Jesse Barron's Anne Arundel County, MD Real Estate Blog

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:53:20 -0500

It's that time of the year again: The Maryland Renaissance Festival

Since opening in 1977, the Maryland Renaissance Festival has grown into a large show with more than 1,300 participants and more than 280,000 visitors per season.

This year, the story is "Line is His Rose without a Thorn Revel Grove, Oxfordshire, England."

In addition to its great performers and shows, visitors enjoy the food. Giant turkey legs are a favorite of many.

There are plenty of shopping to be done. Visitors can purchase pottery, sandcasting, wood furniture, leather goods, jewelry, period costumes, blown glass, sculptures, quilts, masks, armor, musical instruments and much more!

Gate prices are $18.00 for adults, $8.00 for children ages 7 to 15 and $15.00 for seniors.

The 2008 Maryland Renaissance Festival Schedule is:

August 23, 24, 30, 31
September 1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19

Gates are open from 10 AM to 7 PM, rain or shine.

If you have never been to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, here are some pics from previous festivals.

It the festival is located at Renaissance Festival Field, 1821 Crownsville Road, Crownsville, MD 21032

More information is available at the Maryland Renaissance Festival Web site or by calling 1-800-296-7304.

Neighborhood Real Estate Trends

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:42:37 -0500

These days, it seems like the media is bombarding us all with real estate stories. Depending on what you read or watch, the news is usually based on regional or national statistics.

Do you know the stats for the homes surrounding your Annapolis home?

If not, now you can!

Our free Market Snapshot allows you to enter your address and receive reports by email that show a wealth of information about Annapolis homes, including:

Addresses of Annapolis homes for sale and those that have sold.
List and sold prices for Annapolis homes.
Days on market
Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage of most homes
Lowest, highest, average and median prices
Asking vs. sales prices
Numbers, charts and so much more!

Here is an example of the free Barron Team Market Snapshot.

It is a truly interactive report. This Annapolis real estate agent won't even make you call or meet me to obtain this info -- it will be delivered to your in box at the intervals you choose when signing up. While you do have to provide your email address to receive the reports, providing your phone number is optional.

Other than the occasional email, I promise not to be a pest.

Don't live in Annapolis? The free Barron Team Market Snapshot covers most of Maryland, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and West Virginia. If you are in any of these areas, feel free to sign up!

Go ahead and sign up so you can be the first to know what is going on in your neighborhood!

No Vacation For You, Mr./Ms. REALTOR®

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:16:39 -0500

I've been reading quite a few posts on Active Rain about members planning to go away for vacation during this slow time only to discover that their phone begins to ring off the hook.

ATTN: ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS -- DO NOT TAKE A VACATION!

It is raining money -- for both you and buyers!

You see, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are doing away with down payment assistance. There are a lot of buyers who were sitting on the sidelines wondering when to jump into the market. Many are seeing that time as NOW!

You should be spending every extra minute marketing to these potential buyers. Flyers, letters to editors, Active Rain posts, seminars, visiting churches or doing anything else you can to get the word out.

Now is your opportunity to turn a lackluster year into a phenomenal year -- you probably will not have such an amazing opportunity again in 2008. Make the most of it!

Congress is taking a huge step by eliminating down payment assistance and now is your chance to do something huge for buyers and your business!

You have a small window to help as many people as possible. You have the rest of your life to take a vacation.

From now until the end of September, you have a THE PERFECT REASON to encourage people to jump into the real estate game.

DO NOT let this opportunity pass you by!

Buyers who are not aware that down payment assistance is going away -- but learn from you and buy a home through you -- may very likely become clients for life. Even if they decide not to buy now, they may remember you as the agent who tried to help them! If they do buy, they will appreciate the money you were able to sit in their laps. Money that will no longer be available in less than six weeks.

'Knowledgable' is a trait many look for in their REALTOR® and you will surely show how knowledable you actually are by informing prospects of the looming deadline.

If you make the most of it, you will have more money to take an even better vacation later this fall!

Turn what will be a bad situation (elimination of down payment assistance) into a win/win situation right now by helping those who need it!

Obama Has Chosen a VP Running Mate!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:55:07 -0500

Obama announced today that he has chosen someone to run beside him for the VP slot in November's elections.

Unfortuntely, we do not know who is running mate will be -- although I am certain there will be a lot of speculation up to the actual announcement.

Obama decided to let it be known that he has chosen a running mate to a group of reporters outside Virginia Favorites Ltd. (a peanut and gift shop) in Emporia, VA.

The best part? The chosen candidate may not even know yet! Obama would not confirm or deny whether he has informed his running mate of the decision.

Will it be Hillary? We will have to wait and see. There has been no word on when he'll make the actual announcement.

I can tell you that it is not Dick Cheney.

Source: Oh, Come on Already!

I want a deal too! - DPAs out early! - Commercial refi's

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:38:04 -0500

Paul Luykx is reporting that a lot of lenders are following Fannie and Freddie's lead by eliminating down payment assistance -- except they are doing it sooner!

By the sound of things, if you wish to buy a home using downpayment assistance, you need to get your application in now!

Via Paul Luykx:

Horrific is a fitting term for the current state of affairs in Mortgage Land. The Fannie-Freddie meltdown and continuing real estate malaise are still making things worse. Zero down opportunities are disappearing in advance of the Sep 30 deadline (which is why I am releasing the newsletter early this week). And now commercial financing is mimicking what residential has done over the last 12 months.  Most of us are by nature optimists who believe that the future will soon again replicate a glorious past, or at least the way it was a just a few months ago. Don't count on it! If you need to finance or refinance, do it sooner, rather than later! Go here for an online quote request .... Paul

Rates lower on continued weakness in housing

"Even with the current historically affordable mortgage rates, news continues to show signs of weakening in the housing sector," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "For example, housing starts fell to 0.965 million units (annualized) in July, the slowest pace since March 1991. As a result, homebuilder confidence remained at an all-time record low in August since the series began in January 1985. Freddy Mac rate surveys
1-3 week trend: Flat  21+ days: Flat Market commentary

DPA ALERT - Zero down possibilities evaporating!!

Exactly as I feared, lenders are stopping DPA (Down Payment Assistance) deals, some now stipulating that applications must be in by August 31st - next week! (as opposed to having the DPA approved before Sept 30th, with funding at any time thereafter). Your opportunity to purchase with zero down can be gone any time! If you have one, act now! Call me any time for lightning speed service.

Luxury condo crisis
The once untouchable part of the NY state retail market is now feeling the credit crunch, with Alex Frangos, The Wall Street Journal reporter. Watch video

Dear FDIC: I want a better mortgage too!

In real estate you typically see cycles between buyer's markets and seller's markets. But the credit crunch has brought a new term to the forefront: a borrower's market.

Don't procrastinate on applying for a commercial loan

The chairman of Cambridge Realty Capital Cos., said given the current environment, it is unlikely rates for commercial real estate loans will move any lower and he advises borrowers against procrastinating. Read more

_________________________

All experience is an arch, to build upon.
(Henry B. Adams)

Annapolis Waterfront Living - Your Own Private Paradise

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:02:46 -0500

Imagine waking up every summer morning to the sun filling your bedroom and just the perfect breeze flowing through the room. You look out to see your boat, waiting for you, your family or friends later in the day. The water is glistening. You are in paradise.

For the lucky few, that is a reality when living on the Annapolis waterfront. Backyard cookout’s are made more fun with swimming, jet skis and other water activities. Many of those cookout’s may end with the perfect evening of sailing or power boating out on the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay or one of its connecting rivers.

The Annapolis waterfront offers homeowners endless activities, many involving water. Bonding with a child seems that much easier when sitting out on the pier on a lazy day, crabbing or fishing. Even your dog loves it – being thrown a stick and getting to dive into the water to retrieve it.

Laughter is usually found in abundance, bouncing off the water. Your house is where everyone wants to gather to create lifelong memories. Day quickly becomes night as the good time continues. Later, your guests go home with a giant smile on their face, all asking when everyone will be getting together again.

The Annapolis waterfront is an amazing escape. It makes life seem that much more perfect. You may never want to leave home!

Are you thinking of buying or selling on the Annapolis waterfront? Give me a call at (443) 875-8224 or send me an email. Be sure to visit my web site to search for Annapolis waterfront homes for sale or learn about the different Annapolis waterfront neighborhoods.

If you are planning a move to the Annapolis waterfront, I will help you find your own private paradise.

If you are selling, I understand how difficult it will be to leave your own slice of heaven behind and will help make the process as stress free as possible.

I look forward to helping you lay the foundation of your dream!

PS Please be sure to check out my Annapolis Homes and Happenings blog!

Google Already Loves my New Blog!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:26:32 -0500

Less than a month ago, on July 31st, I started publishing my newest blog, Annapolis Homes and Happenings. The purpose of this blog is to bring relevant information to those living in or interested in Annapolis, Maryland (and surrounding towns).

I scour the news for interesting things to post about, prepare and publish market updates, post listings, let readers know about upcoming events, business openings and closings, and much more.

Usually, it takes a while for Google to give any preference to my newer projects.

However, with www.sweethomeannapolis.com, Google is loving most of what I write and ranking it very highly (first page) in SERPs for many keywords less than a month in.

I use TypePad to publish the blog, which allows me to setup a Google Sitemap. Google usually sandboxes anything that I start and then publishes it lower in SERPs and eventually higher. Perhaps the sitemap, which interacts directly with Google, helps in getting out of the sandbox quicker?

What are your thoughts on Google Sitemaps and whether they help you win favor quicker with Google?

FDIC & IndyMac Loan Modifications

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:43:24 -0500

The FDIC has announced that many IndyMac borrowers will be permitted to modify their loans in order to avoid foreclosure.

This is in line with the federal governments plan to avoid as many foreclosures as possible. The FDIC is currently running IndyMac, which it took over, while seeking a suitable buyer.

IndyMac borrowers who find themselves in trouble may be able to obtain a lower-priced, fixed-rate loan.

This week, IndyMac plans to send out 4,000 loan modification offers to borrowers, as well as thousands of additional proposals in the future.

The FDIC hopes that 25,000 or more borrowers will be helped by the announced plan.

Alt-A borrowers, those who obtained ARM's through stated incomes, small downpayments or not having to prove their assets may also be able to seek help.

To receive help, the mortgage must be on the borrowers primary residence.

If you are an IndyMac borrower and deliquent on your mortgage, you should call 1-800-781-7399, go to the IndyMac web site, or the FDIC web site.

Annapolis, MD Ranks 13th Place Nationally as Art Destination

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:30:55 -0500

AmericanStyle magazine (sidenote: the publisher used to be one of my clients in a previous profession) ranked Annapolis, Maryland as a top destination for art.

Currently ranked 13th, Annapolis has moved up one place from last year (14th in 2007) and way up from 21st place in 2006. The ranking is determined by readers.

The annual poll asks readers of AmericanStyle to rank the best small cities for art collectors and gallery patrons.

Santa Fe, NM ranked first and Asheville, NC ranked second. Cumberland, Maryland was the only other Maryland small city/town to make the national list.

This is just further proof that Annapolis is a great place to live or visit!

What are your thoughts on representing an immediate family member?

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:55:32 -0500

In 2005, my mother decided to purchase a condo. She had been a renter ever since my parents divorced a dozen years prior.

Naturally, she turned to me.

All in all, it was a great experience. I do remember one phone conversation turning into a shouting match and ending with us crying and apologizing to each other (for the record, other than that one time, I have never shouted at a client and I am also not aware of my mother ever shouting at a service provider other than me). Not only was a big step for her, which naturally stressed her, I was stressed from seeing my mother stressed.

Simply, I was emotionally attached to the transaction. It was my mother, I could not help it...and we both expected it from the beginning. I warned her beforehand that since my client was my mother, things would likely be different than if it were any other transaction.

She is an amazing woman and means the world to me. Sometimes though, we are too much alike and it causes conflict. I cannot count how many times we've gotten into a friendly argument over something only to realize at the end that we are both arguing the same point. Not only is she my mother, she is also one of my best friends. To say I put her on a pedestal would be an understatement.

I've heard many times that you should not work with family (whether in a business, representing them or having them represent you).

I strongly disagree. The condo she decided to purchase was the third one she saw. Knowing her so well, she didn't even really have to tell me what she was looking for -- I already knew. Although I let her make the decision, we both felt the same way about the first two places. Upon walking into the third place, we both knew it was home for her.

It was both a difficult transaction and one of the easiest I've had (if that makes any sense).

If she ever wanted to move, I would surely help her sell the current condo and find a new home.

The only downside I see is that it is a more "raw" relationship -- meaning nobody holds back when they probably otherwise would.

What are your thoughts on working with family?

Mortgage Plan for the U.S. Government

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:59:20 -0500

To say I am busy would be an understatement. One of my clients, an asset manager in CA, said "it's because they are doing away with seller downpayment assistance" and everyone that was sitting on the sidelines have decided that they have to jump in.

I feel pretty stupid for not thinking of that myself.

However, I feel smart for devising the course of action (I am sure others have, too) that the U.S. Government should take:

Around September 25, pass emergency legislation stating that downpayment assistance is good for the housing market and that it will remain an option for government backed loans.
Wait for the market to slow down.
The U.S. Government passes legislation that says they will be taking away the down payment assistance option in three to four months.
Watch the market pickup (again).
Change their minds again and say it's good for the market.
Repeat until we catch on.

I would think that we can sell an extra 500,000 to a million homes by doing this. It would do wonders for the glut of foreclosed homes on the market, which is dragging down many markets in general.

Solution to my Biggest Problem: VoiceCloud

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:28:23 -0500

Lately, my voicemail always fills up as quickly as I clean it out.

I hate to admit it, but lately I feel like I've become one of those REO agents everyone complains about. Luckily, it only lasted a week, the length of a typical vacation. We all "fall down" every once in awhile, right? Can everyone reassure me here, please?

I actually enjoy talking on the phone, but these days, clients, prospects, other agents and anyone else who calls has gotten the "we're sorry, this voicemail box is full" message when calling my cell. I hate when someones voicemail is full, and I am certain that I've upset many people with persistent voicemail box full messages.

Tonight I set out to find a solution, and I found it in VoiceCloud.

For just $19.95/mo. all calls going to voicemail on my cell phone are routed to VoiceCloud. VoiceCloud records the message, transcribes it in near real-time and forwards it to my email with the message typed out in the body of the email and an MP3 attached with the actual audio file.

The shear volume of the calls is not too much -- call management was my problem. I was notorious for saving important messages -- that took away critical space for others to leave messages, which will no longer be a problem with VoiceCloud, which has no limits.

This will help me in many ways as I am someone who is devoted to one-on-one attention. I do not believe in answering my phone when I am in front of and talking with someone else. I very rarely ask someone to hold so that I can take another phone call coming in. I think it is semi-rude (almost as rude as letting your voicemail fill up...LOL).

However, there are times when I have 7 voice mails that I plan on returning later when I get a call that I think has an important voicemail along with it. Now, rather than running through all of them and hitting save to get to the one I need to immediately address, I can check my phone for the email and read the text. If need be, I can play the MP3 on my phone.

I am also going to be better able to prioritize phone calls. A voicemail from an agent informing me that one of my listings has been broken into is much more important than an agent who will be showing a listing tomorrow and wants to know if there are any other offers. Yes, the second agent's phone call is important, but more important is securing that home for my client.

For agents that do not have email to phone capabilities, VoiceCloud optionally sends a SMS text to the subscribers cell phone with the transcribed voice message.

I am now happy to report that nobody will ever encounter a "sorry, this mailbox is full" message when calling my cell -- EVER! With so many of my listings going into contract (about 9 or 40%) in the last two weeks, I have been much busier than I usually am and I would be lying if I said I've been easily accessible.

However, now that I have found a solution to the problem (that's what life is all about, right?), I am comfortable talking about how horrible I've felt knowing people have repeatedly gotten that dreaded full mailbox message.

Now I just need to finish catching on email (this blog entry was a much needed break from doing so) -- the one thing I am usually always on top of.

Everyone with a cell phone can benefit from VoiceCloud. They even offer a free 7 day trial -- give it a try!

PS I am still looking for a great agent to join The Barron Team! Having an additional team member will be a great help! In the meantime, now that I've found a solution to my biggest problem, I can return to being a star agent! ;)

PPS I've also listened to all of the people that say you should "time block." My voicemail greeting now indicates that I try to make myself available for phone calls Monday through Saturday, from 2 PM to 7 PM and that I will also be returning calls during those times. That way, I can manage the expectations of the caller rather than leaving them wondering when/if I will be calling them back.

Edit: I just thought of another two great uses! Now, I can print out the transcipt of a voicemail message for my files. Also, I can save every email I receive and have a permanent record of that voice recording. With the $19.95/mo. plan, VoiceCloud will save your messages as long as you like...but I also like the idea of having them in my Outlook forever! As we all know, maintaing thorough and complete records in real estate is a very important thing!

Finally, VoiceCloud lets you search your messages by text strings on their site, so if somebody says "I left you three voice mails" and I know they actually haven't...I can now prove it to myself so I won't beat myself over it! :)

BGE Customers to Receive $170 Credit

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:41:27 -0500

BGE customers, who are now only used to seeing their bills go up, will get a chance to see their bill go down next month -- by $170.

This is a one-time settlement reached at the end of the last General Assembly. It was settled to resolved years of litigation.

The seemingly ever-increasing rates has struck BGE customers hard -- 15,000 customers have had their power turned off between January and June.

Those fortunate enough to have a bill that is less than $170 will see the credit continued to be applied until it is used up.

Budget billing customers will receive the discount a little differently, but will still receive the $170 discount, spread over months beginning in September until the entire discount is applied.

Source: "BGE ratepayers get $170 discount" [The Capital, August 15, 2008]

New "Ask Jesse" Feature

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:59:34 -0500

I get asked a lot of questions. Luckily for me, answering questions is one of my favorite activities. Most of the time, it gives me an opportunity to shine (I am a news junkie and it is always great when it pays off) -- sometimes, it leaves me embarrassed for not knowing about something. I am [usually] the first to admit when I do not know something and always promise to get back with the answer.

Over at talk.realtor.com, I notice a lot of blog entries based on questions that were posed to the authors. Tonight, it dawned on me that a "Ask Jesse" feature at Annapolis Homes and Happenings would be a great interactive addition. I only recently launched that newest blog and it is already getting a lot of visitors through search engines. My goal is to make the site "sticky" through author/reader interaction.

While it would not surprise me if some agents make up questions to ask themselves, I'd like to field some legit questions from actual readers! :)

If you have a question of me, please head over the the new Ask Jesse feature on my Annapolis Homes and Happenings blog.

Fellow Active Rain Members: I also welcome questions from you over on the new blog. I know you're dying to ask "boxer or briefs," but I'll go ahead and answer that now: NEITHER! Wait, maybe the answer would be: BOTH! (boxer briefs) As they say, I like to have my cake and eat it, too. :)

Annapolis, Maryland Luxury Waterfront Homes for Sale, Listed at $1,000,000+ as of 8/13/08

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:46:24 -0500

As of August 13, 2008, there are 82 waterfront homes for sale in Annapolis, Maryland, ranging in price from $1,099,990 for a 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath Annapolis waterfront home in St. Margarets Farm up to a 5 bedroom, 6 1/2 bath Annapolis waterfront home in Stonewater Estate for sale at $11,600,000.

Click here to view a list in Microsoft Word document of Annapolis Waterfront Luxury Homes for Sale Listed at $1,000,000+.

The Annapolis, Maryland waterfront homes for sale list includes the MLS number, street address, list price, bedrooms, full baths, half baths, levels, fireplaces, garage, basement, acreage, age, days on market, subdivision and type of home.

If you are interested in any of these beautiful Annapolis waterfront luxury home listings, please contact Jesse Barron of The Barron Team with Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC for a more detailed MLS sheet.

Millersville Maryland Real Estate Market Update for July, 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:12:31 -0500

MRIS, the MLS covering most of Maryland, has released the real estate statistics for Millersville, Maryland for the month of July, 2008.

To help readers better "visualize" the real estate market, we take the raw numbers and turn them into a chart.

Please click on chart to enlarge.

Millersville, Maryland had the average list and sold prices for July, 2008:

Millersville, Maryland had an average of 204 days on market for homes that have sold, which is the longest average days on market in the last 2+ years:

If you would like to receive market statistics for your particular zip code, please contact Jesse Barron of The Barron Team with Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC.

Davidsonville, Maryland Real Estate Market Update for July, 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:06:54 -0500

MRIS, the MLS covering most of Maryland has released real estate statistics for July, 2008.

Below are the stats for Davidsonville (21035), Maryland.

To help our readers better understand the local real estate market, we take the raw monthly numbers and chart them -- showing you where the real estate market has been over the previous 2 years.

Please click on charts to enlarge.

Davidsonville, Maryland average list vs. sold price for sold homes:

Davidsonville, Maryland Average Days on Market for Homes Sold:

Please contact Jesse Barron with The Barron Team to learn about your particular zip code.

Anne Arundel County Real Estate Market Update, July 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:59:58 -0500

MRIS, the MLS covering most of Maryland, has released monthly real estate statistics for the month of July, 2008.

To help our readers better visualize the local real estate market, we convert the monthly raw numbers into chart format.

Please click on any chart to enlarge.

For statistics for your particular zip code, please contact The Barron Team or sign up for our free instant market snapshot on our Web site.

Barron Team Maryland REO Listings

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:40:56 -0500

The Barron Team is proud to present the following REO listings:

7914 Myers Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

352 Thelma Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

771 Heather Stone Loop, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

102 Stonestep Court, Millersville, MD 21108

4138 6th Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225

5103 Greenhill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206

6415 Liberty Road, Gwynn Oak, MD 21207

5 Highfield Court, Cockeysville, MD 21030

8146 Boundary Road, Dundalk, MD 21222

37 Cavan Green, Nottingham, MD 21236

6240 Ranier Drive, Frederick, MD 21703

1723 Heather Lane, Frederick, MD 21702

12615 Water Fowl Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Please click on the property above to learn more about the listing, as well as the current price.

Please contact Jesse Barron of The Barron Team with Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC to learn about any of our featured REO listings above.

Anne Arundel County Home Sales Drop 31.6% in July, 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:41:24 -0500

MRIS, the MLS for much of Maryland, has released market statistics for July, 2008.

Anne Arundel County home sales were down 31.6% in July, 2008 when compared to July, 2007. This is the seventh consecutive month of double digit declines. In July, 2008, there were 411 homes purchased in Anne Arundel County, compared with 601 homes in July, 2007.

Eight of my listings went under contract late last month and early this month -- it will be intersting to see how my own business aligns with sales numbers for August and September, when those purchases will be closing.

Please keep an eye out on this blog for updated statistics and charts for Anne Arundel County, as well as Annapolis.

New Barron Team Blog: Annapolis Homes and Happenings

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:52:00 -0500

As a news junkie, I love to blog. In addition to offering up my own content (thoughts, commentary, etc.), blogging allows you me present to my audience with what I come across each day that I find interesting.

Also, blogging is good for business -- when it seems like all of America is online and Googling (or Yahooing or using their favorite search engine). Simply, the more one is out there in cyberspace, the more likely it is that someone else will find them.

Giving my love of blogging, it should not be surprising that there is yet another new blog out there:

www.SweetHomeAnnapolis.com (haha, get it?)

While my other blogs are about everything and anything, it is my goal for Annapolis Homes and Happenings to focus on what is important to those who are interested in what is going on in or around Annapolis, Maryland.

With it being a newer blog, it has not found its audience yet, but it will soon enough!

100,000 Maryland Seniors and Disabled Veterans Still Have Not Claimed Stimulus Checks

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:14:52 -0500

There are about 100,000 Maryland seniors and disabled veterans who have not claimed the federal IRS stimulus check they are eligible for.

Many of these people may have not received their stimulus checks because they do not file taxes, as their benefits are not taxable. However, in order to receive a stimulus check, they must file a tax return for 2007 so that the IRS can calculate their eligibility and the amount they are to receive.

Those who qualify will receive a $300 check if filing separately or a $600 check if married and filing jointly. The filing deadline with the IRS is October 15th and no checks will be mailed after December 31.

Please be certain to ask any seniors or disabled veterans that you are close with whether they have filed to receive their stimulus check. It would be a waste for that money to go unclaimed.

After 23 Years in Business, Northwoods is Closing

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:01:43 -0500

The Northwoods restaurant, located in West Annapolis, is shutting down after being open for almost a quarter of a century.

Known for it's intimate experience (think tablecloth dining), the restaurant is closing after having much lower sales over the previous six months, according to chef/owner Russell Brown. He cited the weakening economy and rising food prices as major contributors. On some days, sales are down 40 to 50% over last year.

The restaurant will be closing within two weeks, so be sure to go for one last meal if you are a fan of the restaurant!

Real Estate Agent Wanted for Busy MD REO/Foreclosure Team

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:00:59 -0500

Now is your chance to break into the segment of real estate where there are many big earners: REO

Jesse Barron of The Barron Team with Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC seeks an energetic, ethical, driven, aggressive, focused and smart real estate agent to join its growing team specializing in selling REO (real estate owned) properties for leading national lenders, loan servicers and outsourcing firms.

The Barron Team prepares for and markets bank foreclosures throughout Central Maryland. The chosen candidate will have to enjoy “windshield time,” as we cover Hagerstown to the Chesapeake Bay, and from the PA line down to DC. There is an even greater opportunity if chosen candidate is dual-licensed in Virginia, as both Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC and Jesse Barron and licensed in Virginia and have relationships with asset managers covering Virginia.

As an REO agent, you will manage assets from “cradle to grave,” including, but not limited to:

Occupancy Checks
Negotiate Cash for Keys
Managing Contractors (lawn cuts, repairs, re-keys, etc.)
Order Utilities on and Off
Research HOA’s/Condo Associations and Order Resale Packages
Attend Evictions (Sheriff will execute actual eviction)
Prepare Broker Price Opinions
Enter Listings into MLS
Prepare Monthly Updates for Asset Managers
Review and Present Contracts
Answer Inquiries from Potential Buyers and Show Listings
Work with Buyers Agents to Sell Listings
Successfully Manage the Contract to Close Period

You must be extremely technology friendly, as it is a requirement of our clients. You must be reliable and able to work independently, as well as within a team environment. Keats & Co. Real Estate agents work virtually, so you should have a home office (there is meeting space at the office when needed).

It is important that you are willing and able to change your license to Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC by August 25, 2008.

Chosen candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality and non-compete agreement.

Team member will be an independent contractor, responsible for their own taxes and expenses, and will be compensated through a generous net commission split.

Due to the volume of our business, the chosen candidate will have active listings to work from day one! There is also a larger split awarded for self-generated residential resale (non-REO) business.

If you are a talented full-time agent with at least two years of experience and find yourself struggling in today’s slumping market, please email your resume to service@barronteam.com and include "Resume" in subject line.

Due to the volume of our business, we are unable to accept phone calls about this opportunity – please use email.

REO experience preferred but not required – willing to train and invest in an eager agent!

To learn more about Jesse Barron and The Barron Team of Keats & Co. Real Estate, LLC, please visit www.barronteam.com or www.activerain.com/jesse_barron

There's Not Enough Lipstick to Put on This Pig

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:30:53 -0500

The title of this post is a quote from Richard Moody, an economist at Mission Residential.

His comment was referenced in today's "Consumer Prices, Driven by Fuel, Surge 1.1% in June" by Michael M. Grynbaum with The New York Times.

In essence, what cost $1.00 in May, ended up costing you $1.01 in June. With such a small number, it does not seem like a lot. However, say that you spend an average of $1,000 per month on food and incidentals. If you do, that means that on average, what you spent in May, would have cost you $10 more in June. Add that to the already stretched budgets of many Americans, and it is horrible news. For someone making $14 or $15/hr., they had to squeeze out an extra hour of work in June to cover that difference.

Inflation is a dirty word that has been circulating for awhile amongst economists and politicians. In fact, that single word is what caused the "are we in a recession or not?" debate that went on for quite awhile.

The 1.1% jump was the largest single month jump in 17 years. In the past 12 months, the consumer price index has risen 5%, the largest annual jump since May, 1991.

There is no denying it now. We are in a recession.

Is this news to anyone? It's not to me!

I am, however, worried about inflation spiraling out of control after the fed tried to control it for so long.