My finest gift to Rylee

My grand daughter, Rylee, has an aversion to Santa. Elmo and the Grinch are o.k. Santa was this terrifying man at the mall.

Through a set of circumstances that are to boorish to share, I was asked if I knew anyone that could appear as Santa at my nephews third birthday party. My niece is very conniving and I was pegged for the role.

Adorned in the finest of Santa suits, white beard and hair clad, I appeared. Much to my surprise, I was met with looks of wonder. It is impossible to describe the joy in childrens eyes when they look upon SANTA. They stand 5 feet away and stare, giggling in unison to Santa's laughter.

I settled in to the chair and greeted them, one at a time, with gifts. Ten minutes into the visit, this little bundle of joy ran up to me and crawled into my lap.

She looked up in awe as I whispered.

"Santa Claus loves you Rylee"

Joy in a grandchild's heart. There is no greater gift.

There is more behind the door of that "Open House"

On a recent post, one of my esteemed friends from Florida discussed his views on open houses. He offered some statistical data and suggested that any agent that included them in a marketing plan during a listing presentation should be thrown out the door.

I won't disagree with the statistical analysis that was presented. I am wondering why it is even an issue. He and many others feel that open houses are a waste of time. I accept that. He and others are quick to point out that one of the side benefits of holding an open house is that the agent may come in contact with buyers or others that are considering selling their home. Somehow, this is presented as a bad thing for the owner of the home.

He is quick to point out all of the possible dangers. He mentions theft, injury to visitors, injury to the agent as things that may occur. He fails to acknowledge that theft can occur when visitors view the home with their agent, injury may occur when visitors visit the home with their agent, injury may occur to the agent when they are showing the home. Somehow, he and others perceive that bad things only happen during the open house. There is always risk. A meteor may strike the house during an open house as well. The same meteor would strike the house if no one was there when it arrived. Just because one event occurs during another does not create a causational relationship of one with the other.

A broker's open is a good opportunity to showcase the home for other agents. This showcase often increases the awareness of the home with other agents in the market. Increased awareness may land the home on a short list in the future.

People do visit open houses. In some cases, people buy the house. In other cases, neighbors recommend the home to a friend that is seeking to move into the neighborhood. There are times that viewing a home will enable the buyer to focus on exactly what they are seeking. In these cases, one open house helps sell another. I personally believe that open houses are a long continuem of product on the market. Making the product available for viewing does help increase the overall sales figure for the market.

It is one thing, to adamantly believe there is no value to your personally holding an open house. If you feel that way, I would suggest your chance for success in holding open houses will be limited by your attitude regarding them. I do not feel that they should be the "deal breaker" regarding hiring an agent. Throwing an agent out because an open house may or may not be part of their marketing plan is short sighted at best.

The beauty of our profession is found in the wide array of opportunities available to us to use in our day to day operations. Postcards work for some, farming works for others. Phone calls work for some and personal "pop-bys" work for others. Shown by appointment only works for some and open houses work for others.

If we are to stop marketing in every fashion that is not singular in purpose, our costs would increase significantly. If we are to be honest about all the reasons we market, our listing appointments would go on for hours. Should we toss every agent that suggests the use of craig's list because in addition to marketing the home, it may bring potential buyers and sellers? Should we toss every agent that suggests placement of the home on their personal website because in addition to marketing the home, it may bring potential buyers and sellers? I, for one, think not.

I think that our job is to expose the home to as many potential buyers as possible. The greater the pool of potential buyers, the more likely we may receive an offer on the property. The ad for the open house brings exposure. The neighborhood notification about the open house brings exposure. The signage on the street regarding the open house brings exposure. The open house brings exposure. Exposure brings the potential for opportunity.

I will accept that he sees no value in them. I accept that others may see no value in them. Neither of those facts is sufficient to denigrate those that hold them nor is it evidence that they have no worth.

If you would like to discuss the sale of your home or if you have any other questions about the process, feel free to contact me.

An open letter to you.....

We are facing difficult times.

It seems we are hearing bad news at every turn. New Orleans remains in shambles a little over two years after the levees failed. The number of illegal immigrants now living in this country is estimated to be around 12,000,000. The war in Iraq continues with no apparent end in site. The value of the dollar continues to fall. Foreclosures reach new levels each month.
We are facing difficult times.

Each challenge is presented in a neat package. Each challenge is presented with numbers and graphs. Each challenge is presented in turn on the nightly news. Numbers and graphs may present one view of the facts. Numbers and graphs accompanied by sound bites present a slanted view of the challenges that face us. Conservative and liberal biased media outlets present opposing views of the challenges and equally opposing views of what should be done to address these challenges. Every thing is not black or white.

The challenges seem so overwhelming, that many of us don't know where to begin to address them. I am just one of many that believe that we do have the power to change the course of these events and in doing so, change the course of history.

Let me back up a bit. Hurricane Katrina was forecast and most people knew ,that if it did hit close to New Orleans, the subsequent damage would be significant. No one expected the levees to fail. Spending time attempting to place blame on anyone detracts from where our focus should be.

The people in the 9th ward did not plan to be in the path of flooding waters. They were working people. They were living their lives as best they could. Each of them has a story that can not be told by lumping their plight into one big problem. They had dreams when they moved into the 9th ward. Those dreams did not wash away in the flood waters.

The illegal immigrants did not march across our borders 12,000,000 strong. They came alone or in small groups. They came to realize the dream of living in our wonderful country. Their desire does not remove their guilt for crossing illegally nor does their status diminish their dream. Each of them has a story that can not be told when you lump them all into a number. They had dreams when they came here. Those dreams will not be erased by deportation nor will they be squashed by the construction of a large wall.

Our involvement in Iraq is a fact. A resolution will never be found if both sides continue to discuss how we got there. Every day, soldiers that represent us go out on missions or patrols and put their lives on the line. They do not decide when or where, they just follow orders. They are all volunteers. They each believe that they are serving their country and doing their part so that we may continue to live free. Each one of them has a story, a family and a dream. The dirt, dust and constant threat to their lives has not ended their dreams.

The value of the dollar is impacted by our purchasing and our saving. It is impacted by our investments. It is impacted by the way we live our lives. The dollar is one measure of our economy. We can not allow that which measures us to continue to falter.

We are all quite aware of the foreclosure problems. Investors that were attempting to make profits within the system have been caught short. There is no sin in attempting to better your financial position. Home owners were buying a place for their family to live. They may have stretched what they could accomplish. Most of them did not do so maliciously. Realtors were showing homes and selling homes to willing buyers. That is what we were asked to do. Lenders made loans. Appraisers appraised homes. The majority of all of the people in trouble never dreamed that they would find themselves in this position. No one plans to have their furniture piled on the side of the road. Everyone in this situation was attempting to realize dreams. Those dreams did not die with the downturn of the market.

So I wonder, what if we each take responsibility to do our best to make our little corner of the world better. Not one of us has the power to fix all of this. Each of us has the power to do our job with the focus on making it better.

Can we just look at each situation on its own merits? Can we stop lumping everyone and everything into a neat package? None of these problems are insurmountable.

If we deal with one family at a time, eventually the entire southeastern coast will be rebuilt. It will not happen in a day or a week or probably a year, but one day we will achieve success and those dreams will remain alive.

If we understand the motivation of illegal's and endeavor to deal with each situation, we will correct the current problem. It will take years to sort out, but in the interim, could we possibly stop painting the tarnished cloud of "you must be illegal" that hangs over every Latino's head. One day, we will facilitate the dream of citizenship that they cherish.

None of us is in a position to change the course of events in the Middle East. We can study the problem, listen to solutions and vote for candidates that we believe offer a way out. I would never pretend to know whether the solution is a continued presence or a 100% draw down of the troops. I am willing to let better minds than mine make that call. I do believe that we need to speak our piece at the ballot box. Once the election is over, we all need to come together and support whoever wins. We are one country. We must keep our dreams alive as well.

The same can be said regarding the value of the dollar and our worldwide economic situation and our current exorbitant national debt. We must listen, study and vote. Once we have done so, support those that we have charged with the responsibility of guiding our ship of state.

The last issues are the ones that we as Realtors, lenders, neighbors, etc. can directly impact. We can look at situations as they exist today and do our best to resolve them. Each person has a story and we must listen and do what we can to help them. There is no solution found in judgment nor is there any resolution is blame. We have the wonderful opportunity of assisting those in trouble. We may not be able to fix what is wrong, but we do have the skills to assist them in finding the best solution possible, one family at a time.

We are facing difficult times.

I believe that we have the talent and ability to make a difference.

I invite you to join me in re-dedicating our efforts......one family at a time.

I have asked before...why rent when you can own ?

I was reviewing property for sale in Montgomery County. It seems that prices have begun to bottom out. I am always surprised when potential buyers tell me they are waiting until prices absolutely bottom out. You see, when they hit bottom, they won't stay there long. They will begin to rise again and it is possible that the rise will be quicker than the fall.
The other thing that a lot of folks overlook are short sales. Once they are sold, they are gone. Many of these homes present better value than if everyone waits until the foreclosure happens. In Montgomery County, I found several homes priced under $300,000. That did not happen very often in the last year or so.

This home is in Germantown. It features 4 bedrooms and 2 and 1/2 baths. They are even offering a home warranty. All this for $249,900. Payments on that could be as low as $1500 per month.

This home is in Germantown. It features 3 bedrooms and 2 and 2 half baths. They are even offering a free appraisal if you use a specified lender. All this for $289,900. Payments on that could be as low as $1800 per month.

This home is in Germantown. It features 4 bedrooms and 2 and 1/2 baths. They are even offering a home warranty. All this for $299,000. Payments on that could be as low as $1800 per month.

Imagine, while everyone else is sitting back waiting, you could be moving into your own home. If these homes have caused you to pause and rethink sitting on the fence.....GOOD.

My name is John MacArthur and I am a Realtor in this area. If you would like to discuss this information with me, I can be reached at 301-537-4377 or you can send me an e-mail me at macarthurgroup@gmail.com . I would be glad to discuss any one of them with you. A phone call may be the first step to your next home.

I am available at 301-537-4377.

Let's talk. I never promise the moon, but I always give down to earth information.

Single Family Homes in Montgomery County for $400,000 and lower???

I have lived in and around this county all my life. Suffice it to say that I have reached that long in the tooth status. I have watched the county grow (Georgia Avenue was a two lane road and Wheaton Plaza was woods).

I have lived through the ups and downs of housing markets. This one has been a doozy. One thing that really caught my eye was that a family could actually buy a single family home for around $400,000 or less again. How sweet it is to see that prices have come down to the level that homes have become affordable. Take a look at these. They represent a portion of what is out there right now.

This home is located in Silver Spring, north of Dennis Ave. It has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths. It is close to Metro, shopping and has easy access to 495. It is selling for $309,999. I can hardly believe it. That is a single family home at a townhome price.

This home is located in Takoma Park. That's right, Takoma Park that has been priced so high for so long, many have given up hope. It has 5 bedrooms and one bath. There is rough in for another. Takoma Park for only $320,000. Payments could run as low as $1900 per month.

The next bargin I came across is located in Conneticutt Avenue estates. I know the neighborhood well, I live here. Solid homes built by Kay or Greenberg in the late 50's. This one offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It is selling for only $329,990. This could be home for less than you imagine.

The last home I will share now is this gem. It is a little farther out. It is located in Germantown but take a look. It is a 4 bedroom, 3 and one half bath, colonial. It is more than a bargin at the low price of $400,000. Think long and hard about it. If this matches your dreams....act now. If not, someone else will be living in your dream home.

Imagine, while everyone else is sitting back waiting, you could be moving into your own home. If these homes have caused you to pause and rethink sitting on the fence.....GOOD.

My name is John MacArthur and I am a Realtor in this area. If you would like to discuss this information with me, I can be reached at 301-537-4377 or you can send me an e-mail me at macarthurgroup@gmail.com . I would be glad to discuss any one of them with you.

A phone call may be the first step to your next home. I am available at 301-537-4377. Let's talk. I never promise the moon, but I always give down to earth information.