Last year I posted a blog about Toys for Tots drop off location and only two people donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation box after seeing my blog.  I was at a Toys for Tots drop off location in Herndon on Saturday and two boxes were filled within two hours.  I wish the same thing would happen in Leesburg.  One box is about 1/4 full so please drop off some toys.  These times are difficult and we need to do everything in our power to help and plus giving feels good.  Please drop off toys for the holidays at the Long and Foster in Leesburg, the official drop off location for Marine Toys and Tots Foundation.  We are collecting new, unwrapped toys so they can distribute these toys to needy children in the community.  Long and Foster is open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.  Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm.  Thank you! 

Walmart has special prices on toys for under $10.00!  Please check their site.   Please click on the  following link.  This will take you to Wal Mart's website.

http://www.walmart.com/browse/Building-Sets-Models/_/N-2rdnZaq90ZaqceZaq9l/Ne-apsw?search_sort=+&ic=48_0&ref=125871.128795+500000.500601&catNavId=4186

Also check the ToysRUS site:

 http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2255956

I wish you all the very best Holiday ever.

If you are dealing with bank owned properties make sure that your buyer is protected and not responsible to pay to have the house dewinterized for home inspection and walkthrough and rewinterize after home inspection.  I just came across this and it came up in our negotiations with the seller.  Make sure you ask the seller's agent who is responsible to to pay for this expense before you write the offer.  These kind of surprises are not easy to deal with.

If you are moving locally or transferring into the Virginia and Maryland areas I can help you find your home in the area of choice and according to your needs.  If you are moving out of the Virginia and Maryland areas I will sell your house.  I serve and sell real estate in Northern Virginia and the surrounding cities.

Long and Foster in Leesburg is  one of the official drop off location for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.  We are collecting new, unwrapped toys so they can distribute these toys to needy children in the community.  Please stop by to donate toys for Christmas.  Long and Foster is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm and weekends from 9:00am-6:00pm.  

Sell thyself: Many buyers like to search for homes traditionally by still looking at newspapers, and home magazine ads; don't get me wrong.  My colleague says the web is so impersonal.  It doesn't inspire people.  This is why many agents do not pursue to have a deeper web presence other then a website which is most often offered free by their real estate offices.  It seems to me that we are all blending together.  "We, as the community of real estate agents, need to use the web to our advantage."

I recently got a wake up call on how important it is that I pursue making a presence on the web.  I started my first blog on Active Rain earlier this year but then I did not know the internet is the way to go until recently.  I got my first customer off the web and not through the desk, farming, or expensive newspaper ad. $500 for a ½ of a page!  Ouch!

Rather than running expensive ads in the local paper, take advantage of the internet, and use the free stuff seriously to advertise you with the house. It does work.  The internet is convenient, easy to use and available 24/7 for your advertising.

The customer that recently found me on the internet told me that "It's easier," she said.  "I can get on the internet and search for properties on line quick,"  rather then call somebody.  She found me on the internet at 11pm.

We have to change the way we think and about how we should do our business.  I am being frugal these days. 

Do you agree?

I am a fan of Brian Buffini and I have been with him for the past year and half.  I kind of get excited when I receive his box of goodies each month because it gives me a system to work with so I can generate business.  Phones have been dead so I have to do this.  I am working full time in this business so I need to provide for my family.  It is frustrating to be paid on commission but it is also rewarding when you help someone get in to their new home by thanking you for the services you provide.  I used to be a tour guide for the first part of my career life so this is kind of similar.  You show homes, you build a relationship and you get paid for it.

I pop by and meet people.  At first it was hard because I felt awkward by starting conversations with people I did not know to talk with them about real estate.  I wear my name tag and people notice it and ask me about what it is new because it is a hot subject these days.    I get his box of goodies each month so I start with sending personal notes to new people I meet, my database, and my sphere of influence.  The notes are short but it shows how much I care for them because they are and will contribute to my success as an agent by referring their friends and families to me.  I receive this motivational CD from Brian recorded from his turning points so I listen to it when I driving it get me going. 

They also send me 100 the CAP letters and I can customize my cover letter from their website so it makes my job easier.  All I have to do is cut and paste it into a word document and print them to go with my colorful brochure.  It looks very professional.  So far I have gotten two rental and two buyer referrals.

It is a good life!  

I have been working with these first time home buyers for a while.  They appear motivated and serious.  We have seen around 50+ homes together and wrote on three banked owned properties and none were ratified until recently.  I was very excited for them when the bank agreed to our very aggressive offer and they were so pleased when they heard the news so what happened!

I have been calling them for the past two days because I have to get the bank addendums signed by them but they are answering my calls. 

Great 3 acre wooded lot off of Greggsville Road ready to be yours. Septic approved for a 3 bedroom low pressure distribution. Call Simin for plat and information about the lot.  $289,000.00

It has been perked for a 3 bedroom home. The house could be built low from the road so there is a possibiltiy that it can have a walkout basement. The road is paved and subdivision amenities includes lake access, swimming pool, tot lot, and protective covenants. Located 1/2 hour from Fredericksburg.