Real Estate Blog

Top tips for home buyers

Top 4 things buyers can do to get an edge in a sellers market

Pre-approval isn’t going to cut it 

Go through full mortgage underwriting before shopping. Being pre-approved is no longer enough in this aggressive market. Sellers looking at multiple offers will pick the surest thing. Go well beyond a pre-approval letter. “If you need a mortgage, make sure you’ve gone through full underwriting,” he says. “Then, all that’s left is for the appraisal to come in.”

Consider the “Timing”

The seller has a specific deadline in mind for the sale of their home. The longer the home stays on the market, the more money flies out of their pocket. Be strategic by focusing on a closing date that benefits the seller the best. You might have a…

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Offices in the heart of Bel Air!

Now Available!  These are 3 Office Buildings totaling approximately 10,500 square feet in the heart of Bel Air across from the main entrance to the Court House.  Properties are owned by long time law firm in Harford County. They are B2 Zoning in Bel Air, allowing for office, retail, or apartments and have 5-6 parking spaces on site with a large parking lot to the rear of the property.

This is a beautiful street and there are many fine touches in the buildings.  Call the Agent for more details.

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Winter Vegetable Gardening

Winter Gardening

It’s March, and although we’ve had a mild winter, you might be daydreaming about warm breezes, sunshine and fresh local produce. What better way to increase your availability to at least one of these by creating a home vegetable garden using a kiddie pool. 

What you will need:

Hard plastic kiddie pool

Electric drill

Loose rocks/gravel

Potting soil

Fertilizer

Seeds of choice

Seedling starter planters

Preparing the pool for planting

1. Drill drainage holes into bottom and sides of the pool about 6 inches apart.
2. Put the pool in a place with adequate sunlight, and access to water
3. Fill the bottom with rocks to about 1.5 inches depth
4. Fill the rest with soil

What to…

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11 Three Sisters Ct, Baldwin, MD 21013

What a great property and private setting.  Fabulous custom built home in a picture perfect setting.  Finely appointed and high end 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bathroom stone & hard plank colonial built by Duerbeck Building.  Superb floor plan.  Large state of the art gourmet kitchen with updated Stainless Steel appliances, granite countertops, warming drawer, island, eat in area/breakfast room.  A dramatic 2 story family room with hardwood flooring, stone fireplace & coffered ceiling.  Main level primary bedroom that has a tray ceilings, crown molding and large separate walk in closets.  Primary bathroom has granite countertops, separate vanities, soaking tub and shower.  And much, much more!!! Home is situated in the back of a small 12 lot community of Three…

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2022 Market Review and 2023 Predictions

2022 market review and 2023 predictions

Source: Bright MLS

2022 Unusual Market Year 

2022 saw two markets. The first half of the year was “frenzied”  with homes selling quickly, historic low inventory and rising home prices.

The second half of the year was “frozen”. Prices and activity fell sharply due to rising mortgage rates, high inflation and affordability challenges

Mortgage rate surge at end of 2022 average 30 year fixed rate was 6.42% down from 7.08% but double what they had been in 2021. This raise eroded homebuyers purchasing power, making many people decide to wait it out. 

Watch out for falling prices!

Prices were up 6.2% in the beginning of 2022 due to the tail end of sub 3 mortgages. By the…

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Small town Holiday

Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Harford County is filled with charming small towns. From main street Bel Air to Concord Point lighthouse in Havre de Grace, there is of shortage of charm, and things to keep you busy this holiday season.  We have compiled a list of Holiday Events and sights to see in HarCo from Thanksgiving through New Year. 

Bel Air Festival of Trees

This annual, weekend-long event showcases Christmas trees of all sizes, gingerbread houses, and holiday wreaths, each decorated and donated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals. The trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses are sold by silent auction with the funds benefitting Cancer LifeNet at the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center. Special events…

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2912 GLENMORE AVENUE, BALTIMORE, MD 21214

From hoarder house, to Hamilton haven, look out HGTV our very own Sarah Cruikshank is working her magic.

Together with her husband, Sarah and Matt take houses with endless potential and a long to do list and flip them into beautiful ready to move in dream homes. 2912 Glenmore Avenue is a great example of the care and dedication they put into every one of their projects. 

This completely renovated adorable bungalow on a quiet, non thru street in Hamilton went from neglected to knockout . The inviting front porch opens to freshly painted living room, dining room and kitchen with all new cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and flooring. Rear kitchen door leads to new deck and access to the fenced backyard. Primary bedroom with…

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Buying Commercial 101

By: Chris Streett

So you’re thinking of buying or leasing a commercial property but you’re a little lost in all of the information and don’t know where to start? We’ve broken down some of the most common questions about this big decision to help you on your journey in commercial real estate.

SHOULD I BUY OR LEASE?

There are pros and cons to both. Some pros to owning your own commercial real estate are: 

* Tax breaks- you can write off all mortgage interest paid during the year and by using tax code

179 you can also deduct all of your equipment.

*Potential Income from tenants, if you have additional space you could rent out.

* Help fund your retirement by selling the property, or have a steady stream of income during

retirement…

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The Basics: The differences between a Short Sale and Foreclosure

By: Tim Hopkins

Perhaps you’ve been looking for a house and have found the terms “Short Sale”, “Bank Owned Resale” or “Foreclosure” but don’t quite know what that means? Fear not, this blog aims to explain.

Short Sale

Despite how this term sounds “short sale” is not referring to a quick sale. The short in this term refers to money, not time, so if you’re interested in a short sale home, get ready to play the long game.

What it actually means

In a Short Sale, the homeowner is either underwater on their home (their home is now worth less than the outstanding balance on their mortgage) or they are having trouble making payments and need to get out of the agreement with the lender. The owner will formally ask the lender to sign off on the…

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Cooley Mill Rd. Farm in Havre de Grace

Great opportunity to purchase a type of property that rarely comes available in Harford County. Property has tremendous potential including possible subdivision, continue to farm and place in Ag preservation, hunting, recreation and explore the many allowed uses via special exception in Harford County. Property previously had approval for 30 lots and per approval letter dated 12/18/13 contains 22 building rights (please confirm development rights and possible uses with Harford County Government). Property has approx. 92 tillable acres. There are numerous outbuildings and an old house that are of no value, please do not enter any of the buildings. Great location with easy access to I-95, Havre de Grace and all the upper Chesapeake Bay region has to offer.

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