Sharon Curtiss

Ocean Pines Market Update

Well now that 2008 is finally over, I thought I would update my Blog to show the sales trends in Ocean Pines since 1995.

As you can see there have been a lot of home sold over the years and as expected 2008 had the lowest amount sold. Our current inventory shows 244 single family homes on the market and prices have returned to more affordable levels.

This is great news for first-time buyers entering the market place. With interest rates at historic lows and the current $7500 first time buyer federal tax credit, we should all be encouraging anyone we know that qualifies to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Many of you out there have children that can now afford the dream of homeownership.

If you need more information about purchasing a home or any other real estate related question, please feel free to give me a call at 410-726-4260. I will be happy to talk with you. Visit my website where you will find FREE Buyer and Seller Tips at www.sharoncurtiss.com.

There's no place like home... You never realize how true those words are until you go out of town for a while.

Don't get me wrong, I love to travel and one day I would love to retire to a beach in Mexico, but during the beginning of February my husband and I made our annual trip up to Atlantic City for a few days of fun. We like to celebrate our birthdays (mine is the 1^st and his is the 29^th), so we book a few nights at the Tropicana in comped rooms, take some spending money and make the ride up from Ocean City, Maryland - about 3 - 3 ½ hours drive if you don't take the Cape May - Lewes Ferry.

We always have a nice time, a few nice dinners out in the Havana Quarter, play craps a little (lose), go to the Atlantic City Boat Show (my husband is a boat broker) and then come home. This year though, the first thing I wanted to do when I got back was go to our favorite local watering hole, the Marlin Moon Grille.

I must say that this is the best restaurant in town (actually it is in West Ocean City in the Frances Scott Key Motel across from the Outlets). We like to go every Friday night (if we have the $$) for Happy Hour and have to get there by 5 pm to get a seat at the bar. They have drink discounts and some great bar food at happy hour prices. We usually have a few cocktails and appetizers versus a full dinner, but for special occasions we will go for the fine dining - and I mean FINE (yum). The owner Gary Beach is a fisherman, so he appreciates the freshest of ingredients, and you never go away disappointed. The bartenders are the best and make us feel like locals (even though we have only lived here since 2000). They know what we like to drink and will even have it ready for us when we sit down. This is such a comfortable place to go, that I even go by myself if my husband is out of town. I guess that is what makes it like home.

So if you are ever looking a great place to visit, come to Ocean City, Maryland and check out what our town has to offer. I might just have to change my retirement plans and stay right where I am and just visit those other countries, because there truly is no place like home.

Click here to search for listings in the Ocean City Maryland area, or go to www.sharoncurtiss.com for more area information.

Instead of giving you the numbers of homes and condos on the market, this week I thought I'd give you a way to search the Ocean City area multiple listing service "LIVE" online. Click on this link to go directly to the site that the local REALTORS use to post their listings http://www.arismlsdpol.com/idx/searchIDX.asp?aid=A01808

If you would rather have me do the search for you, I can create a search with your specific criteria and automatically send you updates anytime a new listing comes on the market. Just send me an email or give me a call at 410-726-4260 to let me know what you are looking for.

REMEMBER: Buying or selling a home is an involved process... You'll want to have someone experienced on your side. If you are not currently being represented by a real estate agent, visit my website at http://www.sharoncurtiss.com/ for FREE Online Home Buying and Selling Reports, or call me at 410-726-4260 for a FREE Home Buyer's Toolkit.

Note: According to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) 2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers: Help finding the right home, help with price negotiations, help with paperwork, help determining what comparable homes are selling for, and help determining how much they can afford are the top five things buyers want from their REALTOR®. I am an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and the the training to make sure you have the right representation when buying property.

Sharon A. Curtiss, ABR, GRI

Sales Manager/REALTOR

Hileman Real Estate

410-208-9200

I came across a really good article written by Blanche Evans in REALTY TIMES that will give you a good idea when it is time to buy. The Ocean City condo market has many great buys for the savvy buyer. As an Accredited Buyer Representative, Ocean City REALTOR Sharon Curtiss has the experience to find the perfect Ocean City condo for you. Whether this is your first investment or you are a seasoned investor looking for a 1031 Tax deferred exchange, I have the knowledge to make your purchase a smooth one.

Six Signs It's Time For Home Buyers To Buy as written by Blanche Evans in REALTY TIMES January 22, 2008

If you're waiting for signs of a housing bottom, join the club. Nobody blows a whistle and say, "It's time to buy!"

That's why market timing is an art, not a science, but you can improve your odds of buying wisely.

First, stop paying attention to the national media. Fear has sidelined buyers even in good markets, and that's exactly when you need to take advantage -- before other buyers wise up.

Second, be ready to pounce when you see the home you want.

Click here to read the full article...