The Long and Short of a Short Sale, Part 5: Failures and Successes - 09/29/09 10:37 AM
Part 5: The Long and Short of a Short Sale: Failures and Successes This is Part 5 of a Series on Short Sales reprinted with permission from TheRealEstateWhisperer.  In this post, we discuss examples of failures and successes I've witnessed or been part of in the short sale arena.Disclosure/Disclaimer:  In this post I often talk of the listing agent or buyers agent and their practices, as if the agents were the sole deciding factor in taking these actions.  In reality, the agents should be acting only as agents, at the direction of their clients.  However, in short sales, because most consumers have … (0 comments)

Shopping for a Cause! (Support Your Schools) - 09/21/09 10:30 AM
As we all know, it is serious back to school time.  It seems to be consuming my life, and if you have kids in school, it's probably been your focus... too.  I was sent home a list of web sites where I can register my various store loyalty cards so that any school benefits are sent to my children's schools. 
But, you do NOT need to have school aged kids to participate.If you have preschool children, I suggest that you sign up for the schools that your children WILL attend.  If you do not have children, perhaps you'll choose to register … (1 comments)

Save the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit! - 09/15/09 08:37 AM
You probably are aware of the first time home buyer tax credit of up to $8K. You may also be aware it is set to expire soon, I think there are 53 business days left to get your transaction closed and still be able to take advantage of this incentive. In my area, this, combined with low interest rates and great home prices, are creating a buyer frenzy.... this is keeping inventories low and pushing prices upward. Rebounding home prices are key to restoring the net wealth of American families. Traditional sellers are now able to sell their home and move … (3 comments)

H1N1 It's in Loudoun. Party Anyone? - 09/12/09 09:03 PM
Yep.  I am sure that's what I've had all week.  No, I didn't have testing... the CDC doesn't really recommend it.  It's been a long time since I had a flu that did more than inconvenience me.  This one put me in bed for a few days.
In case you're wondering, here's what I now know:
It doesn't really matter "which" flu it is.  It's all contagious, it all makes you feel terrible. Symptoms are fever, cough, sneeze, running or stopped up nose, achy-all-over feeling, fatique.  Some people get tummy problems, not all.  It seems pretty much like any flu we're used to getting. … (2 comments)

I Am So Damn Sorry - 09/11/09 04:45 PM
It's 9-11.... need I say more?
I'll never forget that day.  You won't either. 
For me, the panic really didn't set in until late in the day - after the Pentagon was attacked.  Is that because it's close to home?  Probably not.  I think it is because my dad always told me there'd never be another war on American soil.  The Trade Centers?  That was Terrorism - we always had that.  But, WAR is what we had when they hit the Pentagon.  War is what we've had ever since.....
Today it is rainy and grey.  Just like I think it should … (4 comments)

I Need Your Help. My Home Was Foreclosed On. I Have 5 Days..... - 09/10/09 11:50 AM
It happened, again. 
This morning I got a message from a friend - our daughters go to school together.  The message said "I need your help.  My home was foreclosed on... and I have 5 days to find a new place to live..." Oh, how I wish I'd known. 
It seems they were working through a loan modificiation company thinking all would be well... and, all the while, the home was being sold on the courthouse steps.  WHY, WHY, didn't they call me?  Maybe I could have done something?  Maybe I could have given them a bit more control over the situation, … (4 comments)

Hide Your Eyes, Kids! Cover Your Ears! Obama Wants To Talk To You... - 09/09/09 06:41 PM

Did you hear all the uproar about Obama wanting to give a “back to school” speech to the children of the US? There was even more uproar here in our county (Loudoun) about our superintendent’s decision not to feature this speech at our schools.  Then later, there was controversy because the superintendent made a last minute reversal of this decision, sorta. He said it was up to the teachers – the teachers who already had their day planned.
Apparently, all this attention caused Obama to rethink his plan, too. I understand he re-wrote his speech after hearing the criticisms. I … (2 comments)

LivingInLoCo: Important Back to School Info - 09/08/09 10:41 AM
Back To School   Today is the first day of school here in Loudoun County.  I logged onto Facebook this morning to share my bus stop photos, and to see those of my friends.  I read comments from parents whose children are off at a boarding school or college, parents of kids yet to enter school... and of course, the sorrowful, hopeful, prpud parents posting and sharing their photos from bus stops all over Northern Virginia. Sniff, sniff.... Once we've all gotten past the nostalgia of remembering our own school days, and particularly first day jitters, we'll need to get organized.  … (0 comments)

LivingInLoco: Something's Fishy Around Here - 09/03/09 12:16 PM
The National Aquarium at the Baltimore Inner Harbor is about an hour from Loudoun County - an hour and half from Leesburg (where I live).  It's a fabulous place for kids and adults alike and makes for a great day trip.
My kids (3 and 6) had never seen real sharks (although we all watched the Discovery Channel's shows on Shark Week, with great fascination). 
So, on Monday we got in the car and went off for an Inner Harbor adventure.  The kids were so amazed at the Inner Harbor - the art, the fountains, the navy ships, the high rises, the treats … (0 comments)

The Long and Short of a Short Sale, Part 4 - 09/03/09 09:11 AM
Continuing our posts on short sales, this post discusses the most common clauses in the contract, and the ideal contract for each party. 
All real estate contracts have contingencies in them on both sides.  A contingency is the "if" in these statements: I will sell you this house IF ______________. I will buy your house IF ________________.Contingencies can be for anything you can dream up.  However, most residential contract contingencies fall into a handful of categories.Sellers Contingencies: To protect the seller, the primary contingencies revolve around money and the settlement date.  The seller says "I will sell you the house IF you … (0 comments)