ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE

We no longer order a Reuben anywhere else because we know it will not measure up to those at Rip’s in Bowie. 

In fact, Rip’s is always on the list of favorite local restaurants I give to relocating homebuyers, along with the notation “World’s Best Reuben.”  But I’m not hesitant to try something different at Rip’s, and I’ve never been disappointed.  My other lunch-time favorites include their Crab Melt Sandwich and their Quiche, while Larry likes Eggs Montoya. 

Check out their menus for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner online – you’ll see their prices are as good as their food.  And speaking of their food, everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients, using recipes that have been favorites of Rip’s customers since it opened in 1952. 

Rip’s menu and quality food are not the only things that set them apart from the many franchise restaurants in the Bowie-Crofton-Gambrills corridor.  Their decor is a reminder of Bowie’s place in American history as the “Cradle of American thoroughbred racing.”  In fact, booths are constructed like horse stalls and each bears the name of a famous racehorse. 

Attached to Rips is their liquor store and Deli, and behind Rips is lodging.  We haven’t tried them, but I surely do recommend Rip’s Country Inn!

By the way, Rip's is located about a half hour from Andrews AFB, Fort Meade, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you're stationed there, Rip's is not too far away for a dining-out treat that may remind you of your favorite restaurant back home.

Here is their address, if you’d like to enter it into your GPS:  3809 N. Crain Highway, Bowie, MD. 20716.

Directions:  From Crofton, go South on Rt. 3 past Rt. 50, and look for it on your left.  From Annapolis, go West on Rt. 50 to Rt. 3 South, and Look for it on your left.

Crofton Area Restaurants and Carryouts

PHOTO:  MWoda

_____________________________________________________

Margaret Woda is a licensed Associate Broker in Crofton Maryland.  She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home owners and home buyers in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, including Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you enjoyed reading this post, check out Focus On Crofton and Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County.  

Flags fly over Crofton's "main street" year round, not just on holiday weekends like Memorial Day and July 4.  This beautiful tradition was the brainchild of former Crofton Civic Association President Ed Dosek, a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Army who knew how to get things done.  Crofton community organizations, businesses and other individuals contributed to the effort and continue it now, a decade later.

Honoring our country comes easy to Crofton residents... many of them are civilian employees and military personnel, both active duty and retired.  We're literally surrounded by the U.S. Naval Academy, Fort Meade and the National Security Agency, and Andrews AFB - all within 30 minutes.  NASA-Goddard and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville are also about a half hour from Crofton, and the Pentagon, White House, U.S. Capitol and other federal government agencies are within an hour of this beautiful community.

I think anyone relocating to the D.C. - Baltimore area for a new job with the Federal Government knows instantly, when they see those flags, that Crofton is a welcoming community for patriotic Americans - a place where they will feel very comfortable living.

SOURCE:  By the author, posted at http://www.FocusOnCrofton.com

_____________________________________________________

Margaret Woda is a licensed Associate Broker in Crofton Maryland.  She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home owners and home buyers in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, including Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you enjoyed reading this post, check out Focus On Crofton and Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County.  

BACKGROUND

In case you haven't heard, anyone who purchases their first home before December 1, 2009 will receive an $8,000 "tax credit."  Even if you don't pay that much in taxes, you'll still receive the $8,000.  If you're already getting a refund because too much was withheld by your employer or you estimated too much, you'll get your refund PLUS the $8,000.  No kidding!  It's literally a gift from the Federal Government, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law during February.

Someone who purchased their first home between April 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009 are eligible for (and may have already received) a $7500 "tax credit" that was inaccurately named - actually, it was a loan because it requires repayment over 15 years.  But it was an interest free loan, meaning payments won't exceed $500 year.  Not as good as the current tax credit, but still a good deal.  These ideas are for you, too.

SPENDING YOUR TAX REFUND

Question:  How can I spend my tax credit?
Answer:  Any way you want to...  There are no limitations.

Here are my top 20 suggestions for spending your first-time buyer tax credit (in no particular order):

1. Replenish the bank account or investments you liquidated for your down payment and/or closing costs.
2. Landscape your yard.
3. Build a deck or patio.
4. Purchase new appliances.
5. Update a bathroom.
6. Install new carpet or flooring.
7. Replace windows.
8. Buy new furniture.
9. Pay down your debts.
   
10. Invest in your future.
11. Take a trip.
12. Buy a used car.
13. Take some classes.
14. Go on a shopping spree.
15. Install a new roof on your house.
16. Put it towards a boat.
    
17. Replace your kitchen cabinets.
    
18. Upgrade your kitchen counter top.
    
19. Buy a big-screen TV and stereo equipment.
    
20. Save it for a rainy day.

Knowing that you have these funds coming to you in less than a year should give you the confidence to buy your first home, even if it is imperfect.  You won't have to wait years to save up money to begin making improvements to your home because you'll be receiving this "gift" during your first year. 

There are a lot of homebuyers in the market place that would love to have the same "gift," but only first-time homebuyers are eligible.  Don't let this opportunity pass by without purchasing a home while this $8,000 tax credit is in effect.

Read more about the $8,000 tax credit on CNNMoney.com

_____________________________________________________

Margaret Woda is a licensed Associate Broker in Crofton Maryland.  She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home owners and home buyers in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, including Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you enjoyed reading this post, check out Focus On Crofton and Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County.  

Real estate old-timers talk a lot about having real estate "experience."  As a member of that club, I probably over-use the term myself because experience DOES set me apart from agents who bring little to the table except their license, the enthusiasm of being new, and - oh yes - technology know-how that makes them a better choice than any "old pro."  (Implied here: anyone over fifty prefers dial telephones, doesn't know how to turn on computers, and isn't accessible.)

WRONG!  There's absolutely no guarantee that an inexperienced agent has more technical skills or is better connected through technology than an experienced one.   In fact, the ideal agent is one who brings BOTH to the table.

Obviously we all have to package ourselves to emphasize the qualities that differentiate us from our competition - whether it's experience, technology, local expertise, professional memberships and designations, our sales record or whatever.  But that packaging doesn't mean a thing if a prospective client doesn't "know, like, and trust" us.  

THAT is how a consumer decides!

The list of our credentials is just one factor - a small part of getting to know you - and most of us invest a lot of time and effort into putting that "marketing package" together.  But it's not enough to swing potential consumers our way.  Let me ask this...

What makes them like you? 

Is it the friend you have in common... perhaps the one who referred you to them?  The content of your blog that makes them feel comfortable with you and your business practices?  The fact that you share a love of fishing?  Your good looks, great smile, or sunny personality?  Whatever it is, liking you is a necessary ingredient in a consumer's choice of agent and just as important to them as your marketing package.  That's why you should always take the time for building rapport with consumers,  finding something nice to say about their home, and looking for evidence in their home of something you have in common.  This is a step that's easy to overlook, as you eagerly pull out your marketing package and all the paperwork you spent hours preparing for them.

But even if you do hit it off and you have a dynamite listing or buyer's presentation, do you know how to build trust? 

No, it's not your list of credentials and not even your experience.  It's 3rd party testimonials and success stories.  Some folks simply provide references, others offer a pre-printed list of testimonials or perhaps a CD/DVD with video recordings of former clients, and some folks keep a scrapbook of thank you notes and/or feedback forms from previous clients.  Whatever your vehicle for building trust, JUST DO IT!  Include testimonials in every presentation and on your website to help build trust.

Experience or technology, personality or record sales production... they're all nice to have and it's important for you to make a good case for yourself, as to your qualifications.  But remember that consumers want and need more to help them decide first "Should I hire an agent" and then "Which agent should I choose."

You've heard it many times before today, but let me say it again:  They will choose an agent they know, like and trust.  

P.S. - "You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression," so be sure to address ALL of these factors in each and every presentation.  All the experience in the world means nothing if consumers don't take a liking to you.  All the technical know-how you have means nothing if you don't earn consumers' trust.

YouTube Video

 IMAGES:  istockphoto.com and iclipart.com

_____________________________________________________

Margaret Woda is a licensed Associate Broker in Crofton Maryland.  She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home owners and home buyers in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, including Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you enjoyed reading this post, check out Focus On Crofton and Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County.