Buy That House: Lenders are Knocking Down My Door What came first the credit squeeze or the severe decrease in people looking for credit? I have a constant flow of lenders beating on my door; begging me for referrals to my Buyers. Some tell me that they have 100% financing available; one told me that his office would buy down the rate for the first year by 1% without charging it elsewhere within the loan. I would love to give them my business if I had more to give. . . . but where are all of the Buyers, especially those who supposedly are having trouble getting financing?  Are they waiting for the media to tell them that it is okay to get back into the game? (Fat chance of that happening.) Closing Assistance Programs are offering $10,000 where the debt would actually be forgiven within ... 01/25/2009

BRAC Relocation   Are you a part of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC)?   If you are part of the many from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey who are being impacted by that base's closure and who are being relocated to Maryland to either Aberdeen Proving Ground or to Fort Meade, then I can assist you in your relocation efforts.   As a seasoned real estate professional, who is very familiar with the Maryland real estate market, I can provide you with valuable information regarding housing to buy or to rent, loans including VA and FHA which require very little down payment if any, neighborhoods, schools, and the many important facts that you will need to know in order to make a smooth transition.   My affiliation with one of the area's top realty firms, ExecuHome Realty, and my associ... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE : AS IS? Home sold strictly as is; owner will make no repairs; home inspection for informational purposes only . . . CLICK . . . If I am an investor, then there is more chance that I will look at these houses, because I am expecting to need to do work and I am prepared to handle the work, however, if I am an average home buyer, then I am not necessarily looking for a home which needs work.  Now, I realize that "as is" does not by itself mean that a house needs work, but it has a strong connotation that is what is meant.  Perhaps you have read some of these remarks about a property: Everything is new; sold strictly as is; Home Warranty; sold strictly as is; Home is in good condition; owner is not capable of making repairs; sold strictly as is; . . . What does this stateme... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: PICTURES ARE IMPORTANT It used to be, and not too long ago, that getting pictures on a listing in the MLS would take a while.  You would have to wait for someone to come out and take the picture.  All too frequently this would be a blurry picture from a drive-by photo usually taken at the worst time of day and sometimes on the worst day, like during a snow storm, when the photographer was off from his regular job. But now when every digital device that we own can take a photo and when we can quickly send it to the MLS, those dark days are a thing of the past . . . or are they.  Now when I see a listing without a photo, I start to think that the listing agent is trying to hide something.  How can you be in this business and not have the means to take a picture of your li... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: APPEARANCE IS EVERYTHING   Salability is directly related to appearance.  If you want to buy a car, but it has a dented door, then you will probably pass on the car rather than pay $1000 for a new door, even if the seller discounts the price by $1,000.  So a car that would be worth $20,000 suddenly becomes worth nothing if it has a defect.  Likewise with a house, if it were worth $300,000 in good condition, it may suddenly be worth nothing if it needed carpet and paint that may only cost $10,000.  You could suggest an allowance, but typically that is not enough.  The Buyers decision has already been "emotionally" made.  On the surface, this makes no sense, but in practice, believe me, this is what happens.  A home that only needs carpet and paint, and hence shows poorly... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: SET UP FINANCING Many people start to search for a home to buy before they review their finances.  It sounds a bit odd when you consider that buying a house may be the biggest investment that one makes in a lifetime.  Some of these shoppers will state that they will seek financing once they find a home that they like.  They figure that if a lender pulls their credit that it will reduce their credit score and if they do not find a house right away, then a lender will pull their credit again which will reduce it even further.  Also, the price  of homes may be going up or down and interest rates may be going up or down, which would make it difficult to determine just what they really could afford at any given time in the future.  These excuses miss the point.  Reviewing on... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING Spring is here and you want to sell your house.  It is a nice house, which you have kept well maintained, and it has served you well. . . . but how can you sell it with all of this clutter, these precious possessions, which are, of course, everything that you have ever owned. Do you find yourself making the following statements? The buyers will understand; after all, they are buying my house not all of my possessions. I can sort everything when I move. I can not get rid of anything, because as soon as I do, I will need it. I need my school books for reference. I need that newspaper; I have to catch up on the news and I need to clip out the coupons. My daughter needs to come by and pick up her clothes, since she now has a place of her own. Those a... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: HOME WARRANTY A home warranty may be a good investment when selling your house. Here are some of the benefits of selling a home with a home warranty: The seller does not have to pay for the warranty until the home sells and goes to settlement. If the home does not sell, then the seller never has to purchase the warranty. The warranty is in effect during the listing period, so the seller can use it if something happens prior to a sale or prior to settlement. The warranty is transferable to the buyer and is good for a one year period; the buyer can renew the warranty. The warranty covers most major systems in a house.  This includes appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical and plumbing, water heaters, and such.  There is usually a limitation on roof co... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: HOME STAGING Home staging is a process whereby one prepares his or her home to sell.  When done correctly, it is comprehensive such that it covers all aspects of the home, including the interior, the exterior, and the functional systems. By staging a home properly, you may increase its value by 10% to 15% according to some reports.  New home builders have known the importance of this for some time now, but savvy sellers in the resale market are starting to recognize its value.  It is even blossoming into a business of its own with home staging experts sending teams of professionals to work with home sellers.  These teams may consist of interior decorators, painters, landscapers, home inspectors, organizers, and so on, such that the entire house is covered. A home buyer ... 01/25/2009

SELL THAT HOUSE: ACCESSIBILITY There are some things which we buy, sight unseen.  Some things we buy over the internet and some things we buy over the phone.  This is not the case with a house. It is true that most houses today are advertised on the internet with photos and virtual tours and in some cases they are displayed along with a narrator's description.  Still, it is rare where someone will buy a house without personally seeing it.  This indicates the importance of accessibility.  Let's look at an example: An out of town buyer is going to be relocating to the area and only has a few weekends to look at houses.  The buyer gets financially pre-approved ahead of time, talks with his new employer about neighborhoods that may be suitable, and establishes a relationship with a real est... 01/25/2009

RENTAL MARKET LAGS BEHIND SALES MARKET Investors may purchase properties for different reasons.  One investor may purchase a property and rent it so that it will provide a stream of cash flow, hopefully positive, while another investor may purchase a property with the intention of selling it at a higher value, thereby allowing a profit. The investor who purchases a property for rental income can keep his rent relatively stable and still maintain a steady and positive flow of income, because the costs will remain relatively stable.  Although some costs may increase such as taxes and insurance, the costs of financing can be consistent if the property was purchased with a fixed rate loan.  Even if the property was purchased with an adjustable rate loan the rent does not have to increase un... 01/25/2009

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NOTTINGHAM, MARYLAND REAL ESTATE HOUSING MARKET? Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format  ZIP Code: 21236 Nottingham, MD From: 12/01/2008 to 12/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 01/07/2009   ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop GroundRent of Units Sold(No. of Units) Under $100,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -30 Days 4 $100,000 - 149,999 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 31-60 Days 5 $150,000 - 199,999 1 3 1 7 0 14 17 1 61 - 90 Days 4 $200,000 - 249,999 1 8 1 0 0 47 5 1 91-120 Days 4 $250,000 - 299,999 0 1 0 0 0 41 0 0 Over 120 Days 10 $300,000 - 349,999 0 1 1 0 0 24 0 0 Total 27 $350,000 - 399,999 0 0 0 ... 01/17/2009

See ALL of the NEW BALTIMORE COUNTY NOTTINGHAM REAL ESTATE HOME LISTINGS FOR SALE IN NOTTINGHAM MARYLAND that were just listed active in the local MLS system.  If you have any interest and/or questions regarding any of the properties contained in the link below, feel free to CONTACT ME personally and I will do my best to help you with ALL of your real estate needs.  The first real step in the home buying process is learning what you can comfortably afford to purchase by speaking with a LOAN OFFICER.  If you don't already have a loan officer that you are working with, I would be more than happy to give you a few loan officers to call who would be more than happy to speak with you about your individualized financial situation, FOR FREE, at a time convenient for you (even in the evenings o... 12/31/2008

Are you looking for single family homes for sale in Nottingham, Maryland in Baltimore County?  If so, consider visiting my open house on Saturday 12/20/08 from 12:30PM - 1:30PM at: INTRODUCING 4310 JOPPA ROADNottingham, MD 21236MLS #BC6912299RANCHERS FOR SALE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY MARYLAND LISTED EXCLUSIVELY BY Michael D. Klijanowicz (Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.)OFFERED AT $359,900 DESCRIPTION: UPDATED RANCHER ON .43 ACRES W/CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY & HUGE 2 CAR DETACHED GARAGE W/220 AMP ELEC & LOFT! COMPLETELY UPDATED FEATURING: New Roof on Home & Garage, NEW A/C Unit, NEW Baths, FRESHLY PAINTED, 3 Decks, Gleaming Refinished Hardwood Floors throughout, Completely Updated Kitchen with New Corian Counters, 42" Cabinets, Ceramic Floor, & Tin Backsplash, Fully Finished Basement wit... 12/10/2008

Baltimore County Real Estate - CEDARSIDE FARMS MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2008 - NOVEMBER 2008) Real Estate Values in Cedarside Farms have been pretty sparse throughout the past 3 months.  To see all of the current real estate market activity that has been going on in the Cedarside Farms community simply click on the link below this paragraph.  When viewing the Cedarside Farms Real Estate Listings on the link below, make sure to click on the camera icon in the upper left hand corner to view all of the multiple pictures of the homes and the film reel icon to view the virtual tours (if there is one).  On the link you will see the homes that are still active, homes that are under contract, homes that have sold, homes that have been withdrawn or have expired, and homes that are tempo... 12/06/2008

OAKHURST MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2008 - NOVEMBER 2008) Real Estate Values in Oakhurst have been pretty steady throughout the past 3 months.  To see all of the current real estate market activity that has been going on in the Oakhurst community simply click on the link below this paragraph.  When viewing the Oakhurst Real Estate Listings on the link below, make sure to click on the camera icon in the upper left hand corner to view all of the multiple pictures of the homes and the film reel icon to view the virtual tours (if there is one).  On the link you will see the homes that are still active, homes that are under contract, homes that have sold, homes that have been withdrawn or have expired, and homes that are temporarily off of the market. OAKHURST MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT (... 11/29/2008

See ALL of the NEW BALTIMORE COUNTY NOTTINGHAM REAL ESTATE HOME LISTINGS FOR SALE IN NOTTINGHAM MARYLAND that were just listed active in the local MLS system.  If you have any interest and/or questions regarding any of the properties contained in the link below, feel free to CONTACT ME personally and I will do my best to help you with ALL of your real estate needs.  The first real step in the home buying process is learning what you can comfortably afford to purchase by speaking with a LOAN OFFICER.  If you don't already have a loan officer that you are working with, I would be more than happy to give you a few loan officers to call who would be more than happy to speak with you about your individualized financial situation, FOR FREE, at a time convenient for you (even in the evenings o... 11/21/2008

See ALL of the NEW BALTIMORE COUNTY NOTTINGHAM REAL ESTATE HOME LISTINGS FOR SALE IN NOTTINGHAM MARYLAND that were just listed active in the local MLS system.  If you have any interest and/or questions regarding any of the properties contained in the link below, feel free to CONTACT ME personally and I will do my best to help you with ALL of your real estate needs.  The first real step in the home buying process is learning what you can comfortably afford to purchase by speaking with a LOAN OFFICER.  If you don't already have a loan officer that you are working with, I would be more than happy to give you a few loan officers to call who would be more than happy to speak with you about your individualized financial situation, FOR FREE, at a time convenient for you (even in the evenings o... 11/10/2008

INTRODUCING 4310 JOPPA ROADNottingham, MD 21236MLS #BC6912299RANCHERS FOR SALE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY MARYLAND LISTED EXCLUSIVELY BY Michael D. Klijanowicz (Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.)OFFERED AT $359,900 DESCRIPTION: UPDATED RANCHER ON .43 ACRES W/CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY & HUGE 2 CAR DETACHED GARAGE W/220 AMP ELEC & LOFT! COMPLETELY UPDATED FEATURING: New Roof on Home & Garage, NEW A/C Unit, NEW Baths, FRESHLY PAINTED, 3 Decks, Gleaming Refinished Hardwood Floors throughout, Completely Updated Kitchen with New Corian Counters, 42" Cabinets, Ceramic Floor, & Tin Backsplash, Fully Finished Basement with WET BAR & Gas Fireplace with walkout & MORE! CALL ME TODAY FOR YOUR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL HOME!  And Don't forget to view the VIRTUAL TOUR and MANY EXTRA PICT... 11/01/2008

Below are ALL of the NEW Listings in Nottingham (Baltimore County, Maryland) that were listed during this past week: CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF NOTTINGHAM'S  NEW HOME LISTINGS If you would like to preview any of these properties personally, CONTACT ME and I will take care of setting up the necessary appointments!  SELLING SOON?  If you are considering listing and selling your Baltimore County or Harford County Maryland real estate, I can provide a FREE HOME EVALUATION REPORT also known as a Comparative Market Analysis Report (CMA).  The report will detail all of the Baltimore County or Harford County homes comparable to yours that have recently SOLD in your immediate market area!   CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE BALTIMORE COUNTY OR HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND HOME VALUE REPORT AND TELL ME A LIT... 10/18/2008