Simone Bercu, Montgomery Co, MD Real Estate, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, Assoc. Broker

My son, the real estate market skeptic, is now ready to buy a home in the Capital Hill section of Seattle, Washington.

He needs a Capital Hilll, Seattle expert, patient real estate agent to help him navigate the process. He would like to speak with someone who has sold lots of short sales, in the event that such properties are available.

If you fit this description, or know of an agent who would, please contact me, first.

Have you ever thought of getting a RE license for one other state and gave up because you thought it is too complicated a process?

After my daughter moved to Florida, I decided that I should have a Florida license. I did not hesitate and went for it!

At the end of July, I started an online Real Estate course for the Florida license. I have almost completed the 63 hours of reading, exercises quizzes and tests. I am certain it has taken longer than the required hours. When I am done, I can take the state Real Estate test.

Here are the benefits: I can study when it is convenient for me, and do not need to be in Florida for the courses. I can even take the test in DC or MD.

After working as a real estate agents in NY, MD, DC and VA for many years, I find this course very useful. This is a complete review of everything I learned and much of what I have forgotten. The forgotten information is the kind I did not apply in my work. Mostly, the myriad of calculations such as tax rates, payments on notes, etc. I seldom if ever had the reason to deal with it, as the mortgage lenders would handle this aspect with the buyers. I can see how knowing the information would be useful.

I find it refreshing to learn new things and enjoy the moments when I realize the different ways in which we are taught to practice real estate here and the way the Florida tests suggests we should in Florida. One example, is the attitude towards the over priced listing. The correct test answer is: "Do not take it". This is not how we are encouraged to handle such a situation. I would rather educate the clients, instead of giving up on them. But on the test, I will mark the answer they expect.

Another great benefit of this project, is how sharper I feel and how good it feels when I go over the tests and I know the newly learned facts!

If you have thought about acquiring a new license, I would say go for it. You will be glad you did!

Our office got to visit Symphony Park At Strathmore, yesterday. Leslie M. Fitzpatrick, VP of Sales & Marketing at Michael Harris Homes gave us a concise informative presentation on the development.
By the end of her talk, I was ready to buy at least one of the brownstones.

I am familiar with the homes, since I have visited their brownstones at Park Potomac many times.

Seems to me that this community is much better located, it is close to two Metro stops, adjacent to the famous Strathmore Art Center, about a mile from White Flint and its major exciting re-development.

If you are thinking of buying a townhome, can qualify for a $900,000 to $1,800,000 home, this would be a wonderful place to call home.

Right now, the builder is including the optional elevator a $60,000 value and a pricey membership at Strathmore.

I would be very happy to escort you to this community and tell you about all the other great benefits of living in Rockville, Bethesda, and North Bethesda.

My elderly cousin who is alert and informed signed a listing agreement with a broker in Florida, without reading it. She was too busy and distracted with her move to a retirement community. The agent who was not attentive to details, inserted incorrect information, priced the condo too high and did not give an honest opinion of the condo's value to my cousin. Unless, she did not know what was a fair price.

Once my cousin settled in her new place, she read the documents and she has not been happy about the whole thing.

She needs an agent who knows the market to come and give her a price point that is reasonable for this area. My cousin is ready to listen and price it right.

She also wants out of her present agreement, as she does not like the company she is dealing with.

Is there anyone out there who can help her out and guide her in the process?

Today, our Bethesda Garden Club had a picnic and garden tour planned in Jeffersonton, VA. When I heard that the temperature will reach 100 degrees, I was reluctant to participate. I listed all the business activities I need to accomplish and was adamant about staying in town.

In the morning, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and decided to take the two hour trip into the VA country side. I was glad I did.

This was a true vacation from work, because I forgot my phone, something I never do! It was great not getting calls and dealing with all the calls at once, when I got back.

For anyone visiting VA and interested in plants, be it flowers, ornamental bushes, and grasses, this would be an interesting way to spend a few hours. You would need to make an appointment with the owner Bob Wollam at Wollam Gardens. http://www.wollamgardens.com/