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This article was written by Lise Howe, Associate Broker at RLAH RE LLC in Chevy Chase, to share the story of a property for sale in St. Louis MO with an incredible back story and a papal provenance.  Lise loves exceptional properties with a story to tell and enjoys marketing her own listings in that way.   A Former Church, Future Pope Leo XIV and 118 Years of Drama: Inside St. Louis’s Most Astonishing Gothic Revival Listing Every so often, a property hits the market that makes even seasoned real estate pros stop mid‑scroll. The former Immaculate Conception Church and Rectory in St. Louis is one of those listings—a Gothic Revival masterpiece so cinematic it practically begs for a soundtrack. And yes, it’s for sale.And yes, someone who once lived here went on to become Pope Leo XIV.And no... 03/12/2026

This article was written by Lise Howe, Associate Broker at RLAH RE LLC in Chevy Chase, to share the story of a property for sale in St. Louis MO with an incredible back story and a papal provenance.  Lise loves exceptional properties with a story to tell and enjoys marketing her own listings in that way.  A Former Church, Future Pope Leo XIV and 118 Years of Drama: Inside St. Louis’s Most Astonishing Gothic Revival Listing Every so often, a property hits the market that makes even seasoned real estate pros stop mid‑scroll. The former Immaculate Conception Church and Rectory in St. Louis is one of those listings—a Gothic Revival masterpiece so cinematic it practically begs for a soundtrack. And yes, it’s for sale. And yes, someone who once lived here went on to become Pope Leo XIV. And n... 03/12/2026

Dictionary.com defines the American Dream as:noun1. the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American.2. life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S.Home OwnershipThe American dream means many different things to many different people. However, for most, one of the key parts of determining success in achieving the American dream is owning your own home. After the Great Recession, many wondered if home ownership was still a great investment. The answer is a resounding yes! The economy has bounced back around the country. According to the latest studies, in most places around the country, home prices have bounced back to the point of where they would have been had the recession never ... 03/12/2026

If You Don’t Want the Monkey on Your Back… Stop Buying BananasEvery once in a while, I meet someone who seems to carry the same problems around with them for years. The deal that fell apart. The client who disappeared. The market that changed. The opportunity they missed.They talk about it.They complain about it.They replay it over and over.And I sometimes think to myself…If you don’t want the monkey on your back… stop buying bananas.Because monkeys show up where the bananas are.In real estate, and in life, problems don’t usually become huge overnight. They grow because we feed them. We avoid the uncomfortable phone call. We delay fixing the small repair. We ignore the paperwork that needs attention. We let a small misunderstanding turn into a big one. We don't share that there may be a... 03/11/2026

A few minutes ago I heard an ad on TV for window replacement. Part of what the ad said was that 3 out of 4 real estate agents agree that replacing the windows in your home with this brand increased its value by at least 10%.What do you say? Do new (expensive) windows increase the value of a house by at least 10%.Or were they very selective in picking those 3 agents?  03/11/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Lise today, andworthy of our daily Re-B.GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler This blog post about why Parkside Condos is one of Bethesda’s smartest buys is written by Lise Howe, an associate broker with RLAH RE LLC and an attorney.  With nearly 4 decades of experience in the Bethesda real estate market, Lise acts as a condo matchmaker for buyers and sellers, helping them make good financial decisions. Find out why Parkside is one of Bethesda’s best-kept secrets and may be perfect for you, whether you are a first-time homebuyer, downsizer or investor.  Parkside Condos is o... 03/11/2026

This blog post about why Parkside Condos is one of Bethesda’s smartest buys is written by Lise Howe, an associate broker with RLAH RE LLC and an attorney.  With nearly 4 decades of experience in the Bethesda real estate market, Lise acts as a condo matchmaker for buyers and sellers, helping them make good financial decisions. Find out why Parkside is one of Bethesda’s best-kept secrets and may be perfect for you, whether you are a first-time homebuyer, downsizer or investor. Parkside Condos is one of Bethesda’s smartest buys and one of Bethesda’s best‑kept secrets — a community that blends space, value, and unbeatable convenience in a way few neighborhoods can match. Tucked into a serene, wooded setting at the edge of Bethesda, Parkside offers a lifestyle that feels peaceful and private... 03/11/2026

Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three.So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers.1. More Buyers Will Be LookingTypically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data from ShowingTime proves that buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see graph below):And this year, there’s more than just the seasonal trend working in your favor. Mortgage rates are also sitting near 3-year lows – and that combination matters.More buyers + improving affordability = more ey... 03/11/2026

 ✨ Your Second Chance in Beechwold! Charming, Updated Cape CodThis beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod is back on the market, giving buyers another opportunity to own this wonderful home in the heart of Beechwold!🍽️ Showstopper KitchenRecently remodeled and perfect for entertaining, featuring:• Quartz countertops• Sleek new cabinetry• Updated lighting & fixtures• New sink• A massive custom island—the size of a ping pong table!🌟 Highlights You'll Love:• Classic hardwood floors on the main level• Full bathrooms on both floors• Spacious, comfortable bedrooms• Full basement with excellent storage• Fenced backyard with a relaxing deck• Convenient off-street driveway parking📍 Prime LocationJust minutes from major highways, great dining, shopping, and everything along Indianola Ave ... 03/11/2026

Most people don’t think of building science when they build a new home. They start out thinking more about the floor plans and what the outside of the home will look like. Next, they start thinking about the kitchen layout and the features they want in their master bedroom. How their home is built and why it is built that way isn’t something that the majority of homebuyers are thinking about… but they should. Building Science impacts energy efficiency, durability, comfort, and indoor air quality. This means building science plays a direct role in your health, your safety, your comfort, and your financial ability to maintain your home.What is Building Science?According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, building science is “a field of knowledge that draws upon physics, chemi... 03/11/2026

Live in a way that leaves no regrets.... this is my entry for March 2026 Challenge #2 - Celebrating AR Lives Lost...  Susan Haughton, R.I.P. 3/8/2019 This March will be 7 years since Susan Houghton passed away. Susan was one of Anna "Banana" Kruchten's long time BananaTudes during the same time I was also one of the moderators. What I loved about Susan was her good humor and zest for life. When she made a commitment, she followed through. Susan was so excited about taking her dream vacation. We were all anxious for her next blog post to tell us all about her trip. Sadly, on the day she and her husband came home, they went to bed and Susan never woke up. Susan was the type of woman who focused on the positive in her life. She was a happy person! AR members were attracted to her goodness.... 03/10/2026

Can you really build a great website with AI?Unequivocally. 💯 Absolutely! You can even do it for free with good token management. There are many different sites to do this with (for free), but today, let's cover Manus AI. I built this simple landing page today, with free tokens and one prompt: https://zelray.github.io/cocoa-beach-landing/But we can do so much better!Garbage-In, Garbage-OutWhen I took Accounting 101 about 32 years ago, I remember the professor saying "Garbage-In, Garbage-Out", regarding using bad numbers. This couldn't be more true when it comes to AI. I built my entire MortgageGenius.pro site with AI, but it still took me about about 150 - 180 hours of human work. AI can do pretty much anything regarding coding- but if you don't know how to prompt, it will be lazy and d... 03/10/2026

 Congratulations to the new homeowners of 5684 Hillcoat Drive in Hilliard! This beautiful home has officially sold for $525,000. 🏡The Hilliard market continues to stay strong, and homes that are well-prepared and well-marketed are getting great results. Thinking about selling or curious what your home could be worth in today’s market? I’d be happy to help!📞 Erik Hiss614-431-1770  03/10/2026

 Another home successfully sold! Congratulations to the new homeowners and to everyone involved in making this transaction a success.📍 65 N Chase Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204💲 Sold for $223,700Thinking about buying or selling your home? The market is always moving, and the right strategy makes all the difference. Let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.📞 Deb McGuire614-571-4663📧 homescolumbus@gmail.comReach out today for expert guidance and personalized service! 03/10/2026

A good credit score can vary by the scoring system being used, the criteria of the lender applying it, and the particular version of the scoring model that the lender uses. Overall, when you see a score in the 670-730 range, that’s good. Higher credit scores mean you can get better rates, better approval ratings, and access to more favorable terms. When you fall below that range getting approvals can mean depending on other factors in your credit picture. So, what is a good credit score when it comes to getting a home construction loan?FICO vs. VantageScore: What’s the Difference?The Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the dominant scoring system that became the industry standard for lenders making prescreened credit offers, approving or denying applications for new credit, and managing th... 03/10/2026

There is and always will be people out there trying hard to get your hard-earned money, but don't falls for these scams.  Margaret did a great job with this post. When a home goes on the market, there is a chance it might show up online as a rental, even when it's not for rent.   Scammers copy the photos and description and repost the property at a price that seems almost too good to be true. Then comes the story. The owner had to move away for medical treatment. A spouse is ill. They just want a really special family to care for the home for a year. They ask you not to call the listing agent and say there was a disagreement, so they are handling it privately. All you have to do is send a deposit, sometimes $1,000 or more, and they will mail you the key. I have seen families fall for th... 03/10/2026

This blog post is written by Lise Howe, Associate Broker at RLAH RE LLC in Chevy Chase, celebrating her Scotch-Irish roots on one of the most enjoyable days on the calendar. While March can sometimes feel a bit dreary, dreaming about life as the lord or lady of an Irish manor can brighten anyone’s day.Dreaming of Your Own Castle in Ireland?If you’ve ever imagined wandering through ancient stone halls, gazing out over rolling green hills, or sipping tea in a turreted tower while the wind hums an old Irish tune, you’re in good company.Ireland is filled with historic and luxury castles for sale — and St. Patrick’s Day feels like the perfect time to explore them.From medieval keeps to grand country estates perfect for an Edwardian-style house party, Ireland’s four provinces — Munster, Leins... 03/09/2026

March Challenge #2: Celebrating a Member That CaredThis is entry 1 for the March Challenge hosted by Patricia Feager  and Lew Corcoran and it is a testimonial to a true friend to all he touched and a source of knowledge and inspiration to all that cared to know him.Joe Petrowski was the founder of Right Trac Financial Group in Manchester CT and Florida.Whie not of the early members of ActiveRain, only starting in May of 2011, he jumped in with both feet and was a prolific blogger, commenter and offered up highly informational posts on how to get a mortgage, where to get a mortgage when no one wanted to help, and had resources well beyond corporate loan officers. But he was a lot more than that.His quiver was always loaded and his tank always full and was the first to let all know he was... 03/09/2026

This blog post is written by Lise Howe, Associate Broker at RLAH RE LLC in Chevy Chase, to celebrate her Scotch-Irish roots on one of the most enjoyable days in the calendar.  While March can be dreary, dreaming of life as the lord or lady of Irish manor can be a fun exercise! Dreaming of Your Own Castles in Ireland? Here’s a St. Patrick’s Day Stroll Through Ireland’s Most Magical EstatesIf you’ve ever imagined yourself wandering through ancient stone halls, gazing out over rolling green hills, or sipping tea in a turreted tower while the wind hums an old Irish tune, you’re in good company. Ireland is positively brimming with historic and luxury castles for sale — and St. Patrick’s Day feels like the perfect moment to explore them.From medieval keeps to country estates perfect for an Ed... 03/09/2026

Good afternoon and hello there again. Tim here from my home office in Cottage Grove, MN. where it has warmed up to 50 degrees. Having a heat wave and looking forward to spring. Hope you are doing well and had a great weekend. Wanted to share Tim's Time Outs with you again.ANYWAY:People are often unreasonable and self-centered...FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives...BE KIND ANYWAY.If you are honest, people may cheat you...BE HONEST ANYWAY.If you find happiness, people may by jealous...BE HAPPY ANYWAY.The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow...DO GOOD ANYWAY.Gove the world the BEST you have and it may NEVER be enough...GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.For you see, in the end, it is between you and your higher power. IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM... 03/09/2026