Lanette in Bel Air

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 44

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:24:05 -0600

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $2.1 million in real estate was SOLD!

8 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 95
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $257,413

Highest Sales Price - $410,000 (originally listed at 419,500)

19 yr-old Colonial on nearly 1/2 acres
3 Beds/2 Full, 1 Half Bath
102 DOM

Lowest Sales Price - $174,500 (originally listed at $185,000)

18 yr-old Townhouse
2 Beds/1 Bath
164 DOM

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, October 2nd and ending Saturday, October 8th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

I Can Never Get Enough

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:12:23 -0600

O.K., so this is still going on?

All those poor little rich, orphaned, African/Jamaican kids are still desperately seeking naive Americans to help them get their long lost money out of these overseas banks? And for a sweet 20% of the booty, no less?

See below for my latest ActiveRain contact.

I so enjoy the opportunity to expose these grammatically-challenged idiots for the leeches they are.

Puh-leez...

Name:	Bright
Email Address:	msbrightws5@yahoo.fr
Subject:	FROM: MISS BRIGHT WILLIAMS,
IP:	41.207.16.33
Message:	FROM: MISS BRIGHT WILLIAMS, COUNTRY: ABIDJAN, IVORYCOAST MY E-MAIL (msbrightws5@yahoo.fr) DEAREST, I GOT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION THROUGH THIS SITE. AND I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU,HOPING THAT BY ALMIGHTY GOD GRACE YOU WILL SUCCESSFULLY ASSIST ME OUT FROM MY SITUATION AFTER MY SEVEN GOOD DAYS PRAYERS AND FASTING OVER SEEKING FOR AN OVERSEES GUARDANCE . I AM MISS BRIGHT WILLIAMS, (23 YEARS OLD) THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF (LATE CHIEF WILLIAMS O. THOMPSON,) WHO WAS A FAMOUS AND WEALTHY COCOA MERCHANT BASED IN ABIDJAN,THE ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF IVORYCOAST. I AM SEEKING FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION TO HELP ME TRANSFER THE SUM OF (US$10,000,000.00 )TEN MILLION UNITED STATE OF AMERICAN DOLLARS INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT OVERSEAS FOR AN INVESTMENTS PURPOSES,SUCH AS REAL ESTATES MANAGEMENTS AND STOCK MARKERTS. THE FUND WAS DEPOSITED IN FIXED SUSPENCE ACCOUNT PLEASE , I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 20% OUT OF THIS MY TOTAL FUND AS YOUR COMMISSION FOR YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE TO ME.PLEASE KINDLY WRITE IMMEDIATELY FOR MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MY MUTUAL TRANSACTION. YOURS FAITHFULLY, MISS BRIGHT WILLIAMS, NOTE: I HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN RELATION TO THIS MY FUND DEPOSITED BY MY LATE FATHER IN THE BANK. AND ALSO KINDLY REPLY ME ON THIS MY PRIVATE EMAIL ( MY E-MAIL (msbrightws5@yahoo.fr) FOR CONFIDENTIAL AND SECURITY REASONS OK THANKS.)

How NOT To Sell Your Home in Today's Market

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:49:01 -0600

Serving up Green Eggs and Ham to Today's Seller

By Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realtor in Bel Air

It's vicious out there.

And surely you've heard,

It's a Buyer's Market

An idea Sellers find absurd.

Homes are sitting for eons

It's all in the News

Today's 3 inch headline?

SELLERS SINGIN' THE BLUES

Information abounds

On how you CAN sell:

Mow the lawn, rake the leaves,

Fix that pesky door bell.

Paint the rooms, clear the clutter,

Doggycare for Scruffy,

Clean the carpets, lose the pictures

Of Mom, Dad, and Muffy.

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Now along comes a Realtor

With some news of her own.

Giving a new slant

To the home-selling zone

Want to know what to do

To keep your home UNSOLD?

No, yes, you heard right!

The truth needs to be told!

Want to know what to do

To keep your home on the list

Of the hundreds and hundreds

Of homes that get missed?

The never-been-kissed?

Homes of sellers that are pi$$ed?

Indeed, I can tell you how to keep your home ACTIVE

Hire a Realtor who's cheap

Not tech savvy, un-proactive.

Hire a Realtor who refuses

To spend money for marketing or ads.

One who defines the internet

As "just one of those fads".

Hire a Realtor who thinks

A good digital camera's a waste.

One who takes pictures like this

Or like that

With that "thingee" on her waist.

Better yet, why hire a Realtor at all?

Go FSBO, dear seller

Imagine the haul!

Thousands and thousands

Of dollars you'd save.

While you're riding the wave...

And be sure to add on

To the price of your house.

Since you filed divorce papers

Add 20 grand for your spouse.

Since you installed granite counters

You can add 10 grand more.

Never mind the RECENT sales price

Of the house just next door!

The house that's exactly like yours

But now I digress...

Wake up, my dear sellers.

I say all this in jest

So you realize the way

To stand out from the rest.

Hire a Realtor who knows

How to get the job done.

Hire a Realtor who knows

How to move your home, Hon'.

Quick Note to Bel Air Sellers: Don't Believe the Hype!

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:26:40 -0600

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Home Seller,

If you've been following my posts, you should be up on what's going on in Bel Air, real estate-wise.

And if you haven't been following my posts, well, shame on you!

Don't believe the hype that's so prevalent in "The News". Homes are selling and will continue to sell. Why? Because people need shelter and will continue to need shelter. Been that way since, well, since forever.

That's just a given.

So, to quickly synopsize --

Yes, it's a Buyers' Market.
Absolutely, homes are selling in Bel Air and surrounds.
That's correct, over $5 mil in property sold just last week in Bel Air.
Undoubtedly, you must align yourself with a savvy real estate professional who knows what to do to move your home.
Uh huh, it's a whole new world in 2008; it ain't your neighbor's 2006, that's for sure. But, guess what?
No, there's absolutely no need to panic.

So, if you need to sell your home right now...

Don't sit around griping about the market; you need to call me today so we can get started on a unique marketing plan designed just for your unique home. The old standbys of pricing right , staging right , and marketing right haven't failed me yet*. Why do you think they call 'em the old standbys? Relax, I'm on the job. Moving houses is what I do, people!

Regards,

Lanette in Bel Air

*P.S. I've got a few more things in my REALTOR bag that'll get your home sold quickly, too.

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 43

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:02:29 -0600

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $5.4 million in real estate was SOLD!

19 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 91
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $285,258

Highest Sales Price - $485,000

12 yr-old Brick Colonial on 1/3 acres
4 Beds/3 Full Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $125,000

37 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/1 Bath

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, October, 26th and ending Saturday, November 1st for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 42

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:24:40 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $4.3 million in real estate was SOLD!

15 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 156
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $285,653

Highest Sales Price - $510,000

15 yr-old Brick Colonial on 1/2 acres
4 Beds/2 Full, 2 Half Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $132,500

21 yr-old Townhouse
3 Beds/1.5 Baths

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, October, 19th and ending Saturday, October 25th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

He Who Hesitates...

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:22:20 -0500

...loses the bid and loses the property.

I guess "the market" is picking up in my neck of the woods. It's been 2 weeks and I've written 3 different offers for three different buyers. As the saying goes, "third time's the charm", but that has not been the case here in beautiful Bel Air and surrounds. You see, each of my aforementioned 3 buyers were, how should I put it, a day late and a dollar short. None of the 3 buyers' offers were accepted because another buyer (or three) beat us to the punch.

He who hesitates loses.

So, If you're currently in the buying mode and you see a property you really like, do something wild and crazy -- step outside of the box, break through the paradigm...

make an offer on it.

And here's something even crazier -- get that offer in today because when you get around to making your offer tomorrow, that home you really like may be under contract...

with another buyer.

Ask my three buyers.

Anyways, I'm seeing the whole silver lining of it all; the market is turning...

ever so slowly,

yet surely...

and I'm thinking it's a good thing.

Call me if you want to buy or sell in Bel Air. I'm a Realtor!

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 41

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:25:54 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...

a total of $1.1 million in real estate was SOLD!

4 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 286 OUCH!
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $277,750

Highest Sales Price - $325,000

20 yr-old Brick Rancher on 1/4 acres
3 Beds/3 Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $200,000

3 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/2 Full Baths

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, October, 12th and ending Saturday, October 18th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Sad Tale of a Short Sale

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:10:06 -0500

Short Sales are the bane of my existence.

And a pain in my a$$.

Started one early September morn.

Sept 2nd to be exact.

Braced my buyers up front for a loooonnnng wait.

Said they were up for the challenge.

Submitted a Short Sale package to Popular mortgage on behalf of my well-prepped buyers.

Package was complete.

Not the first time around the block for the old broad.

Submitted package directly to the Bank.

Why?

No listing agent.

Savvy seller was a FSBO.

Could not jump high enough for joy.

Feeble attempt at sarcasm above.

Received receipt confirmation from within Bank within 2 weeks.

Checked office fax machine for label a la "Slow boat to China".

Fax machine label read "Made in China".

Left repeated messages w/Bank requesting update.

Bank responded w/message that they were "reviewing file" and they'd make a decision "w/in the week".

Notified Bank of awareness that sale date was set and looming.

Received v-message from Bank that sale date would be postponed so we could hash out a deal.

Left v-message that postponement was appreciated.

Received request from Bank that HUD1 be sent.

Left v-message that HUD1 was included in original package, but hey, sent copy w/in 2 hours of request.

Left v-message requesting confirmation receipt of HUD1.

Confirmation never acknowledged.

Left repeated messages w/Bank requesting update.

How does this tale of woe end?

Foreclosure sale took place October 9th.

Bank got 'er back.

Could not jump high enough for joy.

Yet another feeble attempt at sarcasm.

And another sad tale of a short sale.

Or lack thereof.

Moral of the story:

Left hand (foreclosure) has no friggin' clue what right hand (loss mitigation) is doing.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm done.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 40

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:55:33 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...a total of $3.8 million in real estate was SOLD!

11 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 108
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $347,886

Highest Sales Price - $495,000

8 yr-old Colonial on 1/4 acre
4 Beds/3.5 Baths
10 DOM

Lowest Sales Price - $174,000

18 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/1 Full Baths
164 DOM

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, October, 5th and ending Saturday, October 11thfor zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

$2.00 GAS IN BEL AIR!!

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:58:58 -0500

I don't know how long it's going to last at this price nor do I know what kind of games the Wa-Wa and the 7-Eleven are playing at Conowingo Road and Route 1 in Bel Air, Maryland.

And I don't care.

What does matter right now is that I filled my Pathfinder up for $28 tonight.

She was riding on fumes.

Then I went home and got the Benz and filled her to the brim for $41.

She's been in the garage for some time (being that she only drinks the Moet of gas!), so it was kinda nice to drive her...

Funny thing is, I got a call from my husband who was returning home from a night of poker. He had to do a double take -- probably thought he had one too many Jacks? -- when he saw Wa-Wa's gas at $2.27 and was about to do a U-ey when he noticed the $2.00 7-Eleven gas just across the street. Needless to say, he pulled into the 7-Elven and gave me a call. No sooner had I pulled up and took a pic than the Wa-Wa wised up and changed the price to $2.05.

It was midnight and the atmosphere was alive with electricity....folks snapping pics w/their camera phones, calling family, friends, and neighbors...quite festive for a friday night in Bel Air. Personally, I felt like I'd just hit the lottery.

Ya'll better get on over to the 7-Eleven and get some $2 gas before they come to their senses in the morning.

Who Moved My Cheese?

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:46:25 -0500

If you have not yet read the book, Who Moved My Cheese?, do yourself a favor and get a copy.

In a nutshell, the book does a great job of using a fable, involving mice and cheese, to get across its point.

The point is that change is inevitable and the "smart mice" learn to adapt and subsequently thrive in an ever-changing atmosphere.

I read this book many years ago, more years than I care to remember, when I was one of the many "corporate mice" running on what seemed like an endless treadmill. That was another lifetime ago. However, when I logged onto ActiveRain this morning, I immediately thought of the book.

Why?

Because someone moved my damn cheese.

Again.

No more time to write this post; I've got to find my cheese.

I'm sure it'll be right next to the BLOGS button.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The author is a cheese lover and Realtor based in Bel Air, Maryland. She'd like to thank the AR gods for keeping her on her toes.

Bel Air, MD Housing Market Report: 3rd Quarter 2008 vs. 2007

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:33:43 -0500

This past quarter in Bel Air...

$64.4 million in real estate was SOLD

194 Homes
$331,986 average sales price
121 DOM*

Last year during the same time frame (July, August, September)...

$82.4 million in real estate SOLD

247 Homes
$333,521 average sales price
84 DOM*

Quick Summary:

On average, homes are staying on the market about a month longer than last year - 31%
21% less homes were sold this year vs. last year
There was a negligible change in average sales price - less than 1%

*Days on the market

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I know Bel Air, Maryland and surrounds. So, if you're interested in buying or selling, I'm listening.

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage - BEL AIR

Good Morning, World!: Ramblings From Bel Air

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:21:29 -0500

Good Morning, World!

Good Morning, America!

Good Morning, Maryland!

Good Morning, Harford County!

Good Morning, Bel Air!

Woke up this morning and felt something in the air. Not talking about the chill...41 degrees...brrrr!

Talking about the electricity. Can you feel it?

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

Don't care about The News. Life does not revolve around the dismal reports of the housing market axis...at least mine doesn't. It revolves around family, friends, and faith.

So, when I kissed my daughters goodbye at the bus stop this morning and we did our little hand wave ritual, I knew today would be a day like no other.

It's a new day and I'm ready to roll.

How about you?

Buyer Tip: Bring Certified Funds to Your Closing

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:53:43 -0500

The MAR (Maryland Association of Realtors) recently updated its Residential Contract of sale and I've already gone awry; the revised contract was effective October 1st and I've had to re-write a couple that were in process.

Although there were several notable changes, one item remained the same. It's on the very first page, regarding the balance of the sales price (minus deposit(s)) being paid at the settlement table by means of certified check, wired funds, bank funds, or just plain ole cash. I'm paraphrasing.

Interesting that this one is clearly stated and unchanged. Perhaps others have experienced a buyer arriving at the closing table without certified funds? It never really stood out to me before recently. I must admit, I've been helping Marylanders buy and sell real estate for many-a-year and this was the first year that I (and my seller) sat at the table waiting patiently for the buyer and her agent (who were significantly late BTW) to arrive only to have the buyer exclaim -

"I'll be right back. I have to go to the Wachovia around the corner."

I kid you not.

Granted, to fully explain how we all got here (me at the settlement table with my mouth hanging open), I'd need to take a very convoluted path, indeed (and you know how I endeavor to keep it short, sweet, and to the point-LOL!) -- but the bottom line is, up until an hour before settlement, the buyer had no idea that certified funds were needed to settle on her home that day.

So, I'll throw this one out to you guys -- Who do you think is responsible for this oversight? The buyer, her agent, the lender...it's your call.

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 39

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:56:28 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...a total of $5.1 million in real estate was SOLD!

17 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 136
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $302,305

Highest Sales Price - $505,000

13 yr-old Brick-Front Colonial on 1/4 acre
4 Beds/3.5 Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $187,500

7 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/2 Full Baths

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, September, 28th and ending Saturday, October 4th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Bel Air, MD REO Market Report?

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:14:33 -0500

Is there a rule that I don't know about regarding marketing REOs?

I have not seen one REO marketed with a virtual tour.

I have yet to see more than 1 photo on an REO in the MLS.

Many REOs have no picture in the MLS at all.

Many REOs have little more in the comments field than "bank-owned" or something to that effect.

I can't remember the last time I saw a complete listing in the MLS. Many REOs have no rooms at all and/or no heating/air systems if you rely on the info (or lack thereof) provided in the MLS by the listing agent.

Is this some unwritten rule of marketing REOs that I know nothing about? If so, please school me.

Perhaps the listing agents of these foreclosed properties feel that there is no need to spend marketing dollars, time, or effort since they know they're going to get the listing regardless. They appear pretty confident in the gravy deal they have in place with the banks' asset managers.

Maybe the bank spells out very clearly in their paperwork to the listing agent that there will be absolutely no more than 1 photo used in marketing of the property (and preferably no photos at all...)?

Could it be that it's extremely difficult to take a photo of a listing you haven't ever physically set foot in. Interesting factoid: none of the listing agents of the REOs my buyers bought this year had ever even seen the properties in person.

I understand that buying a bank-owned/REO/Foreclosure properties is strictly an AS IS-WHERE IS type of deal, but, dang...

I'm just wondering why the listing agents don't seem to be concerned with doing whatever is needed to actually SELL the listing?

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Call me to buy or sell in Bel Air

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty - Bel Air

Harford Glen: An Environmental Gem in Our Own Backyard

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:07:24 -0500

Harford County Schools are awesome.

O.K. so I'm a little biased since both of my girls are enrolled in Harford County Schools. Did I mention how pleased I was w/the full-day Kindergarten?

I just found out that my 10 yr-old will take part in the 5th grade outdoor environmental education program held at Harford Glen in November.

Harford Glen Environmental Education Center is conveniently located in Bel Air, Maryland just off Route 24 at the end of Wheel Road. The program's mission is nicely summarized in just one sentence found in their literature sent home to parents:

Using the theme of Environmental Stewardship, fifth graders learn about the world they live in and their role in protecting, conserving and improving natural resources.

Who knew?

We had the opportunity as a family to go to the orientation on-site and we're all just too excited now. Syd's especially excited because it's a residential program and she'll be sleeping in one of the many lodges, away from home, with all the other 5th-graders (the upper classmen!), for a couple days. Their teacher gets to camp out w/them and they're in class each of those 3 1/2 days just like regular school.

While exploring the grounds, we checked out the lodges. They reminded me of military barracks with rows of neatly arranged bunk beds. We explored the grounds. There's a stone-covered mansion house where the offices are currently located. There are campsites all around. Check out that pic of the cool half-buried shed.

We saw the themed classrooms, each dedicated to a different learning area of the environment, where the students will be during a good portion of the day. We gathered in the dining hall where the students will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks each day.

Amazingly, the only expense to the students/family is the cost of meals, and that's just the nominal amount charged by Harford County Schools for breakfast and lunch.

I was impressed w/the experience that awaits my 5th grader.

Wait until she realizes there's no TV, Wii, Nintendo DS, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, backyard trampoline, Webkinz.com, Club Penguin, Mp3 player, 5 Below , piano lesson w/Ms. Basham, basketball practice, or manicures for nearly 4 days!

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The author is a proud resident of Harford County and would love to help you find the perfect home in or around Bel Air (located in the Harford County School district!) for your family. Call me, I'm...

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage - Bel Air

Back to Basics: The Local Credit Union

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:53:29 -0500

I've always felt this way and now I have the facts and figures to back it up.

I've been banking with a Credit Union for eons. I opened my first checking account at 16 when I started a part-time job as a Pinkie at Maryland General Hospital.

Now, those were the days. Was I was rolling in the dough, or what? Making $6.25/hour and not a care in the world (read; bills!), I bought all the AVON I could fit into my room; Sweet Honesty was my signature fragrance back in the day. I was queen of the designer jeans, jordache, sergio valente, sassoon....but, I digress.

And yes, I do know I'm dating myself, because I don't think you can open a checking account today if you're under 18, right?

Anyways, my point is that I've always been partial to Credit Unions and because of that, I've kept my same account active since I first opened it more than 20 years ago.

My primary reason has been that I like banking there. They're a friendlier bunch and I don't feel like just an account number there. Although I still need to present ID w/each and every transaction (cause it's the CU law, and I'm O.K. w/that), they know me there. They know me and they know my girls -- the girls who are always hanging out of my SUV like Pavlovian dogs waiting for those lollipops to miraculously (still!) emmerge from that little glass enclosure thingee...oops, fodder for another post.

I also love my Credit Union because it costs me less to bank there than at a bank.

Case in point, when I lost my mind for a minute and opened a secondary account at a bank some years ago, I had the misfortune of bouncing a check (or two, or three...). Man, was I in for one heck of a ride! The fees were (for lack of a more descriptive word) hilarious. I paid them and closed that bank account quick, fast, and in a hurry.

Additionally, Credit Union rates on car loans, CDs, mortgages are generally more competitive than other lenders.

In other words, Credit Unions are looking mighty good right about now, don't you think?

Well, I do, and here's why:

Credit Unions are member-owned and not-for-profit institutions. They exist to serve their membership, not to make a quick buck from shoving "creatively-structured" loans down their members' throats. Whoa, Nellie!

Credit Unions are (and continued to be during the mortgage/housing heyday) more conservative than other lenders (huh? I need a job to get a mortgage?!) and keep a greater percentage of their loans in-house vs. selling them on the secondary market to Fannie and Freddie. We're talking upwards of 70%!

And so, what have we seen in the first couple months of this year?

Mortgages at Credit Unions grew faster than all other loans -- at a time when mortgage losses have forced other lenders to significantly scale back or close their doors entirely.

Hmmm...I knew it all along and I'm loving my Credit Union right about now.

Looking to buy or sell in Bel Air or surrounds? Visit your local Credit Union for a pre-approval, then contact me so we can get started.

Lanette Branch, Realtor with RE/MAX 1st Advantage Bel Air

It's a pleasure to be of service.

1st-Time Home Buyer - There's Nothing Quite Like It

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:54:17 -0500

Just closed with another 1st-timer and it was an emotional moment for everyone concerned.

It was a first time for me too -- the first time a buyer cried at the closing table. I got a little misty myself. I've been working with this buyer, a single mom of 3, for well over a year.

The tears shed were definiely tears of joy. We all came to the realization (at about the same time?) that she actually did it. She purchased her first home and she got a great price (thanks to her grrrreat Realtor - ME!) and she got some substantial seller help and she got an affordable mortgage to boot.

How great is that?

If you're looking for your own special deal in Bel Air, MD and surrounds, you need to drop by my place to search for deals or drop me a line. It's a pleasure to be of service. I'm...

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage - Bel Air

Enough Already! - Time To Pay The Piper

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:57:27 -0500

I have had it up to here with the grade-school antics of Congress. Pass a damn bill that bails out the Wall Street dumb @$$#$ and pass it this year. The bubble has burst; our economy has been coasting along far too long with not much substance to sustain itself and now we've got to pay the piper.

What's the problem? She's a Democrat, he's a Republican, and your great aunt's best friend's neice is a Scallywag...who the hell cares!

This has gotten real old real fast and ya'll congressmen and women better poop now or get off the pot. That ole "lack of bipartisanship" crapola parading as an excuse has gone the way of housing prices and, at this point, what the citizens of the US need from you is for you to do your job. Remember when you told us -- the taxpayers, the voters, the average Joes and Janes -- that you could do the job better than the other guy? Remember when you were campaigning so diligently to get the job? Remember that?

It's all rather simple and anyone with a little common sense could figure out what needs to be done. So, get it together and do what you supposedly do best -- legislate.

I'm done.

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 38

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:04:25 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland...

12 Houses SOLD
Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 66
Average Sales Price for houses sold - $273,825

Highest Sales Price - $425,000

23 yr-old Brick Colonial on 1/3 acre
4 Beds/3.5 Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $155,000

16 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/2 Full Baths

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, September, 21st and ending Saturday, September 27th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Time To Get Your Grub On

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:06:01 -0500

Bel Air, MD/Sept. 21, 2008

Red Robin, the restaurant, officially opens to the public TOMORROW.

The restaurant is in located in the Harford Mall on Business Route 1/Baltimore Pike and Rte. 24 in Bel Air, MD and is in the same spot where Cactus Willies used to be. It was a sad day when ole Cactus Willies closed up shop earlier this year on Mother's Day. My girls loved the create-your-own-sundae bar. Aaaah, good times....

Anyways, check out my previous post on the upcoming Red Robin opening, then meet me there for lunch tomorrow!

Wanna find out about more things to do, places to go, people to see in Bel Air? Call me! I'm...

Lanette Branch, RE/MAX 1st Advantage - Bel Air, MD

Bel Air Market Snapshot: Week 37

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:53:33 -0500

Last week in Bel Air, Maryland

3 Houses SOLD

Average Days on the Market (DOM) for houses sold - 179

Average Sales Price for houses sold - $240,333

Highest Sales Price - $270,000

19 yr-old Brick Townhouse w/attached 1-car garage
3 Beds/2Full, 2 Half Baths

Lowest Sales Price - $215,000

55 yr-old Rancher on 1/2 acre lot
3 Beds/2 Full Baths

Above data is for week beginning Sunday, September, 14th and ending Saturday, September 20th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.

Interested in more info. on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.

Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

My New Best Friend

Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR (RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:09:17 -0500

...is Steve at Shore Thing Title.

He actually introduced himself to me as my new best friend. I had never seen him before and he comes into my office bearing gifts. Actually it was a commission check from a settlement he conducted the night before -- a settlement I was unable to attend (don't get me started on the reason for that!) w/my buyers. It was the second settlement, the second leg, actually, of a triple dip (you gotta love those).

Anyways here he comes into the office and declares that he's my new best friend and that i should keep that in mind.

Steve's the owner of Shore Thing Title based in Towson, Maryland and he's been incredible in getting us to the closing table when we did on this one particular bank-owned (don't get me started on REOs!) house.

So, we chat for a minute and he leaves.

I'll be darned if he didn't call me about 3 hours later to give me the contact info for a couple (good friends of his, actually) that was looking for a good Realtor. "I have just the lady for you," he tells me he told them and ",she'll be calling you soon."

Oh, I called them alright and now I'm looking at a double dip (you gotta love those) -- a listing and a sale (just waiting on the call from the l/a to say we're in like Flynn?).

I just met the man, for goodness sake!

Life's good for me and my new best friend.