Best Blogs: 9/11, Buying a House and More

Did you miss some of the blogs this week on McLean Patch? Each week, we'll round them up in one convenient place for you.

Here are the highlights from blogs that ran Sept. 8 to 14.

• Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, writes this week about asking elected officials about their stance on open government policies.
• "No position, policy, issue or controversy is outside the scope of open government. Access to government records and meetings is essential to everything government does, regardless of the issue or of one’s position on it."
• "No one may ever be able to fix secrecy: it’s human nature to hunker down and protect what one sees as his or her own. Setting aside the fact that the government doesn’t belong to the elected officials, it’s just as important to address the perception of secrecy."

• "Paul Valentino, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metro and 30-year real estate veteran, shares five tips to increase a buyer’s chances to submit a winning offer."
• "A buyer will be in the best negotiating position in a competitive situation if they are the first buyer to submit a reasonable offer the seller can work with."
• "In some situations, especially when the seller is making mortgage payments on a vacant property, a buyer can distinguish their offer by being able to close on the purchase quickly (eight, 14, or 21 days). "

• Binaifer Davar, a local florist, blogged this week about Sept. 11 and shared a special arrangement that she thought suited the somber occasion.
• "While not directly affected by the horrific events of September 11, I was deeply and profoundly affected by the horror and sadness in my personal and professional life."
• "To me, the deep purple Vanda orchid symbolizes my thankfulness that none of my loved ones were killed in this tragedy. The white flowers mark the solemnity and remembrance that should never be erased."

Are you interested in blogging for Patch? Are you an expert in your field? Are you passionate about your hobby? Our readers are interested in everything from national security to needlepoint. Find out more online now.