All that appears short....is not a short sale...... - Mar 16 02:43 PM
As the ongoing financial crisis continues across the country, signs of foreclosure become more prominent. Agents from every section of the country are in large part chasing the curve. Rather than work for a solution, we are part of the problem. Signs like this do not mean short sale. Signs like this do not mean bank owner Signs like this only mean that someone paid a printer for the sign and slapped it in front of ...
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Tips for Moving Your Hi-Tech Equipment - Apr 23 09:01 AM
Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
There's more to moving than packing up your belongings and transporting them in a truck to your destination location. Getting your life back to normal means hooking up your electronic equipment to make it functional again.
Moving your piano is nothing, compared to this challenge. After all, the movers perform all the heavy ...
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THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK..... COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS KEY!!! - Nov 29 05:44 PM
I think that this nation suffers from some serious self absorption issues! There, I said it, what a way to start my first active rain post!I apologize for starting off on a soap box like that(*steps down*), but it's been said before and I think it needs to be said again.
I think it's all the more important for us as Realtors, because we're a service industry, and because we spend our lives front ...
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I've Been Workin' On the Railroad... - Mar 15 01:51 AM
By eight yesterday morning I was on a train for a quick day trip to New York. By evening I was back...and though I talked to several people, made appointments, did some negotiating, and read and sent emails, most people never knew I'd left.
Dawn was just breaking when we got to Penn Station in Baltimore, and I couldn't resist snapping some photos of the classic façade. Later I did some research and learned the building ...
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How Credit Cards May Be Replacing Home Equity As A Funding Source - Aug 29 12:40 PM
As mortgage guidelines loosened between 2002 and 2006, homeowners often used their home equity to retire credit card and other consumer debt. They did this by increasing the size of the mortgage and taking "cash out" from their home.
As you'd expect, this type of mortgage transaction is called a "cash out" refinance.
Well, now that mortgage guidelines are tightening, it's growing more difficult for a homeowner to engage in this type of home loan.
...
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Crofton Maryland - Why Home Sellers Need Written Goals - Oct 08 09:34 AM
A series based upon 12 Key Questions for All Home Sellers by Crofton Realtor, Margaret Woda
1. WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIFIC MEASURABLE GOALS? (Be sure to write them down and prioritize them.)
Preparing your home for sale is hard work!
Clean the closets, clear the counters, shampoo (or replace) the carpet, paint the front door, polish the chrome, organize the garage, board the dogs... Oh my, the list just goes on and on.
You're probably thinking, "And now Margaret wants me to take time ...
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Advice to New Maryland Real Estate Agents - Jul 01 09:12 AM
WELCOME TO THE DANCE!
I encourage all new agents to bring your enthusiasm and new ideas to the world of real estate, while you learn some of the basic steps. As we all know too well, real estate licensing classes don't really provide the day to day "how to's" that mean the difference between success and failure in this business. So here are a few practical suggestions from an old pro:
1. Preview, preview, preview. Any day that you don't have a ...
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FREDERICK COUNTY MD REAL ESTATE AND HOMES FOR SALE. RELOCATING TO CENTRAL MARYLAND, THINK ABOUT FREDERICK COUNTY. - Jan 30 07:10 PM
FREDERICK COUNTY MD REAL ESTATE, CONVENIENCE, PRICE AND POPULAR LOCATIONS FOR RURAL LIFE.
RELOCATING TO FREDERICK COUNTY? YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE. Frederick County is lovely, convenient, priced right and offers convenience for shopping, commuting, services and a wide selection of home types and styles. Frederick real estate has it all. Real estate in Frederick County is priced right, offers a variety of home styles throughout this beautiful area of Maryland. Homes in Frederick County in the Southern areas are ...
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RELUCTANTLY RETURNING TO THE MORTGAGE MESS. IT'S STILL THERE LOOMING. - Dec 26 10:29 AM
ARE WE STILL IN 2004? THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME.
* * * * HARD CORE REAL ESTATE TALK * * * *Monday morning, I spoke with a prospective home buyer who is interested in buying a home in the $450,000 to $500,000 price range in my market area. I looked at the homes he selected to tour and then asked him, "How did you determine your price range? Have ...
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Explaining Why Per Diem Is Not A Closing Cost - Sep 11 10:18 PM
Line 901 of a mortgage settlement statement is commonly confused for a closing cost. It's actually an "advance payment" on the mortgage.
Often called a per diem by mortgage professionals, line 901 itemizes a borrower's prepaid mortgage interest charges due at closing. The total amount due equals the daily rate of interest multiplied by the number of days remaining in the month.
If a mortgage funds on September 28, for example, the per diem would be ...
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Where's YOUR agent... front row or nosebleed section? - Sep 05 12:19 PM
Take a look at this seating chart for Comcast Center, the basketball arena at University of Maryland. You'll notice a lot of pretty colors, each representing a more or less desirable section for seating, a wide range of prices, and different expectations.
It's a little like the real estate arena, don't you think? Consumers can reserve a seat in the "purple"section at a lower price, knowing before they step foot into Comcast that they saved a lot of money over those ...
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Anne Arundel County Maryland - Five Secret Ingredients for Selling Your Home in a Buyer's Market - Sep 23 11:43 AM
My, what a difference a year or two can make, when it comes to selling your home!
If you bought your Anne Arundel County home in the past five years, it's likely that you paid full price - perhaps OVER full price. You might have waived a home inspection, and even an appraisal. Your offer was probably in competition with many others so you resorted to little "tricks" like personal letters to the seller to convince them you were ...
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Maryland is for Crabs - At a Price - Apr 20 08:03 AM
Check out Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Let me assure you that slogan does not refer to the attitude of Maryland residents or visitors. It refers to blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, Maryland is a very friendly place!
Maryland is for Crabs became an official tourism slogan of the State in 1989 when the Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) became Maryland's "State Crustacean". By ...
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WHY DO BUYERS BUY THE HOME WHEN THEY KNOW ABOUT THE DEFECTS??? - May 03 02:58 PM
BATS IN THE BELFRY??It appears that you cannot discourage some folks from buying homes no matter what the defects. An article posted today by Mike Montague is a classic example. The house has bats. The house had bats when they purchased. The bats have done what bats do and now the house has an "excess" of bat droppings, dropped bats and lots of damage dropped on the owners WHO KNEW ABOUT THE BATS WHEN THEY PURCHASED. ...
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7 Things You Must Never Do When Applying For a Home Loan - Aug 18 09:55 PM
This is a list of things to steer clear of when you are seeking to obtain financing for a home. The following items may prove to be a detriment when you wish to move forward with the loan process.
Don't buy or lease an auto! Lenders look carefully at your debt-to-income ratio. A large payment such as a car lease or purchase can greatly impact those ratios and prevent you from qualifying for a home ...
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YOU KNOW IT'S BAD WHEN...Baltimore Ravens - Nov 20 01:58 PM
I GOT THIS EMAIL TODAY AND I USUALLY DON'T DO THIS, BUT I FELT COMPELLED WITH THIS ONE SINCE I ACTUALLY LAUGHED OUT LOUD WHEN I READ IT! Be careful not to speed in Baltimore, the police are handing out Ravens tickets. Q: What's the difference between the Ravens and a dollar bill? A: You can still get four quarters out of a dollar. Q: What do you call 47 people watching an NFL playoff ...
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Somewhere on a cool Autumn evening.... - Nov 02 09:46 AM
Some events remain forever moments ago in your mind. I won the luck of the draw and was borne into the grey area that lives on the fringe of live entertainment. From earliest childhood, performers were dinner guests in my families home. As the tag-along-middle-child, I found myself wandering through the homes of many of the high powered promoters that lived in the DC area, while my parents attended parties and functions.
To the rest of ...
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It's a DAMN Lie !!!!! - Apr 10 08:50 AM
One of the earliest hi-tech phrases was "garbage in - garbage out". I keep reading statistics. I keep reading blogs. I hear agents sharing the same stories. The market across the country is labled over-laden with inventory. Signs are in yards block after block. It is a buyer's market. Really...read on.
Visitors to websites find page after page after page of listings. One begins to think that there are more houses for sale than could possibly be ...
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802 Frog Mortar Road, Revolea Beach, Baltimore,Md 21220 - Aug 26 12:16 PM
...
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BUY A NEW HOME AND WE'LL BUY YOUR OLD ONE, Sound Too Good To Be True? - Jul 04 01:03 PM
WHAT'S A CONTINGENCY REMOVAL GUARANTY? An Active Rain member asked "Why do buying contingencies not work there? I wrote that they "seldom work here" but didn't say why. You've seen the advertisements in the local newspapers on the real estate pages on Friday or Saturday""We'll Buy Your Home If We Can't Sell It"or"Buy A New Home From Dream Builders And We'll Buy Your Old Home, GUARANTEED"That's what we call a "Contingency Removal Guarantee". The process is simple. 1. ...
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A Few Good Reasons To Ignore Your Mortgage Prepayment Penalty - Aug 15 11:12 AM
Industry trade magazine Inside B&C Lending pegs the 2006 dollar volume of new sub-prime loans at $640 billion. According to the Real Estate Charts chart (exhibit 18), 78% of those dollars were in 2-year adjustable loans.
A loan of this variety is often called a 2/28 ("two twenty-eight").
A 2/28 originated in 2006 will reach its first adjustment period sometime in 2008. Adjustments on sub-prime loans are typically 3% at the first adjustment, and 1.5% every ...
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOMES AND REAL ESTATE - TOP RANKED PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SHOPPING, METRO TRAIN and WONDERFUL HOMES - Apr 23 03:46 PM
MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD REAL ESTATE - A TOUR OF NEIGHBORHOODS WILL HELP YOU FIND THE AREA WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN THIS WONDERFUL MARYLAND COMMUNITY. Bethesda - 20814, 20815, 20816, 20817. Close to N.W. Washington, D.C., fantastic shopping, top ranked public schools, 3 Metro stations, quick access to Northern Virginia, minutes to county government offices, minutes to Route 270 bio-tech corridor. Sister city of Chevy Chase offers historic homes minutes to N.W. Washington, D.C. Kensington is ...
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Americans Will Spend $179 Million More on Gasoline Today than One Year Ago - Sep 27 03:37 PM
Economists worry about rising oil prices because it tends to generate higher pump prices for Americans. With more money spent on gasoline, there's (theoretically) less money available to spend on goods and services. Today, GasBuddy.com says that the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $2.792, up from $2.344 last year at this time. Now, as a country, it is estimated that we consume 146,000,000,000 gallons of gasoline annually. That converts to 400 ...
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How Big Will Your Backyard Be? - Aug 18 10:59 PM
One of the things new homeowners look forward to is having a yard to call their own. So I get a kick out of asking my clients this question: How big will your backyard be?Some people tell me they want huge backyards so their kids can play with their pets. Some people want very tiny ones so they don’t have to mow the lawn.
So what do you want? Big, small, or medium? Can you ...
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The experts are saying... - Jun 25 01:02 PM
Are home sellers in denial? Now that is a very good question, and everyone has an opinion. I'll bet you've already framed an answer in your own mind, and now you're waiting to hear what I have to say.
Yes, I think that's true. I've talked to a number of sellers, and even agents, who are convinced that their home is worth 10% higher than it's likely to get in today's market. In fact, even economists and ...
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NOT ALL AGENTS ARE CREATED EQUALLY! - Jan 04 08:26 AM
There are many real estate agents in the business, but if you are a home seller, how would you know who to choose to list your home? Most agents know that listings sell because of 3 things, PRICE, CONDITION, and LOCATION! And I know that some agents just plain can't compete for listings because they have absolutely NO MARKETING PLAN to offer their sellers, so what do you think they do?
Those agents tell the sellers ...
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Hidden Gem in the Rain, Baltimore's Audrey Hoffman - Feb 18 01:53 PM
I am very excited to share with you a wonderful local blogger who I discovered just this morning, while reciprocating her comment on one of my posts. Meet AUDREY HOFFMAN, a staging consultant in nearby Baltimore, Maryland. I chose Audrey as my Hidden Gem primarily because her posts were so enjoyable to read, and I loved seeing how her blogs developed from the first post just four weeks ago to her most recent ones. I tend to get bogged down in facts and ...
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Add Washington DC to your "Bucket List" - Mar 30 02:44 PM
If you have never spent time in Our Nation's Capital as a tourist, you need to add it to your bucket list. I live in the DC suburbs of Montgomery County Maryland and I admit that I do not visit the City nearly enough.
Yesterday, Saturday, was the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival. It one of the most beautiful sites you can see. It started when the Japanese gave the United States the gift of the ...
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MARYLAND REAL ESTATE HOME PRICES - YEAR END REPORT AND TRENDS - Jan 11 12:54 PM
WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS OPPORTUNITY TIME FOR HOME BUYERS IN MARYLAND REAL ESTATEPAY ATTENTION TO THE TRENDS. Recent Statistical Report for number of closed sales indicates that prices in the Maryland real estate market are holding and even increasing in some counties. However, the news is not the prices of the homes that closed in December 2007, but rather the real story is the number of closed sales, then number of days from list to close and the trends.The ...
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Good Market?Bad Market? Hell, it's your Market! - Feb 14 03:51 PM
Drives me up a wall.
On one side of the fence, we have the drones that parrot the soundbites created by the bobbleheads at the National Association of Realtors. "Everything is beautiful. This is a great time to buy a home. Investing in real estate is a winning strategy."
Those folks need to play the knock-knock game..
You know....knock knock....who's there?....real estate investors......real estate investors who?.....real estate investors that have lost their collective ass in the market over the ...
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Business Cards - What does yours say? - Oct 19 11:08 AM
I visited with my photographer (she is AWESOME and very resonable and even did the pictures for my wedding! Visit Her Site here STPHOTOS.COM) last night and just got some New professional head shot photos taken and am ready to order my newly updated business cards, but before I rush out and order them, I started thinking about how I want to design my next business card. I thought:
What Will My Card Say About Me?What Do I Want Others To Think ...
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Make it a Goal to Buy a House - Aug 20 10:33 AM
How do people get what they want?
Easy. First they have to know what they want, and visualize it. In your case, you want to buy a house. So we need for you to create the goal that you will buy a house. And to make it even better, you will buy this house in the next 6 months.
Experts tell us that to have a proper goal setting program we need realistic goals and ...
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Why Alerting Your Mortgage Lender About Bad News In Advance Is Better Than Surprising Them - Aug 10 02:34 PM
Having trouble paying your mortgage? You aren't alone. According to RealtyTrac, 1 out of every 134 homes filed for foreclosure in the first half of 2007.
More and more, though, mortgage companies are doing their best to work things out with delinquent homeowners.
Loss of a job or a sudden medical emergency are just some of multitude of reasons that forces an otherwise responsible borrower to find themselves in difficulty.
What's important to remember is that you are ...
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Ok - I am throwing it out there - a 3/4 rate cut Dec 11? i am crazy or what? - Dec 03 11:37 PM
I am certainly no economist and most my predications come about by just sheer gut feelings. I have no scientific backup to any of my hunches. But as a 15+ year vet of the mortgage game and never witnessing anything like this crisis, I am suggesting the possibility of a 3/4 point rate cut Dec 11th by the Fed.
I realize many will call me crazy, even suggesting that a 1/2 rate cut is no sure thing. ...
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April Blooms in Crofton, Maryland - Apr 04 11:35 AM
Crofton, Maryland, is located in Anne Arundel County, home of the U.S. Naval Academy, Fort George G. Meade, NSA, BWI, and Northrop Grumman; about 35 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Maryland.
Crofton is a "community," however, and not just a subdivision or zipcode . The distinction is in the residents who make Crofton one of Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to live.
One of the residents responsible for making Crofton, Maryland, the community it is today is Kaye Callahan.
As ...
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DC Area Market Report - Feb 11 04:47 PM
Don't believe the media hype. 2007 was a good year in the DC area. The market was stronger than it was in 2006. The MacArthur Group has just released sales figures for the year and they show an increase of 57%. In 2006, the group completed transactions totalling $14,000,000. The final total for transactions completed in 2007 is a whopping $22,000,000. 2008 has shown an increased level of activity and we expect to see another increase. ...
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disturbing phone call today -- the worst in my career - Oct 17 07:20 PM
I have been working with this customer in particular for a few months. During his divorce 2 years ago, he left and had the wife live in their home and pay the mortgage. Well, he found out she didn't pay and his home went into foreclosure. He claims because she lived there she was responsible. He obviously had a bad attorney. He now owns a different home with his new wife and because he needed to ...
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Singles are Buying in Baltimore - Jun 22 01:06 PM
Jody Landers knows the Baltimore market better than anyone. As Executive Vice President of the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, he has the stats and the lowdown on what's happening in Central Maryland real estate.
We talked the other day when we both were guests of Terry Stafford on the radio show, All About Real Estate. The GBBR works with the National Association of Realtors® on surveys of buyers and sellers, and Baltimore stood out on several ...
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where the hell is your agent????????? - Mar 12 11:30 PM
This business of being a real estate agent is ever changing. There are more styles in this profession than any other. Agents not only come in all shapes and sizes....they all bring their baggage with them.
Now I will admit that I have neglected signing on and sharing thoughts lately. I have been busy. Spring has sprung and many of you have made the move to buy.....now. I don't know what they put in the water ...
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BRAC Relocation coming to Northeast Maryland – ARE YOU READY? - Nov 29 09:37 AM
By 2011 the Base Realignment And Closure relocation from Fort Monmouth New Jersey to Aberdeen Proving Grounds is expected to be completed. Between now and then an estimated 28,000 new jobs will be created and an estimated 60,000 new residents will be living in and around our area. This process has not really started yet, but will be shortly as the first groups of transferees start to trickle into the Northeastern part of our Great State ...
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD HOME LOANS, FHA HIGHER LIMIT FOR MARYLAND HOME BUYERS - FHA Loan Limit $729,750 and 3% Down! - Mar 31 05:54 PM
WELCOME TO THE NEW FHA LOAN. OPPORTUNITY FOR MARYLAND REAL ESTATE BUYERS.
HAVING TROUBLE GETTING A CONVENTIONAL HOME LOAN APPROVED? You bet! Is the home you wish to buy in a "declining market"? What's a "declining market"? What's the solution?
DECLINING MARKET. Mortgage companies are smart. While home prices in the Maryland real estate market have come down significantly, conventional mortgages have become harder and harder for buyers to get approved. 5% has become 10% and 10% ...
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Mandatory sprinkler systems in all homes - What do you think? - Oct 25 01:50 PM
Passed in October 2006 all new homes in Frederick County Maryland are required to have a sprinkler system installed. I agree that residential properties such townhouses and condos should have them because you never know about your irresponsible neighbor that may be carelessly smoking or rewired his home on his own.
What about single family homes where no other homes are nearby and on well water. This is just another large cost that is making homes less affordable for ...
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Why Mortgage Rates Fell BEFORE the September 18 Fed Meeting - Sep 12 06:02 PM
Mortgage rates "come from" one place only: the prices of mortgage bonds as determined by investors.
The higher the price, the lower the corresponding return, or rate.
Bonds -- like stocks -- are traded as securities. An investor may buy Microsoft stock if he thought the company's future looked bright, and he may buy mortgage bonds if he expected favorable bond market conditions ahead.
In a declining economy, bonds can be an especially attractive investment ...
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Mission Impossible..?.. Mission Accomplished !!! - Mar 28 11:55 AM
I got this e-mail a couple months back. A young couple currently stationed in Germany were transferring to my area and they wanted to know if I could assist them. I wrote back and got a little more information from them.
I called and chatted with them. They found me out there on that interweb. They did their due diligence. The visited my website, read my various blogs and fell in love with my straw hat. ...
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One Day trip, Lots of answers - Nov 26 11:44 AM
It is so hard to double post blogs. I have a blog and I have active rain. I try to put the same on both. Last May, I forgot to post here what I posted there.....www.jmacsays.com
From May 7, 2007....but relevent to today.
I finally reached my limit yesterday. I have been spending weekends attending to the needs of buyers and assisting my growing group of clients attempting to sell their home. It may sound impossible, but I ...
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Want More Proof that the Fed Doesn't Control Mortgage Rates? - Sep 21 09:08 AM
For more proof that the Fed does not control mortgage rates, consider this:
In the immediate aftermath of the Fed's decision to lower the Fed Funds Rate by 0.50%, mortgage rates improved by about 0.25% on average.
But, in the two days since, mortgage rates have not only given back those gains, but have climbed to their highest levels of the month.
This is because post-rate cut, the U.S. dollar is trading at all-time lows against ...
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A Web Site Made Just For Your Street - Aug 31 09:39 PM
"If only I knew what my street was like before I bought the house!" Ignore the statewide statistics, forget the city figures. Phooey to the neighborhood. Reinforcing the notion that all real estate is local, meet Street Advisor, the definitive guide to America's many streets. Unfortunately, there just hasn't been enough helpful information catalogued just yet to make Street Advisor a powerful force. That doesn't mean you can't be the first, of course. Participate in the ...
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Could we be in for a mortgage rate correction? - Feb 19 08:03 AM
I was a believer. I kept a sharp eye out as the 10 yr inched down, down, down. i got anxious as we hit some bumps along the way. In my gut i felt as if the bond had to continue to fall. The Fed, our President and the entire banking industry could not let us down. I felt that a drop in interest rates was the only major stimulus that would help our economy. Get ...
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Maryland's O'Malley acknowledges Foreclosure Crisis....Finally! - Apr 08 11:27 PM
And then, and then ............along came the Maryland House and Senate.............It's a new ball game in the Free State now........
Foreclosure Process Reform Bill - SB 216/HB 365
(amending Real Property Article § 7-105.1)
Signed into Law by Governor Martin O'Malley on April 3, 2008
Effective as to all Foreclosure Filings for Residential Real Property from April 4, 2008
The Foreclosure Process Reform Bill provides important protections for homeowners in the foreclosure process. It affords homeowners more time and notice before ...
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CHARLES COUNTY MD REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES. BANK OWNED HOMES IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND - Apr 06 04:59 PM
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON ACREAGE IN CHARLES COUNTY, FORECLOSURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME BUYERS READY TO BUY. Just what home buyers ask for in single family homes for sale, good price and acres. These homes are all on spacious 5 acres or more. Take advantage of the market and get a good price on a beautiful home today. Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.Ask about the Homefinders FREE Home Warranty and Home Inspection REBATE. ...
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Christian Realtors in Baltimore Anne Arundel, MD Maryland - Oct 13 07:19 PM
http://www.ChristianRealEstateAgents.net is please to add a Christian Realtor that serves the Baltimore, MD area including Anne Arundel County.Our real estate agent that sells houses and income property in this area of the East Coast states the following, "Our Pledge of Performance As committed believers, and as Real Estate Professionals, we Agree to provide a level of service to our clients which will glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves, ...
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Local Yard Sales Online? - Sep 05 11:33 PM
I was surfing the web and came across an interesting site. Maryland Yard Sale Online is "the largest, fresh, new, booming yard sale website in Maryland.” Further divided by county, the site will let you post up to 10 items for sale for free per month – forever! They also offer paid upgrades for “power” sellers. If you’d like to purchase an item of interest, you will be able to contact the seller to ask questions ...
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Buying Foreclosures - Jan 21 08:59 PM
I remember buying my first investment several years ago and boy did I have a lot to learn. My first FLIP was a single family home in Lanham, MD. We purchased the home at a courthouse auction for $275,000 and sold the property for $355,000 about six months later. Sounds like a great deal doesn't it? Unfortunately, after fix-up costs, carrying costs, realtors commissions and settlement costs we made a whopping $5,800!! I quickly remembered all ...
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The WORST MARKET EVER or perhaps the BEST TIME TO BUY? - Dec 02 01:38 PM
I don't know about all of you here on AR, but frankly speaking, I am getting sick and tired of ALL of the negative media and publicity surrounding the real estate market these days. It seems that almost daily on the television, in the paper, and on the net I continue to read headlines like:"This is the worst market in years!""The housing market hits an ALL TIME low!""The DOOM and GLOOM continues!""Lenders continue closing their doors!""Homes are ...
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What Would it Take for YOU to Feel the Pinch of Higher Gas Prices? - Sep 14 08:48 AM
As crude oil crossed $80 a barrel Thursday, the Wall Street Journal ran an interactive poll with its readers.
What sustained price for gasoline would cause you to cut back on other household spending?
The graph above shows the on-going results of the non-scientific study. You can chime in, too, at http://forums.wsj.com/viewtopic.php?t=805.
As consumers cut back spending, the economy slows down which generally leads to lower mortgage rates and weaker housing markets as a result of job ...
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swing and a miss ~ did you strike out? - Feb 05 11:12 PM
Did you miss the 48 hour refi boom we had a few weeks past? Well........... if I could begin to tell you how many calls I am still receiving saying " I want that rate you sent out in your email "....
OK - here is the deal... In today's mortgage market, most investors have mortgage companies price out loans online, in real time. This means that the price that is out there today, ...
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What is a good credit score today? - Nov 20 09:38 PM
We all by now have seen the proposed hits to Fannie / Freddie pricing for what I consider good credit scores. But then again, I am not sure what is considered a good credit score anymore???? if you are not aware - read Ed Nailors great explanation of the proposed changes
http://activerain.com/blogsview/280605/URGENT-NEWS-ABOUT-MORTGAGE I just got a client approved level 3 today. he had a 558 middle score! yep , a 558 mid score. His credit in ...
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD REAL ESTATE. It's Time To Buy! It's Time To Buy! - Feb 24 09:33 AM
MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOME BUYERS: We've compiled the facts and statistics for you to show that it is, indeed, a good time to buy a home in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Help for relocating home buyers whether moving across town or across the country.
IF YOU NEED OR WANT TO BUY A HOME in MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND, BUY NOW. PRICES ARE DOWN AND IT'S A BUYER'S MARKET!
Locations in Montgomery County: Bethesda, Burtonsville, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Kensington, Laytonsville, ...
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New Mortgage Limits Causing Inaction through Confusion. 2-18-08 - Feb 18 12:13 PM
Is the Economic Stimulus Bill (H.R. 5140) that President Bush signed into existence last week temporarily un-stimulating the jumbo housing market? The shotgun approach to implementing this new legislation has left many hanging in limbo.
The new legislation will raise the conforming mortgage loan limits up from the $417,000 to as much as $729,750 in high cost housing markets. Uncertainty rings out in the country as consumers are overloaded with contradicting news on the subject. One ...
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FORECLOSED HOMES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD. MONTGOMERY COUNTY FORECLOSURES FOR SALE - Jan 03 01:16 PM
FORECLOSED HOMES SALE FOR SALE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. Bank owned homes, REO Homes for sale in Montgomery County. Opportunities for home buyers in the Montgomery County, MD real estate market. Foreclosed homes or bank owned properties are have been through the foreclosure process and the property is now in the inventory of homes for sale offered by the bank, mortgage company, REO or other. These homes can be viewed daily. Homefinders has access to all of the foreclosed, REO homes ...
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What is a "Sook?" - Oct 01 08:17 AM
Has anyone ever heard of a Sook? I grew up in South Dorchester County, in Maryland, and my father was a waterman. In the Fall of the year he would always catch loads of female Blue Crabs that the local people call "Sooks." I have heard the word "sook" locally, in Caroline County too. Ever hear of a Sook?
...
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Investing in Your College Student's Housing - Sep 28 09:48 AM
For parents with children in college, or nearing college age, this video from NBC's Today Show is worth watching.
Investing in collegiate housing is not for everyone, but if the angle interests you, don't forget to purchase an accompanying personal liability insurance for injuries that may occur on-site.
Something to think about . . .
...
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FORECLOSED HOMES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND - INFORMATION FOR HOME BUYERS - Mar 10 06:59 PM
FORECLOSED HOMES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. Bank owned properties throughout Montgomery County, Maryland priced from $235,000 to $605,000. The homes shown below are all detached Single Family Homes. There are also about 44 town homes and about 28 condo foreclosures for sale in Montgomery County. Clarksburg * Damascus * Gaithersburg * Germantown * Montgomery Village North Potomac * Olney * Rockville * Silver Spring * Takoma ParkMontgomery County homebuyers are being bombarded by the press about foreclosed and REO properties, short ...
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HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - SAT SCORES FOR 2007 - Mar 15 03:27 PM
PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN HOWARD COUNTY are very popular with home owners.
Howard County Public Schools have ranked high in test score comparisong for several years. The public schools in Howard County rank at the top of individual schools and for Maryland Counties. Below are the Scholastic Achievement Test scores for 2007. The next report will be in approximately August 2008.
MARYLAND REAL ESTATEis sensitive to many influences that help determine price ranges. Important factors in selecting ...
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Maryland's O'Malley acknowledges Foreclosure Crisis....Finally! - Jan 14 05:17 PM
I received this information from the Govenor's office. It does hit you like a wall of print, but it does reveal the direction the State of Maryland is taking regarding the current foreclosure crisis.GOVERNOR O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERSHIP Announces Legislative Package, New Regulations, and ‘Bridge to Hope' Loan Program to Help Homeowners LANDOVER, MD (January 14, 2008) - Governor Martin O'Malley today announced new legislation and emergency regulations and initiatives to help thousands of ...
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Montgomery County Recordation Tax Increase - No Time to Hibernate - Nov 24 10:42 AM
Thanksgiving has come and gone and the colder weather seems to have settled in, but this is no time for buyers to "hibernate" until the spring. Montgomery County has approved a new recordation tax rate that will affect purchases of $500,000 or more that close after February 29, 2008.
"[Montgomery County] Council members also voted 7 to 1, with Michael Knapp (D-Upcounty) dissenting, yesterday to increase the recordation tax collected at real estate closings, but it delayed the rise until ...
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A reason for hope ( Not stealing from Obama ) - Mar 18 10:48 PM
Not to steal Obama's thunder, but the spring market is definitely here. I have seen increased activity, and so have my associates in the Remax office I work out of in the Bethesda area. Many of us are very busy. Too busy to eat......busy. Like we like it.....busy. Boy did we miss this......busy. God, I hope it continues....busy. In short the market has picked up. I had four listings as of March 1. Two are under contract ...
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BRAC Has Begun! - Jan 09 06:45 PM
In case you haven't heard of it before, BRAC stands for Base Realignment and Closure. This has to do with the government closing military bases around the country and consolidating them. The BRAC is going to be bringing thousands of people into the Ft. Meade and surrounding areas. This is very good for Maryland homeowners as this should help with supply and demand of homes around here. BRAC is the biggest single component of regional growth ...
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How to Avoid a Short Sale or Foreclosure in Maryland - Apr 10 07:30 PM
Maryland offers three programs that may provide relief for homeowners concerned about increasing monthly payments or late payments on their mortgage. Hopefully one of these programs will be just what you need for buying time to address whatever financial challenges you face.
"Denial" may be your greatest obstacle to avoiding a short sale or foreclosure. Pretending there's no problem, leaving mail from your mortgage company unopened, and not answering your phone are three things that will NOT put you on a path to financial recovery. (Sound familiar?) ...
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The Tax Man Cometh - Jan 05 02:16 PM
Just got my new Assessment Notice in the mail the other day from our wonderful Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Funny as HELL...
No, seriously, I had a good laugh at the ridiculous figure that Maryland's Department of Assessments and Taxation (DAT) thought represented the "New Market Value" of our home.
Yeah, O.K., ya'll over at the DAT are about a day late and a dollar long, IMHO. I would've have been able to work with you and this ...
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Changes in rules will reduce your buying power in Spring 2008 - Dec 16 09:20 AM
Don't believe all those lies...
There is no reason to believe everything that you read and hear about real estate.
You are an individual. The stories are an overview of the entire country. You deserve to know the truth about your situation.
The MacArthur Group is ready to sit with you, listen to you and offer you help based on your personal situation. You are not a number. You are not a statistic.
You are ...
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Numer One "Just Listed" Deception - Aug 25 10:04 AM
After looking at all the homes on the market, I can't understand why some realtors think by taking a home off the MLS and then relisting it without any price adjustments is going to make any difference. I mean, we can see how many days the home has lingered on the market. It's deceptive to try to make it appear that a property was "just listed". And making a low-ball offer based on market time will ...
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Appalachian Trail Frederick County Maryland - Jul 07 01:21 PM
Feeling adventurous? How about a hike on the legendary Appalachian Trail? Maryland is home to 41 miles of the 2,175 miles of the meandering trail that goes from Maine to Georgia. The trail follows the ridge of South Mountain which borders Frederick County and Washington County. The elevation of the trail varies from 200-1,800 feet. According to the ATC website this is an easy section of the trail great for a 3-4 day hike. You hike ...
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FORE!!! Golfing in Frederick County - Jun 22 11:00 AM
When you ole' duffers are ready to go out and knock around a little white ball for awhile, here is a list of places to go in Frederick County. I have not played all of them (yet). They are all unique in their own way and offer their own challenges. They vary from semi-private to public. Clustered Spires is a great course for the price and it's managed by the city of Frederick. If you get a chance, go check ...
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Anne Arundel County Homes For Sale - May 09 09:52 AM
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATERecognizing the long term value of real estate in the United States, a group of developers from Canada and the United Kingdom is seeking land to develop into vacation homes for Canadian and British citizens. I met a lovely gentleman (ever meet a Brit who wasn't a lovely gentleman?) this week who represents a group of developers seeking land to develop into small vacation homes in Maryland. They are inspired ...
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Prince Georges County Reports 2 Foreclosures For Every 1 Home Sale - Feb 28 10:41 AM
In the fourth quarter of 2007, Prince George’s County reported 2,732 foreclosures, the highest in Maryland. However, during the 4th quarter in Prince George’s County only 1279 sold according to the MRIS.
Basically, the number of foreclosures was double the number of houses that sold.
You don't hear the National Association of Realtors talking about figures that while they run ads on TV saying real estate ALWAYS goes up in value.
The housing bust in the ...
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How to refinance when your equity has decreased? The Maryland Mortgage Program takes a step in the right direction. - Feb 04 11:50 AM
There is a little used program through CDA/the Maryland Mortgage Program (take your pick as to what you want to call it) called the Lifeline Refinance. Little used because until last Friday, it's rate was 6.5% with mandatory 2 points. Hot on the heels of CDA purchase loan rates changing, Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development has revamped their refinance product. Finally, a refinance product geared toward Adjustable Rate Mortgage holders who do not have a lot of ...
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Patchwork, Piecemaker, Quilter - Places to Feed Your Habits - Mar 14 09:40 PM
Every time I travel I always look for a quilt shop or a quilt group I can visit while I'm in an area. Quilter's are the most welcoming people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am visiting my son in Fayetteville, NC and today I ventured afar to visit a shop here called Loving Stitches. I had seen a sign on the highway for the shop and then in my hotel lobby there ...
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REALTORS® ARE TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT THE AUCTION METHOD - Jan 04 10:16 PM
REALTORS® are taking a second look at the Auction MethodRobert B. McArtor, REALTOR® with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Noted Real Estate Auctioneer in Maryland has been working with and educating Real Estate Agents on the Auction Method of Marketing since 1991. "It was tough in the beginning", Robert explains the early days, "Why would an agent want to turn a client over to an Auctioneer? Don't they just sell antiques, cars and furniture?". ...
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$10,000 Federal Home Loan Grant Back for 2008! - Dec 17 02:55 PM
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has a great program that I work with that gives up to $10,000 to first time home buyers. They announced today that the program will be available once again starting January 2nd, 2008. The great thing about this program is that is good ANYWHERE in the states of Maryland or Virginia, and also the District of Columbia! You need to make 80% of the area's median income as calculated by FHLB-A. ...
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HOMEBUYER INCENTIVES - Will they help sell your home (or your listing)? - Jul 16 07:38 AM
You have the best home on the block, the best block in the neighborhood, and the best neighborhood in your county. But... Is that enough to sell your home quickly, at top dollar, in today's buyer's market?
After years of touring homes with qualified non-contingent buyers, I have to offer an evasive answer of "maybe". But sellers must remember that every home involves a compromise for prospective buyers. For example:
One home has new carpet, yet they prefer wood floors; One ...
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Daily Fair Diary...Day One - Aug 11 07:21 AM
Well, my first day at the fair has come to an end. I have a feeling that the people that stopped by to chat and ask questions represent many of you that haven't had the chance to stop by. I thought I would share a little of the information requested.Bob T. came by and shared that he and his wife had recently sold and were now renting a condo. He said that they got less than ...
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The internet can be hazordous to your wealth! - Mar 13 10:07 AM
Well, they have put the world at your fingertips. You can sit back like Beethoven and create your own symphony of information in the privacy of your home. Let's be honest, you can do the same at your desk at work. You can surf to your hearts content.
Google has become the replacement for Encyclopedia Britanica and the World Book. Have a question, ....................just like the "lame duck" on Pennsylvania Avenue, you can use the "Google". All ...
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What's The Existing Home Sales Report Got To Do With You? Nothing. - Aug 28 12:41 PM
When the National Association of Realtors® releases its monthly Existing Home Sales report, people tend to watch every word, fact and figure in the statement in hopes of decoding the real estate market.
It's all wasted energy.
It's impossible to use the NAR report in everyday living because the NAR report is a national story. Real estate, on the other hand, is not a national market.
All real estate is local.
Think of your own ...
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Military Relocation Guide to Aberdeen Proving Ground - BRAC - Cecil County, MD Guide - Apr 01 07:28 PM
APG Relocation Guide for Cecil County, Maryland Cecil County, MD encompasses the North East section of Maryland at the head of the Chesapeake Bay where five rivers meet. It borders the Susquehanna river and Harford County, MD to the West, Chester and Lancaster County in Pennsylvania to the North, New Castle, Delaware to the East, and Kent County, MD to the South. It is located in the mid Atlantic region halfway between Baltimore and Philadelphia along ...
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Has anyone heard about Bill SB 270?...it will affect how mortgage loan financing - Feb 10 05:57 PM
The Bill is supposed to help the consumer but it seems that it may affect financing of loans in Maryland. They are trying to define sup-prime and possibly not doing these loans in MD. Setting a 45% Debt to income ratio on mortgage loans which will prevent some FNMA, Freddie Mac and VA programs. It also deals with MD credit and puts a lot of control in the hands of the commissioner. Has anyone heard about this? ...
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Help me help the MD Special Olympics by jumping in freezing cold water! - Jan 22 08:59 PM
I've decided to participate in this year's Polar Bear Plunge!! I am writing to ask for your help, Active Rainers. On January 26, 2008, I have committed to grin and “bear” it for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland by taking a chilly dip into the Chesapeake Bay alongside about 7,500 other warm-hearted people.
I know – you’re probably getting cold just thinking about it! But the cold that I will feel is temporary…the positive impact ...
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Great News For HOMEOWNERS!! - Dec 03 05:03 PM
GREAT NEWS! Washington Mutual "WaMu" sub-prime borrowers who remain current on their existing loans and anticipate pending payment increases may apply for new discounted fixed-rate loans.These are the ways financial institutions are being forced to offer to their customers if they want to maintain their current portfolios. I anticipate that thousands of homeowners will take advantage of these programs to get out from Interest only loan programs and/or balloon payment mortgages. As a seasoned real estate agent, ...
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FORECLOSURES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND, BANK OWNED PROPERTIES - Oct 20 06:34 PM
FORECLOSED HOMES FOR SALE IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, IT'S A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME IF YOU CAN GET A GOOD PRICE. FORECLOSED HOMES ARE A GOOD PLACE FOR HOME BUYERS TO BEGIN THEIR SEARCH. FORECLOSURES IN ANNE ARUNDELCurrent inventory of bank owned properties in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Current inventory of bank owned properties in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.$349,900, Annapolis, Detached Single Family, 3 bedroom, 1 full bath, 1/3 acre lot.$359,900, Cape St. Claire, Single Family ...
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A Real Staged Flip This House - Aug 31 10:01 PM
Popular reality shows such as "Flip This House" are popular and seem to lure in investor hopefuls who want to make it rich quick!! Think you can make alot of money?-You may want to see this-scam artist- Sam L. The shows seem to grab you right from the start. They milk you when you meet the regular homeowners Suzy and John, whom you can relate with- cuz you were young once and saved every penny and ...
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Buying a House in Frederick Part Two - Jul 01 07:53 AM
In the first part of this mini series, I talked about the process that leads up to the making the offer. Well, now that offer is in the hands of the Seller's agent and the seller. They will review the thoughtfully prepared and professionally presented offer. If they accept everything in the offer, they will sign off on all the pages that you did and it now becomes a contract. Wah..Lah!
Chances are they will make some ...
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Marketing Luxury Homes - Jan 15 11:35 PM
When it comes to marketing luxury homes we need to market the homes to the advisors of affluent buyers. In my previous career as a financial advisor it was my job to understand my clients finances implicitly. If my client was planning on making a major purchase, I wanted to be the first to know. Every listing I have, whether it is a luxury home or not is emailed to my network of financial advisors and ...
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Introducing: Christa Mobley - Professional Organizer & Life Coach Extraordinaire! - Nov 27 01:20 PM
Christa Mobley recently joined my BNI group that meets on Tuesday's at lunch in downtown Silver Spring, MD at Vicino's Restaurant.
Christa helps folk organize their lives and their business to be more successful and obtain the goals they would like to obtain. When organizing, Christa helps folk in doing getting things in place so it fits their lifestyle or work habits and not her own.
She also is adept in Time Management, Home Management and Life Inspiration.
Please join ...
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Winterizing Your Home! - Oct 23 11:07 AM
Tis the season to-WINTERIZE!Here are some helpful tips to get your home ready before it gets too cold and the snow starts falling.TIP #1 -- Check your heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. TIP #2 -- Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters ...
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When is "Smart Growth" not so smart? - Oct 12 08:46 AM
I live inside the city limits of Annapolis, Maryland. During rush hour it can take me 10 to 15 minutes just to get from my neighborhood on to the main road leading out of town... and it's only going to get worse as 4,000 new condos and apartments fill up over the course of the next few years... In my area it's become popular to complain about "greedy developers and builders" so I thought a letter ...
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How the Fed Will Disappoint No Matter WHAT it Does Today - Sep 18 08:54 AM
It's all eyes on the Fed today; the market anxiously awaits the central bank's 2:15 P.M. ET press release.
Some of the market bias towards a 0.50% rate cut has decreased in favor of a 0.25% cut. This shift is largely psychological.
Markets are trying to "get inside the head" of Fed chief Ben Bernanke, speculating about how he will react in the first Federal Open Market Committee meeting since the credit crunch ...
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Easy Mortgages...Lowest Rates...Light Paperwork....FAST!!! - Apr 16 11:28 PM
How many of us have seen these commercials care of Ditech, Greenlight, and Quicken?
More and more people are being seduced by these commercials. Just this week I had two clients relay to me horror stories of dealing with these type of companies. So, I went out to look and see what other stories I could find.
I ran across the financial complaint section of Consumer Affairs. On this page I found eerily similar complaints to the ones ...
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Local lenders? - Now more than ever ---- - Sep 24 09:42 AM
Now more than ever potential borrowers need to put their trust in a seasoned, LOCAL mortgage banker. With programs disappearing daily, investors disappearing daily and media hype, I believe the best people to turn to are your local lenders. These are people who shop in your community, have kids that go to school with your kids and interact with other local businesses. In this current lending environment, the question should no longer be "how low are ...
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575+ HOMES - BANK FORECLOSURE AUCTION in Virginia, Baltimore and Wash. DC - Jan 25 08:13 PM
HUGE Bank Foreclosure Auction scheduled in Baltimore Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia in areas of Fairfax, Loudoun County, Prince George's County, Prince William and Surrounding Areas!
For Property Lists, Auction Registration Details and Auction Gallery Locations, visit my Website...>>>
Information Provided by Robert B. McArtor, REALTOR / Real Estate Auctioneer
Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales
http://www.harfordadvantage.com/ and http://www.MarylandHOMESTeam.com/
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Free Seminar for any local group looking to better understand the following topics... - Feb 20 09:48 AM
This offer is good for any group looking for a guest speaker in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area.
I have several different topics I would be happy to give a seminar on.
Credit - The ins & outs and why good credit is more important than ever in today's market placeThe Credit Crunch - Why it occurred and the ramifications behind itMortgage Rates - Why they rise and fall, How does the Fed really affect themInvestors - The ...
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