RE/MAX Realty Centre v. the Competition

With over 37% growth in 2013 over last year, RE/MAX Realty Centre continues to prove why clients, customers, and the top agents in the industry are attracted to the company. If you want to put the power of RE/MAX Realty Centre please visit us at www.Realty-MD.com.

The do's and don'ts to selling your products online

(BPT) - Many small business owners are hopeful that offering their products online will increase their bottom line. But the digital marketplace is increasingly crowded and it can be hard to stand out from the pack. The good news is that being a small business can actually give you an edge over bigger brands - if you know how to use your size to your advantage. Here are the do's and don'ts you need to take your business to the next level:



Don't build your own online shopping platform. While you may believe that having your own website will attract new shoppers, website development and maintenance is expensive and time consuming. Unless your brand already has the visibility needed to attract consumers without advertising or marketing, traffic to the site will be hard to generate.



Don't expect your products to sell on a large online marketplace. While big online marketplaces, like Amazon or eBay, attract a high volume of online shoppers, unless customers are searching specifically for your brand or chance across your products via search, they will likely never see your products.



Do partner with a retail platform that can help you engage with your customers. OpenSky.com is a new and free social shopping marketplace dedicated to building the businesses of small merchants. OpenSky.com will provide you with your own customized online store, a new business toolkit including tips and support, and a built-in community of more than 2.5 million engaged social shoppers, enabling you to foster one-on-one connections and market your goods directly to them. Because they're already pre-disposed to shop, a follower of your brand on OpenSky is 27 times more likely to buy than a Facebook fan. These engaged followers lead to more sales with less cost to you. Best of all? It's incredibly easy. To begin, visit www.OpenSky.com/marketplace to learn more and join this fast-growing network of brands and customers.



Do market your products in a one-of-a-kind way. Create eye-catching content, making sure all your photos are high quality and shot in their best light.



Do establish yourself as an authority. Consider creating tips, recipes or behind-the-scene snippets. If your products are naturally-sourced, why not share photos from the beautiful hike that provided your inspiration for it? Sharing relevant and relatable content will keep your customers coming back.



Do use your size to your advantage. While big retailers are busy playing the price-cutting game, you can work smartly to connect with a community of loyal followers who really appreciate what you do. Harness the personal relationships you've made with customers through social platforms where you can strengthen connections by sharing product news, relevant content and personal reminders about new items you think they'll enjoy. Remember that what makes your small business special is your customers' opportunity to feel a personal connection with you, the entrepreneur and your passion - your product.



Do start now. While selling online may seem overwhelming, following these easy steps will help you make others fall in love with your brand.



Courtesy of BPT

Tips for meeting your financial goals this year

As with any other goal, the key to achieving your financial goals is laying out a process that will ultimately lead you to success.



If you've set yearly financial goals in the past, but have failed to achieve them, now is a great time to re-evaluate your process. And don't let past failures discourage you, because you are not alone - only 12 percent of consumers reached their financial goals in this year, according to a recent Zogby IBOPE survey commissioned by TransUnion, one of the three major credit reporting companies.



"Now is the perfect time to appraise your current financial situation and make goals for where you want to be," says Heather Battison, TransUnion's senior director responsible for consumer education.



So what can you do to ensure financial success in the coming year? TransUnion offers five tips for planning and achieving your goals:



* Check your credit reports every three months. Monitoring your credit can help you recognize bad financial habits, like making late payments, which can affect credit score. Regularly checking your credit report is also a way to protect yourself against identity theft. If you ever run into a situation where you suspect identity theft, TransUnion provides a guide for what to do next.



* Check for accuracy. Make sure the information on your credit reports is up-to-date and reflects your current credit history. Give yourself at least 30 days to resolve any issues. Online dispute forms are available at TransUnion.com.



* Know your score. Your credit score helps determine your interest rates on credit purchases. A healthier credit score can help you receive the best interest rate, ultimately putting more money in your pocket as your work toward achieving your financial goals.



* Create a monthly spending plan and stick to it. Breaking down your spending habits into smaller and more manageable increments can help you achieve your financial goals. Through breaking it down by month, you can also set aside a fixed amount each month to deal with unexpected financial emergencies that may come up later in the year. If you don't have to spend this reserve fund, you can treat it as a year-end bonus, or, even better - put it toward next year's goals.



* Take additional measures to minimize your exposure to identity theft. In addition to frequently checking your credit, you can sign up for a credit monitoring service that will alert you whenever something changes in your report.



Setting yourself up for a successful financial year means developing plans now that you can execute as the year goes on. Additional planning tools to help you understand your credit information, manage your debt load, protect your identity and help you achieve your financial goals can be found TransUnion.com.



Courtesy of BPT

Clarksburg, MD Real Estate Report October 2013

Here is the Clarksburg (zipcode 20871) Area supply and demand chart for October2013. The Green bars represent the percentage of available homes that went under contract this month. The absorption rate is determined by the number of homes on the market and the number of homes selling that month. Typically the Under Contracts are the lead indicator of activity since it usually takes 30-60 days for most homes to go from under contract to sold.

Clarksburg's absorption rate dropped below 20%. Some of this is a factor of the government shutdown and a seasonal slowing. New home inventory has also played a major role in the Clarksburg market. As we get closer to the end of the year I anticipate the absorption rate to hold steady.

If you are interested in learning more about this great market, speak with a professional at RE/MAX Realty Centre 301-774-5900

Absorption Rate

October 2013 17.6% absorption rate

October 2012 19.1% absorption rate

October 2011 10.4% absorption

Olney Real Estate Reports October 2013

Here is the Olney, Brookeville, Ashton, and Sandy Spring Area supply and demand chart forOctober2013. The Green bars represent the percentage of available homes that went under contract this month. The absorption rate is determined by the number of homes on the market and the number of homes selling that month.Typically the Under Contracts are the lead indicator of activity since it usually takes 30-60 days for most homes to go from under contract to sold.

We have seen a clear change in the marketplace from the spring. Bidding wars are no longer the norm, however well price/good condition homes are selling quickly. The government shutdown along with the time of the has made the market "feel" very slow, however the 22.3% absorption rate is very strong (25.5% county wide).

If you are interested in learning more about this great market, speak with a professional at RE/MAX Realty Centre 301-774-5900

Absorption Rate

October2013 22.3% absorption rate

October 2012 10.6% absorption rate

October2011 10.9% absorption

Montgomery County Real Estate Report October 2013

Here is the Montgomery County, MD supply and demand chart forOctober 2013. The Green bars represent the percentage of available homes that went under contract this month. The absorption rate is determined by the number of homes on the market and the number of homes selling that month. We are tracking the Under Contracts for a very specific reason. Typically the Under Contracts are the lead indicator of activity since it usually takes 30-60 days for most homes to go from under contract to sold.

The government shutdown greatly impactedthe Montgomery County real estate market for the short term. However, once the shutdown was over, we saw interest in the real estate bounce back. At 25% absorption, the market is still moving along a brisk pace. We will see some seasonal slowing of the market as Nov/Dec approaches.

If you are interested in learning if the market is moving in your direction, speak with a professional at RE/MAX Realty Centre 301-774-5900

Absorption Rate

October2013 25.5% absorption rate

October 2012 21.6% absorption rate

October 2011 15.3% absorption

Massage tips to help ease your over-active muscles

(BPT) - Living an active lifestyle is being embraced by both young and old - helping to keep bodies healthy and fit. Whether you're trying a new sport or simply pushing yourself to the next level in your workout routine, you may experience aches and pain in muscles. Did you know massage therapy can help to alleviate discomfort naturally? Here are some- tips for achieving a great massage therapy experience.



"It's important to remember that increasing activity can take a toll on our bodies," says DeJuan Williams, massage therapy lead instructor at Everest College - St. Louis. "While there are many ways to ensure that our muscles, bones and joints stay healthy and injury-free, massage therapy is a great way to decrease stress, improve circulation and minimize fatigue."



Williams offers these tips for achieving the best massage therapy experience:



Start slowly. If you've been less active, give your body time to adjust and ease into more outdoor activities. "Having patience with your body can help minimize soreness," says Williams. "You may experience some discomfort after resuming strenuous outdoor activities, but massage therapy can play a role in providing comfort after an intense day."-



Find the right professional.Once you've decided to begin massage therapy, find a professional therapist who is licensed, insured and has academic credentials. "Reading online reviews and getting personal recommendations from friends are great sources," says Williams.



Ensure compatibility. At your first appointment, have a list of questions ready to determine if you're compatible with the massage therapist. "Ask them before you begin, to ensure you're comfortable with the therapist," says Williams. "You should also disclose any current health issues you're facing, in order to have the safest, most effective session." -



Customize your therapy. Discuss with the therapist any massage preferences you have, including depth of pressure, room temperature and music. "During the massage, feel free to speak up and let the therapist know if you'd like to adjust any aspects of the therapy," says Williams.



Relax and enjoy. The key to getting all the benefits of a massage is to relax your body and mind. Stopping or limiting your breathing during a massage can cause you to become tense and potentially hinder the effectiveness of your massage. "Especially if a particular muscle or joint area is sensitive from recent outdoor activity, try to breathe normally," says Williams. "Massages should never hurt, so be sure to communicate any discomfort immediately."



Stay hydrated, stay healthy. Making sure you're hydrated can help you to feel better pre- and post-massage. "Always drink extra fluids before and after massages to ensure that your muscles are hydrated, and to help flush toxins from the body," says Williams. "Just as it's important to be disciplined with a steady workout regimen, a consistent massage therapy plan can boost your overall health and keep you feeling great."



Courtesy of BPT