Enjoy Gracious Living in Scenic Harwood, Maryland

Satisfy your yearning for wide open spaces with this gracious country home in scenic Harwood, Maryland. Gracefully surrounded by 2.23 lush acres of rolling green lawn and mature trees, this charming home at 4521 Polling House Road provides a peaceful oasis from the hectic bustle of the workday world. In this lovely home you can enjoy gracious country living within an easy commute of Annapolis and Washington DC. As you head home to your country estate in scenic Anne Arundel County, Maryland, you'll feel the cares of the world slipping away.

Beautiful vistas surround this gracious home. You'll fall in love with the wonderful deep front porch of this well-cared for colonial, perfect for sipping iced tea while listening to the crickets and cicadas in the evening. Relax or sun bathe on the spacious, new rear deck which overlooks a large, lush green yard and stately trees.

Large enough for all your family's needs, this fabulous home has large, spacious rooms, 4 bedrooms, including one on the main floor, and 2 full and 1 half baths. In excellent condition, this well-cared for home is ready for you to move into with new carpeting and new paint. You'll love the traditional colonial styling with its beautiful accents and attention to detail. When it's too nippy to be outdoors, cozy up in front of the fireplace. You can almost smell the aroma of cookies baking in the charming country kitchen. And with a large work island and lots of counter space and floor area, you'll have plenty of room for several cooks in the kitchen when preparing family meals or entertaining a crowd. The unfinished basement allows maximum versatility. Its high ceilings and walkout into the yard make it a great location for a game room or recreation room. You're only limited by your imagination.

This lovely home in Harwood, Maryland offers the best of both worlds, gracious country living close to all the amenities of the city, says realtor John Day. Just click the post title to take a virtual tour of this beautiful home, then contact John Day to schedule your private viewing. John Day is a top performer with prestigious Long & Foster Realtors. John has the experience, knowledge and expertise to help you find your dream home in Maryland and the Greater Washington DC Area. Visit John's website to take a virtual tour of this exciting home in Harwood, Maryland and to check out other listings in the area. Then call John today. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

John Day Shares Valuable Tips in Savvy Home Buyer's Guide

It may be a buyer's market but there are still plenty of pitfalls out there for the novice home buyer. Experienced realtor John Day has created an online guide for home buyers of savvy tips from the experts. A compilation of excellent articles by real estate experts, the free Buyer's Guide is easily printed so you can refer to this valuable information time and again during your housing search. Just click the post title to go to John Day's Buyer's Guide now.

In creating the Buyer's Guide, John Day has drawn on his years of experience in real estate as a top performer with prestigious Long & Foster Realtors. His knowledgeable guide covers everything a buyer needs to know from Things Not to Do Before Buying a Home to Agreeing on Title and Service Providers. There's plenty of useful information for experienced home buyers too that will bring you up-to-date on current market practices, including How Your Financing Details Affect Your Offer.

Read the valuable information in his Buyer's Guide, then visit John Day's excellent website to browse real-time listings. Properties appear in John's Homes Buy Day database within 5 minutes of entry in the Multiple Listing Service network! If you're buying a home in the Maryland or Washington DC Metro Area, you'll want John Day by your side. John has the knowledge and expertise to find you the home you want and negotiate the best price. A tough negotiator, you can count on John to tell you when to raise, when to call the seller's bluff, and when to walk away. He won't waste your time or your money. If you want to find your dream house and get the best possible price, contact John Day now. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

Bursting Housing Bubble a Boon for Buyers

"Pop goes the housing bubble," said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors in an Associated Press article by Martin Crutsinger. (Click the post title to read the entire article in the Columbus Dispatch.) For the fifth straight month, housing sales fell and Naroff predicted prices will "tumble even further as home sellers struggle to compete with a record glut of unsold homes."

Home sales are 12.6% off last year's pace with record inventories clogging the market. The national median selling price of $225,000 is down 1.7% from last August's 5-year peak. Industry leaders expect prices to continue falling as sellers adjust prices downward to reflect the inventory glut.

For buyers, the bubble burst sounded more like a champagne cork popping. With loads of fabulous homes on the market, great mortgage rates available, decreasing prices, and many sellers offering great incentives, it's a perfect time to buy a home, says experienced realtor John Day. John can help you find your dream home in Maryland or the Washington DC Metro Area. A top agent with prestigious Long & Foster Realtors, John has the expertise, training, and proven success record to help you get a great deal on the home of your dreams.

John Day is committed to his clients. John will listen to what you want in a home. With years of experience in the area, John Day has an intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods and subdivisions. He won't waste your time; John will show you homes that meet your criteria. And when you find your dream home, you'll have John Day's proven skill as a tough negotiator on your side to make certain you get the very best price.

If you're buying a home in the Maryland or the Washington DC Metro Area, contact John Day today. Visit John's website to check out his tips for buyers and view the newest listings. John Day is your key to success.

Spacious Upper Marlboro, Maryland Townhome Exudes Charm

This fabulous colonial townhome at 1105 Ring Bull Loop in prestigious Upper Marlboro, Maryland is loaded with charm. Located in the popular Perrywood subdivision in scenic Prince George's County, this lovely home has been lovingly cared for and is in model condition.

You'll fall in love with the spacious, well-lighted interior with its vaulted ceilings and generous rooms. All three levels are beautifully finished and have space-adding bump outs. Three bedrooms and three full and one half baths provide plenty of space and privacy for everyone. You'll enjoy entertaining in the spacious family room. And you'll absolutely adore the open kitchen with 9-foot ceilings and 42-inch tall cabinets. Click the post title to find out more about this charming townhome.

This townhome in desirable Upper Marlboro, Maryland is an easy commute from the bustle of Greater Washington DC. Contact Maryland realtor John Day to schedule your exclusive showing of this lovely home today. A top-seller with prestigious Long & Foster Real Estate, John Day has the experience, resources, and expertise to help you find your dream home or sell your home for top dollar. Visit John's website today to view the latest listings and check out his valuable tips for buyers and sellers. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

You Get What You Pay For. Why Full-Service Realtors Are a Better Buy than Discounters.

Why should you use a full-service realtor instead of a discount agency? You get what you pay for.

"Limited-service brokerages may cost less, but they will also do less -- putting more of the burden on you to sell your own home," cautions Jerry White in his column Real Estate Matters. "Selling a home is a lot more complicated than sticking a sign in the ground and waiting for buyers to come running."

With increasing legal and regulatory issues, the home buying process is getting more complicated all the time, says Maryland realtor John Day, a top seller with prestigious Long & Foster Real Estate. Licensed realtors like John Day have the professional training, expertise, and time to market your home effectively. Backed by the considerable resources of Long & Foster Real Estate, John can reach the largest possible pool of potential buyers. John will prepare an extensive, professional marketing campaign to showcase your home. He'll stage your home for quick sale and has the expert negotiating skills to get you the highest possible price.

With years of experience in Maryland real estate, John Day has the professional connections to make sure your house is shown. Discount realtors who discount their commission offer a lower commission split to the agents of potential buyers. This doesn't provide them with much of an incentive to show your home. The reality is that real estate agents are in the business to make a living. They'd rather show homes that will insure a better commission income for themselves.

Respected by his peers, John Day has the experience, connections, marketing savvy, and expertise to make sure your home is seen by the greatest number of potential buyers. Go to John's website today to see his 6-point plan for selling your home in the shortest time at the best possible price. John Day is your key to success.

New Upscale Development Makes Southern Maryland an Excellent Place to Live

If you're moving into the Greater Washington DC area, fast-growing Southern Maryland is an excellent place to live. New construction in Charles County is bringing more upscale shopping, fine dining, and quality entertainment to Southern Maryland, says realtor John Day, a top seller with prestigious Long & Foster Real Estate.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Peterson Cos., developer of the upscale National Harbor project in Prince George's County, is building Waldorf Town Center, a $62 million lifestyle retail and entertainment center in Waldorf, Maryland. Designed as an outdoor mainstreet with lush landscaping and street parking in front of high end stores and restaurants, the Waldorf project will be anchored by a 14-screen cinema with stadium seating and a hotel. The 190,000 square-foot development will be located on 40 acres on Route 301 at the site of the old Stardust Hotel Casino.

"We believe that it really is an untapped market. The growth down there is rapid," said Jeff Parana, Peterson vice president and development manager. "We just felt Charles County was the place to be."

Other upscale chains and boutique retailers seem to agree. Whole Foods Market, Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers and Chico's are all looking to move into Charles Co., according to John Reardon, the county's director of economic development. Southern Maryland's population boom is attracting high end development. From 2000 to 2005, the population in Southern Maryland increased about 15%, the percentage of adults with high school degrees increased from 86% to 90%, and the median household income increased from $62,000 to $69,000. Peterson thinks that by 2008 the population in the Waldorf area will reach 108,000 and the average houshold income will surpass $85,000.

All this new development makes Southern Maryland a prime location for the discerning home owner, says experienced realtor John Day. No longer will you have to travel inside the beltway for quality restaurants, shopping and entertainment. You'll be able to find all the luxuries you enjoy right here in scenic Southern Maryland. Savvy buyers are moving into Southern Maryland where they enjoy beautiful homes, quiet neighborhoods, excellent schools, scenic parks, a myriad of recreational opportunities, and now boutique shopping, excellent restaurants, and quality entertainment.

Contact John Day today to schedule your private viewing of homes in Southern Maryland. With years of market experience in Southern Maryland, John is familiar with the character and services of its towns and subdivisions. John Day will listen to what you want in a home, the type of area that appeals to you, and the amenities you value in a living environment. He won't waste your time; you'll visit homes that fit your criteria. You'll find John a knowledgeable and savvy guide in navigating the intricacies of buying a home. A tough negotiator, John Day find your dream home at a price you can afford. Visit John's website today to view the latest listings, get tips for buyers and sellers, and find out how John Day can make owning your dream house a reality. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

Live in Style in Prestigious Marlboro Downs

Live in style in this stately colonial at 13503 Winners Circle in the prestigious community of Marlboro Downs in affluent Upper Marlboro, Maryland. An easy commute from the Washington DC Metro Area, Upper Marlboro is just off the Beltway in scenic Prince Georges County.

Professionally decorated, this stunning home has spacious 9-foot ceilings throughout the main level with dramatic vaulted ceilings in some rooms. Luxurious wall-to-wall carpeting provides elegance. Imagine yourself cuddling up in front of the cozy fireplace this fall. You'll love preparing meals in the spacious kitchen, and there's a separate formal dining room for large family gatherings or elegant entertaining.

Your family will have plenty of living space with 4 bedrooms, huge closets, and 3 full and 1 half baths. Luxuriate in the master bath which features a separate jetted tub, perfect for relaxing after a long day. The finished lower level has lots of open space for a game room or entertainment center. There's even a full shower bath which increases its versatility.

Attractively landscaped on a beautiful lot, you'll love the no maintenance brick and siding facade on this gorgeous home. With central air conditioning and gas heat, you'll be comfortable no matter the season. You'll appreciate the safety and security of the attached garage.

This seller is ready to move and motivated to sell. Don't miss this opportunity to move into this prestigious community in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Contact realtor John Day today to schedule your private showing of this fabulous home. A top seller with prestigious Long & Foster Real Estate, John Day is intimately familiar with the communities in the Greater Washington DC Metro Area. He can answer all your questions about schools, recreational facilities, parks, shopping, local services, and more. John Day will listen to what you want in a home and in a community and help you find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood. Click the post title for more information on this beautiful home in prestigious Marlboro Downs and visit John's website to preview other great homes. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

Enjoy Life in Beautiful Prince Georges County, Maryland

Prince Georges County, Maryland is one of Southern Maryland's most beautiful and fastest growing counties. Just southeast of the Beltway, it's an easy commute from the Greater Washington DC Metro Area. You'll feel the pressures of your job slip away as you leave the hubbub of the city behind and enter scenic Prince Georges County, Maryland. Beautiful homes on lovely landscaped lots, attractive shopping areas, wonderful parks and recreational facilities, a low crime rate, and excellent schools make Prince Georges County the perfect place to live and raise your family. Neighbors are friendly in Prince Georges County. Community parks abound and the wonders of Chesapeake Bay are a short Sunday drive away.

Whether you're looking for a baronial estate, a family-centered suburb, or a bucolic farmhouse with lots of land for the dogs to run, realtor John Day can find it for you in Prince Georges County, Maryland. A top seller with prestigious Long & Foster Real Estate, John Day knows the nooks and crannies of Prince Georges County and Southern Maryland better than any other realtor. With years of experience in Maryland real estate, John knows the nuances and ambiance of each town and suburb. John Day will help you find your dream home in a community that reflects your tastes and interests.

Friend, ally, and advocate, John works hard for his customers. If you want to see the best that Prince Georges County has to offer, if you want to make sure your time is well spent looking at homes that truly meet your criteria, if you want to find your dream home in the perfect neighborhood, call John Day today. Visit John's website to view his latest listings. You'll also find excellent tips for buyers and sellers, information on communities and schools, and much more. If you are buying or selling a home in Prince Georges County or anywhere in the Washington Metro Area, John Day is your key to success.

John Day Can Help Buyers Avoid Pitfalls

It's a good time to be a buyer, says realtor John Day, but watch out for the pitfalls. Sellers and developers are lowering prices and offering incentives to entice buyers to their properties, "but there are still traps that can trip up the most diligent of buyers," warns Ilyce Glink writing for Tribune Media Services. Don't let your deal go sour; protect yourself from common buyer mistakes.

• Pre-qualify for your loan. Know exactly how much you can spend and what your loan will cost before you start looking for a home. You'll avoid shopping over your price range or being forced to take out a mortgage with terms you can't afford.
• Don't make an offer on the first home you see. Look around. These days you'll find many homes in your price range. Shop and compare, then bid on the home that's the right fit for you.
• Don't show all your cards. Be cautious. Don't tell the seller how much you like the home. Let the seller know you're looking at other homes. Buying a house is a negotiation. You'll pay a higher price if you're overenthusiastic.
• Never buy on a handshake. Oral contracts don't count in real estate transactions. A lawyer will make sure your contract includes all the exclusions, furniture or other items that are part of the deal. Protect yourself; get all the purchase terms in writing.
• Don't judge the house by its face value. Have your home inspected by a qualified professional. Many maintenance or structural problems can't be detected just by looking at the house.
• Check your pride at the door. Be realistic in your negotiations and use common sense. Don't lose a deal because you're stuck haggling over a few hundred (or thousand) dollars. Meet the seller halfway. On the other hand, remember that there are plenty of other homes out there.

Buying a house is complicated process and you need an experienced guide. John Day is an experienced realtor with a detailed knowledge of Maryland and Washington DC real estate markets. He's familiar with the neighborhoods and school districts and can help you find your dream home in the perfect location. One of Long & Foster's most successful and experienced realtors, John Day can guide you through the home buying process from pre-qualification through closing. A skilled contract writer and aggressive negotiator, John has the expertise to get you the best possible price on your new home. Click the post title for more of John's tips for home buyers. Visit John Day's website to check out the latest listings and learn more about Maryland and Washington DC communities, schools, recreation, shopping, and more. John Day is the key to your home buying success. Contact John today.

Luxurious Amenities Abound in This Elegant Upper Marlboro, Maryland Home

You won't believe the incredible amenities in this lovely home located at 13500 Triple Crown Drive in desirable Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Beautiful gleaming cherry hardwood floors in the foyer and kitchen set the tone in this elegant home. Stately 9-foot ceilings add grandeur to the living room and formal dining room. Imagine yourself snuggling in front of the toasty fireplace on chilly winter nights. Or spend a pampered evening relaxing in the luxurious soaking tub in the master bath.

This gorgeously maintained home gives you and your family plenty of living space with four bedrooms and 3 full and 1 half baths. You'll love entertaining family and friends in the splendid, fully finished lower level which features a wet bar. Enjoy your beautiful yard from a great trex-type deck.

In spotless condition and a super value, this home won't last long. Contact experienced realtor John Day to schedule your personal tour of this elegant home. To learn more about this splendid Upper Marlboro home, click the post title. Visit John's website to check out the latest listings in the Greater Washington Metro Area and Southern Maryland. Experienced, knowledgeable, savvy, expert realtor John Day is your key to success. Call John today.

John Day Is A Selling Machine!

John Day is a selling machine! A long-time, top-selling realtor with prestigious Long & Foster, John Day will sell your Maryland home faster and at a better price than any other agent.

What makes John Day so successful? You get more for your money with John Day.

• 4 staffers eager to show your home anytime to prospects and agents
• Aggressive web and search marketing from John's full-time professional webmaster
• Professionally designed postcard mailers and in-home brochures using John's dynamite graphic artist
• John's unique Model Makeover for your home with a 6-month listing contract
• A seasoned real estate veteran who is your fierce advocate in the cutthroat world of real estate
• John's tough and winning negotiating style gets you the best price possible

John Day specializes in buying and selling homes in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and Prince George's Counties in Maryland. He aggressively sells homes in Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Pasadena, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro area. Visit John Day's website to check out his latest listings (just click the post title or link). You'll also find expert tips for both buyers and sellers, information on Maryland communities and schools, and much, much more. If you want to sell your home quickly and at the highest possible price, contact John Day now.

Should You Lower Your Selling Price?

Should you ever lower your price? It depends, says Maryland realtor John Day in his September newsletter just posted. Of course there are many variables that can affect your decision such as condition and location, but considering price alone, John offers some guidelines gleaned from his many years of experience in real estate.

If in the first few weeks your house has been on the market you've had plenty of lookers, just no offers, a price drop is premature unless you have a particular need to sell quickly. If you haven't had much action, your house may be overpriced in relation to the local market. John suggests you consider the reason your home might be overpriced. Sellers sometimes make the mistake of basing their list price on what they need to net from the sale. Sellers may also over-value their home to recoup improvement costs. Neither method works, John warns. You can't sell your house for more than the market will bear, John advises; though the market can change suddenly, particularly if interest rates are fluctuating.

A top seller with prestigious Long & Foster, John recommends reanalyzing your selling price every 30 days to make sure it stays competitive in the current market. If you find your house is overpriced, fix it right away, he recommends. There are more options than just lowering the price. Read John Day's informative September newsletter (just click the post title) to learn more.

Savvy and experienced, realtor John Day develops a close relationship with his clients. Whether you're selling or buying, you can trust John to give you expert advice. With his extensive knowledge of the Maryland real estate market, he'll help you price your home to sell quickly at top dollar in today's changing market. Read his monthly newsletter which is packed with information and advice for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. Visit John Day's website which has excellent tips for both buyers and sellers, as well as the latest Maryland listings. Contact John Day today.

Gardening Tips Will Get You to the Grill Faster This Weekend

Labor Day is supposed to be a day when we rest from our labors, but most of us go into full weekend warrior mode. Considered the last great weekend of summer, we tend to fill it up with gardening and home improvement projects until it's time to fire up the grill. Here are a few tips from Jenna Sauber of the Columbus Dispatch to make those Labor Day gardening chores go faster so you can light up the grill sooner and pop open that well-deserved can of beer!

1. Have a plan. Decide what tasks you want to accomplish before you head outside. Get all your materials together before you start a project.
2. Maintain tools. Rusty clippers won't cut anything and a broken handle makes your shovel useless. Make sure you have the right tools for the job and that they are clean and sharp.
3. Just do it. Don't procrastinate. The weeds will only multiply so that instead of 15 minutes today you'll have a full weekend of weed-pulling three weeks from now.
4. Multitask. Some chores can be combined such as deadheading while you prune or pulling weeds while you cut back perennials.
5. Tackle big projects first. Do big projects first while your energy and enthusiasm are high. If you have a large bed to mulch, it's easier to mulch it first, then plant through the mulch.
6. Avoid high-maintenance flowers. Forget geraniums which need constant pinching back and deadheading and go for low-maintenance annuals like begonias, coleus, and vinca.
7. Conserve your energy. Use bag mulch instead of bulk. It's easier to carry. Drag large, heavy objects across the yard on a plastic tarp or use the kids' wagon or sled to pull them to your work area.
8. Edge for a clean, crisp look. Use a weed whip or shovel to trench around garden beds to separate them from the rest of the yard. Weekly edging will keep garden beds looking clean and crisp.
9. Use containers. Put dwarf plants or bright annuals in containers. Container gardening is particularly good for the elderly because there's less bending and stooping.
10. Conserve water. Install an automatic watering system or get timers for your sprinklers. Buy extra hose and sprinklers so you can water more area at once.

A couple of hours of dedicated effort and you'll have time for a snooze in the hammock before it's time to char those brats. While you're standing at the grill, cold one in hand, you can gaze out over your beautiful lawn, secure in the knowledge that your labors are over for another week. With the long weekend that gives you an extra day for fishing, golfing, picnics, boating, or just sitting back and enjoying your yard.

Which might get you thinking that either you need a bigger yard or maybe a smaller one if you never made it to the hammock. Realtor John Day is the man to call. With years of experience in Maryland real estate, John knows the market and the neighborhoods. He can help you find the right fit for your needs and lifestyle. Enjoy today and tomorrow give John Day a call, or visit John's website and check out the latest listings. Have a pleasant and safe Labor Day.