These "top ten" items to remove from your home is a great starting point but don't stop there.  I would add to the list:

11. Clean Out Your Closets.  If you can't hang all your clothes up, buyers might get the impression that they won't have enough closet space either.  If it's a "walk in closet", make sure you can "walk it".

12. Clean Your Applicances Inside and Out.  In addition to cleaning the outside, take time and clean out and clean up the inside.  There's nothing worse than opening the oven or the frig only to see that it's a) well used and b) spills everywhere.

Sellers get only one impression with buyers - the first.  If Buyers don't like what they see, they're going to move on and not look back. 

Once again I found myself walking Rocky (my mixed lab from the Annapolis SPCA) about sunset on the penultimate evening in January 2012 on Thompson Creek off the Chesapeake Bay.  It's been unseasonably warm this year.  I can't wait to find out whether the common saying about March "in like a lion, out like a lamb" will hold true.  In February 2010 there were 34 inches of snow on the ground, but this year the question is how warm will it be and high will the temperature go?

No two sunsets are ever the same on Thompson Creek in Stevensville Maryland.  Every time I look at the sky, day or night, it is always different.  For example, two nights ago there was a halo around the moon suggesting that rain would come soon.  Last night it was clear with stars sprinkled here and there.

Find Your Waterfront Dream Home With A Sunset View Here 

Sunsets can be found up and down the Western expanse of Kent Island from Bloody Point to Love Point.  Bloody Point is located at the Southern end of Kent Island at the intersection of Eastern Bay and the Chesapeake Bay.  Love Point is located at the Northern end of Kent Island where the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay intertwine.  According to sources Kent Island is 31.62 square miles with miles and miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline.

Thompson Creek is located on Kent Island which is in Stevensville Maryland situated on the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge's Eastern foot is sets down on Kent Island. The Bay Bridge is metro-Washington, Baltimore, Virgina and Pennsylvania's gateway to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in Delaware and Maryland.

Across the country according to one report inventory levels are down and demand is up.  That's great news, especially for December which can often be the slowest month in real estate (after August).  In Anne Arundel County Maryland inventory level is down 32.6% to a modest 2,688 active listings in December 2011 from June 2010 when inventory reach 3,928 active listings.  With about 7 months of inventory, Anne Arundel County has moved from a buyer's market towards a more balanced market.  Industry experts suggest that 6 months of inventory is where the market is balanced.  More than 6 months, it's a buyer's market and less than 6 months it's a sellers market.  Markets rarely stay balanced for long.  There's no guarantee that the local market will tip far enough to be characterized as a seller's market anytime soon.

What's likely to happen in the next few months?

The trend in declining inventory could be expected to continue until about March.  After March Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is poised to start the spring market.  And, there may be many sellers you are simply waiting for spring to come to market.  As you can see from the chart below, inventory peaks in June.   Demand follows a similar curve with the most homes sold in during the same time period.

What about the shadow inventory?

Bank owned foreclosures is one shadow inventory.  But there's another shadow inventory lurking in the wings of spring.  Not often considered are all the homeowners that want to sell, but, haven't been able to.  They may have let their listings expire and or withdrew them.  Some of these homeowners might have even given up and are just waiting to come back to market as soon as there's a glimmer of hope that they could sell.  Both the shadow inventory of bank owned homes and homeowners waiting in the the wings for better conditions could drive inventory levels back to recent highs.

Interest rates aren't enough!

Borrowing to purchase a home has never been more affordable than it has been over the last year.  Interest rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages are at or below 4%.  That's simply an amazing rate.  The cost of buying a home is well below that of renting.  However, the rent-to-buy ratio remains high in our area continue to depress buyer's desire to own a home.  Unless prices come down further, despite low interest rates, buyers may continue to sit on the sidelines and simply wait and watch.  This is especially true for first-time home buyers.  Other renters anxious to buy a home again are those folks that force to rent having lost their homes to short-sales and foreclosures over the last three years.

This year what other dynamics might impact the spring housing market?

There is often optimism in the run up to the presidential election and euphoria that follows for the year afterwards.  The next two years should be very good for the stock brokers and real estate brokers alike since people will be buying with the idea that things are finally going to get better or selling with thoughts that things are going to turn for the worse.  We won't know that we've reached a tipping point until we can clearly see it in the rear view mirror.

Are you looking for homes for sale in Piney Orchard in Odenton Maryland? If so, then you're in the right place!

Piney Orchard is located in Odenton Maryland which is centrally located in middle of Anne Arundel County. You can find condominiums, townhomes and single family homes in Piney Orchard. Piney Orchard is located a short distance from Fort Meade and NSA. Piney Orchard is also only a short distance of Washington DC and Baltimore. And, Piney Orchard is only a few minutes from BWI, one of three regional airports that also includes Reagan National and Dulles.

Piney Orchard consists of garden units (apartment style homes), townhomes, and single family homes. The average age of homes in Piney Orchard recently sold is as young as six years, as old as twenty years, and on average twelve years old.  Piney Orchard community amenities include: community center, indoor lap pool, fitness center, tennis courts, three outdoor pools, and a playground.  The community center has meeting rooms for special activities.  There are walking, hiking, and biking trails throughout the community.  There is also a 45-acre nature preserve to explore.  Piney Orchard has a web site with additional information about the homeowners association and the community.

Start searching today for homes for sale in Piney Orchard in Odenton Maryland for your perfect place to live.

There are 62 Piney Orchard homes for sale for sale today. The average asking price is $277,647 and they have been on the market an average of 196 days. The minimum asking price for Piney Orchard homes for for sale is $149,898 and a maximum asking price of $500,000.

There are 30 Piney Orchard homes under contract today. The average asking price is $292,533, and they have been on the market an average of 122 days. The minimum asking price for Odenton homes under contract is $170,000 and a maximum asking price of $475,000.

In the last 90 days there were 29 homes sold in Piney Orchard in Odenton Maryland. The average list price was $287,855 and they were on the market for an average of 104 days. The minimum list price for sold listings was $187,500 and a maximum list price of $450,000.

The average sold price for Piney Orchard homes in Odenton Maryland during the period was $281,809 for a 90.16% sold-to-list ratio off their original list price. The minimum sold price was $187,500 and a maximum sold price of $450,000. The average seller subsidy paid was $3,871 and a maximum of $19,785. Seller subsidies are typically paid at closing and further reduce the net proceeds paid to the seller by that amount.

With slightly less than 10 Piney Orchard homes selling each month, there is slightly more than a 6 month inventory of homes for sale in Piney Orchard in Odenton Maryland. This really is a remarkable time for highly qualified buyers to consider purchasing their first home or an additional property because:

• Piney Orchard homes in Odenton Maryland are very affordable right now
• Interest rates are low even on jumbo mortgages
• Excellent financing options are available for qualifying buyers
• Timing is everything when it comes to finding just the right Piney Orchard home in Odenton Maryland
• Owning a home is everyone’s dream

The chart below tracks market activity for Odenton Maryland and showing active listing, pending sales, and the number of homes sold over the last year. This is a dynamic chart and is updated about the 10th of each month.

Don't waste any more time, find your Piney Orchard home today.

NOTICE: All data as of January 11, 2012. Information believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification, is made available "As Is" and subject to revision at any time without notice.

I'm thinking about upgrading my phone from a BlackBerry Storm 2 to an Apple iPhone 4s to take advantage of TopProducer latest development - a TopProducer app for the iPhone - and wanted to hear from anyone who's using the application before I decided to purchase a new phone.  I want to learn about the good and the bad.

The whole reason that I purchased a BlackBerry in the first place was to use TopProducer.  But, I was very very very (that's right 3 very's) disappointed.  There were simply too many limitations.  First, I couldn't access ALL my contacts on the BlackBerry.  Then I found it difficult to navigate the application on the touch screen - text was too small for my fat fingers.  Then there was the additional charge to access the application.  In frustration I finally called TopProducer and told them to cancel my BlackBerry subscription.

Especially now that I can get an iPhone on Verizon, it might make sense to update my technology suite.  But the whole BlackBerry experience was a such a big disappointment.  I ended up reverting back to my Palm Pilot Tungsten 3e.  I know, very retro?

So, before I decide to buy a new phone, I thought I'd see what everyone thought.  If you're using your iPhone with TopPoducer I want to hear from you.

What Are Single Family Homes Selling For In Annapolis Maryland – December 2011

Do you want to know what Annapolis Maryland single family homes are selling for? If so, then you’re in the right place! You’ll find answers to questions like: How many unsold single family homes are there in Annapolis Maryland? How long are single family homes on the market in Annapolis Maryland? How do actual selling [...]

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What Are Townhomes Selling For In Annapolis Maryland – December 2011

Do you want to know what Annapolis Maryland townhomes are selling for? If so, then you’re in the right place! You’ll find answers to questions like: How many unsold townhomes are there in Annapolis Maryland? How long are townhomes on the market in Annapolis Maryland? How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices in [...]

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What Are Condominiums Selling For In Annapolis Maryland – December 2011

Do you want to know what Annapolis Maryland condominiums are selling for? If so, then you’re in the right place! You’ll find answers to questions like: How many unsold homes are there in Annapolis Maryland? How long are homes on the market in Annapolis Maryland? How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices in [...]

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What Are Waterfront Homes Selling For In Annapolis Maryland – December 2011

Do you want to know what waterfront homes are selling for in Annapolis Maryland? If so, then you’re in the right place! You’ll find answers to questions like: How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices for Annapolis waterfront homes? How many unsold waterfront homes are there in Annapolis Maryland? How long are waterfront [...]

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Tonight was the penultimate sunset of the 2011 on Thompson Creek off the Chesapeake Bay in Stevensville Maryland and it was a good one.  The day was warm for this time of year.  The bright sunshine was welcome opposed to the often gray winter sky experienced this time of year.  I think the weather has been unseasonably mild.  Last winter cold winds relentlessly swept Kent Island.  Two winters ago there was snow on the ground from mid-December until well into March.  Perhaps there will be little or no snow this winter.  I know wishful thinking on my part - but - I can still wish, can't I?

The water is always different, from day-to-day, from hour-to-hour, from minute-to-minute, it's almost never the same.  And tonight was no exception.  The creek water reflecting tonight's sunset was almost a mirror reflection.  I watched the penultimate sunset on Thompson Creek evolve from sunset to dusk, then to twilight, and finally into night.  There were some high flying geese looking for a landing spot.  There were several duck hunters still out on the water but I didn't hear any shots ring out.  There was a certain calm about the water and the sun setting on Thompson Creek in Stevensville Maryland this next to last day of 2011.

It's darker on Kent Island than on either the Western Shore where Annapolis is located or the other way towards the Eastern Shore.  At night there are often so many stars.  And in the chilled air of the winter night sky more stars are clearly visible than middle summer given heat and humidity.  When I got home I printed out the star map for tonight.  Rocky (my mixed lab from the Annapolis SPCA) and I will take a walk and I'll want to point out which stars are out tonight.

Stevensville Maryland is located on Kent Island which situated on the Chesapeake Bay and is closer to the Eastern Shore.  The Chesapeake Bay Bridge straddles the expanse between the two shores with its Eastern foot is squarely planted on Kent Island in Stevensville Maryland.  The Bay Bridge is metro-Washington, Baltimore, Virgina and Pennsylvania's gateway to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in Delaware and Maryland.

It has been a good year.

Santa can still be seen picking up presents and rounding up reindeer following a collision over St. Michaels Maryland.  A freak accident between an F-104 fighter jet and santa's sleigh resulted in an emergency landing in a local homeowner's front yard.  Santa's will be grounded until the end of the year according to the homeowner.  Click Santa and Jet collision incident for the rest of the story and click more Santa and F-104 collision incident for more photographs.  This story and these pictures could come in handy, if needed, to explain why Santa didn't get someone what they wanted for Christmas.

In other news, the latest Christmas spirit is manifesting itself in a phenomenon now known as "layaway angles".  This style of anonymous gift giving is when folks want to help someone one-on-one at Christmas.  So, these layaway angles have been stopping in around the area at layaway desks from Edgwater to Pasadena and paying off customer's bills.  Several well know stores are reporting that layaway angles have paid off the balances on layaway accounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.  Some very special people will have had a very special Christmas morning thanks to unknown layaway angles.

So whether you've been naughty or nice or just stopped in for some holiday cheer, Merry Christmas to all and to all I hope it was a good night!!!

Do you want to know what Edgewater Maryland homes are selling for? If so, then you're in the right place! You’ll find answers to questions like:

• How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices in Edgewater Maryland?
• How many unsold homes are there in Edgewater Maryland?
• How long are homes on the market in Edgewater Maryland?
• Is it a buyer's market or seller's market in Edgewater Maryland?

Edgewater is located South of Annapolis in central Anne Arundel County. Edgewater is located along the Chesapeake Bay and the South River. Edgewater is within easy commuting distance of Baltimore and Washington DC, Anne Arundel County Medical Center, Fort Meade and NSA, and BWI. There many waterfront neighborhoods, homes with water views, and most communities offer residents water access and some have communities piers and boat moorings.

Cadle Creek, Cape Loch Haven, Cloverlea, Gingerville Manor Estates, Harbor View, Holly Hill Harbor, Martha's Vineyard, Rhode Point, River Oaks, Selby On The Bay, Shoreham Beach, South River Colony, Southdown Estates, The Hamlets, Turkey Point, and Woodland Beach are just some of the sub-divisions and neighborhoods where homes have sold in the last 90 days in Edgewater Maryland.

Start searching today among the Edgewater Maryland homes for sale for your perfect place to live.

There are 130 Edgewater homes for sale today. The average asking price is $525,950 and they have been on the market an average of 188 days. The minimum asking price for Edgewater homes is $125,000 and a maximum asking price of $1,999,000.

The chart (below) tracks "Sold Listings" and "New Pendings" for Edgewater Maryland and shows the number of sales and contracts ratified each month. This is the best indication of the direction of the market.

There are 42 Edgewater homes under contract today. The average asking price is $479,467 and they were on the market an average of 147 days. The minimum asking price for Edgewater homes under contract is $129,000 and a maximum asking price of $2,999,999.

In the last 90 days there were 63 homes sold in Edgewater Maryland. The average list price was $441,256 and they were on the market for an average of 102 days. The minimum list price for sold listings was $104,900 and a maximum list price of $1,950,000.

The average sold price for Edgewater Maryland homes sold was $410,707 for a 85.75% sold-to-list ratio off their original list price. The minimum sold price was $82,500 and a maximum sold price of $1,725,000. The average seller subsidy paid at settlement was $4,848. The minimum subsidy was $0 and a maximum subsidy of $36,500.

With only about 31 Edgewater properties selling each month, there is slightly more than a 4 month inventory of homes for sale. When inventory drops below six months, this is generally considered a "seller's market". When inventory is more than six months, this is generally considered a "buyer's market". This remains a remarkable time for highly qualified buyers to consider purchasing their first home in Edgewater Maryland or a weekend home, vacation home, or investment property in Edgewater.

The chart (below) tracks "Average Sale Price" and shows the monthly average price at which homes are selling in Edgewater Maryland.

The chart (below) tracks "Average Days On Market" and is good indication as to whether this is a "buyer's market" or a "seller's market".

The chart (below) tracks "Average Sold to OLP Ratio" and shows discount at which Edgewater Maryland homes are selling for as a percentage of their original listing prices.

While all of these indicators are important, the best way to determine the value of your Edgewater Maryland home is a thorough market analysis. If interested, please contact for a no obligation competitive market analysis of your home's value in today's real estate market.

NOTICE: All data as of December 23, 2011. The charts included track one or more leading market indicators, are updated on or about the 10th of every month, and are interactive (so go ahead and click on them!). Information believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification, is made available "As Is" and subject to revision at any time without notice.