real estate: Discovering Carroll Co, MD May have to wait. 2016 Blizzard - 01/22/16 01:03 AM
Discovering Carroll County, MD May have to wait a few days. It’s unfortunate, but, that’s what I had to tell a few new clients about our meeting this weekend.
We are expecting possible historic snowfall this weekend, check out Justin Berk’s  Baltimore Snow History for details.
 
If you are searching for a home and the 2016 Blizzard has interrupted your plans, don’t fret. Essentially you need 45 days to close a transaction due to the new TRID rules, however, 45 days is not so different from the days prior to TRID or TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule, the very definition leaves all of us … (1 comments)

real estate: Frankly on a Pontoon ~ Wordless Wednesday - 06/10/15 10:37 AM
Frankly on a pontoon, or two.
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real estate: Wordless Wednesday ~ A Bachelor Vacuum - 12/30/14 09:44 AM
Yesterday, after I finished showing property to clients in Frederick, I thought I’d pop by another client's house to see how things were going. He (I promised not to use his name) shared that things are going well. Little by little he is making the house his home. During the casual conversation he stopped abruptly and asked, “Do you know how much vacuums cost?” Before I could answer he said, “I like the Dyson but they cost $500 bucks!?”  We both laughed. He said, “I’ll keep using this for now.”

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real estate: WAIT! Before You Divulge Confidential Information - 05/23/14 01:43 PM

Weather you are visiting an open house,  interviewing a potential listing agent or  buyer agent think before you speak. You are maybe surrendering valuable negotiating power and  confidential information to the opposition.
 
No One knows your property and situation like you do before you divulge confidential information you need to understand how real estate agency relationships work.
 
Basicly put, an agent works for the client and with the customer.  The agents responsibilities are vastly different.
 
The State of Maryland Real Estate Commission, Understanding Whom Real Estate Agents Represent is a clear explanation of how real … (7 comments)

real estate: Spring? Can someone explain the snow plow/salt truck? AR MeetUp - 03/25/14 10:31 AM
Activerain Spring MeetUp 2014 Spring? March 25, 2014? Spring? Can someone explain the snow plow/salt truck?
 
 
 
Snow was falling outside, it was an ugly day in Maryland, but inside inside Brio’s in Annapolis Town Center in was spring!  The smiles and hugs were warm as sunshine on a beautiful spring day! The Spring MeetUp went on as planned! Rainers came from around the corner and across town to enjoy the company of  this unique group.


I was enjoyed conversation and laughter so much, I didn’t take nearly enough pictures. It was a blast as … (8 comments)

real estate: Seduced By The Written Word - 03/21/14 11:31 PM

Why I blog about real estate and my community? I blog because I love to write, I love to share information and I love real estate. This post, “Seduced By The Written Word” written by fellow activerain blogger Ed Silva explains my position, beyond just love and passion.
 
Leveling the playing field through local knowledge. Bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes, infact I believe, the best way to choose an agent is by getting to know them. If they don’t have time for a conversation or a cup of coffee, where will you be if something goes awry?
Seduced By The … (8 comments)

real estate: Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard & Frederick Counties! Check Gauges - 03/14/14 01:42 PM
Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick Counties! Check out my new gauge page: Let’s Check the Gauges in Your Real Estate Market
 
These gauges are perfect for keeping with my Philling Station theme and more importantly giving you an easy way to see what the local markets are doing. Here I have focused on my service area. Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick Counties. Data is available for the entire state of Maryland. If you are interested in another area send me an email at DianeJustSold@gmail.com or call 443-286-4365 and I’d be happy to assist you.
 
Looks neat, but … (5 comments)

real estate: Carroll County, MD Community Review - 03/14/14 10:10 AM
Carroll County, MD  Community Review
 
Carroll County, MD is a rural community quickly becoming suburban. Many residents of Carroll were born here. Other people choose Carroll because of it’s wide open spaces, school system and hometown feel while still remaining within close proximity to Baltimore, Washington and DC areas.
 
Housing Facts 2013
Detached: Average Sold Price $320,978
Units Sold: 1,433
Attached: Average Sold Price $192,763
Units Sold: 271
Median Sold Price: $280,000
Average Days on Market: 91
Avg Sold Price to Avg Original List Price Ratio: 94.7%
 
Just Facts
Established in 1837
Named after Charles Carroll (1737-1832), … (0 comments)

real estate: My Top 3 Peeves about Reality Real Estate TV Shows - 03/13/14 04:57 AM
My family & I enjoy watching a few home improvement and flipping real estate reality shows. They are fun! Who wouldn’t enjoy them. We’ll they are not as fun when you're in the field, as a professional real estate agent and the expectations from those “reality shows” can’t be met in reality.
 
My Top 3 Peeves:
Buyers unrepresented, approaching the listing agent to “write up an offer”
Selling a home in one day via open house and over asking price
Showing buyers three houses and then writing an offer that get’s accepted.
 
By sharing only my top … (8 comments)

real estate: Pools are for swimming, not corralling real estate agents! - 07/09/13 02:34 AM
Pools are for swimming, not corralling real estate agents!
 
Here’s an actual email I received on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 9:13 pm.  
 
“Hello.
I am contacting several of you to see who can show us this property, FR100000, tomorrow, Sunday 7/7.
Anyone available?
Please call me at 703-000-000
 
Thank you,
Notitia Chance”
 
To protect the poor soul who sent “several of “ us the email I have changed the name, phone number and mls number.  I did not respond to the email because I believe real estate is about relationships.
 
We, Realtors, agents, … (10 comments)

real estate: Do real estate market statistics tell a complete story? - 04/19/13 01:29 PM
Do real estate market statistics tell a complete story?
 
Do real estate market statistics tell a complete story? The short answer it depends. How you are going to use the information will impact the answer.
 
YES! Statistics do tell a story and create a historical record showing us the cycles in real estate and where we are in that cycle.
 
NO! if you are writing an offer in a “HOT”, “sellers” real estate market waiting for monthly statistics and trends is not a good strategy for winning.  You may need to turn your focus to pending sales … (7 comments)

real estate: What does “sold to original list price ratio” mean in real estate? - 04/19/13 11:45 AM
What does “sold to original list price ratio” mean in real estate?
 
What does “sold to original list price ratio” mean in real estate?  Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio represents the ratios for the gross sales price to the original list price for individual listings.  
 
 

 
 
Example scenario to help illustrate:
Listing A: List Price = 100,000; Sold Price = 90,000; Ratio = 90%
Listing B: List Price = 200,000; Sold Price = 150,000; Ratio = 75%
Listing C: List Price = 1,000,000; Sold Price = 700,000; Ratio = 70%
 
 
(2 comments)

real estate: What is real estate inventory? - 04/19/13 10:39 AM
What is real estate inventory?
 
What is real estate inventory? Real estate inventory in Maryland is the the number of properties with “active” status in the multiple list system (MLS).  That typically includes residential properties. For sale by owner and new construction are not 100% available through the MLS.
 
There are other real estate categories such as lot & land and multi-family units & commercial that are separated in the mls for more efficient searching. In Maryland, commercial real estate requires a special license.
 
What is real estate inventory?
 
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real estate: Let’s look at real estate ~ days on the market - 04/17/13 11:40 AM
Let’s look at real estate ~ days on the market
 
Let’s look at real estate ~ days on the market. What does it mean?
Days on the market  (DOM) is a calculation based upon the number of days a property is for sale.   Days on Market is calculated from the date when a property first comes on the market (list date) to the time it is taken off the market due to a sale (contract date) or off market condition (off market date).  If a property changes between Active and other statuses during the life of the listing(s), the cumulative … (2 comments)

real estate: What is a Real estate “tire kicker”? - 04/17/13 10:25 AM
What is a Real estate “tire kicker”?
 
What is a Real estate “tire kicker”? A “tire kicker” is an indecisive shopper. They look and look at property and never find something that satisfies their needs or expectations. They are “fence sitters” waiting and wondering. They can be "fussy" or more politely put, "particular" about the property they ultimately choose, that’s assuming they do finally make a choice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to know what you want & look for it however, there is something to be said for compromise and well, a reality check. Most folks (real buyers) … (10 comments)

real estate: What’s your strategy for winning in a hot real estate market? - 04/14/13 02:26 PM

What’s your strategy for winning in a hot real estate market?
What’s your strategy for winning in a hot real estate market? If you have been shopping for real estate in Maryland, more specifically, Baltimore, Howard, Frederick, Harford & Carroll Counties you are aware of the areas of aggressive sellers market. If you are not prepared you won’t stand a chance. Some properties are under contract in less than 24 hours on the market.
 
All buyers should have these basics in place, in a sellers market they are even more important to your successful purchase:
 
Solid … (5 comments)

real estate: Maryland Real Estate is a lot like MD Weather! - 04/13/13 11:05 AM

 
Maryland Real Estate is a lot like MD Weather!
 
Maryland Real Estate is a lot like MD Weather!  Temperatures have skipped from winter to the heat of the summer outdoors and in the real estate market. Freezing cold to hot, hot hot. I believe the advice remains the same for both situations, always know the conditions before you head out. Don’t leave your scarf or sunscreen at home, take it with you just incase. If you decide to leave something off make sure you understand the risk and the possibility of reward for making the decision that you … (3 comments)

real estate: Harford County MD How can we tell the real estate market is improving? - 03/02/13 12:01 PM
Harford County, MD How can we tell the real estate market is improving?  Absorption Rate.  



How can we tell the real estate market is improving? One way is to look at the Absorption Rate.
The absorption rate is a measure of how a market area is consuming the homes available.
In other words ...
How many months will the homes, currently on the market, take to sell if no more new listings are added to the market? The answer is the absorption rate. The absorption rate is a calculation of the number of active homes on the market divided by … (4 comments)

real estate: Groundhog Day 2013: No Shadow? Better Call Your Realtor! - 02/02/13 09:05 AM
Groundhog Day 2013: No Shadow? Better Call Your Realtor!
Groundhog Day 2013: No Shadow? Better Call Your Realtor!Punxsutawney Phil predicts springs early arrival with no shadow appearing when his weary body was  from abruptly pulled from his toasty warm burrow early this morning. Don’t let springs arrival abruptly greet you unprepared to buy or sell real estate. In todays market, being prepared is the key to a strong real estate transaction.
Groundhog Day is all about fun! Winters bitter temperatures and long dark nights leaves many of us dreaming about springs warmth, bright colors and sunshine. Predicting the weather is just as difficult … (7 comments)

real estate: With this post I exceed my blogging goal of reaching 300,000 points - 12/06/12 09:24 AM
With this post I exceed my blogging goal of reaching 300,000 pointsWith this post I exceed my blogging goal of reaching 300,000 points, set for 12/31/2012, by 25 days and who knows by how many points. I know points are of no monetary value, to me they represent dreams, goals, vision, obsession, enthusiasm, commitment, pride, a willingness to work hard, doing whatever it takes to get the job done, going the extra mile, dedication, creativity, confidence, drive, accomplishment and a fire in my heart for the real estate industry and profession. I am passionate about helping people reach their goals through … (21 comments)

 
Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365, Specializing in Carroll Co., MD (Frankly Real Estate Inc.)

Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365

Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

Manchester, MD

More about me…

Frankly Real Estate Inc.

Address: PO Box 189 Manchester, MD 21102, 2 Wisconsin Circle Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815

Office: 1-855-FRANKLY

Mobile: (443) 286-4365



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