Prospective buyers are much better able to visualize your home as their homewhen there’s no clutter. A little bit of spring cleaning could mean money in thebank for homeowners anxious to sell in today's shifting market.Through our experience as REALTORS®, We have learned what’s important to prospective homebuyers. Although many factors ultimately play into the purchase decision, let’s begin with the buyer’sability to visualize.There’s a good reason why most model homes have minimal furnishings and wide-open spaces: sobuyers can easily see how their family will fit. Providing that same open landscape when selling yourown home allows people to put themselves in the picture. The result? You will likely sell your home ina shorter period of time and for a better price.Whether you are just considering a move, already have the “for sale” sign up or aren’t planning to goanywhere for a long time, spring cleaning is a great way to combat the clutter. Simply take stock ofwhat you have, decide what you don’t need or want, and clear out the unnecessary items by hosting ayard sale or giving them to charity.If you’ve definitely decided to sell your home, get packing early! The benefitof boxing your cherished possessions and other “space takers” is threefold:It will keep them out of harm’s way while your property is being shown, itwill give you a jump start on packing for the big move, and it will provide the“clean slate” that helps prospective buyers visualize.If you’re on the fence about moving or just need to clear some clutter, startby getting rid of the things that truly don’t matter. Go room by room, andgather the “dust collectors” that have no sentimental value. Magazines,newspapers, old binders, worn linens, chipped dishes and that third set ofmeasuring cups all are candidates for the first cut. Remember to lift thatdust ruffle and pitch the forgotten-about items under your bed. Then usethe long arm of the vacuum to eliminate those hard-to-reach dust bunnies!Tackle the bathroom cabinets and medicine chests next. With a garbagebag in hand, toss those old prescriptions, half-used products, bobby pins,outdated makeup, etc. As a general rule, if it is expired or hasn't been used in three months—or ifyou’re not even sure what it is—out it goes! When you’re done, put new liners on your shelves and inyour drawers for a fresh feel and sense of accomplishment!Next, open your closets and get rid of anything that hasn’t been worn in two years, broken/scuffed-upshoes and other items that are simply taking up precious room. Storage areas such as closets rankhigh in the minds of buyers, so showing space will surely make their faces light up as they considerhow much of THEIR stuff will fit!When you’re ready to begin, be sure to get the family involved! Make a game of it for the kids, ormake it a contest for the whole family. Turn the music up, offer incentives, and get into the spirit ofspring cleaning. Whether or not you are selling your home, decluttering will make you feel refreshed,revitalized and ready for the new season!

Ted & Kathy

YorkshireKeller Williams Preferred

Properties(240) 737-5000

Volume 10,March Edition

Inside this issue:• Put Some Spring Into Selling

Your Home

• Should You Move Up in a DownMarket?

• Real Estate Tips

• Saving for a Rainy Day

• Poison Prevention

• Feeling Lucky!

• Simple Garlic Salmon

brought to you byTed & Kathy Yorkshire

The National Association of REALTORS® conducts an extensivestudy each year to determine nationwide changes in our market.The results of this research give real estate professionals likeourselves the most current information available to help you sellyour home as quickly as possible and for the best price, termsand conditions.

The 2006 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of HomeBuyers and Sellers provides insight into how our quickly-shiftingeconomy continues to impact home sales. Here are someinteresting results:

1. 66% of repeat buyers would use the same REALTOR®

again to help them find the right house, negotiate price, manage the paperwork, investigate comparable properties in their market area, determine how much they can afford and help arrange financing.

2. In 2006, the typical FSBO home sold for $187,200, compared to $247,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

3. FSBOs identified the following tasks as being the most difficult when selling their homes:

• Getting the right price - 11%• Understanding paperwork - 16%• Preparing/fixing up home for sale - 18%• Attracting potential buyers - 9%• Having enough time to devote to all aspects

of the sale - 9%

In the market to buy or sell a home? Contact us tolearn more about how to realize your real estate goalsand make the most of your investment in today'scompetitive market.

Should You Move Up in a Down Market?

While it’s true that this market will make it difficult to getas much for your current home as you would like, theprice of that larger home you’ve had your eye on also hasgone down. If you consider the price decreases inpercentages, NOW is the BEST time to BUY!For example, if your current home is worth $200,000, and the homeyou want to buy has a value of $600,000, the difference in value is$400,000. Right?

Not necessarily! With home prices decreasing roughly 10% on average in today’s market, your current home would beworth $180,000, and the home you want to move up to would be worth $540,000. So while your home value hasdecreased only $20,000, the home you want is now $60,000 less!Understanding exactly how the shifting economy affects your buying and selling power is not just our job, it’s our passion.While you might hear a lot of media hype expounding on bad-market syndrome or buyer’s market vs. seller’s market,know that in ANY market, we are here to bring you real information… in real time… with real answers on how you canachieve your real estate goals.

For the most accurate look at how you can best meet your real estate and financial goals in today’smarket, please give us a call. Together we can take a look at all of the possibilities and determinethe best time and circumstances for you to make a move. We're here to help!

In today’s tightening times, finding innovativeways to save a dollar and stretch a budget is amust for most families.

While you can’t control THE economy, most people can at least control THEIR economy with a fewsimple steps, a real grasp of their budget and the ability to think outside the box! Here are just a fewways you can start saving today:1. Get a handle on your budget. While it is not the most fun exercise in the world, it is a vital part of planning for today, tomorrow

and your future. Spend the next month strictly monitoring where your money is spent. Break out the checkbooks, the bankstatements and the receipts (it’s time to get ready for taxes anyway) and analyze how much you have coming in, how much has togo out for necessities and where your extra funds are going.

2. Pay off those credit cards! Make it a goal to pay off your credit cards. Trim from your monthly miscellaneous expenses, andbegin paying more than the minimum on each card as quickly as possible. Paying off credit card balances could be one of thehighest-paying investments you can make.

3. Use direct deposit. Sure, we all say that we want to save money. But when it comes right down to it, it’s hard to make the choiceto save rather than spend. That’s where direct deposit comes in handy. You can have your bank withdraw a pre-set amount ofmoney from each paycheck and deposit it directly into a savings account or IRA. By having even a small amount deposited fromyour paycheck on a regular basis, you’re beginning to create a solid savings fund that you can use to invest later.

4. Review your insurance policies. When was the last time you took a look at your policies? You may be paying for morecoverage than you need. Websites such as www.quotesmith.com allow you to do some comparison shopping for virtually any typeof insurance policy, including life, homeowners, disability, dental, even small-business coverage. A little homework could meanbig savings for your family or business.

5. Understand your utility bills. Did you know that taking even a few simple steps can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings?For example, lowering your water heater to 120 degrees (the recommended temperature for families with small children) can save10% to 15%. Check with your electric or gas company to see what peak hours are, and save by doing laundry or running yourdishwasher during non-peak times. Turn off unused lights, and unplug appliances that are not in use. You may be surprised howmuch wattage is being pulled from appliances and electronics you believe to be “off.” Contact your water and energy companiestoday. Most are happy to provide you with free information on saving vital resources AND dollars.

6. Make one extra mortgage payment per year. Write “to principal” in the memo portion of the check so your bank will know youwant to apply the entire amount to your principal. By lowering your principal, you're also lowering the amount of interest you oweon your mortgage… which can lead to substantial savings and cut years off your mortgage.

March is a great month to start saving for your own “pot of gold” for all the days ahead. We wish youall the “luck” in the world in reaching your financial goals.

• Ask your employer about a 401(k) Plan• Consider investing in an Individual

Retirement Account (IRA)• Clip coupons, take advantage of rebates,

and keep an eye out for end-of-season clearance sales and other special savings

• Resist impulse buys. Give yourself time to think and answer the question, “Do I

really need that?”

National Poison Prevention Week is March 18-24.It’s a great time for families and communities to shareprevention tips and raise awareness aboutunintentional poisonings.

If your family is already spring cleaning this month,take it a step further by ensuring your home, childrenand pets are safe. Medicine cabinets, cleaning supplyclosets and some plants can pose serious danger.

Visit www.poisonprevention.org to find out more. Thesite boasts a wealth of valuable information, includingprevention tips and child-friendly teaching tools.

POISONING 1-2-3!1. Remain calm!2. Call 911 or your local emergency number if the person has collapsed or

is not breathing. If the person is awake and alert, dial 1-800-222-1222.It’s good to know:

• person’s age and weight• time of poison exposure• existing health conditions or problems• what and how much was involved• whether the person has vomited• the address where the poisoning occurred• distance to the nearest hospital3. Stay on the phone, and follow instructions from the emergency operator

or poison control center.

Some people seem to walk through life charmed, with a lucky turn waitingaround every corner.

We don't feel lucky -- each and every day we are grateful! Grateful to be able to count our blessings…grateful to be able to care for our familyand friends… and grateful to be able to truly do our best for those around us.

How fortunate we are to have new chances, new challenges and newdiscoveries waiting for us. No need for lucky charms or four-leaf clovers, notwhen we have the opportunity to continuously learn, grow, give back andcontribute to this wonderful world we live in.

We are blessed to work in an industry that allows us to do just that. AsREALTORS®, we have the opportunity to serve our community by sharing ourreal estate knowledge and experience with people who are very important inour life: our customers. We will always be here for you, with undeniablepassion and unwavering commitment.

The way we see it, the best part is the fun we have making good friends andlasting memories along the way! How lucky is that?

Have an amazing March!

Anxious to know what’s cooking with homes in your neighborhood?Call me today at (240) 737-5000

• 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillets• salt and pepper to taste• 3 cloves garlic, minced• 1 sprig fresh dill, chopped• 5 slices lemon• 5 sprigs fresh dill weed• 2 green onions, choppedPreheat oven to 450. Spray two large pieces of aluminumfoil with cooking spray. Place salmon fillets on one pieceof foil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic and chopped dill.Arrange lemon slices on top of fillets, and place a sprig ofdill on top of each lemon slice. Sprinkle with choppedgreen onions. Cover salmon with second piece of foil, andpinch together to tightly seal. Place on a baking sheet orin a large baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to25 minutes, until salmon flakes easily.

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.An Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. If Your House is Currently Listed, This is Not Intended As a Solicitation. This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only.

No reader should rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or to render specific advice.©1995-2008 ProspectsPLUS!®

Ted & Kathy YorkshireKeller WilliamsPreferred Properties9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 102Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Office: (240) 737-5000Ted's Cell: (301) 237-2837Kathy's Cell: (301) 254-1443TedYorkshire@kw.comKathyYorkshire@kw.comhttp://YorkshireTeam.com

This Month’s Featured Properties

11114 RHODENDA AVE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772 Price Reduction!!! Absolutely beautiful home with all the trimmings -- 4 BRs 3.5 BAs; sep dining, living room and family room; gorgeous kitchen; master with huge walk-in closet, sep shower, soaking tub, dbl sinks; large backyard w/deck & shed; 2 car garage; custom walkout basement w/2 bonus rooms, full bath and bar. Pool table negotiable! HMS warranty and closing help! PG6577842

12603 TRUMBULL DR, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772 Very nice 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhouse located in Marlton golf course community. Home has 3 finished levels with separate living and dining rooms. Includes ceiling fans in every room and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen! House also has fenced backyard with shed. Also available for rent! PG6674427

4161 BLUEBIRD DR, WALDORF, MD 20603 This 2 level house has 3 bedrooms, 1 full and 1 half bath. Eat in kitchen and fenced backyard. Sellers in process of painting and cleaning carpet. Closing assistance is available up to $8000, including a 1 yr home warranty!! Also for rent! CH6622238