Roy Kelley Sells Maryland Homes

Kentlands Community Yard Sale, Saturday June 1

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:02:52 -0700

Kentlands Community Yard Sale, Saturday June 1

Saturday, June 1 is the date for the Kentlands Annual Community Yard Sale on the Clubhouse lawn. The hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 301-948-2071 to reserve a space.

This is a very good time to get rid of the extra stuff in the house, basement and garage. If you can’t sell it, give it away or trash it.

If you are looking for bargains, the Community Yard Sale provides a chance to do a little shopping and to meet some of your neighbors.

Crocus, Kentlands IMG_2906

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.

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

Short sales coded as foreclosures in credit reports

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:28:49 -0700

Short sales coded as foreclosures in credit reports

Kenneth R. Harney, in his The Nation’s Housing column, reports that short sales are routinely coded as foreclosures. “The credit reporting system now in place does not have a separate code that distinguishes a short sale from a foreclosure.”

Short sale transactions must be approved by the secured mortgage lenders since the proceeds will not fully satisfy the mortgage loan obligations. Even though the lenders will suffer losses on short sales, the amount of the loss is typically much smaller than the loss in foreclosures.

The housing industry recognizes the difference between short sales and foreclosures and mortgage loan underwriters typically will deny new financing for up to seven years after a foreclosure but will consider new financing is a little as two years after a short sale.

It will be interesting to see if the credit reporting industry will positively respond to the need to properly code short sales. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of prospective home buyers may find that incorrect coding will prevent them from buying another home for a much longer time than anticipated.

Real estate professionals that handle short sale transactions may find themselves targets of legal actions if they have incorrectly advised short sale sellers.

Crocus, Kentlands IMG_2897

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.

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

Print Campaigns for Real Estate Professionals

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:53:46 -0700

Print Campaigns for Real Estate Professionals

ActiveRain has asked members to share their experience with print campaigns. How times have changed! In past years, I had very successful print campaigns as I was marketing foreclosures in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. I advertised lists of foreclosures in the local newspaper and The Washington Post and was able to build a mailing list with the hundreds of prospects that responded to the calls.

As we built the mailing list, we mailed a weekly list of foreclosures to our buyer prospects. The system of newspaper advertisements plus mailing printed lists enabled me to reach the level of over 100 sales each year. As email became more common, we made the transition from printed lists of foreclosures to emailed lists to our Top Producer database. As the market changed, the system of using printed marketing that had been so successful was no longer viable.

One of the positive elements of our past print campaigns was that I became a well recognized expert in the foreclosures sector. This carried over to the effective use of our website and our effective mass email efforts. All of my marketing efforts were changed to the use of email and our website. We purchased thousands of leads from Market Leader and added those names to our mass email lists.

Now, the local volume of foreclosures is so low that there is too little to market in that sector. Real estate professionals in our current market are struggling with a very low inventory of homes for sale and the need for special expertise has changed from foreclosures to short sales.

If I were recommending a print campaign for agents in our office, I would focus on post cards sent to farm areas to attract listing prospects and to apartments to attract first time buyer prospects.

For agents that are willing to use some shoe leather and are willing to meet face to face with home owners, I recommend a very inexpensive print campaign to be combined with personal efforts. Print this message on the back of business cards, in your own handwriting: “Please call me. I have a question for you.” And, sign your first name at the end of the message.

With your supply of business cards with the special message on the back, knock on every door in your farm area. The question for those that come to the door is to ask if they have any plans to sell their home. When nobody is home, leave a card in the door. Those that follow this method do get call backs form the cards. This works. There is no real substitute for being face to face or actually talking with people.

Disclosure: This post was written is response to an ActiveRain contest challenge.

Crocus, Kentlands IMG_2892

Photograph by Roy Klley 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.

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

Top 10 List for Selling Your Forestland at a Premium Price.

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:47:23 -0700

Bob Crane's tips for selling forestland

Bob Crane of Woodland Management Service provides a list of tip for selling forestland at a premium price. It is smart to obtain professional advice before selling timber.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Bob.

Via Bob Crane (Woodland Management Service):

Top 10 List for Selling Your Forestland at a Premium Price.

1.Have a timber appraisal completed.
2. Conduct a wildlife inventory and habitat evaluation.
3. Have your boundaries clearly marked and cleared of brush.
4. Build and maintain trails leading to all of the properties best assets
5. Have wildlife photos taken
6. Have a forest management plan written to highlight the assets and potential of the future of the property.
7. Have a forest map drawn with photo or topo background and showing all the forest assets. This map should also have GPS and GIS functionality so that buyers can have it loaded onto their gps units before touring the property.
8. Have a wildlife and recreation map drawn showing the wildlife habitats, trails, feeding areas, and wildlife sightings.
9. Hire a quality Realtor who specializes in forestland properties.
10. Hire a Great Forestry And Wildlife Management Company Like Woodland Management Service to guide you through these important steps.

Like this Blog?

Please hit the Suggest Button above or ReBlog it!

                                               Thank You!

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service

715-204-9663

1925 Elk St

Stevens Point, WI 54481

http://woodlandmanagementservice.yolasite.com/

http://woodlandmanagementservice.blogspot.com

http://stevenspointproperties.blogspot.com/

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Do you Really Save Money When you Do It Yourself? Seldom...

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:43:30 -0700

Carefully plan timber sales

Bob Crane of Woodland Management Service share an example of a timber sale that was structured to provide the greatest benefit for the land owner. It is always a good idea to seek professional advice.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Bob.

Via Bob Crane (Woodland Management Service):

Do you Really Save Money When you Do It Yourself? Seldom...

It pays many times over to hire a Forester to manage your timber sale

It really does pay big money to hire a forester

I recently had a man call me and ask for some advice in selling his timber.

A logger had approached him and offered him $5000 for a "selective thinning" of his forest, cutting everything with a 10 inch stump or larger, and he was concerned about how this would look.

And he should have been concerned, because what this logger was proposing was not a selective thinning, but rather a severe high-grade, and nearly a clearcut. This would have destroyed his forest, leaving only the very poorest quality stunted trees to regenerate his future forest.

I walked through the forest and quickly determined that we could get the landowner far more money and only remove the poorest quality trees, leaving the best quality trees to regenerate where these poor quality trees were removed.

We went on to remove 30 percent of the trees in his forest, taking care to maintain proper spacing and only remove poor quality trees along with trees that were at risk of dying in the next 10 years. This left him with a forest where you could hardly tell that anything had been removed.

This allowed the existing trees to have a bit more growing room and allowed a few areas where enough sunlight could reach the forest floor and allow for future trees to take root (these came from the seeds of the superior trees that we left standing).

And after doing the opposite of what this logger did, and leaving this landowner with a significantly improved forest rather than a high graded ruined patch of brush land. We gained this landowner $51000 for his timber, plus the added forest value, all at a cost of $3400 for our expenses.

When dealing with your valuable assets, don’t skimp on the professionals whether it be a Realtor, Architect, Attorney, or a Forester.

A good professional is always money well invested!

Like this Blog?

Please hit the Suggest Button above or ReBlog it!

                                               Thank You!

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service

715-204-9663

1925 Elk St

Stevens Point, WI 54481

http://woodlandmanagementservice.yolasite.com/

http://woodlandmanagementservice.blogspot.com

http://stevenspointproperties.blogspot.com/

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Frederick Festival of the Arts, June 1st and 2nd

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:57:07 -0700

Frederick Festival of the Arts, June 1st and 2nd

The 20^th annual Frederick Festival of the Arts will take place at the Carroll Creek Linear Park, in downtown Frederick, Maryland, on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, 2013. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Over 115 juried artists will be displaying their works representing over a dozen different media. There will be musical performances on two stages, activities for children and food to enjoy. Admission is free.

For more information, call 301-662-4190 or visit the website at www.frederickartscouncil.org.

Flowers, Kentlands, Imagination IMG_4213 A

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.

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

Are David Balcacci books on your reading list?

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:12:43 -0700

Are David Baldacci books on your reading list?

For several years, one of my personal goals has been to read at least one book for pleasure each week. When we are very busy, it is sometimes necessary to schedule the time we need to spend for relaxation and personal enjoyment. My wife, Dolores, is an avid reader and always has book recommendations for me.

One of our favorite authors is David Baldacci and I think we have read all of his novels. I just finished reading “The Hit” which was published in April. I keep a list of the books I have read to help us quickly identify the new books by authors we enjoy.

This is the list of Baldacci novels that I have read. I recommend all of them for your reading list.

David Baldacci Books

Absolute Power (January, 1996)

Total Control (January, 1997)

The Winner (January, 1998)

The Simple Truth (November, 1998)

Saving Faith (November, 1999)

Wish You Well (October, 2000)

Last Man Standing (November, 2001)

The Christmas Train (November, 2002)

Split Second (September, 2003)

Hour Game (October, 2004)

The Camel Club (October, 2005)

The Collectors (October, 2006)

Simple Genius (April, 2007)

Stone Cold (November, 2007)

The Whole Truth (April, 2008)

Devine Justice (November, 2008)

First Family (April, 2009)

True Blue (October, 2009)

Deliver Us From Evil (April, 2010)

Hell’s Corner (November, 2010)

The Sixth Man (April, 2011)

One Summer (June, 2011)

Zero Day (October, 2011)

The Innocent (April, 2012)

The Forgotten (November, 2012)

The Hit (April, 2013)

Some information on David Baldacci from his website: http://davidbaldacci.com/

David Baldacci made a big splash on the literary scene with the publication of his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 26 novels, all of which have been national and international bestsellers. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print worldwide and more than 3 million ebooks have been sold. David has also published three children’s books. He has received numerous accolades for his writing; most recently, he was inducted into the 2011 International Crime Writing Hall of Fame and received the 2012 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award.

A lifelong Virginian, David was born in Richmond in 1960. He received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1986, after which he practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C.

While David is involved with several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of literacy and educational programs. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, nearly 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through area food banks. David explains, “With this program, people go home with food, which they need to live, as well as with books, which they need to change their lives.”

David and his wife are the very proud parents of two terrific teenagers and the generally proud owners of two not-so-well-behaved dogs. They live in Northern Virginia.

Flowers, Kentlands IMG_4213

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.

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 Police Advice: Yield to Pedestrians!

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:54:56 -0700

Montgomery County, MD Police Advice: Yield to Pedestrians!

The police in Montgomery County, Maryland are conducting a number of special enforcement efforts to protect pedestrians. The unannounced “stings” use officers acting as pedestrians to cross streets in marked crosswalks.

Drivers that fail to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks are being issued citations. Dozens of citations are being issued for each location. The volume of driver violations is not a surprise to pedestrians that constantly fear for the safety of themselves and family members as they cross busy streets on a regular basis.

Drivers need to change their habits and take extra caution when passing through areas with pedestrian crosswalks. There are no valid excuses for failing to yield to pedestrians.

By the way, many local police departments are also issuing citations to drivers that are not using their seatbelts.

Kentlands IMG_2899

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.

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

Sisal Carpeting - What is it?

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:51:58 -0700

Sisal carpeting

Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl, provides a lesson on Sisal carpeting. This information may help you determine if you should select Sisal carpeting for your home.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Debbie.

Via Westchester Flooring - Debbie Gartner -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish - (Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Stamford CT):

What is sisal carpeting? Why is it becoming so popular in Westchester County?

Sisal is a natural carpet fiber made from the Agave plant's long spiny leaves (species Agave sisalana). It's is a highly durable and resilient carpet that is often used in heavy traffic areas and higher end homes. It's ecofriendly and sustainably harvested.

Sisal can be used as a wall to wall carpet, an area rug or runner. Often, sisal area rugs and runners are bound with a canvas border (about an inch wide - see below) for a more tailored finish. In Westchester County NY, sisal has been rapidly growing in popularity.

Sisal is also used for rope, twine, cloth, paper, handicrafts and wall coverings. Sisal carpet has become very stylish in higher end homes in Westchester County where customers prefer hardwood and environmentally friendly options. Many prefer sisals because of their earthy tones, their high end "berber" look/feel and they because they hold less allergens. They also love that they are durable and tend to hide dirt/stains.

Because sisal is made entirely of natural plant fibers, it reflects the irregularity found in nature. A perfectly uniform floor covering is not possible using natural sisal fibers. Weaving variations - including knots, slubs, lines and color variances - are an inherent and desirable property of sisal.

How do you pronounce sisal?

There seems to be a lot of confusion on how to pronounce the word sisal. According the the dictionary and wikipedia, the "i" is long in the same way that you pronounce "bide."

More about the sisal plant

Agave is believed to have originated in Mexico (in the Yucatan), but it is now grown in Brazil, Florida, the Caribbean, as well as Tanzania, Kenya and parts of Asia. (There is also a seaport town in Mexico named Sisal).

The typical life span of sisal is 7-10 years and the plant on average creates 200-250 commercially useable leaves. Each leaf produces about 1,000 fibers. The fibers grow up to 3 feet long and are harvested by hand. They are sustainably harvested. Sisals grow best in climates that are 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and arid environments. Because sisal is in the agave family, it can be distilled to make a tequila-like liquor. Renowned for their strength, the long white sisal fibers are sun-dried and then carefully spun into fine carpet yarns.

Advantages of sisal carpet

Natural fiber and eco-friendly

Sisal doesn't trap dust or allergens

Naturally stain resistant

Neutral colored, so sisal carpet goes with most furniture, paint colors and styles. Tends to appeal to those with more sophisticated tastes.

Heavy duty, durable and good for heavy traffic areas

Does not build up static electricity

Won't compress or show wear patterns like a typical wall to wall carpet

Absorbs sound well - the molecular structure of sisal is dense and absorbs sound better than other types of carpets

Disadvantages of Sisal

Not water resistant - it will absorb water like a sponge

Can be rough on your feet, so it's not always the best surface for kids to sit and play on.

Places where sisal carpet works well for your Westchester home

Area rugs in heavy traffic areas

Steps and hallways

Entry mats

Living rooms, offices and bedrooms

Places to avoid sisal carpet

Outdoors

Wet areas, areas that get a lot of snow, moisture or frequent spills (sisal will absorb air humidity or release it, causing expansion or contraction). For areas that tend to get spills, you can treat sisal with a topical fiber sealer.

Avoid near pools, spas, bathrooms, kitchens - areas that tend to have a lot of water or moisture.

How do you install sisal carpeting?

Ideal to drop off for acclimation before installing

It's best to use a thin felt carpet pad, double sided taped carpet pad or glue down sisal directly to floor. This helps hold the sisal secure in place and eliminates issues with the padding bunching underneath.

Avoid cross seams as they will show very visibly

Best to have installed by a professional carpet installer - sisal is tricky

Sisal carpet care and cleaning

Sisal carpet is naturally stain-resistant (but not stain-proof) and does not require excessive care. Sisal is easily cleaned, because dirt will not cling to the hard, non-static fibers. Vacuuming a sisal carpet regularly will keep it clean. Remove the spills promptly by scrapping up solids and blotting liquids. Follow by dabbing with a damp cloth of water (add white vinegar to the cloth to cut grease). Dry with a cloth or hair blow dryer. Water can dissolve dirt particles and bring them to the surface. This may cause watermarks to form. Therefore spilled water or water from plant containers must be dabbed immediately with an absorbent white cloth and then dried with a hair blow dryer or floor fan. An absorbent powder like Host or Capture can also be used.

If you live in Westchester County and are interested in Sisal carpet, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950 and we'd be happy to "bring the store to your door." (Out of state, please call 914-407-3899.)

Map of Westchester Carpet

View Westchester Carpet in a larger map

Sisal carpeting - What is it?

Hardwood Flooring - Carpet - Tile/Natural Stone - Laminate - Refinish Hardwood - Backsplashes

"The Flooring Girl"

Debbie Gartner, "The Flooring Girl" and owner of Floor Coverings International Westchester NY

You can download our free flooring guide. Or, visit our flooring selector - 2,000 options. We install hardwood floors, carpeting and runners, tile floors and backsplashes.

Call us for a free estimate 914-937-2950.

"We bring the store to your door."

If you enjoyed what you are are reading, feel free to to my blog.

WC19920-H07, HIC619252

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Red oak vs White Oak hardwood. What's the difference? Bedford NY

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:44:32 -0700

Red oak or white oak?

Flooring expert Debbie Gartner provides a lesson on comparing red oak with white oak. I recommend a subscription to Debbie's blogs for continued good information on flooring selections.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Debbie.

Via Westchester Flooring - Debbie Gartner -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish - (Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Stamford CT):

What is the difference between red oak and white oak hardwood?

Oak flooring is the most popular species of hardwood here in Bedford NY. Oak is a very practical wood, is readily available (grown and made in the US), very affordable and very easy to stain so you can find the color you prefer. But many consumers don't realize that there are 2 species of oak - red oak and white oak flooring.

If you are installing new hardwood flooring everywhere, either red oak hardwood or white oak hardwood will work, and your choice will probably be dependent on which look/color you prefer as well as the price (the prices of red oak/white oak fluctuate, so in general there is not usually a major price difference, but this can vary slightly at any given time frame or based on the brand/grade/width of hardwood you are choosing.

If you already have oak flooring, and are adding additional oak flooring, you will want to match what you already have...that way, you will have a consistent look and wood will absorb the stain colors the same way. I've seen it happen too often where a customer (or contractor) has mismatched the wood with red oak in some areas and white oak in others. This means that your wood will never completely match - the graining will be different and the stain color will be different.

What's the difference between red oak flooring and white oak flooring?

Red Oak flooring - select grade White Oak flooring - select grade

1. Color - red oak has a bit of a pinkish tint is a little bit lighter than white oak. White oak tends to be a bit browner, darker and more yellow. When you stain them, the difference between the 2 species decreases, especially the darker you go. With lighter stains, the red oak tends to have a bit of red undertone in the color.

2. Graining - red oak tends to have stronger graining than white oak hardwood. White oak has a bit of a smoother look. Some people prefer the strong graining of red oak - both because they like the look and because the strong graining helps hide the scratches and dents; other prefer the slightly smoother grain of white oak and feel it's a less busy look.

3. Hardness - white oak flooring is a bit harder than red oak. On the Janka hardness scale, White oak is 1360 and red oak is 1290. But, as I mentioned above, even though red oak is a bit less hard, it tends to show the dents a bit less.

4. Compatibility with stair treads and accessories - Red oak is more common in stair treads, saddles, banisters and other transitions. If you have oak stair treads already in your home, chances are, they are red oak, so you may be better served matching that. If you need to get new stair treads or other transitions, they are usually more readily available (and hence lower priced) in red oak.

5. Price - In general, there is not a major price difference between red oak and white flooring. Because unfinished hardwood is a commodity item, the price tends to fluctuate weekly. At times, red oak costs more; at other times, white oak costs more. the price will often vary based on width and grade. And, very often, I have the red oak in 1 size as more expensive and white oak of another size is more expensive, and it literally changes all the time.

Please note that matching hardwood is a bit more complex than simply matching red oak vs. white oak. Also, there are differences in grades of hardwood flooring (e.g. select grade vs No 1 vs. No2 vs quartersawn). I will share this info in a future blog post. But, if you are unsure what type of flooring you have, it's best to call in an hardwood flooring expert.

If you live in Bedford NY and would like to add hardwood flooring or refinish your hardwood floors, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950 and let us "bring the store to your door."

Map of Bedford NY 10506

View Larger Map

Bedford NY oak hardwood flooring - red oak vs. white oak floors. What’s the difference

Hardwood Flooring - Carpet - Tile/Natural Stone - Laminate - Refinish Hardwood - Backsplashes

"The Flooring Girl"

Debbie Gartner, "The Flooring Girl" and owner of Floor Coverings International Westchester NY

You can download our free flooring guide. Or, visit our flooring selector - 2,000 options. We install hardwood floors, carpeting and runners, tile floors and backsplashes.

Call us for a free estimate 914-937-2950.

"We bring the store to your door."

If you enjoyed what you are are reading, feel free to to my blog.

WC19920-H07, HIC619252

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Last Week's Favorites: May 12th - 18th

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:39:03 -0700

Pat Kennedy's Favorites

Copy this idea if you need a weekly blog that will be read by many. District of Columbia real estate professional Pat Kennedy blogs about her favorite blogs that are written by other members of the ActiveRain network.

Please go to the original blog to leave comments that will be seen by Pat. And, you will want to subscribe to her blogs.

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):

This week's edition is coming from my home! It's wonderful to be back after two weeks after getting my new bionic knees. And without further adieu, here is last week's list:

Jay Markanich: Shrouded In Mist And A Civil War Remembrance Jay brings us an amazing post about Civil War history in his back yard.

Kathy Schowe: Barbie's Dream Home in Malibu for Sale! Too bad Kathy didn't get this fabulous listing. Perhaps she'll sell it.

Ruth Lerner: You Don't Need to Go To Egypt to Take Trips Down Denial Ruth is right on target with this one.

Andrea Swiedler: Who writes these crappy surveys anyway? The illustration that Andrea uses with this one is just too perfect.

George Souto: Are Bank Executives In Touch With Reality? And this is the post that inspired Andrea's, also with a good illustration.

Alan May: Home buying means never having to say you're sorry! Of course, those few who should be apologizing never do!

Randy Bocook: The Perpetual Preparer Syndrome This is a post that a lot of us will be able to relate to. Be prepared and be perfect? Not always.

Richard Iarossi: I know it shouldn't bother me, but it does. Oh yeah, there are times when empathy isn't an appropriate response to "distressed sellers.

Jacquie Jenkins: When Life Hands You Lemons! This is a very well-written first blog about moving a real estate practice and coming out the other end.

And Debb Janes: The Lockbox Blues It isn't supposed to be funny, but you will howl with laughter. It's happened to all of us.

So that's it for this week. See you next Sunday with my next batch. And blog on.

Subscribe in a reader

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Health and Weight - a Rude Awakening

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:35:00 -0700

Health and Weight...

District of Columbia real estate professional Pat Kennedy is recovering from double knee replacements. In this blog, Pat shares her re-hab experience.

Many of us need to resolve to eliminate excess weight that is certainly not good for our health.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Pat.

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):

On this cloudy Sunday evening, I'm hobbling from bed to chair and back again with the help of a walker and Oxycodone, on the road to recovery from bilateral knee replacement surgery. And I have to say that my two weeks in two different hospitals (both world class) has left me with some sobering thoughts about the importance of getting into and staying in the best shape that I can.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital is where you go if you are a professional athlete and get crunched on a football field or basketball court. It's also where you go to be treated for a spinal chord injury or after a stroke or some other condition that requires intense physical therapy. And during the hours I spent in the gym strengthening my knee muscles, there was something that struck me.

About three quarters of the patients were seriously obese, and their obesity was either a contributing factor in their condition or a factor that was getting in the way of recovery.

Many of the patients were scheduling their physical therapy around dialysis, and others had an oxygen tank as a constant companion. Life as most of us know it was a distant memory for a lot of these folks, many of whom were still realtively young and might have had many good years ahead of them.

In April, Stacey-Ann Burgh raised our collective health awareness with the Get Healthy in the Rain Contest. And it was during that challenge that I realized that my knees were going to have to be healthy if I was going to stay healthy. I was watching my weight soar as I found it more and more difficult to do the basic physical activities that burn calories.

We work in an industry that doesn't make it easy to stick to healthy habits. We eat on the run, and often work outs get preempted by clients who need to see a house or contracts that need to get presented quickly. And we have other responsibilities to families and friends. A lot of us eat too much and maybe drink too much Vouvrey (or whatever your favorite quaff might be).

But I gotta say, a week in a serious physical rehabilitation hospital can scare you straight! It sure worked for me.

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We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Meet My Friends, The Basils- They Add So Much To My Life

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:25:42 -0700

Getting to know the Basils..

Florida real estate professional Toni Weidman has some good advice for your home garden. Plant several kinds of Basil in your herb garden for summertime cooking pleasure.

Please go to the original blog if you wish to leave comments that will be seen by Toni.

Via Toni Weidman- ReMax New Dimensions - Homes for Sale (New Port Richey-Trinity-Tarpon Springs-Holiday-Hudson):

Meet My Friends, The Basils- They Add So Much To My Life

Basil is the best herb; the smell is incredible and it adds so much flavor to food. This is my Sweet Basil growing in my herb garden. He enjoys living on the south side of my home where there is sun all day. The flower stalks produce tiny white bell shaped flowers. You should pinch the flowers off before they grow but they are so pretty, I hate to do that.

Photos by Toni Weidman, Re/Max New Dimensions

Did you know you can freeze basil leaves if you have an abundant crop. Wash them, let them air-dry for several days (lay them out on paper-towel lined cookie sheets), then put them in an airtight freezer bag. Freezing is the best method of storage since Basil loses some flavor when dried.

Opal Basil is very pretty, and a little bit spicier than sweet basil. I grow both of these.

Sweet Basil is the most popular, Lemon Basil adds a lemony odor and tang, and Cardinal Basil has burgundy stems and flowers, Thai Basil is also purple with a more intense flavor than Sweet Basil. Then there’s the hybrid Round Midnight Basil, a deep purple that has shiny aromatic leaves that give off an intense aroma and flavor.

All can be grown in your garden and will add so much flavor and taste to your food. Hmm, I wonder if they could make a basil perfume?

I'm so glad you could Meet My Friends, The Basils- They Add So Much To My Life

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Thinking of Selling Your Home in Trinity-New Port Richey to Hudson?

Craig and I have been selling in this area for 21 years.

Call Me or email my assistant, Shayna.

Toni Weidman

Broker-associate
ReMax New Dimensions

Trinity, FL 34655

727-237-0083
Websites

www.toniweidman.com

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email: homesbytoni@gmail.com

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©The photos/videos in my posts are my copyright (unless otherwise noted) and may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Toni Weidman of Re/Max New Dimensions.

We represent home buyers and sellers as their exclusive agents in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

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

Washington County, MD Real Estate Market Statistics, April, 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:31:07 -0700

Washington County, MD Real Estate Market Statistics, April, 2013

There are 647 active listings of homes for sale in Washington County, Maryland. 19 (2.93%) of the available properties are lender owned foreclosures. 80 (12.36%) of the active listings are short sale pre-foreclosures. Short sale transactions require the approval of the secured mortgage lenders since the proceeds of a sale will not fully cover the outstanding mortgage obligations.

During April, 2013, the total sold dollar volume of residential properties in Washington County, MD was $20,685,865, up 35.4% from the same month last year. There were 108 closed sales, up 8%, with a median sold price of $175,000, up 25%. The average sold price was $191,536, up 25.37%, with an average of 110 days on the market. The average sold to original list price ratio was 90.54%.

Please contact us for local current market information for specific neighborhoods or individual properties. Smart home buyers are taking advantage of the very low mortgage interest rates and the attractive home prices.

Crocus, Kentlands IMG_2902

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.

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

Frederick County, MD Real Estate Market Statistics, April, 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:48:22 -0700

Frederick County, MD Real Estate Market Statistics, April, 2013

A search of the regional multiple listing service (MRIS) shows 781 active listings of homes for sale in Frederick County, Maryland. 26 (3.32%) of the available homes are lender owned foreclosures (REO). 74 (9.48%) of the listed properties are short sales. Short sale transactions require the approval of the secured mortgage lenders since the proceeds of a sale will not fully cover the outstanding mortgage obligations.

Let’s compare the current figures with the April statistics. During April, 2013, the total sold dollar volume of residential properties in Frederick County, Maryland was $73,551,314, up 33.48% from the same month last year. There were 244 closed sales, up 15.09%, at a median sold price of $261,500, up 10.81%. The average sold price in April was $301,440, up 15.97%, with an average of 70 days on the market (DOM). The average sold to original list price ration was 96.96%.

In summary, homes in Frederick County, MD are selling very quickly and the inventory is limited. Smart home buyers are well prepared for multiple contract competition. Prospective home buyers that plan to use mortgage financing should seek pre-approval with their lender as one of the initial steps in the home purchase process.

Please contact us for current information on specific areas. We are always willing to suggest names of loan officers, home inspectors and title companies that provide good service.

Lenten Rose, Kentlands IMG_2910

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.

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