About Charles County, MD

So when is the economy going to recover?  According to the Washington Post, it looks like it may already be happening here in Charles County!  In an article written this weekend in the Washington Post (Economic Rebound Seen for Charles County), Signs are good that the evidence of an improving economy is being seen already in our neck of the woods!

According to the article, the U.S. unemployment rate is 9.8 percent; Maryland's is 7.2 percent; and Charles's is 5.9 percent!!!  In addition to this news, rising homes sales, and a continuing influx of new jobs, Charles County is becoming a much more popular place to be!  Also, if you're thinking of buying or selling a home in the area, I know a FANTASTIC Realtor, LOL!!!   ;-)

~Jonathan Benya- Realtor
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000 - office
301-653-8116 - cell

Charles County Real Estate Blog
SOMD Home Search
Southern Maryland Custom Homes & Land

Charles County Maryland Public Schools

Are you considering a move to Maryland, but are concerned about the educational opportunities available for your children? Do not worry, the schools of the Maryland public educational system are rated among the best in the entire country.

Maryland tracks key performance indicators to determine how it compares to the nation as well as to compare the school districts within its own boundaries. Maryland continually strives to improve its performance in all of these areas.

In all categories, Maryland is at or near the top. Maryland has information regarding important factors such as:

• graduation rates;
• college acceptance rates;
• SAT and PSAT scores; and
• assessment scores for math, reading, and writing.

Also provided are demographics for the various schools and school districts.

For detailed information about the schools in Maryland you can start at the following web site:

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE

For detailed information about the schools in Charles County Maryland you can start at the following web site:

http://www2.ccboe.com/

To determine the specific schools for a particular address in Charles County Maryland, you can use the following web site:

http://www2.ccboe.com/schoollocator/

Restorations by Wolf, which is a Carousel Restoration Company located in Southern Maryland, is owned and operated by Steve Crescenze. This unique craft caught Steve's attention roughly twenty years ago. He was shopping on the Boardwalk in Ocean City on the Eastern Shore and walked into a shop that had some miniature carousel horses displayed. This started the journey from teaching Shop Class in Charles County in Southern Maryland to becoming one of the top Carousel Horse Restoration Companies in the country.

The Carousel Restoration Comany, Restorations by Wolf , advertises through the internet and through The Carousel News and Trader Magazine. This is the only trade magazine dedicated entirely to the art history and restoration and preservation of Carousel Horses and Figures. Steve Crescenze has done numerous articles on Carousel Horse Restoration for The Carousel News and Trader Magazine. In addition, he has restored or worked on over 400 Carousel Horses and Carousel Figures. Clients have contacted Steve Crescenze to do Carousel Restorations from as far as Canada and California. They ship them by truck and sometimes even hand deliver them to Steve. They are prized possessions so door to door delivery is not unusual. These finished Merry Go Round Figures are then used as decorations or focal points in the home, foyers, bedrooms, etc. Steve restored some of the the figures for the Maryland Park and Planning project to restore 2-3 figures a year from the old Chesapeake Beach Maryland Carousel. This is now displayed in Watkins Park in Largo Maryland. Visit www.CarouselRestorations.com to view some of his stunning craftmanship.

Carousel Restoration for Steve Crescenze at Restorations by Wolf has included armored horses, mythological creatures such as a hippocampus, or a half horse and half fish figure, barnyard animals such as pigs, cows , chickens, rooster, dogs, cats, deer, and lions plus jungle creatures such as giraffes , lions, and zebras. These finished Carousel Figures can range in value from a few thousand to as high as a few hundred thousand due to their extensive craftmanship and rarity.

Carousel Restoration Owner at Restorations by Wolf, Steve Crescenze, restored a carousel horse for one customer who won the winnings from Jeopardy to purchase and restore their Carousel Horse. Each project takes an average of 2-6 months so the craftmanship shines through. Folks look thru his portfolio or Carousel periodicals and books for ideas.

Carousel Restoration is a business full of surprises. Steve has found nests and old coins and a small plastic rifle, oil lamp wick, and even magic baby bottles inside the Carousel horses. In one of the restored lions, Steve found the signature and information from the head carpenter of the Hershell Spillman Company located near Niagra Falls, New York dated 1911. This was one of the premiere manufacturers of carousel horses and figures. Sometimes tickets are found inside that give a clue to the original location or the specific amusement park that housed the Carousel Horses which amused both young and old alike for many generations.

To contact Steve Crescenze for Carousel Restoration or to purchase a Carousel Horse or Carousel Figure, visit www.CarouselRestorations.com or call 301-932-2734 .

Someone recently sent me a photo of a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sign that I had to share. I understand that you can't always choose your neighbors, but when it comes to selling your home because you hate your neighbors, there is good news! Fortunately, bad neighbors are not what you would call a "material defect" in your home (Regardless of how defective you think they may be). If you hate your neighbors, odds are that other people may hate them as well. My advice would be to keep the commentary about the obnoxious neighbors to yourself, and let the next owner find out in their own sweet time. Enjoy the photo! ~Jonathan Benya- Realtor

Century 21 New Millennium

301-653-8116

Charles County Real Estate Blog

SOMD Home Search

Southern Maryland Custom Homes & Land

I was doing a little research this morning and was so pleasantly surprised to see a bit a good news recently with the recent Home Sales reports. It seems that for the moment there is a bit of positive news in the market with resales starting to curve upward and new home construction up, and sales prices nudging up. I started wondering if buying a new home is still considered a good investment? A lot of people recently have told me and I continue to put it out there, that it truly is a good time to buy. So why? It seems that with prices dropping over that last couple of years it has made the value of a home seem like a more profitable investment in the future. Understanding that the market is very cyclical makes one see the value of purchasing now. I found a great article highlighting this so I thought I would attach it here. Thought I would share a bit of positive news.

Thanks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33243863/ns/business-real_estate/