Where the hell has Bob been?

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Working…working like a dog!!!

It seems like everyone has finally taken my advice and stopped listening to mainstream media.  This little blog called “Focus On Frederick” is a little over  a year old, but has taken grasp in the internet community and in the Frederick Community.  Just about anything to do with Real Estate in Frederick, you will find “Focus On Frederick.”  This blog has now become my second main source of business.  First source has always been my most gracious Sphere of Influence (Friends, family, past and present clients) or basically referrals.  I also need to plug Panera Breads, where I picked up two new clients last week.  Julie, I will find that Lake side property in Gettysburg for you…no problem!!!

But the key thing I wanted to relay to everyone…Is that PEOPLE ARE BUYING HOUSES!!! Yes, I know contrary to popular belief, people are actually buying houses.    Selling them too!!!  They are selling the well priced and well staged homes.  Buyers have too many to look at lately.  I should know, I have seen every home in Downtown Frederick priced under $250,000 this past couple weeks…sometimes even twice.  I have a new client looking this evening…so I am guessing, listing agents will see my business card on their counter tops again this week.  Each buyer wants a deal, they know what they are looking for…you Mr. Seller have to have your “A game” on every time.  Each buyer is different.  Some can see through the clutter, overstuffed closets, piled up kids stuff and all the photos on the fridge.  But some people can’t…can you take that risk?

I have been scratching my head trying to figure out what the common denominator is for all the activity and have not put my thumb on it.  Maybe it’s the scare of interest rates going up.  (you can see the most current rate to the right of this post for Maryland and Pennsylvania.)  Keep in mind that the posted interest rates are best case scenarios.  You will need to contact a local lender to find out what loan program and interest rate you can get.  Maybe it’s the fact people are getting tired of waiting around for things to change.  Or maybe it’s the public is finally gaining confidence in the upcoming election.  Who knows!!!  But anyways, I have been busy helping buyers and sellers.

And I am doing what???

I have recently helped Annie find her home downtown, working on a contract for Ron also in downtown Frederick, Dale and Susan from Texas have been looking for a very specific home and we are working on their offer today in Brunswick and finally Kevin and his family; selling their home and purchasing one a brand new home in Point of Rocks.  Marion is ready to put together an offer for her downtown Frederick home.  I meet with new clients tonight for their downtown Frederick home search.   Now that’s just a few of the buyers that are happening now.  I have sellers that I am helping market their home as best as possible.  Keeping them abreast of the current neighborhood market activity.  I also have some commercial property in Hagerstown coming up soon.  I absolutely love it like this.   Helping people find their next home and the feelings that are involved are why I continue to what I do.

So, I apologize for neglecting my little ole blog here.

How can I help you?  Give me a call or send me an email.  The market is ripe!

June 30, 2008 · Filed Under Frederick MD Real Estate, Frederick Market Conditions

11 Comments 

Vacation time: Where to stay in Frederick

Ah, the open roads…even with the gas prices as high as they are, everyone needs to get away once in awhile and maybe that place happens to be Frederick, Maryland.  Whether just passing by or staying for the weekend, you are going to need a handful of hotels on hand to make reservations. Yes, reservations!  With over 1500 hotel rooms available, you will need to call first.  Frederick is the crossroads to a couple major areas; Baltimore and Washington DC.  It also has a few attractions of its own to draw visitors like the battlefields; Antietam and Monocacy.  On top of that, Frederick, MD seems to be a popular stopping point for northerners heading to the beach like Ocean City, MD, Virginia Beach, VA and even the Outer Banks, NC.  So, if you plan on staying in Frederick over the summer, you might want to call first.

Where to stay in Frederick, MD…

Frederick Hotels

Hotel Phone Number Address Website Rooms
Best Western 301-695-6200 420 Prospect Boulevard Click Here 118
Comfort Inn Red Horse 301-662-0281 998 W. Patrick St Click Here 69
Comfort Inn Rt 85 301-668-7272 7300 Executive Way Click Here 73
Extended Stay 301-668-0808 5240 Westview Dr Click Here 101
Hampton Inn 301-698-2500 5311 Buckeystown Pike Click Here 161
Hampton Inn & Suites 301-696-1565 1565 Opossumtown Pike Click Here 104
Hilton Garden 240-566-1500 7226 Corporate Court Click Here 143
Holiday Inn Express 301-695-2881 5579 Spectrum Drive Click Here 100
Holiday Inn Holidome 301-694-7500 5400 Holiday Dr Click Here 155
Holiday Inn Rt 40 301-662-5141 999 W. Patrick St. Click Here 158
MainStay 301-668-4600 7310 Executive Way Click Here 73
Sleep Inn 301-668-4260 5361 Spectrum Drive Click Here 84
Courtyard 301-631-9030 5225 Westview Drive Click Here 90
Fairfield Inn 301-631-2000 5220 Westview Drive Click Here 105
Residence Inn 301-360-0010 5230 Westview Drive Click Here 90

Reasons to visit Frederick in 2008…

• Jazzed in June, Frederick, MD, June 21-22, 2008
• What Ails You? Medical History of 18th & 19th Century, Frederick, MD, June 28, 2008
• Frederick’s 4th - An Independence Day Celebration, Frederick, MD, July 4, 2008
• Frederick County Corvette Club Car Show, Frederick, MD, July 5, 2008
• First Saturday - Great American Main Street, Frederick, MD, July 5, 2008
• Civil War Encampment, Frederick, MD, July 12-13, 2008
• 144th Anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy, Frederick, MD, July 12-13, 2008
• Frederick Blues Festival, Frederick, MD, July 19, 2008
• Reggae Wine Festival, Frederick, MD, July 19-20, 2008
• 50/60s Days, Frederick, MD, July 26, 2008
• Jefferson Ruritan Community Carnival, Frederick, MD, August 1-2, 2008
• The Confederate Occupation of Frederick in 1862, Frederick, MD, August 2-3, 2008
• First Saturday - Dog Days of Summer, Frederick, MD, August 2, 2008
• Swingin’ Blues Wine Festival, Frederick, MD, August 9-10, 2008
• Rose Hill Day; Antique Car Show and Ice Cream Socail, Frederick, MD, August 17, 2008
• Golden Gears Club Car Show, Frederick, MD, September 6, 2008
• First Saturday - Around the World in 15 Blocks, Frederick, MD, September 6, 2008
• Great Frederick Fair, Frederick, MD, September 12-20, 2008
• Frederick Fashion Week 2008, Frederick, MD, September 18-20, 2008

If you decide to make the Frederick area your new home…call me.  I will gladly help you find your new home.

June 21, 2008 · Filed Under Frederick MD Real Estate

4 Comments 

Good News for Buyers of Foreclosed Properties and FHA Loans

With the increase popularity of the FHA loan in today’s mortgage market, the FHA has been slighted with all the vacant foreclosed homes. Due to previous abuses of house flipping problems, the government adopted the idea that they wouldn’t allow funding on a property that was recently purchased. Purchaser had to wait 90 days before FHA would approve the loan. That has since changed with this press release from HUD. This is good news for those that qualify and have found the right home.

FHA EXTENDS FINANCING FOR IMMEDIATE PURCHASE OF FORECLOSED HOMES
Measure seen to bring stability to home values and accelerate sale of vacant properties

WASHINGTON - In an effort to stabilize declining home values in certain neighborhoods, the Bush Administration today announced a temporary policy that will extend government-backed mortgage insurance and allow for the immediate sale of vacant foreclosed properties.

For one year, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will insure foreclosed properties marketed and sold by property disposition firms on behalf of lenders. The properties, which must purchased by owner-occupants, will no longer be subject to the customary 90-day waiting period.

“A glut of foreclosed and abandoned homes harms neighborhoods, frustrates homebuyers and delays a community’s recovery,” said Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary of Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner. “The action we take today will allow homebuyers to purchase these homes in much greater numbers and ease the excess supply of unsold homes in neighborhoods across the country.”

FHA’s new temporary policy will help stabilize neighborhoods experiencing high rates of foreclosure by reducing the inventory of unsold properties. Many foreclosed properties remain vacant for months, inviting vandalism and reducing values of surrounding homes. To address that sizeable inventory, lenders have hired companies that specialize in the marketing and disposition of foreclosed homes. It’s reasonable and appropriate that these firms have the ability to sell the properties to borrowers using FHA financing.

With certain exceptions, FHA currently prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. This prohibition is intended to prevent property “flipping,” a predatory practice that strips a home of its equity before being quickly resold at an inflated price to an unsuspecting buyer. FHA’s new policy will permit the immediate sale of foreclosed properties to legitimate borrowers wishing to use FHA-insured financing.

To read the full text of this new temporary policy, visit FHA’s website.

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You can find out more information on the HUD website.

June 17, 2008 · Filed Under Frederick MD Real Estate

4 Comments 

May Housing Market Update

The monthly housing report is finally out for May. I am glad to see the inventory lower than last year.  This is one item that has to be inline for the market to return to normal.  Hopefully we will continue to see this trend in the market.  Looking at the prices, we are below 2005 prices.  This is very unfortunate for everyone that has bought at the top of the market in 2005-2006.

Now, for those homeowners that have purchased prior to 2004; Don’t cry too much… you are still seeing approximately 14% appreciation.  Fourteen percent!!! That falls inline with normal appreciation or 4-6% a year.  Unfortunately, some homeowners took advantage of the steep appreciation and cashed out on Home Equity line of credit.  So in this case, you over spent your appreciation.

Just remember, in a normal market, homes will appreciate at very similar rate as your income.  When they don’t parallel each other…you’re gonna have problems.

Have a great day…things are really picking up around here.

June 16, 2008 · Filed Under Frederick Market Conditions, Market Condition

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