NAR June Sales Report – National Assocation Of Realtors Home Sales Data

* 5.1% Decrease in home sales.
* $183,700 Medium Price
* Inventory UP 2.5%..nearly 9 month supply of homes…NAR reports as VERY HIGH.
* NAR, expects a continued INCREASE in inventory. Agents, this will drive prices down even further. NOTE: Any of you still doubting a housing double dip, doubt no longer.
* Distressed sales, 32%…short sales increasing. Of all the sales in June 1/3 were..Short Sales and REOs.
* First time buyers, 43% of ALL Sales.
* Cash Buyers, 25%. of ALL Sales.

Here is the CNBC Video:

Congress Approves Extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline

Congress approved late Wednesday an extension to the June 30 closing deadline for the home buyer tax credit, hours before it was set to expire. The move will give would-be buyers who signed a purchase agreement by April 30 more time to close on those deals and receive the credit that is worth up to $8,000. The new deadline is Sept. 30.

The Senate approved the measure unanimously on Wednesday, one day after the provision sailed through the House of Representatives with little opposition. The President is expected to sign the measure soon.

The Senate had failed to pass the provision last week when it was included in a bigger package that would have extended jobless benefits, among other measures. On Wednesday, an effort to reinstate unemployment insurance failed, and the Senate opted to pass the tax credit provision by itself.

In recent weeks, lenders and real-estate companies have warned of bottlenecks that could lead thousands of potential buyers to miss out on the credit that they thought they were getting. The probably is particularly acute for short sales, where a lender allows a home to sell for less than the amount owed. Banks and the federal government have stepped up efforts to encourage short sales as an alternative to foreclosure, but the deals take longer to approve because they require note holders to reconcile losses.

Congress first created a tax credit for homeowners in 2008. It was extended and expanded twice during 2009. The last extension, approved last fall, said that house purchase contracts would have to be signed by April 30, and home buyers would have until June 30 to close on those sales. The extension is only good for those buyers who were under contract by April 30. Someone who signed a contract after April 30 and buys a home by Sept. 30 isn’t eligible for the tax credit.

The Senate also passed an extension of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The change is retroactive to June 1, when the program had lapsed.

Good Scents

People often ask me how to make their homes more appealing to guests as well as the people who live there. One thing that makes a home inviting and comfortable is a pleasant fragrance.

Smells have strong, subconscious effects on the brain and can be used to accentuate your home’s warmth and appeal. To fill your home with a warm, inviting scent, boil a pot of water on the stove, then pour in a teaspoon of vanilla and add some cinnamon or cloves. Or try a little baking–the aroma of fresh bread or cookies can’t be beat!

Just as certain smells create positive images, other smells create negative ones and should be eliminated. Many excellent products are on the market to enhance your home’s olfactory appeal. But nothing works better than a good cleaning. Consider using lemon polish on the furniture for a fresh smell. Prevent pet odors from lingering by giving your house and carpets a thorough periodic cleaning.

Cigarette or cigar smoke hanging in the air or in furniture or draperies can make even a clean house feel dingy. To absorb and eliminate the smell of smoke, place a small bowl of vinegar in the room, let it sit for a few days, and then discard it.

Does Landscaping Add Value?

Whether you live in a condominium or a single-family house, landscaping can certainly make your home easier to sell. But will attractive landscaping add value? It depends.

Potted plants, freshly edged green lawn, and weed-free garden areas will make your home more attractive and appealing. The more appealing the home or condo, the more marketable it is and the faster it will sell.

Well-manicured landscaping helps frame other elements of curb appeal. It is considered a value-added feature because it helps create a positive first impression. Most buyers, however, will not pay extra for trees and lawn, flowers and shrubs.

But you can almost always get a return on your investment in decks and patios. As decks have become more desirable, their resale value has continued to increase.

In the yard and garden of your single-family home or in pots on your condo deck or patio, use plants, trees, and other landscaping elements freely to make your home more appealing and help you sell it more quickly when the time is right.

If you have any real estate–related questions, please call or email me. I am always happy to help.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Paddy’s Hon!

Baltimore has a large populous of Irish and wanna-be Irish.

Throughout March there are many “Irish” events planned some that happened this past weekend.

On Saturday there was the annual St Patrick’s Day Shamrock 5K Race followed by the Parade.

Next Saturday, there is the annual O’Malley’s March. Governor Martin O’Malley leads his Irish band in concert at the Recher Theatre (512 York Rd.) in Towson starting @ 8 pm. Note: Tickets are $20

Below I have provided a brief list of some of the local Irish Pubs/Restaurants:
Have fun, enjoy but stay safe!

Claddagh Pub in O’Donnell Square [Canton]

James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant [Inner Harbor]

Life of Reilly Irish Pub [Butcher's Hill]

Tir Na Nog Irish Bar & Grill [Inner Harbor]

Slainte Pub [Fells Point]

Mick O’Shea’s [Mount Vernon]

Patrick’s Pub [West Side]

Maggie Moore’s Irish Pub and Restaurant [Downtown]

Ryan’s Daughter [Belvedere Square]

An Poitin Stil [Lutherville-Timonium]

Oh, by the way, I am truly of Irish decent.
Learn More about St. Patrick’s Day

Facebook disabled my account

On Wednesday, March 10th I received notification that my Facebook account was disabled. There was no reason given. No explanations, no email, nothing.

Rather unsocial for a social network!?

I’m still trying to find out why – All I can figure is that I was adding friends too quickly? Maybe it was my having too many friends, being too active, running so many Fan Pages and groups? Not certain still awaiting word – and hopefully be reactivated?

I’m taking it in stride, however it seems some of my “friends” are panicking:

“I miss your daily listing updates!” one emailed me.

“Where are you birthday greetings?” wrote another.

“Just open up another account?” another advised.

I suppose I could do that. Just use a different e-mail address, (everyone knows I have thousands at my disposal!) Then I could reconnect with friends, family, classmates, clients and business associates, but with over 3000 already set up – that would take time – therefore I’ll just be patient and await word.

It is rather sad though – on Wednesday it was my Father’s 66th B-day and I was trying to get some of the relatives to contact him – those that I don’t have email or phone # for. Facebook is a great way to keep up those communications as well. Also, my wife, Carolyn, finally set up an account – but I lost mine

Rather Ironic…

I sent Facebook an email (disabled@facebook.com & appeals@facebook.com) – but I realize that I am only one of 30 million plus visitors they must have, additionally Facebook certainly has its hands full, with the phishing scams and accounts being hacked, etc.

Some who’ve been through the same experience were still waiting for Facebook’s reply weeks after they made original contact.

As I’ve repeatedly pointed out, networking is a must for everyone and social media sources like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others make this possible.

After what happened with my Facebook account, I still think that FaceBook is an incredible useful tool. If they could fix the glitches on their scripts and system, they would be so much better. I’m hopeful that they will restore my Facebook account after reviewing my account. But right now, all I can do is wait for their reply and hope for the best. So it may be a while before I am back – Oh well, if they don’t get to me immediately it is understood…

For Sale: 6709 LOCH RAVEN BLVD BALTIMORE MD 21239

MLS# BC7266868
County: BALTIMORE Community: LOCH KNOLL MANOR Property Type: Detached Style: Cape Cod Year Built: 1952	List Price: $425,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths & 1 Half Baths Lot Size: 0.70 Acres (30360 sq ft)	Phillip Cross (443) 677-7114 RE/MAX Acclaimed Realty 2345 York Road, Suite 100 Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 Office: (410) 561-0055
Description:
Beautifully Renovated 4 Bedroom & 3.5 Bath Stone Cape Cod on Landscaped .70 Acre Lot! It’s All Here: Gourmet Kitchen (Custom Cabs, Stainless Appl, Granite), Refinished Wood Floors, Replacement Windows, 2 Fireplaces, 2 Fam Rooms, In-ground Irrigation, Stone BBQ, Stone Walks, Walls & Patios * 2 Car Garage w/Workroom * Huge Rooms & Storage * Convenient Location * 1 Yr Home Warranty * Move In & Enjoy! Virtual Tour | More Details

Interior Decorator or Designer

Just a note to pass along some general real estate information you might find helpful.

One of the questions I am frequently asked is, “What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?”

Interior designers are professionally trained in the functionality, efficiency, and safety of a space, as well as the aesthetics or “look” of a room. This is different from an interior decorator, who works with surface decoration, such as color, texture, and pattern.

Before hiring a decorator or designer, ask yourself these questions:

* For whom is the space being designed?
* What activities will take place there?
* How long do I plan to live here?
* What is my time frame?
* What is my budget?

Answering these questions should help you decide whether to hire a decorator or designer–or do it yourself!

Maryland Home Buyer Workshop

When: Wednesday, March 3rd @ 6:30 PM
Where: MetLife Home Loans
9475 Deereco Road, Suite 310
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093

This FREE workshop is designed to educate potential homebuyers on the process and to produce successful homeowners.

If you or know someone that wants to move into a home within the next one to six months, the best way to jump start your home search is to come to one of our free, no-obligation workshops!!

Seating is limited, so register online to reserve your space.
http://mdhomebuyerworkshop.com

Before you start actually looking for the home that you want to buy, you should get educated about the process, learn how to “hire” a Buyer Agent, get a full pre-approval for a mortgage… and then start actually viewing potential houses to buy!

* Is Now the Time to Buy?
* Home Buying Process
* Financing Your Purchase
* Protecting Your Investment
* WISH or GOAL?

We know that our workshop will save you time, money and worry, even if you’ve owned a home before!

We’re confident that the Home Buyers Workshop will be the best time that you invest during your ‘home-searching’ phase.

Not only that, it’s free, there’s no obligation and you’ll take home a Home Buyer Reference Manual to review at your leisure.

For Sale: 7517 Hillsway Ave, Parkville, MD 21234

MLS# BC7252734
County: BALTIMORE Community: HILLENDALE Property Type: Attach/Row Hse Style: Traditional Year Built: 1959	List Price: $130,000 3 Bedrooms 1 Full Baths & 1 Half Baths Lot Size: 0.03 Acres (1664 sq ft)	Phillip Cross (443) 677-7114 RE/MAX Acclaimed Realty 2345 York Road, Suite 100 Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 Office: (410) 561-0055
Description:
Well Maintained 3 Bed/1.5 Bath Rowhome in Hillendale * Check the Price – Lowest in Area! * NOT A SHORT-SALE or FORECLOSURE!! Neutral Decor Throughout * Tenant Occupied (Can Stay or Move)* New Carpet * New Central A/C * Newer Water Heater * New Referigator * New Stove * Parking Pad In Back * Family Room/Rec Room On Lower Level * Shows Well * SNOOZE U LOSE Virtual Tour | More Details