If you have a photo of someone, perhaps you can use this website to create a funny scenario to send around to your office or friends!  See the link below, and see how great of an Olympics Diver I am!  Someone at work had too much time on their hands when they created it!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/owner/AtU2Vg2I0YmsA40u

Stan Barsch

 

Sorry to go way off topic, but I cannot believe that all the good actors and comedians are dying faster then we can count.

Bernie Mac I think holds a special place in a lot of hearts, he is the man when it comes to comedy.

Here is a yahoo article link below:

CLICK HERE

My deepest sympathy to his family, and may he rest in peace.

Stan Barsch

 

Dear Buyers,

Generally, I have a specific lender that I qualify my clients through.  However, I am diverting that business until August 31, 2008. 

Prosperity Mortgage, a company owned by Long & Foster Realtors has come out with an excellent and unmatched offer, that you simply cannot pass up on!

If you're shopping for a house or condo in or around Montgomery County, Maryland and write a contract with me prior to August 31st, you will get a buy down on your FHA loan for FREE!  You can settle anytime after that, the contract just has to be written prior to August 31st.  This FREE BUY DOWN will save you 1% off your interest rate for the first year, essentially this could mean THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SAVINGS! 

There are no tricks, no hidden agendas, and no sales pitches.  This is just Prosperity Mortgage earning your business, and getting the opportunity to service your FHA loan.

Start your search online now, CLICK HERE.

Fill out your information, and I will call you directly, CLICK HERE.

Stanley F. Barsch

Your Montgomery County, Maryland Realtor

 

I have been batting for a high priced listing in my farming area for the past few weeks.  This gentleman (Mr. Seller) and I run into each other almost on a daily basis, and I know we both have mutual respect for each other.

I knew going into this that it was going to be uphill, he full warned me that he hadn't made a choice, but he was probably going with a particular agent.  For the past few weeks I have been selling my strategies, myself and my approach to him.  Truly, I wanted this listing bad.....solely because this house is so unique, gorgeous and screaming for an agent who can get it SOLD right now!

Fast forward to a few days ago when I ran into Mr. Seller on our normal path.  We made arrangements for me to come by and speak with him today, but we did not set up a specific time.

I pulled up to his house this afternoon, directly behind my competitor (Mr. Lister).  I was devastated that i was about to lose this deal, and I could see it all unfolding right in front of my eyes.   I knew I had a slim chance at getting this deal, but I was ready to put up a good battle for it.  I gave the respect to Mr. Lister since he beat me there, and came back an hour later.

When I went back out and spoke with Mr. Seller he genuinely told me that he was probably going to list with Mr. Lister.  However, he was extremely interested in hearing my presentation which I proudly gave.  When it was all said and done, I think he was a little confused on whether or not to go with Mr. Lister.  To be honest, I think he was reconsidering his decision.

I did walk away with a good handshake, and told him I was glad to be his friend.  In this business you can't have it all.  To be honest, I'd like to have a listing and a friendship together.  However, if I had to choose, I'd take the friendship anyday.

Stan Barsch

 

After several weeks of planning, today I unveiled my new website.  Though some links are not fully operational (coming soon.........), most are working just fine.

I would appreciate it if you fellow Active Rain members would visit the website and give me constructive feedback here.

Check out the website now:  www.stanleybarsch.com

Thanks,

Stan Barsch

 

Today I decided to go to my usual spot for lunch, I go there a few times a week.  I almost always pay for my smaller meals with my check card Visa.  Do you know where this is going yet?  Well my total bill came up to $7.98, not bad for a Cheeseburger, Fries & large bottle of water.

HOWEVER, my good friend *accidentally* rang me up as $7987.98 (he entered the number twice!) and NOW that account is a TAD BIT overdrawn.  The turnaround time for Bank of America to get this corrected?  A whopping 1 week.  Great!  Can't wait!  I have to admit, that one hurt.  More so, because I now have the wife buzzing in my ear "WHY DIDN'T YOU PAY WITH THE AMEX CARD!?!?"

Never paying with a check card again,

Stan Barsch

 

Our toughest critics are not the friends, referrals, former co-workers, or open house buyers. 

The hardest client is our family, even worse our own MOTHERS!  Do you agree?

I've been shopping a little bit for investment properties, and in fact went so far as getting approved just in case I found "the one" and needed to jump on it.  Well in the past couple days, I did just that, I found two excellent properties. 

Unfortunately, those properties are not perfect for me, but are perfect for my mother.  She is an investor, and does very well managing her properties.  As she gets older in age, I think I found the ideal spot for her as she nears retirement, but she REFUSES to even look at it before she sells something first.  Well I told her forget about it, it's going to be gone by the end of the week. 

Truth be told, one has went under contract after being on the market for just one day, JUST ONE DAY!   Who says that this market is slow?  When the right property comes on, at the right price.....it gets SOLD QUICK!  

Well there is still one left, which I am hopeful of maybe purchasing.  I took my Number 1 business partner with me to see it tonight, my wife.  This is going to be hard to sell to her, it's a little bigger then the 5 burner stainless steel grill I talked her into letting me purchase a few weeks ago. 

FAMILY, MOTHERS, FATHERS, WIVES, HUSBANDS, PEOPLE..........It's the best time to buy :)

 

As a Realtor® it is only fair to talk about what kind of market we are in.  Most will agree we are not in the best of markets, but not many will disagree that we are not in the worst of markets either. 

Many of you sellers have been holding out, with hopes that the market will just do a magic comeback and sell for a fortune more then you can now.  The truth be told, if EVERYONE has that same logic of thinking, we will all be in this for the long haul.  The problem that I notice in today's market, is that many sellers want yesterday's prices.  The only way that we can overcome the stabilization we are seeing, is to slowly beat it. 

How do you beat it you ask?  Good question, and I don't have the exact answer.  However, in those areas that are experiencing a high volume of short sales, third party approvals, bank owned properties..DO NOT let that stop you from selling.  Just over a month ago, I sold a house in a high foreclosure area, in fact one next door to it was selling $80K less then this particular house.  The house my buyer purchased was priced accordingly in today's market, and NOT priced to stay in competition with the bank that is losing their shirt.  My buyer was excited, motivated and thrilled to be purchasing a house from a REAL HUMAN. 

If you're still not convinced that today is the day to list, then you should consider at least being prepared.  When I say prepared, I mean getting yourself situated for the fall market.  Before long, there will be more buyers looking, and if your house is not on the market you will lose the chance of getting it sold.

I understand that there is a priority for why you are selling.  Whether it be because a new job elsewhere, marital status change, need more space, etc.  Whatever the reason it is you are selling, consider doing it sooner then later.  Even if you sell at a lower cost then you really want, which is yesterday's price, YOU WILL BE GETTING YOUR NEW DREAM HOME AT A LOWER COST  THEN YESTERDAY'S PRICE!

Let me ask, are you in it to sell or in it to hope?

Stay tuned to my blog, and I will give you some tips on getting your house ready for sale.  Don't miss the fall market......you will regret it.

E-mail me with any questions, concerns, or to find out how I will price your home just right.

Stan Barsch

 

 

Two cruises in the last couple of years, and we can vouch that Royal Caribbean was the best so far.  We enjoy their entertainment, itineraries, food (for the most part) and the staff.

We are heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 28 days where we will spend 2 nights before boarding on our 7 night Adventure of the Seas vacation.  Off we go to St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Marteen, Barbados and my favorite Antigua.  For the most part we have booked excursions, but some islands are just best enjoyed without booking anything.

This time around, we decided to book the Grand Suite, which includes several perks.....but the most notable Concierge Service and a complimentary happy hour from 4pm-7pm each night. 

My current manager says booking a vacation is a great way to get your phone lines busy with clients, and I agree to an extent.  My buyers will not be left to float by themselves, not even for a second.  I have a secret though....it is very hard to keep the bad thoughts of the white sandy beaches, clear blue water and Mojitos galore just 28 days away!

Vacation is a great mind reliever, it gives you a chance to rejuvenate and come back even stronger with better ideas.  It motivates you to just be that much better when you get in touch with reality again.

I do hope that many of you are taking time out of your hectic schedules to go on vacation, at the minimum a local beach.  It really is a good thing, and it does help separate your thoughts.

Stan Barsch

 

 

There were two couples both in their mid 80's in a vehicle traveling on US Route 95.  A trooper observed that they were traveling at a high rate of speed and stopped them.

The trooper walked up to the vehicle and made contact with the driver.  He asked "do you know why I stopped you?", and the driver said "no." The trooper said I clocked you going 95 MPH, and the speed limit on this road is 55!  The driver said "trooper I was not aware of that, I thought the speed limit was 95 MPH."

The trooper looked at the couple in the backseat, and he noticed that they were pale and appeared to be having heart problems.  The trooper asked, "what's wrong with the couple back there?".  The driver stated "don't worry about them, they'll be okay...we just got off of Route 120".  LOL

Stan Barsch

 
 
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Stanley Barsch, REALTOR®

Silver Spring, MD

More about me…

Long & Foster Realtors

Address: 8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD, 20910

Office Phone: (240) 882-8512

Cell Phone: (240) 882-8512

Email Me

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