Preparing Your Home for Winter

The cold is finally here to stay. If you haven't already done so, here are some things you should do to get the outside of your house ready for the winter weather and keep inside warm and cozy.

• Clean the gutters: Clear them now of all those fall leaves. If your gutters are full of debris, water can back up against the house and damage roofing, siding and wood trim- plus cause leaks and ice dams.
• Turn off exterior faucets: These will freeze which can cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. So turn them off and drain what water is in them.
• Inspect the roof: Before the snow piles up on top of your home, make sure your roof is in good condition.
• Chimney sweep: If you have a chimney, now is a good time to clean it. You’ll also want to inspect the chimney to make sure your damper isn’t worn or rusted- if it is, it will allow cold air to enter your home.
• Tune up the boiler: It will be working overtime in the winter season, so make sure it’s in good working order to prevent any unwanted surprises.
• Caulk: Caulk around windows and doors where needed. If the gaps between siding and window or door frames are bigger than the width of a nickel, you need to reapply. This will help seal any gaps where cold air could seep in.
• Storm doors: Replace screen doors with storm doors.
• Weatherstripping: Weatherstrip around door frames to keep out cold air.

Just SOLD! ~ 19 Brookstone Court in Lutherville-Timonium

This beautiful home has just SOLD! Congratulations to these home buyers. They knew a great house in a great neighborhood when they saw it. Thank you so much for allowing me to help you find your new Baltimore home.

I can help you too! Thinking about buying a new home, selling your home,or both? I know Baltimore and what it takes to buy and sell. Contact Magan Drane today!

Thank you to all my clients and friends for another great year!

Housing Inventory Snapshot

I hope you will find the following snapshot of local Real Estate inventory interesting. The table represents aggregated values based on MLS data for the specified date. Housing Inventory Snapshot January 28, 2015 Average List Price for active listings Median List Price for active listings Average DOM: active/sold Allegany County, MD Single Family under $180K $89,830 $88,000 183  / 163 Single Family over $180K $291,827 $259,500 253  / 455 Condo/Townhome under $300K $79,138 $72,000 339  / 63 Anne Arundel County, MD Single Family under $500K $322,683 $324,900 127  / 131 Single Family over $500K $953,461 $699,000 180  / 157 Condo/Townhome under $300K $181,772 $200,900 129  / 162 Condo/Townhome over $300K $438,555 $389,500 106  / 117 Baltimore City, MD Single Family under $500K $199,471 $189,500 123  / 127 Single Family over $500K $896,651 $698,500 144  / 82 Condo/Townhome under $300K $108,837 $94,900 135  / 130 Condo/Townhome over $300K $486,725 $399,000 120  / 109 Baltimore County, MD Single Family under $500K $248,056 $229,900 127  / 129 Single Family over $500K $932,016 $695,000 173  / 133 Condo/Townhome under $300K $120,594 $110,000 130  / 124 Condo/Townhome over $300K $458,833 $379,990 109  / 103 Calvert County, MD Single Family under $500K $294,660 $293,763 162  / 167 Single Family over $500K $725,929 $599,900 249  / 250 Condo/Townhome under $300K $220,406 $229,900 149  / 157 Condo/Townhome over $300K $360,210 $329,000 339  / 40 Caroline County, MD Single Family under $500K $190,875 $179,000 234  / 126 Single Family over $500K $789,553 $735,000 209  / N/A** Carroll County, MD Single Family under $500K $310,436 $305,000 142  / 148 Single Family over $500K $728,827 $639,900 153  / 233 Condo/Townhome under $300K $174,885 $175,900 109  / 106 Condo/Townhome over $300K $338,420 $323,990 87  / N/A** Cecil County, MD Single Family under $500K $251,833 $249,900 160  / 185 Single Family over $500K $997,046 $799,000 303  / N/A** Condo/Townhome under $230K $128,430 $129,900 136  / 124 Charles County, MD Single Family under $500K $307,449 $305,000 146  / 136 Single Family over $500K $801,932 $599,990 199  / N/A** Condo/Townhome under $300K $174,962 $169,900 105  / 113 Condo/Townhome over $300K $323,050 $324,900 105  / N/A** Dorchester County, MD Single Family under $500K $182,646 $158,800 234  / 105 Single Family over $500K $1,240,576 $689,900 309  / N/A** Frederick County, MD Single Family under $500K $312,969 $314,900 139  / 132 Single Family over $500K $746,458 $619,990 141  / 194 Condo/Townhome under $300K $201,422 $195,700 99  / 124 Condo/Townhome over $300K $372,356 $371,533 99  / 109 Garrett County, MD Single Family under $500K $197,464 $158,500 220  / 191 Single Family over $500K $811,519 $644,800 300  / 414 Condo/Townhome under $300K $189,675 $207,500 271  / N/A** Condo/Townhome over $300K $386,856 $349,900 214  / N/A** Harford County, MD Single Family under $500K $296,692 $299,900 137  / 165 Single Family over $500K $748,454 $645,225 238  / 179 Condo/Townhome under $300K $176,816 $175,000 116  / 125 Condo/Townhome over $300K $399,344 $359,990 140  / 193 Howard County, MD Single Family under $500K $362,093 $369,900 112  / 122 Single Family over $500K $820,158 $705,000 172  / 156 Condo/Townhome under $300K $215,657 $232,000 103  / 101 Condo/Townhome over $300K $413,673 $399,990 80  / 151 Montgomery County, MD Single Family under $1M $546,642 $519,990 124  / 132 Single Family over $1M $2,042,559 $1,639,000 148  / 125 Condo/Townhome under $600K $280,182 $274,900 89  / 108 Condo/Townhome over $600K $1,179,827 $750,000 126  / 100 Prince Georges County, MD Single Family under $500K $286,575 $269,950 119  / 128 Single Family over $500K $665,608 $599,000 153  / 135 Condo/Townhome under $300K $147,973 $150,000 92  / 138 Condo/Townhome over $300K $465,277 $424,960 85  / 102

If you know someone who is considering buying or selling a home, please give me a call. I will provide professional and courteous service along with knowledgeable guidance through the process.

Sincerely,     Magan Marie Drane, Realtor®, ABR® Direct (410) 493-6854 Office (410) 235-4100 Fax (410) 558-6761 Magan@MaganDrane.com www.magandrane.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

The Right Price is The Right Move

I just read this article in The Baltimore Sun about the importance of the price you list your home for and it is so on point. It’s extremely important to start with the right price when selling your home. 

Starting at a price that’s too high will turn off buyers instantly. "Why is this house listed for $250k when this one with the same number of bedrooms/ bathrooms and similar size, updates, etc. is listed for $230k?" If homes most similar to yours in your neighborhood are selling for an average of $235k and you list for $250 buyers may just write your home off without ever going to see it. Not to mention you may eliminate a whole group of buyers who are only looking up to a certain price in a certain neighborhood (they most likely have an idea what homes in the area are selling for- or at least their agents will). So you're home will not even appear in their search.

Your Real Estate agent should be able to figure out just what that “right price” is for your home. There are many factors that go into choosing a good list price. Condition of the home, size, updates, neighborhod, but most important are the compariables. Comps provide you with knowledge of what other homes near you are selling for- in other words, what buyers are willing to spend.

When interviewing agents, go with an agent who seems to know the market and provides you with the best tips for selling your home. Don’t choose an agent just because they gave you the highest list price. What are the comps? Is the price realistic? Have them explain how and why they decided on that price. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me: magan@magandrane.com

Maintaining Home Cleanliness While on the Market

A clean home goes a long way in catching a buyers interest. It shows that the seller has loved and maintained their home over the years. 

-Stay on top of chores! Make them part of your daily routine. Make the bed. Wiped down the counters. Dust. Vacuum and/or sweep. Everyday. 

-Clean messes when you see them instead of making a note to do it later.

-On the same note: clean up after yourself right away! Don't let dishes sit in the sink, etc. Doing tasks as needed helps to avoid having a ton of chores to do at one time- i.e. 30 minutes before a showing.

-Keep everything in it's place when not in use. If you use something- put it back immediately after use. This helps to prevent clutter from piling up. 

-De-clutter before listing. Get rid of things you don't need anymore and put items in storage that you don't use often. This will open up your home and make it easier to stay on top cleaning since there will be fewer things to find a place for and therefore less to worry about.

You'll be ready to show at any moment!! Happy selling!

Housing Inventory Snapshot

I hope you will find the following snapshot of local Real Estate inventory interesting. The table represents aggregated values based on MLS data for the specified date. Housing Inventory Snapshot December 28, 2014 Average List Price for active listings Median List Price for active listings Average DOM: for active listings/ for sold listings Allegany County, MD Single Family under $180K $91,435 $88,900 183  / 178 Single Family over $180K $292,747 $260,000 249  / 372 Condo/Townhome under $300K $78,605 $69,000 353  / 8 Anne Arundel County, MD Single Family under $500K $323,395 $325,000 128  / 136 Single Family over $500K $964,960 $699,000 184  / 193 Condo/Townhome under $300K $183,900 $204,500 124  / 105 Condo/Townhome over $300K $439,530 $385,000 112  / 121 Baltimore City, MD Single Family under $500K $199,891 $189,900 122  / 113 Single Family over $500K $878,967 $659,900 163  / 130 Condo/Townhome under $300K $108,147 $94,500 135  / 119 Condo/Townhome over $300K $469,657 $384,000 114  / 94 Baltimore County, MD Single Family under $500K $248,896 $229,900 125  / 118 Single Family over $500K $929,143 $695,000 174  / 116 Condo/Townhome under $300K $120,976 $114,500 129  / 115 Condo/Townhome over $300K $449,491 $377,000 106  / 92 Calvert County, MD Single Family under $500K $296,049 $293,763 162  / 188 Single Family over $500K $741,590 $599,900 230  / 218 Condo/Townhome under $300K $220,217 $229,900 162  / 162 Condo/Townhome over $300K $376,863 $330,000 313  / 31 Caroline County, MD Single Family under $500K $195,862 $180,000 231  / 217 Single Family over $500K $793,928 $749,900 184  / N/A** Carroll County, MD Single Family under $500K $313,234 $309,000 138  / 135 Single Family over $500K $733,990 $643,300 178  / 113 Condo/Townhome under $300K $177,230 $179,900 103  / 112 Condo/Townhome over $300K $352,586 $330,000 109  / 109 Cecil County, MD Single Family under $500K $250,267 $245,000 159  / 148 Single Family over $500K $898,888 $699,900 278  / N/A** Condo/Townhome under $230K $131,422 $130,000 122  / 138 Charles County, MD Single Family under $500K $305,246 $299,950 145  / 148 Single Family over $500K $842,172 $614,900 212  / 104 Condo/Townhome under $300K $174,243 $179,900 112  / 112 Condo/Townhome over $300K $319,393 $319,990 100  / 2 Dorchester County, MD Single Family under $500K $187,160 $159,900 226  / 210 Single Family over $500K $1,284,655 $659,000 314  / 53 Condo/Townhome under $200K $119,810 $119,900 160  / N/A** Frederick County, MD Single Family under $500K $307,411 $309,900 140  / 126 Single Family over $500K $782,832 $630,000 150  / 213 Condo/Townhome under $300K $204,782 $204,900 107  / 113 Condo/Townhome over $300K $383,072 $379,900 100  / 87 Garrett County, MD Single Family under $500K $206,326 $165,000 213  / 182 Single Family over $500K $815,836 $644,800 279  / 162 Condo/Townhome under $300K $179,660 $190,000 283  / 176 Condo/Townhome over $300K $396,483 $349,000 250  / N/A** Harford County, MD Single Family under $500K $296,692 $299,000 135  / 138 Single Family over $500K $741,792 $632,000 231  / 183 Condo/Townhome under $300K $175,529 $171,900 117  / 140 Condo/Townhome over $300K $413,857 $359,990 172  / 194 Howard County, MD Single Family under $500K $368,526 $379,000 111  / 113 Single Family over $500K $818,663 $709,900 176  / 119 Condo/Townhome under $300K $212,882 $225,000 98  / 112 Condo/Townhome over $300K $414,749 $399,990 77  / 79 Montgomery County, MD Single Family under $1M $539,379 $499,900 123  / 106 Single Family over $1M $2,008,052 $1,625,000 147  / 114 Condo/Townhome under $600K $282,213 $269,999 93  / 97 Condo/Townhome over $600K $1,156,734 $725,000 120  / 80 Prince Georges County, MD Single Family under $500K $286,608 $269,000 125  / 130 Single Family over $500K $666,060 $599,990 170  / 85 Condo/Townhome under $300K $150,773 $150,000 93  / 139 Condo/Townhome over $300K $465,272 $424,180 84  / 78

If you know someone who is considering buying or selling a home, please give me a call. I will provide professional & courteous service along with knowledgeable guidance through the process.

Sincerely,     Magan Marie Drane, Realtor®, ABR® Direct (410) 493-6854 Office (410) 235-4100 Fax (410) 558-6761 Magan@MaganDrane.com www.magandrane.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage  Listing Agent & Buyers Agent Since 2005~ Thank you for Making Over 11 Million in Sales for 2014 Possible! ~