New Listing Alert! 412 Hawthorne Road in Roland Park

Dear Client,

I want you to be the first to know about an exceptional new property that I am listing!

This quintessential 5 bedroom, 3 bath Roland Park home located on a corner lot makes this a private retreat with incredible natural light.

Enjoy the eat-in kitchen with cozy banquette seating, granite countertops, and custom maple cabinetry which opens up to the sun filled family room. Gracious dining room with built in cabinetry and French doors that open to the picturesque wrap around porch, perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing on a summers day.

Impressively large master bedroom with both his and her closets. Newer furnace, central air, converted to gas heat, and upgraded electric. Home owners took care in bringing this home to what it is today, even adding extensive moldings throughout.

You will surely fall in love with this escape nestled in the tree tops!

I will be holding an open house from 12-2pm this Wednesday; I hope you‘ll stop by or feel free to contact me for a private showing.

If you're in the market to buy/sell give me a call, I would be happy to help!

Looking Forward to Spring!

There are many reasons to look forward to spring.  Thoughts of spring flowers and April showers can be a real respite from the bitter ice and cold that many are experiencing in the northeastern half of the U.S.  For those of us in real estate, the spring selling season is literally just around the corner and there is much to prepare for in advance.
The spring season is historically the busiest time of year in real estate so if you are thinking of putting your home on the market for this coming selling season, now is really the perfect time to meet with me to discuss your options.  There is much a homeowner needs to prepare for and a sales professional can help you prioritize and map-out your plan.
The spring market is a prime opportunity for sellers to capture motivated buyers, and sellers need to ensure their property stands out from the competition.  To do so, price positioning and home presentation are critical factors in attracting a buyer's attention.
As a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales professional, I will provide you with a competitive market analysis and review current market conditions with you.  I will use this information along with a review of current inventory, recent comparable sales prices and other data to advise you. In addition, I will know which competitive properties currently on the market will impact you and can guide you on the optimal listing price to sell your home. 
I will also direct you on how to prepare your home for maximum appeal. With spring only a few months away you have just enough time to remove the clutter, repaint, repair and refurbish those areas of your home that need it.
If your home is currently on the market, it is still a great time to review your current marketing plan and prepare to make the adjustments necessary to remain competitive during the high-selling season. 
Regardless of the amount of snow on the ground right now, the reality is spring isn't too far away.  Be prepared and call me today!

New Listing Alert! 5930 Saint Marys Street in Catonsville Manor

Dear Clients and Friends,
I want you to be the first to know about an exceptional new property that I am listing!
Don't Miss This Lovingly Maintained Home! Great opportunity for 1st time home buyer and/or someone in need of one-level living.

3 Bedroom, 2 Full Baths, 2yr NEW carpet & windows. Cozy fully finished basement with recessed lighting, full bath, built-in bar for entertaining , & plenty of storage.

Eat in kitchen w/ 5yr NEW cabinets, opens to large back yard with spacious deck. 2 car off street parking. All this and the home owners are offering a 1yr. AHS Home Warranty.
These are just a few of the many amenities this move-in-ready home has to offer. Call me for a private showing today!
Whether you are in the market for a new home or looking sell, give me a call or send me a quick email since I would be happy to help!

IS 2011 THE YEAR OF RECOVERY?

As we kick-off the new year and make resolutions to keep our resolutions, one question is still at the forefront of many minds. Will the housing market and the economy overall improve in 2011?  Depending on what you're reading or who you're watching, the opinions of economists and real estate industry watchers are varied.  It's not easy to predict what the market will do in the coming year, especially without the help of a crystal ball.  However there are some key indicators to follow.
Most agree that the housing market recovery is largely based on the recovery of the job market.  Consumers will make a down payment and purchase a home when they feel financially stable and secure. 
According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released in December, 28 states and the District of Columbia posted unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier though the national jobless rate approached 9.8 percent in November.
In December, the Labor Department issued statistics that showed applications for jobless insurance payments fell by 3,000 sending the average in December to the lowest level since August 2008, and fewer workers filed claims for unemployment possibly signaling that the U.S. job market is improving if only slightly.
Another indicator to watch is pending home sale statistics. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June.  The NAR Pending Home Sales Index rose 10.4 percent to 89.3 based on contracts signed in October from 80.9 in September. Of course the index remains 20.5 percent below when compared to the same time last year as buyers rushed to meet the Tax Credit deadline in 2009.
Overall, these numbers are positive, but we still have some way to go before a full recovery is realized.  "It is welcoming to see a solid double-digit percentage gain, but activity needs to improve further to reach healthy, sustainable levels," said  Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. "The housing market clearly is in a recovery phase and will be uneven at times, but the improving job market and consequential boost to household formation will help the recovery process going into 2011," he said.
Give me a call if you would like specific information regarding the pending sales in your immediate area and how it will impact your success.
I am hopeful that 2011 will bring a revived economy and a stable housing market.  I look forward to welcoming in the new year and assisting you with all your real estate needs in 2011 and beyond.  Happy New Year!

Benefits for Home Sellers Who Brave the Cold

As we hunker down and prepare ourselves for the wintry chill ahead, many home sellers consider taking their home off the market. However, there can be some real benefit for those home sellers who brave the cold and keep their homes on the market during the winter months.
Though it is true that spring and early summer are the heavy selling seasons, not many realize that selling in winter can be just as profitable, and it may even be a better time to feature your property.
During the winter months there tends to be less homes on the market which means less competition. Less competition gives home sellers more opportunity to showcase their property and make their home stand-out from the rest.
Selling during the winter season will also let home sellers take advantage of the holiday decorations which help to make homes look more cozy and inviting. The lack of leaves on trees can let the light in, and also highlight a wonderful view that would normally be shrouded in spring and summer.



Here are several tips to help you market your home successfully during the winter months.
Clear debris from your gutters to keep ice and snow at bay. Remove fallen leaves and other foliage before the first snow fall. If it does snow, make certain that all entrances to the home and driveway are easily accessible and clear of any ice. Be sure to wash the windows to take advantage of any spectacular views, and light a fire during an open house if you have a fireplace.
Of course, work with your sales professional to ensure that your property is properly priced for the market. Don't forget that while there may be fewer buyers in the market during the winter, there are still buyers out there who are looking for a deal and their perfect home.

Looking to buy or sell? Give me a call, I would be happy to help!

Homeownership is Still the American Dream

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released its annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey which questioned Americans from across the nation on their attitudes towards homeownership.  According to the survey, homeownership still features prominently as the American dream as nearly 8 out of 10 respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision.


Also according to NAR and its Pending Home Sales Index, pending home sales have increased for the second consecutive month rising 4.3 percent to 82.3 based on contracts signed in August. The data reflects contracts and not closings. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.

That number is still low when compared to August of 2009 when it was up 103.0, but it is still a sign of improvement and we'll take it.  It's clear that we still have a ways to go towards a full housing market recovery.  Most industry experts agree that we must have further job creation and healthier consumer confidence to achieve that goal.  Those surveyed also agreed that job insecurity and the lack of jobs continue to be the primary obstacle to home ownership and market recovery at this time.
For those in a position to buy, it is still a prime opportunity with historically low interest rates and a wide selection of homes that are more affordable now than ever. NAR's survey respondents agreed, with more than two-thirds of respondents (68 percent) saying that now is a good time to buy a home.


If you are currently in the market to purchase a home, be aware that industry insiders are watching inflation rates closely right now. If inflation rates begin to rise, then so will mortgage rates.  If mortgage rates rise, it could price many buyers out of their dream home.
To see what specific trends are taking place in your market area, feel free to contact me so I can provide you with a detailed analysis. 

New Listing Alert! 108 Longwood Road in Roland Park

Don't let this one get away! Lovely 7 bedroom, 3.5 bath Roland Park home has been renovated from top to bottom while keeping its charm & history intact.



Updates include eat-in kitchen, enclosed wrap around porch with bead board ceiling and slate floors, restored pocket doors, butler’s pantry, fully finished basement with in-law suite and more. All this and located within walking distance to the Library, Eddies, Starbucks, and shops.


For additional photos and info go to: http://www.homefindbaltimore.com/ I will be holding an open house from 12-2pm this Sunday. Feel free to contact me for a private showing.
If you're in the market to buy/sell give me a call, I would be happy to help!