Brien Berard Maryland Real Estate Agents Laurel real estate

Every day several times a day I get email from the West Laurellist serv. Throughout the day I get constant updates on things going in and around West Laurel.

I learn about parking issues on Riding Stable Road in front of the Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital. I am able to give feedback on the pros and cons of putting a sign up in front of our community. Sometimes I even see issues resolved on the list serv before they get out of hand.

I even get the opportunity to volunteer for various community activities. I get updates on current work being do on the playground equipment at the local park and Bond Mill Elementary School.

Many times, if I need to contact someone, I can find them on the West Laurel list serv.

This is a great example of technology bringing people closer together.

For more information about West Laurel Maryland and other Maryland communities, visit Maryland real estate.

First time buyers of Laurel Md real estate, need to hurry. The $8000 federal tax credit for first time home buyers is about to expire. If you are interested in taking advantage of the tax credit you probably need to be under contract within the next 30 days.

If you have been reading the paper, you probably know that the amount of Maryland homes for sale has been shrinking. To take advantage of the tax credit and have more choices, first time Maryland home buyers need to buy very soon.

As of this post, there is no indication the government will extend the $8000 tax credit.

There are still state programs and county programs in Maryland that you can use for for down payment assistance.

Some of these programs are the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the Mortgage Assistance Program and the Maryland state wide DSLP program.

For all your Maryland real estate needs, visit me at home sales Maryland.

Laurel High School on Cherry Lane in Laurel Marylandwas the scene of much excitement on the first day of school last week.

Laurel High School was visited by Prince Georges County School William Hite on Monday. Hite had good reason to be at Laurel. The school's new wing will be opening this week. Almost a year after it was started the new state-of-the-art facility will be in use by Laurel students and teachers.

Laurel High School also was being visited by County Councilman Tom Dernoga. Dernoga was instrumental in getting the funding for the new wing and the 800 seat auditorium. The auditorium is set to open this December.

Dernoga, Hite, Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and state school Superintendent Nancy Grasmick all visited James Harrison Elementary in Laurel Maryland. James Harrison Elementary achieved Adequate Yearl Progress, for the first time this past year.

All in all, it was a busy day for Laurel Maryland schools.

Interested in buying or selling a home in Maryland? Visit Maryland home sales.

I have a buyer who is looking for a home in Prince Georges County Maryland. Ideally, he would love to be in either Laurel Maryland or Upper Marlboro Maryland.

This past weekend we went out and visited properties in both Laurel and Upper Marlboro. My buyer liked a property he saw in the Kettering area of Upper Marlboro. It was a very nice two level town home.

Because the property was in good shape, vacant and a foreclosure, it was an excellent candidate for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The program is also known as Down Payment on your Dream.

This home is the type of home that will probably have multiple offers. My buyer wants to make a good bid, but he does not have that much cash.

However, the NSP, Down Payment on Your Dream program can provide my buyer with up to 7 % of the purchase price towards his down payment and closing cost. With the little bit of cash my buyer does have and the 7% from the NSP, he can now make a competitive bid on this Kettering property.

We wrote the offer on Sunday night. We shall see what the seller says. But, at the very least, with the help of the NSP, my buyer has made his best bid on the home.

For more information on the Down Payment on Your Dream program, please contact me at 301-604-0198. Or email me at berard@mris.com

To find your dream home, please visit Maryland real estate

According to a recent report released by the National Association of Realtors, home sales in July increased just over seven percent over July of last year. The report added this was the largest month to month gain since 1999.

In addition, the data pointed towards first time home buyers as the key to the increase. If you have been reading my blogs, this should be no surprise to you.

Home prices have not become more affordable for the first time home buyer. The previous seller's market shut-out the first time home buyer. Many families making somewhere between 40 to 50 thousand a year could not afford a home.

But with prices dropping, first time home buyers have increased sales numbers in Maryland and across the country

Not only have prices dropped to more affordable levels, but government incentives have become to tempting for buyers. The $8000 tax credit has done it's job in motivating potential home buyers to get off the fence and purchase a home.

Locally, Prince Georges County Maryland's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), offers buyers up to $20,000if the buy a vacant foreclosed property. In Anne Arundel County Maryland, the Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) also offers buyers down payment assistance of up to $10,000 or more.

The buyers I am currently working with in Laurel Md, are all aware of the government $8000 tax credit for purchasing a home. The NSP and MAP programs are also getting Laurel buyers excited as well.