Timing of Distressed Home Inventory Sales Plays Important Role in Housing Recovery - 06/30/10 08:50 PM
Timing of Distressed Home Inventory Sales Plays Important Role in Housing Recovery
by Jann Swanson on 6/30/2010  courtesy of mortgage news daily
 
As if it were needed, RealtyTrac Wednesday offered more proof that the housing market will not improve until Americans can carry the mortgages they already have...
According to data released by RealtyTrac, 31 percent of all residential properties that sold in the first quarter of 2010 were in some stage of foreclosure.  Even more telling, those homes sold at an average sales price nearly 27 percent below the average price of properties that were not in foreclosure.
The report … (0 comments)

first time homebuyer credit extended - 06/29/10 06:23 PM
from mortgage news daily
 
BREAKING NEWSFrom Reuters:The House just backed a measure to extend the closing deadline to Sept. 30 for buyers who met the April 30 deadline to have a signed contract. The current deadline requires those buyers to close the transaction by June 30 to receive the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.From House Re...p. Frank Kravotil's site: Today, the House of Representatives passed an extension of the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first time homebuyers. The extension was set to expire at the end of June. The extension, sponsored by Rep. Frank Kratovil and his colleagues Rep. … (2 comments)

Fannie Mae Fights Back Against Strategic Defaulters - 06/28/10 09:36 AM
Fannie Mae Fights Back Against Strategic Defaulters
by Adam Quinones on 6/23/2010
Posted to: MND NewsWireWednesday, June 23, 2010 3:49 PM
courtesy of mortgage news daily
From the Fannie Mae Release... Fannie Mae announced today policy changes designed to encourage borrowers to work with their servicers and pursue alternatives to foreclosure. Defaulting borrowers who walk-away and had the capacity to pay or did not complete a workout alternative in good faith will be ineligible for a new Fannie Mae-backed mortgage loan for a period of seven years from the date of foreclosure . Borrowers who have extenuating circumstances may be eligible … (1 comments)

dougie the fossil hunter - 06/26/10 06:17 PM
dougie the fossil hunter
 
when the sun is blazing in the sky, the pavement melting from the heat, our thoughts turn to AIR CONDITIONING.
 
or for the more hearty souls, wide open spaces with water may beckon.  but the only breeze dougie the fossil hunter "enjoys" occurs when a car whizzes by on route 4 in calvert county.  he has been plying his trade and informing the public about times long gone almost daily for the last 22 years. self taught about all things ancient from shark's teeth to the one of the inner ear bones of a porpoise.
he'll be a regular addition to my blog. once … (0 comments)

help wildlife impacted by the BP oil spill - 06/25/10 02:02 PM
Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth.~~author Walt Whitman~~  "For those who understand, no explanation is necessary... for those who do not, none is possible.~~Hindu Saying~~ 
Marianne Vanek we have got to raise our voices and make a concerted effort to stop this sort of carnage from recurring. it's time to start boycotting those companies who have no regard for maintaining any  balance other than their bottom line. the natural balances in the ecosystems we are pillaging may never be corrected. … (0 comments)

mortgage brokers disguised as mortgage bankers - 06/25/10 04:37 AM
 from mortgage news daily

Mortgage Brokers Disguised as Mortgage Bankers
by C.M. "Corky" Watts, CMB Posted 6/2010 
I've talked to quite a few loan originators over the past month.  My most recent conversation with a loan officer started out with an explanation of all the reasons why it was a bad idea to give up his autonomy and join a bank. During our discourse, I uncovered a hint as to what the third party origination (TPO) business model might look like in the next 2-3 years.  My epiphany happened to coincide with what my partners and I believe the  the … (0 comments)

Interagency Government Council Unveils Strategic Plan to End Homelessness - 06/24/10 02:42 PM
Interagency Government Council Unveils Strategic Plan to End Homelessness by Jann Swanson on 6/22/2010  The US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) today unveiled what is being called "the nation's first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness."  The Council, composed of secretaries and heads of 19 federal departments and agencies, is chaired by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  USICH was charged by the President and Congress to develop a national strategic plan under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act in May 2009 you can go to http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/06222010_homelessness.asp for the full article.  
 
courtesy of our friends at … (0 comments)

southern maryland's saving grace - 06/24/10 05:14 AM
this former denizen of chicago has to comment on the recent heat wave in st. mary's county and southern maryland in general. 
today's projected temperature of approaching 100 degrees will undoubtedly set or match record temps.  and over the course of the last few days, i've been wondering why i haven't felt that the heat is excessively oppressive.  when the temperature is in the upper 80s and into the 90s in the chicagoland area, it is truly difficult to breathe.
 then i remembered my first view of maryland, june 1, 2010, on the approach to BWI.  when looking out the window of the … (2 comments)

May 2010 NAR existing home statistics recap - 06/23/10 10:43 AM
from the mortgage news daily website
 
Recap and Charts: May Existing Home Sales
by Adam Quinones
 
The National Association of Realtors today released Existing Home Sales data for May 2010.
Excerpts From The Release...
Existing-home sales remained at elevated levels in May on buyer response to the tax credit, characterized by stabilizing home prices and historically low mortgage interest rates, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.66 million units in May, down 2.2 percent from an upwardly … (0 comments)

St. Mary's county heat wave - 06/23/10 05:10 AM
 
 roxy just checked the weather channel... "OH NO.. say it isn't SO, mom!" and decided to grab her swimmin' trunks and take an early morning dip in the pax river. if i didn't have to go to work, i'd have joined her!
 
all kidding aside, this weather is dangerous for all but especially the young, elderly and pets.
 please check on elderly neighbors who may not have adequate cooling in their homes! maybe invite them over for a glass of sweet tea, an hour for relief from the heat AND a bit of conversation!
and NEVER leave children or … (1 comments)

Veterans and Chronic Homelessness in the United States being addressed by the government - 06/22/10 07:11 PM
another sign of the times.  this article is courtesy of Mortgage News Daily Newswire
Interagency Government Council Unveils Strategic Plan to End Homelessness
by Jann Swanson on 6/22/2010
 The US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) today unveiled what is being called "the nation's first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness." 
The Council, composed of secretaries and heads of 19 federal departments and agencies, is chaired by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  USICH was charged by the President and Congress to develop a national strategic plan under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act in May 2009.
… (0 comments)

mortgage rates today and tomorrow - 06/21/10 04:53 PM
Hey St. Mary's County and southern maryland!!
Just had an e-mail from a local lender,  that mortgage rates are still 4.75% for some of his products...  time to buy is NOW!
can't decide...?  thinking of waiting??????  then click and read what the pundits are predicting...What Will Move Mortgage Rates In The Week Ahead?-Mortgage rates just had another one of those ..http://tinyurl.com/2cfjoln
courtesy of mortgage news daily mortgage rate watch!
… (0 comments)

mortgage news daily website - 06/21/10 08:18 AM
in st. mary's county or the rest of the country,in an effort to keep abreast of the latest and greatest changes which impact our industry directly, i've subscribed to the mortgage news daily website.  it is a great tool for keeping pace with what we need to know to address our clients needs.  it won't make us experts, but may alert us and give us enough information to ask our loan officers for details on what's happening in today's money market.
 i was directed to this site by another active rain member, when i incorrectly reported the passing of the homebuyer credit extension … (0 comments)

being a parent - 06/20/10 09:01 PM
Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that have very little time with their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world. - Mother Theresa
 
we need to slow down.  take a breath and a walk in the quiet solitude of nature and nurture our selves and souls.  so that we can share with the others in our lives who are important to us.
 
without inner peace and the knowledge of … (2 comments)

St. Mary's County Greenwell state park hosts OPRC camp - 06/19/10 04:18 AM
looking forward to being the camp cook & videographer at greenwell state park this week-end for the Freedom Chapter of the  Old People's Riding Club of which i'm a member.
it's a great opportunity for those who have horses or those who wish they had to get together and do horse-related things.  we have one meeting a month "unhorsed" with topical information or speakers and one trail ride or clinic. 
here's a link to their website in case you'd like to get more information:
 www.oldpeoplesridingclub.org
have a great day!
mare
… (2 comments)

St. Mary's County Realtor crosses the "pond" to calvert county - 06/18/10 05:27 AM

St. Mary's County Realtor posts on facebook:  Calvert County Fossil Hunter! i met dougie today, the gentleman who finds small vestiges of our past in the waters of our shorelines. he's been in the baynet news and is a goldmine of information on what once lived along our coastal waterways. stop by and see him on the west side of route 2/4 in calvert county. i'll be talking about him more! click on the link below to see pictures of dougie & some newly found long lost treasures!
  mare … (3 comments)

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DATE EXTENSION APPROVED! - 06/16/10 08:38 PM
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DATE EXTENDED!Senate approval came today. Contracts ratified by April 30th now have until September 30th to settle!  Here's the link!
from MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37737409/from/toolbar
… (2 comments)

NAR urging tax credit closing deadline extension - 06/16/10 09:18 AM
Taken from the Illinois Assn of Realtors weekly Connection.
This measure is up for a vote not passed yet!
Nat'l Assn of Realtors supports extending homebuyer tax credit closing deadline to Sept. 30. Federal legislation has been introduced to give homebuyers who qualified for the tax credit and met the April 30 contract deadline until Sept. 30 to meet the closing deadline. With so many mortgage applications in the pipeline, NAR is reporting that as many as 180,000 qualified buyers might not close by the original June 30 deadline. NAR is urging quick passage of the measure.
… (0 comments)

GREENWELL STATE PARK: St. Mary's County, early morning report - 06/15/10 07:42 AM
Roxy, the roving(unofficial) boxer mix, reports from her early morning walk at Greenwell State Park in St. Mary's County.
The mist was burning off the Pax river in the early morning sunrise.  Trails were well kept and ready for walking, biking or horseback riding and the beach sure looked inviting as the sun began it's ascent.
All that's needed is the sunscreen/bug spray and thee for a great time!
 
Don't forget to become a patron of our state parks in St. Mary's and all the counties!  They need our support.
mare
 
… (0 comments)

St. Mary's County taxes: June 2010 update - 06/14/10 04:57 PM
St. Mary's County Taxation update.One of our agents, Chris Hill, was told this morning, that the County is re-assessing all homes located in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th districts.  When i called to verify, they said the 9th District was included as well. 
Additionally,  any new resident has up to 60 days after the deed is recorded to contest their assessment.
thought you'd like to know this breaking news! 
mare
 
… (0 comments)

st. mary's city midsummer faire - 06/14/10 05:44 AM
St. mary's county always has plenty to do.  and this father's day, june 20, 2010 from 11am-5pm, historic st. mary's city is hosting a midsummer faire.  here's a little blurb from the info site:
Commoners and gentry are invited to spend the day enjoying merriement, games, music, entertainment, and competitions inspired by the colonial past. Sawing contests, wooden-horse jousting, pig races, jugglers and more!
Sounds like fun for the whole family!!!
for full details, please click on  http://www.stmaryscity.org
 and check for the midsummer faire!
would it be fair to say i'll see you there????
mare
 
 
… (0 comments)

St. Mary's County jobs & housing NAS Pax naval air base - 06/13/10 09:53 AM
St. Mary's County:  Jobs & Housing. ...They go hand in hand. This is good information for home buyer prospects and those looking to relocate to Southern Maryland. "St. Mary's Department of Economic and Community Development Director Bob Schaller said, "I really believe NAS Pax is the magnetic force that anchors the region's third lowest unemployment state ranking." Schaller said that ranking was achieved because, "We have jobs." Link to News Story:  http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/18280(hint: copy and paste the above link into the Address Bar in your browser if it does not automaticallyshow up as a link. Some e-mail clients will cut off the … (0 comments)

St. Mary's County Relay for life - 06/12/10 09:12 PM
St. Mary's county relay for life being held now at Leonardtown H.S. with  proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society continues on through tonight until 6am tomorrow morning.  Food, entertainment, dedicated organizers and many, many concerned people walking in the hope of ending this disease in our lifetime.
Lots of time to go and join them!
mare
 
 
 
 
… (0 comments)

St. Mary's County Crab Festival June 13, 2010, St. Mary's County Fairgrounds - 06/12/10 10:41 AM
ST. MARY'S CRAB FESTIVAL TOMORROW june 13, 2010 at the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds.  starts at 11am-6pm.  Bring the family to enjoy crabs, seafood, a car show, arts & crafts and demonstrations.  Dancing and music for those so inclined.  Admission.  for details (301)  475-4200 x1401  or go to  www.stmaryscrabfestival.com
… (0 comments)

St. Mary's County Realtor visits Flag Pond Nature Park - 06/12/10 01:28 AM
tho roxy the boxer mix claims that we need to give greenwell state park equal time,  i think she thoroughly enjoyed her visit to Flag Pond Nature Park today.
began the day as per usual, thinking of the active rain seminar i attended yesterday and opening my twitter account.  afterward, reviewed all my calls/e-mails for the day, looked over the market and did my prospecting.  lo and behold, it was noon and i had no one left to contact.
thought of the promise i'd made to my niece's little boy.  i needed to find some fossilized shark teeth to send to … (2 comments)

appreciation is a wonderful thing - 06/11/10 09:04 PM
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
Voltaire
appreciate the finer things in life........ like finding the good in others...  and in the act of appreciating what you have discovered, become the excellence you perceive.
 
mare


… (2 comments)

lest we sit in judgement - 06/10/10 04:45 AM
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa

did you ever ponder why the surfeit of gossip columns, paparazzi-frenzied followings, needing to know the most intimate of details of perfect stranger's lives fills our airwaves, printed media, cyberspace pop ups? 
 what is it in us that needs to examine and hold up to the harsh light of mass exposure the fine, tenuous tendrils of other's secrets?  their joys and their heartaches, failures and glories? 
curiosity?  natural instinct to compare? or might it be that watching these shows, reading about other's lives and holding … (4 comments)

sitting in a quiet room - 06/09/10 04:54 AM
 
 
All misery derives from the inability to sit in a quiet room alone.
~ unknown (via Jared Akers)    
how many of us are happy with our own company?  comfortable spending time with no person other than ourselves?  being alone with our thoughts in silent contemplation.  being happy and able to enjoy and inhabit your space.  looking inward to examine how you feel at that moment without the distractions of the latest i-pod, phone, text, e-mail or whatever technology will be born to invade our world and deny our contemplation.  looking outward to EXPERIENCE the joys of living, breathing, touching, hearing, seeing … (9 comments)

walking in the rain: the essence of the message - 06/01/10 05:16 PM
This was posted in chat by Eliyah...not sure if they are his words or the words of another originally...what I am sure of is that it is profoundly beautiful...words that if I were so gifted I would speak to my love...*S"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. .. I want to know what you ache for, .. and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. .. It doesn't interest me how old you are. .. .. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, .. for the adventure of … (2 comments)

 


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