Stacey-Ann's Blog

Thanks for all the suggestions we got for where my husband and I should go for our 10 year anniversary.  We got some great suggestions and some perspective that basically anywhere we went would be great simply because we were together.

I was disappointed that we were not going to make it to London (or anywhere in Europe) because of the outrageous air-fare.  Anyway practicality set in and we started looking local.  I just made the bookings for us to go to Charleston, SC.  We will spend half the time in downtown Charleston and the rest of the time on the beach (Isle of Palm, I think).  I'm really excited to explore a new part of the country that i've never visited.

If anyone has been to Charleston (or is from there) and they have suggestions for places we should see and visit or great restaurants please feel free to let me know.

Thanks for your help.

The excitement of buying a new home is wearing off and the reality of what lies ahead is beginning to set in.  I actually have to pack up and move.  Somehow, our entire life has to fit into one of these nice labelled boxes.

I am completely overwhelmed and had no idea where to begin.  I decided to start in my closet (yikes!!!).  I found a suitcase that had sweaters that I had not unpacked from my last move - 4 years ago.  I didn't need to even look at them because I did not even miss them, they went straight to the give-away pile.

Based on my current experience I have some tips to make moving slightly less overwhelming:

1. Hire movers for the big stuff if you can, to save money move the boxes, clothing, and kitchen items yourself.
2. Try to give yourself time so that you have the luxury of moving in stages.
3. Start packing early.
4. Pack one room at a time and label each box.
5. Move small stuff yourself and unpack each box as you bring it in.
6. Everytime you visit your new home bring some things with you, never waste a trip.
7. Use this as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted or unused items.
8. Schedule a pick-up with a local charity for the day following move to get any of those purged items (or have a yard sale to raise some extra money).
9. Pack on overnight bag with the items you'll need immediately.
10. Arrange for childcare on the day of the move.
11. Take frequent breaks, eat, and drink lots of fluids (especially on a hot day).

Remember moving is listed as one of life's most stressful experiences.  Give yourself frequent stress breaks and keep focused on the fact that when its done you will be settled in your new home.

So now i've got to get my boxes and my markers out and get to work.  Wish me luck!

Come by and tour this lovely single family home in the Longwood section of Beltsville.

The home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths.  Well manicured landscaping and slate and stone walkway and stoop.  2-story foyer and family room.  Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances.  Fireplace, deck, finished basement.

Open Sunday, July 6, 2008 1-4pm

Call Stacey for more information 240-481-3565

There are many wonderful places in Prince George's County Maryland to watch July 4th fireworks. 

• University of Maryland - College Park
• Six Flags America - Mitchellville
• Allen Pond Park - Bowie
• Prince George's County Stadium - Bowie
• Buddy Attick Park - Greenbelt
• Granville Gudy Park - Laurel

Have a safe and fun 4th of July!

There are many wonderful places in Montgomery County Maryland to watch July 4th fireworks.  At most of these, festivites get under way at 7 or 7:30pm.

• Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg
• Montgomery College Campus - Rockville
• Soccer Plex Germantown Regional Park
• Albert Einstein Park - Wheaton/Kensington
• Poolesville Polo Ground
• Takoma Park Middle School

Have a safe and fun 4th of July!

The Wall Street Journal announced its list of the Top 10 best male athletes.

1. Roman Sebrle - decathlete
2. Lebron James - basketball
3. Floyd Mayweather - boxer
4. LaDanian Tomlinson - football
5. Roger Federer - tennis
6. Sidney Crosby - hockey
7. Liu Xiang - hurdler
8. Jeremy Wariner - 400 meters
9. Ronaldo de Assis Moreira - soccer
10. Alex Rodriguez - baseball

What do you think of this list?  Who do you think should have been on there who isn't?

I think Tiger Woods deserves a mention or some of those 100m runners like Usain Bolt who just broke the World Record.

In my first blog Selling My Own Home I talked about what it was like to live with my home on the market.  So we've had the house on the market since February, done a couple price reductions, made sure that it showed well.  All that and we've had consistent showings, great feedback but no real action (we did have 1 offer for $65,000 below list price).

We were getting down to the wire so I decided to put it up for rent.  I listed it less than 2 weeks ago.  That night I had my first call from someone who had seen it as a buyer.  The next night we had a couple come see it.  Since then we have had a revolving door.  We've had as many as 4 different showings in one day (and that was a random Thursday), and 2 rental applications.  We accepted one really great application and can now begin the process of packing up to move.

Is it just me or are others of you finding the rental market to be quite hot?  I checked in my neighborhood and all the houses that have rented this spring did so in less than 2 weeks.  I just applied for a rental for one of my clients and they were competing with 9 other applications, WOW!

What do you think might be driving this rental frenzy?

The Annual DC Caribbean Carnival is this weekend June 28th & 29th.

The event kicks off with the street parade along Georgia Ave.  This will start around 11am. 

At Banneker Recreation Park there will be an international market which will feature food, crafts, and entertainment.  This market will be open from noon-8pm on Saturday and noon-7pm on Sunday.  The admission for both days is $10.

Come out and experience the wonders of the Caribbean culture.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am petrified of lizards.  I don't even like to see them on TV or look at pictures (I can handle the Geico Gecko, though).

A couple weeks ago I was showing property in Southern Maryland (outside my normal area).  We were in the garage of a vacant property and I hear rustling.  I turn around and what leaps out from behind a black duffel bag?  A LIZARD!!!!  Who knew they even had these in Maryland.  I have lived here for 18 years and that was the first (and hopefully) last one I have ever seen.  It took every ounce of self-control to not run screaming from the room, leap in my car, and get right out of there.

The buyer saw the look of horror on my face and asked me what was wrong.  I explained (trying not to sound completely crazy) and he said "If you think that's bad, you should see the snakes".  Needless to say, I opened every door for the rest of the day with a bit more caution and hoped that no other reptiles would "attack" me.

When I was first interviewing brokers I met a wonderful agent with a small company who mentioned that she gave a portion of every commission to charity.  Even though I eventually affiliated with a different company I really liked her idea.  I decided I would start doing it with my first transaction.  I decided that I would give $150 to charity with every closing (more for higher priced listings).  As I get more and more business my plan is to increase the amount.  I give my buyers (or sellers) a sheet explaining the charity donations, $50 automatically goes to my favorite charity (www.angiemhoutzmemorialfund.com).  The remaining $100 can be donated to up to three additional charities.  It can be charities of their choosing and I include a list of my favorite charities as well (which include the MS Society, Jamaican Women of Washington, and several others).  The response has been overwhelming positive.  In one instance the buyers asked that all the money go to my favorite charity.  

I was wondering if other people do similar things or if you have other ideas that seem to work well to incorporate charity donations into your business.