Bethesda Chevy Chase Real Estate Information

Repeat Buyers Need to Act Fast to Capitalize on Expanded Tax Credit

Estridge Group — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:25:51 -0500

RISMEDIA, January 23, 2010—By now it is well documented that today’s affordable housing prices, historically low interest rates and federal home buyer tax credit have combined to create one of the most attractive first-time buyer markets in recent memory. What many Americans might not realize is that a recent expansion of the buyer tax credit has created an equally desirable opportunity for existing homeowners.

This past November, Congress elected to expand the home buyer tax credit to repeat buyers after seeing the success the temporary financial incentive had on the housing market and overall economy. As a result, current homeowners who will have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 may now be eligible to receive a $6,500 tax credit.

“The expanded tax credit offers a great financial opportunity for existing homeowners, particularly those looking to trade up,” said James M. Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, one of the nation’s largest independent real estate companies. “Not only can you receive a large sum of money from the government, you’ll also likely purchase your next home for less money and at a lower interest rate than you could have in years past or years to come.”

To qualify for the tax credit, the repeat buyer must have signed a binding contract by April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. Tax credit eligibility is subject to income limits, $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. In addition, the sale price of the home being purchased can not exceed $800,000.

There is no requirement that existing homeowners must have sold their home to be eligible for the $6,500 tax credit. However, Weichert encourages existing homeowners who want to benefit from this incentive to move quickly, particularly those who prefer to first sell their current home before purchasing a new one.

“Typically, it takes three months or longer to sell a home. That’s why it is critical repeat buyers put their home on the market right away. Otherwise they might not leave themselves enough time to both secure a buyer for their current house and find a new home by the April 30 deadline,” added Weichert.

TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF APPRAISALS!

Estridge Group — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:35:27 -0500

The appraisal process often baffles consumers. They may feel that their home is worth a higher dollar amount, and so the appraised value doesn't always make sense to them. It is important to know that the appraiser is completely independent from lenders, buyers, sellers, and real estate agents, and that the guidelines to which they adhere are dictated by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and Fannie Mae. In most states, the mortgage lenders must also disclose the purpose of the appraisal, as each transaction carries its own set of rules.

In essence, these important guidelines help appraisers put a fair market value on homes based on comparable sales in the same area, and the home must be bracketed in size and value.

For example, there is no set dollar figure associated with a great view, pool, spa, bathroom upgrades, etc. If a homeowner installs a custom pool that cost them $30,000, but the local marketplace supports the value of a pool at $15,000, then that item will be bracketed as [$15,000] on the appraisal.

Upgrades can usually be expressed at a higher percentage of their value in newer homes because the only way to obtain those upgrades was to put more money into the cost of building the home. On the other hand, the upgrading or remodeling of an older home is rarely reflected in full in the final appraisal. This is because typically 25-40% of the project involves demolition and the fixing of issues that aren't uncovered until the project has already begun, such as plumbing or wiring that may need updating.

Ultimately, the value of the upgrades must be supported by comparable examples within the same marketplace. These comparisons must be drawn from current market activity within the last six months. This is a safeguard to prevent appraisers from attaching too high a value to the home in question, and opening up the appraisal for review. This guideline further states that appraisers can only base their opinion on the value of home sales that have actually closed.

PUBLIC HEARING COMING FOR ELIMINATION OF RIDE ON ROUTES

Estridge Group — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:07:03 -0500

Published on: Friday, January 15, 2010 By Joe Slaninka

Cut!

In the midst of a looming $608 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2011, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett proposed $70 million in midyear budget cuts last week that include layoffs, reductions in education spending and the elimination of some Ride On bus routes.

“It is important to understand … I will not recommend exceeding the charter limit on property taxes in the [fiscal year 2011] budget,” Leggett said. “The county’s taxpayers continue to face their own unprecedented fiscal challenges.”

To avoid raising taxes, Leggett proposed eradicating a total of 70 county positions, 44 of which are currently filled. He said the county “will make every effort to appropriately place any affected individuals into vacant positions” and will follow all personnel regulations and labor agreements in the process.

“I think this is the first time we ever had to discuss cuts that involved positions with people actually in them,” County Council President Nancy Floreen said Monday, about potential layoffs. “We’ve never had this discussion before.”

In addition to layoffs, Leggett proposed slashing 39 Ride On bus routes. The routes that face potential elimination would be those that would least affect county residents, officials said. The removal of these routes would save the county a total of $2 million.

The first public hearing at which residents can voice their opinions on the budget is scheduled for Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the county executive office building, at 101 Monroe St., in Rockville.

Since becoming county executive, Leggett has trimmed a total of more than $1 billion from three county budgets. The fiscal year 2010 budget totals about $4.4 billion.

Last November, the Montgomery County Council made about $30 million in midyear cuts to the fiscal year 2010 budget. If Leggett’s proposal is fully passed, total midyear budget cuts would exceed $100 million.

“This is just a precursor to the fiscal [2011] budget,” Floreen said. “It’s going to be pretty tough.”

Floreen said residents will handle issues they have never had to deal with before so the council will make the budget much more accessible to them by providing budget plans in their entirety on the county Web site, www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

“We get a lot of comment on what we should preserve, but we never get feed back on what not to spend on, and this year should be no different,” she said. “Communication is a huge issue, and we will make ourselves as accessible as possible.”

Bethesda Literary Festival Coming in February!

Estridge Group — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:08:18 -0500

Bethesda Literary FestivalAdult & Young Adult Writing ContestDeadline: February 26, 2010The Bethesda Literary Festival, scheduled for April ...

Dance Bethesda Coming up in February!

Estridge Group — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:01:38 -0500
6th Annual Dance BethesdaDance Concert, Master Classes & Dance PartiesFebruary 26-27, 2010Dance Bethesda, a weekend celebrating dance, ...

The Countdown Is On - Buyer's & Seller's Utilizing Tax Credits!

Estridge Group — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:13:24 -0500

As we begin 2010, both real estate professionals and home buyers have something to look forward to and more importantly, take advantage of—the extended and expanded home buyer tax credit.

Originally created in 2008, the home-buyer tax credit has evolved from a $7,500 credit, which had to be repaid by the home buyer over the course of 15 years, to an $8,000 tax credit with no repayment required in 2009. Now, for a limited time in 2010, the $8,000 home buyer tax credit will still be available to first-time home buyers and certain current homeowners will also be eligible for a $6,500 credit.

To help everyone better understand the extended and expanded home buyer tax credit, here are some highlights of the changes.

Who can claim the credit?

“First-time home buyers” who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 are eligible for the credit. To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

For current homeowners purchasing a home during the same time frame, they are also eligible for a tax credit, so long as the home being sold or vacated was their principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight. To elaborate, it must be the same home; it is not enough that they have been homeowners for five consecutive years, they must have been in the same home for five consecutive years.

Another key point is that the existing home does not need to be sold. One must, however, occupy the new home as a principal residence and do so for three years or risk recapture of the credit. Also, the new home does not need to cost more than the old home despite the concept that it is directed at “move up” buyers.

How much is the credit and what are the income limits?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000 or 10% of the sales price, whichever is less. For current homeowners, it is $6,500 or 10% of the sale price, whichever is less. Under the extended home buyer tax credit, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 may receive the maximum credit.

The credit decreases for single buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit deceases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income – over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples – are not eligible for the credit.

What are the deadlines for qualifying for the credit?

Under the extended home buyer tax credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase a home is in effect on April 30, 2010, and the deal is closed by July 1, 2010, one can claim the credit.

Will the tax credit need to be repaid?

No, the buyer does not need to repay the tax credit if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount of the credit will be recouped on the sale. Another provision of the law waives the recapture provisions for service members who receive orders that require them to move.

Are there any other critical provisions?

-There are three provisions people should be aware of:
-There is an $800,000 limitation on the cost of the home
-The purchaser must be at least 18 years old on the date of purchase
-For a married couple, only one spouse must meet this age requirement and dependents are not eligible to claim the credit

Finally, as an anti-fraud measure, purchasers must attach documentation of purchase to his/her tax return claiming the credit. Normally this would be a copy of the HUD-1, but could include other documents memorializing the settlement.

As with all tax matters, responsibility for complying with the tax code belongs to the taxpayer. Real estate professionals should recommend that their buyers consult their tax professionals to ensure eligibility for the credit and the proper way to claim the credit. For more information including the required IRS forms please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.

Stay Warm & Safety Tips During Our Cold Wave!

Estridge Group — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:22:57 -0500

Bone chilling temperatures have gripped much of the country recently and the American Red Cross urges everyone to be safe ...

Resources Available for Homebuyers/Sellers in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD and Washington, D.C. Area

Estridge Group — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:21:47 -0500

As part of our ever-evolving marketing strategy, we offer various real estate tools and resources for buyers and sellers looking for the right home or property in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD and Washington, D.C. corridor. For sellers, we now have detailed descriptions of our listings with custom-made searches to show properties in specific communities throughout the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD and Washington, D.C. corridor. Buyers can familiarize themselves with what homes are available, where properties are located, and what are accurate prices. Our website, www.TheEstridgeGroup.com, has these high-level property search tools and other resources that make us the REALTOR® of choice in our market.

Click here to browse our featured listings or click here to sign up for free listings updates.

Visit The Estridge Group website to take advantage of these wonderful resources! We look forward to helping you buy or sell your home.

Melinda Estridge
Long and Foster Realtors Bethesda
4650 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-215-6837
Fax: 301-951-7668
Email: melinda@theestridgegroup.com

PUT YOUR HOME ON AN ENERGY DIET!

Estridge Group — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:19:54 -0500

RISMEDIA, December 30, 2009—We’ve all been there on making well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions, among them promising faithfully to go on a diet, exercise and eat healthier. And sometimes, we may even keep those resolutions for a little while before falling off the wagon.

As part of the yearly New Year’s resolution-making ritual, the Alliance to Save Energy encourages consumers to check out their home’s physical fitness and, depending on its overall state of health, put it on an ‘energy diet.’

How is your Home’s ‘Physical Fitness?’
The “physical fitness” of your home can make the difference between soaring energy bills or comfortable savings this winter. By cutting wasteful energy use, an energy-efficient home is a strong defense against winter winds, rain, sleet, snow, and chill, while also reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and increasing national security.

And Uncle Sam is offering another incentive for putting your home on an energy diet: A 30% tax credit—a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your income taxes owed—of up to $1,500 during the remainder of 2009 and throughout 2010 for specific energy efficiency home improvements. Details on qualifying products, including insulation and sealing products, highly efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and windows, are available at www.ase.org/taxcredits.

The Alliance offers the following physical fitness tips to help cut your home’s energy bills and increase comfort.

Is Your Home Leaking Energy Dollars?
First plug air leaks. Your heating and cooling dollars could be going out your windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Seal all those air leaks with sealant or caulking and weather stripping.

Then, “insulate” yourself from price shocks. Install appropriate insulation for your climate based on R-values. Start with attic insulation, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts. These first two steps will increase your comfort, make your home quieter, and reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.

Go “window shopping” at www.efficientwindows.org to discover how high-performance ENERGY STAR-labeled windows can cut heating costs by as much as 30% compared to single-pane windows, while increasing indoor comfort and lessening fading of home furnishings.

Improve How You Care for and Heat Your Home
Heating accounts for 31% of the typical home’s energy costs. Sealing and insulating your home, as well as the other energy efficiency measures below, will lower your heating bills, increase your comfort, and decrease your carbon footprint.

Properly maintain your HVAC system. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort.

Keep furnace filters clean. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer), and change it if it looks dirty. At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm–wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, which could require expensive maintenance and/or cause early system failure.

Seal your heating and cooling ducts. In a typical house with a forced air system, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers home energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings. Insulate ducts in unheated areas such as attics, crawlspaces, and garages with duct insulation that carries an R-value of 6 or higher. Also, a well-designed and sealed duct system may make it possible to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better dehumidification.

Let a programmable thermostat “remember” to lower the heat while your home is empty and/or overnight to reduce heating costs by up to 10%–and allow you to come home and wake up to a toasty, comfortable house.

Have to replace your HVAC equipment? Consider installing ENERGY STAR-qualified heating and cooling equipment. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. And, certain highly-efficient models qualify for the current federal income tax credit.

Open curtains and other window treatments on your west- and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night.

Replacing or purchasing energy-using and energy-related products? Save up to 30% in related energy bills with products earning the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol of energy efficiency, on some 50 product categories, including appliances, electronics, windows, lighting, and home office equipment.

Buyers Respond to Tax Credit Existing Home Sales Jump 7.4% in Nov 2009

Estridge Group — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:31:29 -0500

RISMEDIA, December 23, 2009—Existing home sales rose again in November 2009 as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original November 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing home sales–including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops– rose 7.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million units in November from 6.09 million in October, and are 44.1% higher than the 4.54 million-unit pace in November 2008. Current sales remain at the highest level since February 2007 when they hit 6.55 million.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the rise was expected. “This clearly is a rush of first-time buyers not wanting to miss out on the tax credit, but there are many more potential buyers who can enter the market in the months ahead,” he said. “We expect a temporary sales drop while buying activity ramps up for another surge in the spring when buyers take advantage of the expanded tax credit, which hopefully will take us into a self-sustaining market in the second half of 2010. In all, 4.4 million households are expected to claim the tax credit before it expires and balance should be restored to the housing sector with inventories continuing to decline.”

An NAR practitioner survey shows first-time buyers purchased 51% of homes in November, compared with an upwardly revised 50% of transactions in October.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.88% in November from 4.95% in October; the rate was 6.09% in November 2008. Last month’s mortgage interest rate was the second lowest on record after bottoming at 4.81% in April 2009.

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said conditions are optimal for buyers in the current market. “Inventories have steadily declined and are closer to balanced levels, which indicate home prices in many areas are either stabilizing or could soon stabilize and return to normal appreciation patterns,” she said. “This means buyers still have good choices but are purchasing near the bottom of the price cycle with historically low mortgage interest rates. Throw a tax credit on top and it really doesn’t get any better for buyers with secure jobs and long-term ownership plans.”

Total housing inventory at the end of November declined 1.3% to 3.52 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.5-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 7.0-month supply in October.

Raw unsold inventory figures are 15.5% below a year ago. The last time there was a lower supply of homes on the market was April 2006 when it was at a 6.1-month supply.

“Nearly all markets experienced a solid sales gain from one year ago,” Yun said. “The only markets with measurably lower sales were in San Diego, Riverside, and Sacramento, where inventory shortages for lower priced homes are limiting sales.”

For the second month in a row, sales have risen in all price classes from a year earlier. Prior to October, the only consistent gains were in the lower price ranges.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $172,600 in November, which is 4.3% below November 2008. Distressed properties, which accounted for 33% of sales in November, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes in the same area.

Single-family home sales jumped 8.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.77 million in November from a level of 5.32 million in October, and are 42.1% above the pace of 4.06 million in November 2008. The median existing single-family home price was $171,900 in November, down 4.4% from a year ago.

Existing condominium and co-op sales in November were unchanged from a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 770,000 in October, but are 60.1% above the 481,000-unit pace a year ago. The median existing condo price was $178,000 in November, which is 3.1% below November 2008.

Northeast
Regionally, existing home sales in the Northeast rose 6.6% to an annual level of 1.13 million in November, and are 52.7% higher than November 2008. The median price in the Northeast was $223,400, down 13.1% from a year ago.

Midwest
Existing-home sales in the Midwest increased 8.4% in November to a pace of 1.55 million and are 53.5% above a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $140,800, a decline of 0.4% from November 2008.

South
In the South, existing-home sales rose 4.8% to an annual level of 2.39 million in November and are 44.8% higher than a year ago. The median price in the South was $151,400, down 1.4% from November 2008.

West
Existing-home sales in the West increased 10.6% to an annual rate of 1.46 million in November and are 28.1% above November 2008. The median price in the West was $231,100, which is 4.1% below a year ago.

Protecting you Identity - Great Article, Good Information

Estridge Group — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:16:10 -0500

Do You Need Real-Time ID-Theft Protection?

Even as the effectiveness of credit monitoring services comes under fire, some of the same companies are pushing a new generation of personal data tracking: identity theft protection that involves real-time monitoring of your most important information.

Here's how it works. Companies that track personally identifiable information, or PII, contract with third-party database providers and track any activity that involves a consumer's name, address, date of birth or Social Security number. Some services also scour web sites where such information is illegally traded. Providers say that these services -- which can cost between $9.95 to $29.95 a month -- have the potential to catch identity fraud before it has occurred, thanks to the ability to monitor PII activity in real time. Credit„monitoring, in contrast, alerts consumers after their information has already been misused -- one of the main reasons why the products have been criticized by consumer advocates.

While there is no hard data on exactly how many companies are offering real-time monitoring of personal data, two of the three large credit bureaus -- Equifax and Experian -- as well as at least one lender, Bank of America, and third-party vendors like LifeLock and IdentityGuard are already selling the service. "In the past year, there's really been an explosion among vendors offering PII monitoring," says Rachel Kim, an analyst with Javelin Strategy & Research and author of two comprehensive reports on identity protection services released in 2009 and 2007.

Providers hope that PII monitoring helps attract consumers who have been disenchanted with traditional credit-monitoring products. "These companies are struggling to keep their revenue up and to keep their customers because consumers realize credit-report monitoring is not all that effective," says Avivah Litan, a vice president and security analyst at technology-research firm Gartner.

But it is also adding to privacy advocates' concerns over the growing prevalence of personal-information dossiers: huge databases of consumers' personal information that can be used by lenders, marketers or any other service provider willing to pay the 50 cents to $2 charge per transaction to have it scored for the likelihood of fraud.

Most lenders already engage in such real-time monitoring of consumers' personal identity information by calculating identity scores that rate the likelihood that a specific credit transaction or application is fraudulent. (If you've ever had to answer seemingly random identity-verification questions, such as the house number where you lived 10 years ago or the issuer of the mortgage on your first home, chances are your credit„application was flagged as a potential fraud.)

PII monitoring services are making this technology available to consumers, as well. "We are using technology that has helped many of the Fortune„500„companies detect fraud activities in real time," says Todd Davis, the chief executive officer of LifeLock.

A big catalyst for the growth of PII monitoring was a lawsuit Experian filed against LifeLock in 2008, aiming to prevent LifeLock from placing or renewing fraud alerts on consumer credit files. (Experian claimed that consumers should not have to pay $10 a month for something they could do on their own.)

By the time the lawsuit was settled in October, LifeLock had already switched to monitoring its customers' personally identifying information. (As part of the settlement, it will no longer place fraud„alerts.) Many of its competitors have followed suit. "Now that fraud alerts have been deemed something that only consumers can do, the attention is going to be turning more towards information monitoring," says Kim.

But as with any new service, its effectiveness has yet to be tested -- or at least made public by the vendors who provide it. "What we'd like to see vendors do more of is publicly provide their testing and research to show us that it's working," Kim says.

For now, the only gauge of how well PII monitoring works may be in so-called brand-protection or cyber intelligence services used by large corporations, says Gartner's Litan. Large corporations often hire firms to monitor what is being said about them or their brand online, aiming to detect and prevent things like trademark misuse. Roughly 60% to 70% of the threats against companies are typically detected, Litan says.

Yet, so far consumer„response to PII monitoring has been warm, says Javelin's Kim. When asked to rate their satisfaction with these services on a scale of one to five (one being very dissatisfied and five, very satisfied), nearly half (45%) of the respondents to Javelin's survey gave PII monitoring top marks. (Credit„monitoring was also rated a "five" by 45%.) "Effectiveness is only one of the reasons consumers are purchasing [PII monitoring]," Kim says. "Apart from that is the feeling of security and getting alerts from the subscription provider. It's the interaction they're having with the vendor that gives them peace of mind."

By: Aleksandra Todorova, www.smartmoney.com

Walk Through Woes!

Estridge Group — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:14:19 -0500

Just a short tip:

Buyers can be a little cranky on closing day if things go wrong during the walk-through inspection. For example, the sellers' dependable old dishwasher might stop midway through its cycle and the bathroom sink might clog unexpectedly. These situations can create anxiety for the buyers and sellers, but such problems are quite common and usually simple to resolve.

Most purchase agreements require that the major mechanical systems and the appliances being conveyed are in working order at the time of the closing. Defects are often discovered during the structural inspection, allowing the sellers plenty of time to have the repairs made. Occasionally there are last-minute breakdowns or defects that are not spotted until the walk-through inspection. In that case, an agreement can be made with the sellers at the closing to escrow funds for the repair or replacement of the items in question.

Do These Real Estate Tips Really Apply to YOU?

We've learned these tips through years of experience as top REALTORS®. But we know that YOUR situation might be different. That's why we're here.

It's our job to personally advise homebuyers and sellers.

Do any of these tips raise questions for you? Let us know! We are happy to answer ANY questions. It's our job!

Bethesda Art Walk December 11, 2009 - Last One This Year

Estridge Group — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:36:26 -0500

The Bethesda Art Walk features 10 galleries and studios that open their doors from 6-9pm on the second Friday of every month. Downtown Bethesda galleries showcase artwork created locally, nationally and internationally including painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media.

You can enjoy several galleries by walking throughout downtown Bethesda’s fun-filled streets. The free Bethesda Circulator stops within a few blocks of each Bethesda Art Walk gallery, and runs continuously throughout the duration of the Art Walk.
Free Bethesda Circulator Route.

Check out all the arts venues located in downtown
Bethesda's Arts & Entertainment District!

101 Energized Tips to make your home Sale Ready!

Estridge Group — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:50:13 -0500

The attached article is re-printed with permission but contains some great tips for preparing your house for sale! We hope you enjoy this article - feel free to pass it on to friends and family.

Tips for Buyers Who Would Like to Use The Home Buyer Credit!

Estridge Group — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:40:06 -0500

Tips for buyers
Interested in buying a home and claiming the home-buyer tax credit? Below are five tips:

1. Don’t procrastinate. Start searching for a home now. Getting an early start will give you a better chance of finding the right house before the credit deadline. Before you start house hunting, get preapproved for a mortgage, and do a realistic assessment of what you can afford. Buyers who have to sell an existing home should price it aggressively from the beginning to drum up interest and get a buyer as soon as possible.

2. Don’t count on another extension. The credit won’t be available forever. If you want to take advantage, be sure to make that spring deadline.

3. Mind the interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are low right now, but will likely rise next year. Higher rates will affect your monthly mortgage payments, thus the affordability of the house you are buying. Average rates on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have been hovering around 5%, but when the government stops buying large amounts of mortgage-backed securities, rates could rise.

4. Communicate with your lender. Throughout the process, make sure you’re communicating with your lender regularly; if there’s a piece of documentation you’re asked for, get it turned in as soon as possible. Good communication is important in making sure the loan closes on time. And think twice before pursuing a short sale if you want to make the credit deadline. That’s where someone sells a home for less than what he or she owes on a mortgage, with permission of the lender. The process can be lengthy and unpredictable because the homeowner’s lender has to approve any deal, and can be complicated when there is a second mortgage associated with the property.

5. Don’t take shortcuts. Don’t forgo any of the steps you would normally take just to make the tax credit deadline. Make sure the house is a good fit for your needs and get a home inspection. Skipping steps could cost you in the long run.

Holiday Plumbing Tips

Estridge Group — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:35:08 -0500

The holidays are coming, bringing together family, friends and a few plumbing emergencies. A majority of Americans take part in holiday parties with 11 or more guests around Thanksgiving and Christmas. These extra guests put a serious strain on a home's plumbing system, which results in more emergency calls to plumbers.

Big holiday meals require a busy kitchen. Too much grease and food finds its way into the kitchen drain or disposer. Holiday guests also equate to extra showers, bath and lots of extra toilet flushes. It all adds up to potential plumbing disasters.

Pipes clog because of a gradual buildup of grease, hair, soap or food particles. All it takes it one major overload, like a house full of guests, to exasperate the situation and create a clogged drain. Follow these tips to avoid a plumbing disaster.

In the kitchen:

•

Avoid pouring fats or cooking oils down the drain because liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. Wipe congealed grease from pots.

•

Never put hard-to-grind, stringy, fibrous waste into the garbage disposer (poultry skins, carrots, celery, pumpkin pulp or banana peels). The disposer can't sufficiently grind these items and they will clog your sink drain.

•

Run cold water down the drain for about 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposer to flush waste down the main line.

•

Turn on the disposer before adding food debris.

•

Run the dishwasher and washing machine at night or at off times to conserve water temperature and pressure for your guests.

In the bathroom:

•

Plan ahead, spread out showers throughout the day; wait 10 minutes between showers rather than taking one right after another.

•

Turn up the water heater slightly to retain hot water. To avoid scalding, do not exceed 125°F.

•

If shower pressure is weak, pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place it over the showerhead, and soak. Use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the mineral deposits to help restore water flow.

•

Provide a trash bin in the bathroom so the toilet isn't used as a garbage can. Never flush cotton swabs, cotton balls, hair, facial scrub pads, diapers, sanitary products or similar items down the toilet. These items will not easily dissolve and are responsible for most clogs.

Ice Sculpting in Bethesda - What Fun!!!!!

Estridge Group — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:57 -0500

Live Ice Sculpting
Saturday, December 5, 1pm Saturday's Winter Wonderland festivities will be kicked off with a live ice sculpting presentation. Watch as blocks of ice are transformed into magnificent pieces of art. The ice sculptor will use chainsaws, ice picks and other tools to transform the ice and awe the audience.

Ice sculpting presentations are from 1-2pm in Veterans Park, located on the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. A live concert and visit from Santa will follow the presentation.

Bethesda Winter Concert, Frid Dec 4th See Piror Post for More Activities!

Estridge Group — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:59:11 -0500

Winter Concert
Friday, December 4, 8pm Bethesda ’s Winter Wonderland kicks off on Friday, December 4, 2009 with a free winter concert featuring professional groups at Imagination Stage, located at 4908 Auburn Avenue.

The DC Accidentals
The DC Accidentals are a co-ed, semi-professional pop a cappella group from the Washington, D.C. area. The 12 member group covers pop music from Natasha Bedingfield to Blondie and Kenny Loggins. The DC Accidentals have recently performed at The Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage, The Arlington Run and Sylvan Amphitheater.

The Georgetown Phantoms
Founded in 1988, The Georgetown Phantoms are a group of 18 Georgetown University students performing rock, pop, and R&B a cappella music. In recent years the Georgetown Phantoms have sung with Bobby McFerrin, opened for Chingy and Black Eyed Peas, performed at the State Department and the Kennedy Center, and maintained a yearly repertoire of 40+ songs. They also co-host the annual invitational D.C. Acapella Fest.

In TouchIn Touch is a vocal ensemble that began as a touring and marketing gospel choir for Columbia Union College in 2000. Over the last nine years, they have traveled and performed in California, Texas, North and South Carolina, New York and New Jersey. In touch has received many awards and accolades and continues to share their love of gospel music to audiences all over the United States.

UMD Treblemakers
The University of Maryland Treblemakers is an all female a cappella group that was founded in 1989. They released their first album in 1996 and continue to make sweet music, both with alumni and new members. The UMD Treblemakers have performed all over the east coast, inlcuding twice performing at Disney World. They organize and perform at SPAMfest and SPAMjam at the University of Maryland each spring and fall.

Holiday Events Dec 4th & 5th in Bethesda, Maryland

Estridge Group — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:56:43 -0500

Celebrate the holiday season in downtown Bethesda with free winter activities including a winter concert, live ice sculpting presentations, a student choral concert and visit from Santa Claus. All events are free and family friendly!

Winter Wonderland Schedule of Events

Friday, December 4 Saturday, December 5

Winter Concert
8pm
Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue

Live Ice Sculpting Presentation
1pm
Veterans Park
Corner of Norfolk & Woodmont Aves

Student Concert & Santa Claus
2pm
Veterans Park
Corner of Norfolk & Woodmont Aves.

1st Time Home Buyer Credit Scenarios!! Very Interesting!!

Estridge Group — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:37:43 -0500

First-Time Homebuyer Credit: Scenarios

S1. If a single person (Taxpayer A) qualifies as a first-time homebuyer at the time he/she purchases a home with someone (Taxpayer B) that is not a first-time homebuyer and then later that year they marry each other, is the credit still allowed?

A. Eligibility for the first-time homebuyer credit is determined on the date of purchase. If Taxpayer A, a first-time homebuyer, buys a house and then later that year marries Taxpayer B, not a first-time homebuyer, the credit is allowable to Taxpayer A. Taxpayer A may take the maximum credit.

S2. Taxpayer A is a single first-time home buyer. Taxpayer B (parent) cosigns for A and does not qualify. Both names are on the mortgage. Can Taxpayer A claim the credit and, if so, how much?

A. Yes. Taxpayer B is not a first-time homebuyer and cannot claim any portion of the credit, but A may claim the entire credit ($7,500 for purchase in 2008; $8,000 for purchase in 2009), if the home was purchased as Taxpayer A's primary residence.

S3. A taxpayer owned her principal residence. Several years ago, she decided to relocate to a rented apartment, but did not sell the former residence. Instead, she rented it out to tenants. Now the taxpayer plans to buy another house and make it her new principal residence. Does she qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?

A. A taxpayer who owned rental property within the past three years is still eligible for the credit. The taxpayer cannot have owned and used a home as his or her principal residence within the last three years.

S4. If husband and wife wanted to sell the home that the wife owned when they got married, and the husband had not owned a home within the past three years, could he qualify as a first-time homebuyer for the credit even though the wife would not qualify?

A. No. The purchase date determines whether a taxpayer is a first-time homebuyer. Since the wife had ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years, neither taxpayer may take the first-time homebuyer credit. Section 36(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code requires that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse not have an ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years from the date of purchase. The husband may not take the credit even if he filed on a separate return.

S5. Taxpayer purchased a home on April 24, 2008, while she was separated from her husband. Later in the year, they reconciled and were living together at the end of 2008. She has not owned a home since 2004 but he owned one which he sold in 2006. They remained married the entire time. Is the taxpayer eligible for the first-time homebuyer credit?

A. No. The purchase date determines whether a taxpayer is a first-time homebuyer. Since the husband had ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years, and the taxpayers were legally married, neither taxpayer may take the first-time homebuyer credit. Section 36(c)(1) requires that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse not have an ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years from the date of purchase. While individuals do not have to be married to get the credit, marriage (and legal separation) imputes ownership of a previous home upon the other spouse. The wife may not take the credit even if she filed on a separate return.

S6. I have been estranged from my spouse for over three years and file married filing separate. I don’t know if my spouse has owned a main home in the last three years, but I have not. If I buy a house in 2009 that otherwise qualifies for the first-time homebuyer credit, can I claim the credit?

A. Section 36(c)(1) requires that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse not have an ownership interest in a principal residence within the three years prior to the date of purchase. While individuals do not have to be married to get the credit, marriage (and legal separation) imputes ownership of a previous home upon the other spouse. If your spouse has not owned a main home in the last three years, then you may claim the credit.

S7. I am separated from my spouse and considered unmarried, and qualify for the unmarried head of household filing status. My spouse has owned a main home in the last three years, but I have not. If I buy a home on May 1, 2009, that otherwise qualifies, can I claim the first-time homebuyer credit?

A. No. Section 36(c)(1) requires that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse not have an ownership interest in a principal residence within the three years prior to the date of purchase. While individuals do not have to be married to get the credit, marriage (and legal separation) imputes ownership of a previous home upon the other spouse. The taxpayer may not take the credit even if filed on a separate return.

S8. A qualifying taxpayer bought a home in August 2008 that needed a lot of work before occupying. They finished the renovations and moved in the home in January 2009. Can they claim the $8,000, since they did not occupy the home until 2009?

A. No. Taxpayers who purchase an existing home and renovate the property before moving in are eligible for the first-time homebuyer credit based on the date of purchase, not the date of occupancy.

Questions being asked about Home Buyer Credit!

Estridge Group — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:21:36 -0500

Question #1: Does the existing home need to be sold?

ANSWER: the new home must be their principal residence, so while they do not have to sell the old home, you can only have one principal residence, so unless they rent out the old home, or convert the old home to a second home it will need to be sold

Question #2: For a married couple, do both need to be on the deed?

ANSWER: They do not both need to be on deed – again it just needs to be their principal residence and they need to file a joint return; (lender requirements may trump this).

Current Market Information

Estridge Group — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:15:40 -0500

Home price index numbers are up 85% in 20 of the major, metropolitan markets nationwide. Resales of existing homes nationwide jumped 9.4% in September 09 and are up 9.2% from 1 year ago in September 08. The average time needed to sell a home fell from 9 months to 8 months. Six to Seven months is considered a balanced market.

All sounds rosy but why would one want to purchase a home today with unemployment at 9+% and sales of new homes down for the 2nd consecutive month? Simple answer:

Purchasing a home is a long term investment.

Where can one get in to the market (housing market) at the bottom of a long, sustained upswing? Bullish on housing? Yes. Here are a few tips for buyers/sellers:

1) Need a slightly higher credit score? Pay down but do not pay off revolving charges in full. Retaining a small balance ($50 or so) allows the credit card company to report activity which drives the credit scoring engine. Fyi, on a Conventional loan of $400,000, with 20% down, the difference between a score of of 719 and 720 is 1/2 point or $2,000.

2) Want to take a completive edge over other Buyers when making an Offer? Most people say the 1st stop on the home shopping list is the mortgage company. Did you know you can get a Loan Approval without having to designate a property? Once you have a Commitment Letter, you can strike out the Financing Contingency. You already have your loan approved so you are not giving up anything substantial. A Full Loan Approval/Commitment Letter is free and there is no obligation. Discuss with your Realtor whether or not you need an appraisal contingency. A Purchase Offer with no Financing Contingency can equate to a 1% - 3% price reduction or more closing help from the Seller.

New Tax Credit for Home Buyers

Estridge Group — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:44:07 -0500

Here's a nice, easy to understand explanation of the new tax credit:

$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

·   The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

·   The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

·   The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

·   The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

·   The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

·   For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

·   For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

·   To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.

·   The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

·   The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.

·   The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

·   The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

·   Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Tax Credit Table - Who Qualifies and How!

Estridge Group — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:42:50 -0500

There's been alot of talk (and a lot of confusion) about who qualifies for what tax credits, how they can be applied and what the parameters of the program are, time wise. In speaking with a lot of you over the last week, I thought the attached table would be helpful in addressing your questions...

Feature

December 1 – April 30, 2010 Rules

As Enacted November 2009

First-time Buyer – Amount of Credit

$8,000

First-time Buyer Definition for Eligibility

May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase

Current Homeowner – Amount of Credit

$6,500

Effective Date – Current Owner

December 1, 2009

Current Homeowner Definition of Eligibility

Must have used the home sold or being sold as principal residence consecutively for

5 of the 8 previous years

Termination of Credit

Contract date on or before April 30, 2010 and

Settlement before July 1, 2010

Binding Contract Rule

So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close

Income Limits

$125,000 – Single

$250,000 – Married

Additional $20,000 phase out

Limitation on Cost of Purchased Home

$800,000

Purchase by a Dependent

Ineligible

Anti-Fraud Rule

Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return

New This week in Bethesda!

Estridge Group — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:44:48 -0400

Community Events Newsletter

Week of October 12th Bethesda, MD   Change email preferences

Good Morning Melinda,

Here's this week's newsletter for Bethesda! It's your first stop to learn what’s going on, happening and coming up around town.

Remember, your group’s activities, events and news can be part of it. Add an upcoming event to the Bethesda Calendar or an announcement to the Community Corner today!

Please let others in the community know about AmericanTowns by linking to our site from yours. Thanks in advance!

Businesses:
Make it easy for your Bethesda customers to find you. Be a part of the local Bethesda community site today!

Community Resources (new!)

Real Estate
Homes for Sale
Mortgages and Refinance
Local Jobs

Things to Do
Yellow Pages Search
Restaurants
and more...

Bethesda Community Calendar

10/12 Spanish Conversational Classes for Adults 6:15pm

10/13 Mall Walking Program - Stepping Out 7:30am

10/14 Spanish Mommy and Me Classes 10:00am

10/14 Wednesday Holy Eucharist 12:00pm

10/14 Joint Pain Educational Seminar 4:00pm

10/15 Mall Walking Program - Stepping Out 7:30am

10/15 Spanish Mommy and Me Classes 1-3 yrs old 10:00am

10/15 Thursday Morning Bible Study 10:30am

10/15 Bethesda Central Farm Market 3:00pm

10/15 Adult Spanish Classes for Beginners 7:00pm

10/15 Water Board Meeting

10/16 MSTA Convention Day - No School

10/16 MSTA Convention - No School For Students And Teachers

10/18 Sunday Morning Worship Service 8:00am

10/18 Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00am

10/18 Sunday Service 9:00am

10/18 Bethesda Central Farm Market 9:00am

10/18 Sunday Adult Education 9:15am

10/18 Sunday Contemporary Worship Service 9:30am

10/18 Sunday School 9:30am

More Community Events in and around Bethesda

Event Categories:

Business and Professional
Clubs and Organizations
Government and Politics
Health and Fitness
Real Estate

Religion and Spirituality
Restaurants
Schools and Libraries
Sports and Recreation
Shops and Stores

Arts and Entertainment Calendar

10/12 SARGENT AND THE SEA (Washington) 10:00am

10/12 Draw And Paint With Create - For Ages 6-8 (Silver Spring) 4:00pm

10/12 Draw And Paint With Create - For Ages 8-12 (Silver Spring) 4:00pm

10/12 ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN (Washington) 7:30pm

10/12 STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS (Washington) 8:00pm

10/13 Hiring Management Training 4.5.1 - Open Enrollment (McLean) 8:30am

10/13 Introduction to Proximex Surveillint Technical Training for Proximex Partners (McLean) 8:30am

10/13 MAN RAY, AFRICAN ART AND THE MODERNIST LENS (Washington) 10:00am

10/13 Home-Schoolers Art - For Ages 9-12 (Silver Spring) 10:00am

10/13 Home-Schoolers Art - For Ages 6-8 (Silver Spring) 10:00am

10/13 Cebremos Panama: A Musical Extravaganza (Washington) 10:15am

10/13 Cebremos Panama: A Musical Extravaganza (Washington) 11:30am

10/13 BLACK PEARL SINGS! (Washington) 7:30pm

10/13 BLACK PEARL SINGS (Washington) 7:30pm

10/13 ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN (Washington) 7:30pm

10/13 KISS: Alive 35 (Washington) 7:30pm

10/13 Signature Sings: 1989-1994 (Arlington) 8:30pm

10/14 Introduction to Proximex Surveillint Technical Training for Proximex Partners (McLean) 12:00am

10/14 Hiring Management Training 4.5.1 - Open Enrollment (McLean) 12:00am

10/14 Social Media Outlook (McLean) 8:00am

More Arts and Entertainment in and around Bethesda

Post an Event

Add a Press Release

Contribute News

List your Organization

Feature your Business

How Many of These Did You Know About?

Estridge Group — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:34:48 -0400

1. A sealed envelope- Put in the freezer for a few hours then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed!

2. Use empty toilet paper rolls to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write what appliance it belongs to.

3. For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze!

4. To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out! (Don't do this to good crystal, the temperature change could crack the piece!)

5. Have crayon marks on your walls? A damp rag dipped in baking soda will rub them right off!

6. Permanent marker on your appliances/countertops? Rubbing alcohol on a paper towel will make it come right off!

7. Blood stains on your clothes? Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and wipe the blood right off!

8. Can't tell if the streaks are on the inside or outside of your windows? Use vertical strokes to clean inside, and horizontal strokes outside and you will always know! Also, using straight vinegar will wash your outside windows clean!

9. Candles burning our too fast? Save money by putting them in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to lighting, they will burn longer!

10. To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers, Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new!

11. To easily remove burnt food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and bring to boil on the stove. Wipes right out!

12. Spray all your tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring tomato based sauces and they won't stain!

13. Have a headache? Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead, the throbbing will go away.

14. To get rid of the itch from a mosquito bite, try applying soap to the area and you will find instant relief!

15. Ants? Well, it is said they will never cross a line of chalk! Draw a line on the floor (or wherever you see ants) and see for yourself!

16. Using Air freshner to clean your bathroom mirrors not only does a great job, but it als leaves you bathroom smelling fresh longer!

17. Next time you get a splinter, try scotch tape instead of tweezers, you will be able to painlessly remove the splinter!

18. Thought Alka Seltzer was just for indegestion? Think again!

       a. Try cleaning the toilet- Drop in 2 Alka Seltzer Tablets, wait 20 mintues,brush and flush, the evervescence does all the work!

       b. Clean a vase- To remove a stain from the bottom of a vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in 2 Alka Seltzer tablets

       c. Polish jewelry- Drop 2 Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for 2 minutes.

       d. Clean a thermos bottle- Fill the bottle with water, drop in 4 Alka Seltzer tablets and let soak for an hour or so

       e. Unclog a drain- Clear the sink by dropping 3 Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run hot water!

10 Free Web Tools to Make Life Easier

Estridge Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:28:36 -0400
Here are some helpful tools for you!

20th Annual Taste of Bethesda!

Estridge Group — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:51:58 -0400

20th Annual Taste of Bethesda

Saturday, Oct. 3, 11am - 4pm

The Taste of Bethesda, Bethesda's famous food and music festival, will bring over 50 restaurants and four stages of entertainment to downtown Bethesda. "Taste" what delicious Bethesda restaurants have to offer and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day for the whole family.
Admission to the Taste of Bethesda is free. Taste tickets will be sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. The event is held on Norfolk, Fairmont, St. Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray Avenues in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. More Info.
2009 Taste of Bethesda Menu:

Angeethi Indian Cuisine - Samosas, kabob,tandoori & butter chicken

Austin Grill - Carnitas & red snapper tacos, wings

Baja Fresh - Burritos, tacos, salad

Bangkok Garden - Egg rolls, pad Thai, red curry chicken

Bangkok One Thai - Pad Thai, nam ya, fried rice, Thai iced tea

Ben & Jerry's - Ice cream

BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon - Beef & roast beef sliders, wings

Brasserie Monte Carlo - Onion tarte with cured ham & sausage

Bundles of Cookies - Almond cookies, gourmet lemon cookies

The Burger Joint - Sliders

Caddies on Cordell - Deviled eggs, wings, chicken satay

California Tortilla - Blackened chicken Ceasar tacos

Chicken Out Rotisserie - Burgers, cabo spice wings, salad

Cookies by Design - Cookie kabobs, gourmet & sugar cookies

Crossfire Fresh Burgers - Mini burgers, sweet potato fries, lemonade

Delhi Dhaba - Butter chicken, chole punjabi, naan bread

Divino Lounge & Restaurant - Argentine sausage, steak, paellas

Drink More Water - Water, iced coffee

Fancy Cakes by Leslie - Mini cupcakes, cookies, fudge

Flaxella - Flax muffins, biscotti, crackers, flax beverages

Gifford's Ice cream & Candy Co. - Ice cream

Haagen-Dazs - Ice cream

Haandi Indian Cuisine - Murgh makhani, palak paneer, samosa

Hanaro Restaurant & Lounge - sushi roll, pad Thai, fried rice

Hard Times Café - Chili, fries

Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle - Shepherd's pie, beef brisket

Honest Tea - Tea, lemonade, kids' drinks

Jaleo - Paellas, gazpacho, endibias

Just Cakes - Cupcakes

Lebanese Taverna - Chicken & beef shawarma sandwich, hommos

Mamma Lucia - Pizza

Matuba Japanese Restaurant - Sushi rolls, chicken teriyaki, tempura

Mia's Pizzas - Brick oven pizza

Morton's, The Steakhouse - Steak sandwiches

Nest Café - Muscles, tomato caprese, Italian donuts

Olazzo - Meatball & chicken parmesan sandwiches

The Original Pancake House - Nutella crepes, lemon crepes

Passage to India - Samosa, murgh makhani, vegetable korma

Penang Malaysian Cuisine - Chicken satay, char koay teow, curry ayam

Philadelphia Mike's - Philly & chicken cheese steaks, fries

Positano - Pizza, sausages, meatball pastas

Quartermaine Coffee Roasters - Coffee

Ri-Ra Irish Pub - Shepherd's pie, Guinness BBQ wings, chocolate cake

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery - Ribs

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse -Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach

Sasso - Lamb wraps, fried okra, blue berry lemonade

Saveur India - Samosas, chana masala, murgh makhani, palak paneer

Shangri-La - Butter chicken, soag paneer, chana masala

Smoothie King - Fruit smoothies

South Street Steaks - Cheese steaks, fries

Spring Mill Bread - Breads, cookies, brownies

Tommy Joe's Restaurant - Mini burgers, mini crab balls

Trader Joe's - Chicken gyoza, Asian slaw with peanut dressing

Union Jack's - Strongbow wings, drunken chicken, bread pudding

Visions Restaurant - Crab cakes, lemonade, crab macaroni & cheese

$8000 Tax Credit Deadline is Approaching!

Estridge Group — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:11:40 -0400

Check this out for more information on qualifications and how to ensure you get your full credit!

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/index.html

Also, please meet us at 6220 Rockhurst Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 for an Open House this Sunday, the 20th from 1:00-3:00 PM.

What's Happening in Bethesda this Weekend

Estridge Group — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:20:14 -0400

The Trawick Prize Exhibit

Bethesda Artist Market

-Save the Date-

Bethesda Farmers MarketFresh fruits, veggies, baked goods and more!Tues. & Sat., 10am-2:30pm
Veterans Park
May-October

Taste of Bethesda
20th AnniversaryOver 50 restaurants and four stages of entertainment!
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009
11am-4pm

Bethesda Urban Partnership presents...

Bethesda Art Walk

Friday, Sept. 11, 6 - 9pm

The Bethesda Art Walk features 11 galleries and studios that open their doors from 6-9pm on the second Friday of every month. Free guided tours are offered this month. Tours meet at the Bethesda Metro and begin at 6:30pm.
More Info.

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards & Exhibition
Public Reception: Sept. 11, 6-9pm

Eight regional artists have been selected as finalists for the 7th annual Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards. Their work will be on exhibit at the Fraser Gallery, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, through October 3, 2009.

$14,000 in prize monies was awarded to the top four artists. A free public reception will be held September 11 from 6-9pm. More info.

Bethesda Artist Market
Saturday, Sept. 12, 10am-5pm
Bethesda Place Plaza, Corner of Woodmont Ave. & Old Georgetown Rd.

Shop for painting, jewelry, photography, pottery and more from 25 local artists at the Bethesda Artist Market, located in the Bethesda Place Plaza. Live entertainment will also be featured throughout the day. More Info.

Volunteers Needed!
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009

Volunteers are still needed to lend a hand at the 20th anniversary Taste of Bethesda. Over 40,000 attendees will visit the famous food and music festival, and that means we need a whole lot of volunteers to help sell drinks, assist in the Kids Corner, sell tickets and much more. For more information, please email Lauren Hamilton at Lhamilton@bethesda.org.

For more information, please call 301/215-6660 or
visit www.bethesda.org.