In an economy that wavers, who can really tell what the real estate market will be like in the future? You have your financial and real estate gurus who are always giving their opinions, but do they really have all of the answers? As an experienced realtor in Upper Marlboro, MD, I always make it a point to tell buyers that you cannot guess the market. There are so many factors that impact the spectrum of the real estate market and can change at any time.

It's important for buyers to not act as psychics, but to act as focused buyers and really concentrate on the obvious and most current indicators of the real estate market. As we presently see, the real estate market has split personalities. Right now, we see the buyer's market personality. It is definitely different from the seller's market personality. Right now, this real estate market is characterized by fewer buyers, larger inventory, and lower home prices. For any buyer, this becomes a buyer's haven to take advantage of the bargains that adorn the real estate landscape.

According to Gary Keller's book the Shift, "A buyer cannot perfectly time a market-no one can. They can look at indicators that will point out the direction in which a market is going and can absolutely mark how far it has fallen or risen, but after that the only way to know a market has bottomed or topped out is after it." So, why then do some buyers continue to look through their crystal balls and make market predictions?

We can safely say that all buyers want a great deal, but the great deal may just be the one that exists in your current market. In a buyer's market, there is certainty that you are getting an excellent deal. It's easy to do a rewind several years back and just see how much homes were selling for. For example, in one zip code area of Upper Marlboro MD, the average sold price of homes was $273,781 in December 2010. However, in December 2011, just a year later, the average sold price for homes was $206,277. It seems like buyers somewhere in this zip code is getting a $90,000 discount on homes for sale in Upper Marlboro, MD. This becomes the deal for ready, willing, and able buyers in that market. In the book the Shift, Gary Keller states, "People who buy in a buyer's market are the smart ones. They're buying in a safe zone and living in the area of certainty." He adds, " They know they can't predict the end of a bust, but they can see when the market has fallen considerably."

Therefore, if a buyer is waiting until 2013 to buy a home, there's no absolute certainty that prices will decline even more. It's a risk that a buyer takes when all economic efforts being taken are to increase property values. If a buyer is waiting because of financial reasons or a need to repair credit, that's fine, but waiting based purely on a good guess, could cause a buyer to miss out on a great deal. In his book the shift, Gary Keller states, "With so many homes for sale, too many potential buyers buy into the biggest myth of a shift- they think that they can time the market. Believing in this myth results in a false sense that the buyer has all the time in the world." Thus, it is in the buyer's interest to master the role of a savvy buyer versus the savvy buyer turned psychic. Master the market where it is and make it work for you and strongly rely on the expertise of your chosen real estate agent!

To learn more about how i can help you buy, sell, or rent a property in MD and DC, contact me directly for your free consultation. Go to my website www.uppermarlboromdrealtor.com and search for information and sign up to receive a free home evaluation and a neighborhood sales and analysis report. Thanks from Timothy Johnson

Exit Bennett Realty has compiled the latest January market statistics for Greenbelt Md Homes. Currently, there are 65 active listings, down from 114 a year ago. Greenbelt MD had 14 sold listings in the month of January up from 6 sold listings in January a year ago. The average sold price is $135,000 up from $115,000 from a year ago. Most of these active listings are Greenbelt condos. These listings are staying on the market an average of 87 days. Last year these listing stayed on the market an average of 82 days. Most of the sales in Greenbelt MD are coming from the subdivisions Greenbriar, Chelsea Woods and Hunting Ridge. January saw a reduction in Greenbelt MD foreclosures and Greenbelt MD short sales. PLEASE SEE THE GRAPHS BELOW . Gregory Bennett from Exit Bennett Realty specializes in buyers and sellers in Greenbelt MD. If you need help buying or selling, please call him today at (301)351-4513.

Prince Georges County, MD Homes For Sale- Exit Bennett Realty is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Prince Georges County, MD. We specialize in first time home buyer programs and short sales. We’re the local experts for Greenbelt MD homes for sale, Bowie MD homes for sale, Upper Marlboro MD homes for sale, Clinton MD homes for sale, Fort Washington MD homes for sale, Laurel MD homes for sale, College Park MD homes for sale, Temple Hills MD homes for sale and all surrounding areas. We are licensed in Maryland, DC and Virginia. We also have a Maryland Real Estate Schoolthat offers Maryland real estate classesand Maryland Continuing Education. Call us today at (301) 459-5040.

In a business that has recently seen an exodus of realtors, there are still many real estate agents that remain. As this business has seen good days and bad days, it's important to evolve, but also stick to your script. What I mean, is that your success will come, but not as a replica of another real estate agent's success.

Each real estate agent has a lot of knowledge in common, especially those licensed in the same states. You take the same test to become a a realtor, but then it's every agent's responsiblity to learn and grow in the business. Some realtors learn and grow fast. They take advantage of trainings and learn from more experienced real estate agents and soon become very successful. For some realtors, it may take longer to build the type of thriving business they want.

However, as I've been a real estate agent for over six years, I've learned that you can't be like no one else but you. No matter how much you try to emulate the road another agent has taken, it still will have your name written all over it. As I am gaining new business insight, my success has come from within. Even if I tried, I couldn't be like another agent. It doesn't mean that I haven't learned from others, but it means that how I approach this busness will be my way.

You have to learn to do what works for you and be yourself at doing that. Your personality. Your style. Your drive. Your real estate being will uniquely communicate to buyers and sellers who you are. Your persona as a realtor allows you to standout from others and makes you an individual. I suggest you find the things that make your business grow and become successful but stay true to who you are as an individual to make it all work.

In an area such as Maryland, DC, and Virginia, the competition is often very stiff among agents. There are real estate agents who are doing well now and who have done well in the previous market. They have developed their niches and that consistency has paid off. Ultimately, you become a brand and people can identify you by those charactersistics that make you who you are.

I have specialized in real estate in Upper Marlboro, MD as well as DC, but proudly serve the entire DC and Maryland area. It's up to me to make what I do work for me. People will see my my work ethic and personality, not someone else's. I'm also a licensed social worker and sometimes I just can't help behaving like one, but that's who I am. I have to still make it work. I wish every agent much success and encourage you to make your success yours and learn to do what works best for you.

If you are interested in learning how I can help you buy, sell, or rent a property, please contact me directly for a free consultation. You can also go to www.uppermarlbormdrealtor.com to register with me and receive online monthly newsletters. Or, you can go and browse my site for all of your real esate needs. Thanks from Timothy Johnson.

It is amazing how many wonderful homes are available for sale in Prince George's County, MD that are listed for $100,000 or less.

A few years ago it was unheard of to find homes under $100,000 anywhere in the DC area. Even the smallest condos were selling above $100,000.

These incredible prices coupled with low interest rates make this a perfect time to buy your first home or investment property.

Prince George's County, MD is one of many regions where it is actually more expensive to rent than to purchase many homes.

Prince George's County, MD offers many of the best bargains in the DC area. If you would like more information about the available properties in PG County give me a call.

These are homes available in some of the more popular cities in PG County that are listed for $100,000 or less.

If you are interested in a city not listed let me know and i'll be happy to send you links to search homes in that city.

Upper Marlboro Homes Under $100,000

Bowie Homes Under $100,000

Fort Washington Homes Under $100,000

Clinton Homes Under $100,000

Laurel Homes Under $100,000

Lanham Homes Under $100,000

District Heights Homes Under $100,000

Temple Hills Homes Under $100,000

Capitol Heights Homes Under $100,000

Hyattsville Homes Under $100,000

Prince George's County Homes Under $100,000

HOMEWARD BOUND PROGRAM

Homeward Bound program for PG County MD First time Home buyers. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Developement (DHCD) Secretary Raymond A. Skinner announced the creation of this product like eight months ago. But I am writing this blog for the people who might have missed the announcement or for the PG County MD First time home buyers who don't know about this product.

Homeward Bound allows eligible home buyers of any foreclosed or short sale property to obtain a loan product at a lower rate. This is good considering many if not most first time home buyers are cash scrapped before they even start the home buying process. So how do you apply for this loan you ask? You can go to http://www.mmprogram.org/documents/AcqRehabLenderFactSheet060211.doc through a Maryland Mortgage Program Participating Lender. The acquistion cost is paid to the seller of the home at closing. An amount equal to the rehabilitation cost plus up to six months of mortgage payments is put into escrow account at loan closing. Disbursements are made from the escrow account as repairs are completed by a licensed contractor.

You can also check the Maryland Mortgage Program Current interest rates. Interest rates varies depending on the discount points paid by the borrower. With the Homeward Bound eligible program home buyers of foreclosed and short sale properties will get an introductory 1/2% discount off the current applicable MMP interest rate. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development news updates are available by following DHCD on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MDHousing and Facebook www.facebook.com/Marylandhousing