I must admit calling my new Au-Pair a "Wife" is not very PC, but that's what I feel I now have. So, yes, my new Au-Pair has arrived from France, via a few days of training in New Jersey. She is here to have a cultural and educational experience, with a strong child-care component in a Country that she has not visited before for a period of one year. Chloe teaching swimming Chloe at the park. Why does this work for me? She is another responsible adult who will live with us and become part of our family. She loves to cook- her savory crepes are to die for! She talks to my son 85% of the time in French and 15% of the time in Spanish (her third language). He can already count in all three languages to 10. She tidies up the house, she picks up after my son and puts all of his toys away. She ... 09/10/2008

This is a true story. Enjoy! And, afterwards, let's discuss the benefits of an online presence even though you may not always be able to connect a purchase with a specific form of advertising.  ********************************** Sunday morning, August 13th, 2006 - My wife and I woke up early and were enjoying a cup of coffee on the 6x14 sq. ft. balcony of our condo.  Our beautiful view - the backside of the building directly behind ours separated only by a small strip of sparsely forested land with run-off drainage snaking through it (I'd call it a creek, but that would be a gross overstatement).  As we were sitting there talking and taking in what scenery was available to us, we both watched in disgust as one of the residents in the building across the way walked out onto their third f... 09/08/2008

Let me preface this blog by stating that I am not a RE expert.  My opinions on this subject are derived from the fact that a large % of everyone I am related to is in the RE Industry and, due to that, half the people that I know are in it as well. I just hope that my opinions can spur further conversation about the topic being discussed.  Thanks.  *************************************** The best possible way to get a listing from friends and/or family is to ask them for it.   If someone you know is about to, or even contemplating, putting their home on the market - go right up to them and ask them if they would consider listing their house with you (while handing them two of your business cards - one for them and one for someone that they may know who needs a listing agent).  If they se... 09/07/2008

This past Labor Day weekend was our Annual Office Picnic/ Crab Feast. We all gathered at the largest Pavilion in Centennial Park, Ellicott City. Right next to the huge playground. What's a picnic in Maryland without CRABS? Nice and heavy and seasoned with Old Bay. Everyone brought a dish. The Deviled Eggs were scooped up quickly. Mr Brookhart & Mr. Regan cooked up burgers and hot dogs then waited for the corn to cook to perfection. Good food and good conversation..... ....and a playground close by. It was a great afternoon, mostly in part to our Manager Brian Lipsky, George Brookhart and Chuck Regan who labored in the heat. Ellie Mcintire 09/03/2008

Saturday August 28th 2008 was a perfect day for riding. One of those days that just makes you glad to be alive. The 2nd Annual Boomerang Poker Run A total of 135 participants signed up to ride the Walkabout Sidney at one of the following locations. Bel Air Outback Steakhouse Hunt Valley Outback Steakhouse Ellicott City Outback Steakhouse Glen Burnie Outback Steakhouse Unbelievable amounts of "Bonzer Outback Steakhouse Tucker" was served at the restarants throughout the day. Steak and eggs for Breakfast, Ribeye Sandwiches, Ribs on the Barbie, Bloomin' onions and so much more. No-one went hungry. All of this for $25! What a screaming deal! The final card was drawn at the Harley Davidson of Maryland (Elkridge) where dessert was also served. A little History about this event. This ride was ... 09/01/2008

Buyers should take advantage of this program now because it may not be here for very long. Saving money for a downpayment and the closing costs necessary to purchase a home is very difficult. One option to consider is the Nehemiah Program established by the Nehemiah Corporation of America.  Here is a brief overview of this program.  For more information go to www.GetDownpayment.com or call the Nehemiah customer service hotine at 877-634-3642. You can receive gift funds (provided by a non-profit organization) for up to 6% of the sales price. New homes, resale homes, single family, duplex, triplex, condo, or townhomes are eligible. There is NO repayment of funds -- it is a "gift" to the home buyer. There are no income, asset or geographic restrictions and you do not need to be a first-tim... 08/21/2008

The Olympics continues to keep me up till all hours of the morning. I should probably get TIVO, but too late for that now! I have even posted as I watch. Mostly in reference to the swimming. I have a new addiction! Are you in tears too?  Phelps-Mania in Baltimore One of my personal favorite sports is soccer (Football to everyone else in the world but the USA!) Sadly the US team did not make it through to the quarter finals. However there was a great deal of interest to me for the following reasons. Stuart Holden- Midfielder Drew Holden- Left Back.....Behind the goal for now! No family ties although have they both have the same last name. Both August babies, but a mere 21 years difference. Stuart Holden: August 1st 1985. Drew Holden: August 17th 2006. One playing for the United States So... 08/20/2008

     2nd Annual Boomerang Poker Run   Attention Bikers! Registration for the 2nd Annual Boomerang Motorcycle Poker Run is OPEN! Gather up your mates and join us for a day of fun, Outback Style!!Back by popular demand, this year's Poker Run will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008!!         About the Boomerang Motorcycle Poker Run: Chesapeake Bay Area Charities, Outback Steakhouse, The McIntire Team of Long and Foster, and two Harley Davidson Dealerships have joined to host a day of fun, food, and riding. Funds raised from the event will directly help children at the Kimmel Cancer Center of Johns Hopkins and Special Olympics Maryland.   This fundraising event allows Motorcyclists to "Walkabout Maryland, Outback Style." Bikers and passengers ride to 4 different Outback locations and en... 08/19/2008

We will be holding an emergency blood drive at our Long & Foster office on August 28th from 2:30-7:00 pm. The address is 9171 Baltimore National Pike Ellicott City, MD 21042. You can schedule your life saving appointment by calling 1-800-give-life (1-800-448-3543). You can also register online at https://www.membersforlife.org/rccm/mobilesch/request.php?did=215306.   The following blood types are below a level which is considered to be safe. If your blood type appears here, please consider donating at our emergency blood drive. All blood types are important. If your blood type does not appear today, your donation is still badly needed in order to treat local patients who depend on that type. A safe, desired supply is 5-7 days worth of any given blood type, in order to meet local patient... 08/19/2008

Please welcome my friend Perin Tinsley to Active Rain. Perin is a great person and a very dilligent Realtor whom I have worked with for almost 5 years. I have sent him numerous invitations to AR and finally he has taken the plunge. A little known fact about Perin is that he has the voice of an angel. He sings in many choirs and always leads our "sing song" at the holiday party. He also does a great deal of community endeveours and mentoring in the City of Baltimore. He is a good person to know. 08/06/2008

The following is the market report for Ellicott City 21043 zip code, Maryland in the last 30 days of activity as of July 23rd, 2008 Total Active Resale Properties: 260 Number of Active Detached homes: 144 New listings in the past 30 days: 58 Total properties under contract: 53 Properties sold in the past 30 days: 31 Average sold price: $468,836 Low Sale Price: $217,500 High Sale Price: $870,000 Average Days on Market: 104 If your interested in buying a home in Ellicott City, Maryland, please contact The Mcintire Team of Long & Foster Real Estate.   Ellie McIntire The McIntire Team 410-480-3398 410-750-8781(FX) 443-418-7668(cell) E-mail:  Ellie@LNF.com http://www.elliesteam.com/ We redefine the essence of service 07/23/2008

The following is the market report for Ellicott City 21042 zip code, Maryland in the last 30 days of activity as of July 23rd, 2008 Total Active Resale Properties: 203 Number of Active Detached homes: 178 New listings in the past 30 days: 57 Total properties under contract: 42 Properties sold in the past 30 days: 32 Average sold price: $606,559 Low Sale Price: $210,000 High Sale Price: $1,850,000 Average Days on Market: 89 If your interested in buying a home in Ellicott City, Maryland, please contact The Mcintire Team of Long & Foster Real Estate.   Ellie McIntire The McIntire Team 410-480-3398 410-750-8781(FX) 443-418-7668(cell) E-mail:  Ellie@LNF.com http://www.elliesteam.com/ We redefine the essence of service 07/23/2008

Tomorrow is Monday July 14th 2008. There is not much going on but in France they will be celebrating Bastille Day. On July 14, 1789, an outraged group of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a fortress and prison in France where prisoners of influence were held, in hopes of capturing ammunition. Shortly thereafter, King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette took refuge in Versailles as the violent peasants pillaged and burned châteaux, and destroyed records of feudal dues; this reaction is known as the grande peur (great fear). For the peasant class, the Bastille stood as a symbol of the hypocrisy and corruption of the aristocratic government - controlled mostly by nobility and clergy. This important event marked the entry of the popular class into the French Revolution. The French recogni... 07/13/2008

The following is the market report for Ellicott City 21043 zip code, Maryland in the last 30 days of activity as of June 16th, 2008 Total Active Resale Properties: 258 Number of Active Detached homes: 144 New listings in the past 30 days: 63 Total properties under contract: 41 Properties sold in the past 30 days: 47 Average sold price: $483,474 Low Sale Price: $219,999 High Sale Price: $962,500 Average Days on Market: 97 If your interested in buying a home in Ellicott City, Maryland, please contact The Mcintire Team of Long & Foster Real Estate.   Ellie McIntire The McIntire Team 410-480-3398 410-750-8781(FX) 443-418-7668(cell) E-mail:  Ellie@LNF.com http://www.elliesteam.com/ We redefine the essence of service   06/17/2008

The following is the market report for Ellicott City 21042 zip code, Maryland in the last 30 days of activity as of June 17th, 2008 Total Active Resale Properties: 215 Number of Active Detached homes: 179 New listings in the past 30 days: 52 Total properties under contract: 39 Properties sold in the past 30 days: 40 Average sold price: $532,472 Low Sale Price: $250,000 High Sale Price: $824,900 Average Days on Market: 137 If your interested in buying a home in Ellicott City, Maryland, please contact The Mcintire Team of Long & Foster Real Estate.   Ellie McIntire The McIntire Team 410-480-3398 410-750-8781(FX) 443-418-7668(cell) E-mail:  Ellie@LNF.com http://www.elliesteam.com/ We redefine the essence of service   06/17/2008

Just some facts and personal perceptions about Lovely Ellicott City, MD Boundaries:Park Drive to the north, Patapsco River to the east, private property lines to the south and west (for Historic Ellicott City). Places of worship:Ellicott City is home to 25 churches, ranging in denomination from Methodist to Seven Day Adventist. Both St. Peter's Episcopal and Emory United Methodist churches are in the historic district. Babe Ruth was married at St Pauls Population:About 41,396 people live in the 51.46 square miles that make up Ellicott City. Best local haunts in the historic district: Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station Museum, the oldest railroad station in the United States is located at the corner of Maryland Avenue and Main Street. Make history at the Heritage Orientation Center (4... 06/16/2008

We are proud to announce our Community Service Day Blood Drive on Friday June 6th from 2 pm to 6pm at the Long and Foster Ellicott City Office, 9171 Baltimore National Pike. 21042   Call Ellie McIntire at 410-461-1456 for more information. To schedule your life saving donation please call 1-800-give-life or for your convenience you can schedule it online at http://www.membersforlife.org/rccm/mobilesch/login.php?sponsorcode=14816  Thank you in advance.       06/04/2008

Ellicott City Homes for Sale - Location - Price and Popular Public School District.SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR SALE APRIL 2008 in the Centennial High School area.  What brings many families to Ellicott City in the area below?  Centennial High School and the popular elementary and middle schools in this school cluster.  LUXURY HOMES in the community of KINGSBRIDGE in the CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT - HOMES IN THE $1,000,000 TO $2,500,000 PRICE RANGE.                     CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL SAT SCORES - 2007School YearReadingMathWriting2006-2007575605582 Combined Reading and Math - 1180Academics 2007• First Place Howard County Math League• It's Academic Baltimore Champions• Intel Talent Search Semi-FinalistCentennial High School Boundaries as of April 2008 Howard County School Report. ... 04/12/2008

Find your next home on Baltimoresun.com! It's the only place to find listings from real estate professionals, new home builders, as well as For Sale by Owner properties. Ellicott City, MD is one of our most popular searches and we currently have hundreds of active listings in the area. Use the search widget below to go right to all of our Ellicott City listings, including many you can't find anywhere else. 01/17/2008

The following is the market report for Ellicott City 21043 zip code, Maryland in the last 30 days of activity as of December 7th 2007Total Active Resale Properties: 198New listings in the past 30 days: 39 (7 of these were re-listed with a new agent)Number of Active Detached homes: 105Total properties under contract: 19Total Properties sold in last 30 days: 24Average sold price: $470,264Low Sale Price: $309,000High Sale Price: $772,500Average Days on Market: 70If your interested in buying a home in Ellicott City Maryland, please contact The Mcintire Team of Long & Foster Real Estate. Ellie McIntire The McIntire Team Long & Foster Realtors(O) 410-461-1456  (C) 443-418-7668ellie@LNF.comwww.ElliesTeam.comWe redefine the essence of service 12/07/2007