HAFA - Are you in trouble with your mortgage? Do you understand the options besides foreclosure?  HAFA - Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative was created for homeowners who can no longer afford their mortgage. The goal is very simple - to keep as many homeowners out of foreclosure as possible. Check out this very informative video that explains two options to a foreclosure, short sales and deeds In lieu.   07/13/2010

The past couple of weeks have presented more than my fair share of challenges in real estate including one sale where the Sellers title was..well a little messy. Seems that out of all the loans on the property over the years; two did not follow through and record a release. One of those was from 1986 of which the bank said they would need at least 30 days to pull the information...but thats another story one day. Yes the Sellers had closed a few loans since that date with nary a problem but this time the Title Company  could not clear and close. Things were different this time around.  So off i trotted to the Sellers new home (they had already moved 18 months previously) and painstakingly went through their files looking for any information and/or files that said the banks and dates in ... 07/12/2010

I was reminded by my darlin wife, the Rev. Tracey Moe (AnnapolisWeddingMinister.com) that we get to enjoy every day the pleasures that folks pay lots of money to vacation here for a few days. Hmmm, how might I capture one of the fine features of great living in Annapolis? Combining with a need for exercise, a desire to catch up with real estate podcasts, and perhaps an Active Rain blog -- all at the same time? That would be the ultimate multi-tasking. I live close enough to downtown Annapolis and the Naval Academy that I love the 6-mile walk, almost all on waterfront. In the evening of a lovely summer day with a cool breeze off the water, that shouldn't count as "exercise" should it? Listing to a NAR podcast or a Gary Keller audiobook (founder of Keller Williams) gives added value too. ... 07/12/2010

When you live in Anne Arundel County, MD, you're going to experience some of the most extensive and unique waterfront properties in the entire country. Anne Arundel county's waterfront spans some major rivers in the area, as well as large portions of the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis, MD, home of the Naval Academy, certainly has its share of waterfront properties for choose from. There may be some challenges from the West Coast, but Annapolis, MD is considered the sailing capitol of the world. There are 153 Annapolis waterfront properties for sale. The first 20 are displayed on the map below. All the waterfront properties for sale in Annapolis can be viewed by clicking on any of the icons. If you're looking for a waterfront home in Annapolis, MD, or anywhere in the surrounding area, I can h... 07/11/2010

Buyer Beware - Banks Are Attempting to Sell Foreclosed Homes They Don't Yet Own!!! Yesterday I received a call from my buyer's title attorney and the call went something like this ... Title Attorney: We won't be able to close the on the sale of the property at NNN ABC STREET in Baltimore, Maryland tomorrow. Agent (that's me): Why not? Title Attorney: Because Bank of America doesn't have clear title to the property. Agent (that's me): Why not? Title Attorney: Because the court in Baltimore hasn't yet ratified the sale of the foreclosed property. Agent (that's me): Hmmm ... sounds like the seller could be held in breach of contract because they don't have marketable title to the property.  BOA Home Loan Servicing is trying to sell a property they don't own, doesn't that violate Maryland l... 07/07/2010

How hot did it get in Annapolis Maryland today? -   95 but... Well it was not a record breaker but it sure was hot...    According to Yahoo weather the hottest day on record in Annapolis was 103 set in July 1991 and again in August of 1983. The record high temperature for the State of Maryland, according to USA Today was 109 on July 10th, 1936. Today - Just a few miles down the road from Annapolis at Baltimore-Washington International airport, temperatures reached 105 making it the second hottest day on record in Baltimore according to Baltimore Sun reporter Frank Roylance. Forecast for tomorrow call for increased humidity to enter the area along with continued torrid temperatures.                                                                      Check out the Baltimore weather forec... 07/06/2010

One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures. Although the fireworks were obviously the main attraction in Downtown Annapolis last Sunday night, I prefer to photograph the wonderful people in the streets.  Hope you enjoy these pics of Annapolis fourth of July 2010 pre fourth in the streets of Annapolis how nice would it be to have this seat for the fireworks how photogenic is this kid?? yours truly waiting on the big show.... old glory waiting on the show... it was a great night ok - had to throw in one fireworks shot 07/06/2010

Bring your walking shoes down to the Annapolis City Dock for a daylong celebration of events on Sunday, July 4th. Musicians and street performers will entertain visitors during the day, before fireworks over the water at night. Face painting and temporary tattoos for the kids, or the kids at heart. Start the day with a celebration that couldn't be more American in it's uniqueness. At 9:30 you can attend a Naturalization Ceremony at the William Paca historic house. The Paca House is located at 3 Martin St., Annapolis, MD. Welcome over 50 new legal citizens. What better way to celebrate what's really important about the July 4th holiday. The Annapolis Independence Day Parade will begin at 6:30 PM and eventually wind its way past State Circle and down to the City Dock. The weather is looki... 07/02/2010

Annapolis Maryland was founded in 1649 by Puritan exiles from Virginia. Situated on the Severn River just off the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis was once the temporary capital of the United States.       The United States Naval Academy makes it's home in Annapolis. The academy was founded in in 1845 on the site of the Severn River, situated just off the Chesapeake Bay.                                Annapolis Historic Lodging  The rich history and colonial backdrop makes Annapolis a great choice to spend the fourth of July. Many head downtown early in the day, maybe grab something to eat at an authentic Maryland crab house, browse the many unique shops or even rent a boat and do some fishing.      Annapolis has a thriving local music scene. Fourth of July is a big day for local music downto... 07/02/2010

When you look at the cost of a 30 year mortgage vs. a 15 year mortgage you immediately notice a very large number. That would be the number of $$$'s a 15 year loan can save when comparing the lifetime of each loan. Made popular decades ago, the 30 year mortgage was poised to put Americans in homes by offering low monthly payments.  Just think about it....  30 YEARS   Because a 30 year loan is so commonplace in today's society many of us lose sight of the fact of just how long 30 years is. And when that mortgage gets refinanced back into a new 30 year loan, it starts the clock all over again.  Pride in ownership? Who actually owns their home?  check out the video below -    06/30/2010

Annapolis Visitors Guide  A great site to discover the ins and outs of Annapolis. Get information on sporting events, restaurants, shopping and special places to visit. Annapolis Market Trends – monthly video from MRIS Monthly video designed to deliver a quick-fire engaging look at monthly real estate market trends within Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard Counties and the City of Baltimore. Provided by MRIS via their youtube.com channel. Maryland Weekly Fishing Report Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report updated weekly. Discover where the big rockfish are being caught, get fishing license information, find out about the fishing challenge and look at the calendar of events.  Chesapeake Bay Marine Weather Up to the minute Chesapeake Bay boating forecasts from key spots up and do... 06/29/2010

Windwhisper Lane (Georgetown Grove / Mariners Point) HomesWindwhisper Lane is one of those small streets that personify Annapolis Fine Living. Within 2-blocks or less, you have some waterfront, some waterview, an elementary school, a 25-slip marina, a shopping center with a huge Giant and large CVS, another shopping center 5 blocks away with a Blockbuster, West Marine, and a bunch of restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores, pet store, dry cleaners, landscape nursery, hardware store, etc. You need it? It’s nearby.Ready to head to the Maritime Republic of Eastport? Less than a mile away. Downtown Historic Annapolis less than 1.5 miles. State Capital buildings, less than 2 miles. Golf course less than 2-miles. 340-acre nature preserve with miles and miles of wooded walkways, including lov... 06/27/2010

Why Hasn't Our Home Sold Yet?  It Must Be Your Fault! As our inventory of listings grows, homes go unsold and sellers begin to wonder what should be done to get their home sold!  So I set out on a quest to see what real estate agents think you should do when your home hasn't sold.  I found the following blog posts that help explain why your home hasn't sold and what to do about it. Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller - Your house hasn't sold!! - Tracy Santrock - Cary, NCGenerate market demand by indicating that a decision will be made on the "Best Offer" by the end of the month. The Smoking Gun: Why Hasn't My House Sold? - Laura warden - Albuquerque, NMDo something good for your health, your family, your home, and your sales price: enact a "smoking ban" in your home while the house is for sale! Why ... 06/24/2010

Just When You Thought You Have Heard It All - Showing Feedback After a showing on one a listing, the agent wrote in response to the automated request for feedback: If your buyer is not interested, what factor(s) caused this decision? Buyer didn't care for the floors being off level...made her dizzy! Nice main level though! When this feedback came in my assistant called me laughing hysterically to share the humor in this feedback.  It seems that now I have heard it all - the buyer wasn't interested in the house because it made her dizzy. However, in all seriousness, sellers can and should correct somethings when they get negative feedback, but maybe there are other things that they shouldn't correct.  Perhaps off level floors in a home built in 1940 are indicative of structural problem. ... 06/23/2010

  Buying A Home? Like Your Realtor® Choose Your Loan Officer Wisely So you have decided to purchase a home. Great!! It's a smart move in any market but especially now with inventory abundant, prices competitive and interest rates....well interest rates are beyond outstanding.And you have done your homework. Like 92% of Buyers out there you started your search on the Internet, checking out homes and locations. You know the importance of working with a Realtor® and have chosen one that is both knowledgeable and professional, who has  come highly recommended or who may have even been found by you on the Internet through reading their blog. You just knew they were who you wanted to work with. Yep, it's all coming together. You can almost feel that new home in your hands.But before you go an... 06/22/2010

Annapolis MD Market Report for May 2010    Overall May showd an increase in closed and under contracts for the 21401 and 21403 zip codes and a slightly lower increase for the 21409 zip code compared to April. The number of available homes for sale rose in many areas which is normal for a spring market. Now that summer is officially here sales should taper off as they do every summer with a pick up again in August before school gets under way. However, in this market reality... time will tell if that is what actually happens. $250,000 and Under  21401 21403 21409 Active 43 45 18 Under Contract 12 13 3 Sold 10 16 6 Absorption Rate (In Months) 1.9 1.5 2   $250,000 to $500,000 21401 21403 21409 Active 129 107 47 Under Contract 11 18 16 Sold 22 10 8 Absorption Rate (In Months) 3.9 3.8 1.9   ... 06/21/2010

  The May Annapolis / Anne Arundel County statistics just released show some good news: Days on Market down to 104 days (compared to about 150 last year). Sold price is up to 92.4% of list price - an indication that sellers are pricing their homes at more reasonable prices. On the negative side: Inventory is about 8-months supply (4000 single family and townhouse, closed sales about 500) and Median sales price down only 4.7% from last year. Not really that negative, IMHO. One of the areas I watch closely is Georgetown Grove (Annapolis 21403) - a nice little community of about 100 homes just south of Back Creek, with a few on shallow water. See map below. The single family market (on June 21 - subject to change of course) has 2 For Sale:  12 Windwhisper listed for $349,500.  4 Windwhispe... 06/21/2010

Is It Time to Rent or Buy In Annapolis, Maryland? Bret Arends at the Wall Street Journal recently wrote "A Fresh Look at Rent vs. Buy" in the Wall Street Journal.  With an opening line of "Why on Earth would you buy down here when you can rent?" it seemed like an irresistible read.  In the article he discusses Trulia.com's look at major real estate markets across the country in their attempt to answer the question "Is it cheaper to buy, or to rent?"  When looking at the total cost of home ownership including principal, interest, taxes, insurance and all other costs versus renting they offered the following guidelines: Price-to-Rent Ratio of 1-15: It is much less expensive to own than to rent a home in this city. Price-to-Rent Ratio of 16-20: The total costs of ownership of a home in thi... 06/21/2010

  Buying Annapolis MD Waterfront With over 500 miles of shoreline in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis MD there is a diverse range of waterfront homes to choose from. By thinking out your waterfront living dream you can narrow down your search but don't be surprised if it still takes you awhile to find that perfect waterfront home and location.  After all there is something magical about living on the water and you will know when that magic has called your name.Here is a list to get your dream juices flowing Year Round or 2nd Home- Many times a buyer is looking for a small quaint 2nd home. A place to escape the city and do a bit of sailing or power boating. Yet before they know it they have fallen in love with the area and want to live in their home year round. Keep in mind that may hap... 06/20/2010

Six Reasons Why Homes Don't Sell Your home is overpriced.  "There's a buyer for every home."  The fact is that the Seller sets the asking price, the Buyer sets the value and the difference in the range is the market.  Overpricing is the most common reason homes don't sell.  Remember that the first four weeks your home is on the market is the "golden time" and that is when you will have 80% of the showings.  Overpricing compared to your competition will be duly noted and it is possible that your home may not appraise at the price you've set.  And, when your home remains on the market too long, buyers will begin to wonder if there are serious reasons why it hasn't sold. Your home doesn't "show" well.  Let's face it, even the very best homes need a little makeover to shine today.  Standing... 06/15/2010