On Saturday, I hosted a “Photos With Santa” event for my customers…. the turnout was great, the kids enjoyed seeing Santa, and everybody enjoyed seeing the magic of Christmas in the eyes of the little ones.

Here’s a pic of me and Santa, and my seven year old son, Kevin enjoying his visit.  It’s not only a pleasure, but it’s my honor to serve the real estate needs of Northern Virginia, and hosting Santa was just another way for me to show my appreciation to my customers for their loyalty and support.

OK, I confess… I haven’t blogged in quite some time.  But stay tuned!!  I’m turning over a new leaf. 

One theme I’d like to develop with my blog, is if I see an unusual feature to a home, I’d like to point it out!  Like the Tabby House in Marathon Florida, our vacation to Hilton Head this summer turned up another uniqe feature to a home.   This is the Lighthouse Keeper’s House in Tybee Island, GA.  The unusual feature of this home is it’s water system is a cistern water system…. rainwater!!  With salt water all around, and in the low country fresh water is a premium. 

OK, great…….. I’ve blogged, I’m catching up, honest!!  Watch this space, and feel free to post your comments!!

Lighthouse Keepers House, Tybee Island, SC

I recently invited all my former customers to a Washington Nationals game!  A good time was had by all!  We watched the Nat’s battle the Phillies.

We met at my office and traveled by chartered bus directly to the game.  The Nat’s got off to a great start, but their pitching couldn’t hold up to the powerful bats of the Philadelphia Phillies.

 The game was my way of saying "thank you" for the referrals and support my customers have given me over they years.  It’s been not only my pleasure, but my honor to serve the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in Northern Virginia since 1994.

I’d also like to thank everyone who was able to attend!  We all enjoyed seeing the new Nationals Park and the antics of their mascots Screech! and "The Presidents" running the bases… it was a great family event, and I hope to see everybody at the next Client Appreciation Event!

You can go directly to my website www.ClickonSeminars.com or click HERE to quickly navigate to the Seminar page.

As always, I’ve spread the Seminars around to different RE/MAX Allegiance offices to make it more convenient for you! I find many of my clients are months away from a purchase, but are beginning the "just looking" phase of their home search.

Come loaded with your questions… I’m loaded with answers!

SAVE GAS!  I now use GoToMeeting.com technology and can present the Seminar computer to computer… your schedule… your location… YOUR SAVINGS.  Register online with a proposed time or give me a call and we can set up a time which is convenient for both of us.

  While visiting south Florida, we went to the Florida Keys and found a beautiful, natural preserve in Marathon, Florida called Crane Point.  At Crane Point was Adderly House, the second oldest home on the Florida Keys.

Such a treasure!  The preserve is 32 acres, in many respects, how the Keys "were" around the turn of the century.  What facinated me most about the house were the exterior walls… they were constructed using "Tabby"!  Tabby is used like concrete and is made entirely out of burned conch and other shells.  Could you imagine the time and effort that went into building the home!

Adderly House was built in the 1890’s.  Learn more about Adderly House and Crane Point by clicking on www.CranePoint.net.

Although you won’t find any Tabby homes here in Northern Virginia, looks like one of the first green homes!!

 I’ll get asked now and then… Mark, what do you need to bring to a loan application?  Since FHA financing is so popular these days, I thought I’d share this nifty checklist.  Buyers will find that if they are on a salary, and been on their job for a year, it will be smooth sailing.  Underwriting guidelines for mortgage loans get interesting for self employed, commission, or people using overtime pay to calculate their income. 

On the whole, an FHA underwriter will give the borrower the benefit of the doubt, but all buyers need to document their income.

As always, call me if you have any questions…. or need a clear copy of this checklist!!

Hats off to My Colleagues Who Raced for the Cure!!

Many of my fellow agents got up very early this morning to help set up, work the support tents, and walk, jog, and run to show our support for breast cancer survivors and loved one’s who may have lost their battle to this awful cancer.  RE/MAX contributes pink survivor T-shirts and caps, as well as "In celebration of" and "In memory of" back signs and program banners for every race.  At the RE/MAX International convention, RE/MAX breast cancer survivors hold a fund raising fashion show… it’s truly an inspiration.

This year I was a donor, next year I’ll be with ya!!

I’ve posted my June Seminar schedule on my website.  You can bypass my website and go directly to the registration page at www.ClickonSeminars.com

There are four convenient locations:

• Alexandria
• Arlington
• Burke
• Woobdridge

I’ve found first time homebuyers gain a lot from attending the seminar.  The question and answer period is great!  Register today… I look forward to seeing you there!