For February’s ActiveRain contest, instead of choosing just one member to highlight, I’m choosing a small but mighty core group, the people who quietly and faithfully keep our Tuesday Zooms alive week after week. At the center is Debe Maxwell, CRS , who hosts, manages the tech, keeps us on schedule, lines up speakers, and somehow maintains order when it can feel a little like herding a room full of very smart, opinionated cats. Alongside Debe are Eileen Burns 954.483.3912  Carol Williams , Kat Palmiotti, and George Souto, who announces weekly highlights and presenters, plus  Kathy Streib, who reminds us in her column that Tuesday is coming (as if we could forget). But truly, there are many more who deserve mention, presenters, moderators, idea generators, topic creators, and consistent ... 02/09/2026

Real estate is more than just a transaction; it’s about people and their lives. When families buy or sell a home, they often carry a mix of emotions with them: stress, grief, excitement, and fear of change. These feelings can impact the process, even if we try to set them aside. I believe that homes often sell themselves when they are priced and shown honestly. The real challenges usually come from the emotional states of everyone involved. Recognize that people enter “HANGER” phase, feeling hungry, angry, tired, and emotionally drained. In these moments, even small issues can feel overwhelming, and words can hurt more than we intend.   Resolving challenges doesn’t always require a strong argument. Often, it’s about listening. When people feel heard, the tension eases. What might seem l... 02/08/2026

February ActiveRain challenge. Choosing just one member to highlight is nearly impossible, given how many extraordinary people are in this community. I decided to keep it simple and genuine and recognize the last ActiveRain member I interacted with, and that is Andrea Bedard. Andrea has been filming my properties, and the way she captures them feels almost like a fairy tale, bringing them to life and infusing them with magic through her video, music, composition, and storytelling.Andrea's view of my stone cottageOne of her videos went viral, which was exciting for both of us, and as a direct result, my showings jumped to almost -one a day for an entire week-yes, this was the house with no kitchen. What makes this even more special is that Andrea is so appreciative, thanking me for allow... 02/05/2026

The First Two Weeks Are Everything: How to Launch Your Home Sale Right in 2026By Adam Chubbuck Navy Veteran | #18 Ranked Maryland Realtor (54 Sales, $28M+ Volume in 2025) Team Leader – Team Alpha Charlie at Douglas Realty | Top 0.5% StatewideThere are only three things that truly sell a home: Price. Condition. Location.I can’t change your location. I can help you improve condition—staging, updates, curb appeal, deep cleaning.But the single biggest lever for a fast, profitable sale in today’s market?Price.And the moment that matters most is the first 7–14 days after your home hits the market.Why the First Two Weeks Are Make-or-Break in 2026Buyer excitement peaks right when a new listing goes live. That’s when: Searches are fresh Alerts are triggered Agents are actively showing clients ne... 02/10/2026