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

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

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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

REALTORS and Real Estate Agents, Brokers are taking a Second Look at the Auction Method

REALTORS® are taking a second look at the Auction Method

Robert B. McArtor, REALTOR® with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Noted Real Estate Auctioneer in Maryland has been working with and educating Real Estate Agents on the Auction Method of Marketing since 1991. "It was tough in the beginning", Robert explains the early days, "Why would an agent want to turn a client over to an Auctioneer? Don't they just sell antiques, cars and furniture?".

According to the National Auctioneers Association, Residential real estate auctions continue to be one of the fastest growing segments of the live auction industry with an estimated growth of 3.1% since the end of the second quarter. Total real estate revenues for 2006 include: Residential Real Estate ($16.0 billion), Commercial/Industrial ($15.0 billion), and Land/Agricultural ($25.3 billion).

Now with a changing market, Auctions have become a popular method among aggressive sellers to sell their property. "This is certainly a win-win situation for everyone involved......Sellers need to sell their house, Agents want a commission, the Auctioneer utilizes the Auction Method to market the property and the entire process ends at the settlement table in less than 60 days."

Robert McArtor has been Auctioning Real Estate since he was 21 years old. Now, at the age of 38, he is celebrating 17 years in the business and recently realized over $25 Million in sales in 2007 alone. "Between foreclosure auctions, home owner ordered sales, this has been a very busy year.........we are expecting to see a tremendous rise in auctions through-out the Baltimore-Metro area." Mr. McArtor says that more and more Sellers are frustrated with the lack of Buyers in the market place and are looking for a quick sale. With the Auction Method, the Seller can sell their home in "As-Is" condition with a non-contingent contract, eliminate high carrying costs and settle in as little as 30 days. "I love explaining the Auction Method to Realtors®. Once they have the knowledge, it's simply a matter of suggesting an Auction to a qualified client". Robert goes on to say, "The fact that I am also a REALTOR® and subscribe to a Strict Code of Ethics makes the Real Estate Practitioner and Client feel comfortable.....this is just an additional marketing tool the agent can use and get PAID to use it!"

Robert B. McArtor can be reached through his website, http://www.mdauctionsales.com/ or Directly at 1-443-392-4833

YOUR HOME SOLD FAST and for TOP DOLLAR in MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD, CECIL COUNTY

GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST and for TOP DOLLAR in MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD, CECIL COUNTY

The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar
Selling your home in Maryland with Robert B. McArtor, REALTOR with Long and Foster Real Estate will probably be one of the most important steps in your life. Our 9 step system will give you some of the tools necessary to maximize the profits you realize, to keep control of the property, and to reduce stress that normally comes with selling a home in Baltimore, Harford, Cecil County.

1. Know why you're selling, What is motivating you.
The reasons for selling a home in Maryland can affect everything from setting a sales price to deciding how much time you are willing to invest in getting your home sold. You need to decide what is more important to you....how much will you be walking away from the sale of your home OR the time spent on the market? Different goals will certainly bring different strategies in marketing. Some may choose to use a REALTOR or Real Estate Agent OR utilize the Auction Method to liquidate your home.
2. Do your homework before setting a price.
Finding out what your offer price is should not be done lightly. I spent an hour on the phone with a potential client discussing a possible listing price. They really wanted to use the Auction Method however after evaluating their position, the Traditional Method was best. I knew that pricing too high was as dangerous as pricing too low. You should remember that the average buyer is looking at 15 to 20 homes at the same time they are considering yours. This means that they are comparing. If your home does not compare favorably with others in the price range you've set, it will not be taken seriously by potential buyers for Maryland Homes or agents. This will result in your home sitting on the market for a long time and, new buyers on the market will think there must be something wrong with your home. As a listing agent, I am excited to being committed to make sure your Home in the Maryland Area is priced correctly to SELL!
3. Do your homework...or better yet....Your Agent should do this for you.
Find out what homes in your neighborhoods have sold for in the past 6-12 months. We do this for all our properties in Maryland, Harford County, Cecil County, Baltimore County and the City. We research what current homes are listed for. That's certainly how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home.
4. Find a good real estate agent to represent your needs.
Nearly three-quarters of homeowners claim that they wouldn't use the same REALTOR who sold their last home. Dissatisfaction boils down to poor communication which results in not enough feedback, lower pricing and strained relations. Another FREE report entitled, "10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Agent" gives you the straight, to-the-point questions you should be asking when you interview agents who want to list your home. Please click on the above link to obtain this FREE Report from my website.
5. Maximize your home's sales potential.
The appearance or your home is critical, and it would be foolish to ignore this when selling your home in Maryland
You may not be able to change your home's location or floor plan, but you can do a lot to improve its appearance. The look and feel of your home generates a greater emotional response than any other factor. Clean like you've never cleaned before. Pick up, straighten, unclutter, scrub, scour and dust. Fix everything, no matter how insignificant it may appear. Present your home to get a "wow" response from prospective buyers. We also understand that this may not always be possible to do. This is when we advise on pricing your home based on the Repairs or Updates the property needs.
Allow the buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. The decision to buy a home is based on emotion, not logic. Prospective buyers want to try on your home just like they would a new suit of clothes. If you follow them around pointing out improvements or if your decor is so different that it's difficult for a buyer to strip it away in his or her mind, you make it difficult for them to feel comfortable enough to imagine themselves an owner.
6. Make it easy for prospects to get information on your home, utilize the internet for exposure.
You may be surprised to know that some marketing tools that most agents use to sell homes (e.g. traditional open houses) are actually not very effective. In fact only 1% of homes are sold at an open house.
Potential Buyers calling for information on your home probably value their time as much as you do. The last thing they want to be subjected to is either a game of telephone tag with an agent, or an unwanted sales pitch. Make sure the ads your agent places for property also includes a Visual Tour...not just a standard slide show. Robert B. McArtor is able to provide you with daily statistics as the effectiveness and exposure of your property. Remember, the more buyers you have competing for your home the better, because it sets up an auction-like atmosphere that puts you in the driver's seat.
7. Know your buyer.
In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. What is your buyer's motivation? Does s/he need to move quickly? Does s/he have enough money to pay you your asking price? Knowing this information gives you the upper hand in the negotiation because you know how far you can push to get what you want. The Team with Long and Foster Real Estate will have all these questions answered and more.
8. Make sure the contract is complete.
For your part as a seller, make sure you disclose everything. Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, s/he can't come back with a lawsuit later on.
Make sure all terms, costs and responsibilities are spelled out in the contract of sale, and resist the temptation to diverge from the contract. For example, if the buyer requests a move-in prior to closing, just say no. Now is not the time to take any chances of the deal falling through. Robert McArtor and his Team will make sure that ALL details are reviewed to make a smooth transition.
9. Don't move out before you sell your home in Maryland
Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant because it looks forgotten, simply not appealing. It could even cost you thousands. If you move, you're also telling buyers that you have a new home and are probably highly motivated to sell fast. This, of course, will give them the advantage at the negotiating table. Let Robert McArtor and The Maryland HOMES Team with Long and Foster Real Estate advise you.

Call him now 410-879-0622 or simply email your needs to robert@harfordadvantage.com

MARYLAND HOME SALES DROP 32%, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME IN MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD COUNTY

MARYLAND HOME SALES DROP 32%, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME IN MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD COUNTY

Home sales in Maryland have dropped 32% this year. Are you waiting for a better time to buy a home in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford or Cecil County? There are some fantastic mortgage programs out there. Let our experienced team assist you in the purchase or sale of your home in Maryland.
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 in Maryland, 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. The Auction Method of Selling is still a very viable way to liquidate an un-wanted property. We handle all types of Investment Properties by Auction and Traditional Sales through-out Baltimore City, County and Maryland
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 Maryland Real Estate Auctioneers.
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. The right price for your property is the one set by a competitive market. There is no faster, more direct way to ascertain your property's value than with Robert B. McArtor, recognized REALTOR® with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Auctioneer. Our aggressive, customized marketing programs are specifically designed to attract the largest possible pool of qualified buyers. Through the competitive bidding process, buyers and sellers quickly learn what the market will pay for a property.

Call Robert B. McArtor now TOLL FREE 1-877-421-SOLD or Direct 443-392-4833

Deal Makers are first Play Makers

I was at my son's B.B. game yesterday, probably more into the game than all the kids combined! "Box him out!", "Back him up to the Basket!", "Shoot and draw the foul!". While working with my son during the off season, the one thing I am teaching him is to learn the basics! At age 12, he is still learning to dribble, work under the basket, etc.

What does this have to do with Real Estate you may ask? Quite a bit! In my mind it is more than work ethic, integrity, honesty, my time and devotion to my customers and clients. It is learning the skills and techniques necessary to make a deal happen! Deal Makers....Play Makers..one in the same.

These are the thoughts I consistently instill in my team (and myself). When we walk, we don't need to talk, have a flashy vehicle, we just make the play...for our clients, customers and ourselves! http://www.MarylandsHomeTeam.com/

Who are the Top Employers in Harford County?

I stumbled on this information I thought would be interesting to share. Who are the top employers in Harford County? With the influx of people moving into the county because of BRAC, I was interested in seeing this list. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. http://www.MarylandHOMESTeam.com/

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Aberdeen Proving Ground

Civilian 6,980 Military 5,110
Total. . . .12,090

Harford County Public Schools 4,573
Harford County Government 1,572
Harford Community College 1,205

PRIVATE SECTOR

Upper Chesapeake Health System 2,200
Rite Aid MidAtlantic Distribution Center 923
Sverdrup Technology, Inc. 500
Bechtel National, Inc. 300
Saks Fifth Avenue 450
SAIC 420
Frito-Lay 418
EAI Corporation 354
Collins & Aikman 330
Custom Direct, Inc. 329
Blue Dot of Maryland 300
Constar 250
Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union 242
Cytec Engineered Materials 226
Cytec Fiberite 224
Battelle Eastern Science & Technology Center 211
Independent Can Company 208
The May Company 208
Bottcher America 199
Homestead Publishing 198
The ARC of Northern Chesapeake Region 193
Benfield Electric 191
Northrop Gumman/California Microwave 179
WAVE (Worthington Armstrong Ventures) 178
Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. 170
McCormick & Co. 168

Huber Engineered Materials 166

Clorox Products Manufacturing 165
Sephora Central Distributing Company 162
California Microwave/Northrup Grumman 160

Harford County - Your Community - My Profession

First let me say thank you for reading my first posting. I have been asked by several of my past and present clients, "You know, you should share your thoughts". I will be adding more and more to my blog. Some topics you will be reading will deal with...

BRAC

Lending

Buying and Selling Opportunities
When is the Best Time To Sell.....(There is a certain Month you want to list your property in!)

My Performance Guarantees...

And Many Others.........

I look forward to meeting and or hearing from many of you.

Robert B. McArtor