Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: 2014

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

#Newlisting#SingleFamily#Germantown#Wegmans#Milestone#Shopping

http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/PhotoPopup.aspx?L=1&TID=1&key=98772168917&mtid=1&n=23&i=0

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: #homesalesjump

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: #homesalesjump: Pending home sales rose 6.1 percent in May thanks to lower mortgage rates and increased inventory, the National Association of Realtors an...

#homesalesjump

Pending home sales rose 6.1 percent in May thanks to lower mortgage rates and increased inventory, the National Association of Realtors announced on Monday. It was the largest month-over-month gain since April 2010.

While pending sales rose between April and May, the sales volume still fell 5.2 percent below 2013 levels. That’s thanks in part to issues facing first-time homebuyers, who are struggling to qualify for mortgages due to debt burdens and poor credit, according to NAReconomist, Lawrence Yun. The market probably won’t recover enough in the second half of the year to make up for the poor start and outpace 2013, Yun said in a statement.

“The flourishing stock market the last few years has propelled sales in the higher price brackets, while sales for homes under $250,000 are 10 percent behind last year’s pace. Meanwhile, apartment rents are expected to rise 8 percent cumulatively over the next two years because of tight availability. Solid income growth and a slight easing in underwriting standards are needed to encourage first-time buyer participation, especially as renting becomes less affordable.”

Pending home sales jumped the most in the northeast, which nearly recovered to last year’s sales figure. The West was worst off, with pending sales that also rose sharply but were 11.1 percent below last year’s.

#homesales

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Things to do in Maryland and the DC area

http://thoughtcatalog.com/jeremy-populus-jones/2013/10/24-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-dmv-dc-maryland-virginia/

Monday, June 16, 2014

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: Homes Sales in the Washington DC area and Maryland...

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: Homes Sales in the Washington DC area and Maryland...: http://www.rbintel.com/sites/default/files/Housing%20Market%20Update%20-%20DC%20Metro%20May%202014.pdf

Homes Sales in the Washington DC area and Maryland

http://www.rbintel.com/sites/default/files/Housing%20Market%20Update%20-%20DC%20Metro%20May%202014.pdf

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: #Selling your home tips

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: #Selling your home tips: Follow these tricks for creating the best impression: Ensure that the yard and landscaping is neat, tidy, and well-maintained. Seek to ...

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: #Selling your home tips

Sunday, June 1, 2014

#Selling your home tips

Follow these tricks for creating the best impression:

Ensure that the yard and landscaping is neat, tidy, and well-maintained. Seek to flatter the home first, then to show off your gardening skills. Freshly pruned vegetation illustrates careful stewardship.

If flowering plants are past their prime, trim them back and add in some seasonal plants for color. Re-edge and add mulch to existing beds. Plants in containers may be easily changed out or positioned where they are most needed, and if you invest in nice pots, you can take them with you.

Control growth of large trees to optimize light and safety of the home and surrounding buildings and property. Remove debris under trees daily, if needed.

Pay close attention to the front door and garage doors, including paint or stain condition and color, hardware and details ? these doors command a lot of attention. Consider adding seasonal decorations like a wreath or potted plants near the door, but keep these tasteful and few ? don?t distract from the house itself.

Clean steps, ensuring that they are free of scratches, chips, moss or signs of wear. Repair or upgrade handrails when appropriate.

A new Welcome Mat at the door will not only make a statement, it is also an invitation for viewers to wipe their feet as they enter the home.

Investing in new and unique numbers for your home not only makes it easy to identify, but can set it apart with flare.

Pressure wash the exterior of your home and ensure the gutters and roof are clean.

Assess and improve the driveway and any walkways to and around the home.

Upgrade lighting by doors and pathways. Providing safe and stylish lighting will make your home stand out in viewings throughout the day and evening.

Upgrade your mailbox. Creating a secure and attractive mail receptacle is akin to having a plush welcome mat at the end of your driveway or by your door.

Ensure that windows and screens are clean and well-maintained. Viewers from both the inside and outside of the home rely on being able to see through them. Shutters and screens should be in top shape. Easy-to-install PVC trim neatens and dresses up older windows and doors. Drapes and shades should be clean and in good working order.

Familiarize yourself with views from decks and various rooms, and improve those views when possible.

Decks can be used year-round in many places. Spruce up your deck, porch or patio and show what an inviting space it can be to potential buyers.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Tips for sellers

Take your photo shoot seriously

Today, many buyers get their first impression of your home online. Too often, listings go online with photos of a dark room, lights off or blinds closed. Even worse? A new listing without photos or that has only one. If your real agent isn’t hiring a professional photographer to take high resolution photos, then you should invest the few hundred dollars to do so. Have them taken at the best time of day. Clean the home in advance and put away clutter. Prepare for the photo shoot just as you would for an open house. If buyers don’t like what they see online, you may never get them in the door.

Have your home inspected before listing

Nothing is worse than waiting months or even years for an offer, only to have potential buyers discover that your HVAC system is on the fritz or that there is dry rot. When that happens, you’re forced to reduce the price or give credits.

Even worse, you may scare off the buyer and be forced to go back on the market. Often when this occurs, buyers and agents think there’s a problem with your property—which can make it tough to sell. That’s why a few hundred dollars on a pre-sales inspection is the best investment you can make. If there are issues, you can price the home accordingly. More importantly, you’re providing the buyers with more information. You’ll be in their good graces from the start.

Throw buyers a bone

Receive an offer on your home at a good price? Have you been one of the lucky ones who received more than one offer over a short period of time? Good for you; you’re in the driver’s seat. Even so, you still want to be in the buyer’s good graces during escrow and even after the sale. If you have the opportunity, throw the buyer a bone. If they ask for an early closing and you can do it, give it to them. Negotiate to buy them a one-year home warranty or give them a small credit. These little offerings will go a long way toward a speedy and hassle-free escrow.

The most important thing to remember is that to be a smart seller, you need to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Remember that today’s buyers lived through one of the biggest housing and credit crises in generations. They’re motivated but cautious, and they have a wealth of information available to them online. Don’t take anything for granted.

Taken from: http://www.zillow.com/blog/be-a-smart-seller-in-2014-142838/

Monday, March 10, 2014

New Home Sales

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2014/02/26/new-home-sales-14/

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Housing gains predicted

http://rismedia.com/2014-02-23/housing-gains-predicted-for-the-year/

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Keeping up with Home Improvements

Being a homeowner is one of the most rewarding parts of life, but it is also a large undertaking. From the day you move in to the day you sell your home, there will always be something that will need to be repaired or remodeled. You may want to undertake some changes simply to elevate your comfort level – like installing central air conditioning – or to spruce up the home’s aesthetics, such as adding a few stained-glass windows.
But other work will need to be done to maintain the property and minimize problems later on. These may include replacing a hazardous roof, fixing broken windows, and repairing leaky pipes. These are all necessities. Left undone, they can lead to major problems and damages within the home.
If you decide one day to sell, other improvements will likely be made to increase the home’s value and appeal to potential buyers.
From the very beginning, get in the habit of taking an inventory, at least once every year, of every nook and cranny of your home to check for potential problems. Examine the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical wiring – basically everything. Try to fix trouble spots as soon as you uncover them.

This proactive approach will help you avoid larger expenses later on, so leave no stone unturned when taking your inventory.
You may expect to spend one percent of the purchase price of your home every year to handle a myriad of tasks, including painting, tree trimming, repairing gutters, caulking windows, and routine system repairs and maintenance.
An older home will usually require more maintenance, although a lot will depend on how well it has been maintained over the years.
Tell yourself that the upkeep of your home is mandatory, and budget accordingly. Otherwise, your home’s value will suffer if you allow it to fall into a state of disrepair. Remember, there is usually a direct link between a property’s condition and its market value: The better its condition, the more a buyer will likely pay for it down the road.
Adopt the attitude that the cost of good home maintenance is usually minor compared to what it will cost to remedy a situation that you allowed to get out of hand. For example, unclogging and sealing gutters may cost a few hundred dollars. But repairing damage to a corner of your home where gutters have leaked can potentially cost several thousands dollars.
As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Is Your Realtor Your Financial Adviser?

In a recent article in the Business and Jobs section of the Indianapolis Star, weekly columnist Peter Dunn argues that your agent just may be your number one financial adviser. The premise for his opinion is that a home is the biggest purchase most people will make and that a financial adviser's primary role is in risk assessment and avoiding mistakes. Strictly speaking, a Realtor is not a financial adviser, but the goal of any good Realtor is to offer expert advice in pursuit of his client's goals. If you've never thought of your current or future home in terms of investing, read Dunn's article to learn more about how a Realtor can help you in one of the biggest financial decisions you may make. Click here to read the article at indystar.com