Pam Canova (Realtor®) Mount Airy, Md.

Market Report for Mt. Airy, Maryland

April 2009

The following report constitutes a summary of the information relating to houses that sold in Mt. Airy during the month of April 2009. A total of 18 houses sold with a minimum price of $93,000 and a maximum of $761,870, an average of $356,024. The houses had an average of three bedrooms with the maximum being five and the minimum being one. Days on the market averaged 76, with a maximum of 288 and a minimum of one. The oldest home was built in 1940 and the newest was just built in 2009, with an average of 1983 for the year built.

Of the 18 houses that sold, 2 had 5 bedrooms; 6 had 4 bedrooms, 9 had 3 bedrooms and 1 had 1 bedroom. Average prices were reported as follows: 5 bedroom-$643,385; 4 bedroom-$377,617; 3 bedroom-$306,996. The lots averaged 37,382 square feet, with the minimum being 2,059 and the maximum 129,809. Not a bad month.

Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Are you curious about the first-time home buyer tax credit? It's not what you think. You can actually take advantage of it if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years. To qualify for the tax credit, a home must be purchased during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 1, 2009. In order to qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit, the house you purchase must be at least $80,000. The income limit for married taxpayers filing jointly is $150,000 and for singles, $75,000. In terms of income, we are referring to the adjusted gross income on your tax return. The most significant difference between this tax credit and the one Congress approved in July of 2008 is that YOU DON'T NEED TO REPAY IT! The following types of homes qualify: mobile homes, townhouses, houseboats, condos, single family homes; basically, they all qualify. To take advantage of the tax credit, you must claim it on your federal tax return. Vacation homes and rental properties are not eligible. If you are eligible for an $8,000 credit but your entire income tax liability for the year is less, you may claim the rest as a refund. One caveat: you must stay in your home at least 3 years in order to not have to repay the tax credit. Now go out and buy that home. You may not get another opportunity like this again.

For more information, check out the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009.

Good News From GCAAR

According to the Montgomery County Residential Market Report for April 2009, ratified contracts are up nearly 35 percent from April 2008 for single family homes. The largest percent of change was noted in the 0 to $149,999 price range, but increases were noted all the way up to $599,999. After that, the only positive numbers were in the $700,000 to $799,999 range, but that category saw an increase of 29.4 percent over last year. Year to date statistics also reflect a positive change of 25.5 percent in ratified contracts. Good news at last!

Data source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. (MRIS)

Vintage Coffee Shop--Mt. Airy

The Vintage Coffee Shop in old town Mt. Airy is an amazing place. As the name suggests, you can get any type of coffee you desire, whether your little heart desires a hearty cup of regular grind or the more exotic blended varieties. If you own a laptop, the WIFI is free, unlike Starbucks, and you can relax in a separate lounge, complete with leather furniture and an oversized checkers game that comes with its own hand-woven mat. Breakfast sandwiches are available along with an excellent homemade cinnamon bun with a generous portion of icing. (Watch out! These are a bit habit forming.)

The owner has been known to entertain on occasion for those lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. His name is Ed Caballero, and he tells me he has been playing guitar since 1967. Although, to tell the truth, he only looked about 30 to me. His daughter helps out in the shop, too, and she is strikingly beautiful. I think that should get me a free cup of coffee at least. All kidding aside, the place is fabulous and I am thinking of moving in. Maybe he won't notice. At least I need to find out who their decorator is!!

Childcare in Mt. Airy

If you are looking for childcare in Mt. Airy or Monrovia, look no farther. The Children's Center can provide for all of your childcare needs, whether you have an infant 8 weeks of age or a fifth grader.

The preschool program is very comprehensive, including activities ranging from informal sharing to hands-on science, supervised by a certified science teacher. Before and after school care are also provided. The attractive grounds are very inviting with various kinds of colorful, geometric play equipment, and the staff is selected for "their warm, caring personalities and love of children" as well as their credentials. When I went for my personal interview with them, I found them to be very cordial and relaxed. The sign in front of the center says that they are MSDE certified, which my handy-dandy translator tells me means Maryland State Department of Education. They have been in operation for nearly 20 years and now boast centers in Damascus, Gaithersburg, Glenwood, and Walkersville, in addition to Monrovia.

But that's not all! The summer camp includes field trips to the zoo, local parks, the Baltimore Aquarium, fitness activities, hands-on science projects, swimming, basketball, soccer and other sports as well as creative arts, including ceramics.

Year round childcare is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for busy parents who want a quality childcare experience for their offspring.