Sandy's Blog

Thanksgiving Wishes and Non-Turkey Dishes

2008-11-20T12:46:51Z

If you really love turkeys--and we're not talkng when they are covered in gravy--consider celebrating the all american holiday this year by sponsoring a turkey through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project.

They have been around since 1986 and the sponsorships help the organization rescue and care for the animals at its sanctuaries. In additions, the group advocates for turkeys and other animals and educates eaters about them.

The site features photos of turkeys with names like Faye, and Serendipity that are awaiting sponsoship... In addition to that you can also be part of the Turkey Express Adoption program, which places rescued turkeys in safe, permanent homes.

Can't sponsor or adopt a turkey this year? Here are some great ideas for a Vegetarian Thanksgiving.

Going to Dallas fo the Five Star Convention

2008-08-27T17:03:26Z

I am so excited about my first trip to the Five Star Convention. My head is spinning with questions about how to prepare and what to expect. I have read many of the posts on AR and they have been tremendously helpful.

My goals (hope I am being realistic) are to get a good REO and BPO education beyond what I already know; to meet some of you guys who have really pumped up your business and have built successful REO teams and don't mind sharing what works with a grateful southern girl; AND last but not least, I hope to meet some asset managers who are willing to give me a chance to prove that I can do a good job.

If any of you have any advice for me please don't hold back! Also, if you are going would any of you be interested in an AR get together?????

11314 Mansfield Club Drive

2008-08-05T09:46:19Z

JUST LISTED!

11314 MANSFIELD CLUB DRIVE, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408

GORGEOUS 55+ DETACHED HOME IN GATED COMMUNITY!

SP6837062

DON'T MISS THIS GORGEOUS 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH DETACHED HOME WITH 2 CAR GARAGE IN A 55+ GATED COMMUNITY MINUTES FROM HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG AND THE VRE. SPEND YOUR MORNINGS SITTING ON THE DECK WATCHING THE GEESE PLAY IN YOUR PRIVATE BACKYARD AND YOUR EVENINGS IN YOUR SPACIOUS FAMILY ROOM IN FRONT OF THE GAS FIREPLACE. THIS HOME HAS BARELY BEEN LIVED IN & IS MOVE IN READY!

$379,900

6841 Courthouse Road

2008-05-13T11:30:21Z

ADORABLE RAMBLER ON 2 ACRES!!!

MLS# SP6750906

Spotsylvania County Home nestled on a 2 acre lot, surrounded by Farm Land and Hardwoods!! This 3 bedroom home is a must see for nature lovers!

$275,000

35 London Way

2008-05-07T13:23:06Z

TRULY UNIQUE HOME WITH LARGE ROOMS

MLS# ST6750884

TRULY UNIQUE HOME IN SOUGHT AFTER STAFFORD COUNTY! THIS HOME FEATURES ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS LAMINATE FLOORS THROUGHOUT, LARGE BEDROOMS, NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES (NOT YET INSTALLED), LARGE DECK, FENCED YARD AND SO MUCH MORE! THIS IS ONE YOU MUST SEE!!

$385,000

27 Thornberry Lane

2008-05-01T12:38:58Z

BEAUTIFUL STAFFORD COLONIAL WITH IN-GROUND POOL!

ST6745183

BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL W/TWO CAR GARAGE IN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD! THIS HOME FEATURES A FINISHED BASEMENT, BERBER CARPETING, AN IN-GROUND POOL AND MUCH MORE. A MUST SEE! THIS IS SUBJECT TO THIRD PARTY APPROVAL.

$325,000

12313 Chewning Lane

2008-05-01T11:38:54Z

GREAT HOME ON 5+ ACRES, NO HOA, CLOSE TO SHOPPING, I.95 EXCHANGE

SP6742973

CLOSE TO SHOPPING, 95 EXCHANGE, NO HOA AND ON OVER 5 ACRES--WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR? THIS FOUR BEDROOM THREE BATH HOME FEATURES A HOME THEATRE DOWNSTAIRS. RIDING MOWER AND PUSH MOWER CONVEY AS IS (BOTH WORK FINE). NOT A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE--WE CAN CLOSE AS SOON AS YOU ARE READY.

$349,900

9035 SUDLEY ROAD

2008-04-28T11:41:29Z

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THIS HOME AROUND!

MLS# MN6722115

MAKE THIS HOME YOUR OWN! HUGE BACK YARD WITH POOL; GLASSED BREAKFAST ROOM AND GREENHOUSE; HARDWOOD FLOORS ALL WITHIN MINUTES OF THE VRE!

$330,000

3048 Choctaw Ridge

2008-04-28T11:30:27Z

GREAT TOWNHOUSE, PRICED TO SELL!!

MLS# PW6732496

3 LEVEL WELL MAINTAINED BRICK FRONT TOWNHOUSE WITH FENCED YARD. MOVE IN CONDITION! THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE, GREAT PRICE!! BRING ALL OFFERS!!

$238,999

4120 Crossgate Drive

2008-04-28T11:17:02Z

BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED CUSTOM HOME WITH IN GROUND POOL!!!

MLS# SP6739579

GEORGEOUS CUSTOM HOME WITH IN-GROUND POOL ON A LARGE LOT WHICH EXTENDS BEYOND FENCE TO THE ROAD IN COLECHESTER OF LEE'S HILL. HOME FEATURES UPDATED KITCHEN WITH 2 COOKTOPS, DOUBLE WALL OVENS, GRANITE COUNTERS, NEW APPLIANCES. BASEMENT FEATURES REC ROOM WITH A POOL TABLE THAT CONVEYS, GYM AND 2 ROOMS THAT CAN BE USED AS AN OFFICE OR ADDITIONAL BEDROOM (NTC). INVISIBLE FENCE, SURROUND SOUND, PATIO FURNITURE CONVEY.

$429,900

17 Majestic Drive

2008-04-22T14:27:02Z

Just Grand With Room To Grow

ST6693951

Grand home with 3 acres!!! NO HOA!!! 3 Bedroom 2.5 bath on full unfinished basement room for 2 more bedrooms and rough in for bath...wood floors, granite counters in kitchen, formal living and dining room with crown molding, chair rail, columns. Snowblower and riding lawn mower to convey with acceptable offer.

$499,900

17956 Milroy Drive

2008-04-22T14:02:41Z

Nice Town Home with Granite Counters!

PW6730054

Lovely townhouse in Williamstown with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Kitchen counter tops upgraded to granite and washer/dryer convey. 3rd party approval required.

$200,000

14104 Essex Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191

2008-04-10T09:40:49Z

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED BRICK HOME WITH UPDATED KITCHEN

PW6722534

NOT A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE!! THIS GREAT BRICK RAMBLER SITS ON A LARGE LEVEL FENCED IN YARD. THE KITCHEN HAS BEEN UPDATED AND FEATURES CORIAN COUNTERTOPS, BUILT IN MICROWAVE AND DISHWASHER. THE HOME HAS CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING AND HARDWOOD FLOORS UNDER THE CARPET. DOWNSTAIRS THERE IS A LARGE FAMILY ROOM THAT WALKS OUT TO A CONCRETE PATIO FOR THOSE SUMMER BARBECUES! SHOWS WELL!

$259,900

15719 London Place

2008-03-27T09:02:17Z

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS HOME IN SOUGHT AFTER SOUTHLAKE AT MONTCLAIR

PW6698069

THIS HOME IS A MUST SEE THAT FEATURES HARDWOOD FLOORS, CUSTOM BREAKFAST BAR WITH GRANITE COUNTERS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN, GAS FIREPLACE IN THE OVERSIZED DINING ROOM, FINISHED BASEMENT, DECK OFF THE KITCHEN/DINING ROOM AND MUCH MORE. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!

$329,000

11601 GORDON ROAD

2008-03-26T14:33:50Z

NEWLY RENOVATED HOME IN 2007!

SP6701892

HOME FEATURES NEW CARPET, FRESH PAINT, NEW APPLIANCES, NEW WINDOWS, NEW LIGHTING FIXTURES, ELECTRIC FIREPLACE, SUNROOM, DECK AND FINISHED BASEMENT. THE DRIVEWAY HAS BEEN EXPANDED FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING AND WALKWAY TO FRONT DOOR. SOME OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE.

$279,000

Celebrate All Those Closings!

2008-02-21T02:34:24Z

Looking for the perfect place to celebrate and spend some of that hard earned dough you've been pulling in??? Well, have I got the place for you! For a scrumptious dinner and decadent dessert La Petite Auberge will definitely indulge you. This downtown establishment is favorite to many locals and for good reason. They have been serving some of the finest French Cuisine in the area for well over two decades. I have never been disappointed with a meal there, be it lunch or dinner. Always a variety of fresh seasonal dishes and local seafood to choose from. Not to mention some of the most evil sweets that will ever grace your taste buds. The atmoshphere is a blend of quaint, romantic, and bistro-esque...you may also dine outside weather permitting. My last glorious experience at La Petite was for my birthday lunch in November with my closest team members and friends, and as usual I was not disappointed! So, the next time you have a closing, treat yourself to a fabulous lunch or dinner at La Petite Auberge...I promise you won't be disappointed~

However, they are closed on Sundays...just so you don't get worked up for nothing!

311 William Street

Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

(540) 371-2727

National Museum of the Marine Corps

2008-02-20T21:09:48Z

If you are looking for something to do during these last few weeks of winter...check out the National Museum of The Marine Corps in Quantico.

The following is the mission statement of the National Museum of the Marine Corps:

The National Museum of the Marine Corps preserves and exhibits the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honors the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; supports recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provides the public with a readily accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history.

The museum is located just off I-95 near the Marine Corps Base Quantico and has no admission fee or charge for parking. Guided tours are offered daily and there is also a free audio tour. Also, the museum offers a store with a variety of Marine themed merchandise for souvenirs as well as the Mess Hall and Tun Tavern for light snacks and beverages.

For an exciting and informative day trip come follow in the footsteps of Marines. From boot camp to the sands of Pacific island beaches during World War II, to the snow of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and in the red dirt of Hill 881 South in Vietnam this experience is sure to make you appreciate this great country we call home!

Honor the service, commitment, and sacrifices made by all Marines!

If you have any questions, please contact the Museum at 1-800-397-7585 or via email at info@usmcmuseum.org.

1 WASHINGTON AND LEE BLVD

2008-02-18T13:31:44Z

NORTH STAFFORD HOME PRICED TO SELL!

ST6650489

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED HOME IN NORTH STAFFORD AT A BARGAIN PRICE. LOCATED IN VISTA WOODS. MAIN LEVEL FEATURES NEW HARDWOOD FLOORS, GRANITE COUNTERS, NEW APPLIANCES, CROWN MOULDING, LARGE ROOMS. LOWER LEVEL POSSIBLE IN-LAW SUITE W/FULL KITCHEN, RECREATION ROOM, TWO BEDROOMS (TO CODE), AND AN OFFICE.

$399,900

3826 Koval Lane

2008-01-30T20:38:13Z

CHECK OUT THE VIEW OF THE OCCOQUAN RIVER FROM EVERY LEVEL OF THIS WELL-MAINTAINED TOWNHOME IN RIDGELEIGH. THIS HOME SHOWS BEAUTIFULLY AND INCLUDES 3 FINISHED LEVELS. IT ALSO HAS A BEAUTIFUL DECK FOR OUTSIDE LIVING AND ENTERTAINING. TON OF ROO AND CONVENIENT TO SCHOOLS, SHOPPING, AND ONTERSTATE 95. DON'T MISS THIS ONE PRICED TO SELL QUICKLY! PW6648874 $299,900

How Sweet It Can Be!

2008-01-20T12:39:30Z

Please indulge me this one blissful moment! I listed a cute townhouse on Thursday night, received a full price offer on Friday morning and got it ratified that afternoon. The sellers had already found the home they wanted to buy so we wrote a contract on it on Sunday and got it ratified on Monday. And the icing on the cake is we close on January 31st on both. WOOHOO!!!

The moral of this quick story is that there are both buyers and sellers out there doing business and if we can guide our sellers to price their property competitively we can get it SOLD quickly. Another interesting tidbit is that the purchaser of my listing had their agent call me to confirm that it was not a short sale or foreclosure because they did not want to deal with the wait to find out on a short sale or the delays that can happen with a foreclosure. I am taking this information back to my sellers to explain that this is a good thing to know that not all buyers are interested in "the deal" they can get on a short sale or foreclosure if as regular sellers they are willing to price competitively.

While writing this blog I have received two phone calls about competitively priced listings--one with a probable contract coming in on and the other I am going to show tomorrow afternoon. Business is good!!

215 Estate Drive, Ruther Glen Virginia

2008-01-14T09:06:52Z

215 Estate Drive Ruther Glen, Virginia

Lake Land Or

$379,900

CV6624505

Like New Home on 160' of Water frontage

This like new home is situated on 160' of Water frontage. 4 Bedrooms and 3 Full Baths with a spacious kitchen with a deck for entertaining. Featuring hardwood floors, silestone counters, stone fireplace with mantle, 9' ceilings, 2 Master Suites with In-Law potential. All of this, plus located in a gated community.

How 'bout them Tigers!!!!!

2008-01-08T10:04:15Z

You all will just have to indulge me for a moment--YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! How about them LSU Tigers last night?? My husband is a graduate of LSU and probably one of the biggest fans on the planet. He wouldn't take down the LSU flag outside our house over Christmas for me to put up my Christmas flag because it might be bad luck if the Tigers didn't fly continuously until after the game. Now we have to fly it for the rest of the year because they did win.

It was a great game and Ohio State gave us some real scares especially at the beginning of the game when they were so poised and ready and jumped out to the 10-0 lead. However, except for a few good moments for Ohio it was all LSU! The Tigers proved that they are truly National champions!!

Congratulations Tigers! You rock and we are so very proud of you!!!

Presidential Debates

2008-01-07T13:53:17Z

I watched with great interest the debates between the Republican candidates followed by the Democratic candidates on Saturday evening because quite frankly I haven't made up my mind which candidate to support. It was interesting that none of the questions concerned the economy. Facebook conducted an on-line poll and that was the number one thing that people want to hear about.

While the candidates seem to believe that "change" is what people want; that may be so but mainly people want to know how they are going to financially survive gas prices, the housing crisis, higher food bills, THE DECLINING ECONOMY! I just wanted to hear the candidates talk about their strategy for turning around this decline. I believe that it was a mistake not to.

I am interested in hearing what my fellow AR'ers think about how the debates.

Advertising--You Can't Afford Not To!

2008-01-04T15:32:43Z

The cold hard fact of the matter is that you can be the smartest, most capable, well-read Realtor on the planet but if nobody knows about you you still won't have any business. Unfortunately, there are many Realtors in every market. Becoming a Realtor and thinking that you are just going to have business because you are one simply won't happen.

Building a sphere of influence and calling on your relatives is a good start but at some point to stay in business you will have to appeal to the general public. The only way to let them know that you are out there is to advertise.

So, you say money is tight and you can't afford to advertise. HEAR ME LOUD AND CLEAR: YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO!!!!!!

A suggestion for something that others maybe haven't thought of is to develop an unbranded post card or door knocker (cheap and no postage) that simply asks What Is Your Home Worth--Find Out For Free! Add just your phone number and see if you don't get some calls. Obviously, this doesn't take the place of the branded marketing that you need to be doing but it could help jump-start you into some business.

As you generate some business remember to budget a percentage of your commission to marketing. Do your homework and try to build a marketing plan that gives you a variety of different outlets. You'll be surprised that in a short time people will think you have been a Realtor forever!

New Year's Resolution--Sell, Sell, Sell!

2008-01-02T11:09:32Z

I have been away for a while trying to get over a nasty bout of pneumonia. I'm back at work for the first time in three weeks and I've got my mind made up that no matter what the market analysts say I am going to have a good year in real estate!! Armed with new leads from my website I made my phone calls this morning and scored some appointments and yesterday I got two new listings so I am feeling on top of the world.

The business is out there. We might have to work a little harder but hey nobody promised us this would be easy. My resolution is to do everything in my power to have my best year ever! If God is willing to let that happen I will do my part to get the work done.

To all of my Active Rain friends and associates--I wish for you a prosperous year in real estate, mortgage, staging, home inspections or whatever your area of expertise may be.

BTW, all of you who sent Prayers and well wishes for my brother--we got great news three days before Christmas. The cancer is in remission! Thank you all so much and please keep us in your thoughts and Prayers!