Summertime To Dos

Now that we can ask everyone “How was your Memorial Day weekend”, thoughts of long summer days are now in the minds of many. Although you may have made the plans for the summertime activities for the kids, many have not given much thought as to their plans for the summer time maintenance of their home. Whether you are a homeowner that has no plans to move or someone that has been patiently waiting for school to let out to buy or sell a home, following are a few items that many homeowners should consider adding to their summertime home maintenance list along with a few reputable service providers:

Air Conditioning – Having a functional and efficient air conditioning system in a house is something that many people cannot go without. Some simple maintenance, such as changing the filters or cleaning the return/supply vents, can be completed with little effort and knowledge. However, when it comes to cleaning the evaporator or condenser, adding Freon or maintaining the thermostat, professional help is often needed. Jarboe Mechanical and Preferred Heating and Cooling, LLC

Lawn Care – A combination of warm weather and a few good rainstorms can result in a dormant lawn transforming into a bi-weekly chore being added to your list. Although many homeowners prefer to have the frequently mentioned “meditative time” to care and maintain their lawns, many others do not have the time, patience or desire to do so. Martillo Contractors, EarthKare, SidebySide Lawn Care, Gutters and Home Staging, LLC

Pool Inspection – Summertime for many means long warm days that are often filled with barbeques, flip flops and suntan lotion. Summertime also means that many back yard pools are now in business for the season. In addition to ensuring that the pool is clean and there are enough beach towels for everyone, it is also a good time to make sure there are no safety or mechanical issues with your backyard oasis. If you are new to a home or never had one completed, a pool inspection can really provide some good information as to the current condition of your pool. AmeriSpec Home Inspections, AAA Quality Home Inspections, Inc., SafeHome Home Inspection Services

Pressure Washing – Backyard gatherings filled with water slides, popsicles and horseshoes are the ideal weekend activity for many on a warm summer day. Although guests of these gatherings are often tasked with bringing another side dish or drinks for the kids, the hosts of these gatherings are often stressed out with making sure their domain is in the appropriate show stage for their guests. One way to go about this is to get some pressure washing done. Whether it is the side of the house that has mysteriously taken on a green color, the driveway that is in need of some TLC or the deck that is filled with leaves, pressure washing can solve many outdoor cleaning problems. S&J Painting and Remodeling, Jiffy Window & Power Washing Service, EarthKare, SidebySide Lawn Care, Gutter and Home Staging, LLC.

For more tips on home maintenance and to find a dedicated service provider in your area, please contact me or visit www.homeserviceconnections.com.

Erik Hart
REALTOR , BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

April Update

A quick housing trend update for Anne Arundel County for April 2012.

(Note - All figures are compared to April of 2011)

Units Sold - 484, up 3%
Active Inventory - 2817, down 24%  (3865 units)
Median Sale Price - $300,000, up 11% ($270,000)
Days on Market - 105, no change
New Listings - 874, down 15% (1,031)
Current Contracts - 639, up 30% (492)
Sold vs. List Price - 95.9%, down .5%
Months of Supply - 5.8, down 29%
(Months of supply is calculated by dividing current inventory by current sales. Months of supply indicates how many months would be needed to sell all of the inventory available at current rate of demand.)

If you are interested in a market update for your area, just let me know.

Stay on Top of the Market,

Erik Hart

REALTOR®, BPI Analyst

Severna Park Sales

Long and Foster Realtors

410-544-4000 Office

443-889-6860 Cell

www.erikhart.lnf.com

www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

Open House

A great song brought to you by a country music legend -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-tsVMHuHrs

And a great open house brought to you by...ME

Open House Announcement

2102 BELL TOWER DR, CROWNSVILLE, MD 21032

Rooms: Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom-Master, Bedroom-Second, Bedroom-Third, Bedroom-Fourth, Bedroom-Fifth, Kitchen, Family Rm, Unfinished Bsmt, Other Room 1, Foyer, Breakfast Room, Bedroom-First, 2nd Master BR, 2nd Stry Fam Ovrlk, Attic-Unfinished, In-Law/auPair/Ste, Laundry-BR Lvl, Laundry-Kit Lvl, Lndry-Sep Rm, Maids Rm/Quart, Main Lvl BR, Mud Room, Storage Room

Main Entrance: Foyer

Interior Style: Floor Plan-Open

Dining/Kitchen: 2nd Kitchen, Fam Rm Off Kit, Gourmet, Kit-Breakfast Bar, Kit-Island, Kit-Table Space, Sep Dining Rm, Breakfast nook

Appliances: Cooktop, Cktp-Dwn Drft, Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Dryer-front loading, Exhaust Fan, Extra Refrg/Frz, Humidifier, Icemaker, Microwave, Oven-Double, Oven-SCC, Oven-Wall, Oven/Range-Electric, Refrigerator, Washer, Washer-front loading, Water Conditioner, Water dispenser

Amenities: 2 Attach Mstr Baths, Attach Mstr Bath, Attic-Access Only, Attic-Strs Pull Dwn, Auto Gar Dr Opn, Bath Ceramic Tile, Chair Railing, Crown Molding, Double Vanities, Drapery Rods, Drapes/Curtains, Dual Entry Bathroom, Entry Lvl BR, FP gas insert, FP Glass Doors, FP Heatilator, FP Mantels, Granite Counters, MBA/Sep Shwr, MBA/Sep Tub, MBR-BA Full, MBRs Multiple, Master Walk-in Closet, Rough In BA, Separate Vanities, Shades/Blinds, Sump Pump, Tub-2 + person, Tub-Soaking, W/W Carpeting, Wainscotting, Walk-in Closet(s), Washer/Dryer Hookup, Water Closet, Wood Floors, Wpool Jets

Security: Electric Alarm, Monitored, Motion Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detector(s), Smoke Detector, Security System

Windows/Doors: Bay/Bow Wind, Casement, Vinyl Clad, Dble Pane Wind, French Doors, Insulated Door(s), Insulated Window(s), Low-E windows, Palladian Windows, Recessed Lighting, Screens, Six Panel Doors, Sliding Glass Dr, Wood Frame

Walls/Ceilings: 2 Story Ceilings, 9'+ Ceilings, Cathedral Ceilings, Dry Wall, Tray Ceilings, Vaulted Ceilings Hope to you see you there and until next time... Stay on Top of the Market, Erik Hart REALTOR, BPI Analyst Severna Park Sales Long and Foster Realtors 410-544-4000 Office 443-889-6860 Cell www.erikhart.lnf.com www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

level small plates lounge

Located just a few blocks away from both the Maryland State House and the historic Dock Street area, Level in Annapolis really delivers an enticing culinary experience. Our first visit to Level came on a Friday evening and although the usual evening crowds were already forming, we only had to loop around the block once to find street parking in an ideal location. As we hit the second block of our two block walk to the restaurant, we were pleasantly greeted by wonderful aromas of our pending dining adventure.

Reservations are recommended, and we arrived around a half an hour before our time but were promptly greeted at the door by the hostess who took our information and explained our seating options. Upstairs was our choice, where we were again reminded of the popularity of the location by the sights and sounds of the many happy patrons.  Happy hour at Level is from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday and features $6 cocktails and $5 - $6 select plates.

The drinks were fantastic! Upon recommendation, I went for the “Shot and Beer"…a canned Modelo Negro, served with a silver tequila and “El Vocho” shooter – definitely worth considering. We also ordered a smoked margarita, which turned out to be nothing less than extraordinary.

As we were waiting for our friends (who were convinced by the menu to drive over an hour to try it out), we decided to try our first dish of the night. Cuban Pork Spring Rolls it was and to say that it batted a great lead-off hitter to the night may be an injustice…but they were wonderful.

Once we were seated (actually five minutes before our reservation time) our friends joined us and we really let the food tour begin. Two drinks were ordered – the Incredible Hulk and the Pomegranate Caipirinha as well as a variety of dishes. Key information on Level is that they are known for having smaller servings with great attention to detail and us actually finding Level was due to typing tapas in Google. Armed with this tapas knowledge, we ordered the Piedmont Sheep Cheese Platter, Japanese Eggplant, Spicy Tuna Tartar, Grilled Quail, Hand Cut Fries and the Chorizo Pizza.

WOW! All were unique and great in their own way and although we did leave with full stomachs…we also left some with some great recommendations and plans to return in the near future.

POSITIVES: Extensive Drink Menu, Wonderful Food, Great Happy Hour, Unique Menu Choices, Great Service

NEGATIVES: Close Tables, Parking Challenges, Loud

Until next time, keep staying on Top of the Market -

Erik Hart

REALTOR®, BPI Analyst

Severna Park Sales

Long and Foster Realtors

410-544-4000 Office

443-889-6860 Cell

www.erikhart.lnf.com

February Market Update

A quick housing trend update for Anne Arundel County for February 2012.

(Note - All figures are compared to February of 2011)

Units Sold - 346, no change from last year
Active Inventory - 2595, down 24%  (3430 units)
Median Sale Price - $257,300, down 10% ($285,100)
Days on Market - 107, down 1%
New Listings - 731, down 1% (740)
Current Contracts - 594, up 38% (431)
Sold vs. List Price - 95.4%, down .6%
Months of Supply - 7.5, down 24%
(Months of supply is calculated by dividing current inventory by current sales. Months of supply indicates how many months would be needed to sell all of the inventory available at current rate of demand.)
If you are interested in a market update for your area, just let me know.

Until next time, keep staying on Top of the Market -

Erik Hart

REALTOR®, BPI Analyst

Severna Park Sales

Long and Foster Realtors

410-544-4000 Office

443-889-6860 Cell

www.erikhart.lnf.com

Short Sales News

I have recently had the opportunity to work with some short sale properties (from the buyer’s perspective) and since then have really dug in to find some more information to not only share with clients, but also just to be more knowledgeable around the much involved process. 

Some of you may be familiar with short sales, and some of you may not. Following you will find the basic definition of a short sale as well as some interesting and much welcomed news regarding short sales properties.

A short sale, as defined by Wickipedia, is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from selling the property will fall short of the balance of debts secured by liens against the property and the property owner cannot afford to repay the liens' full amounts, whereby the lien holders agree to release their lien on the real estate and accept less than the amount owed on the debt. Any unpaid balance owed to the creditors is known as a deficiency. Short sale agreements do not necessarily release borrowers from their obligations to repay any deficiencies of the loans, unless specifically agreed to between the parties.

A short sale is often used as an alternative to foreclosure because it mitigates additional fees and costs to both the creditor and borrower; however both will often result in a negative credit report against the property owner.

And the welcomed news…

Short Sales Get Shorter: New Deadlines to go into Effect 

Daily Real Estate News | Thursday, March 15, 2012 

As part of a settlement with state attorneys general, the five largest mortgage services are adopting new requirements for short sales, which is expected to speed-up what has been known as a lengthy process.

Here are some of the new requirements for servicers under the settlement: 

• Servicers must provide borrowers with a decision within 30 days after receiving a short sale package request.
• Servicers will be required to notify a borrower, also within 30 days, if any necessary documents are missing to process the short sale request.
• Servicers must notify a borrower immediately if a deficiency payment is needed to approve the short sale. They must also provide an estimated amount for the deficiency payment needed for the short sale.
• Servicers are also required to form an internal group to review all short sale requests.
• Banks will be considered in violation of the settlement requirements if they take longer than 30 days on more than 10 percent of the short sale requests. Violations can carry fines of up to $1 million and $5 million for repeat offenses.

“If a real estate broker can get a checklist from the bank detailing what documentation is needed, everything can be provided up front, and the bank will be required to give a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down within 30 days,” short sale specialist Chris Hanson with the Hanson Law Firm told HousingWire. “That’s not a bad deal.” 

Source: “AG Settlement Starts the Clock on Short Sales,” HousingWire (March 14, 2012)

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market,

Erik Hart
REALTOR®
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com

Showings and Open Houses

Open houses and showings can be a great opportunity to not only showcase your property but also to receive some open feedback. Although this is obviously not an all inclusive list, the following tips made my “Top Ten” list of key tasks to complete in order to have a successful showing or open house. 

1. MOW YOUR GRASS AND TRIM THE BUSHES.

First impressions are essential. I have had many instances where a poorly landscaped yard does not match the nice interior…or vise versa. It is a fact however that a great way to turn a scheduled showing into a quick drive by can be the difference between a great yard and one that is not so great.

2. GET A PRESSURE WASHER AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE IT.

Also a first impression but maybe not so noticeable is that paneling that is in desperate need of a cleaning or the driveway that is stained.

3. A FUNCTIONAL DOORBELL CAN GO A LONG WAYS.

A door knocker that is polished and clean or a functioning door bell, or lack there of, can send a negative message. This is especially true if you are waiting on your agent to open the door of a property and the homeowner (who you thought was not there) announces that the doorbell does in fact not work…

4. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR ENERGY SOURCES.

In the ever increasing push to be more energy efficient, heating and cooling mechanisms that appear to not make the mark or are in disrepair can raise many questions. Cleaning out fireplaces, replacing air filters and cleaning exposed duct work are a few tasks that are fairly quick and easy to complete.

5. DO DECLUTTER.

Everyone has heard it before, but clutter in a house sends a message of cramped spaces and sometimes dirtiness. Clean off the counter tops and organize those closets! If needed, do not be afraid to consider renting a storage space to temporarily get rid of extra items.

6. ENSURE ALL APPLIANCES ARE WORKING AND IMMACULATE.

Show off your appliances! All should be eye catching and a topic of conversation. The kitchen is usually the most expensive room in the house and should be treated as such.

7. GIVE YOUR SPACES DEFINITION. 

Short of putting up a table tent to name your master bedroom, it is imperative that you have rooms that have meaning. A formal dining area should have a table, a reading area or office should have a book shelf, etc.

8. HAVE A GARAGE SALE.

One of the best ways to de-clutter is to have a garage sale. Not only will you be able to open up some maybe much needed space in your house, but you will also make a little bit of money towards your upcoming move.

9. DISPLAY YOUR HOMES INDEX.

A great opportunity to really be a homeowner that appears to stand by the quality of the house is to have current and pertinent information on the property available for everyone’s review. The house profile sheet, surveys, appliance information, recent repair/utility bills are all good fillers for this binder.

10. BE AWARE OF ALL THE SENSES.

Potential home buyers always seem have a heightened sense of awareness when they are considering purchasing a property that most often times is the biggest purchase of their lives. Some soft background music along with a nice house scent can really capitalize on this increased awareness.

Having a focused plan that is consistent and focused will give you the best chance to really display all the positive attributes of your home during those showings or open house.

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market,

Erik Hart
REALTOR®
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com