site

2008-05-30T08:56:08Z

We have been working with Gabe Gross for a couple of months now, and he and his Real Bird map based property search tool has had a tremendous impact on our web site. We've sold or rented several homes and the number of hits to our website and more importantly, the stickiness of our web site has improved dramatically. Since installing Real Bird people have been staying on our web site 60 - 85 percent of the time which is double our previous evaluations. Gabe has been very patient, knowlegable and helpful in getting us going and the links to various social networking sites is far easier than using other means. The fact that all our searches include satilite views and the yellow pages gets us even more visibility are great added pluses we no longer need to pay extra for.

Thanks Gabe for all your help and we look forward to new features you have coming out.

Technorati Confirmation

2008-05-26T13:24:12Z

Technorati Profile

Waterfront Rental

2008-05-20T17:49:48Z

Modern Rental Styling

2008-05-20T17:45:22Z

Centerville Quiet

2008-05-20T17:42:44Z

Corner the Market

2008-05-20T17:39:49Z

True Waterview at a GReat Price

2008-05-20T17:34:42Z

Cute Cape Cod

2008-05-20T17:29:47Z

The Home Everyone Admires

2008-05-20T17:25:31Z

Upgrades to Live For

2008-05-20T17:23:24Z

In Fantastic Condition

2008-05-20T17:14:19Z

Shows Like Brand New

2008-05-20T17:11:34Z

Just Built and Larger than it Looks

2008-05-20T17:08:30Z

Brand New with Great Flow

2008-05-20T17:02:25Z

Brand New - Great Price!

2008-05-20T16:59:39Z

BRAC Special

2008-05-20T16:56:35Z

Get Your Waterfront Fix

2008-05-20T16:53:31Z

Turn Key on a Cul-de-Sac

2008-05-20T16:36:35Z

Jumbo Light Loans?

2008-03-07T08:42:34Z

Good morning,

On the heels of the new FHA limits announced by HUD, a new type of loan may be available soon. It is called "jumbo light" of which I read on the Inman news this morning. If I am reading it correctly the government sponsored companies are working on their underwriting standards to reach the limit into the $700,000s.

This appears to be good news; however the information is sketchy. This could truly be a saving grace for unsold listings....also for move up buyers! I'll keep you posted as I hear news.

Spring is here and activity is definately increasing. As I said before, this too shall pass--meaning the cup half empty of real estate movement.

It is truly half full with more solutions on the way! Homebuying is still the best investment but it involves detailed research and careful decisions.

Keeping up the good work,

Mona

NEW FHA LIMITS!

2008-03-06T12:40:38Z

Hello All!

This is what we have been waiting for! For our local areas which are affected, please see below.

Imagine $560,000 for the Baltimore, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, & Queen Anne Counties

$729,750 for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, & PG County.

This came from my contact, Richard Thompson @ Countrywide 410.544.3400. If you have any questions, please call or email him.

HUD SURPRISES INDUSTRY
WITH NEW FHA LOAN LIMITS A DAY EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED
AND
PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE WITH THE NEW LIMITS
SEE INFORMATION BELOW:

New Limit of $560,000 (One Family Unit) for: Baltimore Metro Area, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Queen Anne's County.
New Limit of $729,750 (One Family Unit) for: Calvert County, Charles County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County.
New Limit of $271,050 (One Family Unit) for: Allegany County, Caroline County, Dorchester County.
New Limit of $420,000 (One Family Unit) for: Cecil County
New Limit of $437,500 (One Family Unit) for: Garrett County & Worchester County.
New Limit of $343,750 (One Family Unit) for: Kent County
New Limit of $328,750 (One Family Unit) for: Somerset County & Wicomico County.
New Limit of $400,000 (One Family Unit) for: St. Mary's County.
New Limit of $377,500 (One Family Unit) for: Washington County.

Have a great day!

Mona LaCovey

Daylight Savings Time

2008-03-06T09:48:44Z

Good morning,

As I begin a new day in working with my prospects and placing calls, I am reminded that Saturday is the NEW Daylight Savings Time. Don't forget to SPRING FORWARD one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed.

As we reset our time, be aware that days will be longer with more time in the evenings to see properties! This is an added plus to our clients who work long days and who have trouble with not enough time to do everything at the end of the work day!

Secondly, it is inspiring to see daylight after 5pm. We can notice sunsets again after we finish our work days! Enjoy this wonderful spring time.

Okay, now I'm getting on the phones again. I'm calling Countrywide to see how they are doing in the marketplace. They were my favorite mortgage lender before all this loan debacle and my clients need good lenders to service them.

Watch interest rates as the spring market has increased real estate activity. Movement is definately heating up!

Have a superb day!

Mona

Today with Mona LaCovey of RE/MAX Experts

2008-03-05T19:05:17Z

I'm still learning about how to use this Active Rain and especially the blog. So here is a little bit about what's been happening.

Business has been slow, but interestingly, my husband and I prayed everyday for business, and within a few days we started to get busy. We now have two contracts to work with on two different properties for two different clients and it looks like we are close to submitting contracts on two others. Isn't God Good!!!

My husband Steve has been doing a lot of work on our web site. We sent out a survey to all of our sphere of influence and got a lot of good feedback on how to improve the site. It's kept him quite busy making changes based on some really good inputs. We still need to get back to everyone and thank them for their input. What's really neat is that we're on the first page of Google, Yahoo and MSN all in the natural area. Steve says we are getting a good number of hits everyday (more tha 300 per day) and his concentration is on getting people to login and talk to us. He's working on several things to help improve that. Check out our site at www.MonaLaCovey.com and let us know what you think.

As we are getting busier, we are looking to maintain our balance in terms of work and time to relax. We're in a routine of having our grandsons over every Wed night and I don't want to give that up along with not working any more than is absolutely needed on Sundays.

If eel like I've done a good job of following up all of our leads and connecting with all of the people we know as we start to kick up our advertising for the spring season.

That's all for now. I'll try to remember to keep this blog up on a routine basis and check out what others are saying at the same time.

Mona

Now is the time to rent your home!

2007-10-29T13:40:54Z

My husband and I recently have been trying to sell an investment property with no luck. We just rented it for below market value for a six month period which will enable us to not "miss the spring market."

My best advise would be to rent your house, even at a loss, to make it through the next couple of holiday months. Then be ready for spring and have it look sharp for some major competition.

Patience in this real estate market

2007-10-11T10:51:04Z

This too shall pass, everyone. Have patience, be encouraging, and keep working. A positive attitude will win out every time.

If anyone needs encouragement, I am happy to help--just drop a note!

Blessings!

Mona