Journey of growth

I am on day 2 of one of the many classes needed for me to get my broker's licenses. I knew that reaching this goal would be a challenge but I am really experiencing what a challenge this really is. I love the class which is Real Estate Finance but this class is really a stretch for me. One, because the content is mundane and foreign to me and two because the teacher has structured the class to one that rather than just read from the text we have open discussions on government,politics and lots of topics that have been the topic of discussion in the news for a while. I enjoy the class because it has made me realize that I need to be learning more about the world and what is going on around me. I have put myself in a box and I need to explore outside that box and outside of my comfort zone. This comes as a surprise to me since I am normally one who does not like to be boxed in and would rebel against it at all costs. I do see however where I am done this to myself because it is something that was never posed to me as a concern and I never saw the value in it until now. I thank my teacher for bringing this to my attention and for the class mates, all of which are men, for sharing their thoughts to make me ponder. For now I am silent as to learn and absorb all the knowledge.

Life through different lenses

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to see through someone elses eyes just for one day? I wonder what it would look like? Some days I wish I did not see what I see. All the wrongs and injustices in the world. Day by day they consume me. I see where people are so close yet so far away. I sometimes get involved all to come to realize that they dont see through my lense. Are they blind or am I crazy? I am left wondering why I end up time after time wanting to do nothing but good and end up doing the opposite. So I close my eyes and see the world as I want to see it if just for a moment I am at peace...

Sold

Today was a busy day of settlements for 1409 Hollywood Drive and 400 Wetherburn Drive. Another set of happy homeowners in Lancaster County!

Today is the day to do the right thing...

I am reading a book given to me by a friend and thought I would share. This chapter pulled on my heart strings today as I am challenged myself with doing the right thing. Life is very hard. We get up each day with choices to make. We dont always make the right ones. We get tangled in the web of those bad choices with those around us. Friends, co-workers, family. We get hurt and we hurt others. It is the daily grind of life. Depressing but for me refreshing. Refreshing to wrap my mind around this truth. This fact that with knowing helps me to get through each day remembering that my bad choice today may have hurt someone and to choose wisely with my choices. To choose to stop and think before I react. To seek God for the answer. Whatever your faith walk in life I encourage you read this page from my chapter and ponder how you could work just a little bit harder to do the right thing....

Peace of mind and a clear conscience are precious commodities and they cannot be bought at any price. They are yours only when you determine day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute to do the right thing no matter what. God honors the person who is willing to do the right thing with integrity and a willing heart. Even when you fall short - as everyone does-God is quick to forgive. Be strong and faithful. He is always there to help you do to the right thing.

My new venture

"I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!"-Isaiah 43:19.
When I decided to get my real estate license I also set a goal to obtain my brokers license once I had some experience under my belt. Well I let more time go by then what a wanted but I am finally going to go back to school to get my brokers license! I am excited to continue to learn more about my field which will be knowledge so I can continue to give my clients the best service possible. My first class is June 18th! So here's to the next adventure in learning set out in my horizon...

Announcing 826 Pleasure Road!

Welcome Home! This solid brick semi dettached home is move in ready! Updated kitchen with new appliances, cozy living room with gas fireplace, neutral color pallet, 1 car garage, huge attic for storage or possible 4th bedroom, inviting front porch, economical gas heat with a newer heating system installed in 2003. Built in alarm system, partially finished basement. $165,000. Call me for more info or a private showing. 380-4780. anneschlenbaker@comcast.net.

The battle has been won!

For those of you who know me you know that yard work is not my most favorite thing to do but yesterday I had just had it with the loosing battle between me, the mulch pile in my driveway and the weeds in my flowerbeds. So I took the bull by the horns and I won that battle! I worked hard all day and got the front just about all finished. I just have two small areas that need finished. I am very sore but very happy with the way it turned out and the best part is that my hubby was very pleased to see it was all done when he got home from work.

Business Article

FHA Makes 1st time buyers eligible for $8,000 tax credit:

Thousands of first time homebuyers will be able to get short term loans so they can quickly make use of a new $8,000 tax credit to pay for some of the costs of buying a home. The Federal Housing Administration on Friday released details of a plan in which borrowers who use FHA loans can get advances from lenders that let them effectively receive the credit in advance, so they don't have to wait to get the money from the Internal Revenue Service. Most borrowers will still have to come up with the FHA's required 3.5 percent down payment, unless they work through a state or local housing agency or an approved nonprofit. Ten states have such programs in place, according to the national council of state housing agencies. But there are many other potential uses, such as for closing costs and fees, or to beef up the down payment beyond the minimum level. The FHA which insures about a quarter of new home loans, is projected to guarantee about 2.2 million loans in the next budget year. Any buyer who has not owned a home in the past 3 years is considered a first time buyer and eligible for the program. Borrowers can claim the credit by filing an amended 2008 tax return or can wait for their 2009 return. The change "will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing," Housing secretary Shaun Donovan and in a statement. The tax credit was included in the economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February. It is not available to individuals with incomes above $95,000 or couples with incomes above $170,000 and expires November 30. Real Estate Agents and homebuilders generally welcomed the change. Jerry Howard, chief executive of the National Association of Home Builders, called it a "great step in the right direction." On Wall Street, shares of such builders as Toll Brothers and D.R. Horton rose on the news. Still, some real estate agents were concerned that many buyers wont benefit at all if they can't use it for a down payment- a big hurtle for many first time buyers. - Intelligencer Journal 5/30/09

Memorial Day weekend at the beach

To continue in a Memorial Day tradition Dustin and I headed to Ocean City Maryland for the weekend! We have been going down with my cousin and her husband for years now and we always have so much fun.

The beach house we stay at backs up to a dock that overlooks the bay. It is so relaxing to sit out there and feel the warm sun on your face.

This year we were joined by Zayden, Kim and Eriks new little boy. Little Zayden came in to the world about 6 weeks ago and this weekend experienced his 1st beach trip

We had beautiful weather the whole weekend except for the last day when we got stuck on the boardwalk in the pouring rain. It did not put a damper on our fun though. It was kind of fun running through the rain and seeing the beach through a different lense.

So with the car packed and ready to go home, we go knowing we are coming back a little sunburned and refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of what life has to throw at us excited to see what next's years trip may bring....

What I am reading

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant THE SHACK wrestles with the timeless question: Where is God in a world filled with unspeakable pain?

A very emotional book so far but very good. It is really opening my eyes to a whole new understanding of God.

I pray as you read it, you too are given some peace and understanding through whatever pains you are going through in life...

A must see movie...

Unjustly expelled from Harvard when a stash of cocaine is found in his possession, Matt (Elijah Wood) moves to London to live with his sister and her husband Steve (Marc Warren.) He is quickly introduced to Steve's chirpy, cock-sure younger brother Pete (Charlie Hunnam.) Initially, Pete is reluctant to get acquainted with Matt and allow him to tread around the capital city with him because he may be seen by others as an 'outsider', but after a heavy drinking session with him and his mates he quickly changes his opinion of him. On the way back from a football match, Matt is viciously accosted by a gang of Birmingham City thugs, until Pete and his friends step in and save him. It is from here that Matt learns the truth about Pete and his friends- they are football hooligans, operating the GSE (Green Street Elite) 'firm.' Initially afraid of the violence, Matt soon ends up becoming as desensitized to it as his new found friends- but as events roll on, suspicion, shocking revelations and unsettled scores combine to a devastating climax where London's most fierce football rivals- Millwall and West Ham United- are set to go head to head.

When you are down I will pick you up

Encouragement has never filled a flat tire. Encouragement has never made a car payment, nor fixed a broken washing machine. But encouragement from another gives us the strength to do what we feel we cannot do, hold on when we feel we cannot hold on, and try what we might not dare to try.
Encouragement. Doesn't sound like much, but it's everything. Send some encouragement today. You'll be part of someone's memories for a long, long time..

Knowledge is power

In an effort to encourage home ownership in Lancaster County, AmericaHomeKey is pleased to offer you an opportunity to participate in a course designed to meet your individual needs as you prepare for your goal of purchasing a home. Together we will target credit, create and adhere to a budget, implement a savings plan, introduce the barter system and explore how to pay less for almost anything! The class will participate in all the exercises as a group and your support and encouragement of each other are intrinsic to your personal success. The “diploma” you will receive are the mortgage documents you will sign the day you receive the keys to your new house!

http://www.ahomeofourown.net/

Featured Listing!

Welcome home!

Beautiful End of row townhome in convenient city location! $110,000. Visit http://www.johnsmithteam.com/ for more info

Under Contract!

Announcing that this cozy cape cod is now under contract!

I am also excited to announce that the home this couple was dreaming of buying has just been put under contract and they are going to realize that dream as we prepare for settlement day. Now starts the count down until they move into the next house they will make their home!