Stacey-Ann's Blog

I sent Rebecca an email and she was very responsive and we met for lunch. I liked her instantly.

I have a client who I have known for about a year. She has had several things going on and has not been able to buy. She has spoken to several mortgage brokers in the past and they have told her "wait a few months" but they have not given her constructive feedback as to what she needs to do to get herself in a position to buy a home. Many of them wouldn't even return her phone calls.

I referred her to Rebecca. I explained to my client that I had not worked with Rebecca in the past but that I met her and I thought she should give her a shot.

Last night as I was talking to my client she mentioned how much she really liked Rebecca. She said that she kept her up to date on what was going on, she gave her useful information about how to make herself more desirable for a mortgage, and that she always responded to her.

Thanks Rebecca for doing such a great job. I look forward to sending many more clients your way.

Thanks to Ellie too for a great recommendation.

You've heard that this is a great time to buy a house.  There is lots of inventory, prices have come down, and mortgage rates are low, so you are ready to jump in. 

 Step 1

Contact a mortgage broker.  It is important that this be the first step because a good mortgage broker will go over your employment and income history and your credit to help determine what price range you qualify for.  It is important to be truthful with your mortgage broker and provide all the information they need in a timely manner to speed the process along.

Many people wonder why they can't start looking for a house and THEN call the mortgage broker.  There are a few reasons:

1. Your mortgage broker helps determine the price range and payment that you are comfortable paying and you can reasonably qualify for.  There is no point starting the home search process until you know that information.  Wouldn't it be terrible to search and fall in love with a $300,000 home only to learn that you can't afford more than $225,000?
2. Your mortgage broker can also give you information about things you can do to make your credit more attractive to the bank.
3. If you have a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter from a reputable lender it makes for a stronger offer when you find a house you want to buy.

It is important that you are comfortable with the mortgage broker that you choose.  This person needs to be someone who is responsive and patient with your questions and who keeps in touch with you throughout the process.  The home buying process can be very stressful and it is critical that you surround yourself with professionals who can help make this process as easy as possible.  It's ok to change mortgage brokers if you are not satisfied with your current broker.

If you are ready to begin the home buying process give me a call.  I will be happy to provide referrals for good mortgage brokers in your area.

If you are interested in offering a FREE home buying seminar for your local group, give me a call.

I took these pictures with my camera phone on a random warm day in the middle of February.  There were several holes where there were no homes in sight.  In many locations on the course the feeling was so incredibly peaceful that I actually forgot that I was just outside of Washington, DC.

If you would like to learn more about this gorgeous Oak Creek community in Upper Marlboro, MD give me a call.  I'd be happy to help you navigate the many available builders and floor plans.

Are you interested in new construction?  Montgomery County still has several new construction projects available.  Whether you are looking for condos in Takoma Park or Gaithersburg, townhomes in Wheaton or Germantown, or estate homes in Olney or Potomac, or all locations in between, I can help.  There are currently projects all across the county, featuring many different sizes, floorplans, and builders. 

Stop by the Long & Foster Real Estate office, 3402 Olandwood Court, Olney MD, on Sunday February 22, 2009 from 12-5pm to learn about all the new construction projects available in Montgomery and surrounding counties. 

Give me a call today.  I would be happy to help you navigate the world of purchasing new construction.

"Your New Home Specialist!"

Around here most of the bank owned (foreclosure) properties have been winterized and all the utilities are off.  In the case where a buyer makes an offer that is accepted and they want the home inspection completed who is responsible for de-winterizing the property and getting the utilities turned on?   Also, is there a cost to have this done?

Before I begin let me just preface it by saying I am in a grumpy mood.  My husband and I went out last night.  My homeowners association had an event last night that I thought was going to be a polite cocktail party.  Instead it turned out to be a bonafide party and kept us out until the wee hours of the morning.  Unfortunately the kids don't care what time mommy went to bed when they are up before 7am.

Anyway, I digress!!

We are all used to listing agents saying that houses need TLC when they really need tough love and/or corporal punishment.  However, 3 houses today made me really mad.

House #1 - Mold

I think if your listing has mold you need to disclose it.  I am violently allergic to mold, it triggers my asthma and if a listing has mold I bring my mask and certainly have my inhaler in hand.  We went into one today and the smell of mold was so strong that it made your eyes water.  We didn't get more than 2 steps into the house before we had to back out.

House #2 - No Kitchen

We drove up to what looked like a great house.  We wandered in, so far so good.  Then we rounded the corner to the kitchen, wait, there is no kitchen.  You heard me - no kitchen!!!!  Just empty space where once one stood.  This was the same issue for the master bathroom.  They did have a hot-tub in the sun room though.  If this has been included in the listing then we wouldn't even have come to this home because my buyer's financing program will not allow her to qualify for a mortgage on a house that needs so much work.

House #3 - Multiple Lockboxes

We arrive and the house has 2 lockboxes on the door.  Neither one is the right one.  Both are letter based combos and the combo I have has numbers.  After walking through brush to get to the back of the house we found a third lockbox.  Eureka, this was the right one.  I get the key out and guess what, it didn't open either door.

Listing agents please disclose pertinent information about your listing.  Forgetting to tell me is not going to make me accidentally buy the house.  Puffing is one thing but not telling important information is a waste of everyone's time.  If there are several lockboxes please let me know which is the correct one so I don't spend tons of time wandering around and please ensure the key opens something!

I am in the midst of the busiest week of my young real estate career.  I started the week with 2 rental clients that had applications approved.  Then I showed property to a buyer that i've been working with for a long time on Wednesday.  She asked for a re-show with her family on Thursday and now she's interested in putting an offer on the property.  Today I showed a new set of buyers some listings in Southern Maryland (this was a referral from an agent here on activerain).  Tomorrow I am showing property to another buyer client i've been working with.  We've already put 2 offers in on short sale properties.  The first was withdrawn and the second one rejected so we are hoping to find something good tomorrow.  I had someone contact me from my website and I received a referral client from an agent who doesn't work in Montgomery County.

I feel like this is my first taste of what it would be like to have a booming market.  I know to more seasoned agents it might seem like old hat but for me this week has been exhilarating. 

Busy but so much fun!!

I have written several posts about my 6 year daughter and some the amazing things that she says.

We just found out that she has been accepted into the Gifted and Talented program in her school. Needless to say, we are tremendously proud of her and look forward to her continued success throughout school.

Of course this is not a huge surprise, she is after all my daughter :-)

I submitted an offer on a short sale that eventually received 10 offers.  I am amazed at how organized a process it was.  We submitted online and received an email to say that the complete offer was received, and then one when the offer was submitted.  We eventually received an email to say that our offer was being "respectfully declined".  Naturally my buyer was disappointed.  However, we were relieved that they did not drag out the process.  We got the answer slighltly less than 2 weeks from the time the offer was submitted.  Maybe we can hold out hope that the short sale process may be improving.  My buyer and I are headed out tomorrow to find sometihng else and start the process over again.

Today was one of those glorious days in the Winter that encourages everyone to get outdoors.  60 degrees in February is heaven.  My husband, an avid golfer, decided that he wanted to get out and play today.  We live on Oak Creek golf course and I have never seen the entire course.

I decided that I would drive the cart and keep score.  The views were stunning.  I had no idea just how truly beautiful this Oak Creek community is.

Oak Creek features several builders with floor plans ranging from townhomes to estate homes.  The homes are artfully arranged along the golf course so as not to encroach on play, while allowing the golf course to act as a stunning backdrop for many of the homes.  On several holes it was difficult to believe that we were actually located just outside of Washington, DC in Upper Marlboro, MD.

If you would like to learn more about this exclusive country club community located only a few miles from the Nation's capital please give me a call.  I would love to show you around and fill you in on the many amazing amenities that are available, here.