Stacey-Ann's Blog

It was with horror that I heard the news today as I was driving home.  I was caught totally off guard when they said that Michael Jackson had passed away.  I had heard earlier in the day about Farrah Fawcett and was already lamenting who amazing it was that we feel like we know these celebrities.  However, when the news about MJ hit me I was completely unprepared for my emotional reaction.  I am from the generation that grew up with the Thriller album.  Immediately, my phone started ringing, friends & family (even from Jamaica) calling to see if I had heard the news.

I'm sure many people will have terrible things to say about him but the truth is he was a great artist.  His talent has been unsurpassed by any of the newer artists. He inspired so many children to sing and dance and respect the arts.  

For me his music still makes me smile and immediately takes me back to a simpler, worry free time.

It is too sad for him to be gone at such a young age.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his children and his family and all the people who really knew and loved him.

Many of you know that I sit on the Board of Directors of a charity that is very near and dear to my heart, the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund.

Almost 8 years ago my best friend Angie was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  The emotions I felt that day and in the subsequent hours, days, weeks, months, and now years remain some of the most painful ones I have ever experienced.  

Angie and I had been friends since the first day of college in 1992.  She travelled with me to Jamaica several times and was the maid of honor in my wedding in 1998.  Her absence in my life is still felt daily.

After her death, we started a scholarship in her honor.  This scholarship honors students who have shown a commitment to community service and academic excellence.  To date, we have awarded $27,000 in scholarships.  This experience has been gratifying and rewarding for all of us who love Angie. 

The second major fundraiser for this scholarship is a golf tournament to be held in September at the Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  

I am hoping that I can count on your support to help make this tournament an incredible success.

The cost to play is $125/player or $480/foursome.  This cost includes lunch, drinks, and prizes.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and they begin at $100 for hole sponsorships.  There are many levels of sponsorship available and these can be tailored to suit your needs.

Prize donations and silent auction items are also needed.

If you would like additional information about this tournament or how you can support this wonderful charity please give me a call 240-481-3565.

 

Oak Creek Golf Club

After viewing the tour of the course click on additional details for a link to register to play, sponsor, or make a donation.

 

Please pass this on to anyone that you think would be interested in supporting the tournament.

Today was the last day of school for Prince George's County Public Schools.  The Summer vacation has officially begun.  Let's remember that with kids on holiday there will be more children playing near the roads in our neighborhoods all day.  Be on the look-out for them as we are driving through the county. 

Let's make sure that this is a safe, happy, and fun summer for PG County kids.

As I read through these 2 stories I can't help but feel confused.

Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick was convicted of participating in a dog fighting ring.  He was vilified in the media and the public and was terminated from the Atlanta franchise and banned from the NFL.  He served 23 months in prison and is now on house arrest before planning to work at a construction job and begging the NFL to allow him to play again.

Contrast

Cleveland Brown's Donte Stallworth is convicted of killing a pedestrian while driving drunk.  His sentence? 30 days in prison and his driver's license has been revoked for several years.  He will have to be driven to and from work.  He will be out of prison in time to start training camp with the team in late July.  The NFL may still suspend him for a few games.  He did also pay an undisclosed amount of money to the victim's family.

 

Is it just me or if something severely skewed here.  What are we saying about the value of a human life?  

Imagine my excitement when I got this email in my inbox this morning.  Then imagine my disappointment when I actually read the message below.  Ugh!!! Spam on activerain.

My name is linda, nice and good looking girl and i also like to model, i saw your profile today at this (activerain.com) after going through it i was delighted to contact you, if you don't mind I will like to know more of you, for i am here seeking for a long lasting / loving relationship with a MAN whom i will share my love and life adventure with. I am loving and sexy with every good shape if i should conclude from what people say about me. I will kindly be honored if you can send me an email through this address linda_oti@yahoo.co.uk So i can know you very well and to share my life history and photos with you. I will be waiting to hear from you soon. regards Linda

Many sellers have a hard time divorcing themselves from their homes when they put them on the market.  It's critical for the success of the transaction that the seller no longer sees the house as their home but instead sees it as a business deal.

I have heard several stories lately of people who have their homes listed and have received good offers but have turned them down.  When asked why, they say things about not being sure the buyer could afford the home, or they were "insulted" by the offer.

As a seller i its important to remember that many times the first offer is the best offer.  This is especially true in this market.  Even if an offer seems unreasonable initially, it is better to counter and attempt to negotiate rather than reject it out-right.  The buyer does not care that you and Uncle Phil spent countless hours redoing the kitchen and the bathroom.  What today's buyers care about is that they feel as though they are getting a good deal.

Before you put your house on the market be certain that you understand why you are selling and that your expectations are realistic.  What your neighbor sold his home for 2 years ago is no longer valid in today's market.  

Some important tips for sellers:

• Be realistic about your price.  Listen to your agent when they make recommendations about a listing price.
  
• Begin the process of detaching yourself from your home by packing up some of your emotional and sentimental items.
  
• Be open-minded about all offers that are received.
  
• Don't try to control too many aspects of the negotiation.
  
• Don't lose a deal over insignificant stuff (don't lose a $400,000 sale because you don't want to make $500 in repairs).
  

The most important tip:

Make sure you really want to sell.  If you don't actually want to sell then no offer will be right and you will simply be wasting time, energy, and money listing your home. 

I had a closing today at a seller chosen title company (this was a foreclosure).  There had been a few bumps along the way but I had been really pleased with the closing processor.  She was pleasant and responsive to my questions.  She tried to help when things were getting nasty with the bank.  When the closing docs came in at the 11th hour from our lender she stayed to make sure the HUD was done and that we would be ready to close this morning.

I am waiting in the lobby of this company for the buyer to arrive and for us to get settlement going.  I am reading a magazine when all of a sudden I hear a growl and look up and there is a dog!  I do not like dogs so i get up and move and let the receptionist know that I am afraid of dogs.  A man came out of an office and the dog came closer so I retreated further, once again saying "I am afraid of dogs".  This man says "Oh she's friendly".  I said "I don't care, I don't like dogs."  The man simply walked away and left the dog who once again began to come towards me.  I said for the fourth time "I don't do dogs!"  The receptionist finally got up and took her outside." 

My buyer arrived and she asked why is there a dog out there.  I explained that she had been inside and she said "Oh no!  I don't like dogs."  Then she asked "Isn't it inappropriate to have a dog here since this is an office?"

Eventually, the processor came to get us and she apologized saying that the dog worked there because it was the owner's dog. The owner was the man who told me she was friendly and then walked away.

I had been pleased with my experience with the title company processor and I was pleased with the closing attorney and I probably would have put them on my list of title companies to use in the future.  However, I will never set foot in that company again unless I am forced simply because there was a dog there.  The big issue wasn't the actual dog but the way the owner acted when it was clear that I was not comfortable with dogs.  Just because you love your dog doesn't mean I have to.

This is an example of how one bad thing can undo a world of good and that what will stay with my memory is not the great service I got from the processor but the fact that I did not like my experience while I was waiting for the closing.

This morning my husband and I had the pleasure of attending a reception at my daughter's school honoring the April/May Students of the Month.  

The criteria for selection were:

• Student who had been working to his/her potential
  
• Student who has not been sent to the office for disciplinary action
  
• Student who has an "A" average in conduct for the month
  
• Student who exhibits good character
  
• Student who is honest
  
• Student who is respectful to all adults and fellow students.
  

 

The students of the month were selected from each grade.  Their bios and photos were posed on a bulletin board at the front of the school explaining why they were chosen.  

What a great way to honor kids that are trying to do the right thing.

 

Below is a picture of my daughter with her certificate.