Baltimore Maryland Trends in Housing Report, 2009

The Baltimore market showed signs of renewal in the 2nd quarter of 2009. Prices showed slight growth from the previous quarter, and homes spent less time on market than in the 1st quarter. However, the Baltimore market is still weaker than a year ago; Baltimore’s housing market may be in the very early phases of a recovery. Baltimore City showed the most improvement: prices rose 5.4% in the 2nd quarter of 2009 from the previous quarter. However, Baltimore City showed the steepest yearly declines; prices in the 2nd quarter were 20.0%
lower than a year ago. The city’s low average sales price of $160,891 contributes to volatility in percentage changes. In the Northern suburbs, prices rose 3.0% from the previous quarter but were down 8.4% from one year ago. The average sales price in the Northern suburbs for the 2nd quarter is $276,067.
The Southern suburbs posted the region’s only price decline in the 2nd quarter. Prices were down 2.0% from the 1st quarter of 2009; they were down 12.2% from one year ago. The average sales price in the Southern suburbs
in the 2nd quarter is $366,873. As a whole, Baltimore metro prices were up 1.6% from 1st quarter 2009 but down 11.3% from one year earlier. The ratio of inventory to sales declined 4.0 months to 7.9 months at June 2009, indicating that buyer interest is helping work through excess inventory. Annualized, unit
sales volume through the 1st half of 2009 is 88.9% of the 2008 total volume.

Information Provided by: MRIS Trends in Housing Report,
Sources: Associated Press, Boston.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, CNNMoney.com, Commerce Department, CoStar, Delta Associates, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Stephen Fuller and John McClain at GMU’s Center for Regional Analysis, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Reserve, Freddie Mac, Home Builders of Maryland, Mortgage Bankers Association, MRIS, NAHB, NAR, New Geography, The New York Times, Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, RealtyTrac, Reuters, Shopping Center Directory, Treasury Department, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Business Journal, The Washington Post, WBAL-TV.

BUY YOUR FIRST HOME IN MARYLAND and SAVE $7,500 on YOUR INCOME TAXES

The Government is Helping Americans Buy Their First Home.

What an incredible opportunity for first-time homebuyers in Maryland, Harford, Baltimore Cecil County and surrounding areas!

In addition to a huge selection of homes in Maryland to choose from, and near-record low interest rates on solid, 30 year fixed rate mortgages, and far more affordable prices, first-time homebuyers in Baltimore now have the added incentive of a $7,500 federal income tax credit to help them buy their first home!*

Stop Paying Rent! Become a Homeowner instead...>>>

One simple phone call to Robert B. McArtor with Maryland HOMES Team and we will get you on the road to homeownership. Meet with our friendly, knowledgeable Long and Foster real estate staff member. While you're at it, meet with a Prosperity Mortgage loan officer and get pre-qualified for a mortgage.

Search for HOMES ANYWHERE IN MARYLAND ON-LINE Now...>>>

*Legislation has just been passed by Congress and signed by the President, granting first-time homebuyers a tax credit of up to $7,500 on their federal income tax return if they purchase a home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009

STOP PAYING RENT and OWN YOUR OWN HOME FOR PENNIES DOWN

If you're like most Renters in Maryland you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn't feel like yours. How could it when you're not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle. You feel like you're stuck in the renter's rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home.
Well don't feel trapped any more! A new FREE Special Report entitled "How To Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home" has already helped dozens of local renters in Maryland, Harford County, Baltimore County and City get out from under their landlords finger, and move into a wonderful home in Maryland they can truly call their own. You can make this move too by discovering the important steps detailed in this Free Special Report.
It doesn't matter how long you've been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem. With the help of this report, it will become suddenly clear to you how you really can save for the down payment and stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent. Simply click on the link above for more information.

Robert B. McArtor, Noted Local REALTOR and Licensed Auctioneer in Maryland with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Managing Member of Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC. serving the local real estate market in Maryland.

6 MISTAKES to AVOID WHEN MOVING OR RELOCATING TO A LARGER HOME IN MARYLAND

A new reports has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when moving or relocating to a larger home. Whether you are looking to relocate to Baltimore County, relocate to Harford County or relocating to the surrounding areas. This information will be helpful to you.

Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home in Maryland, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale.

Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden on owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.

In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled "6 Inside strategies to Avoid Trade-Up Mistakes."

These six strategies will help you put your home on the market in anticipation of moving to a larger home. Click on the link above for this special report or you can simply contact Robert B. McArtor at 410-879-0622 for additional information. Robert McArtor is a Noted Local REALTOR and Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and the Managing Member of Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC.

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

ABOUT HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND

One of the interesting things I have found as a Real Estate Agent, REALTOR and Auctioneer in Harford County is finding out is was formed in 1773 by the splitting of Baltimore County. There are many homes and places of interest as you travel through this quiet county. One home you will find of interest is Tudor Hall which is the birthplace of John Wilkes Booth who was assassinated by Abraham Lincoln in the year of 1865. This home was the site of a notorious Real Estate Auction that brought national attention to Harford County. It also hosted the signers of the Bush Declaration. This was the precursor document to the American Revolution. As you search for Homes in Harford County, notice the vast rural countryside that is just minutes from suburban amenities and I-95.
Did you know that Harford County was named after Henry Harford. He was the illegitimate son of Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore. Henry Harford was the last Proprietary Governor of Maryland, but did not inherit his father's title because of his illegitimacy.
Another favorite town of mine is Havre de Grace, a beautiful city in Harford County. This small city was once under consideration to be the capital of the United States rather than Washington, D.C.. It was favored for it location on the Chesapeake Bay. The waterways around Harford County are beautiful and compliments the wonderful homes you will find here. If you are looking for your next home in Harford County or looking to list or auction your home in Harford County. Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales is here to serve you in the up-most professional manner. Robert B. McArtor is also a Licensed REALTOR with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact him at 443-392-4833 or through his website, http://www.MarylandHOMESTeam.com/

REALTORS® 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 Association of Auctioneers, 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 37, he is celebrating 16 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

BRAC, APG, Relocating To Maryland, Harford, Baltimore or Cecil County

Your Official Base Realignment, BRAC, Relocation Website serving Harford County, Baltimore County and Cecil County Areas. Start Your Home Search Here!

The Base Realignment and Closure, ( BRAC ) process allows the Department of Defense to transform its infrastructure to meet the future needs of the military. As a result of this process, some communities in Maryland and APG will experience an increase in military activity and associated community growth such as the need for availability of homes in Harford, Baltimore, Cecil County, while others are faced with a significant base closure and associated economic distress.

An increase in military activity may challenge a community’s capacity to absorb an influx of personnel and may place excessive demands on some off-base community services and facilities in Harford County,Cecil County and Baltimore County Maryland. Experience suggests that off-base housing scarcity and school overcrowding are areas of shared community and military concern. The community and the military alike must strive to maintain and improve the quality of life for local residents, including the new military personnel and their dependents.

HOUSING: Some communities experience a slowdown in local housing sales the moment a closure is announced, while sales in others continue unaffected. The drawdown of personnel may affect local renters and homeowners. The Service Human Resources Office should be able to provide a residential profile of the base population. On the basis of this profile, lenders, property owners, and community leaders can anticipate vulnerabilities and work with the local redevelopment organization to identify sources of assistance.

Personnel who are transferring with military functions may find it difficult to sell their homes in a slow market, or they may experience devaluation because of the base closure. Assistance for these housing issues is available through the DoD Homeowners Assistance Program.

For growing installations such as APG, some Maryland communities in Harford, Baltimore, Cecil County may not have adequate housing for incoming personnel. Robert B. McArtor and The Maryland HOMES Team will help you assess the local housing market and help plan your relocation to the area.

Robert B. McArtor, The Maryland Homes Team and Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. welcomes you to Maryland. We understand that this extensive relocation period can be stressful. We want to assure you the most courteous and professional transition possible. Looking for Homes in Maryland is made easy through this website. You can search for Homes Now using our Homes Database. Whether you are looking to purchase or rent a home. This is the last stop you need to make. Let us preview the homes for you. Harford County,Baltimore County and Cecil County offers a variety of Townhomes, Single Family Homes, Condominiums, Waterfront Homes to choose from. If you need help in finding a home in Maryland. Please feel free to Become a VIP Buyer for BRAC civilians relocating to our area. Start your home search here or call us today! Direct at 443-392-4833 or Toll Free 1-877-421-SOLD!