Stacey-Ann's Blog

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.

The question is, Do you really need a real estate agent when you're buying a new home?  The answer, an emphatic yes!!!!

Last year my husband and I decided we wanted to purchase a new home.  I knew it would be an easy task.  I would just drive into that community I pass all the time, pick out what I want and they would start building.

Of course, life is not that simple.  Turns out I didn't like any of the available floor plans in my price range.  I was left trying to figure out where to go next.  A little research turned up dozens of new home communities in Upper Marlboro, MD.  Hours of research and weeks of driving around I finally had it narrowed down to one community.  Still from there I had 7 builders to choose from and countless floor plans. 

As I was sitting in my living room with floor plans strewn about I couldn't help but think how much time all my research would save a prospective client.  I now know which builders are offering what incentives, which floor plans have first floor masters, two story family rooms, etc, which communities have pools, golf course, etc.

A real estate agent knowledgeable in the area would have saved me lots of time and energy.  They would have known quickly which communities were above and below my budget.  Most of all, they would have done all the research for me.

In addition, a real estate agent can help you with the price negotiations - yes you can negotiate with builders and help you to find deals on quick-delivery homes that may be available.

Based on how much time it took me to become familar with the new home communities in Upper Marlboro, MD I would say that finding a real estate agent to help you with your new home purchase is well worth your time.

If you are interested in purchasing a new home in Upper Marlboro, MD give me a call and let me put all my new found knowledge and research to work for you.

Join us for the Second Annual Angie M. Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament.  This will be held on September 19, 2008 at 1:00pm at the Oakcreek Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, MD.

The cost is $110/golfer or $400 per foursome and includes a round of golf, lunch, drinks, awards reception, and cart.  Additional events will be silent auction, mulligans, 50/50 raffle, longest drive, putting, closest to the pin, and hole in one contests.

Sponsorship opportunities are available beginning at $100 for a hole sponsorhsip.  There is something available for every budget.  All sponsors and donors will be recognized in the tournament program and on various websites. 

Prizes and silent auction items are needed.  Things we have used in the past include sports memorabillia as well as branded items (pens, keychains, golf tees, etc).

This fund was established after Angie was killed in the September 11 attack on the Pentagon and scholarships are awarded to students attending Maryland Public Colleges who have shown a committment to academics and community service. 

To register for this tournament, provide sponsorship, donate a prize or item for the silent auction or welcome bags, join us for lunch, or to make a tax-deductibe donation please visit http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/6398-angie

This is your chance to play a round of golf at this new, exclusive member's only course and fave fun while supporting a great cause and to network to many potential clients.

This cause is very important to me as Angie was my best friend and I could really use the help of the AR community to help make this event a great success.  Feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested. 

Visit www.angiemhoutzmemorialfund.com to read more about the charity.

Join us for the Second Annual Angie M. Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament.  This will be held on September 19, 2008 at 1:00pm at the Oakcreek Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, MD.

The cost is $110/golfer or $400 per foursome and includes a round of golf, lunch, drinks, awards reception, and cart.  Additional events will be silent auction, mulligans, 50/50 raffle, longest drive, putting, closest to the pin, and hole in one contests.

This fund was established after Angie was killed in the September 11 attack on the Pentagon and scholarships are awarded to students attending Maryland Public Colleges who have shown a committment to academics and community service.

To register for this tournament, provide sponsorship, donate a prize or item for the silent auction, join us for lunch, or to make a tax-deductibe donation please visit http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/6398-angie

All sponsors and donors will be recognized in the tournament program and on various websites.

This is your chance to play a round of golf at this new, exclusive member's only course and fave fun while supporting a great cause.

If you have any questions please contact Stacey directly (240) 481-3565