Stacey-Ann's Blog

I was almost afraid that I would get struck by lightening as I was headed into the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta this weekend.

I am a staunch Pepsi drinker but that doesn't stop me from being fascinated by the history of Coca-Cola and it's role in the US pop culture.

The visit to the World of Coca Cola features Coke memorabilia, watching the bottling process, and examples of Coca-Cola in pop culture and art.

For me, my favorite part of the visit was getting to taste the over 60 Coca-Cola products from across the world.  I was able to taste a drink, Bitter Lemon, from my childhood.  I'm now on the hunt to see where I can buy Bitter Lemon in the US.

October 14 - Early Dismissal for Students

October 15 - Schools Closed

November 1 - Schools Closed

November 2 - Schools Closed (General Election)

November 12 - Schools Closed (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

November 24-26 - Schools Closed (Thanksgiving Break)

December 23-31 - Schools Closed (Winter Break)

January 17 - Schools Closed (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

January 24 - Schools Closed

February 18 - Early Dismissal for Students

February 21 - Schools Closed (President's Day)

March 4 - Schools Closed

April 1 - Schools Closed

April 18-21 - Schools Closed (Spring Break)

April 22 & 25 - Schools Closed (Easter)

May 30 - Schools Closed (Memorial Day)

June 14 - Summer Break Begins

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The Annual Bowie International Festival will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010 at Allen Pond Park. 

The Bowie International Festival includes performances and exhibits from the many international cultures represented in the area.  There will be dancers & music and a Chinese Dragon.

This is also a great chance to sample many different international cuisines.

Vendors will be on hand selling jewelry and crafts representative of te different cultures.

Varying children's activities will be present throughout the day.

The Bowie International Festival is free to attend and parking is available.

Bowie International Festival

October 2, 2010

11am-5pm

Allen Pond Park

3330 Northview Lane

Bowie, MD

I've been reading lots of blogs lately that discuss varying levels of showing problems.  The common theme has to do with the dis-courtesy of buyer agents who give short notices for showings or who try to give large showing windows.

I do think that the age of 24 hour notice is gone.  This generation of buyers are very immediate and they often want to see things when they want to see them. 

Many of my buyers, especially the ones in the lower ranges, like to drive by the homes on their own before scheduling them for showings.  It is rare that I get the list that makes the cut more than 24 hours ahead of when we are planning to show.  The few times I have gotten a list a few days out we will still end up with last minute additions and deletions because the market changes daily.

I think a seller or a listing agent that requires 24 (or worse, 48) hour notice, who limit the showing windows to 30 minutes, or require that the listing agent be present for all showings are doing themselves a dis-service. 

The only way to sell your house is to get it seen.  Buyers will not buy a house that they did not see.  Last week my buyer had 15 houses she liked.  We were obviously not going to see 15 houses in one day so we had the must sees and the remainder.  The remainder were put on the rotation based on who allowed us to show.  Many people re-scheduled our showing time and where possible we accommodated that, but otherwise that house was just eliminated.

Of course, this is not FAIR.  However, very little about business is fair!!!  In reality (except in special circumstances), no buyer is going to see every home on the market that matches their criteria.  Therefore, it's important that a listing makes itself as attractive and convenient to each potential buyer.

I've heard many agents say that is not reasonable to expect sellers to have the house ready to show at all times.  I disagree with this.  I have lived this and I know it is a horrible, stressful experience.  However, YOU listed your home for sale, therefore inviting people to traipse through.  YOU want it sold.  It needs to be ready to be shown with relatively short notice at all times!  I tell my sellers wherever possible DO NOT decline a showing.  In the rare instance (such as a surgery or illness, etc) when a showing has to be declined I call the buyer agent to explain what is going on and attempt to find a time that is convenient to reschedule.

This of course does not excuse the buyer agent who does not call ahead or who attempts to show a home at 9pm.  There are always going to be dis-courteous people on all sides on the transaction. 

The long and short of it is - Make Your House (or Listing) the Easiest One on the List for Us to See!

We have received committments from several companies and individuals to sponsor the cost of some veterans playing in the 4th Annual Angie Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament,

We are excited to add this to the line-up this year and think that it is a great way to honor their service.

The tournament will be held October 8, 2010 - 1:00pm at Oak Creek Golf CLub in Upper Marlboro, MD.

$125 entry fee includes lunch, dinner, & drinks.  However, for veterans this fee could be complimentary.  The free veterans spots are limited but there are still several available.  If you know someone who would enjoy participating please give me a call.

If you are interested in sponsoring a veteran, playing in the tournament yourself, becoming a hole sponsor, or making monetary or prize donations please give me a call. 

This is a great opportunity to distribute marketing materials to a large pool of potential buyers.

The Angie Houtz Memoral Fund golf tournament is a great way for us to support the community while having fun.

Read more about the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund.  This charity is near & dear to my heart so all support will be greatly appreciated.  If you are in the area - stop by and hang out with us on the 8th.

The 30th Anniversary of Kinderfest will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Kinderfest features pony rides, pumpkin patch, train rides, live animals and nature activities, tennis demonstrations, and more.

Kinderfest will run for noon to 5pm.  Admission is free with fees charged for some of the activities and for concessions.

Watkins Regional Park is located off Central Ave in Upper Marlboro, MD

The Neo-traditional floor plan provides a great alternative to either a large single family home or a traditional townhome.

Neo-traditional homes usually offer a smaller lot-size and a rear entry garage.  These homes are perfect for people that want the size and floor plans of single family homes but who want to minimize their exterior maintenance responsibilities.

Neo-traditional homes are also called Village homes or Carriage Homes.

These homes have begun to catch on in Prince George's County as they offer the luxury features and space that today's buyers want but at a more affordable price.

Two communities offering this Neo-traditional single family are:

Balk Hill Village in Bowie

 Balk Hill Village is located close to 495, Largo Town Center, Fed-Ex Field.  It's convenient location makes this a great option for people who work in Washginton, DC, Northern Virgina, Baltimore, Montgomery County or anywhere in between.  

The homes in Balk Hill Village are being built by DR Horton builders.

Quick delivery homes are currently available and homes start in the mid $300,000s

Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro

Neo-Traditional homes are currently being offered by Ryan Homes.  Prices start in the mid $300,000s.  

NV Homes also offers smaller single family homes available in this section of Oak Creek but they feature a traditional front entry garage.  There are quick delivery homes available and prices start in the $400,000s.

Oak Creek Club is located off Central Ave in Upper Marlboro.  It is convenient to Annapolis, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Fed-Ex Field, Largo & Bowie Town Centers.

Oak Creek Club is Prince George's County premier new home community featuring 24 hour guard gated access, swimming pool, tennis courts, and private 18 hole golf course.

If you would like more information about Balk Hill Village or Oak Creek Club, or any of the other new home communities in Prince George's County give me a call.

There is a new home community to suit every style and budget!

I just saw on CNN that the young lady who had acid thrown on her by a stranger admitted that she made up the entire story.

You have to wonder then, how did she get her face destroyed by acid?  Was it self-inflicted?  Why would she lie and even give a description of the African American woman who supposedly had attacked her?  So many unanswered questions now remain.

It's a bit frightening just how psychologically disturbed some people must be. This lie has given her national recognition (I saw her on the Today show) and cost the local police department thousands of dollars.  Not to mention, the fear that was struck in the hearts of many when thinking about a possible random attacker on the loose. 

We are constantly hearing these kinds of stories and the psychologist in me can't help but be fascinated by what makes these people tick.

Belmont Elementary in Olney, MD has been profiled as a model for an anti-bullying program in our schools.

Belmont Elementary understands that the key to stopping bullying is to empower kids to not watch when someone is being bullied but instead to intervene.

In this day and age where schools are usually in the news for negative reasons it's great to see a local elementary school making the news for the right reasons.

Belmont Elementary Bullying Program

Olney, MD is located outside Washington, DC in Montgomery County MD and was ranked #17 in Top Small Towns to live in America in 2007.

Olney, MD Homes for Sale