The 2011 Washington Auto Show is now playing at the DC Convention Center.  The car show will be in DC through February 6, 2011. The entire schedule features celebrity appearances including Redskins Cheerleaders, DC United Players, & Snooki from the Jersey Shore. The car show is a car lover's dream featuring cars from many American and foreign car manufacturers. PBS characters are also available to help keep the kids entertained.   There were many amazing electric cars on display as well.       If you are in the area stop by the DC Convention Center and enjoy the 2011 Washington DC Auto Show.       01/30/2011

Craigslist Marketing Matrix Josh Schoenly will be in town Tuesday February 1,2011. Many of you commented on my blog Craigslist. What time and days of the week are you having success posting your Real Estate Ads on Craigslist?. First I want to say thank you all again for all the great comments you left-I AM BEYOND BEYOND GRATEFUL. (Please read the comments made). Many of you seem to be having success using it. Me on the other hand is not one of those having success with it. But I have learned that timing is everything. Reason why I am probably not achieving paramount results with my Craigslist advertising is probably due time and day I am posting my ads and also what kind of Craigslist Ad that I am placing (If anyone knows a great Craigslist Ad Creator-PLEASE SHARE) Aaron Rice, CDPE, CIA... 01/28/2011

Landlords - When you put the house on the market for rent it's not your home anymore! I think this message gets delivered to sellers very effectively but not as consistently to landlords. Sellers are encouraged to de-personalize their homes to appeal to buyers whereas landlords often think that tenants should just accept the house as it is. Yesterday some friends of mine went looking for rental homes.  They found one they really liked that had one room that was gold, one that was purple, and the family room had a large mural on the main wall.  My friends really liked the home.  When their agent called the listing agent she indicated that the owners would be ok with painting the gold and the purple rooms.  However, the mural was out of the question because their kids painted it. Really? ... 01/23/2011

Beechtree, Upper Marlboro MD SOLD Homes 2010 Houses SOLD:  40 Average LIST price:  $415,473 Average SELLING price:  $412,112 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 81 LOWEST SALE price:  $299,000 - 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath townhome built in 2006 - short sale HIGHEST SALE price:  $603,049 - 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath single-family built in 2009 - new construction   Beechtree, Upper Marlboro, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 1/21/11) ACTIVE Houses:  15 Average LIST Price:  $441,629 LOWEST LIST Price:  $305,000 - 3 bedroom, 2 full & 2 half bath townhome, built in 2011 - new construction HIGHEST LIST Price:  $839,990 - 5 bedroom, 6 full & 2 half bath single-family home built in 2007 Current Average Days on Market:  77   Beechtree, Upper Marlboro, MD UNDER CONTRACT listings (as of 1/21/11) UNDER CONTRACT Houses:  12 Average ... 01/21/2011

Perrywood, Upper Marlboro MD SOLD 2010 Houses SOLD:  32 Average LIST price:  $301,056 Average SELLING price:  $297,962 LOWEST SALE price:  $205,000- 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath singlefamily home built in 1995 - foreclosure (needs work) HIGHEST SALE price:  $430,000 - 4 bedroom, 3 full, 2 half bath single-family built in 2001 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 88  Perrywood, Upper Marlboro, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 1/20/11) ACTIVE Houses:  10 Average LIST Price:  $290,072 LOWEST LIST Price:  $172,000 - 4 bedroom, 3.5 baths townhome, built in 1997 - foreclosure HIGHEST LIST Price:  $389,900- 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath single-family home built in 2002 Current Average Days on Market:  110   Perrywood, Upper Marlboro, MD UNDER CONTRACT listings (as of 1/20/11) UNDER CONTRACT Houses:  12 Average LIST Price:  $272,535... 01/20/2011

Question:  How Can An Agent Help Me Find a Rental Home? Answer:  Like homes for sale, many homes for rent are listed in the multiple listing service.  An agent can help search homes for rent based on your criteria (location, cost, size, etc).  The agent can help you preview the available properties and evaluate them based on their strengths and drawbacks.  Once an application is accepted your agent can help negotiate the lease to ensure that your needs are represented and protected. Many tenants make the mistaken assumption that having their own agent will be expensive.  Like sale properties, most rental agents are paid by the landlord and there is no cost to the tenant for having representation. 01/18/2011

It's Restaurant Week in DC.  This is a great chance to enjoy a gourmet meal at reasonable prices.   Over 200 of Dc's restaurants are participating.  Restaurant week runs from January 17 thru the 23rd.   The restaurants will offer a 3-course lunch for $20.11 and a 3-course dinner for $35.11. Reservations are recommended because the more popular restaurants will book up quickly. Several restaurants will extend restaurant week beyond the 23rd: Ending Jan 28 AGAINN J&G Steakhouse Ending Jan 29 CoCo Sala Ending Jan 30 Art & Soul  Cafe Atlantico Jaleo Kushi Izakaya Oyamel Smith Commons Zaytinya Ending Jan 31 Nage Bistro Happy Eating!!!!! 01/17/2011

Oak Creek Club, Upper Marlboro MD SOLD Homes 2010 Houses SOLD:  21 Average LIST price:  $504,105 Average SELLING price:  $499,720 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 88 LOWEST SALE price:  $310,000 - 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome (foreclosure) HIGHEST SALE price:  $655,000 - 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath single-family - builder's model home Oak Creek Club, Upper Marlboro, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 1/7/11) ACTIVE Houses:  12 Average LIST Price:  $478,719 LOWEST LIST Price:  $299,900 - 2 bedroom, 3.5 bath townhome built in 2007 - short sale HIGHEST LIST Price:  $725,000 - 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath single-family home built in 2006 Current Average Days on Market:  150   Oak Creek Club, Upper Marlboro, MD Under Contract listings (as of 1/7/11) UNDER CONTRACT Houses:  6 Average LIST Price:  $513,967 LOWEST LIST Price:  $... 01/07/2011

The family and I went to see the Gingerbread House Contest in Upper Marlboro yesterday.  As usual the entries are amazing.  One of the rules is that all ingredients must be edible.  My kids were impressed with the creative uses for candy, chocolate, and crackers. This one was a winner in the child's category. As avid Spongebob watchers this one was my kids' favorite in the child' category.   The adult entries were amazing as well. This was the first place winner!!!!                                 Stop by the Darnall Chance Museum in Upper Marlboro any of the following days: Thursday, December 9 - Sunday December 11, from 12 noon-5 pm. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite entries in the Viewer's Choice Award competition. The fee is just $1/person!   12/07/2010

The 11th Annual Prince George's County Parks & REC Gingerbread House Contest and Show! Stop by the Darnall's Chance House Museum to see the 2010 entries. Darnall's Chance Museum is located at 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (downtown Upper Marlboro) 301-952-8010 The entries are always delightful and I am always impressed with their creativity.   Stop by any of the following days: Thursday, December 2 -Sunday, December 5, and Thursday, December 9 - Sunday December 11, from 12 noon-5 pm. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite entries in the Viewer's Choice Award competition. The fee is just $1/person! 11/28/2010

K-Hovnanian Homes in Maryland is offering a 1% discount off of the base price of their new homes in Maryland for Heroes. To qualify as a hero, the buyer must be a teacher, medical worker, police officer, firefighter, military, or federal, state or local government employee. If you want more information about this program or to see if you qualify give me a call.  I will be happy to show you around some of the fabulous K Hovnanian communities in the area. K-Hov also has several quick delivery homes available in the Maryland area.   10/24/2010

Many potential buyers who are viewing properties are asking themselves, what is a 203K, how do I use it, how long will it take to complete, what's the difference, what are the different kinds & do I have to use it.  The answers when fully explained can be the difference between a smooth transaction & a nightmare.   Within the last decade the way a foreclosed property & the very popular short sale property is bought is totally different compared to years ago. Click for more here   Damon J. Brockenberry (Damon The Agent) Washington DC Real Estate Services Servicing Washington, DC, Maryland, & Virginia cell: 240-694-6460  e-mail: sold@damontheagent.com 10/05/2010

October 14 - Early Dismissal for Students October 15 - Schools Closed November 1 - Schools Closed November 2 - Schools Closed (General Election) November 12 - Schools Closed (Parent/Teacher Conferences) November 24-26 - Schools Closed (Thanksgiving Break) December 23-31 - Schools Closed (Winter Break) January 17 - Schools Closed (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) January 24 - Schools Closed February 18 - Early Dismissal for Students February 21 - Schools Closed (President's Day) March 4 - Schools Closed April 1 - Schools Closed April 18-21 - Schools Closed (Spring Break) April 22 & 25 - Schools Closed (Easter) May 30 - Schools Closed (Memorial Day) June 14 - Summer Break Begins   Search for Homes in PG County, MD         09/28/2010

We have received committments from several companies and individuals to sponsor the cost of some veterans playing in the 4th Annual Angie Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament, We are excited to add this to the line-up this year and think that it is a great way to honor their service. The tournament will be held October 8, 2010 - 1:00pm at Oak Creek Golf CLub in Upper Marlboro, MD. $125 entry fee includes lunch, dinner, & drinks.  However, for veterans this fee could be complimentary.  The free veterans spots are limited but there are still several available.  If you know someone who would enjoy participating please give me a call. If you are interested in sponsoring a veteran, playing in the tournament yourself, becoming a hole sponsor, or making monetary or prize donations please give me a c... 09/22/2010

The 30th Anniversary of Kinderfest will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD.   Kinderfest features pony rides, pumpkin patch, train rides, live animals and nature activities, tennis demonstrations, and more.   Kinderfest will run for noon to 5pm.  Admission is free with fees charged for some of the activities and for concessions.   Watkins Regional Park is located off Central Ave in Upper Marlboro, MD 09/20/2010

Upper Marlboro, MD Market Report July & August 2010 Upper Marlboro, MD SOLD Homes July & August 2010 Houses SOLD:  136 Average LIST price:  $253,695 Average SELLING price:  $249,346 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 81 LOWEST SALE price:  $55,000 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo located in Pines built in 1944 - foreclosure HIGHEST SALE price:  $640,000 - 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath single family home located in Belmont Farm built in 2010   Upper Marlboro, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 9/8/10) ACTIVE Houses:  682 Average LIST Price:  $375,900 LOWEST LIST Price:  $30,900 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath double-wide trailer located in Flower Village , built in 1982 HIGHEST LIST Price:  $3,276,671 - 7 bedroom, 8 full baths, 2 half baths single-family home to be built on 5 acre lot Current Average Days on Market:  168    Upper Marlb... 09/09/2010

Terra Nova Title in Washington, DC has generously signed on the Gold Sponsor for the 2010 Angie Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament.   1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 401Washington, DC 20036(202) 331-0901       The 2010 Tournament: October 8, 2010, 1:00pm Oak Creek Club, Upper Marlboro MD www.angiefundgolf.com   There are still many opportunities to support the Angie Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament event: Play in the tournament - $125/golfer Sponsor the tournament - sponsorships begin at $100 Make a tax deductible donation Donate an item for the silent auction Donate marketing materials for the player goody bags Donate a prize for the winners   All proceeds benefit the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund.  This fund provides scholarships to students attending college in Maryland and who have shown a com... 09/06/2010

One of the challenges of moving into a new community is the wait for the planned amenities.  The residents of Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro, MD have been waiting for the opening of the swimming pool and tennis courts for some time.    The economic slow down delayed the building of these amenities.  However, I am pleased to report that the Oak Creek Club swimming pool and tennis courts are finally open.     The Center features lighted tennis courts, pool with on duty life-guards, a kiddie pool with fountain, and a club house.  The club house has space for meetings and events.   Despite the disappointment that the swimming pool had not opened earlier in the season, Oak Creek residents are enjoying the last few weeks of Summer lazing by the side of the pool.   Oak Creek Club features ma... 09/01/2010

It is no secret that I am petrified of lizards.  I have a clinically diagnosable phobia (and that's my professional opinion).  Usually this only becomes a problem when I going home to visit my parents in Jamaica or my sister-in-law in Florida.  Luckily we don't have lizards in Maryland - or so I thought! The first time I realized that there were lizards in Maryland was just over 2 years ago in a vacant house in Southern Maryland. Until recently I thought that it was a fluke.  However, I am beginning to see them more and more.  On a vacation in Williamsburg there were several on the patio of the hotel. This week we've seen a lizard outside my garage, i've seen one running along the side of my friend's house, and today I almost had a heart attack when one ran into the garage of a house I ... 08/27/2010

  1836 Metzerott Road #318, Adelphi, MD 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo $1200/mth Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor         318 Rhode Island Ave, NE #201, Washington DC 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo $1275/mth Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor       2825 28th Street, SE #2, Washington, DC 3 bedroom, 1 bath apartment $1500/mth Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor         1203 Torington Place, Upper Marlboro, MD 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath single family home $1750/mth Listing Agent:  Tyrone Eugene         12105 Lisborough Road, Bowie MD 4 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half bathrooms $3500/mth Listing Agent: Stacey-Ann Baugh             08/27/2010