Below are the property statistics for Frederick County, MD for November 2008. Inventory is down from this time last year, which is a positive, let's hope that trend continues.

Properties Sold -

November 2008      136

November 2007      152

Change               -10.5%

Average Price-

November 2008      $276,594

November 2007      $341,285

Change                  -19%

Active Inventory-

November 2008      2,024

November 2007      2,165

Change                  6%

Build your dream home on one of two amazing lots situated in the heart of Frederick County's countryside.  Enjoy stunning views from your new dream home's front porch!  Strong wells and level terrain.

Union Bridge, MD

Cute and clean 3 bedroom, 2 full bath single family rancher with large yard, finished basement with possible 4th bedroom, lots of storage, handicap access ramp, front and rear decks, carport, fenced yard, dog run.  Quiet country living yet minutes to Gettysburg PA and Fairfield PA.

249 Poplar Springs Rd, Orrtanna, PA

Newly renovated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial in Brunswick boasts refinished hardwood floors, new kitchen and baths, new siding, new hvac system, updated electrical system, off-street parking, large backyard, covered front and back porches, back yard patio, large spacious sunny rooms, new lighting fixtures, updated plumbing and fresh paint.  Just like new yet with all the charm and appeal of home town Main Street living!

405 Walnut Street, Brunswick, MD

This beautifully remodeled quad style townhome situated among gorgeous single family homes in popular Potomac Chase has so much to offer -

Well, they certainly try to scare our buyers into thinking so.  They often times include a paragraph or two in their bank addendum stating the purchaser must use their title company. 

There are major problems that arise with this and here are a few that come to mind -

First -

All too frequently the title company is out of state and has little to no idea what is required to get a deed recorded in the local jurisdiction the property is located.  They may or may not figure it out as they are trying to also muddle through other local laws and court systems just to get the deal to settlement. 

Secondly -

According to Maryland law - the buyer has the right to choose their own title company.  When a bank refuses to accept an offer only because the buyer and buyers agent have struck the offending paragraph and written in their own title company, they are breaking the law.

Thirdly -

If your buyer does decide to use the banks title company - pay very close attention to their fees.  They can get a bit out of hand.

I know locally there are agents and local title companies gathering evidence to present to MAR to hopefully put a stop to all of this.

In the meantime and back to the original question - right now, yes, some banks are getting away with it from lack of enforcement.  The buyer wants the house and this is the only thing standing in their way so they give in.  Sometimes a bank will sweeten the pot with incentives and that does help somewhat but most just want to save the brain power of the employee pushing the paper to make the deal work - therefore, no changes to the contract.

For those of us juggling family, careers, finances and life in general, it can get tough keeping things in perspective and our focus on priorities.  Throw teenagers into the mix and and sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going.

I adore my teens but not always their behavior.  Then I got to thinking the other day - these two kids could teach me a little something about my own focus and drive - goodness knows when a teenager sets their sites on something, it becomes their mission in life.

Understandably, this can be an awesome thing or a huge detriment depending on what they're going after so I'm only going to focus on the positive - that drive that my son and daughter use to achieve their goals no matter how big or small.  Sometimes I believe they are the laziest creatures on earth - until I tell them no and they are forced to find a way on their own.

Here's the lesson for me -

There is doom and gloom just about everywhere I go.  I turn on the t.v., look at the paper, overhear conversations, pull up my email and look at the home page.  I'm honestly getting tired of people saying they "feel" for me because I'm in this business.  I turn that around with, "I'm thankful I have an avenue to make my own money.".  The lesson being that I have to use my passion, drive and creativity to make things happen.  I see my children think.  They think hard to come up with different ideas and avenues to get what they want.  Sometimes it amazes me how creative they can be - and the energy isn't always spent on huge tasks - I've seen them think for days on how to get a ride to a movie.

So, when it feels like the world is running my life, it's time to put on my thinking cap and use the creative genius that I was born with, I just sometimes forget I have it until I'm reminded by the awesome imaginations and resourcelfulness of my wonderful kids!