I'm baffled...100% truly dumbfounded right now.

For the past hour I have been trying to locate a very recent business contact and can't find them ANYWHERE. Keep in mind that this person just sent me an email and we had a wonderful business conversation less than a week ago...and NONE of the information they gave me is in service now.

I have called...out of service. I have emailed...bounced back. I went to the website...error page.

NOTHING...NADA...ZILCH (Strike 3 and you're out buddy, sorry about your luck).

I did Google this person and they have NO information. Of course, I had already made up my mind that if they can't update me within a week they weren't someone I wanted to trust with my friends or families business anyway.

One of the most valuable things I've learned through ActiveRain is to keep visible on Google, Bing and other search engines. The community has been wonderful in giving tools and tutorials that are amazingly simple, easy to follow and most times FREE. I admit that I’m not as visible or active as I could be, but my contact information is ALWAYS up-to-date. Any changes I make anywhere are updated everywhere immediately (OK...within the day).

If you find that you need a place to keep your information handy, I suggest Retaggr. It is amazing in its simplicity, customization and amount of information you can provide.

There are many FREE tools you can use to promote and share your information!





http://www.retaggr.com/page/TammiCopsey

Come visit me, ADD ME and connect with me through any of my social networks!

I was privileged enough to be able to volunteer for this wonderful project!

The recipient is "Boys Hope Girls Hope Baltimore" and the builder is Excel Homes.

To be part of this was a wonderful and rewarding experience! The entire community was in full-on "giving" mode and it was amazing to be a part of it! Watching a community of people come together, every day people coming to the site with donations of water, supplies, massage therapy, their skills and their time...it was priceless! There wasn't a moment that went by that someone didn't drive up to the entrance with an offer to help in some way, large or small...as I was leaving my shift a truck filled with five brick layers drove up to volunteer their skill to get the home completed on time (severe time set backs due to the stormy weather put them way behind schedule). It was an outpouring of love and support that I had never experienced before!

Some of us were lucky enough to be part of the filming and get to meet the cast of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the children of the cast of "Modern Family" (Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould, Ariel Winter). It was interesting to see what goes on "in front of the camera" and to meet many of the people "behind the camera" that make the show come together.

If you find out this show is coming to your area...volunteer. Not only will you end up with the "coveted blue shirt", you will know you helped your community, be part of something much larger than yourself and feel the love that goes into helping others!

You can find more information about the project by following Excel Homes Blog and signing up to be alerted when the epidsode airs!

Who knows...you might even see me on TV :)

Excel Homes Flickr Slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28582827@N04/sets/72157624327162675/show/

Did I get your attention? Well, it's not what you are thinking...

If you know me, you know I’m talking about pool, but if you don’t…let me introduce a little bit more about myself and what makes me who I am. Believe me, it isn’t the game you think it is from watching TV and the movies…it is a fun night out with friends, strangers who become friends and a whole lot of people that love the game!

As many of you already know, I play in the APA - American Poolplayers Association under the Maryland Area APA. The APA is an amateur pool league and is played in bars/taverns/halls/VFWs, etc. around the country on a daily basis. There are leagues every day in almost every city/area in the United States. We all play for the love of the game and the hope to make it to the National Tournament held in Las Vegas, NV.

My “home” location is Cassidy’s Pit Stop (2919 Eastern Boulevard, Middle River, MD) owned by Al Van Gelder. We’ve been shooting there for too many years to count and LOVE the owner, the people and the place. Our pool table is well maintained, we are treated like members of a family and we love the support we get from our home bar! Thanks Al, we really appreciate all you do! My team, On the Lead Lap has been together for almost 12 years in one form or another. Right now our members are: Brian Novak (7), Ed Novak (5), Tammi Copsey (3), Harry Graleski (6), Patricia Graleski (3), Clyde Carter (4), Janet Blethe (3) and Donald Hall (5).

For the past two weekends, we have played in the National Qualifier at The New Green Room (2401 North Point Boulevard, Baltimore, MD). We qualified to play for a chance to get to Las Vegas, but sadly we were not successful. Our team has never made it, but we are hopeful every year to finally “grasp the golden ring”…one day…one day.

If you want to know WHY I love the game, first you need to know what it has taught me about myself…

1. I REALLY am competitive.
2. I thrive under pressure.
3. I can really get into my own head and block out the world around me.
4. I am a team player and thrive on their trust and friendship.
5. I trust my instincts, the first thought is usually the right one.
6. It is possible to learn something new every day.
7. I know how to keep a level head and good posture.
8. I look ahead…you can’t change the past, but you prevent future mistakes.
9. I view the whole playing field (not just the ball in front of me).
10. I look at everyone as the best competitor regardless of skill level or experience.
11. I practice good sportsmanship and value it in others…the spirit of the game!

I play pool to have fun, relax and because I love the intricacies of the sport. I admit it isn’t a bad thing being able to wield a big stick and smack around some unsuspecting balls either *grin*

How does this all fit into real estate? Easy...the 11 things it taught me are all used in real estate/business/life each and every day.

This blog would not be complete if I did not give a special shout out to the wonderful team that beat us...Bleachers (2501 Fleet Street, Baltimore, MD). They were incredibly good sports, incredibly good players and made the pressure of the evening fun! Thanks and I wish you luck...all the way to Vegas!

All Real Estate is LOCAL…

The best advice I can offer a buyer or seller in today’s market is that ALL real estate is LOCAL and CURRENT. This is probably the most affective way to successfully buy or sell real estate today. The nightly news would have you believe their statistics are local, but in truth they are normally a National average.

You need to know that real estate is very local…even HYPER LOCAL. This can mean within your specific subdivision/development, within a specific radius and within a specified period of time.

The harsh reality is that the market is not static…it is constantly changing and localized information on trends in housing from your REALTOR® is the best way to make an informed decision on buying or selling a house.

Do you know what is happening in your zip code, your subdivision or your specific neighborhood? Knowing is half the battle…

Zip Code Statistics for 21236/Perry Hall (January – May 2010)
Average Homes Active on MLS per month 208.4
Average Homes Sold per month 25.4
Average Listing Price $233,480
Average SOLD Price $220,748
List VS. Sold Price 94.6%

(Zip Code Statistics: statistics for a specific zip code and are updated on a monthly basis using all data publicly available regarding housing statistics and closed home sales.)

Absorption Rate

Closed Transactions in Past 5 Months
# of Closed Transactions 127
Homes Sold Per month 25.4
Currently available in the MLS 217
Months Supply of Homes 8.5

(Absorption Rate: The number shows the rate at which the inventory of homes for sale is being sold in a particular area, thus, calling it that area's "absorption rate".)

• 1 to 4 months supply of homes - Seller's Market
• 5 to 6 months supply of homes - Neutral market
• 6 + months supply of homes - Buyer's market

**In 2009, the Absorption Rate was 5.86 months supply of homes = Neutral Market.

Perry Hall 21236 is currently in a Buyer’s market.
Sellers are averaging 94.6% of their asking price.
Average asking price $233,480.
Average Sold Price $220,748.
Current lowest price = $122,500
Current highest price = $550,000

**The figures are for ALL listings in 21236 (including short sales and foreclosures).

If you are not currently signed with or working with another REALTOR® and would like to know the Zip Code Statistics/Absorption Rate for your area, call or email me today!

Copyright 2010 ~ Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Can I carry this? What are carrying costs and why are they important?

Pricing your home to sell...

Overpricing your house for the market is a mistake if you truly want it to sell in a reasonable amount of time and for the best price. One thing most folks don't consider when deciding to price above market value are the carrying costs on the house.

What are your "carrying costs" on the house?

Carrying costs include mortgage, utilities, maintanance, insurance and taxes. A seller must be aware of their carrying costs for maintaining the house while it is for sale.

How long can you afford to carry the cost of these items before you are actually losing any potential profit you would have made?

Let's say the price you want is $150,000 and the market price is $125,000:

$ 1,200 = Mortgage & Insurance
$ 300 = Utilities
$ 50 = Maintenance
$ 280 = Taxes

$ 1,830 = Total per month carrying costs

$1,830 x 2 = $ 3,660
$1,830 x 3 = $ 5,490
$1,830 x 6 = $10,980
$1,830 x 9 = $16,470
$1,830 x 12 = $21,960

$150,000 - $21,960 = $128,040

In one year's time, you have spent almost the entire profit margin you were originally seeking and in a declining market you would be chasing the current market value.

If you are relocating or are under contract/purchasing another home, you need to evaluate your pricing even more carefully. You could be prolonging your purchase in another County/State/Country or you could be faced with the possibility of carrying two mortgages...

How do I avoid the pitfalls of pricing my home?

Understand that real estate is LOCAL and the nightly news is giving you National Statistics that may not apply to your local market. Listen to you REALTOR® when he/she is sharing their knowledge of the local market...their finger is on the pulse. Know that the information your REALTOR® is giving you on pricing is not a reflection on you or your home. You REALTOR® is acting in your best interest by suggesting a price that will get your house sold in your time frame and for the highest amount!

This is why it is crucial to price your home correctly from the start and to consider ALL factors...even those you hadn't thought about!