Monica McNamara

Diversify...Sharing Ownership

I see an emerging trend in my resort market place. Multiple buyers are getting together to buy their beach property in Ocean City Maryland.

The first very hot trend I am seeing are different family members pooling their monies together to buy a 2^nd home at the beach. The second new trend I see appearing are groups of 2,3 or more couples or individuals, that enjoy common interests like golf, boating, or a cooking club, that plan their time together at their shared vacation condo.

Many families that I have worked with have told me that it's difficult to get all their kids and grandkids together. They found by buying a place at the beach, that it created a wonderful opportunity for them to spend more time together, and it was in a fabulous location. Both groups expressed their happiness with having a great get away, and they love the fact that they are sharing the expenses with others.

All of the family and friends that I have worked with see a fabulous other side to buying real estate as a group. They have structured an affordable investment for themselves, and have the tax advantages that owning real estate brings. I see both of these trends becoming more and more popular. It is a great plan for many purchasers.

If you have questions about buying or holding real estate in a group, give me a call. I'll be happy to help.

YOU BUY INTO FEAR, YOU SELL INTO GREED…That is what smart investors do….

I wrote this article for my Real Town blog site. Please click on the link below to see the whole story.

I think it is extremely important for sellers in today's market to price their home or condo correctly to get it into the SOLD column.

http://www.realtown.com/MonicaMcNamara/blog/sellerquestions/home-sellers

Just because the Summer months are over doesn't mean that the fun stops at the beach in Ocean City, MD....
Quite the contrary. The weather is still mild, the crowds have thinned and a whole host of family activities are going on for you to enjoy!
Take a look at what's happening from Labor Day until the end of October. You won't want to miss a thing!

OCEAN CITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS (August through October)

August 30-31
Labor Day Weekend Concerts
N. Division St. Beach
Enjoy free concerts on the beach. Bring a blanket or chair & enjoy the holiday weekend beside the ocean. Sat. & Sun., 8 p.m. 800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).
August 30: Dr. K's Motown Revue, performing all the Motown classics.
August 31: Separate Ways, the Journey tribute show.

September 2-October 31
Delmarva Needle Art Show & Competition
Julia A. Purnell Museum, 208 W. Market St.
Snow Hill
Popular exhibit of regional needle art including quilts, embroidery & more. Admission. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com.

September 5
Art Exhibit Opening
502 94th St. bayside
The Art League of Ocean City presents drawings and paintings of “Cityscapes and Seascapes.” Exhibit runs through September 28. Opening reception September 5 from 5-7 p.m. with free admission and complimentary refreshments. www.artleagueofoceancity.org. 410-524-9433.

September 11-14
Delmarva Bike Week
Ocean City Area
Motorcycle industry leaders gather with more than 200 vendors & 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts for four days of rides, fun, games, contests & free concerts. Thurs.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bruce Bennett. www.delmarvabikeweek.com.

September 12-14
Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
14k, sterling jewelry, pearls, beads, loose stones, remounts, repairs & more. Admission. Fri., noon-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Barbara Haney, 804-746-7663.

September 18-19
Sandcastle Home Tour
Ocean City Area
Unique Ocean City area homes on display in this popular annual event. Thurs.& Fri. Tickets required. 410-524-9433. www.artleagueofoceancity.org.

September 18-21
Sunfest
Inlet Lot
Headline Entertainers Scheduled:
Thurs Sept 18 at 8pm The Platters, The Marvelettes, and Cornell Gunter's Coasters
ticket prices are $20, $15, & $10
Fri Sept 19 at 8pm Rodney Atkins
ticket prices are $39, $34, $30, $20
Sat Sept 20 at 8pm The Commodores
ticket prices are $45, $40, $35, $30, $20, $15

Ocean City’s biggest & best festival. Fine art, distinctive crafts, performers on two stages & a variety of food vendors including gourmet delights & Eastern Shore specialties. Fall children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, hayrides & inflatables on the beach. Try your luck at the Adler’s Treasure Hunt. Free continuous entertainment with the exception of ticketed evening headline entertainers. Tickets available on Ticketmaster.com. 800-551-7328 or Convention Center Box Office Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.. Sunfest hours, Thurs.- Sat., 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Accommodations & Information: 800-OC-OCEAN. (800-626-2326).
Ride the bus to Sunfest by using satellite parking or West Ocean City Park & Ride. The shuttle from Park & Ride is only $1 all day & parking is free.

September 19-21
Sunfest Kite Festival
On the Beach, 1st St. – 6th St.
Bring the family & let your spirits soar! Enjoy three days filled with spectacular kite flying. Thousands of spectators travel to see master kite flyers from around the world showcase their aerial displays of art. Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Jay Knerr, 410-289-7855. www.kiteloft.com.

September 19-21
Berlin Fiddlers Convention
Main St., Berlin
Annual event begins Friday evening with a free concert, continues through the acoustic music competition on Saturday & ends with Sunday morning Bluegrass Gospel Jam. Also crafters & food. 410-641-4775. www.berlinmdcc.org.

September 26-27
Winefest on the Beach
Inlet Parking Lot
Wineries from across the Mid-Atlantic region. Arts & crafts, Chesapeake cuisine, live music, microbeers. Admission. Fri. & Sat., noon.-7 p.m. Chris Noke. www.winefest.com.

October 3
Family Campfire on the Beach
130th St. on the Beach
Bring your family for a night of fun with a good old-fashioned campfire. Entertainment storytelling, music & refreshments. S’mores & hot chocolate offered. Bring your beach blankets, warm clothes & the whole family for a night out on the beach. Friday. Kim Kinsey,410-250-0125.

October 4
Mid-Atlantic Symphony
Community Church at Ocean Pines, Rt. 589
Opening concert to begin exciting 2008-09 season. Admission. Saturday. Concert begins 7:30 p.m.; pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Andrea Barnes, 888-846-8600. www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

October 4
Free State Corvette Weekend
Inlet Parking Lot
A weekend of corvette enthusiasts with proceeds from event going to Maryland charities. Car Show at 9 a.m. Saturday followed by boardwalk parade later in the day. Last year over 700 cars participated in the weekend. 410-590-5630. www.freestatecorvette.com.

October 4-5
Chesapeake Celtic Festival
Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum
Snow Hill
Border Collies, music & dance on three performance areas, pipe bands, clan booths, lectures, Celtic marketplace & food court. Admission. Sat. & Sun., 11a.m.-5:30 p.m. Kathy Fisher, 410-632-2032. www.celticfest.net.

October 4-5
Coins, Currency and Treasures Coin Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Dealers buying and selling coins and currency. Free admission. Sat., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. ceocoins@comcast.net. www.coinbrowser.com.

October 5-12
Ocean City Restaurant Week ~ A Culinary Experience
www.oceancityrestaurantweek.com
During the week, many spectacular restaurants will offer a delicious fixed-price three course menu for just $30 and/or a two course menu for $20 (tax, gratuity and alcohol not included). No passes, tickets or coupons are required. Instead, diners may simply visit their favorite participating restaurants.

October 9-12
11th Annual Endless Summer Cruisin’
Inlet Parking Lot
Hot rod car show features more than 1,500 customs, muscle cars, classics & more. Live entertainment, vendor midway, boardwalk parades & special attractions. Admission. Thurs.-Sat., 9 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Jack Hennen, 410-798-6304. www.oceancitycarshows.com.

October 10-12
Oktoberfest
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Eat, drink & be merry with schnitzels, wursts & barrels of bier. Three full days of continuous entertainment including Jolly Joe & the Bavarians, the Pennsylvania Villagers, Enzian Volkstanzgruppe Dancers & more. Admission includes craft show. Fri. 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.- 11:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mike Wicklein/Starr George. www.oceanpromotions.info. oceanpromotions@beachin.net.

October 10-12
Oktoberfest Art & Craft Fair
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Oktoberfest in the traditional German style is complemented by over 100 exhibitors displaying holiday items, gifts, fine art & more. Admission includes Oktoberfest. Fri., 11:30 a.m.– 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. –6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mike Wicklein/Starr George. www.oceanpromotions.info. oceanpromotions@beachin.net.

October 11
Harbor Day at the Docks ~ a Waterfront Heritage Festival
Saturday, October 11th 10am - 5pm
Centered around the commercial fishing harbor, this event showcases Ocean City's maritime traditions of commercial and sport fishing. This free event includes seafood cooking demos, fish cleaning techniques, survival suit contests, fishtales storytelling, children's activities,live entertainment and more. For more info, 1-800-626-2326.

October 11
Fiberfest
Julia A. Purnell Museum
208 W. Market St., Snow Hill
Annual textile festival includes vendors with handcrafted items, exhibits, children’s activities, animals & more. Festival & museum admission free. Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com.

October 12
Phillips Dinner Annual Seafood Dinner
21st Street and Philadelphia Ave
Ocean City
On Sunday, October 12, 2008, Shirley and Brice Phillips will host the 41st Annual Atlantic United Methodist Church Dinner at Phillips Crab House located on 21st Street and Philadelphia Ave. in Ocean City, MD. Mr. & Mrs. Phillips carry on this tradition, which was founded by Ethel Kelley, the mother of former Mayor Harry Kelley, in 1953. Mrs. Kelley, the original owner of the Beach Plaza Hotel, began the fundraising dinner over 50 years ago, donating all proceeds to Atlantic United Methodist Church.
The dinner will be served on the first level of Phillips Crab House on 21st Street and Coastal Highway. The event will be held from 1 – 7 p.m at a very reasonable cost for both adults and children. The Phillips will be serving their famous vegetable crab soup, crab imperial, baked ham, fried chicken, dessert, beverages and all of the trimmings. Take out will also be available.
The event’s proceeds are donated by the Phillips Family to Atlantic United Methodist Church.

October 24-26
Coastal Style Luxury Living Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
The luxury lifestyle of the Mid-Atlantic region is celebrated during this inaugural event featuring exhibitors from across Eastern Shore displaying and selling their goods and services. Coastal Style Magazine showcases exhibitors in fields of home décor and fine furniture, pools and spas, outdoor living and landscaping, luxury automobiles, kitchens and baths, art, home construction and renovation and many more. Special attractions throughout this three-day event include cooking competitions and demonstrations, informative seminars, antique appraisals, prize giveaways and more.
Admission. Fri., 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 410-213-9491. www.CoastalStyleMag.com.

October 25
Seaside 10 Mile & 5k Run
Ocean City
Runners from around the country enjoy this fall run through Ocean City. Complete the 10-mile race or the 5K Fun Run. Come dressed for Halloween & compete for special awards. Saturday. Both races begin at 9 a.m. 410-250-0125. 800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).

October 26
Halloween Spook-out Party
Northside Park Complex, 125th St. & Bay
Participants of all ages can have a howling good time with events that include carnival games, arts & crafts, hayrides, snacks & much more. Costume contests scheduled throughout the event. Sunday. Entrance fee is one single wrapped bag of candy per child. Kim Kinsey, 410-250-0125. www.ococean.com/seandfe.html.

October 28
Julia A. Purnell’s Birthday Party
Julia A. Purnell Museum,
208 W. Market St., Snow Hill
Free admission & refreshments, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com

*Event dates and times subject to change. Please call 1 800-626-2326 to confirm events before traveling long distances and making plans. Compiled by the Department of Tourism, Town of Ocean City, MD. 410-289-2800.

I want to share an article that was written about me in Ocean City Today.  It appeared on Friday, Aug 22, 2008.

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As the online worlds of social and business networking draw closer together, the merger has resulted in more than a few awkward encounters.                                                            

Realtor Monica McNamara would know.

"My kids were shocked when I asked them to be my friend on Facebook," she said. "They said, ‘We don't know that you should be on here, mom.'"

But McNamara, an agent with Coldwell Banker on 104th Street, has become determined to build her online presence. She recently won the Real Town/Inman Connect Blog Contest for her first post on her real estate blog and has become more and more interested with online networking as a way to attract new customers and build a wider clientele.

But even with her rapid success, McNamara said, she is just now catching up to many Realtors who see blogs, particularly those that mix the commercial and the personal, as the marketing strategy of the future.

McNamara's blog, www.RealTown. com/MonicaMcNamara/blog, is on the Real Town platform, a site devoted to Realtors and the real estate business.

Her posts track her personal experiences as an agent, as well as featuring her commentary on statistics and industry trends. McNamara's award-winning post is titled, "What I Would Want if I Were a Buyer."

The idea, according to McNamara, is to build a relationship with potential customers who are looking online for real estate information. 

"Before [the buyer] actually approaches an agent or wants to see a property, they feel like they've developed a rapport with you," she said. "They've heard your voice through the blog."

Any way to make yourself more visible or familiar to potential buyers gives you an edge, McNamara said.

"I get a lot of Google Alerts, to see what tags and such make your name come up more," she said. "It's very interesting to look at the background strategy."
And it's a strategy that seems to be working. McNamara was recently contacted by a soldier stationed in Iraq who found her through the blog. The serviceman will soon be returning stateside to work with the Ocean City Police Department and wants McNamara to find him a house.

As her prize for winning the contest, Inman, a real estate news service, sent McNamara to a conference in San Francisco devoted entirely to making online connections in real estate.

"When I was at the conference, people would have RSS feeds down the side of their screens, tracking who's posting what and commenting to whom," McNamara said. "Not four or five feeds, but dozens, on a loop down the side of the screen."

"I got to know a lot of people who had all the background knowledge, adding all these bells and whistles to their blog, widgets and gadgets that I'm just beginning to learn about," McNamara said. "They just had that down."

McNamara said that many at the conference, particularly those from the West Coast, saw Internet networking changing in two ways -  the preference seemed to be for blogs with formats that allowed for brief but rapid pieces of information, and ones that mixed personal connections with business ties.

"It's a matter of instant gratification," McNamara said. "People want pictures, videos, and snippets of language, not as much long verbage."

But for McNamara, the only option is to keep learning.

"I think you've got to stay along this track, or very soon you won't be generating new customer leads," she said. "Any industry is always looking to please the consumer, and if this is how the consumer wants to become aware, then it's what we'll do."