Power of Community

This year, I decided I wanted to hold a Toy Drive with all donations going to local Charles County children that may not have much or a Christmas at all.  Because of my relationship and involvement with the local soup kitchen, Our Place Waldorf, I reached out Deanna Gerhart and told her of my idea and I asked her if I could surprise the children that attend the dinners on Thursday nights at Good Shepherd Church for Christmas, she happily agreed.   And the story began ….

In my vision, I saw “Santa” walking into the church with a big bag of toys while watching the eyes of the children light up.   I then asked around to see if anyone had a Santa suit that we could borrow and Deanna said she not only had one but that another wonderful supporter of Our Place Waldorf, Mike agreed to be Santa.  

I then reached out to my broker, Don DeHanas and asked if he would allow me to place a toy donation box at our real estate office in Waldorf, again he happily agreed.   He also said that I could print as many signs as needed using the office printer.   That alone is a HUGE donation and saved me a lot of money.

My next step was to find large sturdy boxes to transform into Toy Drive donation boxes.    I reached out to Matt McKendree, the owner of McKendree Moving & Storage to see if he would donate 4-6 boxes for the event.   The answer I received was not only a yes to the boxes (and as many as I need) but also an offer to be another Toy Drive drop off location.  Joan at his office was amazingly helpful and happy to be a part of this event. 

I then contacted my wonderful, supportive, very pregnant daughter-in-law Liz Mildenstein who not only gives her time whenever asked but is also a very talented designer of print materials if she would help design the signs, again another yes.   She also volunteered to place a Toy Drive donation box at her office, AVIAN, LLC in Lexington Park and did.

The neighborhood I live in, Greenmont which is Waldorf is filled with very giving, generous families that consistently support Our Place Waldorf making food donations to our home so that we can take it to Our Place Waldorf on Thursday nights.   I created flyers and took them house to house asking for their support by making toy donations to us at our home and as expected, they were very generous.   We even had neighbors, Mike & Melody Coates that we never met before bring bags and bags of toys then showed up the following week with a lot of food and a commitment to start bringing monthly food donations.  Power of Community! 

Since I was getting so much positive support, I decided to contact Sid Rahai, the owner of Avant Garde Carpet One Floor & Home located in Waldorf to see if he would mind being another drop off location and again, it was a YES!  Sid is a wonderful, caring man that we have had the pleasure of knowing for many years!

Once the signs were finalized, I reached out to a few local printers to see if anyone was willing to donate a very large sign to place in the front glass of our office at DeHanas Real Estate Services.   I quickly received a response from Cindy, the owner of Waldorf Signs and she said she would be happy to make and donate the sign.   She had it ready in just a matter of days and I could not have been more thankful!   She and her husband were so gracious!

Things just kept falling into place.   Although I had established 5 great Toy Drive drop off locations, I still had the nagging worry that I would not collect enough toys for each child at Good Shepherd Methodist Church.   Once again, I asked Deanna Gerhart along with many others if they could think of another local business that may be willing to be a drop off location.  Deanna told me I should contact Eric Kriemelmeyer, the owner of FASTSIGNS of Waldorf, as he has been a huge supporter of Our Place Waldorf.  I sent him an email asking if he would mind me putting up a Toy Drive box at his store which is right on Rt. 301 in Waldorf.   The response I received was shocking.   He not only happily agreed but offered to print yard signs for each of my drop off locations, put the sign up on his LED marque which faces Rt. 301 and to extend an offer of 10% off all printing for each of my sponsors.   I was and still am overwhelmed by his generosity.  

About two weeks before the deadline of December 15^th, my broker Don DeHanas held a holiday party and when guests asked what they could bring, he said “a toy”.  Well, apparently Don knows a lot of people because the following Monday, he and his partner David Strickland brought a truckload of toys for the Toy Drive, all donations of his party guests.   I was overwhelmed and honestly, still am.

The last but not least drop off location came to me because of my wonderful friend and co-worker David Strickland.  He works part time for Rucci’s Deli in White Plains and he said the manager, JoAnne offered to be yet another Toy Drive location.   Again, I was so touched and saw the Power of Coummunity.   

As it got closer to the event and after doing an unofficial count of toys, it seemed like we were lowest on gifts for teenagers.  I was just about to start panicking when Deanna Gerhart called me to say that one of the Our Place board members, Cyndi Modlyn has been collecting toys and gift cards for the event she should have nearly 50 toys and $500 in gift cards that would more than cover all the teenagers.  She is came in and saved the day! 

There have also been toys coming in from people who simply heard about it and sent toys with my wonderful gift wrapping helpers, Deanna Gerhart, Alyssa Gerhart, Linda Heimpel and Carla Dothard.  

There are so many other people that helped with picking up the Toy Drive donation boxes, such as my wonderful son, Justin Lambert and my very supportive husband, Mike Mildenstein as well as help with last minute details, including Liz Benitez and David Strickland again! 

In order to pull this off, I reached out to about 10 co-workers and family members asking them to be “Elves” on December 17^th.   The Elves will include my giving, patient son, Justin Lambert, husband Mike Mildenstein, stepson Chad Mildenstein, daughter-in-law Liz Mildenstein, friends and co-workers, Donnie Wilburn, Melissa Banchs, Don DeHanas, David Strickland and of course, the wonderful Mike M. as Santa!

I think it’s safe to say, I have received over 250 new, unwrapped toys and about $600 in gift cards.   This idea, which is all it was has shown me not only what can be accomplished with a little work and a lot of help but mostly, the true meaning of Christmas.  The outpouring of support, offers, donations and kindness has been an amazing, eye opening experience.   I am forever grateful to everyone, there is just no way that I could express that in words.  If anyone says there is no such thing as Santa, they have not looked inside themselves.  This community has proven he is real in all of us!  

I’m very grateful to the following for their help and to so many others that I don’t have names for but made such a difference to the families of Our Place Waldorf this year!!!  My family, Justin Lambert (son), Mike Mildenstein (husband) and Liz Mildenstein (daughter-in-law)

DeHanas Real Estate Services

McKendree Moving & Storage

Waldorf Signs

Avant Garde

FASTSIGNS of Waldorf

Avian, LLC

Rucci’s Deli 

And my wonderful neighbors in Greenmont

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For many of us, a long, cold Winter is not something we look forward to. And most of us cannot afford to be snowbirds for the next 4-5 months and travel to warmer climates. There are some things you can do to make this Winter season feel a little warmer and go by a little quicker.

Take some time for yourself. After all of the holiday festivities, it is time to utilize that gym membership. Everyone I know has a gym membership whether they use it or not. Time to dust it off! A nice 30 minute workout can do wonders for your mental self, and help you with the extra waistline you picked up between Thanksgiving and New Years. If you belong to a gym that has a sauna or steam room, It’s time to sweat out those toxins that you have been building up. There is no better way to feel a quick jolt or rejuvenation than a 15-20 minute steam a couple of times a week.

How about a mani or pedi? Even the guys can enjoy a nice foot massage and a scrub. For under $40, it is an easy way to pull some of the stress out of your day and it can be very relaxing, especially on cold Winter days. Don’t forget the occasional full body massage. Some gyms offer massages, but if not, there seems to be a spa in every shopping center these days.

Take a long weekend. If you have the ability to take off on a Friday or a Monday occasionally, there are lots of things you can do to break up the monotony of gray days and frigid temps. Perhaps you are one that enjoys the activities that come with the season. If so, there are a half dozen ski resorts within a 3-4 hour drive, and several outdoor ice skating venues as close as the Washington DC Mall. But if a warmer destination is something you’re seeking, don’t forget Charles County is within an hours drive to a cruise ship, docking at the Port of Baltimore. You can take a 5 day cruise to Bermuda right now for less than the cost of staying in some hotels! And if you a spontaneous enough, the last minute deals for unbooked rooms will save you even more money. Cheapcruises.com is a great source for booking information.

Take an even longer weekend. Mid-Winter vacations are a great way to break up the blahs. They give you something to shoot for and by the time the after-vacation memories start to fade, Spring will be upon us!

Lastly, just breathe. You will get through it. It is just a temporary situation. Take it day by day, eat healthy food, curb the happy hour cravings and get plenty of sleep.

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5115 GOVERNORS GRANT PL Beautiful Water-Front Colonial! PROPERTY DETAILS $674,900 LISTING INFORMATION MLS: CH8583321 Bedrooms: 4 Full Baths: 3 Partial Baths: 0 Sq ft: 3008 Lot Size: 8.06 Style: Colonial Taxes: $6878.00 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Seller Motivated! Reduced Price -Seller to finish 700sf space above garage to be au pair/bedroom, Built 2012 almost 1000sf Waterfront on 8 acres offers custom kitchen w/ Kenmore professional series appliances, spacious and open floor plan, main level offers full bath w/bedroom, Energy eff. Geo-thermal heat/cool, 3 large bedrooms w/walk in closets, 3-car garage, 1500sf unfin. base/w/bath rough in CONTACT INFORMATION The DeHanas Team DeHanas Real Estate Services 1218 Smallwood Drive Waldorf 20603 Phone: Office: 301-870-1717301-870-1717  Fax: 301-870-7633 http://www.waldorfhomesolutions.com/ ADDITIONAL IMAGES

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Located at 1000 Sweegrass Circle, in the Agricopia Neighborhood of La Plata, the charm and sophistication in this home is astounding! This former model is still as photogenic as ever! Every detail and design has been well thought out in this Steuart Kret built home, featuring more upgrades than the average model home! With brick on 3 sides, this stately Colonial is the pride of the neighborhood! And it is built with entertaining in mind. From the moment you step into the grand foyer, you'll know you have stepped into luxury.  The floor plan is open and spacious featuring soaring ceilings. All of the flooring is upgraded throughout the home, and the custom wood work adds the perfect touch of elegance! There are formal living and dining rooms, perfect for upscale entertaining, and a gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, upgraded 42 inch cabinets and built-in stainless steel appliances that would make the chef in the house proud! With 4 large bedrooms and 4.5 baths, there's privacy for everyone in the house, and the basement features 2 bonus rooms that could be additional bedrooms if needed. All of the bedrooms feature baths, and the master suite boasts a very welcoming master bath; your retreat from the cares of the day! The basement is also built for great gatherings, and comes with a game room, and spectacular granite wet bar with upgraded cabinetry. There is also plenty of space for a home gym, hobby room and more! If you can pull yourself away from the interior, the expansive wood decking offers the perfect place for outdoor meals with friends!  The landscaping has been beautifully maintained and adds to the pristine curb appeal of this home.

Not far from the house is everything you need in a well planned community. Within very close proximity is the Charles Regional Medical Center, and downtown La Plata which is home to many boutique shops, gourmet restaurant and an award winning community theater. This is the perfect place to call "home".

Note: DeHanas Real Estate Services will be holding this home open, on Saturday April 4, 2015 from 11AM-2PM. For more details or directions call 301-870-1717.

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DeHanas Real Estate Services recently participated in the 2015 Great Big Home Show which was held at the Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf on March 14 &15. The show was designed to bring service providers and homeowners together for an opportunity to pick up new ideas on home projects, and potentially save thousands of dollars.  DeHanas Real Estate was on hand to offer home sellers, tips on getting their homes ready for the sales market, and talk to prospective home buyers about the most common home projects for new home owners.

During the event, DeHanas Real Estate held a drawing for a Big Screen TV.  The winning entry was submitted by Dorothy Ellerbe of Clinton, who was awarded the prize on Monday following the event.

DeHanas Real Estate Services offers pre-buying counseling sessions for home buyers looking to prepare themselves the buy a home in a very competitive housing market. This service is free. Call 301-870-1717 for an appointment.

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Housing Statistics for Waldorf MD in zip code 20603 are now available for the month of January 2015.  If you would like statistics for your zip code, please let us know.  And if you want more information on your homes' value go to http://www.WaldorfHomeValues.com

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Don DeHanas, Broker of DeHanas Real Estate Services in Waldorf introduced Kris Zaccarelli as the newest member of the DeHanas Team.  “I am proud and pleased that Kris has joined us.” Says DeHanas.  “Our families have known each other for years. Kris’ husband Dominic and my brother played football together in high school. The Zaccarelli’s have played a big part in the community and in the Charles County Public School system, and Kris brings the same enthusiasm to real estate that has made her successful in her previous 25 year career.”  Zaccarelli says, “I decided to affiliate with DeHanas Real Estate because of the family atmosphere, and professional work environment. DeHanas has an excellent reputation in the community, and I am excited to join them.”

Kris is a Southern Maryland native growing up in La Plata, and then raising her own family in the same location. She is a charismatic wife, loving mother of three- and wonderful “Grammy” to her sweet granddaughter. She is ecstatic to begin her Realtor career after 25 years serving families all over Southern Maryland in her daycare business. She enjoys getting to know a family and doing everything she can to meet their needs. She looks forward to making the home buying process an exciting one. As a local Kris is able to provide excellent information on the different areas of Southern Maryland and can help match families to homes based on their expectations.  Let Kris help you find the perfect home for you and your loved ones

DeHanas Real Estate Services is owned by Rachel DeHanas and her son Don. They have been helping families move to and from Southern Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia for more the 15 years, specializing in residential home sales, property management, Bank owned homes, short sales and property investment.

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Buying and selling a home has certainly been a roller-coaster experience over the recent past, and I predict will continue to be full of interesting twists and turns in the near foreseeable future.  Certainly the anticipation of political changes has brought transactions like short sales to a snails pace.  Congress has yet to make a call on the extension of of the Debt Forgiveness Act of 2007, and the short sale process has not gotten any easier since they first became popular 6 years ago. It is doubtful we will see much progress after the election as the lack of bi-partisanship continues to negatively effect the pace at which recovery is happening. Even with the slow pace of short sales, they continue to be the most responsible way a homeowner can avoid Foreclosure.

There are a number of indicators which tell us that the market we are currently in is likely to remain much the same with regards to the number of short sales and Bank owned sales. But also signs that a slowing may be on the horizon, and even predictions of a decline in home values.

I have noted that in the past 30 days I am seeing a softening of the local market.  September is certainly not running at the same rate in terms of real estate activity, as July was. My peers from all across the country are experiencing similar happenings. August stats for the Nations resales and new construction are also down over last year.

On September 18th, 2014, a former Goldman Sachs executive delivered an 18 page report to the White House that has many banking institutions alarmed.  He warns of an adjustment in the current home values by as much as a 15% decrease over the next three years, which could wipe out all of the gains we have seen in the current recovery.  Here is a link to the article.

http://dsnews.com/news/09-18-2014/analyst-predicts-home-price-decline-report-white-house

This report follows a recent CoreLogic report indicating the past several months of national home prices has hit a plateau.  Plateaus of this type can also signify a warning of a correction in home values might be imminent.

By itself, I would say these are the kinds of things we continue to hear, and then the next week, we see good news, however, there does appear to be multiple sources of independent opinions all coming to the same conclusion.

There is a projection this could lead to a resurgence of short sales and foreclosures all across the country, and unfortunately the State of Maryland has not made significant recovery in this area to date. Because Maryland is a Judiciary State, the backlog of homes facing Foreclosure has us ranked 4th in the Nation in terms of the quantity of homeowners having missed making a mortgage payment in 90 or more days.

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