List in March forget this madness:March Madness is the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament is divided into four regions (East, West, South, Midwest) with teams seeded from 1 to 16. Key rounds include the First Four, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the Championship Game.  This is March Madness.  Listing in March has its advantages. Warmer weather and longer days, more people are out looking for homes. And you won’t have to worry about the snow and tracking salt on your nice floors.  And keeping a comfortable temperature is easier and less expensive, especially our hot Baltimore summers when the AC is blasting.One of the biggest advantages of listing your home in March is the lower level of competition. ... 03/15/2025

Some people make it sound so easy: You can buy a neglected property cheap, fix it up, and sell it for a huge profit. That's what first-time rehabbers think.When flipping a house, it’s important to plan your timeline carefully. Depending on the amount of work needed, renovations can take anywhere from one to six months. Make sure to include time for any necessary building inspections.Hiring a general contractor is smart if you’re not skilled in renovations. Look for qualified tradespeople and check their licenses and references.  Make sure the quotes fit within your budget and timeline.Once the renovations are complete, you can sell your property. A real estate agent can assist you with pricing and marketing the home. There are common mistakes to watch out for during this process. One ma... 03/06/2025

It's Just a Phone...Pick It Up Real estate thrives on relationships, so talk with anyone interested in buying or selling. Find a way that is fun for you. You might be in the wrong field if it feels like a chore. An eager agent wanted to boost their income with a tight budget and sought ways to attract more buyers and sellers. Many suggestions came in, most of which needed more funding than was available. It was time to get to work—to pound the pavement.The best starting point is right in your hands: the phone. Open your address book and phone contacts and reach out to everyone you know—friends, family, neighbors, and former colleagues. Embrace the opportunity to have fun with conversations; any chat could lead to a new opportunity. In my early days, I was taught to cold call potential c... 03/01/2025

 Years ago, before I entered real estate, I dealt with a recurring issue with "Swarmers," or flying ants, which signal possible termite activity. After each swarm, we found countless wings. We hired pest control companies for treatments—drilling around and inside the house, lower level, and garage—but that had to be repeated.Continuing our search, we removed a wood deck covering a concrete porch and opened an exterior wall but found nothing. The breakthrough came when we replaced the windows. We found significant termite damage in the front window; it was so compromised that a pocketknife easily slid into the wood! In Maryland, there are two kinds of houses: those that have been treated for termites and those that will need treatment. Homeowners and agents need to recognize the signs of... 02/26/2025

This stunning four-level split home off Stevenson Road inside the beltway, Exit 21, has officially been sold and settled! This beautiful property features 5000 square feet and four levels of luxurious living space, offering four spacious bedrooms and two and a half baths.The elegant living room, highlighted by a charming bay window, provided the perfect backdrop for gatherings with family and friends. The primary bedroom suite was a true retreat, complete with a soothing jetted tub, separate vanities, heated floors, a lavish walk-in shower, and a generously sized closet.  The kitchen, designed for both cooking and entertaining, boasted architectural ceilings, a grand granite island that seats six, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and ample space for a full-sized dining table ... 02/13/2025

Understanding Radon: Why Testing is for a Healthier HomeWhen it comes to maintaining a safe and healthy home, we monitor smoke detectors and perform regular pest control. But what about radon? This invisible, odorless gas can enter our homes and pose health risks, highlighting the importance of radon testing for every homeowner. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in the soil and rocks. While it exists in the atmosphere in small amounts, it can accumulate in homes, particularly in basements and lower levels.Radon is linked to lung cancer, but the good news is that testing for radon is simple and easy to do.You might be wondering why radon isn’t more widely discussed. After all, everyone knows how to check for carbon monoxide and make s... 01/26/2025

Is there anyone NOT looking for a great deal in real estate?Clients call me for advice when they see what they perceive as a genuine bargain: a home in a desirable neighborhood below market price. They are ready to make an offer. Not so fast. Let's research the property, its history, and the neighborhood. If you are still interested, it's time to visit it with a contractor for evaluation. Every house can be made livable, but at what cost? Buying a home that needs a lot of work can be tempting, especially when you see those bargain prices compared to the rest of the neighborhood. However, weighing the pros and cons before taking the plunge is necessary. **Pros**- Potential for Profit: If you can successfully renovate and quickly sell the property, there’s a chance for a significant retur... 12/29/2024