Over Appraising?

Do we remember those days?   Two of my properties have  just been categorized that way and it is a hopeful sign that

better days are on the horizon for sellers, aside from the short sales and foreclosures.  No, they were not underpriced

according to comparables when they were listed.  However, they had been reduced from original listing price as most

sellers have done to encourage activity.  Let’s face it, values have declined even since February, 2009 and so sellers have

to maintain their viability.  Still, I am hopeful that 2010 will allow some of these people who want to retire to do so and

for those who wish to make a move that will benefit their family to get it done.  The $6,500 tax credit should benefit

the latter.

Buyer Incentives May Total $17,500

Now, you can afford to live in Long Beach, one of Calvert County’s gorgeous Chesapeake Bay beach communities.  The best news is that you get so much with this 2 level home.  It’s been lovingly updated and maintained and, with the addition of a 2 car garage, offers lots of opportunities for expanded living.  You’ll  also enjoy the warmth of the wood stove in the large family room – it sits on a brick hearth and looks great.  Family room also has recent berber carpet and space for your pool table or other hobbies and activities.  But the huge, lavishly landscaped yard is what you’ll notice at first glance.  From the rear deck that runs the entire length of the house, you can watch wild life in action.  Also enjoy the marvelous network of walkways and fish pond.

Long Beach offers 2 community beach areas for peaceful walks and you’re also close to Flag Harbor Marina if boating is your preference.  This is a beautifully maintained private marina where you can either rent or purchase a slip.

Seller Offering $8,000 New HVAC Credit that may Qualify for Energy Tax Credit      of  $1,500!!
1st Time Home Buyer: Get $8,000 Tax Credit

Enjoy Tax Advantages

First Time Home Buyers – Your Luck May Not Hold Out Much Longer

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER STIMULUS – Did You Get Lucky or What?

This is a great opportunity for you first time home buyers out there who have been kicking around the idea of purchasing a home. It seems that it paid off for you by waiting until 2009 to buy that home. The $7,500 tax stimulus that was offered in April, 2008 (to expire July, 2009) was a non-interest loan where one had to repay over a (I think) 15 year period every year when your income tax was filed.

The newly enacted bill was raised to $8,000 and doesn’t have to be repaid as long as you occupy your home for a 3 year period. This plan is put in place of the existing $7,500 plan. You can actually put $8,000 (or 10% of your purchase price) into your pocket next April 15 by purchasing a home by the end of November, 2009.   If you purchase prior to filing your income taxes for 2008, you may claim the tax credit this year!  What a deal.   Let’s say that the federal income taxes that you owe don’t even total the $8,000 – guess what – you get a check for the difference.

The inventory is great right now and the prices haven’t stabilized yet. There are great opportunities to negotiate even further on asking prices. And interest rates fell again last week. Who knows where they’ll be next week but the point is that they are historically low.

I urge you to contact your real estate agent or me, if you don’t already have an agent. Your luck may not hold out beyond next November!

Check out the resources on my web site and then contact me for details on available homes.

Cruise on In to North Beach

With the cost of gas at a premium, many people are staying close to home.  For the car enthuasiast, Fridays are jumpin’ at the North Beach Waterfront.  Come on over and see fabulous cars and visit the Friday Night Farmer’s Market.  They have lots of local fruit, vegetables, herbs and other kinds of wares to choose from.  The Friday Night Cruise-in and Farmer’s Market event happens from 6-9pm every Friday in the summer.  So, cruise on in to North Beach for a happening Friday night!

Life’s a Beach…Enjoy It!

When the sun comes out and the weather turns warmer, there’s no better way to spend the day than to get out of the house and enjoy Mother Nature in all her splendor.  Chesapeake Beach is one of the best places to enjoy the salty sea air in Southern Maryland.  Bay Front Park is a relatively unknown beach that is a great place to swim, lay out in the sun, build sandcastles or hunt for seashells and sharks teeth.  Parking is very limited, so get there as early as you can.  Breezy Point Beach, on the other hand, not only offers fun on its sandy shores, but camping as well.  You can enjoy swimming in the bay, picnicking on the beach or even fishing.  The beach is open daily until October 31st.  No pets are allowed, though, so you’ll need to leave your furry friends at home.  Monthly, weekly and daily camping is available by contacting the office.  So, leave your stuffy home behind and come out to Chesapeake Beach to enjoy the great outdoors.  You’ll be so glad you did!

The Benefits of Going Tankless

With the cost of gas and electricity skyrocketing, you may want to take a look at replacing that old water heater of yours.  Most standard hot water heaters only last about 10-12 years.  If yours is older than that, you are well past due for an upgrade.  Instead of replacing it with another standard hot water heater, consider buying a tankless water heater.  These much smaller units may cost a little extra in the beginning.  But, when you consider that it heats water more efficiently, costs much less to operate than your standard 40-50 gallon water tank and helps the environment, it is definitely worth it.  Because there is no tank, it heats water on an “as needed” basis, generally 2-5 gallons/minute.  This means that there is no wasted energy to keep the hot water on stand-by, like in the standard hot water tank.  It also doesn’t take up as much room and is generally mounted on the wall.  If you received a shock when you got your winter gas and/or electric bill, now may be the time to see if you should go tankless or not.

If you have any questions, please contact me and I will be happy to help.  I promise that I am Anything But Ordinary in Southern Maryland real estate.

It’s Not Your Parents’ Retirement

Studies have shown that the reasons people aged 50 and older buy a new home are not the same as when their parents were the same age.  In days gone by, seniors bought new homes in warmer climates for health reasons, they moved to an active adult community because they were worried about who would be taking care of their everyday needs and they suffered from “empty-nest syndrome” when their children grew up and moved out of the house.

Nowadays, the reasons have changed.  With people living longer and taking better care of themselves, health concerns are not a priority for a move anymore.  Many people choose an active adult community because they like to be near people their age who have similar interests.  Instead of moving out of their now empty home, they choose to change their lifestyle.  Simply put, retirement is not a time for people to just fade away.  It is a time to embrace a new stage in their life.  Southern Maryland real estate is a great place to come to retire.  Contact me today so I can show you what Calvert County has to offer!

Small in Size, Big on Life

While Calvert County is the smallest county in the state, its standard of living is one of the highest.  Over 5000 companies conduct business in Calvert County alone and employ almost 2 million residents in information technology, defense contracts, administrative services and tourism.  Chesapeake Bay provides the eastern border of Calvert’s peninsula while the Patuxent River provides its western border.  There are plenty of creeks in Calvert County to provide beautiful scenery, a place for wildlife to roam free as well as great areas for fishing and boating.  The beauty of the bay and river provide a spectacular backdrop that invite visitors from all over the world.  Summers in Calvert County tend to be hot and humid while the winters tend to be mild, which helps make it such an inviting place to visit anytime of the year.

See why Kay Trimbath is Anything But Ordinary in Calvert County real estate.