Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR

January 12, 2009/Bel Air, MD

RE/MAX 1^st Advantage, located in Bel Air, Maryland, proudly announces the opening of its new Property Management Division. Headed up by Broker Sharon Crossett, the new Property Management Division meets the needs of investors and owners alike who desire hands-on management of their properties. This full-service property management company offers a variety of services ranging from rent/lease collection to eviction services and everything in between.

Because of the division's symbiotic relationships with inspection, pest control, maintenance, and insurance professionals, the division ensures proper safeguarding of the client's property.

The division serves both property owners and tenants alike by offering outstanding Maryland home rental services.

RE/MAX 1^st Advantage Property Division assists their clients with the various facets of property management from selection of the property to completion of essential paper work. Additionally, the division helps to secure financial funding by helping clients navigate through the maze of available loan programs to find the one that matches perfectly with the client's needs.

RE/MAX 1^st Advantage is home base to Realtor Lanette Branch and is conveniently located in Bel Air, Maryland at 1204 Agora Road in the Amyclae Shopping Center. Bel Air is the county seat of Harford County and is in close proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground, BRAC location for military families relocating from Ft. Monmouth, NJ.

I really am starting to take this all personally.

Did everyone I sold a property to in the last few years default on their mortgage?

No?

Then...if they haven't defaulted yet, are they about to?

I'm serious here. It's all too much for a girl to bear. I get a phone call or two each month now with a former client on the other end. Most times these calls are asking for guidance on what to do now that they need to sell their home -- the home they just bought 2 or 3 years ago.

That's not good, because these are not investors; they were in it for the long haul -- or so I thought.

I have to tell them the cold, hard facts about today's world of real estate. They probably owe more on the house than the house is worth.

I'm really tired of saying this over and over again.

I wish I didn't have to.

I've morphed into an HRC (Home Retention Consultant) the latter part of 2008 and I ain't gettin' paid extra for that!

Listen up, guys. If you absolutely, positively have to move (job relocation, no income to pay any mortgage, etc.) then call me to sell your home. I'll start the short sale process poste-haste and hope like hell your lender isn't Countrywide (or Popular or People's First).

But --

If you can stay in your home, please do just that.

Stay and pay (your mortgage, that is) and grow your equity the old-fashioned way -- with time. Maybe a loan modification is in order? I'm well-versed in that process and can certainly help you on your way. That's where the HRC part comes in. The past is just that and the wacko double digit appreciation we enjoyed just a relatively short time ago is gone, gone, gone.

This ain't your Mama's real estate reality, that's for sure.

It's 2009 and guess what?

I'm still standing -- but I'm starting to take it all personally, too.

THE LAST WEEK OF 2008 in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $2.7 million in real estate was SOLD!

• 9 Houses SOLD
• Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 159 (OUCH!)
• Average Sales Price for houses sold - $297,444

• Highest Sales Price - $380,000 originally listed at $409,900
• 19 yr-old BRICK Colonial on 1/4 acre
• 4 Beds/4 Full
• 116 DOM

• Lowest Sales Price - $217,500(originally listed at $205,000)
• 21 yr-old Condo
• 3 Beds/1 Full, 1 Half Bath
• 132 DOM

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, December 28th and ending Thursday, December 31st for zip codes 21014 and 21015. Actually, it's not even the entire week since the year ended on a Thursday!

Happy New Year!

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Since she's 14 years old, we can't exactly say she's the first one born in the New Year, but I think you get the picture.

Presenting,

(drum Roll, please...)

Bel Air's

Very First

Listing

Of 2009!

(Ta-Dah...)

309 Quilting Way in Country Walk

• Weighing in at whopping 1416 sqft.
• Brick-Front Townhouse
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Full/2 Half Baths
• Finished lower level
• $249,000

Almost brings a tear to your eye as you remember your first, huh?

Makes you wanna run right out and get your own, don't it?

Makes you lose all sense of grammar (and subject/verb agreement, too), apparently...

Call me if you wanna see it! Call me if you wanna sell one just like it! Call me if you wanna sell one twice the size! Aw heck, just call me...

Happy New Year, Y'all!

LAST WEEK in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $.9 million in real estate was SOLD! Not quitE a cool mil', but ,hey -- CHRISTMAS WAS SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK, FOLKS!

• 3 Houses SOLD
• Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 101 (OUCH!)
• Average Sales Price for houses sold - $307,667

• Highest Sales Price - $443,000 originally listed at $549,900
• 19 yr-old Porch-Front Colonial on slightly less than 2 and 1/4 acres
• 4 Beds/2 Full, 1 Half Bath
• 113 DOM

• Lowest Sales Price - $280,000(originally listed at $310,000)
• 60 yr-old Brick Colonial
• 3 Beds/3 Bath
• 23 DOM

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, December 21st and ending Saturday, December 27th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.