Audrey's Adventures in Real Estate

The other day I was heading back to my office after meeting with investor clients of mine in Frederick.  I saw this sign and almost wrecked my car slamming on the brakes, one to make sure I was reading this sign correctly and two, to give credit to some pretty smart folks. Besides, the world is now one camera shot away from a blog post :)

Here's your sign;

This sign is on one of the busier streets in Frederick Maryland.  These folks are trying to get the word out, I am just trying to help.  Oh yeah, they aren't even a bank, or some sort of media outlet nor are they are real estate company?  Who are they?  They are Petersen' Carpet and Flooring.

This sign is outside their store, I wonder how many folks drive by day after day and see, ignore or believe this sign?  Just think a carpet company to tell us what most folks should know.  I know we have money in our retirement accounts and 401Ks, but I know for sure the real estate that my husband I own has more equity in it than the other accounts do.

So I am going to listen to the folks at Petersens  and know that my real estate is STILL the best investment my husband I am have!! Maybe we should all try to start thinking like Petersons and feel good about our real estate again!!

The other day I headed over to the Costco next to my office.  I like going there about as much as I would like to have every tooth in my head drilled with no Novocaine.  I don't really like it.  Too many people in there for me.  Anyway, when I have to go, I strategically pull into the lot and park way over on the far side of the lot so I can get in and out with relative ease. 

When I drove up to the parking lot I noticed a bunch of the shopping carts grouped in a semicircle with that yellow caution tape threaded through the carts.  I parked up from the carts, got out of me car and noticed two Canadian Geese waddling back to towards the carts. 

It seems they built their nest there and the employees built a barricade around the nest.  As I stood there and watched them, I watched the mama go, uncover the nest ( they cover it up when they leave) and sit back on it for awhile.  Papa stood guard, posed for my pictures and kept guard of his little woman and their imminent brood.

I really like Canadian Geese.  I know they poop all over the golf course, but that is life - watch where you are stepping.  You know they are monogamous and will usually come back to where they were born and nest in that area every year.  My neighbors have a pair that come back to the pond in their yard every year. 

I was told by Duck hunters years ago that if they were hunting geese they could shoot 2 a day.  The reason was that they were a pair.  If one was shot, the mate would come back to look for it and then they would shoot it to put it out of it's misery.  I'd like to put some of the hunters out of their misery as well.  I know that is kind of morbid, but it shows the intense relationship that even animals can have!

So, my hat is off to the Costco employees for protecting the little couple and making the world a little bit nicer place :)

Next time I am Wearing a Crown Instead of a Cap!

It is Sunday afternoon in Darnestown Maryland.  As my husband and I walk together all the guys are so glad to see me.  "Hi, Audrey, we are so glad to see you."  "Hey look everyone look, Audrey is here."   My husband and I just grin.  You see, it is Spring and Coed Neighborhood Softball has started in Darnestown and the women are a must.  It is not because I am so good, they just need 3 breathing females on the team to play!

Then Linda and her husband show up, and the same thing happens.  Hey, everyone, Linda is here and so on.  We girls laugh and say we have not been this popular since our wedding days.  The guys make us feel like queens because they need at least 3 of us in order to play!

In our town we have six softball teams that are made up of from different neighborhood combinations. You must own/ live in the Darnestown area of Gaithersburg to be able to play. Each team must have three women playing at all times.  There are several rules that have been put into place for safety purposes.  There is no sliding into home plate.  The men have to bat opposite until they are 50, then they can bat normal.  For some of the guys, it doesn't matter - they still knock it out of the park. The women use a smaller ball than the men.  There are all kinds of little rules to keep it safe and fair for the girls.

There is a six foot circle drawn around the home plate so there is no pushing the catcher out of the way in order to score.  That is good news to me seeing how I am the catcher for my team.

My husband, Mike, is the pitcher.  He does a pretty good job.  However, when he is not on his game and I sigh, not having anything to do with the fact that he is about to walk another person and we might lose the game because their best hitter is on deck kind of sigh.  No, it would have anything to do with that, and Mike can still hear my sigh only like a husband can.  It can be amusing to say the least. 

The games have umpires, strikes are called, and batters are walked.  It can be pretty exciting. Scores, wins and losses are kept and there is even a trophy at the end of the year.  Neighbors bring their lawn chairs and cheer their neighbors on.  After the game is over, we sit and visit, watch the next game if there is one, have a beer.  It is a great way to know your neighbors in a small town way that is not normal in the DC suburbs.

It is neighborhood softball and is a lot of fun, there are those that you have to remind them that they are not in the World Series, but I guess that is just how some folks are.  All I know is next week when I need a boost in morale; all I have to do is show up to the ball field.   

 Dear Fellow 20878ers,

Here are your market stats for the month of March 2008.  Even though some of the numbers are down we still hav 53 pending sales for the month and Days on Market, if priced well, are low.

Please let me know if you have any questions in regard to this information.

Thanks,

Audrey

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format

ZIP Code: 20878 Gaithersburg, MD
From: 03/01/2008 to 03/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 04/08/2008

Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. - MLS Resale Data
Copyright 2008 - Information deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.

For more information you may contact me at Audrey@audreyjune.com

Today I was out showing homes and the showing service did not call the seller at one of the homes that I wanted to show.  The seller was a bit surprised but then let us in to see her home.  This reminded me of a story from A few years ago.                                

I was out showing homes to friends of mine.  We were looking in a specific neighborhood for a specific type of home.  I called the listing office to set up the appointment to show the homes in the area.  We get in the car and get the show on the road.  We saw two, they were pretty good, one was a real consideration.  We get to the next home, I knock on the door and say, "hi, I am Audrey June from RE/MAX Realty Group we have an appointment to see your home."

The seller practically screams at us and says, "NO you don't.'  No one has called me to say you were coming.  I said I wasn't sure why they didn't call but that I was told we were set to see the house?  If it was not an inconvenience, could we please come in and take a look around?  All of the sudden the listing agent sticks her head out the front door of her home and they exchange words about us not having an appointment and that if we didn't have an appointment we were NOT coming into his house.  The listing agent concurred and told us to go on if we did not have an appointment.  I know I called, but it was not worth the argument, because I was not going to win.

We turned around, my friends were a little freaked out by his attitude and went back to my office and bought one of the other houses. He should have known, that was probably the buyer of his home.   I guess they showed us.  Protected themselves right out of a contract.

The irony to the story is that after I got married, I put my own house on the market.  It was before the market went crazy, but still moving right along. My husband, Mike, knew to turn on all of the lights, open the blinds, and leave when someone was coming to the house.  We had two showings scheduled for the first Saturday morning and the house was set.

 So, I am out showing houses to clients and all of the sudden Mike calls me on my cell.  Susie Agent from your office is at the front door and wants to come in!!  I said, And you are letting her in, right? Mike says, Well, she doesn't have an appointment!!  I just laughed and said, um, please turn on the lights and do your thing and let her come in.  I guess I thought Mike would know everything about real estate through osmosis since he was married to me. I said to him, " You never know, that could be the buyer of your home."  It wasn't the buyer that day, but you never know?

Since that happened years ago, I always prompt my sellers that you never know.  Your house is on the market, people could be out with their agent and drive by the sign and ask their agent to knock on the door to see if they can see the house.  You never know, that could be the buyer of your home?  

I always explain safety to them, not to let people come in alone or at night.  Get the card, if it doesn't feel right, tell to come another day and so on.  However, on a Saturday afternoon, someone may just come with the agent and knock on the door to see your home.  Some call the office from the driveway, it is sort of the same thing. You have to be prepared for anything, yes, it is inconvenient, but the more accessible your home is, hopefully the faster it will sell and you can be rid of the inconveniences.

 You never know. . .

If you like to meet new people and cook, I have a great suggestion. 

 L'Academie de Cuisine Culinary school

located  in Bethesda Maryland.  LAC is an accredited culinary school.  If becoming a professional chef is of interest to you, I have included a link to the school. 

This link will provide you with all the information you will need.  It has a complete class schedule, descriptions of the classes and recipes.  If you have someone special that really enjoys cooking, LAC has gift certificates available too.  I got some of these for Christmas.  This is a great gift for everyone.  I got to learn some fun recipes, I made them for my friends and family so they got to enjoy my class as well.  Kinda neat!

For the novice, LAC also has a recreational school. The recreational school is broken down into to two areas.  One is the demonstration classes. This is where you can come and watch Chef Francois Dionotcook for you and watch as he shows you how to prepare the recipe. The second is the participation classes.  These are the ones that I like best.  You get to get in there and actually make all of the recipes.  You can register for everything from baking bread to making soufflés.   They also teach knife skills, making candy and cake decorating classes.  

There are single session classes.  These classes are 3 hours long, you will watch a demonstration of the items to be prepared and then you will actually make the recipes right there in the classroom.  You may also sign up for classes that are a series.  They are usually 3 classes that meet once a week. There are intense weekend classes for real cooking junkies. 

There are usually several recipes for each class.  It is usually two or three main dishes and several side dishes. All of your ingredients are all measured and set out for you in your station.  Just don't mix up the salt for the sugar like I did when I was making English Toffee!  We had to start that one over.  There are also helpers there to assist you and the teaching chef.

The reward is when you are finished cooking, grilling, or baking you sit down with everyone and have a meal and a glass of wine to experience your cooking abilities.  The recipes are printed and yours to take home and try again.   

So next time you are trying to think of something new to do, think L'Academie de Cuisine.  It is a lot of fun and a great place to meet new people!!   

Buying your first home, making sound price decisions

When you are thinking about buying your first home, it can be intimidating.  All of the questions you have racing through your head.  How much should we spend?  What is it like to apply for a loan?  What will our payment be like?  Then, the fun thoughts; what kind of house will I have?  What you want in a home and how you will fix it up to make it your home.

As you look at homes, you may decide that you want to be conservative in the amount of money that you spend when purchasing your first home.  This might not be as financially sound as you may think?  Typically cheaper homes are smaller and you may find that you will grow out of the home quicker than you think?   Five years from now may seem like a long time from now, but it will be here before you know it.

Things will change for you in time; you may have children, maybe a different job, and promotions?   Who knows?  I think it is smarter for a purchaser in today's market to spend a bit more, as long as you qualify, so you can live in the home longer and be comfortable in your home. 

What I am saying is, if you qualify for a $400,000 mortgage, you certainly should not stretch yourself to where you will struggle.  Not suggesting that in anyway.  However, I do not think it is prudent to purchase a $200,000 home either.  You will grow out of the $200K home sooner and will start to want to move into something larger.   At that point, you will probably want to sell your home to have the down payment and closing costs to purchase your new home. 

Here is where you are going to cost yourself money.  Right now, buying your first home, you will have closing fees, down payment and inspection fees.  If you purchase too small of a home, and decide you want to move, you will then have to spend money to pay the fees associated with selling your home and buying your next home.  The fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars. 

By making a compromise in the above comparison, maybe investigate how much the payment would be around a $300,000 price range?  The home should be larger, therefore hopefully giving you a "longer shelf life" in your home.  If your home is larger you should have more space and be more comfortable for longer in the middle sized home. As homes appreciate over time, the more expensive home will be worth more exponentially than the smaller, cheaper home.                         

Whatever type of home you decide to purchase, make sure you talk to 3 mortgage lenders to compare interest rates to ensure you get the best rate possible.  Maybe speak to a couple of REALTORS® and get a feel for their style, make sure your agent is knowledgeable and your best interests are their priority.  This is an important relationship and decision in your life.

www.Audreyjune.com

photos www.clipart.com

Last week I was thumbing through my new issue of Self Magazine and I thought it was curious that one of the questions to Joy Baur, RD that there might be a link between Grapefruit and breast cancer? 

Seems that it is in post menapausal women? Her answer is posted here  and you can read it on Self.com.  There was a study in The British Journal of Cancer, here is the link to the study Grapefruit and Breast Cancer.  The article has to be purchased, but this is the link if you have interest. 

Now, I am in no way giving medical advice, but since 3 of my best friends have all been diagnosed and undergone treatment for breast cancer, it has been a hot button for me. 

I just thought it is something that we should ask our doctors about and keep our eyes open and our health at the top of our priorities.

Photo www.Clipart.com

Disclaimer Audrey June-Forshey is a licensed Real Estate Agent and is in no way giving any medical advice.  You should consult with your personal physician for your own health care.

Granny Clampett would be proud!!It looks as though we have created a monster at my house.  My husband, cute as he is, is brewing beer!   He started late last year and there are so many fermenters in my basement I am afraid the feds are going to raid us.  It is not a still as Granny used; it is giant jugs of muck fermenting!  Sound yummy!?

A little background; Mike works in Biopharma.  Mike's company makes a respiratory drug for preemies and infants.  It is marketed world wide.  Moving up the ranks, he is my retirement plan.  So he knows a bit about mixing ingredients

Mike says that the making of the beer is a very crude process of drug making, the legal kind.  There I go again, feds - I am telling you. . .

I will heed the warning to you folks who might think about taking this hobby up at home too, it stinks when he is boiling the ingredients.  It smells like gas, yes all of the kinds you can imagine.  Boil the ingredients with the windows open!

He likes his beers.  I call them disco beers.  Don't get me wrong, I like a cold beer on a hot summer day - maybe even a cold winter day- no second thought I want a little Captain in the winter.   Mike and his friends are connoisseurs of his different flavor beers.  They are all very happy Mike has taken up this hobby.

Who'd a thunk beer would be such a big deal?  Maybe John McCain?- I am digressing-

I just have to laugh that we have all of these giant jugs of beer fermenting in my house.  He is having the best time making it and giving it to his friends.  They really like it. 

Mike goes to http://www.midwestsupplies.com/ to order the ingredients and all of the equipment needed to make a batch of beer.  The different flavors are imitations of some of his favorites, he says when he makes them at home they are better and have quite the "kick" to them!!

So, here's lookin up your old address!  Cheers!

Photos; www.flickr.com