Having a historic listing in Dickeyville made me want to visit the Baltimore Summer Antique show that at the Baltimore Convention Center this weekend.  The show started on Thursday and ran through Sunday. So after my first showing on 2300 Tucker Lane we took a short drive downtown to the Baltimore Convention Center. Somehow "antiques" makes me think of chairs with delicate legs and fragile porcelain vases. The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show had those, of course, but so much more.  Fine furniture, jewelry, sculpture, and books were only part of the story.    This ax sculpture doesn't seem like an antique, but the two owners of Wells and Company deal in 20th century furniture and art. "Antique" covers a lot! I saw this wonderful Paul Evans table, too – I have a Paul Evans piece in my dini... 09/04/2007

Good afternoon as we go into the Labor Day weekend I wanted to share a few thoughts with you to help you sell more homes in what is now an excellent time to buy.........It's been an interesting week. While there is still great turbulence in the market, and Jumbo mortgage (over $417,000) money is still very volatile as is the availability of 100% financing for jumbo loans, the good news is that we see conventional fixed rate money remaining very stable and even slightly improving in interest rate. What does this mean? Financing is still plentiful and the larger money center banks are good/solid resources. Prosperity Mortgage (backed by Wells Fargo), Bank of America, National City, Chase, Citi, etc can all be considered safe sources for mortgages. Many other mortgage bankers are still oka... 08/31/2007

Most Baltimoreans have heard of Dickeyville as "somewhere west of the city." When you look at photos of the Victorian architecture, traditional old church, and white picket fences, it's easy to believe this historic neighborhood sits out in the country somewhere. The surprise is that Dickeyville is tucked into Baltimore City itself, snuggled up against the Gwynns Falls that meanders down to the Patapsco, the Inner Harbor, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.  Several mill towns sprang up around Baltimore in the 18th century drawing mill workers and managers.  Along the Gwynns Falls there were grist mills, paper mills, and woolen mills that provided cloth for both North and South during the Civil War.  Towns grew up around the mills with stone houses, churches, schools, and shops.Through i... 08/29/2007

Business Coaching ... I just came back from our Mastermind event with Buffini and Company and I feel so much better and so inspired. I guess that it's so easy to become myopic in this market and look at the losses but now as I have my steady stream of wins offsetting these losses I feel it seems that it's two steps forward only one step back. I would love to know how other people recharge in this market.  I Personally do 3 things .... the first is listen to inspirational stories in the morning on YouTube like  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jYor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA2nd I journal daily to get perspective because I can get so focused on today and not worry about tomorrow 3rd I create an accomplishment list from the Outlook Calendar and look at all I did this... 08/27/2007

What: Every month Koffee Talk hosts a really fun and friendly networking happy hour that benefits a worthy cause.This month, your $10 donation at the door ($5 in advance) will go to help Jim Bouder who was struck by a drunk driver. Click here for newsclip. Join 50-80 other Baltimore professionals at Coburn's in Canton for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drink specials, with Matt Goddard from r2integrated as a special guest bartender When: Tuesday, August 28th from 5:30-8pm.  To learn more and register in advance click here.Where: Coburn's Tavern, 2921 O'Donnell St., Baltimore, MD 21224Can't Attend?: Please make a donation online at http://www.jimbouder.org. Or mail your donation to: Fundraising Effort for Jim Bouder, 1835 Weyburn Road, Baltimore, MD 21237 08/23/2007

• 3 bath, 5 bdrm 2 story - $279,000 - EXQUISITELEY RENOVATED Frankford, Baltimore  -  COME SEE THIS EXQUISITELY RENOVATED HOME. RELAX ON YOUR FRONT PORCH OR LARGE PRIVATE DECK. PLENTY OF SPACE FOR A LAGRE FAMILY. THIS HOUSE FEATURES 2 MASTER SUITES, 1 HAS A JACUZZI, FAMILEY ROOM IN THE BASEMENT, BEAUTIFUL CHERRY HARDDWOOD FLORS ON THE MAIN LEVEL, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, LARGE PANTRY, CORIAN COUNTERTOPS, HUGE DECK OF THE KITCHEN, DETATCHED GARAGE, SIDE ENTRY, 3 FULL BATHROOMS, HALF BATH ON MAIN LEVEL, LONG DRIVE WAY, SIDE ENTRY, WARM COLORS AND RECESSED LIGHTS THROUGH OUT, AND MUCH MORE. THIS IS TRUELY A MUST SEE!!!!! Property information 08/22/2007

49  Broker LeverageWhen purchasing listed real estate, you can save money by buying with a friendly real estate broker.  Ask the broker to contribute their commission toward property repairs in exchange for a percentage of your cash flow or equity profit in the short term.Notes:  This tip is not that easy to pull off, but  talk to the agent or broker, let them know that you are a successful investor, and that you are willing to bring them in as a limited partner.  Show them how much return they could make by contributing their commission to the transaction. Show them how they could make 20-30% on their commission invested and that you will list the property with them for re-sale.Agents often think TOO SHORT TERM, they should have confidence in the product they sell.If agents knew what i... 08/21/2007

Dickeyville,Md 21207   Oh so Magical Dickeyville! Such a charming immaculate place to call home!  Historic Dickeyville home says "WELCOME" and is in the National register of Historic Places.  Your wicker furniture will feel right at home on the front porches and so will you while rocking the summer days away. Take a look at this beautifully landscaped lots. Enjoy good times, parties and just relaxing in the charming area surrounded by lush lawn, white pines and mature trees. Dickeyville is a small community of about 140 homes, a historic mill, and is located just inside Baltimore City, near Interstates 70 and Baltimore Beltway 695. and is adjacent to Kernan Hospital. The Village is on the banks of the Gwynn's Falls and lies at the start of the Gwynn's Falls Trail. This is a 15 mile wal... 08/21/2007

48  Over-FinanceNeed cash for repairs?  Consider over-financing.  If the Seller needs $100,000, write the contract for $125,000 with an addendum requiring the Seller to reimburse $25,000 to you at closing for repairs.  It's borrowed money, but it's green!It is important to to collect the over-financed amount at time of settlement.  It would be wise to have that check made out to your contractor for the repairs and a draw schedule.  You should leave a paper trail.  Make all disclosures when dealing with lenders and sellers.Charles ParrishVisit - www.investorsunited.com  08/21/2007

47  Equity PartnershipBorrowing money at a set interest rate is cheaper, but when funds are tight a partner can be an alternative to going into debt.  Package your real estate opportunity by creating a detailed investment proposal offering a 20, 30, or 40% equity interest in the short-term transaction.  You do the legwork.  Make sure to negotiate a delayed settlement with the seller so you have time to secure a partner and wholesale the property for a cash profit.Charles 08/19/2007

Real estate really is a very exciting and profitable business with many options for those who practice making offers, and considering all their options.Real Estate agents and Investors leave commission and profits on the table by not negotiating when the time calls for negotiating.  Some fail to find the seller's base line price and do not make a good connection with the seller.Sellers like to do business with people they like, with people they understand and can identify with.  It is important to focus on the seller and their needs and to help them identify with you.  Let them know that you can solve their real estate problems by buying or listing their property. As an agent or investor, it is important to take it slowly, to be firm and to make a trial offer and to connect with sellers... 08/19/2007

Mmmm…farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, succulent crab cakes, steak and cheese subs dripping with flavor, fresh from the Chesapeake crabs and oysters, fudge-topped cookies to satisfy any chocoholic. Hungry yet?All these and more await you at Baltimore's Lexington Market, 225 years old and going strong. Opened in 1782, it is the world's largest continuously running market, and still at the original site on Lexington Street between Eutaw and Greene.       At first, it was an open air market where farmers brought wagons filled with hams, butter, produce, eggs, and poultry. About 20 years later a shed went up and the market grew from there. Famous people have visited the market over the centuries; Ralph Waldo Emerson proclaimed Baltimore "the gastronomic capital of the world" after visiting ... 08/17/2007

You are invited to the biggest party of the summer!What:    Belair-Edison's Block Party in the Park. Featuring fun activities, community-based exhibitors, tasty food, and live music by Rush Hour Band. Recognizing the outstanding work of exceptional blocks, residents, youth, and community leaders in Belair-Edison.When:   Saturday, August 25, 2007 (12 - 4pm)Where:  Herring Run Park (at the corner of Parkside Drive and Belair Rd.)RSVP:   No worries! Just show up and have fun!Anything else?: Hope to see you there!  08/13/2007

I was having a conversation with a prospective buyer last week, and I had an inspiration. I am constantly speculating just what position me apart from other HUD distressed home selling agents. What makes the buyers pick one agent from another?  What sells my HUD, VA and bank distressed home experiences these days is total Internet existence. I'm not referring to the local news paper or the MLS. That's yesterday’s media, but now I can tell clients that I spend hours and hours researching how to find new foreclosure property on the Internet. Before is a foreclosure it can be a short sale. I now tell them “Google Blaine Newcomb"!  Or Google Baltimore HUD homes I know that when they do they will see me on over 3 solid pages or more. Next, they can Google whatever agent they were thinking a... 07/26/2007

47  Explore Expired ListingsWhen property that is listed by a real estate agent fails to sell by the end of the listing term, it becomes an "expired listing."  Listings expire for reasons such as undesirable location, poor condition, ineffective promotion, listing mistakes, default by a buyer, or most commonly, inflated price.  As the seller's expectations are softened by time, circumstances, and offers received, profit potential increases.  Eventually, "firm" becomes "flexible."  Find expired listings through a friendly real estate agent; pay for a list or pay commission on properties purchased.48  Access Aged ListingsAn "aged listing" is a property that has been listed by a real estate agent for several months and is yet unsold.  Like a fine wine, aged listings are leads that become m... 07/22/2007

45  Inquire with InspectorsA well-spring of real estate leads is the public record of housing code violations.  Owners of properties with violations may be motivated by the costs of fines, court, repairs, liability and credit issues, jail time, back taxes, opportunity costs, or by the embarrassment of owning a run-down property.  Obtain the list of open violation notices online or from the local inspectors' office.  (Inspectors can't take tips, but lunch is always appreciated.)  Call or send letters to owners.  In addition to tremendous profit potential, investors will find little competition.  Renovate or resell the property for profit.46  Shop at Tax SaleWhen real estate owners fail to pay municipal charges, municipalities collect the unpaid debt by selling their lien on the debtors' ... 07/22/2007

Interview with a Professional Mortgage Foreclosure AuctioneerListen in to hear an interview with Charlie Makowski, a local foreclosure auctioneer, having conducted and sold thousands of properties at foreclosure auction at the court house steps in Maryland, his insights to foreclosure with entertain and inform. He has seen investors make giant profits at the court house steps and tell some sad stories also.What happens to a NO SALE foreclosure auction? Hear first-hand about negotiating with trustees, and bank owned real estate.Ask questions of Charlie Makowski and learn how to bid,  bottom line reserves, negotiate with mortgagees, mortgagors and how to legally grab thousands of dollars in equity at the public auction event.Be there to listen to and participate in a Tele-A-Interview with... 07/22/2007

It was another beautiful day, and we decided to have a "vacation" in Baltimore one day at a time. We recently visited Fell's Point, and this day it was our own Inner Harbor.  We slipped into a convenient parking space and proceeded to act like tourists, enjoying the sights along the waterfront. The dragon paddle boats are always popular in the summer, and there's a water taxi for those of us who prefer to let an engine do the paddling. Baltimore's World Trade Center soars above the harbor, with a 27th floor observation deck for stunning views. Moored down below along the harbor are historic ships that are National Historic Landmarks and also serve as living classrooms. The queen of the harbor is, of course, the USS Constellation. She is the last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy,... 07/21/2007

After several days of high heat and creeping humidity, the weather broke and brought warm, cheerful skies. It was absolutely perfect for wandering about the cobblestone streets of Fell's Point. This historic waterfront community, east of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, is sprinkled with shops, restaurants, and lively pubs.               Fell's Point is a National Register Historic District dating back to the Colonial era. Englishman William Fell bought the land in 1726 and saw the potential for shipbuilding in colonial America. Later, his son and widow divided the land and sold lots beginning in 1763 as others recognized the potential of the deepwater port. Before long, Fell's Point grew into a bustling seaport with docks, warehouses, shipyards, homes, and stores. The USS Constellation, the l... 07/14/2007

   Do you know the different types of replacement costs???  1.     Functional: Functional replacement cost means the amount it would cost to repair or replace the damaged building, of the client, using less costly and common construction materials and methods, of the present day. 2.     Limited: Limited replacement cost provides the amount of insurance listed on the declarations page for the dwelling plus an additional 10-20% depending upon the carrier.  There by limiting/capping the amount of money the insurance company would be required to spend to replace the dwelling in the event of a devastating loss/claim.  The limited replacement cost option does not guarantee total replacement of the dwelling.  This replacement cost option guarantees the maximum exposure of the insurance company... 06/12/2007