Ellicott City Realtor Catonsville Realtor

Q:  I've found a deal, and it's a deal that helps me meet my long term goal. NOW can you tell me how to evaluate it?

A:  If you know what your long term objectives are, and the deal helps you meet them, then the next step is to gather some information about the property.  Here in Maryland you can use the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxations Real Property Data Search.  From this site you should get the following basic information about the property:

•             Year built
•             Number of Bedrooms
•             Number of Bathrooms
•             Finished Square Footage
•             Lot size

Once you have this information, you can begin to find similar properties with similar amenities.  Everyone knows about websites like zillow.com, domania.com and realtor.com, and you can use those sites to find properties for comparison.  The two biggest problem with these sites is that the information is often not current or updated.

Another option is to sign up for a Listingbook account.  Listingbook is the service that I use to keep my clients informed about properties on the market here in Maryland.  The information is pulled from our local Multiple List Service every 15 minutes, and you can review homes that have sold, and even homes that are under contract.  Listingbook is the only service in our area that provides this information to consumers online.

And of course, you are always welcome to call me.  I can give you a thorough analysis of your property, and of comparable properties in the area including Seller Subsidies that may not be reflected in the research you are able to do yourself.

Tick Tock - It's Not Just a Song - The Home Buyer Tax Credit is Ending - do you still have time to claim it?

If you're not serving overseas with the military or federal government, your opportunity to claim the $6,500 - $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit is quickly ending.

Is there still time?  If you act quickly, then yes, there is time.  Not to sound like a salesperson, but the fact remains that the credit expires April 30th.

So, if you haven't done anything yet, what do you need to do?  Talk to a lender TODAY about what you can afford.  Then talk to a Realtor TODAY about what your affordability will buy you.

Tick tock.

Top Seller Tuesdays - Spend a Little, Get a Lot! A series of weekly tips for preparing your Maryland Home for sale that are simple, quick and designed to bring you top value.

• Just before showing your house, turn on all the lights - including closet and oven lights, and those over the stove and kitchen counters.  This makes the house look bigger and brighter..

If you'd like more information about preparing your home for sale, feel free to contact me.

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If you have any questions about this report, feel free to give me a call, or click here to request more information.

Baltimore County Real Estate Market Update, March 2010

Featured Listing Friday – Woodbridge Valley, Catonsville Home - 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths and Many Updates
Update 4/18:  Price Reduced:  $299,900

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Well Cared For Rancher on a Woodbridge Valley Cul de Sac

• 3 Bedrooms
  
• 2 Bathrooms
  
• Renovated Kitchen
  
• Updated Bathrooms
  
• Tons of Closet Space
  
• Newly Remodeled Lower Level
  
• Huge Rear Yard
  
• Steps to Western Hills Park
  

Click here to request more information.

 

 

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Listing Courtesy of Jan Hayden, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Thursday Q & A - Your Maryland Real Estate Investing Questions Answered

Q:  What are the most common mistakes you see novice Investors make?

A:  The list that we're talking about looks like this:

• Falling in love with the property
• Always using the best case scenario
• Not performing solid due diligence
• Not planning
• Forgetting to consider how this deal helps your other financial objectives (the big picture)

I've talked about falling in love, using the best case scenario, not performing due diligence and not planning.  Now it's time to talk about your financial objectives.  Your goals. The Big Picture.  If you've been reading this series, you know I've talked about it here and here, and I'm going to talk about it again HERE.

Again?

Yes.

Why?

Because -

In the grand scheme of things, if you're not going to meet your main goal and objectives, then what is the point of entering into what could be a costly Real Estate transaction?

Know your goal.

Run, Don't Walk - Working with a Realtor and What You Should (and Should Not) Expect.  I'm a Realtor.  This means that I'm licensed in the state of Maryland as a Real Estate Agent, but also that I am a member of the leading trade organization for real estate agents, the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  A licensed real estate agent or broker is not necessarily a member of the NAR.  Realtors are pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

While you don't have to use me or any other Realtor to purchase a home, using a good Realtor can be helpful.  Here's a breakdown of what a Realtor should (and should not) be able to do:

• A good Realtor will help you learn about the factual history of a home.  A good Realtor will not tell you which home to buy.
• A good Realtor will help you learn about the benefits and drawbacks of a neighborhood.  A good Realtor will not tell you which neighborhood you should live in - that's YOUR decision!
• A good Realtor will help with determining a fair value for homes.  A good Realtor will not tell you what you want to hear.
• A good Realtor will help in locating an experienced and reputable lender.  A good Realtor will not let you find a loan on the internet.
• A good Realtor will explain your agreement of sale and all of its clauses and conditions.  A good Realtor will not tell you to just sign here.
• A good Realtor will help when negotiating the conditions of a sale.  A good Realtor will not lose sight of your goals.
• A good Realtor will help with inspection and contingency issues.  A good Realtor will not tell you that the leaking water heater is no big deal.

Realtors are Resources, Not Decision-Makers.  Great Realtors will educate you, but will never try to make decisions for you.  Use their knowledge, but make your own choices.

If a Realtor tries to pressure you into a decision, run the other way.

Maple Lawn - a Small Town Planned Community with Townhomes, Single Family Homes and Estate Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty miles north of Washington DC and twenty miles south of Baltimore, MD, Maple Lawn is a planned community built on the ideal of a late 19^th century small town.  ‘These small towns were distinctive, prosperous and thriving and, most of all, had a sense of community'.¹  Six small-scale neighborhoods have been designed and are planned with interconnected, tree-line streets, open space and a variety of housing styles and options.

Maple Lawn is slated to offer abundant retail, corporate and medical/dental professional space in its Business and Westside Districts.  Retail spaces are designed with short term parking spaces to facilitate quick errands, and Business District Office Buildings feature bicycle storage areas and shower facilities to promote employees walking or biking to work.  Living in the community you serve becomes a reality for many professionals who choose to work and live in Maple Lawn.

Howard County Public School System has provided four brand new schools that are within walking distance of Maple Lawn.  School districting can change annually and should be independently verified with the school distict.  HCPSS has a School Locator tool right on their homepage.  The schools within walking distance of Maple Lawn are:

• Cedar Lane School
• Fulton Elementary
• Lime Kiln Middle School
• Reservoir High School

School rating information can be found at greatschools.net.

The Maple Lawn Community Center offers a fitness center, an Olympic pool and a second kiddie pool, ball fields, bbq pavilion, conference rooms, a children's activity room, tot lot and outdoor courts for basketball, roller hockey tennis and more. And if you can't find it at the Maple Lawn Community Center, you're sure to find it at nearby Schooley Mill Park.

Homes for Sale in Maple Lawn, April 2010:

Address	Bed	Bath	Age	SqFt +/-	List Price	DOM
11205 Chase Street #1	2	F2 H1	0	1,650	$349,990	63
8931 Water Street	3	F2 H1	1	-	$439,990	116
7923 Tilghman Street	3	F2 H1	0	2,577	$510,210	195
7881 Maple Lawn Boulevar	4	F3 H2	0	3,500	$599,900	158
11305 Liberty Street	4	F4 H1	5	4,353	$729,999	39
7703 Elmwood Road	3	F2 H1	4	-	$739,900	4
7765 Water Street	4	F3 H1	0	3,269	$749,900	215
11331 Chesapeake Street	4	F4 H1	4	-	$949,000	1
7831 Maple Lawn Boulevar	3	F3 H2	2	4,400	$999,900	370
11336 Liberty Street	6	F5 H2	4	7,400	$1,599,900	183

 

1.  From www.maplelawnmd.com

Top Seller Tuesdays - Spend a Little, Get a Lot! A series of weekly tips for preparing your Maryland Home for sale that are simple, quick and designed to bring you top value.

• Make the fireplace a focal point - polish your fireplace tools and arrange logs in the fireplace.  Keep the mantle and hearth area clean and free of clutter.  A single large piece of art above the mantle makes a statement and draws the eye without adding to the overall clutter of the space..

If you'd like more information about preparing your home for sale, feel free to contact me.

Oak Forest in Catonsville, MD - Homes with a History Near Patapsco Valley State Park Hilton Area

Just south of Frederick Road in Catonsville, and East of Rolling Road is the historic community of Oak Forest.  Many of the homes in this neighborhood are old, older and very old - some of them stately Victorians dating back more than 100 years.

Catonsville has the benefit of proximity to the big city of Baltimore, while keeping its unique small-town qualities.  Created in the late 18th century by Richard Caton, the modern center of Catonsville retains its historic character with a recently restored traditional Main Street.  Annual Events are well known in the area and include the Taste of Catonsville, Frederick Road Fridays, Crab Feast, Arts and Crafts Festival, Santa House and the extremely popular Catonsville 4^th of July Parade and Fireworks.  This year Catonsville will celebrate its 200^th birthday, and the 4^th of July parade is certain to reflect the spirit of this anniversary.  Find out more about Catonsville events at www.catonsville.org.

The Oak Forest Area of Catonsville has easy access to Baltimore 695 Beltway, Interstate 95, and is a very quick trip on 195 to the Baltimore Washington Airport, and AMTRAK, MARC commuter service and MTA Bus Lines and Light Rail.  Also located nearby are the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).

Oak Forest homes are just steps from the Hilton Area of Patapsco Valley State Park.  With a recycled tire playground, camping areas, pavilions and miles of wooded trails, you won't have to go far to enjoy the best of Maryland's State Parks.  Also located nearby is the Rolling Road Golf Club, a challenging, private 18 hole golf course.

The historic homes of Oak Forest go on the market infrequently.  If purchasing one of these homes is of interest to you, sign up for a Listingbook account to create your search.  Enter "Oak Forest" in the Subdivision field.  Your search criteria will be saved, and you will be notified via email when a home that matches your criteria goes on the market.

Oak Forest homes for sale, April 2010:

Address	Bed	Bath	Age	List Price
1504 Idlewilde Avenue	3	F2	58	$390,000
412 Harwood Road	4	F2 H1	58	$399,900
13 Seminole Avenue	4	F2 H1	58	$489,900
1605 Ridge Road	3	F1 H2	83	$519,900
610 Hilton Avenue	4	F2 H1	55	$524,990
1510 Ridge Road	5	F2	91	$660,000
500 Patleigh Road	5	F3 H1	18	$739,900
15 Seminole Avenue	6	F3 H1	111	$1,000,000
10 Seminole Avenue	7	F3 H1	113	$1,200,000