Welcome to Maryland HOMES Team PODCAST

Saturday, August 30, 2008

TOP MARYLAND AUCTIONEERS and AUCTIONS in BALTIMORE


If you are interested in either listing your home for a Public Auction in Maryland or purchasing residential real estate in Baltimore Maryland. You will find many types of homes for auction in Baltimore Maryland such as Single Family Homes, Condos, Town Homes, Townhouses and building lots, There are many local community events that may be of interest to you and your family. Many of the local events are unique to the Maryland area. Everyone enjoys the outdoor activities Baltimore has to offer as well as the family friendly atmosphere.If you are considering buying or selling or auctioning a home in Maryland, we are the Real Estate Auction Team of Choice. Whether planning to relocate to the area or looking for Auction properties for sale. We will help you look for information about real estate in the surrounding areas. Our complete Auction real estate website is full of resources for everything you need. Access to property listings with photographs and virtual tours can be found on our site by Clicking Here. Our informative website offers a rich library of real estate articles to help guide you through the home buying or selling process. It is so important to find a Realtor, Broker or Real Estate Agent that you can trust. Your search ends here! We are Consultants, Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Auctioneers here to serve your real estate needs. Let us provide you with the information you need. Please do not hesitate to contact Robert B. McArtor, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Managing Member of Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC. at 443-392-4833


FREE Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation for Homes in Baltimore Maryland, Harford County, Baltimore County and Cecil County Knowing what your home is worth is important information to have if you are thinking of auctioning or traditionally selling your home. Using the information you submit to us, we will conduct a thorough comparative market analysis by searching the database of all homes listed or sold in your area. Even if you are looking for auctions in Maryland. We will be able to determine what your home might sell for if you decided to put it on the market. There is no cost or obligation for this valuable service.


You can become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to Hot New Listings in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford County, Cecil County Homes. How To Receive Daily Emails or Printouts of ALL New Listings That Match Your Home Buying Criteria Sent to You FREE of Charge Without Obligation. We will mail/e-mail you new listings (complete with pictures) of ALL MLS properties that match your home buying criteria. Our exclusive Buyer Profile System allows you to pick which homes in Maryland you want to view before other buyers even know about them. As a VIP buyer: You get weekly updates of all new home listings that match your criteria FREE of charge. You get first pick of homes that interest you and the ability to beat other buyers to an offer. Because you're there first, before most other buyers, we are able to negotiate the lowest possible price for you. Most importantly your time isn't wasted viewing homes that don't interest you.


Get a Back Stage Pass and Become a VIP Member! Login and Access the Most Useful Information on Buying or Selling a Home in Maryland, Harford County, Baltimore County, City and Cecil County. Right now, you can take your first-step in educating yourself on Home Buying, Selling and Auctioning. Start exploring the real estate landscape and instantly access our exclusive, rich-media library of special reports and resources. You can also personalize our VIP site according to your needs and wants. Just enter your profile information once you are logged in and instantly access the real estate information that matches your profile.


We are confidant that our VIP site will empower you with the knowledge to make the most educated and profitable home buying and selling decisions using Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Friday, August 29, 2008

AVOIDING FORECLOSURE in MARYLAND, 10 Steps to Take

If you are unable to make your mortgage payment in Maryland:

1. Don't ignore the problem. The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.


2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem. Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.


3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender. The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.


4. Know your mortgage rights. Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can't make your payments. Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office.


5. Understand foreclosure prevention options. Valuable information about foreclosure prevention options can be found on the internet portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=33,717348&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL


6. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance. Find a HUD-approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287 or TTY (800) 877-8339.


7. Prioritize your spending. After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses-cable TV, memberships, entertainment-that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.


8. Use your assets. Do you have assets-a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don't significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.


9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. You don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help-use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month's mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them.


10. Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams! If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD approved housing counselor. If you are thinking of selling your home as-is, call Robert McArtor to obtain FREE Comparables in your area so you know the prices. Some will try to put your house under contract just to try and sell it themselves and keep all the equity! If the property does not sell, you become further behind, losing time and they just walk away.


I have been asked over the past years, "Robert, we are a few months away from being foreclosed on, do you know what we should do?" Without knowing their situation, it is hard to answer without crossing the line of giving legal advice. For your further research into the subject, I would recommend the following links as a guidance through this difficult process.


Don't lose your home! Here are some guidance on default and foreclosure prevention. If your adjustable rate or interest only mortgage is about to reset, these programs may help you refinance into an affordable fixed rate mortgage. If you are looking for a trusted REALTOR or Auctioneer for a FREE consultation. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I may be able to point you in the right direction for your specific problem. Robert B. McArtor, is a REALTOR and Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC. for more information, call 443-392-4833





Housing Counseling Agencies - Counseling on buying, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages.


Legal Assistance in Maryland - Find free legal services in your community.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Baltimore Gas and Electric Customers to Receive a $170 Credit



Baltimore Gas and Electric Residential Electric Customers
To Receive $170 Bill Credit This SummerCredit is part of a comprehensive settlement reached with the State of Maryland and Maryland Public Service Commission and Approved by the General Assembly. Information is Provided as a Service from Robert McArtor, REALTOR in Baltimore and Auctioneer with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC.
BALTIMORE, May 29, 2008 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of
Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), today announced that residential electric distribution customers with active accounts on Aug. 29, 2008 will receive a one-time credit of $170 on their Sept. 2008 bill, the result of a comprehensive settlement reached on March 27, 2008 with BGE, Constellation Energy, Gov. Martin O’Malley, the State of Maryland and the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). The agreement was approved during the 2008 Maryland General Assembly and signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley. “During the past several months, BGE has worked aggressively to develop a process for applying the bill credits to more than one million residential electric customer accounts in an equitable and efficient fashion,” said Kenneth W. DeFontes, president of BGE. “The credits, which total at least $187 million, are required under the settlement agreement and are but one part of a more comprehensive package, which has
a total estimated value of $2 billion for our customers. “For more than 50 percent of BGE’s residential electric customers, the credit is expected to result in a greater than 10 percent reduction in electricity bills this year,” said DeFontes. “Importantly, during the period from now until Aug. 29th, BGE will make a special allowance for its certified low-income customers to ensure that service is not interrupted due solely to the fact that the bill credit has not yet been
issued.” In addition to the bill credits, the settlement affects BGE customers in the following ways:
• Residential and business electric customers will be relieved of liability for the decommissioning of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, which has a value of about $1.5 billion, according to the Maryland PSC. Media Line: 410 470-7433 http://www.constellation.com/ Constellation Generation Group Constellation Energy Source Constellation Energy Commodities Group BGE HOME
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Fellon-McCord & Associates Constellation NewEnergy
• Residential electric customers will receive about 90 percent of the cumulative $386 million in
bill credits that were ordered by the Maryland Legislature in 2006 and subject to litigation.
• All customers will benefit from limitations on electric distribution rate case filings. BGE will
not file an electric distribution rate case in 2008. Any electric distribution rate increase filed in
2009 will not be effective prior to Oct. 2009 and will be capped at no more than five percent
(equal to about 1.5 percent of the total electric bill). BGE will not file a subsequent electric
distribution rate case before August 2010.
• The settlement will not impact rate changes relating to the cost of electric supply or Standard
Offer Service (SOS), except that BGE will recover the return component of the SOS
administrative fee for a two-year period beginning in June 2008. Presently, SOS rates reflect
the lowest prices paid by BGE for wholesale power, which is obtained through competitive
bids, and BGE does not earn a return on SOS to residential customers. Effective June 1, 2008
through May 31, 2010, residential SOS rates will include a return of 15/100 of a cent per
kilowatt-hour, after which the charge will be eliminated from June 1, 2010 through December
31, 2016 as a result of the settlement.

Additional information about the settlement can be found at www.bge.com.
BGE (www.bge.com) headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility,
delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 640,000 natural gas customers in Central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,000 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation Energy (www.constellation.com) a FORTUNE 125 company also headquartered in Baltimore with subsidiaries that generate, sell and deliver energy and provide other energy-related services to customers throughout North America.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Butchers Hill, Baltimore Maryland Real Estate Agents,Realtors and Auctioneers


Butchers Hill is a neighborhood in Southeast Baltimore, Maryland, with the zip code of 21231. It is north of Fells Point, east of Washington Hill, and northwest of Patterson Park. Real Estate Sales of Homes and Commercial Property has witnessed an increase over the past several years. Real Estate Auctions in the area have been a source for investors for continued revitalization. This area has recently seen a lot of renovations and urban development and is improving quite a bit.

Butchers Hill was once home to butchers and poultry preparers, many who were German American and Jewish American. It was a village prior to the Civil War. Although today it is considered to be less affluent than Fells Point, it was once the more prosperous community of the two. This is reflected in the larger size Homes in Baltimore and row houses. Butchers Hill is in proximity to more gentrified sections of Fells Point Maryland, the draw of Patterson Park in Baltimore, and the employment center around Johns Hopkins Hospital. Many artists reside in the neighborhood. A portion of it is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are looking to sell your home in Butchers Hill or looking to Buy a Home in Butchers Hill, Robert B. McArtor, a Noted Licensed Auctioneer and REALTOR with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. is here to help. Please visit his website at Maryland HOMES Team and begin your home search today.

Baltimore real estate agents in Maryland, Find and Search for Baltimore homes for sale, and Baltimore home values in Butchers Hill and City. Get access to Baltimore real estate listings on our website, including the MLS and Homes Database, We are Baltimore REALTORS. Find new homes and foreclosures, investment properties with Maryland HOMES Team and Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. Our real estate services feature all Baltimore and Maryland cities and suburbs. We can help you Find Baltimore school district information, including elementary, middle and high schools. We also have information on Baltimore home selling, home buying and mortgages, movers and other realty services for anyone looking to sell a home or buy a home in Butchers Hill. Become a VIP Buyer and start receiving HOT NEW LISTINGS that match your home buying criteria. Start searching for Homes in Baltimore City today! Or Simply Call 1-877-421-SOLD

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Long and Foster AUCTIONS, TOP Auctioneers in Maryland


BENEFITS TO THE SELLER WHEN AUCTIONING THROUGH LONG AND FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC. :

-Buyers come prepared to buy a Home in Maryland, Baltimore County, Harford County and Surrounding areas.

-Quick disposal reduces long-term carrying costs, including taxes & maintenance

-Assurance that the property will be sold at true market value

-Exposes the property to a large number of pre-qualified prospects

-Accelerates the sale

-Creates competition among buyers - auction price can exceed the price of a negotiated sale

-Requires potential buyers to pre-qualify for financing

-The seller knows exactly when the property will sell

-Eliminates numerous and unscheduled showings

-Takes the seller out of the negotiation process

-Ensures an aggressive marketing program provided by Robert B. McArtor that increases interest and visibility


BENEFITS TO THE BUYER:

-Smart investments are made as properties are usually purchased at fair market value through competitive bidding

-The buyer knows the seller is committed to sell

-In multi-property auctions the buyer sees many offerings in the same place at the same time

-Buyers determine the purchase price

-Auctions eliminate long negotiation periods

-Auctions reduce time to purchase property

-Purchasing and closing dates are known

-Buyers know they are competing fairly and on the same terms as all other buyers

-Buyers receive comprehensive information on property via information packet


BENEFITS TO THE REALTOR®:

-Generates a list of ready, qualified buyers

-Offers clients and customers new selling and purchasing options

-Increases revenue and market share

-Develops your own market niche

-Assurance that property will be sold at true market value

-Property is sold within a relatively short period of time

-Exposes the property to many potential purchasers

-Auctions bring people in to look at all your listings, not just the auction listing

-Successful auctions result in referrals and return business

-Agents can earn commissions as referring agent/broker, cooperating agent/broker, or as the listing agent/broker You can choose now to market, sell and close in a 30 - 45 day time frame, freeing up your cash


When Selling Real Estate in Maryland, Robert B. McArtor, Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer and Long and Foster Real Estate Agent can assist you in the liquidation of your un-wanted property. Call him now Toll FREE 1-877-421-SOLD. Get the Advantage in the marketplace your property deserves!