The Chonqui Family breaks ground early in 2010 for their new home! One thing to keep in mind is that the ground is frozen. We had a great time and I look forward to their new home being completed.

Planning a trip to B-more? Already live around town and want to stay in touch with all the local happenings? The new Quick Guide will have the low down for upcoming events, “world renowned” attractions (that sounds really exciting), restaurants, hotels and much more.

You can check out the Quick Guide Online or get a hard copy by snail mail (3 weeks!). So get in on it!

Got Mustache? Movember is for your Mo’ to raise funds for prostate cancer research and to raise awareness for men’s health. You can celebrate your ’stache with other Movember participants on Saturday November 21st.

The Schedule

Sly fox – 1-2pm (823 Fort Ave)
Lime – 2-3pm (801 E Fort Ave)
Hideaways (tentatively) – 3-4pm (1400 Key Highway)
Capt Larry’s / Rafters – 4-6pm (620 E Fort Ave)
The Reserve – 6-7pm (1542 Light St)
Don’t Know – 7-9pm (1453 Light St)

Great drink specials and door prizes!

Christopher Coffland was killed by a an IED in Afghanistan November 13, 2009, he was a Maryland resident and attended Gilman High School and Washington & Lee College.

Friend Jeff Hurley remembers “Chris was a friend to everyone! You just wanted be where he was! I’m just glad I got to know him. Chris gave you confidence,a very positive person and he will missed by many! GOD bless CHRIS and his family!”

ABC2 reports “He was a family man, a loyal friend, a football and lacrosse coach, and a university counselor. He traveled extensively, playing football in Finland and coaching football in Australia.”

My deepest sympathies to his family and friends, Chris and everyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered, freedom isn’t free.

The remains of Army Spc. Christopher Coffland are carried off a plane at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Coffland was killed by a bomb Nov. 13 in Afghanistan

With foreclosures and short sales on the rise buyers and agents alike are looking for a good way to put the deal together. Most of these homes whose owners have gone through financial hardship need repairs or updating. The FHA 203(k) loan allows buyers to add in the renovation cost in a single mortgage, with only a 3.5% down payment! A HUD Approved Consultant will look at the scope of the work and how much it will cost to meet the standards and review with the buyers. The flexibility to customize the home is attracting buyers to these distressed sales and as home prices continue to fall and more people get into financial woe there is a huge market for 203(k) loans with plenty of opportunities.

Baltimore County shows a significant increase in FHA 203(k) loans from 2008.

Picture by Courtney Barry (@CABarry)