I am convinced one of the most difficult things we do when negotiating is to communicate effectively.  More transactions are lost because we misunderstand, don't listen, assume we know, don't call back, don't clearly articulate, don't write it down or don't work to build consensus.   To communicate effectively we need to: Listen Try to understand what the other party wants and why they are requesting it? Know if a request is a casual want or an absolute need? Know how to identify an alternative option that will satisfy their request? Return calls promptly, especially difficult ones, they don't age well. Make sure all written communication is clear and expresses the exact terms of the agreement. Be professional and unemotional in our communications, our clients don't need an emotional ag... 06/06/2009

So, you're in the market for an Annapolis home...this rain we've been getting is driving you batty...or you're just dying to talk with a Realtor about how the Annapolis real estate market is REALLY doing. Whatever the case may be, we know you're anxious to get out and about this weekend - so why not attend one of the two open houses we're holding, one in Riva Trace and one in Eastport. I've provided the details in the short video below. Hope to see you there.         06/06/2009

If you're a first time homebuyer, you've probably heard that Uncle Sam wants to give you $8,000 to buy a home this year. We've been getting a lot of calls about this credit, so I decided to make a short video about the most important thing you need to know about it. Have a look.         06/02/2009

Although this picture was taken in Cape Cod, Mass., I took it because it reminded me of what it is that I appreciate about living in Annapolis, MD.  I find myself savoring the lifestyle that Annapolis affords me.  When I am not selling real estate, I am bringing my blood pressure back to acceptable levels by taking time to enjoy nature.  I take time to enjoy the birds that are found in the area - Blue Heron, Egrets, Osprey, Red Winged Black birds, finches, etc.  I take the time to explore new places via kayaking, via power boating, via canoeing, etc.  I take time to enjoy wildlife - within the most recent 30 days, I've seen turtles, a fox, raccoons, beaver, frogs, the birds mentioned above, muskrats (ewe), ducks, swans, and more.   When we were out on one of the coves off the Severn Ri... 05/12/2009

A Quick Look at How Things are Selling at these Perennially Popular Annapolis Condos Funny how many people you meet who don't know about the condos in Riva Trace. Perhaps it's because there's only one road in and out - no through traffic. Or perhaps it's because everyone is distracted by the smart looking townhomes here, too, or the carefully manicured landscaping at every turn. The Setup: The Riva Trace condo complex is a series of nine, 3-level buildings constructed 20 years ago - though the buildings are so well maintained that they hardly show their age. The units on the 1st and 2nd levels are a mix of 1- and 2- bedroom homes with about 1,200 square feet. The 3rd floor units are 2- and 3-bedroom homes with lofts, averaging about 1,900 square feet. There are 12 units per building, 6 ... 05/12/2009

Are we at a tipping point or do we still have a long way to go? Many indicators suggest that have reached a tipping point. While pending sales in Anne Arundel County were up over last month, there are still more listings coming onto the market than coming off. Overall inventory levels declined in the county, while Annapolis remains about the same level. The activity continues to be in the $0 to $499K price range. Although activity and prices remain below that of this time last year, there are signs that the market is starting to stabilize. A large inventory, low interest rates, hesitant buyers, stubborn sellers best describe current market conditions. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index for the Washington DC marketplace declined 2.3% in February. The Baltimore Metro Home Price Index f... 05/10/2009

At the beginning of April I went to one of those early morning networking events that I dread...but that I am usually glad I attended. Around here they are organized by the local chambers of commerce and draw 100+ people each time. Have you ever been to one? It's a bit like speed dating. You start with breakfast at a table with 6 or 8 people, and as you eat you introduce yourself and your business, pass your cards around, and try to wake up enough to be coherent. After about half an hour the real fun begins. You move to a new table where each person has 90 seconds to do their elevator speech and pass their cards out. When everyone has had a go, you change tables and do it all again. Whew!  For a non-morning person this is not easy, especially since these shindigs generally start no late... 05/07/2009

Now that we have the first quarter statistics for the Annapolis, MD market, let's look at some of the revealing and not so revealing numbers. A total of 61 homes have sold in the Annapolis area.  It has taken anywhere between 5 - 7 months to sell.  The average price is a number that can be greatly skewed by the sale of a $1 million dollar home, so we'll leave that statistic alone.  The Average Sale Price as a percentage of Average List Price over the 3 month period ranges from 85% - 88%. It's called a contract sales price.  It does NOT take into account factors such as closing costs or closing help (if any). In other words, sellers should expect to get between 85% - 88% of their asking price.  A most compelling statistic in the Annapolis, MD market is the increase in number of active l... 04/27/2009

    Market Statistics for Annapolis, MD in March 2009: Number of Homes Sold - 23 Average Sold Price - $502,135 Median Sold Price - $315,900 Average Days on the Market - 177 Average Sale Price as a percentage of Average List Price - 85.09%. Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc (MRIS) I'm not a big fan of Average and Median Sold Price Numbers.  Many variables can skew the data.  A large sale ($1-$2 Million Dollars) can raise the average sold price but not be characteristic of what's going on throughout the entire market.  In March, 23 homes sold. 14 of those homes sold between $150,000 to $399,999 range. We know that the market has significantly slowed down but it bears repeating with the help of numbers.  As you can see, it took an average of 177 days to sell these 23 h... 04/27/2009

Well, We Aren't, Really. But One of Our Clients Is, So We Thought We'd Give Her Home a Little Plug. Besides, It's Not Everyday We Get to Show You a Home That's So Gorgeous It's Been Featured in Several Magazines So, just in case you or someone you know is moving to the Atlanta area, pay attention - here's a home that's eye-poppingly pretty. The address is 400 Autry Ridge Point, in Alpharetta, within a subdivision called The Falls of Autry Mill, a swim-tennis community. It's close to all the major highways you'd need to access. Our client tells us that the community has a clubhouse, lake, 2 swimming pools, 12 lighted tennis courts, and a tennis pro - apparently, they're serious about their tennis around here.  The subdivision has 500 homes, and - she says - there are great schools nearby... 04/24/2009

 Unconditional Offer of Compensation offered in MRIS The selling coop broker, as a result of anti-trust laws, is not allowed to know the terms of the listing broker's commission arrangement with the seller.  That's why MLS only displays the portion being offered cooperative compensation. The selling agent doesn't know what the listing agent is collecting or retaining for their portion of the compensation, they only know what is being offered to the selling agency. Short sales and bank owned properties have put a lot of stress in the real estate marketplace.  Trying to negotiate an acceptable sale price on a short sale is very frustrating and that is an understatement. I visualize a room with no windows, a desk piled high with files and some poor soul with a visor on trying to understand... 04/18/2009

We've Just Listed This Waterfront Home in Annapolis. Tell Us Where It Is, and We'll Send You a Gift Fridays are for fun on this blog, and since it's been a while since we've had a Fun Friday post we're going to make this one extra-special. So here's the deal: look closely at the photo, taken from the garden of our new listing. Now, do a little research and figure out where it is. If you're one of the first 3 people to email me with the address of the property, I'll send you a gift card for $10 to one of three great new Annapolis restaurants at the new Annapolis Towne Centre - Brio, P.F. Chang's or Gordon Biersch - courtesy of us, The Moss Haedrich Team of Keller Williams. Email your response to kenhaedrich@gmail.com along with your name and phone number. If you're one of the lucky ones ... 04/18/2009

As the market continues to improve the $8000.00 tax credit is getting the attention it deserves.  The real estate community has been beating the drum and getting the word out.  The program although not perfect is appealing to the prospective first time home buyer.   Don't let this opportunity slip past you or some one you know go to http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ to see who qualifies.  This is not a loan it is a real credit! Parent homeowners can assist children in their purchase. If you haven't owed a primary residence in the past 3 years you qualify. You can amend your 2008 return to get the money now. It's disappointing that our legislatures did not take advantage with the provision to advance the tax credit to the buyer to be used at the time of acquisition.  The provision-... 04/17/2009

ANNAPOLIS BOOK FESTIVAL 2009 Organized by the Key School, the highly anticipated Annapolis Book Festival 2009 will be held April 18 on the school's Hillsmere campus. This is the seventh year the successful festival has been in production, and the excitement it garners throughout the community continues to grow, fostering literary appreciation. The event brings together national and local celebrity authors; entertainment; live and silent auctions; and of course, books, books, books! And best of all-it is free and open to the public.  Rain or shine, anyone who loves books can enjoy the ABF, which is free for all to attend. There are activities galore for kids: tea parties, Maypole dances, readings, and magic shows. It truly is a magical day for one and all. And in this age of uncertain ec... 04/14/2009

In the MRIS service area  of Maryland, DC,  Northern Virginia and Southern PA, the market continues to show strong buyer interest.  Sales for the last 3month average  are up 16.7% and inventory continues to be down, last 3month average 21.5%. The consumer is still very price sensitive in spite of affordability index in our market area being at 154%. Open house activity is reflecting the consumers' selectivity.  They view properties on the Internet, and then decide which properties they will visit based on price and value.  Two properties in close proximity will get very different traffic based on how they are priced.  Buyers are not driving around searching for random open houses to visit; they are selectively identifying properties they have already culled through on the Internet. Open... 04/07/2009

Have we turned a corner? Has the market shifted? Has spring finally arrived? Many indicators suggest that we have turned the corner. There is statistical and anecdotal evidence that a new market is evolving. Pending sales at the end of March in Anne Arundel County were at 697, up 74.7% from February. There were 45.1% more units sold in March than in February. We are seeing multiple contracts and escalation clauses for well priced properties. Homes priced below $400,000 are selling while more expensive properties continue to sit. Across the U.S. there were 3.2 million homes for sale in February, up 2.6% from January. We have a 9.1 month supply of homes nationally and a shadow inventory that is estimated at 700,000 homes. We're not out of the woods yet but were getting there! The S&P/Case... 04/06/2009

In Case You've Been Wondering Who You Are, I Have Some Answers I imagine it's the same with other bloggers, but I find it quite interesting - and instructive - to keep track of who is reading this blog and what you're reading. For one thing, it helps me figure out what sort of information you want more of. (Just for the record, that's a generic WHO - other than subscribers, I can't tell who you are.) So I make it my business to keep track of what pages you're landing on when you come here, and the search terms you use to arrive.  Often there's little surprise - blogging about particular neighborhoods, like South River Colony, always gets lots of traffic. And sometimes, plenty of surprise: I still can't figure out how the person who Googled "sock monkeys for sale in Target" ended up here... 04/03/2009

As the make heats up with buyers, investors are re- engaging too. Many investors recognize that moving some money into real estate and out of equities make sense.   Why? 1.  Great prices and low rates 2.  It is a tangible asset that won't file bankruptcy 3. Won't embezzle 4.  Isn't a Ponzi scheme 5.  It's sticks and bricks   6.  And best yet someone else is paying off the debt!    Investment property has its challenges but in today's economy having investments outside of the equity market makes sense.   I heard a talking head on a cable news station yesterday say "there has never been a better time to buy a home."  The business host went on to say that rates and prices are great and it is an opportunity that the consumer should not miss.  He also said that housing will lead the economy ... 04/02/2009

Get to know the Annapolis, MD area by viewing our high definition videos of the area at http://AnnapolisLandscape.tv New videos recently posted are - Navy - Marine Corps Stadium - The home of Navy football! A Drive Across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Experience what it's like to drive over this 4.3 mile bridge which reaches a height of 186 feet above the Chesapeake Bay's shipping channel which facilitates ocean-going shipping vessels heading to and from Port of Baltimore. St Michaels, MD, A Quaint Village - A visit to the popular eastern shore tourist attraction.   Stay tuned to Annapolis Landscape TV for new HD video  and get to know why Annapolis, MD is a great place to live, or if you just want to visit, please do. You are always welcome in Annapolis! For property inquiries, please e-... 04/01/2009

I took this photo of the Great Blue Heron from my deck overlooking Deep Creek in Annapolis, MD.  For some reason, this gorgeous, patient bird, has chosen this as his perch on a regular basis.  Birding is one of the activities that has drawn me to the area, as Annapolis is surrounded by water and is graced by the Chesapeake Bay and the activities that the water offers.  Living on the water has been a dream of mine since I was a month old.  Today, owning waterfront homes in Annapolis, MD has become much more affordable due to the decline in the market.  Waterfront buyers are able to get into a home where years ago would have been out of reach. If Deep Creek is unfamiliar to you, it is a small, quiet creek off the Magothy River which is off the Chesapeake Bay.  On a weekend on the water, ... 04/01/2009