Upper Marlboro, MD

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

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

During my six years as a real estate agent, I have seen the role credit plays in determining the buyer's worthiness to get a home loan. However, what interests me is how the requirements for credit worthy applicants have changed over time. Yes, you still have to have a solid payment history, but there was a time when low credit score buyers had an excellent chance of getting a home loan just like high credit score buyers.

Now, I definitely state my claim to working with low credit score buyers. My victory is that I got these buyers into a home; however, this was some years back. I remember working with clients with credit scores in the 500's. Those days have passed and the sight of such a credit score today is only a reminder of what used to be.

Now, those low credit score clients did use FHA for their home loans. The one thing about FHA is that it has been consistently flexible in it's approach to credit. FHA has seemed to look at the glass half full instead of half empty. FHA looks at the total picture and potential of the client providing more wiggle room in a buyer's situation. According to FHA Home Loans, FHA will "allow minor past credit issues, as long as there is a reasonable reason why there was an issue." FHA will look mostly at the last two years of your credit history. According to FHA Home Loans, "if there are some credit issues, they may be able to overcome them with sufficient explanations and supporting document of why the issues occurred." Loss of job, job transfer, and serious illness are examples. I recall, one buyer in particular who had a credit score in the low 500's who had a great work history and income, but had some blemishes on his credit report. Through explanations that made sense, he was able to qualify for a home loan and is now living in a wonderful condo in Washington, DC. With this said, this is why many buyers today are still going with FHA as opposed to conventional loans.

Through continued partnerships with lenders, the message I hear is that banks are requiring a minimum credit score of 640. Although in a recent sales meeting, the loan offer making the presentation said that his bank will go as low as 620. It seems that banks are still calling the shots for the most part and setting the foundation for what they want as buyers walk through their doors. However, what one bank might not do, there's probably a bank somewhere else that will.

Thus, it is extremely important for potential buyers to regularly check their credit and know what's on their credit report. You should know all three scores before making an application for a home loan. While this sounds ideal, it is in the buyer's interest to have certainty that the home loan application has a great chance of being approved and going through. Many buyers still don't check their credit up front and wait to do this when they decide to purchase a home. Buyers should already know whether their credit is worthy and if their are some things on their credit report that may need to be repaired before they can buy a home. The worst thing is to go and apply for a home loan and not get approved. However, as I continue to work with low credit score buyers, I connect them to a lender who can give them a plan of action to correct their credit and make it worthy to get a home loan. It just means buyers with low credit scores today will have to wait a little longer to buy a home.

As an Upper Marlboro, MD real estate agent, I feel that I specialize in low credit score clients. Sometimes I feel that it's my greater work to help these types of buyers get into homes. It seems that they continue to come my way and I have to work with them with the same zest and zeal I have with my buyers who are ready to buy right now. To speak with me about buying, selling, or renting, contact me directly at 240-547-8104. You can also register with me on my website at www.uppermarlbormdrealtor.com or www.agentskyshooter.com. Thanks from Timothy Johnson.

Hosting out of town guests soon? Going the extra mile when hosting out-of-town guests can be both affordable and reflect the charms of your town. Here are some handy tips I like to share with clients who have friends staying in the wonderful Upper Marlboro area.

For the guest room:

• Clear out a nice space for your guest’s items. Even a section of a closet or a dedicated set of shelves / drawers will help them feel welcome.

• Fresh flowers are a great way to make an average guest room seem like a little dose of “B&B” treatment.

• Provide local information on the nightstand; local maps, history, and points of interest are great ideas.

On arrival:

• Giving guests a spare set of keys and showing them how to use the alarm (if you have one) is a great way to make sure they can come and go as they please.

• People are often starving after a long day on the road! Have some food available as soon as your friends arrive.

• Let them know “what’s mine is yours” right away. Books, blankets, whatever they need. Don’t assume they’ll ask or feel comfortable with your possessions.

While they’re staying:

• Take them food shopping at a local specialty store. If they like to cook, plan to make a meal together. It can be intimate, relaxing, and affordable.

• Go beyond the tourist destinations! Show them “how locals do.”

• If they drink, offering a little “wind me down” cocktail at night is nice.

• If it doesn’t break the bank, find small, local souvenir you can send them home with.

By the way, I’d love to meet your house guests! They might just like Upper Marlboro so much, they’d consider moving here. If you’re out and about, give me ring or drop me a line so we can meet! Contact me today!