Stephanie Wardwell Prince William County, VA

How do you communicate?

In real estate it is imperative that we communicate with lots of different people: buyers, sellers, lenders, appraisers, title companies, termite companies, other agents---the list goes on.

We communicate in person and with phones, faxes, e-mails, texts and even social media. The one constant should be “constant communication” with ALL parties.

Whenever I receive an e-mail from another party during negotiations, I always respond to it, if a response is needed. Even if it is “hey---I got it! Thanks!”

I have been in negotiations with a newer agent since Sunday. I sent over items on Monday that needed to be addressed. I didn’t hear back from him until late Wednesday afternoon. That was 2 full days of non-communication.

According to our contracts, “time is of the essence.” As days were not being counted and it was a minor item, I wasn’t too worried about the time. What I was concerned with is that this agent didn’t acknowledge or respond to ANY of the three e-mails that I sent over.

This morning I got two e-mails from the Title (settlement) company sending items over to my buyer and myself congratulating us on our contract. SURPRISE! It was nice of them to communicate this with me right away. The only problem is that we aren't ratified! The listing agent still hasn’t answered my questions OR sent me the items in question. Miscommunication can be as frustrating as lack of communication.

I know—we are all human and forget to do things. But with this agent, this is a common occurrence. Is he doing his client any justice?

So, my question to you is: Are you doing all you can do to communicate with the people you need to be communicating with? I surely hope I am! Taking time today to reflect and to make sure I am!

Over the weekend I had a bittersweet experience. My husband and I moved our oldest daughter out to her first official apartment. (I say first official apartment because your college apartment doesn’t count.) This is her first apartment with a roommate and paying her own way.

It was bittersweet in so many ways. The first being that she is paying rent. Hello—realtor Mom wants her to buy something as an investment and not rent. Well, those of you familiar with the Northern Virginia area know that is unlikely for a 23 year old to buy in Arlington—that is unless she wins the lottery and that hasn’t happened yet.

We rented a 14 foot U-Haul for her and her roommate to share. Thought it might be too big but wanted to err on the side of caution. Both families are military families and have move tons—we moved 7 times in 12 years. We can pack a truck! That truck was packed! It took us 3 hours to pack and 1 hour to unpack! Then it took us 5 hours to put the Ikea furniture together!

All in all, it was a good day! Now the other bitter sweetness sets in. We are now empty nesters! This isn’t the first time for that. We did have a year where both the girls were at James Madison University together. Although, we knew they would both be home at breaks.

The reality now is very different! It is still too soon to tell if I like this or not. Check back with me in a month and I’ll let you know.

We have a FABULOUS farmer's market located in the subdivision of Dale City (it is located on Dale Blvd in between the Giant and Comcast.) Here is a partial list of what is there:

A=apples

B=beans

C=corn on the cob

D=Dips

E=eggplant

F=flower

G=green beans

H=herbs

I=insect control

J=jalapenos

K=kettle corn

L=lettuce

M=meat

N=nuts

O=onions

P-pumpkins

Q=quiche

R=rosemary mint soap

S=squash

T=tomatoes

U=USA---made in the USA!

V=vegetables a-plenty

W=watermelon

X-eXceptional farmers market!

Y=yams

Z=zucchini

I will be there on Sunday! Will you? Say hi, if you see me!!

Today I decided to tell you a little bit about how I became a Realtor. My husband was active duty military for 20 years. We moved 7 times in our first 12 years of marriage-I know, that is a LOT of moving! (It is also a major pain!!) We moved to Woodbridge, VA in Jan of 1998 and have been very fortunate and happy to have stayed here since then.

I always had something to do, other than staying home with my girls. I had a small embroidery business, I sold Longaberger (baskets) for about 5 years, and I sold Stampin' Up! for 11 years (taught people how to rubber stamp by making greeting cards and scrapbooking.) I loved every minute of those jobs, but I knew it wasn't what I was supposed to be doing.

One week I had 5 different signs of real estate that SMACKED me in the face!!! I do believe in signs!

Monday-I had a pop-up on my computer about real estate (back then I didn't get pop-ups!)

Tuesday-my friend called me telling me that they were moving back to the area and asked me if I would go to her home inspection for her since she couldn't get here for it.

Wednesday-I got a post card in the mail from a realtor.

Thursday-a parent from my daughters gym had come in and told me he just past his real estate license test and told me I should be a realtor and that I would be great at it.

By Friday, I had realized all of these signs and told my husband, "I think someone is trying to tell me something with all of these signs!" I also said that if any company had real estate classes on Mon and Wed evening starting at 6pm for the summer months, then I would have to take the class. That time fit my schedule perfectly.

I called Weichert, Realtors first (that was where my gym friend was going to hang his license). They didn't have any classes. My next call was to Coldwell Banker, since they were right down the street. I was told that they had a class starting on Monday. The classes would be on Mon and Wed evening from 6-10pm. I couldn't believe it! I couldn't jump in the car fast enough! I went down there and signed up right then and there!

I passed the real estate test in Sept. of 2002, right after finishing the class, and I haven't looked back! It has been a FABULOUS almost 9 years! I wouldn't trade a single day of it!

I LOVE what I do! Helping people buy and sell their dream homes!!!

Stephanie Wardwell

Keller Williams Realty

703-472-9633 Cell