Recent Blog Posts

In today's fast-paced real estate market, it's easy for home sellers to get caught up in the whirlwind of online marketing and listing prices. However, the true value of your home may not always align with what you see online. Let me share a real-life example from my recent listing on Eldlestone in Ashburn, Virginia, within the beautiful Loudoun Valley Estate neighborhood.As a local expert in Loudoun County and the Loudoun Valley Estate, I understand the nuances of this market. When my home sellers initially looked online for pricing guidance, they were presented with a range of numbers. But we decided to aim higher, listing the property at $1.175 million.The result? We not only sold it at this ambitious price but also secured the top dollar value for the neighborhood, all within three ... 09/26/2023

It doesn't take much to make a good first impression, right? A little effort can go a long way, regardless of the situation. Today my buyer client saw her new home "in person" for the very first time.  We went under contract about five weeks ago. Since the purchaser lived several states away, we did a video conference during my initial showing appointment.The house was stunning. It was obvious the seller took excellent care of this home, and it had a warm, happy feel.Although the home had multiple offers, we were the successful bidders and went under contract.The buyer was naturally nervous to buy a home sight unseen, but when we walked through the front door of her new home today, all fears dissipated. The first thing I noticed was a pleasant clean scent. The hardwood floors were gleam... 09/26/2023

  599 Scenic Gulf Drive Unit 101, Miramar Beach, FL Click here to Get Directions          Photos Maps & Local Schools Print $ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 4 BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS Breathtaking Gulf Front Oasis with Stunning Views of Pool and Beach! Welcome to your dream coastal retreat in the heart of Miramar Beach, Florida! This captivating four-bedroom condo on the first floor offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the ultimate beachfront lifestyle. With recent renovations adding a touch of modern luxury, this sun-kissed gem is sure to leave you enchanted. Key Features: Gulf Front Living: Embrace the soothing sounds of waves and the gentle sea breeze from the comfort of your own home. This condo sits right on the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico, ensuring unobstructed views of the shimmering w... 09/26/2023

Thanks again for the time you took to guide us on our choosing of Branson attractions. Your recommendations were spot on as attested to by my wife JoAnn, sister-in-law Karolyn, Geoffrey and myself.We went to Top of the Rock and went on the Golf Cart tour. The photo above was captured on the tour. Everybody was amazed at the sights. See photo below.After about 90 minutes of some magnificent sights it was time for a trip to the Arnold Palmer Restaurant for a small bite. The views along with the refreshments were awesome.My 3 companions wanted me to let the rest of those on Active Rain know how cool Branson, Missouri is if you follow the suggestions of faye schubert, the attraction expert.Enjoy your evening.    09/26/2023

  See more details about this Single Story Las Veg Home: https://bit.ly/48wiP5i Listed at a price of $659,500 with modern features and a low-maintenance design.Welcome to this meticulously maintained gem located in the heart of Southwest Las Vegas! Experience the perfect blend of modern conveniences and hassle-free living in this single story pool home tour.🔹 Highlights Include:🚗 Located in the Monaco community on the west side of Las Vegas.🌆 Volume 10-foot ceilings that elevate your living experience🪶 Fresh new flooring and paint that scream contemporary elegance🔥 Spacious family room featuring a warm and cozy gas fireplace☀️ Bright and airy spaces with tons of natural light🍳 Fully revamped kitchen with brand-new cabinets, appliances, and stunning granite countertops fit for any culina... 09/26/2023

El Cajon Weekly Market Update September 17th - 23rd, 2023 Cottonwood Meadows RECENTLY SOLD Greencrest Drive | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1528 sq. ft. | $739,000 Kings Mark NEWLY LISTED Jamacha Road | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1014 sq. ft. | $520,000 Tristan NEWLY LISTED Via Rancho San Diego | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1136 sq. ft. | $520,000 RECENTLY SOLD Via Rancho San Diego | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1258 sq. ft. | $625,878 Valley View RECENTLY SOLD Graves Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 563 sq. ft. | $324,900 09/26/2023

Lets not forget what we can learn from Lou Ludwig Your Attitude Will Light Your Way “A Positive attitude will light your way on your success journey and bring new opportunities within your focus to see. A negative attitude will cloud your future and obscure the opportunities.” Lou Ludwig, Sales and Management Consultant, Success Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author   As I see it. . . . . . . . Your attitude will light your way   Keep your attitude positive . . . . and you will find your way.   You can choose to live in the darkness of life . . . . and complain about the circumstances. . . . . Or you can create your own light with a positive attitude.   No matter how dark it appears . . . . There’s a switch on your attitude that will turn on the lights. It’s your responsibility to find tha... 09/26/2023

RECIPE: Tastefully Tuesday - Avocado Quinoa SaladLooking for something to have with a fabulously marinated steak for dinner tonight, I decided upon this delicious and healthy Avocado Quinoa Salad. It's simple, nutritious and, the best part,  you can whip it up in no time! INGREDIENTS: 1 cup quinoa, cooked 2 - 3 ripe avocados, diced 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cucumber, diced 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped Juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper to taste (as with most recipes, I use smoked pepper - it definitely adds a great dimension to the flavor).  INSTRUCTIONS: Cook the Quinoa: Follow package instructions to cook 1 cup of quinoa. Let it cool. Prep the Veggies: Dice the avocados, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and finely c... 09/26/2023

 211 W. Woodruff, Searcy ARIt once was a light color and easier to picture and admire.  It is now this dark color and harder to get a good view and picture. The court house says it was built in 1885 and Auction.com says that is scheduled for foreclosure on October 19, 2023. And I say, "Please, recognize it as a very historic house and deserves to be respected and kept."Too many historic homes have been eliminated in Searcy AR and I hope this one will be bought and loved.  It was a foreclosure before in 2013.  I wrote a blog about it then.  Click https://activerain.com/droplet/ljNb to see it in light colors and read about its structure and a bit of history.   09/26/2023

Today, I logged into yet another amazing ActiveRain Zoom weekly Zoom call.  Today, Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD covered some great points regarding Artificial Intelligence and more.One thing he taught me was that you could use DuckDuckGo as an extension while still using Google Chrome.  I thought I would give it a try so I installed the extension.That taught me a Bonus Lesson too!  The very first time I used my search bar it came up with this notification stating it had blocked Facebook from tracking that search!I double checked and I didn't even have Facebook open on any of my tabs at the time!The same crap happens when you just talk about something around one of your devices these days.  Haven't you noticed how you could be talking about something extremely obscure and then it starts popp... 09/26/2023

 In this exciting episode part 2, Adriana dive deep into the Florida Hometown Heroes program. Discover how this extraordinary initiative is changing the game for aspiring homeowners in Florida.Join Adriana Montes, CEO and broker-owner of Florida Dreams Capital, as she breaks down the eligibility criteria for this remarkable program. Learn how to qualify as a first-time homebuyer, what income thresholds apply, and why working with a qualified loan officer like Eric Frazier NMLS 461807 is essential. Explore the benefits, from reduced interest rates to substantial financial assistance. Whether you're aiming to purchase your first home or seeking expert real estate insights, this video has you covered.We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this v... 09/26/2023

Moving Tip #6…Almost Home   You’re almost ready to settle into your new home.  The first 5 moving tips included tips on how to edit your treasures and pack for your move.    If you’ve followed the tips outlined in the posts, you’ve taken pictures of items you’re moving as well as how to reconnect your computer and television cables. You’ve marked your boxes and made lists so that you know what’s in them.    Moving day has arrived!  You’re almost done but there are a few more items to complete your smooth move!!           LAST MINUTE ITEMS _Don’t rely on your memory; have a checklist _Make sure to leave behind such as garage door openers, etc. _If you’re coming back to clean, make sure that you set aside cleaning supplies and tools. If you have a professional crew coming in, ensure the ... 09/26/2023

 🏡 Ready to unlock the path to homeownership in Florida? Join CEO and Broker Owner, Adriana Montes from Florida Dreams Realty, on the Adriana Montes Real Estate Show as we dive into the fantastic news about the Florida Hometown Heroes program! This is a must-watch if you're looking to buy a home in the Sunshine State.🔑 In this video part 1, Adriana breaks down the program's qualifications and highlight its incredible benefits. From additional funding of $100 million to down payment assistance, lower interest rates, and special perks for service members, this program has something for everyone. Plus, she share how you can get in touch with a loan officer who can guide you through the process.📢 Your action is crucial! If you're excited about the opportunities this program offers, leave a ... 09/26/2023

When buying a home there is so much to know and consider, more than you'll probably remember. In this episode, I explain the Colorado Real Estate Commission approved Brokerage Disclosure to Buyer form, a disclosure intended to help you understand the defined roles in which we as licensed real estate brokers can serve you.Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch with me! About the author: Sean Gilliam is a real estate agent with LoKation Real Estate in Northern Colorado.  Sean can be reached at sgilliam@mylokation.com or by phone at 970-313-6706.  For additional content see Sean’s Youtube channel or to search for properties see his web page.Interested in buying a home or selling your current home?  I am committed to your success.  Give me a call at 970-313-6706 to get started. 09/26/2023

Advancing Education: Friendswood ISD's Forward-Thinking Initiatives for 2023-24Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) is taking a leap into the future with the introduction of several innovative initiatives aimed at advancing the quality of education and fostering a more personalized learning environment for its students.Focus on Community Engagement: Introducing the "Focus Team"In an effort to foster community engagement and gain valuable insights, FISD officials have inaugurated the “Friendswood ISD Focus Team”. This initiative invites 25 community members to participate in discussions revolving around various aspects of education and learning. The team, consisting of a diverse group selected through a lottery system, will attend sessions throughout the school year, providing ... 09/26/2023

Carlsbad Weekly Market Update September 17th - 23rd, 2023 Golf Crest RECENTLY SOLD Gibraltar | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1466 sq. ft. | $795,000 Las Playas RECENTLY SOLD Peach Tree Road | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1428 sq. ft. | $999,000 Sea Cliff RECENTLY SOLD Lantana Terrace | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1278 sq. ft. | $1,125,000 The Villas RECENTLY SOLD New Castle Way | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 994 sq. ft. | $649,900 09/26/2023

I like reading Rob Spinosa 's articles he presents options we don't often think about. Ain't Nobody (Doing a Cash-Out Refi Right Now)      If you believe the statistics, 90% of homeowners with a mortgage will have a home loan rate somewhere under 5% these days.  And it's a safe bet to assume that a high percentage of those may be under 4% or even 3%.  If you're one of these fortunate borrowers, the thought of refinancing your historically-priced mortgage to get cash out --- a.k.a., a "cash out refinance" --- is a non-starter.  To quote Chaka Khan, "ain't nobody" is doing a cash-out refi unless they ain't got no better option.   But often there can be a better option.  The most common one is a home equity line of credit, or HELOC.  But these loan types are adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs... 09/26/2023

 Find more Real Estate Terms under:https://www.annasellsrealestate.com/fine/real/estate/real_estate_terms/custom/Real-Estate-Terms Anna Chroscicki with RE/MAX Masterpiece RealtyCall me at 772-485-4188 with any Real Estate Questions. Web-site:www.annasellsrealestate.com1775 SW Gatlin Blvd Ste 101, PSL, FL, 34953Selling Real Estate On Treasure Coast Since 2000.    09/26/2023

Ain't Nobody (Doing a Cash-Out Refi Right Now)   If you believe the statistics, 90% of homeowners with a mortgage will have a home loan rate somewhere under 5% these days.  And it's a safe bet to assume that a high percentage of those may be under 4% or even 3%.  If you're one of these fortunate borrowers, the thought of refinancing your historically-priced mortgage to get cash out --- a.k.a., a "cash out refinance" --- is a non-starter.  To quote Chaka Khan, "ain't nobody" is doing a cash-out refi unless they ain't got no better option. But often there can be a better option.  The most common one is a home equity line of credit, or HELOC.  But these loan types are adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that track Prime Rate, which, here in the fall of 2023, is currently at 8.5%.  However, th... 09/26/2023

Lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in highly desirable Pembroke Pines has just received a fresh coat of paint. Enjoy private in-unit laundry and easy maintenance with tile and brand new laminate flooring. A spacious kitchen has plenty of cabinets. The private balcony has views of the tennis court. Lovely community with well-maintained grounds features tennis and a swimming pool. A fabulous location, this condo is just minutes to shops and restaurants. Small pet considered with additional pet deposit. Visit: https://pattydasilva.com/Located at 10537 NW 10th St # 204 Pembroke Pines, FL 33026Call us at 954-667-7253 to schedule your showing or to set up an appointment with Broker Patty Da Silva to list your home. 09/26/2023