Maryland Real Estate

The Great Backyard Bird Count in Crofton, Maryland

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:22:09 -0500

The 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place next week, from February 17–20, when bird watchers across the United States and Canada will tally millions of birds in the annual count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

Don't worry... no one expects you to sit in front of your window for four days to count birds.

Here's how you can participate:

1. Count birds for 15 minutes, in as many places and on as many days (during the count period) as you like and submit a separate checklist for each new day.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time.

3. Track where, when and what species you see and submit your results online.

For a list of birds you're likely to see in this area in February, click on this regional bird checklist and type in your zipcode. Don't know the names of the birds you see? There are several online bird guides, including All About Birds by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

And check out Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids to help your scout troop, youth group or family get the most of participating in this activity.

My neighbor Sunny Frank enjoys photographing birds in her Crofton yard, and you can see several more of her bird photos at Crofton Village Garden Club.

DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
__________________________________

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Now That You've Been Homeowners for a Day...

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:53:35 -0500

Now that you have been Maryland homeowners for a day...

Here is the link to A Home Owner's Guide to Property Taxes and Assessments for Maryland and another link to the Assessment Appeal Process in Maryland. In part, it says...

If you purchase a property and the property is transferred after January 1 but before July 1, you may file an appeal within 60 days of the transfer. After filing a written appeal, you will be scheduled for a hearing; or, if you prefer, your written appeal can be reviewed instead of having a hearing.

Your property is currently assessed at $386,500 - approximately 25% more than your purchase price of $275,000. A successful appeal may save you over $1600 per year in property taxes that you could spend updating your home or replenishing your retirement account.

You can download the tax appeal form at Maryland Property Tax Appeal Form. Item #3 should include a statement from you that reads something to the effect that...

"Actual market value of this property is lower than the tax assessment, as evidenced by the attached HUD-1 settlement sheet, appraisal and MRIS printout."

You can obtain a copy of the appraisal from your lender (if you don't already have one), and I'll be happy to provide another copy of the MRIS printout if you need one.

I urge you to file your appeal NOW, before you get bogged down in life and the 60-day deadline slips away. By the way, you will probably get a quicker response if you ask for a review, and not a hearing.

'Hope you're enjoying your first weekend as homeowners!

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Temporary Lodging in Maryland for Relocating Navy Personnel

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:54:33 -0500

PCS-ing military personnel have two facilities for temporary housing in Annapolis, in addition to countless hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast options.

The first is the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy. Parking is right outside the door of this historic 1904 building, which also houses the Officer and Faculty Club. There are 16 luxurious custom decorated suites plus two elegant custom-decorated Distinguished Visiotrs Suite.

Each custom suite is 500 square feet and features high-speed wireless Internet, a refrigerator and microwave, HD flat screen TV, Queen-size sleeper couch and a queen-size bed with posturpedic pillow-top mattress. (Note: the building will be closed for renovation in summer/fall 2012.)

Another option for military personnel and their family members (including DOD civilians) is the Navy Lodge Annapolis Station, located at 347 Kinkaid Road in Annapolis. This is a pet-friendly facility, unlike most civilian accommodations in the Annapolis area, and there is accessibility for wounded warriors and physically challenged guests. Reservations are required, and honored on a first-come first-serve basis.

Other nearby Navy Lodge locations include Bethesda, Patuxent River, and Washington, D.C. You can make online reservations for any of them by clicking on Navy-Lodge.com.

Be sure to touch base with me before you come so I can set aside a few days to give you a grand tour of the Annapolis/D.C. area and help you explore your housing options.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Crofton Sales Up 37% in December 2011

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:35:36 -0500

Sales were UP in Crofton, Maryland, last month, no matter how you look at it. Twenty two homes sold in December 2011, compared to just sixteen in the same month of 2010 – a 37.5% increase. December sales were up 22.2% in the 21114 zip code from eighteen during November 2011. There were seventeen homes sold during October 2011. Clearly this trend is going back in the “right” direction, after a dip from twenty two in September.

“Balance” is the barometer I use to evaluate the Crofton real estate market and predict its short-term future direction. This is done by determining whether new sales and new listings number about the same. (If new listings are double the number of new sales, for example, it's a bad thing for sellers and a good thing for buyers.) New pending contracts in December and new listings were very much on balance: fifteen new listings vs. fourteen new pending sales. If we could see this balance for several months, it would be good news for the Crofton real estate market.

Crofton home sellers and buyers can both find something to like in the December real estate report, as balance seems to be returning. Could we see a “normal” real estate market in 2012? I hope so, but the higher days on market in December gives me reason to pause in making that prediction.

If you're a statistics junkie and want more details about the Crofton real estate market, I'll be happy to share them with you. Just give me a call for the latest real estate information in the greater Crofton area, this zipcode, or your very own neighborhood - and what it means to you.

Current Crofton Listings

Originally posted to FocusOnCrofton.com

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

End Your Confusion About Real Estate Distress Sales

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:01:58 -0500

You've probably heard people in the media mention real estate terms that you don't really understand. They seem to assume that everyone already knows what those terms mean and you're pretty sure you're the only one in the entire viewing audience who doesn't know the difference between FHA, HOA and REO.

Real estate agents sometimes do the same thing... but their ads and blog posts just leave you more confused than ever!

If you have questions about real estate distress sales, end your confusion today by watching this short video for a description of short sales, foreclosure, and REO properties.

Distress Sales in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Do you learn something new every time you visit Activerain? I do.

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:47:37 -0500

Rarely do I visit Activerain that I don't learn something new. Earlier this month, for example, I learned a new vocabulary word: weltanschauung. Boy, that would be a stumper in a spelling bee, wouldn't it? I'm not even going to try to pronounce it.

When I looked it up, here's what I found in Mirriam Websiter's online dictionary:

Weltanschauung is a noun, often capitalized, defined as “a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint.” The origin of this word is German – from Welt (world) and Anschauung (view). There are two ways to pluralize the word: weltanschauungs or weltanschauungen.

At this point, I would say something about this being everything you ever wanted to know about the word, weltanschauung, but there's more...

If you look at the right column on the home page of Activerain, you'll see a little box titled "Important Links". As many times as I've seen and used that box, I never before noticed a link to Weltanschauung until I went searching for it today. It turns out that Activerain has a page by that name, with the header "Weltanschauung: the guiding principles and philosophy of an organization; a world view."

If I were Gomer Pyles, I'd probably be hitting the side of my head with my hand and saying, "Well, I'll be!"

How on earth did I learn about "weltanschauungen" on Activerain, you ask? Well, this is one of the topics included in the 2012 BIG Back to Basics Jumpstart Blog Challenge. You'll probably be reading a lot about this word and Activerain page throughout January, because every participant in this blog challenge has to write about it twice in 21 days.

Did you learn anything new on Activerain today?

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Crofton Library Special Events in January 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:50:21 -0500

Crofton Library is the heart of our community for many residents.

This Saturday, January 14, babies under two are invited to Babies in Bloom. It will be a fun half-hour for babies and caregivers, designed to stimulate early infant development with stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays.

Family Game Day will take place from 2–4 p.m. on Tuesday, January, 24, when school is closed for elementary and middle school students.

Then, on Wednesday, January 25, there will be an e-Reader Workshop at 7 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to get help learning to use the Kindle, Nook, iPad or other eReader you got for Christmas.

Crofton Library is located at 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton, MD 21114. Regular hours are Monday-Thursday 9–9, Friday and Saturday 9–5, closed on Sundays.

By the way, I noticed today that flags were flying from all three poles. Great to see that again!

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Talent Vs. Attitude

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:10:41 -0500

Andrew Capelli, with Stewart Title in Troy Michigan, is truly one of the Hidden Gems in the Rain. He commented on one of my posts, so I clicked through to his Activerain profile. It was my intention to welcome him to Activerain and find a recent post of his to reciprocate the comment.

As I started reading, I was drawn from one post to the next, and really enjoyed his writing style. This one about "Talent Vs. Attitude" is one of many short, conversational posts that are worth reading.

Watch for a re-launching of the Hidden Gems in the Rain group next month (March, at the latest). Andrew is going to be the first one I've posted in a long time, because he's too good of a blogger to go unnoticed.

By the way, I've disabled comments on this re-blog so you can click through to the original post for commenting.

Via Andrew Capelli (Stewart Title Company):

Michigan, my home, has seen its fair share of economic challenges over the last few years. Michigan lost about a million jobs since the beginning of the last recession- That's roughly half of the jobs lost by the entire country. Not surprisingly, Michigan was the only state to decline in population between the 2000 and 2010 Census.

Michiganders have, by and large, kept their optimism, however. Over 70,000 jobs were added back to the state in the last year, which is a great sign. And the push is on to add more. More jobs in the state mean more people moving here- which means more business for Stewart Title, sparking my particular interest. In surveying the scene, I have noticed an interesting split in the psychology of job recruitment.

In following the mindset of many of the people involved with economic development, the emphasis seems to be on talent. "Talented", as defined by the economic developers, essentially equates with "trained" and runs the gamut from skilled tradespeople (e.g. machinists) up to engineers and doctors. The thought is that by recruiting and offering a "talented" workforce, more businesses will be attracted to create and maintain a physical presence in Michigan. It makes sense- given a choice between talented or untalented workers, who wouldn't opt for talent?

I attended a seminar on Friday of last week, however, about setting goals for 2012. Part of the speaker's presentation was about 4 steps to success. These were:

1) Mindset (a combination of belief and a sense of urgency)

2) Strategy (having a daily, weekly and monthly plan)

3) The ability to set appointments; and

4) Consistency

The speaker specifically noted that none of these steps involves talent. In the context of these steps, talent is completely unnecessary!

I thought about the 4 steps in relation to "talent" and decided to categorize them under the umbrella of "attitude." And I wondered: Would it be feasible to recruit and offer an entire workforce of people with the right attitude? What if our schools didn't just teach "skills"- What if they also taught work ethic and disposition? We learn an awful lot from our jobs, but how often is attitude actually taught, not just expressed as part of a corporate vision?

Obviously, to have both talent and attitude is optimum. And attitutde alone won't help a layperson work in a factory, design a building or perform surgery. But maybe there is a premise being missed by the economic developers. As I continue to monitor Michigan's progress, I will be curious to see if touting our talent is enough to let employers experience our attitude!

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

A kinder gentler spam is still spam in an Activerain comment

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:14:35 -0500

ACTIVERAIN COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

One of the first items on a long list of guidelines for participation in Activerain is this: Do not advertise yourself or your services in the comment section of another member's blog post. The link goes to a 2008 post on this topic by Rich Jacobsen, and there are several others linked from his post that you should read - or re-read, if it's been a while. I'm sure many other posts have been written on this topic since then, but we have a constant influx of new members who may not realize the guidelines even exist. ( ... or how they're sometimes interpreted.)

If you've been on Activerain more than a week, you've probably seen some comments that are ads having nothing to do with the post or even real estate. But let's move on to a kinder gentler spam, which is far more common on Activerain...

Other advertisements are more subtle and the commenter has no intention of offending the author of the post or anyone else. Take, for example, this little graphic that I used in all my posts and comments when I first joined Activerain. Jeff Belonger soon contacted me to offer an unsolicited head's up that this was offensive to other Activerainers, and I needed to cease and desist if I wanted to get along and not be black-listed.

I could argue this is not really advertising, since it doesn't include my name, company, or contact information, but let's be honest here... I was trying to create an association between my comment, my name, and my state. That makes it advertising, whether or not I initially thought of it in that context. Jeff was right to contact me, even though I felt very defensive at the time.

It's not uncommon to see comments on Activerain that include an image of a website header, personal logo, or photo (of the agent, their team or something totally random like this artichoke in bloom). These ads may not include a name, company or contact information but they are kinder gentler spam, which is intended to piggyback on someone else's post to promote the commenter. In some cases, they not only exceed the comment in size, they're larger than the original post.

I don't believe these commenters disrespect the Activerain guidelines... more likely, they just don't realize that what they're doing is interpreted by some as advertising. And, in fact, they may be violating Activerain guidelines.

Self-policing is the only way to maintain the integrity of Activerain for members and readers. In addition to following the guidelines ourselves, we need to click on "Report a Concern" when we see spam in a comment and/or send a friendly email to the commenter and/or delete comments that contain advertising, or all of the above. No, it's not pleasant to receive such an email, but we should be open-minded to friendly constructive feedback. This is a wonderful community where most members are committed to maintaining all the things we love about Activerain. The community guidelines are a big part of this.

Remember, kinder gentler spam in Activerain comments is still spam.

Flower Photo: (C) Sunny Frank, with permission

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

The Top 10 Things to do to Prepare for an Appraisal

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:42:24 -0500

This post appeared on the Feature Board last week, just as I was preparing for an appraisal on my listing in Davidsonville, MD. I've attended hundreds of appraisals over the years, but never thought to send the sellers a "what you can expect" email. Now I'm inspired by Michael's post to create one for my clients in the greater Crofton area, combining his information with a few other items from my own checklist.

Bottom line is this: You might want to Bookmark Michael's post for future reference whether you're a new or experienced agent, or simply a homeowner trying to re-finance your own home. Only on Activerain will we find such helpful advice from an appraiser's perspective.

Via Michael S. Bolton-MN Appraiser (Michael S. Bolton,Inc.):

How To Prepare for a Home Appraisal

You’ve just signed all of the paperwork for your refinance, handed the loan officer the check for the appraisal, and now you’re wondering what is going to happen next. Good news-the appraisal inspection is painless, and usually takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes to complete. However, there are a few things that you should do to help the process move along as smooth as possible.

Preparing for the appraisal inspection:

Create a detailed list of the recent improvements, which should include the following: when completed, cost of the improvement, before and after pictures if available.

Make sure each room is accessible; the appraiser is required to inspect each room.

If there is a crawl space, this area will also have to be made accessible for inspection for an FHA appraisal.

Give the appraiser room to do their job. Errors are more likely to occur when the appraiser isn’t able to concentrate on their inspection.

Keep all pets restrained. I’ve been bitten twice by a dog, and once by a cat; the owners had assured me that their pets were friendly-not so much!

If you live within a development that has a homeowners association, have the name and phone number of the contact person available, along with a fee statement.

If the appraisal is for an FHA loan, then the area leading to the attic will have to be cleared and made accessible-the appraiser is required to make at least a head and shoulders inspection of the attic area.

Walk through each room and straighten up as if you were getting ready for company to visit. Appraisers are objective and can look past many things, however, the underwriter reviewing the appraisal photos may feel differently.

Complete any unfinished projects-most appraisals are done “as is”, and any projects that haven’t been completed, will have to be adjusted for within the appraisal report.

A copy of any agreements regarding easements (shared driveways and/or garages,etc.) should be made available.

Concerns about value:

For years I’ve been a big proponent of developing a relationship with a Realtor. I’m not talking about a real estate agent who happens to be a relative that lives half way across the state. I’m talking about one that does a lot of work within your neighborhood.

By building a relationship with a professional Realtor (this is all they do and they do it well), they’ll be able to give you great insight as to what’s happening within your neighborhood, and they would be glad to let you know what similar homes are selling for.

Once the appraisal is complete:

You have a right to a copy of your appraisal, so ask for it. If you should find any errors or have any concerns, talk with your loan originator. This is hard for borrowers to understand, being that they paid for the appraisal, but the mortgage company is the appraiser’s client, and they can’t discuss the appraisal with anyone else unless given permission.

Trying to understand an appraisal can be like trying to read the “Dead Sea Scrolls,” so ask questions and get clarification when needed-you paid for it!

If you have any questions, or Minnesota real estate appraisal needs (divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal, or estate planning) please contact Michael at 612.599-2581, or use the form on the contact page.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Gotta Love the Activerain Referral Network!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:21:20 -0500

GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH REFERRALS -

Most long-time Activerainers will tell new members that one of the unexpected benefits of reading other people's posts and exchanging comments with them is the many friendships developed among members from coast to coast and seemingly everywhere in between. When we have an outgoing referral to a destination where one of our Activerain friends lives and works, it's only natural to pick up the phone or send an email and make the referral directly to them. It's reassuring to both you and your client, when you can say "I'm going to put you in the hands of a trusted friend to help you buy a home in your destination city" - or to sell one, if that's the case.

What if you don't know someone in your client's destination city or hometown? Well, you can contact an Activerain member in the same state and ask if they can recommend someone, or you have two other options:

Do a search on Activerain for your clients' destination city if they're buyers, or their hometown if they're sellers, and read the Activerain profile and a few blogs of agents you find in that area. Contact one or several until you find an agent who you believe is a good match for your client and negotiate a referral fee.

Activerainer Eric Anderson called me within about 2 minutes of my emailing three agents in the Fort Bragg area, a few years ago, and ended up listing a home for one of my long-time clients. He not only helped my client sell his home in that area, he helped me retain a good relationship with this client who subsequently bought and sold another home with me when he returned to Maryland.
Use the Activerain Referral Exchange. It's so easy! Just look for the list of Important links in the right column of your Activerain homepage. Click on Referral Network to learn more, and don't leave without signing up for Referral Alerts (screen shot on the right) to notify you any time a new referral is posted by another Activerain member. When you Post a Referral, a notice will go out to all the agents who have signed up for referral alerts in that area.

It's always important to respond quickly to a referral alert, since many agents will receive this notice. The referring agent will probably click through to your Activerain profile, read some of your blog posts, and consider the content of your response. If you joined Activerain three years ago and have fewer than 10,000 points, you're not as likely to win this referral as an active participant... perhaps even someone whose name they recognize as a frequent commenter on their posts. I've made and received referrals through this resource, and it works!

If you're learning about the Activerain Referral Exchange for the first time today, thank James Scurrah who inspired this post through an email conversation we had over the weekend about referrals.

By the way, why don't you stop by his blog and show him some Activerain love? He joined back in 2008, but only recently started participating seriously in November 2011, with several re-blogs. I'm betting 2012 is the year he will find his own blogging voice AND some Activerain referrals.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

FREE home search online (No registration required)
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Activerain - An Idea Book for the Real Estate Profession

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:20:37 -0500

Archiving our Memories is a special project of National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), this year. According to the organization's website, this project celebrates the many projects, events and activities of 6200+ local clubs across the nation that are affiliated with National Garden Clubs, Inc. NGC has created a Flickr site to be used as an Idea Book, and they've asked local clubs to share their garden club pictures with other garden clubbers across the country and throughout the world.

It occurred to me that "archiving our memories" is what we do here on Activerain through our blog posts and photos. Activerain serves as an "Idea Book" for members where we "celebrate the projects, events and activities" of more than 200,000 members, sharing with each other our business practices, communities, experiences, technical expertise and photos.

There are many reasons for us to invest time on Activerain - SEO, exposure to consumers, more business, new friends - but here's another one: our Activerain real estate idea book is updated daily. As long as we continue to read posts written by other Activerain members, we'll never stop learning and growing our business.

Archiving our Memories is not just for Garden Clubs!

Activerain logo hi-jacked with permission
Photo: Sunny Frank

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

My First Washington Post Blog Is Up! (Pat Kennedy)

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:47:07 -0500

Pat Kennedy was published in the Washington Post. Wow!

Take a look at her post, and be sure to click through to her article on the new Washington Post blog, Where We Live. Then, please comment on her post, not mine. (...unless you want to comment on both.)

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):

The new Washington Post blog. Where We Live is up and running, and this morning they published my first post, a market report for Georgetown, one of my favorite DC neighborhoods.

There is also a post that Cati Bannier wrote yesterday, and Cindy Jones will probably be up there by day's end.

My favorite part is the link they threw in to both my Active Rain profile and Capitol Homes, my Wordpress blog that I have to start posting more stuff on!

I'd love it if you'd drop by to read it, and I would really, really love it if you'd leave a comment (they ask you to register, and it's free).

So, thanks again to you guys in Seattle who created this place and made it easy for a major news organization to find us!

Subscribe in a reader

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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FREE home search APP for your iPhone/iPad (demo) on
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Check my reviews on Zillow

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Bowie MD Year-End Real Estate Report

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:30:47 -0500

3–Year History of Bowie MD Real Estate Sales

As we begin the new year, it's always good to reflect for a moment on the year behind us. I like to put that reflection in perspective by comparing it with two previous years:

North Bowie (20715) had 290 closings, the highest number in three years, with 216 in 2010 and 250 in 2009. Hopefully this trend will continue so the inventory of 79 homes currently for sale will drop consistently each month of 2012.

South Bowie (20716) had 201 closings, the lowest number in three years, with 241 in 2010 and 213 in 2009. There are 77 homes for sale in this area, as of 1/5/2012.

West Bowie (20720) enjoyed the highest number of sales in three years, but just barely, with 287 in 2011, 286 in 2010 and 274 in 2009. 101 homes are on the market now in this zipcode.

Southwest Bowie (20721) held its own in 2011, with 268 closings compared to 271 in 2010 and 254 in 2009. There are 86 homes currently for sale in this area of Bowie.

What does all this mean to you?

Home Buyers: With so many homes on the market, you should be able to find a seller who is willing to compromise on price or pay some of your closing costs. With low interest rates still available, condtions are perfect for you to buy your first home or move up to a bigger/better Bowie home.

Home Sellers: It's still competitive for you, so you will have to entice buyers to your home with special incentives like closing help. Once you get them in the door, your home needs to be in top showing condition. And, of course, nothing sells a home like pricing it right for the market. The bubble years are gone, and there's no point in waiting for 2005 home prices to return. It's not likely to happen any time soon.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

FREE home search online (No registration required)
FREE home search APP for your iPhone/iPad (demo) on
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Check my reviews on Zillow

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

"I'm Mayhem, and I'm Your Worst Nightmare!"

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:33:43 -0500

You may remember my post, Are Your Kids Safe in Cyberspace...

This is another perspective on the same issue - keeping your children safe from sexual predators. Connecticut stager Julia Vigneron Maher points out some safety steps parents should take before they put their homes on the market.

Good thinking, Julia!

Via Julia Maher, Connecticut Home Stager Staging Fairfield & New Haven Counties (Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes):

"I'm Mayhem, and I'm Your Worst Nightmare!"

I like small children.

I surf the internet looking for them.

I don't have to bother with social networking sites.

I can use the MLS.

I know if it's a boy or a girl.

I know approximately how old they are.

I know their address.

I KNOW THEIR NAME!!!

I know they might respond to me if I call them by their name.

I'm Mayhem, and I'm your worst nightmare!

Parents, if your house is for sale, PLEASE remove any and all references to specific information regarding your children. This may include name banners, awards, certificates, report cards, signs, etc. Don't give Mayhem a chance with with your children!

Real Estate Agents: Please encourage your listing clients to remove name signs such as the one above. While charming, they could put a child at risk. If the client won't comply, refrain from posting such photos.

This is one important piece of advice I give all my Connecticut Home Staging clients, and one that I would think all agents would too. However, every day I see new listings posted on the MLS with this kind of blatant "invitation". Let's keep the children's safety in mind!

Julia Vigneron Maher, Nestings Home Staging & Model Home Design: Award-Winning Staging for Model, Vacant and Occupied Homes in Fairfield County, CT (including Fairfield, Southport, Westport, Trumbull, Monroe, Newtown, Stratford, Easton, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich) and Connecticut.

203.257.7395

nestings@snet.net

Nestings Portfolio

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Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
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Crofton Community Group Meets Next Week

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:11:01 -0500

If you resolved to get more involved in your community in 2012, mark your calendar now:

Greater Crofton Council (GCC)will meet next Tuesday, January 10, at the Village of Waugh Chapel Community Center. This will be an important meeting, since the annual election of officers will take place.
GCC meetings take place the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. The organization represents several communities throughout the greater crofton area, including Patuxent Preserve, Nancarles, Hermitage, Hallmark Woods, Crofton Meadows, Crofton Commons, Coventry I, II, and III, Charing Cross, Manors of Crofton, Crofton Chase, Crofton Village Estates, Crofton Downs, Crofton Mews, Briarleigh, and Crofton Village Town.

If you live in any of these communities, you can count on the GCC to provide a unified voice on crucial local issues, foster community relations, and provide you with the opportunity to meet elected officials and their representatives.

Other organizations in the greater Crofton area:

Crofton Kiwanis will meet the following night, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant. All members of the greater Crofton Community are invited to attend, whether or not they are members.
Crofton Civic Association will meet the following Tuesday, January 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Crofton Elementary School, located on Duke of Kent Street. This is an important meeting for members of the Crofton Special Tax District, because the budget presented to the community will impact the tax amount charged to residents for the STD. Additionally, there will be an update on the rain garden project.
Crofton Regional Community Center will hold their first general meeting of the new year at 7 p.m. on February 1, at Ledo Restaurant. In addition to updates about the Center, there will be some discussion about final plans for the 2^nd Annual Sweetheart’s Ball on February 18 at the Blue Dolphin.

For more information, visit the CRCC website, recently redesigned by Steve Grimaud, or the Facebook fan page.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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What Next... Pay by Phone Parking?

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:54:50 -0500

Planning a trip to D.C.? Don't forget your phone. You may not be able to park near your destination without it.

In some areas of our Nation's Capitol, you need a cell phone just to park along the street. If you had predicted ten years ago that coin-operated meters would someday be obsolete, I might have believed it... but I wouldn't expect it to be in my lifetime.

This parking meter is located in the 2400 block of M Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C.

What's next... Pay by fingerprint parking? Silly question, of course! 'Not likely to forget that, so maybe it would be a good thing.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
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The First Day of Spring in Real Estate

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:44:05 -0500

"The First Day of Spring in Real Estate is January 1." This is something my husband learned from his manager when he first got a real estate license many years ago, long before I did.

The crops harvested by farmers in the summer are planted in the spring, and the seeds for spring real estate sales are planted in January. 'Makes perfect sense to me! Since real estate sales begin with having inventory to sell, that means it's time to list, list, list.

Did any of your listings sell in 2011? Did you sell any homes?

January is a great time to send out color post cards touting those sales to neighbors in the community, along with a few basic stats about 2011 sales in the community and suggesting they contact you to sell their home in 2012.

In 2012, why don't you have an extra 100 postcards printed for every listing and save them to use in January 2013 for this purpose. Mine are going in the mail today for last year's sold listings.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Christmas Tree Disposal in Crofton, Maryland

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:52:05 -0500

Crofton area residents can put their natural Christmas trees, wreathes and garlands out for pick-up by Anne Arundel County on the normal recycling day.

Christmas trees: Be sure to remove the tree stand, all lights, ornaments and decorations, ornament hangers, and the tree bag. Large trees should be cut to 4' lengths so they will fit in the truck.

Wreathes and garlands: Securely tie bundled branches and garlands into lengths no more than 4 feet, diameter no more than 4 inches, and weight no more than 40 pounds. Do not use cardboard boxes because they cause a loading problem for the collectors. (Cardboard is recyclable, but should be placed out with paper, glass, metal and plastic items.) You may use 32–oz or smaller plastic bags, but please don't use metal ties. And don't forget to mark the bag with an “X” so collectors don't confuse it with trash.

If your normal trash collection day in Crofton is Monday, don't worry… Anne Arundel County will pick-up on Monday, January 2, 2012.

_______________

Once-a-week curbside trash collection begins in June 2012 for Anne Arundel County residents. Click on the link to learn about this change.

Originally posted at FocusOnCrofton.com

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Ready to buy a home, but can't sell?

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:07:49 -0500

REAL ESTATE Q & A

Q. How can I take advantage of today's great interest rates and home prices, when I can't sell my current home?

A. If your housing needs have changed, welcome to the club. That's a perfectly normal situation that has motivated home sellers and buyers for decades.

In today's market, however, it's not always easy (or even possible) to sell one residence and use the equity to purchase another. That doesn't necessarily mean you're trapped forever in a home that no longer fits your shrinking or growing household... not if you can rent that home for enough to cover your monthly mortgage payment.

Have you considered these other options for your down payment and closing costs?

VA Financing - Little or no money down for qualified veterans, as well as active duty military. Even if you've already used your VA eligibility in the past, you may be able to use it now. My husband and I have used VA several times for refinancing and purchasing.
FHA Financing - Only 3.5% down for qualified buyers, within the local loan limit. This is very popular in today's market.
Closing Help - FHA and VA allow sellers to pay up to six percent towards "actual costs" of the loan. Some Conventional loans allow sellers to pay up to three percent of the borrower's closing costs. With so many homes on the market, many sellers are willing to do this.
Retirement Plan - In some cases, you may be able to borrow your own money previously contributed to a retirement plan. Check with your plan administrator to find out if this is possible and to determine any penalties or tax obligations that accompany this action. One of my clients is using this resource to close on his first home in January, and the seller is paying most of his closing costs.
Life Insurance - You may be able to liquidate the cash value of your life insurance. Check with your insurer to find out if this is an option for you.
Refinance your current home - Even if you can't sell your current home in today's market, you may be able to liquidate some of your equity for down payment and closing on another home by refinancing. For some homeowners, refinancing will lower the payment to improve cash flow, even if you don't take cash out.
Relatives - Even if you can't refinance your current home or use your retirement plan or life insurance for down payment and closing, your parents or another relative may be in a position to do so. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Owner Financing - The sellers of some homes on the market may be willing to hold a second trust for all or part of your down payment/closing costs. My mother recently reminded me that she and my dad sold their home with owner financing during a previous real estate meltdown.

Don't assume you can't get a Conventional loan with minimal down payment. 95% loans are making a comeback in the marketplace, and some well-qualified buyers are taking advantage of them to avoid the high FHA insurance.

If your housing needs have changed, you aren't necessarily trapped in your current home by today's struggling real estate market. This may be perfect timing for you to make a move.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

The Week Before Christmas...

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:05:43 -0500

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town,
Not a buyer was stirring, the market was down.
Our sale sign was posted in front with care,
In hopes that some buyers soon would be there.

The children were curled up reading in bed,
And visions of moving danced in dad’s head.
Now Grandma in her sweater, and pa in his cap,
Were asleep near the fire, taking a nap.

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I leaped from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pulled back the curtains and threw up the sash.

The road wasn’t shoveled, there was new-fallen snow
And neighborhood children were playing below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a red SUV, full of people, right here.

With a little ol’ driver, not lively or quick,
I knew in a moment it wasn’t Saint Nick.
I called to the family, and everyone came,
As I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Grandma! now, Grandpa! now Steven and Harry!
Call Larry and Tim, Susan and Mary!
Buyers are coming, there’s no time to spare!
Turn lights on, make beds! Pick up toys everywhere!”

As Margaret’s clients came up the front walk
I was so excited I could barely talk.
The kids jumped into action, and each knew his chore,
We had to be finished, when they got to the door;

And then, in a twinkling, we left just in time
The buyers were there now, ringing the chime.
As I looked o’er my shoulder, I saw they’d arrived.
And Margaret invited them to step inside.

She was dressed all in red, from her head to her toe,
We could trust our agent, our house to show.
For buyers today, she knew how to find
All the features they wanted, what they had in mind.

Big rooms made them happy! The closets did, too,
They loved the new kitchen, and baths all in blue.
A big ol’ smile appeared on their face,
Of the homes seen today, this might be the place!

Then quick as they came, they all disappeared,
And they might not buy, that’s what I feared.
We went back inside, sat down for a meal,
We cried, then we laughed, how should we feel?

Margaret drove to her office, with buyers in tow,
For she knew what to do now, an experienced pro.
She sold lots of homes that were not nice as mine,
She told me herself that our home is fine.

She had not a doubt, but went straight to her work
Explained all the contracts, then turned with a jerk,
And laying her pencil aside on her desk,
Shook hands with the buyers, and wished them the best.

She sprang from the office, and rushed to our side,
And we listened carefully before we signed.
Then I heard her exclaim, with a SOLD sign in sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!”

This parody on Clement Clark Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” that I wrote a few years ago has become a holiday tradition here on Activerain. Let’s call it “A Visit from Margaret”. Merry Christmas to all my Activerain friends!

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Real Estate Sales in Davidsonville, Maryland - November 2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:37:00 -0500

Davidsonville is a stable community with many neighborhoods of large, custom and expensive homes. There is little turnover and it's rare that we see more than 10 sold listings in a month, even in the best of markets. The number of sold listings recently, however, has been five or fewer - with no sold listings at all in August.

With so few sales, one home at the high or low end of the price range can dramatically impact the monthly statistics up or down. That's why I prefer to consider several months.

Five of the past six months, new listings have outnumbered sold listings. Until these numbers are more closely aligned over a period of several months, it will remain a buyer's market. Supply and demand... that's what it's all about!

In November, there were four home sales and thirty three listings - at this rate, it would take eight months for today's inventory of homes to sell IF no other homes came on or went off the market.

Sellers: Every showing is important, so try to avoid saying "no" when a prospective buyer wants to see your home. Keep your home show-ready at all times, because you may receive short notice for an appointment. If you receive a written offer, take it seriously because a written offer is the first step in home sale negotiations. It's likely the final sale price will end up somewhere in the middle between your list price and a prospective buyer's first offer, and other considerations will impact the desirability of the offer: Are the buyers well qualified? Is their offer contingent on the sale of another property?

If your home isn't being shown, you probably need to lower the price to attract prospective buyers. If your home is being shown but it hasn't sold, you probably need to lower the price. Unfortunately, it will probably be several years before we see consistently higher prices in real estate. It takes a buyer to have a sale, and today's buyers have many options in Davidsonville and other nearby areas.

Buyers: If you've been wanting to move up to a larger, more expensive home in Davidsonville, this may be your chance. Let me help you figure out whether you can make this leap without selling your current home - rentals are in high demand, and renting your current home instead of selling may be an option for you.

And don't be afraid to make an offer. This is a buyer's market, and most sellers expect a low offer. A serious seller will make a counter-offer somewhere between your price and theirs; hopefully you can come to an agreement on the home of your choice. If not, there's a huge inventory of other homes available for sale. One of them will be just right for you.

Click on Homes for Sale Davidsonville to view a curent list of homes on the market in the 21035 zip code, including my listing at 2007 Gresham Lane in the Wynnewood Subdivision.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Are Your Kids Safe in Cyberspace?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:48:39 -0500

Many of you will remember my featured post in February 2010, Win $500 for Suggesting the Name of a Start-up Company, when I told you about the company my sons started after one of them discovered that his 15-year old wasn't playing video games or texting with friends, as he assumed. In fact, my grandson was "involved" in an online relationship with someone that turned out to be a sexual predator.

To say that my son Tim interrupted this situation before it got serious is an understatement, and the middle school teacher with a long history of such activity is now in jail, having plead guilty to several counts involving several kids. You can click on the earlier post for a little more background, if you're interested.

Tim and his brother Steve set out to interrupt situations like this for your children and grandchildren by putting their experience as founders of an Internet security and risk management firm to work for you in a new company, uKnow.com.

Almost two years has passed since I wrote that earlier blog post on this topic, and uKnow is still a work in progress, but they've achieved some significant milestones including 8 distribution deals serving over 21 million households and nearly 90,000 subscription months of services to date. A recent review of uKnow.com on PCMag.com by Neil J. Rubenking, Lead Analyst for Security, said "With uKnowKids you can track your child's social networking activity in one convenient Web portal. It tracks email, texts, and calls on smartphones, too. Real-time alerts notify you of risky behavior. The product exhibited some minor bugs in testing, but overall it's impressive."

My family has learned from experience that we can't assume our kids and grandchildren are safe in cyberspace. uKnow is absolutely FREE, so check it out. If you like the basic service, you can upgrade to a more comprehensive version later.

Let me know if you would like to see the technology of uKnow.com offered to your community organization or school system, and I'll put you directly in touch with my son Tim. He will make it happen, because he doesn't want your kids to become victims of sexual predators or cyber-bullying.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Holiday Greeting Card Contest - Merry Christmas, Crofton

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:45:14 -0500

The POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul group gives you the opportunity to share your creative side during the holiday season with a creative writing challenge. Join in on the challenge with the ActiveRain Holiday Greeting Card Contest!

Christmas wreathes and red velvet bows have been hung on the light poles at Crofton Village Green by Crofton Village Garden Club for over 40 years. This scene is one that says "Merry Christmas" to Crofton residents more than any other in our community, and it symbolizes many things that make Crofton a special place to live year 'round - our community traditions, organizations, and landmarks.

I knew you would appreciate this sentiment since these are some of the things that attracted you to Crofton. I feel so privileged to have a role in helping you find this community and your beautiful home.

Please feel free to share this photo and greeting with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Prince George's County Teachers Save on Closing Costs

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:05:26 -0500

Are you a public school teacher in Prince George's County, Maryland? If so, your closing costs for the purchase of a home in the County will be lower than those of your neighbors.

Prince George's County offers a reduction in the County Transfer Tax from 1.4% to 1% when a teacher purchases improved residential property to use as a principal residence. If there are two or more buyers, only one of them must be a Prince George's County classroom teacher and occupy the property to be eligible.

If you happen to also be a first-time buyer in Maryland, your share of the .5% state transfer tax will also be waived.

Your savings could add up to $1,000 or more in reduced closing costs for the purchase of a home in Prince George's County, depending on the terms of your sales contract.

There are many nice neighborhoods in Prince George's County that fit the budget of a county teacher. Let me help you find them!

Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

FREE home search online (No registration required)
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500