Crofton, MD

I've been living in Crofton MD since 1991 and the issue of what to do with Lake Louise seems to come up periodically. If you live anywhere in the area, you know that "Lake Louise" sits on the left side of the main entrance to Crofton MD.

Since it's really not a naturally fed lake, it does have pretty dramatic swings in water level. Most of Lake Louise is runoff from the townhouse community just off of Crofton Parkway.

On September 21, 2009, the issue of Lake Louise and other important community issues will be discussed at the General Membership Meeting.

There are some who want Lake Louise to remain "as is," basically a catch basin for water runoff. Let nature take its course. When there is a drought, the lake will be low, and when there is heavy rain, it will be overflowing. Pretty much the same as its always been. This is the least expensive option since it won't cost any money to implement.

Other ideas include drilling a well to feed the lake and making it into more of a marshy grassland.

All ideas will be discussed at the General Membership Meeting. You can visit the Crofton MD Town Hall website for more information as it gets closer to the meeting date. Signs will also be posted around the community in the coming weeks. Reserve the date now, September 21st.

Let the big honchos discuss health care and stimulous. Our issue with the attractiveness of Lake Louise is a local issue and deserves your input.

I've always found the Crofton Civic Association to be very receptive to the needs of the members and residents of Crofton MD. Show up for the meeting, greet your neighbors, and let's see what they have to say about "Lake Louise," the entrance to our wonderful community.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Last week Crofton MD had three houses go to settlement. Once again, two of the settlements were in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range, which is the sweet spot for first time home buyers. The third house was more than likely a move up priced at $539,900.

So what did last week tell us about potential future settlements? Three houses in Crofton MD moved to the Contract stage. At this point, all contingencies are removed and settlement is approaching.

Two houses went under contract with a kickout. One of the kick outs was for a home inspection which is pretty minor and the other one was for a third party approval on a short sale. Crofton MD doesn't have all that many short sales but they do occur.

The remaining two houses went under contract with no kick out. Some contingencies still exist but a contract with no kick out is pretty solid.

Seven new rentals became active last week in Crofton MD. Monthly rental prices ranging from $1,500 to $1,995.

Thirteen houses came on the market. Nine of them priced below $300,000 provide a good selection of inventory to choose from for first time homebuyers.

This is just another reminder for first time home buyers that the $8,000 tax credit is set to expire on November 30th. You should be out there seriously looking in order to be able to settle before November 30th. You still have a little time but don't delay.

If you're not already working with an agent to get into your first Crofton MD home, I can help. Just call me at your convenience at 443.995.9595.

Overall, not a bad week for Crofton MD home sales.

If you're SEARCHING for a home in Crofton, MD or any other city in Maryland, click here to view all ACTIVE LISTINGS.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Once your offer on a Crofton MD home is submitted, it is reasonable to expect a counter-offer from the sellers. Being in a position where the seller actually does submit a counter isn't all that bad. When the sellers provide a counter offer, they feel that there's room for negotiation. After all, they could have rejected your offer and moved on, but they didn't.

How you react to the counter offer is something we need to discuss. You can accept it, reject it, or actually provide another counter offer to the sellers. Remember, it's not just price that the sellers may counter on. Each contract is complex, and there may be other terms and conditions that may not be acceptable to the seller.

This can go on for a while, but at some point one of the parties, buyer or seller, may stop negotiating. Our goal is to keep the negotiations going and get a contract that is totally acceptable to you.

Your desire for the house, market conditions, and your ability to counter within your affordability level, are all important. As a buyer, you need to have an upper limit during negotiations and more importantly, stick to your limit. Above all, we want to make sure that this transaction is still in your best interest.

Negotiating fairly and firmly in order to get the Crofton MD home of your choice, is in your best interest.

If you're SEARCHING for a home in Crofton, MD or any other city in Maryland, click here to view all ACTIVE LISTINGS.

Buying A Home In Crofton MD - Step 1, Making The Decision
Buying A Home In Crofton MD - Step 2, Getting Professional Assistance
Buying A Home In Crofton MD - Step 3, Time To Start Looking At Homes
Buying A Home In Crofton MD - Step 4, Know The Local Market
Buying A Home In Crofton MD - Step 5, Finding Your Dream Home And Writing An Offer

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Chapman Farm is a community of more than 500 detached homes built in the 90's on the west side of Reidel Road in Crofton, Maryland.

It's a beautiful community of well-kept homes built around a designated "historic" home and outbuildings on a site now used as a community clubhouse and playground, with ample parking.

No doubt about it... home buyers love Chapman Farm!  Nearly 30% of all detached homes that went under contract during August in Crofton were located in Chapman Farms.  These homes ranged in price from roughly $485,000 to $585,000.  Now there are only four active listings remaining on the market, so you'd better go check them out!

Buying a home is complex and costly. You want to make sure you end up with as many features you want, and can afford. The home you eventually get may not have everything you wanted, but for the price, you're getting the features most important to you. Even in the highest price ranges, it's rare that a buyer gets everything on their wish list.

Crofton MD has a large real estate inventory to start your search for the home of your dreams. At some point, you'll find that perfect home for you, and we'll write an offer.

In Maryland, all real estate purchases have to be in writing. No handshakes allowed. That offer we write together is going to take a while. The standard real estate contract is 11 pages but when we add all the required addenda, it can easily blow up to close to 40 pages. Get out your blue pen because you'll be initialing and/or signing just about every one of them.

Bring your checkbook too. When we write an offer on a home. you have to include an earnest money deposit. It's customary, but not mandatory, to provide an earnest money deposit of approximately 1% of the purchase price of the house. This money will be used at settlement if your offer is accepted.

It used to be pretty standard to close in 30 - 60 after the offer was accepted. New lending and appraisal practices have bumped this up to 45 - 60 days.

If you're searching for a home in Crofton, MD or any other city in Maryland, click anywhere to view all Active listings.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved