Southernmdrealestate's Weblog

Over Appraising?

southernmdrealestate — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:40:48 +0000

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

southernmdrealestate — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:48:44 +0000

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

southernmdrealestate — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:58:31 +0000

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.

Ramblings of a Real Estate Agent

southernmdrealestate — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:04:28 +0000

I don’t know about other agents, but I’m exhausted just trying to keep my sellers informed and on track. The reality checks have been grueling. There was a ray of sunlight last week when one of my sellers accepted an offer that was about $50,000 below initial asking price. They sat back and looked at the bigger picture and determined that for every month they had been in their home, they had experienced a $1,000 appreciation! Wow, I’m determined to use that in my business when I need to from now on. Now, they’re the happiest clients that I have and they’ll get to go on knowing that their home will be appreciated by the new owners. The fact that they were at home when it was shown and they felt comfortable with them (buyers) didn’t hurt either.

Note to Sellers: During the past few years when values were increasing rapidly, it’s important to keep in mind that most of that appreciation was artificial – on paper only. You purchase a home for shelter and for long term investment. If you have been in your home more than 6 years, please sit down and note your purchase price and then your current estimated value. Unless you used your equity for other reasons with an equity line of credit or a 2^nd mortgage or refinanced and took money out, you should see that you have experienced a perfectly acceptable rate of appreciation. You can’t lose what you never had! So get real with your pricing and let your Realtor do the job they were hired to do.

You may have been one of the lucky homeowners who did sell when the market values were high – but you also paid more for your replacement home than you would today.

There are, regrettably, those of you who got caught up in the whirlwind of home values and now you owe more for your home than you can sell it for today. You used your “artificial” equity and now you’re stuck. Perhaps you just purchased within the past 3 years and now you need to sell but can’t get what you owe because your loan was close to or even 100% of the appraised value. You have the option of asking for a “short sale” from your lender if your situation poses a hardship. This would be preferable to foreclosure. I feel sorry for you, but your choices are limited.

Hey, I can’t retire next year as expected and I’m certainly not alone there. I feel a little better now.

Patuxent River Appreciation Days

southernmdrealestate — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:34:27 +0000

Patuxent Appreciation Days – Solomons Island, Md. 20688

Reconstructed at Calvert Marine Museum

October 11-12, 2008

Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD) is a festival in recognition of the economic, social, recreational, cultural and historical impact of the tributaries and environs of the Patuxent River and the basin through which it flows. The festival is held annually on Columbus Day Weekend on the Calvert Marine Museum grounds.

The festival brings together community, county and state government agencies, the Calvert Marine Museum, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, and other historical and environmental groups, which share a desire to preserve the Patuxent River and to celebrate its positive influence on the area’s quality of life, in the past, present, and future.

Sample some of our local specialties and fresh seafood. Listen to some good music and visit our local merchants for great information and crafts. See more information and get the full schedule at www.pradinc.org/schedule.html

Buyers With Pent-Up Energy

southernmdrealestate — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:15:36 +0000

Increasingly, buyers are getting just plain tired of waiting to look for that home. This observation after I’ve received 4 new buyer clients in the past week. They all have been searching the internet for months and months. A few had already seen some homes but primarily they’ve been just waiting for the right time to jump in. They all have been working with a lender and know what’s expected of them. I have had to work with a couple of them to do a little tweaking but they are prepared and ready. I said it had to happen and it looks like it is finally a reality. I’m not expecting an avalanche of buyers but I do think that in spite of all of the gloomy financial forecasts that we may have a little spurt of activity to round out the year.

Cruise on In to North Beach

southernmdrealestate — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:43:59 +0000

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!

southernmdrealestate — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:57:46 +0000

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

southernmdrealestate — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:20:32 +0000

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

southernmdrealestate — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:47:18 +0000

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!