Sarahiously Speaking

As of July 1, 2009 I will be alot less productive, but the roads will probably be safer while I’m on them.  As of tomorrow, Virginians  can no longer text while driving.  This ban also includes reading texts and reading and sending emails.  However, Virginians can still use hand-held phones while driving if they are over 18 years old.  Drivers can also read and type if they are legally stopped or parked.  I guess we will all be praying for more red lights!  Today, I think I’ll work exclusively from my car and blackberry, just to get it out of my system.

This has been a very busy and hectic day.  Actually, it has been a very busy and hectic weekend.  I am pleased to announce that I have a new “home! ” After several months of deliberating, I have moved my broker’s license to Coldwell Banker Elite – Massaponax!  I hope this move will allow me to continue to develop my business model and better serve my clients.  The only changes you will see is a new office address, phone number, and fax number.  My email address and cell number are the same.  It will take me a few days to get settled, but I will still be handling my business like always.  Feel free to stop by and say hello!

My Wedding Day HIV/ AIDS Ribbon

The CDC warns that over 1 million Americans are living with the HIV virus today.  250,000 of them are unaware of their condition.  In conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, June 27, 2009, the Fredericksburg Area HIV/ AIDS Support Services will be holding an open house on Friday, June 26, 2009 from 9am-5pm.  The staff will be offering free HIV testing, food, education, and fun.  For more information click here. 

Testing is quick and easy.  An oral swab is used to gather saliva and then is analyzed to detect antibodies that are being produced.  Results are back within 3 days and results are shared at a follow-up appointment. 

HIV/ AIDS is a virus that sees no color, no age, no sex, no nationality, no religion, and no sexual orientation.  It is preventable, but not curable.  The virus has early symptoms like the flu – headache, fever, sore muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, stomach ache, and sometimes a skin rash.  During the initial stages of the virus you will not test positive.  It takes a few weeks to a few months for your body to start producing the antibodies that are detected by the HIV/ AIDS test.    

My father passed away on September 17, 1996 due to complications from the AIDS virus.  He lived 5 short years after being diagnosed with the disease.  His symptoms showed up as the Shingles virus in February 1991.   He was 52 when he died.  I was 17.  He missed my high school graduation, my college graduation, meeting and approving of my future-husband, my wedding, and my future children will never meet their maternal-grandfather.  There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him and wish that he could know how I’ve turned out.  Medicine has changed in the past 13 years.  So many advances have been made.  Quality and quantity of life is enhanced by early detection.  5 years wasn’t long enough to say goodbye.  5 years only gave me enough time to know how much I loved him and how much I would miss him.  For your family, for your friends, for yourself… get tested.

I will be walking in honor of my father this Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the AIDS Walk/ Run 5k at the Cannon Ridge Golf Course.  After finding out about my father, someone once said to me, “We don’t get to pick our parents.”  My response, “If I could, I still would have picked my dad.”  I am walking for regret, love, and hope.  I am walking for my father.

(You can still register to particpate at Virginia Runner in Central Park on June 27 10am-5pm or on race day at Cannon Ridge starting at 7am.  FredStock will be starting at Cannon Ridge at 11am in conjunction with the AIDS Walk/ Run 5k.  Music starts at 11am and ends at 8pm.  Concert is free, but donations are accepted.  Bring chairs and blankets, but coolers are prohibited).

I know you’ve all been on the edge of your seats!  So, here’s the last update regarding this particular internet real estate scam.  When we last checked in on Michael Richie, Nigerian internet scammer, he was trying to convince me to send him $1400 through Western Union to rent the house I already own.  This is the email chain that picks up where we left off. 

Hello Sarah,

Im glad you meet with some of the neighbours,you are to use Western Union Money Transfer to wire the money,below is the details will need:

Kindly back to me with the payment information that includes the Mtcn,Sender’s name and address and the text question and answer.You can use “what for” answer “Keys”

Sure the couch do stay.

I hope to read from you soon.

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

 Micheal,
 
I don’t feel very comfortable using Western Union Money Transfer.  It offers me virtually no way of knowing you actually got the money.  I am sure you can understand my hesitation since I am sending money to a foreign country.  Are you not willing to provide me with bank instructions?  It is the easiest and would allow me to deposit the rent money every month directly into your account.  There is no way for me to withdraw money using the wire instructions, only deposit – if that is your concern. 
 
What about the dining room table?  Can I use that too? 
 
When will I need to sign a lease? 
 
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Hello Sarah,

I do not see any stress using the Western Union service,as i said in my previous mail,that we are in a research and due to the duration we are going to stay,we decide not to make use of our account only if we know how long you intend to stay,that is why i am sending you this application form.

There is no problem to receive the money down here once the information given is correct,its a fast and easy service.It should give you no burden that about the foreign country,I just provided you with my details for payment.I’ll wait for the form before I know what next to do.

RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW
 
RENT APPLICATION FORM. 
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
DATE OF BIRTH:__________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING? ____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? ______________?
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET: _____________?
KIND OF PETS: _____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK ______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT ____?
 
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.

Kindly don’t let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this.
 
Thanks and Remain Blessed. – Micheal

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael-

You may not see the stress in sending money to a foreign country, but you’re not the one sending the money. You will be receiving the money.  You have no risk of losing the money, I do.  I don’t see the big deal in giving me bank account info.  Surely you had bank accounts while in the United States and surely you didn’t close them if you are just going to be in Nigeria for a year and a half.  Why can’t you give me the bank information and make this easier on all of us? 
 
I will fill out the application tonight and get it back to you tomorrow.  Why does it matter isf I work late at night?  And why does the application reference being given the house?  I don’t understand that part.  I also asked you in my previous email when I could sign a lease.  I need a lease to lawfully occupy the property.  It sounds like you guys haven’t leased out many properties.  You have mentioned a Realtor in the past, I am sure you can contact a local real estate firm while you are in Nigeria and ask for their services.  I don’t want to miss out on this house because of money and timing issues. 
 
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso 

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

Micheal -
 
Here is my rental application. Please let me know asap if I am approved, as I need housing asap!  The bank that foreclosed on the home I am currently renting has given me until June 30 to move out. 
 
I went to my local Western Union today and they said that they could not wire any money to an address with the zip code you provided.  Apparently it is the same zip code as a town in Virginia and they have had issues with that. They suggested I ask you for another address or specific wiring information for your local Western Union.  They also suggested that I wire the money directly to a bank like I’ve been asking to do the last few days. 
 
How would I get in contact with you if something went wrong with the townhouse?  Like a pipe leaks or something like that?  Do you have an application fee?  If so, how much is it?  When will I get a copy of the lease to sign if I am approved and how will I return the lease to you? 

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Sarah, 

The form is approved and it pleases me.I check on the website for Western union outlets for payment centre,here are few below for easy location.

www.westernunion.com

Of cause you can wire to the address i gave you,here is it again below.

You are to get back to me with the payment information and text question and answer you choose.

I thought i explained why i cant be using bank wire in my last mail,i really wish i can help out in issue like this since you want to move in immediately as stated in the form,i can assure the shipment if the payment can be confirmed as soon as possible.Of cause i know its same zip with state VA but i do not think its same country.

Well as for the the security deposit for any damage,I will be sending some documents along with the shipment that contains everything about the house,also the lease,papers for repair if anything gets faulty and a paper form that will be scanned to me when you fill it with a pen.How many months do you want to pay for?

Remain blessed

Micheal

 ________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael-

Well this is good news!  However, as I stated in my prior email the local Western Unions won’t let me wire money to that address.  You will need to come up with an alternative.  I am competent enough to google my local Western Unions, although I appreciate that you took the time to do it for me. 
 
Please send me alternative wiring instructions so I can send you the deposit and 1st months rent today!
 
Thanks! 
 
Sarah

__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 Hello Sarah,

 Im glad we are moving ahead,if i do understand what you mean by alternative,you are talking about the western union information,here is it below:

Get back to me if anything you dont get right.And i do hope you have a wonderful stay.

With Regards

 Micheal

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 Michael -

I don’t know how I can be more clear.  Western Union will NOT allow me to send money to this zipcode!  They said NO!  Please send me alternative wiring instructions so I can wire the money soon.
 
Thanks!
Sarah

__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Is is possible to make the payment to the state while i give a Western union details?because i don’t really know what you are up to and i am waiting. 

Micheal

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael,

I don’t understand your question.  Make my payment to the state of Virginia?  The last I heard from you it was a Sunday evening.  Not much is open on Sunday evenings in this area.  You should be well aware of that since you’ve lived here.  I have been waiting for you to gve me some secure way of sending you money.  Thus far, you have not offered that.  So, I guess I’m the one waiting.
 
Sarah

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Hello Sarah,

 I got back to you with another Western union details,let me know if you cant use western union to make the payment.I also said you can make use of Money Gramm.I dont understand why this payment can’t go through,western union dont have much problem like this.

I provided you with another address and yet you still say they complain,i called the customer care to make enquiry about this and they said of cause its possible,i dont think i am the one keeping you waiting,rather you are the one,i don’t know what other payment you are talking about when i just confirmed i can only use western union or money gramm for now. 

That is the changed address above.You next reply will tell my next step.

With regards

Micheal

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael –  

I had just wired the money from Money Gram, but I have put a hold on it becuase a funny thing happened today.  I went over to the house and ran into someone claiming to be the owner of the property.  I thought you owned the property.  Please explain so I can send go ahead and send the money.
 
Thanks!
Sarah 

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 Hello Sarah,

 I left information with one of my Realtor about the house but i later told him not to bother ill handle things myself,apart from that ,anyone you meet there is not the owner.I am the owner and you contact me initial on it from craiglist.

You can go ahead and authorize the payment while i prepare the shipment tomorrow first thing.I do hope you don’t get yourself involve with anyone trying to claim he his the owner.

I wait your remain soon.I will be waiting for the payment information.

Remain blessed.

Micheal

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael-

So, the man that showed me the tax records for the house that says he is the owner is not the owner?  It said his name right there on the tax records.  He also said he would have me arrested if I moved into the property.  I am so confused.  Please provide me with something that says you are the owner of the property.  How long have you owned this property?  Who did you buy it from? 
 
I will only take the hold off of the transfer once you confirm ownership.
 
Thanks.
Sarah  

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Hello,

This is what am talking about,ever since i removed my post from craiglist,its not other secure because people will claim they are the owner,if the payment can be processed today,i can have them shipped with in 15hours,ill have to pay for express shipment.

I have the documents here with me as well,i suggest you ignore any issues from him,i am giving you my words and do not panic over anything because my house is secured and under a good control once some one moves in,all this will be over because you will be having the original papers with you.

Thanks for understanding.

Micheal

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael-

If you do own the house you should be able to supply me with some sort of record saying that you own the house.  You should at least be able to tell me who you purchased it from and when.  You are not making me feel very secure about this transaction. 
 
Sarah

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Hello Sarah,

I don’t know how i can proof this to you any longer,I said in my last email that i am here with the documents of the house but it seems you don’t want to believe me.

This are the documents that can show that you are leasing from the true owner of the house,it makes no sense if i tell you when i bought it,its not a proof,or who i bought it from,but i believe a paper work can show all this with,i said this is 100% risk free and don’t get bored over the person you meet in the house claiming to be the owner.

If you are doubting me and then i believe you should put a stop to the payment because i am calm about this situation as i said,i want to trust you that you will handle and care of my house like yours,and i want you to believe that all required info will be shiped to you

Micheal.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael -

I will handle this house like it is my own.  Don’t worry about that.  You know why I’ll treat it so well?  Cause it is MY own home!  I own this house!  I pay the mortgage on this home!  I am the only one with the right to rent it out.  See, if you truly owned the home you would be able to reference things about the home and realize that tax records are public and that anyone can see who the owner of a home is. 
 
You are a con-artist!  And not a very good one.  Luckily 2 of the consumers you tried to rent MY house to contacted me directly.  That’s how the Craig’s List post was removed.   
 
I appreciate you playing along with my game. I have been posting your emails on the internet as a warning to consumers and homeowners.  I’ve also sent our correspondence to the local sheriff’s office, the FBI – Internet Crimes, and, again, it has been published on the internet for posterity. 
 
I recommend you do your best to make sure you don’t STEAL any of my properties and list them as your own again.  I also recommend that you get out of this line of business.  You aren’t good at it. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to give me as much information as you have about your enterprise.  It has been thoroughly entertaining and very educational.
 
Regards.
Sarah

___________________________________________________________________________________________

That was the last time I heard from Michael Richie.  What has amazed me the most about this entire ordeal is the length these scammers are willing to go to get the money.  I was also flabergasted when the scammer actually mentioned Craig’s List scams to me.  Consumers need to remember that these scam artists wouldn’t be running these scams if they didn’t work.  This particular scammer tried to play on my emotions and religious beliefs to get me to send him money.  They will do whatever they need to do to have a successful outcome.  Do your homework when trying to rent or purchase a property.  Hire a professional to help you through the process.  And remember, if it looks too good to be true, it most like is.

Num Num Num!  It’s almost turkey leg time again!  The Fredericksburg Fair will be in town again July 24 – August 2, 2009. This year will consist of some traditional attractions, as well as some new events to look forward to!  This year’s schedule includes the following activities (click here for a full list of activities):

More information about this year’s fair can be found at www.fredfair.com.  Hope to see you there! I’ll be the girl behind the turkey leg!

My husband and I go on walks around the city at least twice a week.  It is good exercise and it allows us to keep up with what’s happening downtown.  We always walk down Caroline Street and always walk past Basil’s Italian Market and Pizzeria.  The aroma that waifs from the restaurant is enchanting and the outdoor/ sidewalk seating is so inviting.  Inevitably my husband will say, “We need to check that place out.”  Last week Mr. Stelmok came home and proclaimed, “We’re going on a walk and we’re eating at Basil’s.”  I am pleased to announce I have a new addition to my Top 5 favorite places to eat in Fredericksburg!  Congratulations Basil’s!  You’ve made the list!

I ordered the chicken parmigiana and my husband ordered the wild mushroom ravioli.  The portions were adequate; but let’s face it, most restaurants serve you entirely too much food.  The prices were reasonable, especially for the quality of the food.  My husband could not stop raving about his wild mushroom ravioli, which I thought there were too few, but he insisted there were just enough.  My chicken was a little dry, but the sauce was fresh and the noodles were perfectly al dente!  The breading on the chicken was nbot too heavy, not too light and was not fried on until the chicken was praying for forgiveness.  The herbs and spices the chef uses are fresh and appropriately used.  Our entrees came with fresh bread.  Actual fresh bread.  We walked away from our meal full, but not too full, and satisfied.  Both of us commented that we felt like we had just eaten a healthy Italian meal.  Nothing tasted processed or frozen. 

I definitely recommend Basil’s to anyone strolling along Caroline Street and will go so far as to recommend you make a special trip into Fredericksburg City to taste the Basil’s goodness for yourself!

(Disclaimer:  I was in no way enticed to right this blog post and did not receive compensation of any kind for endorsing this restaurant)

It’s that time of year again!  The Bluemont Concert Series will be starting again next weekend in Fredericksburg.  Admission is $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and Seniors, and $2 for children under 12.  The concert takes place at Maury Stadium on the corner of Hanover Street and Kenmore Ave in downtown Fredericksburg.  If there is inclement weather then the concert is moved to James Monroe High School on the corner of Fall Hill Ave and Washington Ave. 

This summer’s schedule is:

June 27            Black Sheep – a mix of Reggae, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues

July 4               Scott Ainslie – Blues

July 11             Junkyard Saints – blends New Orleans R&B, Zydeco, Latin, Ska, Jump Blues and Mardi Gras Funk.

July 18             Martinsburg Jazz Orchestra – 18 piece Jazz ensemble

July 25             John McCutcheon – Folk

August 1           Notorious – Traditional and Acoustic Contemporary

August 8           The Lindsay Family – a family of horn players

August 15         Knicely Jazz Combo – Jazz, Blues, Swing, and Bluegrass

August 22         The Daryl Davis Band – 5 piece Rhythm and and Blues Rock Band

I posted New Internet/ Real Estate Scam in February after a REALTOR(R) friend informed me that several of her listings had been “stolen” and posted on Craig’s List by a man in Nigeria.  After doing some more research and talking to other REALTORS(R) across the state, it appears that this scam is very widespread.  It also appears that some consumers are still falling for it.  Well, this scam hit closer to home for me last week when my husband was notified by a phone call that a woman had been in contact with a man named Micheal Richie to rent out one of our personal homes!  Just a few days later I received an email from a consumer on Trulia asking me about this same home and if a man named Micheal Richie owned it.  My husband and I explained to both consumers that we, in fact, owned the home and asked where they had come into contact with Michael Richie.  They both sent us an email correspondence chain resulting from their rental home search on Craig’s List.  (You may be asking why I wasn’t checking my own listings on Craig’s List since I reported on this scam.  Well, I was.  And so was my husband.  Michael Richie’s posting of our home slipped by both of us).  Both consumers agreed to help in any way that they could to gather more information on Michael Richie in hopes of stopping this type of scam.  (Luckily, neither consumer sent Mr. Richie any money). 

I decided to do more own digging into Michael Richie, more to annoy him than anything, but also to see how much information I could gather and how far this man was willing to go to earn $1400.  Yes, all this for $1400.  But, if you multiply $1400 by 100 consumers duped into sending money to Nigeria, he would make $140,000 and I guess that could be worth it.  Here’s my email chain with Michael Richie regarding the property that I own that he has on Craig’s List to rent:

I am interested in renting this home.  My friend sent me your contact information.  Can you please send me more information.
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

How can I see the house if I can’t get inside it?  I would like to see the condition of the inside of the house.  I’ve already seen the outside of the house.  I’m not quite sure why you don’t have someone here or a representative here that can show me the inside of the house.  You keep mentioning a Realtor.  I don’t care if you have a Realtor or not; I just need to find a house to move into quickly.   
Thank you!
Sarah Kelso

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Kenmore Plantation – houses one of America’s 100 Most Beautiful Rooms.  A must see on any visit to Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Fredericksburg City:

• 124 days on market – this is 3 days more than in May 2008
• Sellers received, on average, 76.75% of their list price when the home sold
• There is 14.92 months of inventory on the market
• 12 homes sold in May 2009 – this is 2 less than in May 2008
• The most popular price range was $100,000 and under.  All houses that sold were priced under $250,000. 
• The median sold price was $103,500,000, compared to $275,000 in May 2008
• 5 homes purchased with cash, 4 were FHA, 2 were conventional financing, and 1 was “other” financing

Orange County

• 154 days on market – this is 22 days less than in May 2008
• Sellers received, on average, 81.16% of their list price when the home sold
• There is 22.25 months of inventory on the market
• 20 homes sold in May 2009 – this is 5 less than in May 2008
• The most popular price ranges were $100,000-119,999, $160,000-$179,999, and $200,000-$249,999 
• The median sold price was $164,950, compared to $235,000 in May 2008 
• 2 homes were purchased with cash, 10 with FHA, 5 were conventional financing, 1 was VA, and 2 loans were assumed 

Spotsylvania County

• 98 days on market – this is 29 less than May 2008 
• Sellers received, on average, 89.64% of their list price when the home sold
• There is 5.43 months inventory on the market
• 174 homes sold in May 2009 – this is 54 more than in May 2008 
• The most popular price range was $200,000-$249,999
• The median sold price was $202,500, compared to $248,500 in April 2008 
• 27 homes purchased with cash, 58 were FHA, 44 were conventional financing, 29 were VA, and 2 were “other” financing

Stafford County

• 103 days on market – this is 26 less than May 2008 
• Sellers received, on average, 91.51% of their list price when the home sold
• There is 4.96 months inventory on the market
• 171 homes sold in May 2009 - this is 22 more than in May 2008 
• The most popular price range was $300,000-$399,999
• The median sold price was $245,000, compared to $281,100 in May 2008 
• 13 homes purchased with cash, 44 were FHA, 37 were conventional financing, 68 were VA, 8 loans were assumed, and 1 had “other” financing

Prince William County

• 78 days on market – this is 50 less than May 2008 
• Sellers received, on average, 93.34% of their list price when the home sold
• There is 3.71 months inventory on the market
• 753 homes sold in May 2009 - this is 29 less more than in May 2008
• The most popular price range was $300,000-$399,999
• The median sold price was $207,777, compared to $256,124 in May 2008
• 114 homes purchased with cash, 310 were FHA, 161 were conventional financing, 131 were VA, 33 loans were assumed, and 4 were purchased using “other” financing

Statistics provided and calculated using data supplied by MRIS.