Local School Full of Good Character

The Oakwood Elementary School in Glen Burnie not only teaches math, reading and other basics.  It also teaches students how to be good people, says an article in the Maryland Gazette.

As a result, Oakwood has been named one of 50 finalists for the National School of Character Award, sponsored by the national Character Education Partnership.  Finalists were chosen from 140 candidates across the country, and Oakwood is the only school in Maryland to be selected.  The school will be competing with 40 public schools, five charter schools, three private schools, and two school districts.

In 2005, the school started a Character Education program, which teaches positive character traits to students through all elements of the curriculum. During the first four years of the program, trips to the office by misbehaving students dropped by 90 percent. Teachers say that the kids are kinder to each other.  This creates fewer disruptions and allows the focus to be on learning.

Each month, a new character trait is presented, such as courage.  Students might then read a story and write a paper about how the character displayed courage.  If students display their own good character by performing a good deed, they are recognized during morning announcements and with their names posted in the school’s main hallway. Both teachers and other students can recognize a good deed.

Teachers, parents, and students agree that character building is just as important as learning addition or spelling.

The award winners will be announced in May, with winners being recognized in October at the 18^th Annual National Forum on Character Education.

Go Oakwood!

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

The “Ins and Outs” of Home Inspections

Whether you’re buying a lovely old “fixer-upper” in Silver Spring or brand-new construction in Rock Creek Forest, you need a home inspection inside and out.

Knowing what repairs need attention allows you to negotiate them into your offer, and the seller may then pay for some or all of the fixes. Or you can decide to keep looking. From the RealtyTimes website, here is some general information on inspections.

A home inspection will vary with the kind of property you are buying.  According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), a standard inspection will cover the following areas:

·         Heating and central air systems

·         Interior plumbing

·         Electrical systems

·         Roof, attic, and visible insulation

·         Walls, floors, ceilings

·         Doors and windows

·         Foundation and basement

·         Structural components

However, if an issue is hiding under yard debris, plants, or snow, the inspector is not required to move those things and isn’t liable for missing the hidden problem. Nor are inspectors required to identify latent defects or to check systems not readily accessible. It’s also worth knowing that inspectors do not have to note potentially harmful plants or animals such as termites and molds.

Remember that you don’t have to reject a house just because it needs repairs. Every house needs something. You must decide what you can spend and/or how much work you want to do.

The bottom line is to find an inspector you trust and who is ASHI licensed, so that every issue that can be identified, whether in or out, will be spotted and noted. This will give you peace of mind as you make one very large investment.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

For Earth Day, Flowers and Rain Gardens in Chevy Chase

As they have for the past 15 years, volunteers from the Chevy Chase Citizens’ Association have made things a little more colorful by planting flowers in tree boxes along the streets of Chevy Chase.  While it’s a nice touch for Earth Day, the Association actually keeps up the tree boxes throughout the year, says the Chevy Chase Patch.

At the same time, volunteers with the Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment (FORCE) were sprucing up a community rain garden that they planted three years ago. As in the tree boxes, rain garden plants help filter toxins out of the water that seeps into the ground—toxins that would otherwise flow to Chesapeake Bay. They also help lessen runoff water to the street during torrential rain storms.

The executive director of FORCE is encouraging Chevy Chase residents to also pick up litter lying in or near street gutters because when it rains this trash can run through the storm drain system and into Rock Creek.

Homeowners can check out this information on FORCE’s website to learn what specific things they can do to make their homes a little greener for Earth Day. There are also volunteer opportunities to help protect Rock Creek.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.

Will an Open House Help You Sell Your Rock Creek Forest Home?

The “For Sale” sign is up; you’ve got a great agent; the house is in lovely Rock Creek Forest. So now it’s time to schedule the Open House. But will it help? According to the AOL Real Estate  website, there are several things to consider for a productive open house.

Statistics show that 95 percent of potential buyers will visit an open house within three months of making a decision.  However, so too will many “browsers” who aren’t looking to buy right away. But even those who just peruse can be helpful by providing positive and negative reactions to various aspects of the home which you as the seller can then enhance or correct.

To make an open house productive, be sure to schedule it when convenient for working folks and parents, typically on a weekend. Hold the open house with regular frequency so if interested buyers miss one weekend they can come back on the next one.  And be sure to have a friendly, knowledgeable real estate agent on site who can tell potential buyers about the house and the local real estate market.

Rather than hopping in their cars, potential buyers now use the Internet for “virtual drive-bys.” So how you present your Rock Creek Forest home online will impact the success of your open house.  Consider photos, videos, virtual tours, and even a separate web site for the home, but remember to leave some things for the buyers to discover only when inside the house.

When would you ever skip an open house? Generally it’s not a good choice if 1) the property needs work and it’s dangerous to be inside or 2) there are tenants living there.

Even though an open house leads to a sale only about one-third of the time, it’s still worth the effort.  You’ll get feedback on your home’s good and bad points and will have people talking to others about your house—and who doesn’t want free advertising?  Used properly, the open house can be a valuable selling tool.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Mynor Herrera Joins Keller Williams Realty as a Partner!

It is with great pleasure that I announce my new position as a Realtor AND Partner with Keller Williams – Capital Properties’ new downtown Bethesda office!

The long-term benefits of my association with such a dynamic and successful group of Realtors will greatly enhance the service I provide to my clients. Keller Williams - Capital Properties came on to the scene five years ago and quickly became the number one residential real estate office in DC.

This same group is opening a new office with four partners, three of which were former number one producing Realtors in their respective brokerages. I am one of those four and I couldn’t be happier at the opportunity to elevate my practice to an even higher level with a new group of such accomplished Realtors.

 

Of course, I will continue to provide the same knowledgeable and passionate service. I am also confident that my new company with its 80,000 plus agents, along with my accomplished partners, will help push me to provide even better service to my clients!

Thank you as always for your support! I look forward to being of continued service to you, and your friends and family. I also hope you will enjoy the benefits of my new position within the number two real estate brokerage in the country!

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Popular Pay-by-Cell Parking Meter Program Expands

Hey East Bethesda! Cell phones can now be used to pay for parking at 5,250 County parking meters in Bethesda. By summer, the program will be expanded to include meters in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Montgomery Hills and North Bethesda – for a total of 11,000 parking meters.

To use pay-by-cell, first-time patrons register for the program once by going online anytime to www.mc.goparknow.comor calling 301-830-7074. Parkers set up an account and indicate which credit card will be used for the parking charges.
 

The step-by-step instructions, printed on each meter, direct parkers to:

• Use a cell phone to call 301-830-7074.
• Or, send a text message to 32075.
• Follow the phone/text prompts to enter the meter location number (located on the meter decal).
• Select the amount of time desired for parking. 

The patron then receives voice and text messages confirming the start of the parking session. A 35-cent transaction fee will be charged in addition to the parking fee.

The new parking system provides many conveniences to parkers. Those who use pay-by-cell will get a text message reminder that their parking time is about to expire. Patrons can extend parking time remotely and view transactions online. Parkers can stop a parking session upon returning to a vehicle, so they only pay for the parking time they have used.

For more information on the pay-by-cell initiative, or to register for an account, go to the Division of Parking’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot.

Edible Gardening in Montgomery County

If you’re a gardener in Bethesda or other Montgomery neighborhoods, plan to attend an upcoming program to benefit Brookside Gardens and the Montgomery Parks’ community gardens program.

According to an article on the Gazette website, Rosalind Creasy, a garden and food writer, will speak at Brookside Gardens on April 28 to talk about edible plants for local home gardens. 

A plant sale will follow the presentation offering things such as standard vegetables and herbs as well as spices and ornamental edibles—plants grown for both decoration and food.  All the proceeds of this sale will help the community gardens program to purchase necessary items.

The number of area gardeners is sprouting, having doubled from 400 members last year to about 600 this year, and the community gardens have gone from one in 2009 to 10 in 2011 with plots still available in Rockville and North Silver Spring.

Here are the details of the Special Evening with Rosalind Creasy.

Date:  Thursday, April 28, 2011

Time:  6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Place: 1800 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton

Price:  $35.00

The plant sale dates are April 28 and 30.  Plan to attend this informative and fun program to benefit our local community gardens!

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Home Refinancing Options After a Divorce

If you think that refinancing is the only way to remove an ex-spouse’s name from a mortgage, it’s not. According to a recent New York Times article, there is another, little-known but viable option which costs only about three to six percent of the outstanding loan principle.

It’s called Release of Liability, where the former spouse signs a quit-claim deed that gives up his or her claim to the home. So whether you’re in Rosemary Hills or any other neighborhood, read on for more information.

And although signing the quit-claim deed takes the former spouse’s name off the title, it doesn’t remove it from the mortgage. To execute an actual Release of Liability, lenders will charge from $300 to $1,000 and may impose an additional nonrefundable application fee of $250 to $500--substantial amounts, but still less than the costs involved in a complete refinancing.

Having a name removed from the mortgage can benefit both parties in the divorce. If your former spouse was behind on debts, a lien might be placed on the home. Likewise, if you were behind on the mortgage, it could hurt your ex-spouse’s credit.

Be aware that not all lenders offer this option and those that do will check your credit to ensure that you meet minimum credit scores and that you are current on the monthly mortgage payments. They may also require that other investors agree to this deal. If you can prove you can handle the monthly payments on your own, the lender may be agreeable. However, if you currently owe more on the home than it’s worth, this is not an alternative for you.

If you’re a qualified borrower and your current lender won’t perform the Release of Liability, you might change their mind by stating that you’ll just work through another lender.  It may take several inquiries, but chances are you’ll find someone who will execute this for you. Divorce is hard enough, so it’s worth knowing all the options to help make some transitions as easy as possible.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Landscaping Makes a Difference

I was reading through some of my company's resources and came across a little piece I thought was interesting, especially for my Rock Creek Forest and Rosemary Hills friends. Take a read and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

 

Landscaping really does make a difference – both positively and negatively. Not only does a well-landscaped home have a higher perceived value than one with a plain lawn, but one with a minimal landscaping effort actually can detract from a home’s value. 

Luckily, landscaping projects don’t have to cost a lot and should be seriously considered by any homeowners planning to put their home on the market. 

Here are a few tips to get you started on developing a landscaping plan:

• Start by measuring your property and then sketching out a basic layout, including all of the areas where you would like to add landscaping and make improvements. Once that is done, you can add costs to each and see how much can reasonably be accomplished given your budget.

• Be practical when deciding on your plan. While they might not sound glamorous, sensible improvements such as irrigation, fencing, lighting, equipment storage, privacy, and security can protect your property value far more than a formal garden with walls and water features.

• Consider enlisting the help of a professional who can help you best allocate your landscaping dollars - I, of course, have referrals. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations, especially those whose yards you admire.
   
  Enjoy the spring! As always, please contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Movie Magic Experience

Recently I held a client appreciation movie event that offered free tickets, popcorn and candy at Mazza Gallerie in Washington, DC. About 40 clients attended and I want to thank each and every one of you for your business, referrals and for joining me for a wonderful afternoon.

I truly enjoy selling real estate and I am thankful for my clients. Now that we've gotten the business out of the way, I hope to enjoy the company of my clients for many years to come at events such as these.

Here are some great pictures with a couple of my favorite clients...though they are not all here. :-) 

     

     

                      

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

How to Win at Insurance Rate Roulette

For current homeowners as well as those looking to buy in Rosemary Hills or elsewhere, the right kind of home insurance is critical. A recent article on the MSN Real Estate website offers some things to consider when purchasing home insurance. In all cases, it’s important to talk with your insurance agent for more details.

1.   Mother Nature – If your home is or will be located where there can be hurricanes, mudslides, wildfires, or other natural disasters, you will likely pay more for insurance. You’ll be forced to use a small, high-risk insurer who could charge you three times more than average.

2.   Check Above and Below – A roof that hasn’t been updated in 25 years might also mean more for coverage. On the flip side, a new roof constructed of impact-resistant material could score you a discount of up to 20 percent. Just like the roof, outdated plumbing can cost you while newer systems can mean savings.

3.   Electrical Systems – While you don’t need a brand new electrical system for a good insurance rating, it still must have been updated during the past 25 years so it meets current codes, i.e. circuit breakers versus fuses.

4.   Location of Fire Department and Hydrants – If you’ll be living over five miles from a fire station and/or hydrants, expect to pay from 20 to 240 percent more depending on the distance. There are a few insurers who will instead calculate rates by how many fire loss claims have been submitted for a neighborhood, so ask your agent.

5.   The Neighborhood – Even if you’re buying a brand new Rosemary Hills house, you’ll pay more if your neighbors have recently filed claims for theft or other issues. Talk to your agent for details about the home’s location.

6.    Age of the Home – New homes have new utilities which can lead to hefty rate discounts, sometimes up to 30 percent. Be aware, however, that your discounts will decrease by 1 or 2 percent per year as your home ages.

7.   Home Maintenance – A well-maintained home will obviously have fewer issues and so cost less to insure. Early in the buying process, ask the current owners for a comprehensive loss underwriting exchange which is a history of the home’s insurance claims.  A home with a bad history could mean little or no insurance coverage.

8.   Home Security – Systems that automatically call the security company can get you a 5 to 10 percent discount, as can living in a gated community. However, lack of visibility to neighbors actually costs more. For insurers, visibility reduces risk.

9.   Swimming Pool – If it’s empty, you’ll have to cover or fill it and ensure that it is surrounded by a good fence with a locking gate. Otherwise, no coverage.

Because the insurance industry has changed so much in recent years, there’s really no way to guess at what your rates might be without asking an agent. But knowing these factors could help you focus on what can cost you versus save you money on your current or new home.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Job Opportunity for My Great Clients!

 

As many of your know, I had a successful Public Relations career before venturing into real estate. As such, I still get the occasional lead on great job opportunities such as the one listed below. 

Enjoy! I hope it helps one of my clients...or a future client/home-owner in Bethesda or Chevy Chase! :-)

WANTED: Sr. Public Affairs Writer. 

A communications firm located in the Washington, DC-metro area, currently seeks an experienced and talented public affairs writer for the position of Senior Writer.  The Senior Public Affairs Writer performs and project manages a variety of creative, writing, and analytical responsibilities, including the development of all written content (electronic and print) needed to support client advocacy campaigns.  The successful candidate must be able to support creation of written communications for a wide range of vehicles, such as websites, social media, online advertising, direct mail, earned media (op-eds and LTEs), issue fact sheets and white papers, issue marketing collateral, and so on.  The writer also works with the Director of Communications Programs to deploy internal and external writing resources as needed and collaborates extensively with design resources and other departments to ensure high-quality, timely execution. SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Writing/Editing Skills: ·         Minimum 2 - 5 years professional writing experience, with at least one year spent in the public affairs/advocacy field ·         Experience working in a variety of styles and formats, including web and social media content, issue advertising, brochures and direct mail, newsletters, earned media ghostwriting, presentations, and white papers/issue backgrounders ·         Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in communications, particularly the use of social media as a communications channel ·         Demonstrated ability to execute messaging strategy in a variety of online and print communication vehicles ·         Expertise in editing the work of other writers to achieve a cohesive voice General Knowledge/Skills: ·         Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal/written communication skills, with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, maintain quality, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and effectively present and communicate messaging strategy and execution approach ·         Ability to manage multiple, often-conflicting deadlines; establish and negotiate timelines; and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work ·         Knowledge of the political cycle, legislative calendar, and policy-making process ·         Experience working with established policy sources/research repositories (e.g. CBO, GAO, OIG, and think tanks), as well as recognized mainstream and new media sources to support campaign communications ·         Ability to bring new ideas and innovations to the Communications Team and work to expand standards and best practices as the team/company evolves ·         Ability to work efficiently and assist other team members as needed ·         Expertise in and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required ·         Basic knowledge of HTML, desktop publishing applications, social networking tools, and online communications platforms beneficial ·         Willingness to adapt to the cyclical nature of public affairs work Interested? Drop my name when contacting Nancy DiSciullo at 202-363-4100 or nancy@careerprofiles.com  Good luck!

Park in Silver Spring Possible Site for New Bethesda-Chevy Chase Middle School

In a few years, students in Bethesda and Chevy Chase will have a new middle school, possibly on the site of the current Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Local Park in Silver Spring.  According to an article on the Gazette web site, the park was chosen from among ten sites as the best location for the new school by a committee of parents, teachers, community leaders and government officials. Though many local neighbors feel that there was little to no neighborhood input.

With 17 acres, the park boasts playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields, and a picnic area, which would all be shared with the school. The park also houses the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center, which could be an excellent location for after-school activities. And because the park is situated in a neighborhood, it’s hoped that many of the children will be able to walk to the new school.

If built, the school will hopefully help with the current overcrowding at Bethesda’s Westland Middle School, and it will mean that all sixth-grade students move into a middle school.

Plans for the school should be ready this fall so they can be part of the Fiscal 2013-2018 Capital Improvements Plan. In reality, though, it will be many years before the school is completed and opened, as it still needs to be approved and funded. But it looks very much like things will all work in favor of Silver Spring as the final site for what is a much-needed new school. However, the local residents will push hard to have a say in the process and possible design.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.