Towson, MD

An old jail in my town of Towson, Maryland is going to have a new life as a pool, office space, and hopefully a cafe.

Placed on the National Historical Registry in 1991, the Warden's building, built in 1858, is being renovated to preserve the original details while providing modern amenities.

I am excited that this 1.8 acres is going to be something so useful to the community. Though the pool is going to be private, the public schools around and camps/etc will have access to use. The local senior center will be offered largely discounted memberships.

The best part for my neighborhood, is that if you are a charter member, meaning that you pay $2500-$3500 to help build the pool, then that membership becomes part of your household. This means that when someone sells their Towson home, the membership can be transferred with the sale of the house.

Pools in our area fill up quickly. One opened in Timonium last year and their wait list is now 3 years long.

This provides a tremendous opportunity for Towson House Values to those who are willing and able to be charter members!

This is a synopsis of sales activity in the Towson Communities and neighborhoods. I am providing information on homes that have sold as well as Homes for sale.

SOLD SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES There have been 13 sold. Average Sales Price was $473,677 Average Days on Market was 112 TOWNHOMES/ROWHOUSE There have been 11 sold. Average Sales Price was $215,872 Average Days on Market was 57 CONDOMINIUMS & Others There have been 3 sold. Average Sales Price was $180,133 Average Days on Market was 95
FOR SALE SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES There are 102 available. Average List Price is $604,990 Average Days on Market is 143 TOWNHOMES/ROWHOUSE There are 24 available. Average List Price is $267,950 Average Days on Market is 85 CONDOMINIUMS & Others There are 35 available. Average List Price is $195,363 Average Days on Market is 130

Information was obtained from the local MLS - Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc (MRIS) and is believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification, information is not guaranteed.

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If you are considering making a move, I can provide a FREE MARKET EVALUATION also known as a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA), I will research and prepare one based on properties which have recently sold in your area. This report will provide you with a price range and a list of comparable properties.
Get Your House Value

My FREE Home Search Wizard will automatically e-mail you daily any listings that meet your search criteria, as soon as they come on the market!
Maryland Home Search Wizard

You can also search all homes for sale through out Maryland (provided by the local MLS - the one that real estate agents use.) My team and I can show you any home listed in Maryland!
Maryland-Home-Listings.com

If you'd like more information and/or have any questions about the Towson, Maryland area, please feel free to contact me or visit my website.

Thank you and best regards,

Phill Cross, e-PRO REALTOR ®
RE/MAX 1st Advantage
Mobile: (443) 677-7114

Bel Air Office: (410) 638-7895
Parkville Office: (410) 882-6000
Website: http://www.MD-RE.com

Turning House For Sale into Home Sold!™

I realize I have written a lot about the Towson Zestimates and how much they have been off in my area.

It is not that I mean to harp, but as most of my family & friends know, I am an expert when it comes to house values in Towson.

Enter this weekend, with cookouts and family time galore. As usual, the discussion goes to real estate.

"I was passing this on the way to your house - how much is it on for?"

Of course, I am ready with that information:

"$2,495,000."

"How about the small one near Charles Street?" "$615,000."

(I know my area!)

"So, Marney, what is this Zillow Zestimates thing you have blogged about?"

Well, here's the PERFECT example as to the difference between TRUE VALUE and ZESTIMATES.

List price: $2,495,000. Zestimate: $971,000. Off by over $1.5 MILLION!!!!

List price: $615,000. Zestimate: $489,000. (only off by about $126,000).

See the problem????

How can this be rectified? I realize there are disclaimers all over the Zillow site. But shouldn't a product designed to help the public determine a value be at least CLOSE to correct?!

Our portfolio true jumbo mortgage rates dropped on some programs, and held steady on others this week in Maryland.

Despite the Fannie Mae High Balance Loan Program being introduced, loan limits have remained at $560,000 or less for Fannie Mae loans in much of Maryland The Fannie Mae HBLP are also has some hits to pricing which are prohibitive, particularly to those looking to simply consolidate debt. Our program allows for loans up to $1,500,000, subject to qualification and loan to value restrictions.*

Our true jumbo loan programs, called our Portfolio Program, allows for higher loan balances at extremely competitive terms!

Currently we have the following Jumbo Rates with 0 points as of business close on 4/10/09**:

Call Michael Byrne at 908 531 6170 or 800-999-2489 x7972 for current rates.

30 Year Fixed *Call for personalized quote.

5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, and 10/1 ARMS are available: Call Michael Byrne for quotes on these and all products.

Typical minimum FICO scores of 680/700 Full Doc loans only. Subject to verification of post closing assets and full underwriting.*

Currently with loan to values of up to 75% on purchase money/rate term refinances to $750,000, 70% on purchase money/rate term refinances up to $1,000,000, 65% Financing to $1,250,000, and 60% to 1,500,000.

Other jumbo loan programs are available as well to borrowers in Maryland.

We also offer competitive pricing on FHA, VA and Conventional Loans in Maryland, as well USDA loans in qualified areas. We underwrite and fund these loans in-house.

Michael Byrne

908 531 6170 Cell

www.refi-fhasecure.com

www.mortgageprosforum.com

* Guidelines subject to change without notice and subject to final investor underwriting **Price adjustments for cash-out loans over a 70% LTV .25pt. Other restrictions apply.

Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P. is licensed by the PA Department of Banking as a first mortgage banker and licensed pursuant to the PA Secondary Mortgage Loan Act; Arkansas Mortgage Company License; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act; DC Mortgage Lender and Broker; a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee (#15499); Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee; Kansas licensed Mortgage Company; Massachusetts Mortgage Lender and Broker (#MC-3052); Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department (#10192-MBB); Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance; Licensed Mortgage Banker NYS Banking Department; a Mortgage Lender and Broker in Rhode Island; Gateway Funding is also authorized or exempt as a mortgage banker in AL, CO, CT, DE, FL, IN, IA, ME, MD MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, and WI. This is not an offer to extend credit to any individual who may be entitled to a more complete disclosure per RESPA, TILA, HOEPA or any other more applicable federal, state or local law or regulation, Rates, Terms, Fees and Equity requirements are subject to change without notice. For qualified borrowers only. Equal Housing Lender. © 2009 Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P.

Ct. Super Jumbo Loan Programs Delaware Jumbo Loans New Jersey Jumbo Loans NY Super Jumbo Loans

Are you looking for something out of the ordinary to do this weekend? Come join the Baltimore Heritage Quilters at Goucher College in the Sports Complex.

You'll see over 250 quilts made by the groups members. There are some very talented members in the group and many professional quilters are members of Baltimore Heritage Quilters.

You will also be able to participate by either bidding or buying it on the spot, in the silent auction or "Buy it or Bid". Many of the members have made items and donated them to be bid on. The funds raised from the auction go towards the guilds education committee where our members learn new skills, new techniques that they use to make quilts.

Stash to Treasure where you'll be able to buy fabric, notions, and books that we have all donated from our studios.

Quiltique where members have made items to sell. You'll find quilts, quilted items and much more. Hand crafted gifts are always appreciated.

And, the guilds raffle quilt will also be displayed. The quilt was designed and made by members of the guild.

There will also be several vendors at the show including a quilt appraiser and many quilt shops.

Come and spend a few hours with members of the guild. If you're new to the area and a quilter, this is a great opportunity to meet some great people and possibly become involved with our group. We meet the second Tuesday of the month in Woodbrook Church on Stevenson Ln in Towson.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling. If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy. The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's. If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement. This is a $350 savings. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent. Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.