I took these pictures with my camera phone on a random warm day in the middle of February.  There were several holes where there were no homes in sight.  In many locations on the course the feeling was so incredibly peaceful that I actually forgot that I was just outside of Washington, DC.   If you would like to learn more about this gorgeous Oak Creek community in Upper Marlboro, MD give me a call.  I'd be happy to help you navigate the many available builders and floor plans.   02/20/2009

Today was one of those glorious days in the Winter that encourages everyone to get outdoors.  60 degrees in February is heaven.  My husband, an avid golfer, decided that he wanted to get out and play today.  We live on Oak Creek golf course and I have never seen the entire course. I decided that I would drive the cart and keep score.  The views were stunning.  I had no idea just how truly beautiful this Oak Creek community is. Oak Creek features several builders with floor plans ranging from townhomes to estate homes.  The homes are artfully arranged along the golf course so as not to encroach on play, while allowing the golf course to act as a stunning backdrop for many of the homes.  On several holes it was difficult to believe that we were actually located just outside of Washington,... 02/08/2009

These are good times in general to buy a home.  The interest rates are pretty low and homes prices have moderated significantly. This is an especially good time to look into the brand new home that you have always wanted. Builders are offering great incentives to buy.  These can include free or discount options, closing cost help, or other incentives.  I've seen free media rooms, flat screen tvs, finished basement.  You name it, you can discuss it. Unlike individual owners, builders don't have the emotional attachment to the sale.  They are just trying to reduce their inventory therefore, they are really open to negotiation. There are wonderful deals available on inventory homes.  Builders want to get these homes off their books and they will make the deals very attractive to get homes ... 01/14/2009

These difficult economic times are causing large amounts of stress for many people.  Even in good times, the real estate transaction is frought with stress for all involved.  Its important to find some good (healthy) stress relievers to help you relax. Journal/blog Take a time out. Take a bath/shower Read Exercise Watch tv/play video games Talk to friends Listen to music Yoga Massage It is important to note that what is stress relieving for one person may not work for another.  For example, when my husband is stressed he likes to clean.  I would rather be hit in the head than clean so that would not work for me. The other really important thing to consider about stress relievers is that there are stress relievers that inadvertently cause more stress.  Consider these scenarios: I like to... 01/10/2009

1.  Install smoke detectors on every level of the home and inside every bedroom.  Check smoke detectors monthly. Change smoke detectors batteries at least yearly.  2.  Give space heaters lots of space. Use them at least 3 feet away from anything combustible. Never leave them on while you sleep or when not at home.  3.  Always stay in the kitchen when cooking.  4.  Keep dish towels and other things that can burn far away from the cooktop.  5.  Never put out a small grease fire with water.  Instead cover the pan and remove from heat until the fire is extinguished.  6.  Have chimneys, fireplaces, and furnaces inspected and serviced frequently.  7.  Don't overload extension cords or run them under rugs.  8.  Never leave a candle unattended.  9.  Do not place a candle in a location where it ... 01/07/2009

  Greater Mount Calvery Holy Church in Washington DC and First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro,Maryland will be hosting the 2009 New Year's Revival Wednesday January 7 -Friday January 9 at 7:00pm. Guest preachers and psalmists will be:                                                          Wednesday Pastor Sheryl Brady -The River, Durham,N.C     and     Psalmist Cece Winans                                                                                                     Thursday Pastor Noel Jones -City of Refuge Church, Gardena,California and Psalmist The Williams Brothers                                                                                                                   Friday Bishop T.D Jakes - The Potter's House, Dallas,Texas    and   Psalmists Mary Ma... 01/06/2009

The 9th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show! This show, at Darnall's Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 301-952-8010, will delight children of all ages as they marvel at the creativity and talent of local bakers. Stop by any of the following days: Friday, November 28-Sunday, November 30, Thursday, December 4-Sunday, December 7, and Thursday, December 11-Sunday December 14, from 12 noon-5 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite adult and child entries in the Viewer's Choice Award competition. The fee is just $1/person! Visit www.pgparks.com for more information.   11/26/2008

Don't miss the Festival of Lights a spectacular holiday drive-through display, featuring more than one million twinkling lights! This holiday event is fun for the whole family and begins Friday, November 28 and continues through Thursday, January 1, nightly from 5-9:30 pm at Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro MD 20774. Admission to the Festival of Lights is $5 per car or van, or $10 for a multi-visit pass (3 visits) and it's FREE on December 25, 2008. Please bring canned goods as they will be accepted nightly for donation to local food banks. For more information, call 301-699-2456 or TTY 301-218-6768 or visit www.pgparks.com. 11/24/2008

There was a water main break in Prince Georges County Saturday near Central Avenue & the Beltway.  Due to this break, there is a boil water advisory for certain parts of Prince George's County east of the Beltway, south of Route 50, west of Church Road and North of Ritchie Marlboro Road.  Visit www.fox5dc.com to view a map of the affected area.  The boil water advisory is in effect for five days. This break is also expected to cause problems for people planning to attend Sunday's Redskins game.  Fans are encouraged to use an alternate route and allow extra time 11/15/2008

| temea@comcast.net 1926 Whistling Duck Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD WOW! Impressive brick front TH in a highly sought after neighborhood, Minutes from shopping, military installations, restaurants, and metro stations. 4BR/3.5BA Townhouse $2,150/month Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Sq Footage 2,300 Parking 2 dedicated Pet Policy No pets Deposit $2,150 DESCRIPTION This beautiful townhome has 3 finished levels, 4 BDRS, 3.5 Baths, Hardwood foyer, Spacious kitchen with breakfast bar, lots of counter space and 42 cabinets, 9 ft ceilings on main level; Vaulted upper level ceilings, master suite with soaking tub and walk-in closet; Walkout basement, full basement bath, laundry room, rec room and fireplace; Awesome back yard with large deck, walk down stairs, private wooded views, and lar... 11/15/2008

Decided to arrive at my polling location at Phyllis E Williams elementary school in Prince Georges County Maryland at 5 am.  on TUESDAY I had a conversation with a fellow Realtor who suggested that I arrive before 6 am, which happened to be my Monday plan.  She said that I would arrive surprized at the line if I arrived at 6.  So I decide to arrive at 5.  Well, I woke at 440, and learned that my friend, fellow Realtor also want ed to go early with me.  Now my time would be set back 30 mins.  On with the long johns, sweat pants and shirt and ski jacket.  Made a fresh cup of coffee and headed out to the car for our quick 1 mile commute. Arrived at 5:35.  cars parking in the lot at the library and no less than 50 people already lined up and sitting in the dark.  Set up camp, pulled out the... 11/03/2008

This is a Upper Marlboro Maryland real estate update for Saturday November 1, 2008.  As of today Saturday November 1, 2008 there are currently 628 homes for sale in Upper Marlboro Maryland.  These are fee simple homes for sale and detached single family homes.  Upper Marlboro Maryland is located in Prince Georges County Maryland just north of Washington DC.  Upper Marlboro has a great homes and some great subdivisions with reasonably priced single family detached fee simple homes for sale. Below is a current list of activity on single family homes for sale in Upper Marlboro. 628 'Active' -  Upper Marlboro Maryland Homes 9 'Cntg/KO' - Upper Marlboro Maryland Homes 15 'Cntg/NO KO' - Upper Marlboro Maryland Homes 58 'Contract' - Upper Marlboro Maryland Homes Find Homes for sale in Upper Ma... 10/31/2008

Upper Marlboro MD- Below are some bargain and bank-owned properties available for sale in Perrywood , Upper Marlboro MD. There are lots of great bargain in  Perrywood Upper Marlboro real estate market now- Don't miss your opportunity to buy your first home, a larger home or a retirement home in this buyer's market. There are over 55 loan programs available for buyers with zero down payment, low interest rate or low down payment. To get more information about the different loan programs visit Upper Marlboro MD Homes   Perrywood Upper Marlboro MD Townhouse   1137 RING BILL LOOP, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774  $299,000 15004 GREEN WING TER, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774 $320,000 1205 CAPE BARON CT, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774 $288,900       Perrywood Upper Marlboro MD Detached Homes   13309 WATER FOWL ... 10/21/2008

There was an article in yesterday's Washington Post about a possible homebuilding scam in Upper Marlboro, MD. It's pathetic to see yet ANOTHER real estate scam being run in Maryland, but it underscores how important it is to do your homework when buying a home. Take the time to learn a little more about your builder, and not just from the builder themselves.  Get in touch with people who have used them in the past, research consumer complaints, and find out what their reputation is like.  websites like consumerreports.com and ripoffreport.com are great resources.  Also, try asking on local message boards and forums to see if anyone has an opinion on the builder. Make sure they're actually licensed.  Every builder has to have a builders license filed with the state of Maryland.  An ounce... 10/12/2008

My family and I attended the Bowie International Festival this past weekend.  It was held on Saturday at the Allen Pond Park.  The weather was wonderful and it was a great day to be outside.  We were able to sample food from many different countries (I had Thai food).  There were also vendors and displays representing many different cultures.  The highlights of the festival were the performances, including a steel drum band from Trinidad and Ukrainian dancers.  It was really nice to be out seeing so many people celebrating our diversity. In the meantime, we also discovered this fabulous park.  We are new to the area so we had never been there.  The kids really enjoyed the playground.  There were several soccer fields, basketball courts, skate-board and ice-skating rinks.  In the center ... 10/06/2008

I recently was involved in the planning of two community events that were held at the new Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro.  For both I visited the Fairwood Shopping Center in Bowie, MD.  This shopping center was a short drive from Oak Creek.  I was amazed at how friendly and supporttive the merchants were.  Almost everyone that I spoke to was more than willing to provide assistance where ever possible.  Special thanks to: Fairwood Cafe Liquor and Wine that donated 2 cases of beer to my golf tournament. Suntrust Bank in the Safeway Supermarket who were helpful in setting up my checking accounts and also in supporting and making a donation to the golf tournament. Marines recruiting who donated prizes. Gold's Gym which donated a 3 month membership for us to use as an auction item. Touch A... 09/21/2008

The 2nd annual Angie Houtz Memorial Tournament was held on Friday September 19, 2008 at the Oak Creek Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, MD.  The tournament was a huge success.  There were 76 golfers and they all seemed pleased with the course and the events of the day.  Most were impressed with the conditions of the new Oak Creek Golf Course and are looking forward to next year for a chance to play again on the private Oak Creek course. Thanks to an army of volunteers, donors, and players the event went off without any major glitches.  We raised over $4000 for the Angie Houtz Memorial Scholarship Fund and look forward to the scholarships that we will be able to offer next year thanks to the success of this and the Spring fundraisers.  Thanks again to all who supported us.  We look forward to... 09/21/2008

BAIL OUT, BAIL OUT . . . The government is expected to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a monumental move designed to protect the mortgage market from the failure of the two companies, which together hold or guarantee half of the nation's mortgage debt. Freddie and Fannie are private companies the government is again bailing out. Banks saw their stocks sink and worry they could be swept up in the turmoil surrounding the mortgage finance giants. Preferred Stock Holders (China & Japan) want to be made "Hold". Preferred and Non Preferred Stock Holders should take equal loss in this acquisition since everyone who pays taxes is stuck with the tab including me, you, our children and grandchildren! Here is another "Bal Out" of a private company we wind up paying for. We are hurting acro... 09/07/2008

Its here!  The Community block party for the Deer Run & Deer Ridge neighborhoods of Oak Creek will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 3-7pm (Rain date 9/20).  This will be held on Bottsford Ave in the Deer Ridge Community.  There will be great food as well as fun activities for kids and adults. Oak Creek is a wonderful new development and this is a great opportunity to meet many of your new neighborhoods and help to build a sense of community within the neighborhood.  In addition, to meeting new neighbors the block party committee is hoping to raise money to help local schools.  There will be raffles and a silent auction, and donations of school supplies are being requested. Come on by on Saturday.  We look forward to meeting you there! 09/06/2008

If you are looking for a fun place to visit in Upper Marlboro, MD, then Watkins Regional Park may be just the place.  The park is located near the beltway in Upper Marlboro, MD.  Our kids had a ball!  There was a carousel and a train.  Costs to ride each were $1.25 for residents of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties.  There is also a minature golf course.  The train rides through a small farm where there are cows, donkeys, ducks, and llamas.  There is a trail that leads to this farm as well so that you can spend more time observing the animals. The other side of the park features a huge playground.  There is well maintained equipment that is suitable for ages 2-12. There are also tennis courts, baseball fields, and picnic areas. The park is very centrally located and is easily acces... 08/31/2008