Crofton MD General Membership Meeting - 12/31/09 01:11 PM
The Crofton Community Association General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM at the Crofton Elementary School, located at 1405 Duke of Kent Drive, Crofton, MD. The snow date for the meeting is January 26, 2010. The first meeting of the year is usually well attended because the budget for the next fiscal year will be presented. The budget, which has been mailed to all residents, contains a modest 2.3% increase. Crofton MD is one of the Special Tax Districts located in Anne Arundel, MD. An additional tax is charged to residents … (0 comments)

Put a fork in 2009, its done. - 12/31/09 08:46 AM
Recipe for 2010Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time, but prepare one day at a time.Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work, … (8 comments)

Crofton MD home inventory levels continue to decline - 12/30/09 04:36 PM
The Crofton MD real estate home inventory continues to shrink as of December 2009. The extension of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit seems to be fueling the reduction in inventory. Although inventory levels continue to decline, there is still a decent selection of homes in each price range. December 2006 - 140 Crofton homes available December 2007 - 142 December 2008 - 116 December 2009 - 97 Price Range - Current Inventory $000 - $199 - 12 $200 - $299 - 33 Excellent value in this price range for 1st time buyers. $300 - $399 - 21 $400 … (2 comments)

End of year decluttering of the subscription list. - 12/30/09 10:20 AM
I've seen a couple of posts in the last couple of days about decluttering so you can go into the New Year clean and lean. I tend to be a packrat so I really appreciate the tips.
With that in mind, I started looking at my blog subscription list. Without realizing it, that list can get a bit cluttered too. Of course the ones that filter to the top are still posting and I'm still reading and commenting.
As I scroll down though, the picture begins to change. Some haven't blogged in a month or two. Maybe they'll be back. You … (10 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - You're bumming me out, get out of my sun. - 12/30/09 06:22 AM
 


If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

 
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Will YOU Fill the Shoes of a Referral? - 12/29/09 11:32 PM
Sally has this one nailed regarding referrals to other agents. I particularly like her mention of getting to know an agent by their online personality. Blog and comment what you will, just remember that your posts and comments are online and available for a very long time.
Via Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes):
When referring a client to another Realtor®  we think in the best interests of our client. We interview the professional with the utmost care and keeping in mind that they will do their best to think in the best interests of our client as … (2 comments)

Traditional website or Wordpress template? - 12/29/09 06:26 PM
Lots of things get done around this time of year. One of the things on my todo list is a website update. My site has served me well but its coded with straight HTML.
This would be for my main site as I already have another template site too. I prefer to have my own site because of the complete control I have compared to a template site.
The question for you techies out there is should I consider a Wordpress template for my main website? I've seen more and more main sites use Wordpress instead of a traditional site.
Anybody … (17 comments)

Customer Service. Taking responsibility for an oversight, and action. A powerful combination. - 12/29/09 06:44 AM
The week before Christmas I called to have my dogs groomed. I should have done it earlier but it slipped my mind. As you can imagine, there were no openings. Seems like most pet owners want to get their doggies groomed before major holidays.
The groomer apologized for not being able to get them in before the holiday. Her business is new and my two Schnoodles were one of her first customers when she opened a couple of months ago.  As we're talking she's looking up my account in the computer and she says, "we were supposed to call you at … (13 comments)

Motivational Monday - Time, we all have the same amount. - 12/28/09 06:07 AM
I used to listen to a sportscaster years ago who always signed off his show with the same quote. This quote, and many similar derivations have been attributed to many authors over the years, but in all likelihood, the true author is still "Unknown."
"Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only time we have, so spend it wisely." Unknown
If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD … (20 comments)

How can this possibly be better? - 12/26/09 06:28 AM
The new Good Faith Estimate is on its way to implementation on January 1st. The government, without a lot of help from the industry I'm told, is going to mandate a universal GFE.
In general, I'm not opposed to a standardization of information, if possible. There are many items on the new GFE that do make sense, for both lenders and their clients.
Two items, or more correctly, two missing items did stick out at me as being pretty silly. If you didn't already know, the new GFE does not allow for the sales price, or the cash to close. The … (14 comments)

Merry Christmas my Active Rain friends - 12/24/09 09:05 PM
I consider the Active Rain community as part of my extended family. Its amazing how many people you can meet and befriend over the course of a year. Not only have I met some fantastic people on line, I've had the pleasure of meeting several for lunch too.
To each and every one a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
And to my special Italian younger sister, Susan Mangigian, Buon Natale e un felice anno nuovo.

… (11 comments)

The 50% Active Rainer - 12/24/09 09:04 AM
Active Rain is one heck of a blogging community. On any given day, you can read posts about anything. Some of them are actually real estate related too. I recently had an opportunity to recommend a referral for a client moving out of state. This is one of the benefits of being active on Active Rain. We get to interact with agents from all over the country and get a feel for their capabilities, through their writings. As it turns out, I wasn't familiar with any Active Rain bloggers in that particular area. Easy fix, grab the town and start researching … (44 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Sofa induced comatose state - 12/23/09 09:35 PM

 

If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

… (18 comments)

Anne Arundel County, MD, buyers. The time is now, let me show you how. - 12/23/09 07:33 AM
Real estate markets are usually in three conditional states. Neutral, favoring buyers, or favoring sellers. OK, you can add the adjective, Strongly, if you want. It's the combination of factors and local condition that converge to determine which state applies at any time. Those factors have been favoring buyers for quite some time, but could very well be changing.
Statistics in our market here in Anne Arundel County, MD, are showing an increase in the number of home sales, and a decrease in inventory. We're also seeing prices creeping up again in certain zip codes.
I know it sounds like an … (4 comments)

(not so) Wordless Wednesday - I'm going to get that snowplow driver - 12/23/09 05:54 AM
After spending hours shoveling 24" of snow on Sunday, this is the scene I woke up to Monday morning when I needed to get the car out of the driveway. Another four feet high and about six feet deep. Ice packed, of course.

 

If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written … (12 comments)

If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. - 12/21/09 08:53 PM
This was a fairly commonplace saying when I worked in the telecommunications industry. I'm sure its a commonplace saying in any large business, because its true. It applies to the real estate business, just as it does to any other industry.
I thought about this again when I read Ralph Gorgoglione's post about he and his partner targeting client segments in 2010. Now is certainly the time of year to be thinking about our 2010 business plans. I also agree that not every real estate client segment is worth pursuing. Although Ralph didn't talk specifically about measuring where his business originates, … (23 comments)

Severna Park MD Real Estate - Market Statistics, November 2009 - 12/21/09 08:28 PM
Severna Park MD, 21146 Severna Park, MD has shown a sales trend that we haven't seen in many communities in Anne Arundel County. Like Severna Park, most communities in Anne Arundel County have shown pretty significant sales increases in November 2009, compared to November 2008. However, other communities seem to be drawing their increases from first time home buyers. Severna Park on the other hand generated most of the home sales in the above $300K price range. It is also one of the few communities where the median sold price increased 2009 over 2008. First time home buyers in the rest … (4 comments)

Feeding Active Rain Blog to your Facebook Page - 12/21/09 04:33 PM
I've tried other solutions in the past that weren't very successful. The RSS Graffiti that Michael suggested in his post worked flawlessly the first time.
Via Michael Fontana (The Stage Coach - Austin's Home Staging HandyMan!):
I've been playing with several RSS Feeders to attempt to get The Stage Coach's Diggin's & Plunder Blog and Active Rain blog to automatically feed to Facebook.  But until this week, none of them accomplished it the way I had hoped.  On a fluke, I searched the applications for RSS one more time, and discovered RSS Graffiti.
For me, the selling point is, I can send RSS … (3 comments)

Anne Arundel County MD - Market Statistics, November 2009 - 12/21/09 02:52 PM
Anne Arundel County Maryland home sales seem to be recovering and increasing over the past year. As you can see from the chart below, November 2009 compared to November 2008, showed an increase of +74.06% in units sold.
Of course, some of this increase can be attributed to the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, which was to expire on November 30th. Some first time home buyers had already written offers, negotiated contracts, secured financing, etc., before Congress extended the program into 2010. With all that work and money spent, most of these homes went to settlement before the end … (0 comments)

Severn MD Real Estate - Market Statistics, November 2009 - 12/20/09 08:13 PM
Severn MD, 21144 Severn, MD home sales statistics seem to be running counter to most other communities in the area in November, 2009 compared to November, 2008. While there was a slight increase in the number of units sold, the dollar volume was lower. Compared to Crofton and Odenton, this was pretty unusual for November 2009.
More units actually sold, but in the lower price ranges. All 21 sales in Severn, MD were in the price range under $500,000. This significantly affected the Average Sold and Median Sold prices. Both of those important statistics were down significantly.
During the month of … (2 comments)

Odenton MD Real Estate - Market Statistics, November 2009 - 12/20/09 07:53 PM
Odenton MD, 21113 Several of the Odenton, MD home sales statistics looked better in November, 2009 compared to November, 2008.
More units are being sold, but in the lower price ranges. 32 of the 33 sales were in the price range under $500,000, while fully 25 of the 33 listings were under the $350,000 price range.
During the month of November, 2009, 41 new listings were added to the Odenton, MD home inventory, while 33 were sold.
In a peek at the near term future, 31 homes went under one of the various contract categories. Despite that, more houses were added … (0 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Nice House For A Rental - 12/20/09 07:38 PM


If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

… (6 comments)

The East Coast Amusing Snow Ritual - 12/18/09 07:53 PM
As soon as they started calling for snow here on the East Coast, the ritual of going to the store for staples began. I guess we're not as hardy a group as those of you in the mid-West and West. We have to get in the car at the first mention of snow to stock up on provisions. The stores today were beyond crazy.
For whatever reason, somebody decided that snow storm staples are bread, milk and toilet paper. It doesn't matter that you haven't had a glass of milk in forty years, all of a sudden it becomes the most … (15 comments)

Your call is important to us, just not enough to answer apparently. - 12/17/09 06:27 AM
Recently, I was speaking to an insurance provider who asked why I don't recommend his company to my clients. We met at a trade show and he was calling to follow up.I actually had tried to recommend his company in the past, but changed my mind after several complaints from my clients. "I no longer recommend your company to my clients because your main 800 number goes to voicemail, all the time." I am a firm believer that a main sales number should be answered by a live person during normal business hours.He went on to tell me that they do … (63 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - This is what I get for leaving the shed door open in Squirrel country. - 12/16/09 04:10 PM


If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

 
… (28 comments)

Speechless Sunday - What Really Goes On Under That Dome? Never Mind, I Don't Really Want To Know. - 12/13/09 08:19 PM


If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

 
… (17 comments)

Crofton MD Real Estate - November 2009 Home Sales Jump The Shark, But Are They Realistic? - 12/12/09 11:35 AM
The official November home sale statistics, compiled by the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MLS), are in and the Crofton numbers are off the charts. November 2009 Crofton MD home sales, compared to November 2008, increased by a whopping 166%.
40 Crofton homes sold in November 2009, compared to 15 in November 2008.
The increase wasn't necessarily surprising to Realtors in the Crofton MD area, but not many of us believe that this increase is really reflective of the current market. The real estate market in Crofton MD is pretty stable and sales are increasing, but we generally don't see the amount … (6 comments)

Patricia Kennedy scores journalistic coup! - 12/08/09 11:00 AM
It's not every real estate agent who can say they were quoted in the newspaper. And make that the NY Times, no less. Quite the journalistic coup for an Active Rain celebrity. Pat Kennedy made the cut yesterday with a quote about sellers and agents getting out of their listing agreement.
Eat your heart out Washington Post.
I won't cut and paste because of copyright protections, but there is nothing wrong with including a link to the article, if you're interested. Here's the link to "What your real estate agent isn't telling you."
Congratulations Pat...and your comment was right on too.
… (9 comments)

Motivational Monday - Risk - 12/07/09 04:58 AM
RISK
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to others is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has … (16 comments)

Speechless Sunday - This is what you get when you send a guy out to buy Christmas decorations - 12/06/09 12:41 PM

As it turns out, this isn't the first big Santa I've bought. I had one a couple of years ago that was tied to the tree to the right to keep him from blowing away. Sadly, the poor guy couldn't get away one night when some vandals sliced him up pretty good. I couldn't keep a straight face when the police came over to make a report. The Crofton police department have a good sense of humor.
My wife won't let me go shopping alone any more.

If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to … (19 comments)

Crofton MD - Toys for Tots and Long and Foster Drop Off Point - 12/06/09 08:46 AM
The Crofton MD office of Long and Foster has a long history of working with the United States Marine Reserves and their Toys for Tots program. For years, agents and community residents have been dropping their toys off at the Long and Foster collection point.
Toys can be dropped off at 2191 Defense Highway, Suite 120, Crofton, MD 21114. The office is open M - F until 7 PM and weekends until 6 PM.
The generosity of Crofton area residents over the years has been amazing. I've been in the office when a donor would bring in two brand … (1 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Santa arrives at the City Dock in Annapolis, MD - 12/02/09 08:19 PM


If you're SEARCHING for a home anywhere in Maryland, click here to view ALL ACTIVE LISTINGS.
 
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate SpecialistBowie MD Real Estate SpecialistCrofton MD Real Estate Specialist
©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

All photos and written content were produced by Richard Iarossi. Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®, Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD.

  … (18 comments)

An A for creativity, an A+ for stupidity - 12/01/09 08:51 PM
I was talking to my brother today. He's an Optometrist in New Jersey and owns his own business, along with his wife. The business is large enough to employ a Doctor to perform exams and write prescriptions.
Apparently, a couple called the doctor to make a legitimate appointment for an eye exam. When they were being examined, they were also telling the doctor that they just moved into the area and would love to work for him. Of course, they mistakenly thought that he owned the business. They then went on to direct him to a website where he could read … (23 comments)

 
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Richard Iarossi, Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Crofton, MD

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Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.

Address: 2191 Defense Highway, Suite 120, Crofton, MD, 21114

Office Phone: (410) 451-6255

Cell Phone: (443) 995-9595

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