Roy Kelley Sells Maryland Homes

Denim and Diamonds Gala Benefits Gaithersburg Homeless

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:48:10 -0500

Denim and Diamonds Gala Benefits Gaithersburg Homeless

On Friday, April 20, 2012 Friends of Wells/Robertson House, Inc., a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, will host a gala to benefit homeless Gaithersburg men and women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Denim & Diamonds will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Hilton -Washington DC North/Gaithersburg on Perry Parkway. Tickets are $50 per person.

Dress up your favorite blue jeans with a tuxedo jacket or cocktail attire and dance the night away to the lively sounds of the “Reunion Band.” Enjoy a delicious dinner, a lively silent auction, and great raffle prizes throughout the evening.

All proceeds from the Denim & Diamonds Gala will benefit Friends of Wells/Robertson House, Inc., which supports a continuum of prevention and intervention programs to reduce chronic addiction and homelessness in the Gaithersburg community.

Sponsors are also being sought for the Denim and Diamonds Gala. Levels include Diamonds ($5,000 - 10 tickets), Gems ($2,500 - 8 tickets), Bell Bottoms ($1,000 - 6 tickets), Capri’s ($500 - 4 tickets), and Shorts ($250 - 2 tickets). Valuable marketing and advertising exposure vary depending on the level of support.

For tickets and additional information please contact Friends of Wells/Robertson House, Inc. Board of Trustees member Linda Plummer at lplmp@aol.com or call 240-654-3572. For more information on Friends of Wells/Robertson House, Inc. visit www.friendsofwells.org.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments as you are out and about in the community.

Dahlia at Brookside Gardens Copy of IMG_5965

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

"Romance is Dead" Murder Mystery Dinner at Kentlands Mansion

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:37:21 -0500

"Romance is Dead" Murder Mystery Dinner at Kentlands Mansion

If you love fine dining coupled with a good mystery, then Kentlands Mansion is the perfect setting for a romantic night out just before Valentine’s Day.

In “Romance is Dead,” you’ll meet Mr. Rex Hallmark, the mastermind behind the entire Valentine’s Day agenda. He’s called a meeting with this board of directors to discuss the final push for Valentine’s Day. But trouble is brewing, with the heads of chocolate, flowers and jewelry feeling that changes should be made in how the business is managed … and maybe even by whom! Even Cupid, the face of Valentine’s Day, is demanding a new contract. Mr. Hallmark’s annual meeting is nothing close to business as usual. When tensions mount and stakes are raised, will everyone make it out of the room alive?

The mystery unfolds on Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11, 2012. Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner will be served at 7:20 p.m. Admission is $50, $45 for City of Gaithersburg residents, and includes dinner and show. Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. Seating is limited and early reservation is suggested.

Kentlands Mansion is located at 320 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg. Reserve your tickets by phone at 301-258-6425. For more information and directions visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/kentlandsmansion.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand when you wish to capture the special moments in your home community or during your travels.

Orchids in the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3334

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Life is better when there are flowers to photograph!

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

5 Reasons Why It's An Awesome Day!

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:59:22 -0500

An Awesome Day

Professional real estate appraiser and ActiveRain blogger Michael Bolton usually ends messages with the words "Have An Awesome Day" and that is recognized as part of his signature.

In this post, Michael expands the thought and gives us some very good reasons why today is An Awesome Day.

If you wish to comment on this blog, please go to the original post so Michael will be able to see and respond to your comments.

Have an awesome week and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments.

Firecracker Flowers at Brookside Gardens IMG_6170

Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Via Michael S. Bolton-MN Appraiser (Michael S. Bolton,Inc.):

5 Reasons Why It's An Awesome Day!

Another Chance at Life

With each new day, you are given another chance at life, a gift if you will. Each new day is also the beginning of another days end; and by concentrating on moving forward instead of dwelling in the past, you’ll be living a successful life. If success is defined as the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal, then with each new day we are given the chance to move forward in life and be successful.

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." Eleanor Roosevelt

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

Seek Forgiveness

With each new day were are given a chance to reach out and seek forgiveness from someone that we’ve harmed or slighted in the past. Some of the best words spoken are, “I’m sorry,” and, “Please forgive me.” We must also be willing to accept forgiveness, and not hold grudges. These can become shackles that will hold us back and prevent us from becoming all that we were meant to be.

"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free." Catherine Ponder

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." Robert Muller

Another Chance to Say "I Love You"

With each new day you get another opportunity of telling those that are the most important to you, or even those that we take for granted, that we "Love Them." After the passing of my mother, which happened right before my eyes in a matter of days, I can't tell you how many times I've questioned myself over this. I've vowed to never let this haunt me again, and with every opportunity I'm paying those three words forward-"I Love You!"

“The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how they love them while they’re alive.” Orlando Aloysius Battista

It's Great to Be Alive

It’s a good day to be alive, because the alternative isn’t any better! As a young boy I can remember complaining to my grandma about something, and she told me, “If you think you’re having a bad day, you just try missing one.” It took me many years to understand the wisdom of those words, and appreciate their meaning. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't give thanks, no matter how I happen to feel, good or bad.

"Life isn't fair, but it's still good." Regina Brett

Give Thanks

With each new day we are given the chance to say, "Thanks!" To thank God for everything that's been given to us; we are blessed beyond words, most of us just don't realize it.

"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!” Henry Ward Beecher

Have an AWESOME day!

If you have any questions, or Minnesota real estate appraisal needs (divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal, or estate planning) please contact Michael at 612.599-2581, or use the form on the contact page.

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Kentlands Street Tree Pruning

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:50:48 -0500

Kentlands Street Tree Pruning

Beginning on Monday, February 6, 2012, (weather pending) The City of Gaithersburg has contracted with Bartlett Tree Experts of Gaithersburg, MD to prune street trees in many locations throughout Kentlands and Lakelands.

No Parking signs will be placed on the streets where the tree work will take place to give residents at least two days notice to relocate their cars for several hours. By not having cars to work around, this will help the contractor to complete the work much faster. The work will take place Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm and weather depending our goal is to have all work completed before the trees leaf out this spring.

Streets Locations for Street Tree Pruning

Beckwith St- Between Kent Oaks Way and Tschiffely Square Rd

Kent Oaks Way- Between Route 28 and Tschiffely Square Rd

Holmard St- Between Beckwith St and Massbury St

Inspiration Lane- Between Main St and Firehouse Lane

Firehouse Lane- Between Inspiration Lane and Selby St

Hart Rd- Between Firehouse Lane and Midtown Rd

Main St- Between Kentlands Blvd. and Midtown Rd (Commercial Side only)

Massbury St- Between Tschiffely Square Rd and Holmard St

Main St Between Midtown Rd and Market St West

Main St- Between Market St East and Sheila St

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Have a great week and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in your community.

Orchids at Brookside Gardens IMG_6151

Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Brookside Gardens Spring Display 2/4/12

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:45:01 -0500

Brookside Gardens Spring Display

We have a little snow tonight in Maryland and it is again feeling like winter after a number of very mild days. It is a good weekend to visit the Conservatory at Brookside Gardens to enjoy the annual Sprng Display. Brookside Gardens is located in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments. We hope that our friends in the Denver area are safe with the record snow volume they are experiencing. We should be seeing some good snow pictures in Denver blogs.

Brookside Gardens Spring Display IMG_4310 (Velvet Red Geraniums)

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Maryland State Police Press Release – Drunk Driving on Game Day

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:43:23 -0500

Maryland State Police Press Release – Drunk Driving on Game Day

PLAY YOUR BEST OFFENSE AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING ON GAME DAY AND PLAN FOR A SOBER DESIGNATED DRIVER

Maryland State Troopers advise those who drink alcohol on game day, to pass the keys to a sober designated driver to avoid drinking and driving this Super Bowl Sunday.

Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has directed each of the 22 barracks to deploy additional patrols to specifically target drunk and aggressive driving on Super Bowl Sunday. Troopers on regular patrol duty have also been instructed to focus on drunk driving enforcement when not handling other calls for service.

“We must remain vigilant to maintain the safety of our motorists and for those traveling throughout Maryland,” Colonel Brown said. “The aim of our extra drunk and aggressive driving patrols is to arrest those who choose to disregard the law and who endanger the lives of everyone.”

Troopers urge motorists to plan for alternatives if a sober designated driver is unavailable. Stay at a nearby hotel or at the event location until you are sober. Public transportation and the use of a taxi are also options to ensure a safer ride home.

Drivers are reminded that DUI charges come with a host of fees and penalties. A first time DUI offense can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail, along with a license suspension of six months. Insurance, legal fees, and towing costs could also create a financial burden.

Last year, on Super Bowl Sunday, police in Maryland arrested over eighty drunk drivers. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .07 (driving while impaired) is illegal in Maryland and .08 (driving under the influence) or higher is illegal in every state. A driver under the age of 21, with any measureable alcohol in their system is in violation of alcohol laws in Maryland.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in your community.

Gleam Mix Nasturium at Brookside Gardens IMG_6176

Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Check for fire hazards in your home

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:20:25 -0500

Do you have fire hazards in your home?

This weekend is a good time to check for fire hazards in your home. Nashville home inspector and ActiveRain blogger Michael Thornton has written a blog with home safety suggestions.

Please take time to protect your family and yourself.

If you wish to make comments that Michael will be able to see, please go to the original blog.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about.

Spring at Brookside Gardens IMG_2871

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297 (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):

The Most Dangerous Item In Our Homes...
     53% of household fires can can be traced back to electrical problems. Fire deaths are generally higher when portable heaters and other small appliances are used. Many of these fires can be traced back to the misuse and abuse of extension cords.

     Extension cords are one of the most dangerous items we bring into our homes. Overloaded circuits, poor maintenance, improperly sized for application, trip hazards and overheating are a few of the many among perils associated with these items.

     The attached photo is a classic example why insurance companies classify extension cords as a fire safety hazard. The home owner used an extension cord that was designed and rated for light duty use such as lamps and other "light duty" appliances to run the air conditioner unit. Depending upon the size or tonnage of the unit, these can pull any where from 12 - 15 continuous duty amps which severely overloads the capacity of this light duty cord which is rated for 5-7 continuous duty amps.

For Your Own Safety
    •    Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
    •    Frayed or cracked wires cause fires. Replace them immediately.
    •    Replace any electrical tool if it shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
    •    Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters.
    •    Be mindful of electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
    •    Only buy electrical products evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other Nationally recognized lab.
    •    Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all space heaters.
    •    If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
    •    Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
    •    Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.
    •    Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
    •    Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

This posting and the contents herein are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson County TN. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.

For all your inspection needs in the Brentwood, Franklin & Nashville TN real estate markets

Call us today:

Complete Home Inspections, inc.

The guys with the hats...

615.661.0297

Brentwood, TN

Scan the QR code below for business card info

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Brookside Gardens Spring Display - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 2/3/12

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:29:54 -0500

Brookside Gardens Spring Display - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Brookside Gardens is located in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. Dolores and I visited the Conservatory on January 31, 2012 for the annual Spring Display of flowers and plants. It was also a very nice day for a walk through the gardens.

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about your community or your travels.

Brookside Gardens Spring Display IMG_6155

Brookside Gardens Spring Display IMG_6169

Photographs by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Denver Fudge Pecan Pie Recipe

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:15:30 -0500

Denver Fudge Pecan Pie Recipe

Denver real estate professional and ActiveRain blogger Will Hamm is in deep snow today and turned his thoughts to good food for cold winter days.

Will has shared his recipe for Denver Fudge Pecan Pie. I wish I had a slice right now.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to make comments that Will will see.

Have a great weekend and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments when you are out and about in your community or your travels.

Orchids at Brookside Gardens IMG_6185

Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Via Will Hamm Real Estate in Colorado (Cornerstone Homes Realty/Metro Brokers):

It is snowing outside, so maybe I will bake a pie today.

Without a doubt, chocolate is the favorite of more people than any other kind of dessert.

This is a Fudge Pecan Pie Recipe

1 unbaked pie shell                                    1 tsp. vanilla or rum flavoring

1/4 cup butter or margarine                    ¼ cup flour

¾ cup brown sugar                                    3 eggs

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate                   ½ cup pecan halves

1 cup pecan pieces                                   2 tsp. instant powdered coffee

Whipped cream for topping

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in one egg at a time. Melt chocolate bits and add coffee and vanilla or rum. Stir in flour and nut pieces. Pour into pie shell. Top with nut halves. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Cool. Top with whipping cream when it is ready to serve.

Will Hamm
Cornerstone Homes Realty
Metro Brokers Marina Square
HammHomes@aol.com
303-358-1147

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Grants available for first time home buyers in Maryland

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:39:03 -0500

Grants available for first time home buyers in Maryland

We received this message from our good friend and loan officer Joanne Blum in regard to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Atlanta grants for first time home buyers.

We have the Atlanta Grant funds available for 2012. The maximum per borrower is limited to $5,000 with a1:4 buyer match. Please keep me in mind for those buyers who need additional funds for buying a home.

Joanne Blum, Sr. Loan Officer, NMLSR # 188560

FitzGerald Financial Group a Division of Monarch Bank

600 Jefferson Plaza Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20852

Direct 240-403-1862, Cell 301-943-6567, jblum@monarchmtg.com, Web: www.Blumloans.com

Buyer Eligibility Requirements:

First Time Homebuyers Only

Owner Occupants Only

Total Household Income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income limit per county

Homebuyer counseling required

Single family, Condos, Townhouses are all eligible

Maximum subsidy is $5,000 per household

Homebuyer match is 1:4 to Grant funds

Borrower minimum contribution- $1,000

All loan programs are eligible with grant funds

Seller contributions allowed per loan program guidelines

Grant funds are eligible for Maryland, DC and Virginia propertiesPlease note the buyer must do a 1:4 match with grant funds.

These funds are available in several states.

I hope you are enjoying the mild February weather in Maryland. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about.

Orchids in the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3419

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Maryland Nutty Plum Crumble Recipe - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:57:45 -0500

Maryland Nutty Plum Crumble Recipe - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Recipe tested and recommended by Dolores Kelley

12 ripe plums

2-3 thick strips of peel and the freshly squeezed juice from 1 orange

1/3 cup soft brown sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

¾ cup self-rising flour

1/3 cup ground almonds (almond flour)

3 Tbsp. slivered almonds

3 Tbsp. pine nuts

Chilled cream, to serve

Use a medium ovenproof dish

Serves 4

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees..

Halve and pit the plums and arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish. Add the orange peel and juice. Sprinkle over 2 Tbsp. of the sugar and dot over 2 Tbsp. of the butter. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, until the plums are beginning to soften.

Put the flour, ground almonds, and the remaining butter in a bowl and rub it between your fingertips, until it forms lumps. Stir in the flaked almonds, pine nuts, and the remaining sugar.

Remove the baking dish from the oven, discard the foil and scatter over the crumble topping. Return to the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the juices are bubbling through. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the crust to firm up. Serve with ice cream.

Maryland Nutty Plum Crumble IMG_1239

Blooming in the Rain at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3440

Photographs by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Bring an Old Post Back for a New Chance

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:43:59 -0500

Update an old post for your blog for today

The advice from ActiveRain: "You should consider going back and looking at a past post you've written and breathing new life into it."

This appears to be good advice and I will give it a try.

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments that you will want to share.

Tulips at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3360 Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Via ActiveRain Inspiration Station ~ Find Inspiration for your Blog (ActiveRain Corp.):

Eventually you are going to run out of ideas for what to write about in your blog. It may only be for a few days or a week, but at some point it's going to happen. Sure, eventually if you leave your blog abandoned for long enough, you'll come up some more ideas.

So maybe, in the meantime, you should consider going back and looking at a past post you've written and breathing new life into it. We are going to call this the Broker Bryant Theorem.

I was on the math team in high school and never thought I would be able to use the word 'theorem' again in my life. In fact, I'm not even sure this would be proper usage of the word. But Webster says:

theorem: an idea accepted or proposed as a demonstrable truth often as a part of a general theory

So our general theory is that blogging is a good way to educate your existing clients, reach potential clients you don't know yet and chronicle your knowledge of the industry and your market. So we are proposing the idea that bringing back your old posts to share again has value and is a demonstrable truth. Make sense? Yeah, it hardly does to me either, but let's go with it.

The reason we will be naming it after Broker Bryant is because he does this from time to time in his blog. The only person who knows if he does this because he is lazy, or because (in our dream scenario) he has too much business and is too busy to create new content for his blog is TLW, but I'm sure she is sworn to secrecy.

For today's inspiration, we challenge you to go back to your 'traffic' numbers for your ActiveRain blog posts and find a post that performed rather well. When looking at your 'traffic' numbers, you want to pay attention to the 'clicks' column. 'Clicks is the number of times the URL of your blog post has been loaded in someone's browser.

In this case, I'm really hoping that you focus on posts that were aimed at consumers and not your peers.

When you breathe new life into the post, are there things you could do better to make the post more appealing to someone reading it? Or maybe even more appealing to the search engines so more people are likely to find it?

Think in terms of formatting as you attempt to make it more appealing to the reader. Does the layout look professional? Do you use paragraphs? Do you have good white space around your images? Do things line up the way they should? Are there calls to action in the post? (links and/or buttons driving someone to an action)

From a search engine perspective, are you doing the things in your post that we speak about in our SEO training class? What? You've never taken that class or have gotten away from the using the techniques we talk about in that class? Check out the schedule to see when it's offered again.

In terms of the quality of the content........are there things that have happened since then that would require you to make some updates to the content itself? Did you find that you have posts that are getting a lot of traffic but don't seem to be helping your business? Maybe you didn't do a good enough job of proving that you are the expert on the subject. If you were the reader (possible client) would you reach out to you after reading your post? Do you make it easy for the reader to do this?

Breathe new life into that old post and see if you can raise the quality of your blog by revisiting an old blog post with a new set of blogging skills. Hopefully this will inspire you in some small way much the same as Broker Bryant has inspired us!

~Bob

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Spring Display at Brookside Gardens - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:33:19 -0500

Spring Display at Brookside Gardens - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We have enjoyed spring-like weather in Montgomery County this week. Dolores and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather with a visit to Brookside Gardens in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County. The Spring Display is the current exhibit in the Conservatory. It was also a very nice day for a walk through the gardens.

We recommend a visit to Brookside Gardens with your camera in hand. It is one of the jewels of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Yellow Chrysanthemum at Brookside Gardens IMG_0204

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

New Mexico Marmot

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:33:14 -0500

New Mexico Marmot

Albuquerque real estate professional and ActiveRain blogger John McCormack is also an excellent photographer. Today is Groundhog Day and John has provided a portrait and information on the New Mexico Marmot which most of us would call a groundhog.

If you wish to comment on this post, please go to the original blog so John will be able to see and respond to your comments.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3495

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Via John McCormack- Owner/Broker REALTOR, e-PRO (Albuquerque Homes Realty * www.AlbuquerqueHomes.com):

New Mexico Marmot

My wife and I spotted this New Mexico Marmot while on a high altitude wilderness hike. New Mexico Marmots are ground-dwelling rodents of the squirrel family. In North America they are called groundhogs or woodchucks. New Mexico Marmot use lookouts to watch for predators. When a predator is spotted, the lookout whistles loudly. Marmots are excellent diggers, and construct an elaborate system of burrows, each with both a main entrance and an escape tunnel. Their burrows are used as dens by other animals, including skunks and foxes. During the summer, Marmots gain weight in order to prepare for hibernation. New Mexico Marmot usually hibernate all winter and may lose as much as half their body weight by February.

Happy Groundhog / Marmot Day

If you’re considering the sale or purchase of an Albuquerque, Rio Rancho or Central New Mexico home please contact me, John McCormack, Albuquerque Realtor®. I am prepared to exceed your NM real estate expectations! Albuquerque Homes Realty

Albuquerque Homes and Lifestyle Blog

www.AlbuquerqueHomes.com

********************************************************************************

John McCormack Owner/Managing Broker, e-PRO

505-980-4576 / John@AlbuquerqueHomes.com

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If your considering Buying, Selling or Relocating to Albuquerque or Rio Rancho, NM and need a Professional Realtor It would be my pleasure to help you!

Be sure to visit my AlbuquerqueHomes.com website for total access to all available homes in the following New Mexico communities: Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Ranchos, Placitas, Bernalillo, Tijeras, Sandia Park, Cedar Crest, Bosque Farms, Los Lunas & Belen.

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We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

Montgomery County MD Foreclosures For Sale 2/2/12

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:21:04 -0500

Montgomery County MD Foreclosures For Sale

Montgomery County MD home buyers and home sellers should understand the local real estate market conditions before making purchase or sale decisions.

Much has been seen in the press about the heavy volume of foreclosures across the country and in Maryland. All real estate is local and you need to look at the local figures for the best information.

Today, in Montgomery County MD, there are 2,315 active listings of homes for sale. Only 63 (2.72%) of the listings are lender owned foreclosures (REO). Fortunately, the current volume of lender owned foreclosures in not having a major impact on the Montgomery county residential real estate market.

Some neighborhoods have more foreclosure offerings than others and it is always a good idea to know what is happening in your own community.

63 lender owned foreclosures for sale in Montgomery County

There is another major element that is causing many problems for home buyers and sellers in Montgomery County. The current inventory of homes for sale on the multiple listing service (MRIS) includes 438 short sale pre-foreclosures that represent 18.92% of the homes for sale. Again, some neighborhoods have more short sale offerings than others.

Yes, there are many successful short sale transactions. On the other hand, a large number of the short sales listings have unrealistic prices or owners that are not prepared to meet the requirements of the mortgage lenders that must approve the sales. Further, some lenders are not responsive to the contracts that are submitted to them.

Please contact us with your questions on the real estate markets in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.

Enjoy the mild Maryland weather this week. Last year we had deep snow on the ground. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments as you are out and about in your community and your travels.

Blooming in the Rain at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3456

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and nearby counties. Your Real Estate Professionals In Maryland.

Roy Kelley
Roy Kelley & Associates
Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Client Assistance: 301-670-8996

Recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008