Stacey-Ann's Blog

I grew up in Jamaica, that's probably enough of an explanation for why I am not fond of Winter weather.

I actually like snow just fine.  I would prefer not to drive in it but I can certainly appreciate its beauty.

Ice on the other hand I have no use for.

Today I had class at noon.  Against my better judgment I decided to try to make it to class.  After all my husband had left hours earlier and he didn't seem to have any problems.

I bravely jump in my car and get ready for my journey.  I should probably add that I am petrified of Winter driving.  Also, I drive a rear wheeled drive car.  I really do like my car and I feel very cute and sporty in it in the Summer.  However, in the Winter it really is quite the menace.

Back to the story,

I jump in the car and proceed to back down the driveway.  Oh wait that's where the story ends.

My car is stuck in the ice IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY!!!  It will neither go forward nor backward at this point only sideways!  To make matters worse I can't even walk back into the house because the driveway is a sheet of ice.  For a moment I wonder will I be stuck in my car, in my own driveway until my husband gets home?

I am able to "bravely" skate my way to the lawn and make it back in the front door.

When I get a hold of my husband he suggests that I skate back across the lawn and across the road to the construction site across the street and try to get some sand to use as traction (forgetting of course that the sand is also covered in snow and ice).

However, I wisely vetoed this plan thinking if i'm this much of a menace in my own driveway then you probably don't need me on the roads.  So I cancelled my class, which is probably what my students were hoping for anyway and I am spending yet another day at home with my kids.

I showed properties yesterday to a client who is looking to stay under $150,000.  That would have been near impossible to find in days gone by but we were able to find several to look at.  We have previously submitted an offer on a property that has subsequently  been foreclosed on and the offer was rejected.

Back to the drawing board.  Yesterday we saw 4 decent homes.  They all had good space and were in various levels of "needing TLC", however, none was in horrendous shape.  Two were bank owned and two were short sales. 

We get to property #4 and from the minute we opened the door I knew she was in love.  It was easy to see why.  This home was move-in ready - no work needed.  It had plenty of space for her and was still well within her budget.

We agreed to meet today to get the offer done so that she would get a chance to talk to her lender and finalize some things today.

Of course, as luck would have it, this is one of the shortsales.  Yesterday when I checked there were already 2 offers on the property.

Currently there are 2 additional offers that have been submitted since yesterday.

We are preparing her offer right now.  Hers will be the fifth registered offer on this property. 

Now we just have to hunker down and wait 5 years for the bank to let us know which of the 5 (if any) they are going to accept.

Wish us luck!

By the way, did I mention that this is my first client who came about because of my activerain position in Upper Marlboro?

UPDATE:  There are now 6 offers.  Should be fun!

I was speaking today to a military client of mine who is looking for a rental.  He indicated that he had heard that military personnel did not have to pay a security deposit on a rental.  I had not heard that and I even have a military family renting my personal home and they paid a deposit. 

However, I was wondering if anyone had more experience with this and could give me the correct information.  Is there something that allows military personnel to pay either no security deposit or a lower security deposit on a rental?

DC is a buzz with excitement.  I have never personally witnessed so much excitement and good will.

Many of you were trying to convince me to go today.  However, I made the decision to stay with the kids instead.  I don't like cold, I don't like crowds and I don't like standing still.  In some ways I know I will regret the choice I made but I would also have regretted it had I gone.  I tend to get light headed when standing still for a long time and there is no where to sit.  I didn't think that would be a smart place to faint :)

I did drop my husband and my uncle at the Metro this morning.  There were a reasonable amount of people and everyone was in high spirits.

The emotion that I feel is indescribable.  I was almost in tears just watching the Obamas leave Blair House this morning.  I hope that regardless of party affiliations the country can get behind this president and work to make this country the great place it can be - again!

One of the most exciting aspects of this is how people around the world are as engaged as we are here in the US.  My dad stayed home from work today in Jamaica so that he could watch the coverage.  That for me is the most significant impact of this day, its a chance for America to regain its standing around the world.

Tomorrow Obama will have to get to work and try to live up to some unreasonable expectations.

But today, we get to revel in the excitement of the moment and really experience the historical significance of this day.  And since I chose not to experience this first-hand I will live vicariously through my husband.

We had a great loan officer in our office who left.  I've been trying out a few others to see if I like them so that I can have a trusted loan officer that I can depend on.

There was one man who came recommended from some other agents.  My husband called him about doing a possible refinance on our home.  He knew that this was my husband.  He acknowledged that it might be tough to get it done because of when we bought but he told my husband he would run some numbers and call him back.

10 days later we have never heard back from him.

This is not a great way to inspire confidence and get referrals.  If this is how you treat my personal loan what will happen to my clients?

So, i'm still on the hunt for a good loan officer.

This is a really exciting weekend in the DC area.  We have had tons of people descend on the area and everyone is in a festive mood.

I just watched the inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial from my couch and wished that I had made the trek into the city.

My husband is planning to go to the festivities on Tuesday (we live about 30 minutes outside of DC).  He's been trying to convince me to go with him.  They are calling for a high of 27 degrees on Tuesday.  I don't like the cold and I don't like crowds so I have no plans of going.  He keeps saying "Its history".  Its still history if I watch it from the couch right?

Will I regret not going?

Ashleigh Station

MidAtlantic Builders presents beautiful Ashleigh Station in Bowie, MD.

This small, intimate community has several options available for those wanting to move-in immediately and those wanting to build thier own home.

Ashleigh Station is convenient to Bowie Town Center, shopping, parks, and schools.

Three quick delivery options are available ranging from $470,000 to $500,000.  The lot sizes are a minimun of 1/3 acre.

The homes range in size from 3,195 to 4,098 square feet and feature brick front contruction, 2 car garage, finished lower level, study, separate living & dining rooms, fireplace, and owner's suite.

Other options included in some of the available homes include spa master bathroom, side-entry garage, morning room, and walkout basement.

For more information on these available new homes in Ashleigh Station please give me a call.

"Your New Home Specialist"

These are good times in general to buy a home.  The interest rates are pretty low and homes prices have moderated significantly.

This is an especially good time to look into the brand new home that you have always wanted.

Builders are offering great incentives to buy.  These can include free or discount options, closing cost help, or other incentives.  I've seen free media rooms, flat screen tvs, finished basement.  You name it, you can discuss it.

Unlike individual owners, builders don't have the emotional attachment to the sale.  They are just trying to reduce their inventory therefore, they are really open to negotiation.

There are wonderful deals available on inventory homes.  Builders want to get these homes off their books and they will make the deals very attractive to get homes sold quickly.

For those people with a home to sell, the new home construction process gives you the time that you may need to sell your existing home.

There are many great new home communities in Maryland from the inexpensive condo to the palatial estate homes.  Each community offers different features and amenities.

Call me today to discuss which new home communities might best suit your needs and interests.

"Your New Home Specialist"

These difficult economic times are causing large amounts of stress for many people.  Even in good times, the real estate transaction is frought with stress for all involved.  Its important to find some good (healthy) stress relievers to help you relax.

• Journal/blog
• Take a time out.
• Take a bath/shower
• Read
• Exercise
• Watch tv/play video games
• Talk to friends
• Listen to music
• Yoga
• Massage

It is important to note that what is stress relieving for one person may not work for another.  For example, when my husband is stressed he likes to clean.  I would rather be hit in the head than clean so that would not work for me.

The other really important thing to consider about stress relievers is that there are stress relievers that inadvertently cause more stress.  Consider these scenarios:

1. I like to eat when i'm stressed.  I had a rough week so I eat lots of ice-cream.  At the end of the week I happen to step on the scale and I've gained weight.  Now that's an added stress on me.  Instead of alleviating stress i've created it.
2. I like to shop when stressed.  After a really rough week I have a very good shopping spree.  Then at the end of the month the bill comes and I realize that I spent more than I should have.  Now once again, i've added stress to my life.

Stress relievers that are good in moderation but have the potential to be problematic:

• Food
• Shopping
• Sex
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes
• Time-off

Keep strong and we can all weather these tough times.

If anyone wants more information on stress relief please do not hesitate to contact me. 

For the umpteenth year in a row I have resolved to lose weight and get healthy.  This year i've been working with the help of some of my active rain buddies.

I made the mistake of letting my 6 year old know that there are work out videos on demand on our cable.  First thing she said when I got home was "When are we going to work out?"  She asked me about 100 times until I agreed.

As we were doing the biggest loser cardio something or the other, I was grumbling that I didn't like the workout and she said "It doesn't matter if you don't like it, your heart is getting stronger!"

What did I do?  I shut up and finished the workout and then we went on to do one for Abs and one for Buns too.

She's as good as any personal trainer!!!!