Audrey June-Forshey | RE/MAX Reatly Group | 301-921-2672 13612 Ansel Terrace, Germantown, MD Beautiful End Unit 3BR/3.5BA Single Family House offered at $399,900 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $73 per month DESCRIPTION Pristine light & bright end unit. Huge with plenty of storage space. Kitchen features,center island, silestone counters, walk-in pantry & new dishwasher & built-in microwave. Super deck. Luxury master bath with jacuzzi tub, double sink vanity & separate shower stall. Laundry on upper level. Upgraded bathrooms with custom ceramic tile. 1st years estimated property taxes are $4,719 see additional photos below ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Audrey June-Forshey RE/MAX Reatly Group 301-921-2672 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: May 14, 2008, 7:05am PDT

]]> http://gaithersburg.marylandblogpage.com/2008/05/14/62/feed/ http://gaithersburg.marylandblogpage.com/2008/04/11/do-i-need-a-realtorr-to-purchase-a-new-home/ http://gaithersburg.marylandblogpage.com/2008/04/11/do-i-need-a-realtorr-to-purchase-a-new-home/#comments Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:52:56 +0000 AudreyForshey http://gaithersburg.marylandblogpage.com/2008/04/11/do-i-need-a-realtorr-to-purchase-a-new-home/ Should I use a REALTOR® to purchase a new home from a builder?

Recently I spoke to a woman who bought her home directly from a builder.  She felt that she did not need a REALTOR® to buy the new home.  I said that many people have successful transactions buying directly from the builder.   I did say to her that I believe that there are benefits when using a REALTOR® when purchasing a new home from the builder.

The builder knows that they will sell so many homes with and without an agent.   The builder has budgeted that into their bottom line. 

One benefit of using a REALTOR® when purchasing a new home is that the agent can assist you when choosing the lot.  Sometimes the builder has one particular lot that is more difficult to sell than another?  Maybe they might offer you a discount for that lot?  If the builder is having a hard time selling that particular lot, maybe you will too?

The REALTOR® can help choose amenities that will make your home more salable in the future, ie more money for you.

The REALTOR® can help negotiate and make sure you are getting fair rates and closing fees, many builders have their own lenders that you are “encouraged” to use.

I sold a new home last summer.  The home would not be ready for about 7 months.  My seller, against my advice, wrote his contract non contingent on the sale of his home.   As we know the market is slower and prices are not where they were in the past.  The looming settlement date of the new home was coming and my client was stressing.

 I contacted the builder and negotiated an extra $40,000 in closing fees for my client AFTER they had already ratified their contract months ago. My client told me that he would have never thought to negotiate the terms I did and the ending may not have been so smooth. 

Both homes have sold and everyone is happy.  My client always tells me how happy he is with me and my services are invaluable.  He has told me that he knows using me saved him money.

It doesn’t cost you money to take your REALTOR® with you to purchase a new home, but I could cost you money in the long run to not use a REALTOR®

For more information contact Audrey at Audreyjune.com  

Photo flickr.com

Wow, that is pretty powerful to think that one little light bulb could make such a difference?  So, lets try for an entire package and see where what improvements we can make as a group!

This got me thinking.  Scary, but it did.  I am big for giving settlement gifts.  I think that I will now add a pack of energy efficient light bulbs to each settlement gift for each clientand see if I can get even more folks to change these bulbs.  I would also urge them to have their friends and family do the same!  I am thinking that I will take them to the walk through and change them right then and there so they don’t lay around the house.

What if we all added a pack of energy light bulbs to help the cause?  I encourage you all to “give a pack” of energy efficient bulbs to your clients at settlement!! 

Even if you are not buying or selling any real estate these days, we should all work together and leave a smaller “foot print” on our planet earth. I encourage you to make the trek to the nearest store and get your energy efficient bulb and start making a difference today!

www.Audreyjune.com

REALonomics.net advocates that the industry open up the property information portals to consumers and upgrade its approach to how it is interacting with the consumer by implementing more social networking such as www.CityBlogUSA.com, a community blogging network for every city in the USA.

Visit www.REALonomics.net.

Not only is it just viewing the blossoms, it is an entire festival the Official Cherry Blossom Website .  There are walks, and tours, there is also a big parade. You can kill two birds with one stone and visit the Nation’s Capital.  

Washington DC has several hip trendy neighborhoods with fabulous restaurants and shopping.  Even locals flock to see the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms.

There are endless things to do here.  Take in a show at the Kennedy Center  it will as big as any New York show, Smithsonian Museums with some of the great art and wonders of the world.  You should consider coming to DC and experience this fabulous gift of nature!

If you can’t make it this year, try to add this to your “bucket list” to make sure you see it in your lifetime!

Hope you can make it!

I know you youngsters have known about this, but for me this is really great. Thought I would share it with the rest of you that have not heard of it. 

Have a good evening.  Check it out, I hope you enjoy it.

When you make your initial call to the agent ask them if they do a buyer consultation prior to looking at houses.  You will want to work with an agent who does this.  It will prepare you for the transaction.  You will be a more confident buyer and have a smoother transaction.

You should have a list of question that are important to you and make sure you get clear answers from the agent.  These are some of the basic items you should expect to cover in a buyer consultation appointment.   

I give my potential clients a buyer packet.  It has local area information, information about me, and a blank copy of the forms we will go over and that you will be asked to sign.  I also include a home buyer’s guide that has a copy of the contract that you will sign, a HUD-1 and a glossary of terms.

• The agent should give you a clear understanding of who represents whom in the transaction, how the agents are paid. Together, you should go over the Buyer Broker Agreement but not pressured to sign it.  Remember, you are interviewing the agents.  You should be able to walk away and digest the information.  If the agent is the one you want to work with, you will call them and let them know “they got the job”.
• Your potential agent should be able to discuss and explain your closing costs.  You may ask if in your market is it customary for sellers to pay any of these fees.
• You should get an idea of what your approximate monthly payment will be and how it is broken down.  You will confirm this information with a professional lender, but the agent should be able to explain the basics to you.
• The agent should be able to give you a couple of lender names so that you may then call and confirm the closing fees and compare interest rates.
• This is the time to ask about inspections and what they entail, who pays for what and what items would the seller be responsible for as far as repairs go?
• Make sure you feel you have clear communication with the agent.  Tell the agent the best way to communicate with you. 

I wish you luck in your endeavor in buying your first home.  Being prepared by an experienced, capable agent will be the key to smooth transaction.  I am located in Montgomery County Maryland in the Gaithersburg area. No matter where you are, if you have questions, shoot me an email and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability!

You may search for listings and local area information at www.Audreyjune.com .  Email Audrey@audreyjune.com .

Every morning I get up, my dog has his routine.

I have always known that animals are more intelligent than we give them credit for.  Here is an article in the March 2008 issue of National Geographic that shows us just how much we humans have to learn. 

This Border Collie here is on the cover of National Geographic Magazine, Betsy has a vocabulary of over 340 words.  There is the story of Alex, the African Gray parrot and how Irene Pepperberg, who studied Alex for 30 years and taught him to speak and to communicate, not just “parrot” words.  The story of the Dolphins in Hawaii is amazing.  There are several other animals featured in this story.  The author visits the Wasington DC zoo, the Baltimore Aquarium and many labs, schools, and homes arround the world for this ariticle.  On a side note, if you ever get a chance to vist the Baltimore Aquarium, it is one of the most fabulous places to see!

In typical National Geographic fashion, Vincent J Musi, the photographer, has beautiful photographs of all of his subjects no matter if they are dogs, fish, or chimps.  The article is a facinating read, written by Virginia Morell. Click here to read the story.

This article just confirms what I have always known, animals are just little people in fur coats.