Archives of real estate blog entries for April 01, 2012

Featured blog posts


By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, (RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
(Liberty Homes)
Over a year ago this Mililani Real Estate Agent received a phone call from a potential Mililani Home Seller who wanted to meet with me and discuss a possible listing of their Mililani Home.   We talked about my marketing plan, comparable properties in the Mililani Housing Market area for ‘attached’ homes and what I will do for them. We made an appointment to meet face to face as the Mililani Home Seller ‘found me on the internet’ while looking for a Mililani Real Estate Agent.  We talked about the circumstances for their thinking about selling the Mililani Hawaii Home as well as going through everything else we did not discuss on the phone, including possibly renting out their Mililani Home.  They would get back with me within the week and let me know what they decided.  A few days late...
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By Carie Shapiro
(North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate)
For a couple of weeks last month, my participation on ActiveRain was curtailed by several commitments.  Thank goodness for Smartphones, though.  At least, I managed to log in every day.  I just couldn't bear the thought of losing 100 points x 14 days = 1400 points (but who’s counting!)  Otherwise, I did not write, post, or comment on any blogs at all. About halfway through my sabbatical, I received a message from someone who is NOT an ActiveRain member, but who follows my ActiveRain blog.  The message said:  “No blogs in a week … Are you doing okay?”  A big smile emerged across my face.  Honestly, I never imagined anyone would even notice that I was ‘Missing in Action.'  If I ever thought that blogging didn't matter -- surely I had to think again. Lesson learned on ActiveRain:  If you b...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH Real Estate)
I am having a bad technology day.  My computers are all playing April Fools Jokes on my and I'm getting a little bit sick of it.  I had this post written, all of the smiling faces up there and poof!  April Fools!  But that can't stop me from posting my favorites of the week, and here goes: 1. Karen Fiddler:  Active Rain And I Saved A Stranger's Home Purchase   This is one of those feel good posts about how good it feels to really help someone! 2.  Mimi Foster: Rocky Mountain High  Mimi gives us a beautiful photo essay with an old favorite song from the 60's. 3.  Tammie White:  I Can't Sell Your House Because You're Not Ready to Price It Right  Ah, yes!  That pesky listing price thing! 4.  Richard Weisser:  When color returns to life:  We knew Richard is a great photographer and blogger,...
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By Mona Gersky, GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.
(MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC)
  As pet lovers and REALTORS, we have the dual advantage of much needed knowledge of resources to help our furry friends and the humans who love them. This seemed like an ideal combination to create the Pet Project Contest. One of my favorite things about ActiveRain is the number of caring members who openly share stories of their pets, their animal activism involvement, the comedies, joys and even the tragedies of their furry families. These stories touch our hearts and bring us closer together. It seemed so natural to create the Pet Project Contest, combining a chance to write about a subject that means so much to many of us and an opportunity to provide much needed information about pet resources in our communities. Those who already live in our areas and those we might be working w...
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By Liz and Bill Spear, Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
(Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com)
There's No Consolation Prize In Real Estate! Buying or selling your home is a full contact sport!  And unlike kiddie sports where everyone gets a trophy or ribbon, real estate is for the big girls and boys and coming close just makes you the "first loser".  Yes, we know that's kind of harsh, but so is the reality of this competition, and don't be lulled into thinking it's some easy going market out there. You like your neighbors (maybe) and they like you (maybe), but when it comes to both of you selling your homes, the gloves are typically off.  Both of you have the same goal:  TO BE THE NEXT HOME WITH A SOLD SIGN IN THE YARD!  The sellers that best understand the market's demands for Location, Price and Condition and hire the best REALTOR® to Market those advantages is going to win the...
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By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
BUYER BEWARE!  BEWARE OF EXISTING HOMES FOR SALE WHERE MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE!! WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HOME INSPECTION and, IF REPAIRS WILL BE MADE OR ARE TO BE MADE. . . .   READ THE DOCUMENTS.  Home for sale advertisements in the MLS have the required data such as Rooms, Utilities, Price, etc., but rarely is there adequate disclosure about home owner repairs, home owner remodeling details, foundation modifications, major repairs of defects, etc. that may cause a buyer to experience severe financial loss after closing.  Jay Markinich, Home Inspector extraordinaire, through some very good photos, highlights modifications to a property that would cause Lenn to see some very large RED FLAGS. BUYERS' AGENTS CAN USE OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE TO KEEP BUYERS AND SELLERS OUT OF COU...
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By Katerina Gasset, Get It Done For Me Virtual Services
(Get It Done For Me Virtual Services )
Real estate is NOT National- Not Regional- But very local!  Our great negative newspaper loves to spread ill will it seems. Doom and gloom sells papers I suppose or else why would they keep reporting this stuff?? Here is a snippet from our local paper: " South Florida and the Sunshine State are stuck in housing hell..." What is the point of this statement? What part of South Florida or what part of the Sunshine State is he referring to specifically? How verifiable is his statement and what investigative reporting and research did he do prior to writing this statement and the rest of his article? How many real estate brokers did he talk to to verify this statement? And did he talk to top producing brokers and agents who are kicking butt with sales in South Florida or is he asking those a...
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By Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn, Author of Sell with Soul
(Sell with Soul)
"You have reached 850-xxx-xxxx. Please leave a message at the sound of the tone." That's the greeting I received yesterday when I dialed the phone number on the rider perched atop a For Sale sign. I wasn't calling to buy the house, but rather to let the listing agent know that her vacant listing appears to be squatted in - that someone might be living there without the blessing of the owner.  As I dialed the number on a Sunday morning, I assumed I'd get voice mail since this is the south and a lot of people tend to hang out at church on this day and time of the week. But I laughed out loud when I got the "standard greeting with your telephone number telling callers you are not available" on a real estate agent's direct line! Seriously?! Someone goes to the trouble of prin...
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By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
 New Hampshire Home Stager's Top 10 Tips To Making Spring Cleaning FUN It's that time of year, again.  Time to shake off the cobwebs and do the whole refresh and renew thing.Spring Cleaning!  You can whine and complain about the drudgery or....make the best of it.  It's all a matter of attitude. Here are my 10 tips to the MOST FUN you can have Spring cleaning:   One:  Crank the tunes....get your favorite music playing, and I mean loud!  Two:  Tie hair in ponytail.  You'll feel younger (providing you don't look in a mirror) and work much faster. Three:  Wear an apron.  All the great housewives of the 50's looked like they were having fun.  To make it more interesting, wear nothing but an apron.   Four:  Eat lots of chocolate.  It helps you stay energized. Five:  Wash windows with one per...
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By Myrl Jeffcoat, Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired
If you have been a real estate professional for any length of time at all, you have more than likely had an impossible or difficult client to work with.Over the years I’ve been in this business, I’ve noted agents seem to gravitate to three different methods of handling these situations.(1) Some agents simply fire the client.  With a seller, they either forego listing the home, or cancel and give back the listing.  With buyers, they say something in the realm of "Hasta la vista, Baby," or "Don't let the door hit you on the A#% on the way out."(2) Other real estate professionals will coddle, while trying to reason with an unreasonable client.  I remember one agent continually saying, "I think we are just having a communication problem."  (3) A few agents will choose the avoidance method. ...
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Blog posts


By Ken Tracy, Helping clients buy and sell since 2005
(Coldwell Banker Residential)
Four Lakes First Quarter 2012 Market Report - Lisle Illinois Real Estate -these condos in Four Lakes, Lisle have balconies overlooking a lake...  The Four Lakes Condominiums, located in Lisle, Illinois, is a great community of condominiums set between hills, trees, and lakes... With tennis courts, swimming pools, beach volleyball, and the Four Lakes Ski Hill, residents are busy all year long.  After the fun, many residents unwind with a drink at The Lodge, located at the bottom of the hill...   Activity in First Quarter 2012 Homes Sold:  7 Average Sales Price:  $62,591 Homes Currently for sale:  20 Average Asking Price:  $104,237   Four Lakes, Lisle is on Facebook. Four Lakes 2011 Market ReportFour Lakes 2010 Market ReportFour Lakes 2009 Market Report    Are you interested in Lisle real...
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By Jennie Miller, PLLC, AZ Broker - Real Estate Services 480-382-9681
(Buy/Sell/Rent Your Home in Phoenix Metro Area)
House for Sale Near Kiva Elementary There are many homes for sale near House for Kiva Elementary.  The Kiva Elementary is a school that teaches children pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Kiva Elementary was built in 1957.  The school has many well-educated, caring, and student oriented teachers and administrators that help students achieve their academic best .  Kiva Elementary is one that is surrounded by a close community, employment, shopping, restaurants,  churches, and recreation areas. A house near Kiva Elementary will ensure that  your family has a great location to live in, your children are close to school, and you have the convenience of amenities and work close by.   The homes for sale near Kiva Elementary are well built homes.  Some homes have frame construction with stuc...
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By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
BUYER BEWARE!  BEWARE OF EXISTING HOMES FOR SALE WHERE MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE!! WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HOME INSPECTION and, IF REPAIRS WILL BE MADE OR ARE TO BE MADE. . . .   READ THE DOCUMENTS.  Home for sale advertisements in the MLS have the required data such as Rooms, Utilities, Price, etc., but rarely is there adequate disclosure about home owner repairs, home owner remodeling details, foundation modifications, major repairs of defects, etc. that may cause a buyer to experience severe financial loss after closing.  Jay Markinich, Home Inspector extraordinaire, through some very good photos, highlights modifications to a property that would cause Lenn to see some very large RED FLAGS. BUYERS' AGENTS CAN USE OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE TO KEEP BUYERS AND SELLERS OUT OF COU...
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By Liz and Bill Spear, Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
(Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com)
A Quick Snapshot of the Warren County Ohio Real Estate Market April 1 2012 First, this is no April Fool's prank.  The news IS good!  And the news is very preliminary, so look for a more detailed report later after the final month end numbers are available.  All numbers are derived from Cincinnati MLS information. Warren County Preliminary Summary: Number of Homes For Sale:  1486  (UP 142 from March 1) Number of Homes Under Contract (Pending):  409 (Up 48 from March 1) Number of Homes SOLD:  157 (UP 24 from March 1) Average Sales Price:  $202,000 (UP from $190,000  March 1) THIS is the kind of news we like to see for residential home owners and buyers in Warren County!  And we particularly like the price increase.  Now do we expect a 5% bump every month?  Of course not!  But it is great ...
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By Anne Mayberry, Living the Steamboat dream since 1978!
(Steamboat Sotheby's International Realty)
Steamboat Springs and Routt county experienced almost $4 million in closed whole ownership transactions this week with total sales over $6 million. Many closed sales were bank owned properties and others include One Steamboat Place whole ownership and fractional sales. In other news, it appears as if the remaining condos at Trailhead Lodge will go to auction on May 6, with starting bids from #110K-$425K. Again, The Steamboat Pilot and Today remains at the forefront, along with your favorite local Realtor, in keeping you informed about Steamboat Springs real estate market happenings. Anne Mayberry 970.846.1425 ■ 28200 Routt County Road 64 Seller: Thomas H. Bentley II and Sally R. Bentley Buyer: Mountain Valley Company LLC Sale date: March 26, 2012 Sale price: $560,000 Property descriptio...
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By Harry F. D'Elia III, Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR
(WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC)
IDX LEADS ARE REAL NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE HERE I have been blogging very seriously for the past three years. I was like many other Realtors that did not blog for the same reasons below: No time to blog Nobody will read my blogs Total waste of time Not enough subjects to write about ActiveRain is a scam like the rest of them This went totally opposite of me because I am a somewhat tech geek from my professional background in Corporate America. So, I decided to investigate this new word "BLOGGING." It only took me another week to decide to start blogging. The next question was where do I blog. Easy! The answer was ActiveRain. I have not looked back since I officially joined ActiveRain in 2009. It has been an exciting time for me. I have been able to strategically blog successfully by impleme...
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By Anna "Banana" Kruchten, 602-380-4886
(HomeSmart Real Estate )
Silent Sunday in Phoenix Arizona - Cacti Almost Ready to Burst Open  Check out this awesome 20 ft cactus in our Phoenix front yard .  When I got back to my home office this evening with my home buying clients in tow, they were absolutely stunned by all the buds on this cactus.  Somehow I had not noticed this before - which is kind of crazy since it sits right outside our front door!Of course I had to take out my camera to share this beauty with everyone. And when the cactus does open up full of blooms I'll enjoy sharing that sight as well.  I know some of you may not have visited a desert so it's fun to share a little slice of our daily landscape with you!  *********************************************************  Real Estate and Working with my Clients is my Passion!   I take my clien...
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By Jason Whaley
(WestUSA Realty Revelation)
4 bed 2 bath home in W Sierra Vista Dr Glendale. Lovely 4 bedroom 2 bath home on a quiet street. Laminate flooring in the great room and dining area, open floor plan with vaulted ceiling and pot shelves. Inside laundry with a great backyard and covered patio for entertaining and enough room for kids play area. Must see this one!! 4 bed 2 bath home in W Sierra Vista Dr Glendale near Desert Garden Elementary School Challenger Jr High School and Independence High School. This home is not a short sale. Call Jason Whaley at 480-254-6464 to see this 4 bed 2 bath home in W Sierra Vista Dr Glendale. 7319 W SIERRA VISTA DR Glendale, AZ 85303 4 bed 2 bath home in W Sierra Vista Dr Glendale Home   Photo Gallery   Virtual Tour   Property Map   Payment Info   Request Showing     Jason Whaley Broker,...
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By Cherry Wings Realty, Your Traverse City Michigan Realtor
(Cherry Wings Realty)
  Several years ago, FHA changed the way that they view Site Condos as the relate to lending.  Unfortunately, the VA has not changed their point of view.  The VA treats Site Condos just the same way that they do traditional condo projects.  For all intents and purposes, Site Condos are no more than a single family home with a Home Owners Association and some common areas.  NOTHING at all like a traditional condo project.  Recently I have run into challenges with getting Site Condo developments approved through the VA.  They have a list of 27 items that are required to send in for the approval of the project and the buyers loan.  However, there are many other things that they look for that is not printed ANYWHERE in their guidelines.  Fortunately, I have a fabulous lender that knows VA f...
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By Rita Gibbons, The Gibbons Group
(MacDoc Realty LLC)
Rita Gibbons | The Gibbons Group - MacDoc Realty LLC | luvnnlivn@gmail.com | (571) 330-0741 216 Austin Dr, Stafford, VA 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Rambler 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $174,900 Year Built 1976 Sq Footage 960 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 10,001 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Coming Soon - Remodeled 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Rambler in North Stafford see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Hardwood floor - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Granite countertop - Stainless steel appliances ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front View Contact info: Rita Gibbons The Gibbons Group - MacDoc Realty LLC 0225085178 luvnnlivn@gmail.com (571) 330-0741 For sale by agent/broker Posted: Apr 1, 2012...
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By Cindy Edwards, CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677
(RE/MAX Checkmate)
I really enjoyed the bolgging contestest on writing localism posts on "What's springing up in your area this spring?".  It took me out of my comfort zone and had me posting 2 localism posts per week.  It was a challenge for me, but I also realized how important it is to do this.  Thanks for the challenge!! Pancake Breakfast in Johnson City Tennessee Johnson City 101 Classes  Chasing Snakes- 10k in Johnson City Food City 500- It's Bristol Baby Barter theatre Quillen College Pancake breakfest Easter Egg Hunter Chillin and Grillin
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By Jennie Miller, PLLC, AZ Broker - Real Estate Services 480-382-9681
(Buy/Sell/Rent Your Home in Phoenix Metro Area)
  House for Sale near Robson Elementary   There are many homes for sale near Robson Elementary.  The Robson Elementary is a school that teaches children kindergarten through 6 th grade.  Robson Elementary was built in the 1990s .  The school has many well-educated, caring, and student oriented teachers and administrators that help students achieve their academic best .  Robson Elementary is one that is surrounded by a close community, employment, shopping, restaurants,  churches, and recreation areas. A house near Robson Elementary will ensure that your family has a great location to live in, your children are close to school, and you have the convenience of amenities and work close by.   The homes for sale near Robson Elementary are well built homes.  Some homes have frame construction...
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By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Lottery fever took over our country for a few days.  The dreams of a different life sweep many people off to the lottery agents ticket booth. I am not so sure that anyone heard the odds of winning were 1.7 million to one.  That wasn't going to stop dreamers from placing bets on one life changing ticket.  Nobody noticed the odds except those that didn't buy a ticket.  I had some friends ask me if I bought a ticket.  Let me see do you have to buy one to win?  They looked at me puzzled and I said of course I bought five to support our schools!  That was the claim for bringing this legalized gambling into Michigan. I am not sure if the advertising would have been a little more understandable if ticket sales would have soaredas high.  For example you are more likely to be hit by lightning th...
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By Malcolm Johnston, Trenton Real Estate
(Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario)
I could just not resist re-blogging a blog post that has the line "spoofs involving the buttocks" in it. Thanks very much to Kristin Johnston, the real estate expert in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, for providing us with a history of April Fool's Day. April Fool's Day History   The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.   Send invitations to nonexistent parties and have other practical jokes played upon them. Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others,...
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By Joy Daniels
(Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd.)
Karen’s Krunch- The Krunch that keeps you coming back for more.   I did a previous post on this local business and since my post she is continuing to grow!  I would love to think my post has had some assistance in your growth spurt.   Karen’s Krunch is one of my local vendors here in Harrisburg, PA.  Karen provides her “Krunch” for my client gift baskets.   It is W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!!   Recently she was featured in our local newspaper:“The Patriot News"  (http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/03/woman_makes_a_business_out_of.html)  in Harrisburg, PA.  I am so proud of Karen and how her business is growing.   I just heard that Fox News will be interviewing her on Monday!  How Exciting.   http://activerain.com/blogsview/2622532/karen-s-krunch-a-snack-worth-sharing- Karen’s Krunch...
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Congratulations Toronto on your Earth Day 2012 Power Reduction! Congratulations to City of Toronto residents for your participation in Earth Day 2012.  The Toronto Star reported that Toronto Hydro announced that power usage was down 6.8% during Earth Hour.  This is an impressive improvement over 2011's Earth Hour when usage dropped by 5%. In 2013, perhaps Toronto can do better and match the 10% drop that occurred in 2010 or the 15% drop in 2009. Over 6,494 cities, including 511 Canadian cities and towns, in 150 countries participated in the sixth annual Earth Hour. Congratulations Toronto on your Earth Day 2012 Power Reduction!
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By Rita Gibbons, The Gibbons Group
(MacDoc Realty LLC)
Rita Gibbons | The Gibbons Group - MacDoc Realty LLC | luvnnlivn@gmail.com | (571) 330-0741 30 Lynhaven Ln, Stafford, VA 4 Bedroom 2 Bath Rambler 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $209,900 Year Built 1975 Sq Footage 1,296 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 43,560 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION 4 Bedroom * 2 Bath Rambler located in Stafford * Granite Counters * Stainless Steel Appliances * New Cabinets * Hardwood Floors see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Hardwood floor - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Stainless steel appliances ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front ViewLiving RoomKitchenBathroomBedroom Contact info: Rita Gibbons The Gibbons Group -...
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By Ellie McIntire, Luxury service in Central Maryland
(Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate)
Open Houses in Howard County Sunday April 1st 2012 Don't be an "April Fool" and miss the Spring Real Estate market in Howard County. Rates are still low and there is more inventory lately as the weather gets nicer and the days are longer. Here are the Open Houses for today across the Howard County area. OPEN HOUSES IN WESTERN HOWARD COUNTY OPEN HOUSES IN ELLICOTT CITY & ELKRIDGE OPEN HOUSES IN COLUMBIA & LAUREL Are you looking for a home in Howard County and visiting Open Houses today? As a potential buyer you should be aware that the agent that is at the property holding the "OPEN HOUSE" is working for the Seller. They are also unable to talk about other properties that you may have interest in while they are in that home, even if it's across the street. If you are actively looking fo...
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By Dave Roberts
(Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty)
Everyone has a favorite landscape. In Sonoma County the choices range from coastal views to vineyards to redwood forests and the rolling hills dotted with oaks that are a mainstay of our interior valleys. I'm lucky enough to have a wide variety of clients who each appreciate a different aspect of Sonoma County's visual bounty. This late afternoon shot is of oaks and grasslands in the Chalk Hill AVA just south of Healdsburg. 
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By Joy Daniels
(Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd.)
Guaranteed Rural Housing Income Limits for Pennsylvania                                FAMILY SIZE/ANNUAL INCOME LIMIT (Effective January 18, 2012)                                                             COUNTY 1-4 person household 5-8 person household ADAMS 78550 103686 BERKS 78200 103224 BUCKS 93450 123354 CARBON 84300 111276 CENTRE 78400 103488 CHESTER 93450 123354 CUMBERLAND 84550 111606 DAUPHIN 84550 111606 FRANKLIN 74750 98670 LANCASTER 79950 105534 LEBANON 75550 99726 LEHIGH 84300 111276 MONROE 79200 104544 MONTGOMERY 93450 123354 NORTHAMPTON 84300 111276 PERRY 84550 111606 PIKE 78400 103488 YORK 80850 106722 ALL OTHER COUNTIES 74750 98670         Income limits subject to change.    This chart is good information if you live in the Central Pennsylvania areas that allow Guaran...
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