Ramblings of a Baltimore area Realtor

Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Market Update for the Week Ending June 27, 2009

The market is seeing a welcome increase in sales and settlements however despite record low interest rates and improvements in the stock market it isn't as swift as we would like to see.  The number of new listings has remained stable we are seeing a slight increase in the number of homes going under contract and settling.  I'm surprised I'm not seeing more individuals making the decision to buy with so many great deals available.  Summer vacations are now under way and people will be on the move before the kids go back to school.  Now with the economic stimulus changes (up to $8000 in tax credits) and low interest rates it will be interesting to see how this all changes.  Overall, there has never been a better time to buy, than right now.

These figures are taken directly from our MRIS system and are believed to be accurate.

Glen Burnie, MD

New Listings       22 (increase of 2 from last week)          

Under Contract     18 (increase of 7 from last week)

Settled Sales      23 (increase of 1 from last week)

Anne Arundel County

New Listings         203(increase 5 from last week)         

Under Contract      113 (decrease 15 over last week)

Settled Sales         148 (increase of 13 over last week)

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

"A Word to the Wise", Realtors area professionals who have received many hours of training and have experience helping people just like you buy and sell homes all over the country.  I have seen so many buyers get into trouble in the FSBO market and so many sellers try to save money by selling their home themselves only to make less than if they had sold their home with a Realtor. 

If you are buying or selling a home in Maryland please think about using a real estate professional from Advance Realty.  Our agents are among the best trained agents in the state.  If you are thinking about buying a home in Michigan call Gary White!!

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

Renter's Tax Credit - Available in Maryland

The Renters' Tax Credit Program is a plan that provides property tax credits for renters who meet certain requirements.  If you are age 60 or over or 100% disabled, or if you are under the age of 60 who has at least one dependent under the age of 18 living with you AND you did not receive federal or state housing subsidies or reside in public housing, you may be eligible for this program.

What are the benefits?
The plan is designed to be similar in principle to the Homeowners' Tax Credit Program.  The concept is based on the reasoning that the monthly rent that renters pay indirectly pays at least part or all of the property taxes and thus renters should have some protection, as do homeowners.
If the portion of rent attributable to the assumed property taxes exceeds a fixed amount in relation to income, the renter can, under specified conditions, receive a credit of as much as $750.

What else do I need to know?
The rented dwelling may be an apartment in an individual house or any type of apartment building, duplex, co-op, condominium, house trailer, or mobile home pad.
The dwelling must be the principal residence in Maryland and the renter must live there at least six months of the year.
The applicant must have a bona fide leasehold interest in the property and be legally responsible for the rent.
Income charts and tax limit charts can be found online at www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/rtc.html to help you determine whether or not you will be eligible.
You must apply every year by no later than September 1 on a standard application supplied by the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

For more information, contact:
State Department of Assessments & Taxation
Renters' Tax Credit Program
301 W. Preston Street, Room 900
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2395
Phone: 410.767.4433 or 1.800.944.7403
Website: www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/rtc.html

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

The market is seeing a welcome increase in sales and settlements however despite record low interest rates and improvements in the stock market it isn't as swift as we would like to see.  The number of new listings has remained stable we are seeing a slight increase in the number of homes going under contract and settling.  I'm surprised I'm not seeing more individuals making the decision to buy with so many great deals available.  Summer vacations are now under way and people will be on the move before the kids go back to school.  Now with the economic stimulus changes (up to $8000 in tax credits) and low interest rates it will be interesting to see how this all changes.  Overall, there has never been a better time to buy, than right now.

These figures are taken directly from our MRIS system and are believed to be accurate.

Glen Burnie, MD

New Listings       20 (decrease of 5 from last week)          

Under Contract     11 (decrease of 6 from last week)

Settled Sales      22 (increase of 13 from last week)

Anne Arundel County

New Listings         198(increase 26 from last week)         

Under Contract      128 (increase 6 over last week)

Settled Sales         135 (increase of 56 over last week)

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

I was in McDonalds this morning waiting in line and looked up and saw this quote on the back of a man's shirt.  I thought I would share it with you for inspiration on a Monday!!

Every job is a self portrait of who did it

Autograph your work with Excellence

---author unknown

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Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

The market is seeing a welcome increase in sales and settlements however despite record low interest rates and improvements in the stock market it isn't as swift as we would like to see.  The number of new listings has remained stable we are seeing a slight increase in the number of homes going under contract and settling.  I'm surprised I'm not seeing more individuals making the decision to buy with so many great deals available.  The school year has come to a close so hopefully, people will be on the move before the end of summer.  Now with the economic stimulus changes (up to $8000 in tax credits) and low interest rates it will be interesting to see how this all changes.  Overall, there has never been a better time to buy, than right now.

These figures are taken directly from our MRIS system and are believed to be accurate.

Glen Burnie, MD

New Listings       25 (increase of 10 from last week)          

Under Contract     17 (decrease of 4 from last week)

Settled Sales      9 (increase of 5 from last week)

Anne Arundel County

New Listings         172(decrease 17 from last week)         

Under Contract      122 (decrease 11 over last week)

Settled Sales         79 (increase of 22 over last week)

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

The market remains fairly stable despite record low interest rates and improvements in the stock market.  The number of new listings has remained stable we are still seeing a similar number of homes going under contract and settling.  I'm surprised I'm not seeing more individuals making the decision to buy with so many great deals available.  The school year is coming to a close so hopefully, people will be on the move before the end of summer.  Now with the economic stimulus changes (up to $8000 in tax credits) and low interest rates it will be interesting to see how this all changes.  Overall, there has never been a better time to buy, than right now.

These figures are taken directly from our MRIS system and are believed to be accurate.

Glen Burnie, MD

New Listings       15 (No Change from last week)          

Under Contract     21 (decrease of 2 from last week)

Settled Sales      4 (No Change from last week)

Anne Arundel County

New Listings         189(decrease 14 from last week)         

Under Contract      133 (decrease 5 over last week)

Settled Sales         57 (increase of 1 over last week)

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

Coming soon, a great new renovation.  315A Lennox Ave in Towson will be a gorgeous new renovation featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms with a main floor master bedroom with ensuite bath, lovely open floor plan, two bedrooms upstairs with laundry upstairs.  This home will feature hardwood floors throughout, energy star appliances, granite counters, new windows, CAC and so much more. 

This home is conveniently located within walking distance of Goucher College, Towson University and downtown Towson.  This is a quiet historic street.

You won't want to miss this great opportunity, priced at just $259,900.  There's still time to pick your paint colors!!

For more information contact:

June Piper-Brandon, Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.  410-761-1550

There are many reasons for the looky-loos who haven't yet bought their first home to consider investing in their first home right now. 

During the last ten years, the cost of renting a home has increased an average of 3.5% and owning your own home reduces your income tax bill or increases your refund.

In addition, as you pay down your mortgage loan, and as your home increases in value, your equity (The wealth you have in your home) increases.  For most folks their home is their largest financial asset.  The National Association of Realtors estimates that home values go up about 4.5% per year.  And, in these days owning your own home is a much better bet than the volatile stock market. 

So, where do you start?

1.  Start saving now.  It is essential that you save now for the down payment, closing costs and taxes.  Every penny you save will contribute to the long term wealth you build in your home.

2.  Examine Finances.  The next step in the home buying process is to assess and understand your financial status.  Get a credit report and check for errors to prevent problems down the road.  It's also important to make a detailed budget before beginning your search.  Things like ew additions to the family, potential raises at work, or possible layoffs or work slowdowns can really affect income during the next year.  Having a steady income and good employment history can really help you get the best possible rate for your mortgage.

3.  Get pre-approved for a mortgage.  It's a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage before making an offer.  A lender will pre-approve a potential home buyer based on income, debt and credit score.  By getting this early green light, others involved in the process will know that you are serious about home ownership and well qualified.  This stage tells you how much home you can afford.  It can really help how well your transaction goes by using a local lender or mortgage broker, someone you can meet with face to face and really confide in can help you have a much more successful transaction. 

4.  Begin the search online.  First time home buyers should start their searches by using free online resources such as http://www.homesdatabase.com or http://www.realtor.com.  On these sites you can search through a large database containing millions of homes on the market and gain access to the local community data.  Try to narrow your search for homes in a certain location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms that best suit your lifestyle and needs.  Once you have sorted out your must-haves from your wish list, your sales association can better find homes that match your criteria.  When you are ready to as a Realtor for their help, ask your friends and family for referrals and don't be afraid to ask questions.  Find out if the agent is a listing or selling agent, how many first time home buyers they have helped, what area they primarily work in. 

5.  Line up a team of professionals before closing time.  In today's market, buyers have the advantage during the negotiation process.  So make sure you choose a sales associate you trust will help you get the best possible price for a home.  Most first time buyers rely heavily on their Realtor to help identify a team of experienced professionals, such as lawyers or title companies, mortgage lenders and home inspectors.  You should be certain that the sales associate that you choose has local market knowledge and a suitable list of those professionals.

6.  Evaluate Financing Options.  When it comes to down payments and mortgages, if it sounds too good to be true it probablly is.  Read through every aspect of the proposed agreements to fully understand each aspect of the transaction.  Buyers should arm themselves with information and shouldn't be afraid to ask questions.  Ask your realtor for a blank copy of a contract up front so you can become familiar with it before you are ready to write a contract. 

Glen Burnie offers many affordable housing opportunities for those relocating to Ft. Meade and Annapolis.  Glen Burnie is located north on 97 from rt 50 or north on Rt. 2 from Annapolis Naval Academy and east along 32 and north on 97 from Ft. Meade.  It is a relatively easy commute from either base and only a couple short miles from the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station too, as well as being commutable to DC whether you ride the MARC from Odenton or drive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.