CREIG SAYS...

Dear Friend:

We've found that affordability is probably the single biggest concern of today's first-time home buyers. Given the wide range of media coverage regularly devoted to the issue, it's not surprising that many young families wonder how long it will take them to afford their first home.

Our advice: Don't sell yourself short. A good agent is committed to honestly and responsibly working with you to determine your affordable price range. There are many financing options available today, and some include low down payments. We can help find an option that fits your budget, and you may be surprised at just how much home you can afford.

Happy Father's Day and Congratulations to all the 2008 graduates! Have a safe and fun-filled summer!

Creig Northrop

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GET YOUR GRILL ON!

Part of a great home is a friendly, vibrant neighborhood. What a better way to keep yours strong than by having a great summer barbeque? A barbecue is a fantastic way to get friends, family, and neighbors gathered around. It's also a great icebreaker for neighbors you haven't yet had the chance to meet.

First and foremost, never underestimate the power of music to set the tone for your party. You'll almost feel the warm ocean breeze if the sounds of the Beach Boys, Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffet are filling your backyard. Kids of all ages will want to dance well into the evening! Make your own CD or playlist for the party. It's amazing how it allows people to let their guard down when they walk into a party and there is fun music playing.

You can combine this social event with the chance to impress with your cooking and hosting skills. As we've become more used to cooking outdoors, it's been noticeable that the types of dishes that we serve have started to grow in numbers. While burgers and sausages may well still be BBQ staples, vegetarians are a growing population and chances are there are going to be people at your BBQ that don't like or don't eat meat. So don't forget to provide some veggie burgers, grilled vegetables, and even grilled fruit like pineapple or peaches to make sure everyone has something to eat and no one feels left out.

Have neighbors that love to boast about their culinary expertise? Feeling competitive? Invite them to enter a friendly competition and see who can cook up the best ribs, burgers or other culinary masterpieces. Have friends and neighbors act as judges for the taste test and order a trophy so the winner gets neighborhood bragging rights!

Want to truly impress neighbors with an unbeatable fresh taste? Living so close to the Chesapeake Bay means it's not unheard of to reel in your very own fresh catch of the day. Plan a morning fishing trip with friends to one of the great freshwater or saltwater fishing spots like the Youghiogheny or Cunningham Falls and grill up the day's catch. Visit the State of Maryland's website to find the best fishing sites and whether or not a fishing license is required.

Steamed Maryland crabs are practically a seasonal rite for most residents and regular visitors to the Eastern Shore. They are also not for very formal people. After all, you will be eating right off the table with your hands. Consider turning your backyard get-together into a crab feast and enjoy a leisurely afternoon or evening spent with good company. Of course, you might find you are a bit slow when you start. The first time eating a steamed Maryland crab, you may want the help of a veteran picker. They will probably have a good laugh at your expense while you learn, but by the end of the meal you will be having such a good time it won't matter. And after just a few bites of the sweet treat, you'll be hooked on this Chesapeake delicacy.

Maryland is also known for its hot and humid summers so plan to beat the heat with some backyard water fun. Turn on a sprinkler or fill a kiddie pool for the little ones to cool off. Ready for a little more adventure? Turn up the fun for kids of all ages with a slip-n-slide. Just be sure to allow plenty of room on all sides for safety and place barrels of hay around the edges to provide a safe stopping point.

Adults may prefer a tall, refreshing, ice cold drink to keep cool, so keep a variety of choices on hand (don't forget some non-alcoholic options like virgin daiquiris, non alcoholic beers, soda, punch, ice tea, lemonade, and lots and lots of water).

Keep your crowd active and entertained with volleyball, horseshoes, badminton, bouche ball, or even a 50's inspired Hoola-Hoop contest!

After dark, settle the crowd down with a bonfire and S' mores for the young and young at heart!

Here's an easy Three-Cup Barbecue Sauce recipe below so fire up the grill, gather your gang, and get ready to throw the best bash of the season! And don't forget to take pictures, capture the moments, laugh out loud and make as many memories as possible. After all, we get one chance to live the life we dream. Dream big, and live fully.

Combine the following liquids:

1 cup water
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup Worchester sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce

Add the following items:

1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves of minced garlic
2 cups of ketchup
1/3 cup of dark brown packed sugar (can substitute molasses)
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of ground cumin
Optional: Chopped Jalapeño pepper with seeds removed.