Your Real Estate Insider

United Way, Day of Caring, Mega Food Drive

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:24:24 -0700

I was recently in charge of getting volunteers and collecting food for CCAP/Loaves & Fishes, a local food bank. This was part of The United Way, Day of Caring, Mega Food Drive. This was a wonderful experience. From seeing a great response from our volunteers, to witnessing so many generious people donate food for such a great cause! We collected almost 1,700 pounds of food, $221 cash donations, and $10 gift cards. Everything collected went to CCAP/Loaves & Fishes, a local food bank. They help feed approx 700 local families in need, every month! I would like to thank Martins Grocery store on Foxcroft Avenue, for letting us collect donations at their location. I would also like to thank everyone that donated their time helping collect donations, also Tina Combs, the chamber of commerce, United Way, Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle, and Leadership Berkeley for helping make these types of ventures possible and successful.

Aaron Poling/Long & Foster & Scott Thornton/Blenderhouse Creative

April Krabal/Summit Bank & Anna Brewster/Long & Foster & John Woynicz

Beth Thomas/Blue Ridge & Pam Wagoner/Depot Florist

Charlotte Sherman/Keller Williams & Adam Stewart/United Bank

John Woynicz & Doug Hovatter/WVU

Nowwood Bentley/Berkeley County & Andrea Burke/ERA Realty

Rachel McPipe/My Bank & Michelle Cuthrell/Advocate Insurance & April Krabal/Summit Bank

Cindy Smith/Prosperity Mortgage & Tanya Noll/Long & Foster

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Rookie of the Year

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:41:13 -0700

I began my real estate career in January 2009 when I passed the West Virginia real estate exam. It has been a great year and a half. With our current economy, there have been many challenges but I love the job. In our recent Eastern Panhandle Board of REALTORS awards ceremony, I was named Rookie of the year. It is a great honor, and completely unexpected. I work out of a great office and have a great mentor/manager/broker/friend in Margie Bartles. I have been really lucky so far, and I am more motivated than ever! I would also like to Congratulate fellow winners Doug Montgomery for REALTOR of the YEAR, and Sarah Metzbower for Affiliate of the year! Thanks to everyone that has supported me. Thanks Aaron

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Congratulations Bobby!

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:35:38 -0700

One of my favorite parts of selling real estate is meeting new people. I am definetly people person, so selling real estate is the perfect job for me. Last December, I got a new client from a desk duty call. We began looking at houses and put a contract on a short sale. Months later the contract fell through, but we started looking again and found an even better house. Yesterday my client Bobby, closed on that house. I am very happy for him, he found everything he wanted, in the exact location he wanted to buy. He has worked hard to get to this point. I would also like to thank him for his loyalty. Having a contract fall through, is sometimes hard to get through, but he kept me as an agent. It is great to have made a sale but its even better to have made a new friend. Congratulations Bobby!

300 Louisiana Avenue, Martinsburg, WV

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:52:29 -0700

Aaron Poling Long & Foster 976 Foxcroft Avenue Martinsburg, W.V. 25401 304-283-0214 www.aaronpoling.com www.aaronpolingsblog.com M.Margie Bartles Broker

Successful Bake Sale for Charity

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:18:55 -0700

Last friday, we had a bake sale for Charity. It was part of our company wide community day initiative, to help give back to the communities that we live and work in. It was a huge success, we raised about one thousand dollars total, that will be divided between three great charities. Our charites were CCAP (local food bank), The Womens Shelter, and the United Way. It was a great experience, it always feels good to give back to the community that has given us so much over the years. I can't wait for our next community day! Thanks Aaron

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martisnburg, W.V. 25401

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Charity Sandwich and Bake Sale!

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:37:14 -0700

This Friday, June 11th from 10am until 1pm, we are having a charity bake sale. This is part of Long & Fosters Annual Community Day. We at Long & Foster Real Estate know how important community involvement is, we are living, and working within the community all year. Our community day is our annual way to give back as one team. We will be selling sandwiches and lots of different types of baked goods, everything is for a donation of $1.00. You will have three different charities to donate too! Come out and support your community and some fantastic charities. Thanks Aaron Poling

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Thanks to Bartles & Associates

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:15:11 -0700

I recieved some great training today from Bartles and Associates. Earlier today my broker provided us with Marketing training from Bartles and Associates. It was individual training sessions, custom fit to our personal marketing plans. They were able to look at my current marketing/promotions plan and help me focus it, along with tips on streamlining the process. It made me realize that although I have a marketing plan, with a end goal, I am also too scattered. That makes my plan impossible to achieve. Today's marketing training helped me narrow my marketing message that will make it achievable, and can make it possible to meet my goals. If your business needs a jumpstart or direction, I highly reccomend Bartles & Associates. Check out their website by clicking below. Thanks Aaron

Bartles and Associates

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Celebrate Memorial Day

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:43:38 -0700

Next monday is Memorial Day. It is a federal holiday and a great day to visit family, friends and bar be que. Make sure you do not forget what Memorial Day is really about. It is a day to honor men and women who died while in military service. These great men and women are the reason that we live in a free country. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line each and every day so we can be free. Don't forget to thank them, especially on Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Low Pricing in Martinsburg, WV

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:14:53 -0700

Now is a great time to buy in Martinsburg West Virginia. According to Zillow listing prices for homes are at their lowest point since January 2009. See the chart below. For more information on homes in Martinsburg, West Virgnia, please contact me. Thanks Aaron

Median List Price

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More Martinsburg Home Values

Aaron Poling Long & Foster 976 Foxcroft Avenue Martinsburg, W.V. 25401 304-283-0214 www.aaronpolingsblog.com www.aaronpoling.com M.Margie Bartles Broker

14th Annual West Virginia Wine & Arts Festival

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:59:16 -0700

This weekend come celebrate the 14th annual West Virginia Wine and Arts Festival. This Saturday May 29th and Sunday May 30th. There will be live performances all weekend, come enjoy some wine with your friends and neighbors! It takes place in Martinsburg, at Boydville. Follow the links below for the official site and for directions to Boydville. No pets or coolers will be allowed. Hope to see you there! Thanks Aaron

Wine & Arts Festival

Directions

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Welcome Crawford and Keller

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:35:32 -0700

Long & Foster has a new title partner in West Virginia, and its Crawford and Keller. Tasha Keller Catrow spoke at our sales meeting this morning to kick off the new partnership. Crawford and Keller has two locations, Martinsburg, and Charles town. They will negotiate short sales, this makes it easier for agents to focus on selling, not waiting on hold with a loan servicer. They have been in business for many years and have a great reputation for getting deals closed. I look forward to working with our new title partner. Welcome Crawford and Keller!

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

976 Foxcroft Avenue

Martinsburg, W.V. 25401

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

The hardest I have ever worked for a check!

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:05:33 -0700

I just finished with a closing on one of my listings. It was a short sale, this alone tells you it was not easy. I listed in in August 2009, and had it under contract shortly after that. I then put a backup contract on it. The primary contract was not able to close but tried up until it expired the beginning of April 2010. I then processed the backup and was able to close today. During this listing I have had to work through lots of different things. It changed loan services in between, We had a break in, we were running close to foreclosure, we had five differentshort sale negotiators, I had to do repairs to the house myself to meet appraisal requirement. I had to pay the electric & water bills myself not knowing if I were ever going to make it to closing. I even had to work through two large snow storms. This one was very challenging and now that I got it closed, it is very rewarding. I feel like I can get anything to closing after this sale!

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M.Margie Bartles Broker

Going Green, some inexpensive tips!

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:44:11 -0700

In today's world it has become very popular to become more environmentally friendly, and for good reason. It only makes good sense to take care of your surroundings. This means less waste, conserving energy, reusing products and all around better planning. There are lots of ways to do this but many of them are expensive, but could save you money in the long run. If you don't have the money to invest in the more expensive things, there are still tons of things you can do, that are inexpensive. It takes a little more planning but these are easy things to implement in your daily life. Below is a list of a few of them, there are lots more ways. If you know of something not on my list, Let me know.

Switch to Flourescent light bulbs: This can be somewhat expensive but start with a few bulbs in the main use areas, and add the others when you have a burnout. Before long your whole house will have been switched

Recycle: I am avid at recycling, the only thing I don't understand is why everyone doesn't do it. It is usually free, you just have to separate items. Many areas have pickup for recycling. My area doesn't but it does have several recycling centers close by.

Hot water: If you are building a new house or replacing your hot water heater, switch to a tank less. If you aren't then invest in a hot water heater blanket. It helps keep the heat inside so the electricity runs less. You can also invest in a timer for your hot water heater, so it only runs when you will need hot water.

Car pool: This is an oldie but a goodie. Work out ways to carpool, to work, to kids soccer practice, church, shopping, etc... This one actually saves you money, you dont have to buy as much gas.

Install ceiling fans: If you use ceiling fans it can greatly reduce the amount of air conditioning needed.

Change air filters: If you change your airfilters every few months (you are supposed to do this anyway) It will help airflow into your HVAC system. Your system won't have to work as hard and you will save the electricity.

Programmable Thermostat: You can set your temperature to kick on when you need it and off when you don't automatically. So you won't be heating and cooling a house with no one in it.

Thes are just a few common sense, inexpensive things, That we should all do. Thanks Aaron

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

M. Margie Bartles Broker

Apple Knolls Estates, Martinsburg WV

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:48:56 -0700

Apple Knolls Estates

Martinsburg, W.V. 25403

Apple Knolls Estates, located in North Martinsburg, West Virginia is a detached single family home subdivision. It consists of ranchers and two story colonial homes. Nestled in the mountains but only minutes from shopping, restaurants, and Interstate 81, you can live in a perfect location. This is a great community for someone wanting to move up in housing, or someone wanting to move to Martinsburg and commute to a surrounding city. If you would like more information about this Apple Knolls Estates, please contact me.

Street Names

Crushed Apple Drive, Braeburn Drive, Cranberry Court, Juicy Grape Court, Bright Cherry Court, Prune Lane

Builder

Gemcraft Homes, CBS Builders

House Types

Ranchers, Two Story Colonials

School District: Martinsburg

Approximate Distance

Cities Miles Travel Time

Winchester, VA 25.46 30 minutes

Fairfax, VA 86.32 1 hour 38 minutes

Fredrick, MD 44.81 50 minutes

Hagerstown, MD 21.88 26 minutes

Baltimore, MD 93.84 1 hour 40 minutes

Washington, DC 92.10 1 hour 45 minutes

Landmarks

City Hospital 1.79 4 minutes

Post Office 3.59 7 minutes

Grocery Store 3.59 7 minutes

Movie Theatre 4.54 7 minutes

Pharmacy 3.59 7 minutes

Library 4.23 10 minutes

Charlestown Races & Slots 19.58 27 minutes

Mountain Views

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

304-283-0214

www.aaronpoling.com

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

Note: All information has been gathered by Aaron Poling from various sources, this should be used as a guide but all information should be verified.

Check your Tax Records

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster) — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:37:48 -0700

If you live in Berkeley or Jefferson Counties of West Virginia, you can easily keep track of your real estate and personal property taxes. Even if your taxes are paid out of escrow from your mortgage company, it is a good idea to make sure they are paid, even the morgage company can make a mistake. If your property is your primary residence it should be listed as class 2. If it is not a primary residence it will be listed as class 3, which is double the tax rate as class 2 ( yeah, I dont like it either but its just the way it is!) Use the links below to check your taxes. Thanks Aaron

Berkeley County Tax Search

Jefferson County Tax Search

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

304-283-0214