Listings in Haunted Cities --- Ocean City MD Homes are not haunted!

[INFOGRAPHIC] Have You Ever Had Listings in These Haunted Cities?

Posted: 30 Oct 2013 08:29 AM PDT

Last year Homes.com brought you the Top 10 Spookiest Cities in America. Since then, we’ve done a little digging and have found a few haunted towns that have a long history of scary stories. From spirits of pirates to headless horsemen, these cities cause just enough fright to make it to the top of our list.  To help get you in the Halloween spirit, take a look at our infographic for 5 more of the spookiest cities in America.
Have you had a listing in Sleepy Hollow, Key West, Tombstone or any other of these spooky cities? Were your clients or prospects able to face their fears and move in, or did frightening history of these cities send them running? Let us know on Facebook and if you’re looking for even more thrills, check out the Top Haunted Homes in America. For more information of these terrifying towns check out Five More Frightening Cities in the U.S., Part 3.

94th Street Residential Corridor - Ocean City MD

http://www.youtube.com/v/k2cW1GN2qz8?autohide=1&version=3&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=W31YvAxAUJj-y9za2aPu7w&autohide=1&showinfo=1

Ask about homes in Ocean City MD from ShoreFun4U - your residential real estate specialist.  I am your Town Advocate.   Susan@ShoreFun4U.com

94th St Residential Corridor - Ocean City MD.

http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/loader.asp?t=3197071&sk=21

Mobetize, RentMoola allow tenants to pay rent via mobile - Telecompaper

Mobetize, RentMoola allow tenants to pay rent via mobile - Telecompaper

Ocean City MD - Town Advocate - What do you like about Ocean City? 94th Street Corridor visual tour.

http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=3197071&sk=21

Take a look at what the 94th Street Corridor in Ocean City MD has to offer.   If you lived or vacationed here, you would have these restaurants and stores close by.

Nearly half of Americans expect another housing bubble

Nearly half of Americans expect another housing bubble

While some believe homeownership for middle income consumers may ot be attainable, homes in the upper ranges ($1 million) are still moving especially in the Washington DC area.   Second homes at the beach - Ocean City MD -  are moving slowly but moving.  Again, it's the upper price range or the lower price range that's preferred.   ShoreFun4U - Susan Antigone.  Long & Foster.

Do you work with the 55+ population? Buying or Selling? Ocean City MD has become a retirement destination.

Great Advice for Senior Sellers During Showings

---

Great Advice for Senior Sellers During Showings Posted: 24 Oct 2013 04:00 AM PDT Today we are honored to have Nikki Buckelew, the Founder and CEO of the Seniors Real Estate Institute, return as our guest blogger.  Nikki is considered a leading authority on seniors real estate and housing. - The KCM Crew Ocean City, MD is a retirement destination, especially for those living in the northeast area.   Finding the right home and creating new friends are important.  Research neighborhoods. Ask your real estate specialist - Susan Antigone - ShoreFun4U/ visit Long & Foster. We'll be happy to assist you. If there is one that frustrates real estate agents the most, it is when homeowners decide to stay home for showings! So, how do you get a senior homeowner to leave when their home is being shown? First, let’s consider why they are choosing to stay there in the first place. Even though it may feel like they are just trying to make our lives difficult, there may be in their minds very good reasons for staying put. Ask yourself these questions... Is it possible they: Don’t drive (or shouldn’t) - especially near dusk or after dark? Have a pet that requires attention and taking them in the car is unsafe? Need to stay near a bathroom? Have scheduled in-home care at certain times during the day? Cannot go out due to inclement weather? Or, it’s entirely possible that they... Want to meet potential buyers to see if they appreciate their home like they do Are lonely and enjoy the conversation that showings bring Believe it is their role to point out features of the home if their agent isn’t there Are concerned about theft or having others look through their belongings Have some prejudices about who is a good fit for their home (generationally common) Regardless of their rationale or reason for wanting to stay home for showings, it is our job as agents to get to the bottom of it and provide potential solutions for making showings productive. This requires a conversation -- a very intentional conversation. While most of the time and with most clients, we can merely say, “Be sure to leave the house during showings,” and they do, you may need to have a more thorough discussion with senior home sellers and provide your procedure and rationale in writing. Revisiting this conversation is not a bad idea either, putting them at ease regarding concerns, fears, or questions. Provide alternatives. If you are serving an older adult, especially a frail older adult, who doesn’t have family support nearby, you may need to go above and beyond what you normally do relative to showings. This little bit of extra effort is not only beneficial to the home sale process, but it can also be an amazing gift and value add setting you apart from the average agent.http://ococean.com/things-to-do/boardwalk

Easy-to-update items to make your new home yours - your home in Ocean City MD, a beach resort town.

Easy-to-update items to make your new home yours - News Mirror: Real Estate

Take a look at Sunset Cove, 703 Rusty Anchor Rd #4.  Spectacular views.  Make it your own with renovations that speak to you.

Earnest Money Battles

Communicate and cooperate - a better alternative when parties are open minded and non confrontational.

Earnest Money Battles

New Google algorithm Hummingbird: what it means for local real estate and search | Inman News

New Google algorithm Hummingbird: what it means for local real estate and search | Inman News

Ocean City MD real estate specialists.  Homes in  Ocean City, MD are open this weekend for the Ocean City Home and Condo show taking place this weekend.  Check out all the spooky open houses. It sure is "ShoreFun4U" when you visit OCMD.

New Google algorithm Hummingbird: what it means for local real estate and search | Inman News

New Google algorithm Hummingbird: what it means for local real estate and search | Inman News

Ocean City MD real estate specialists.  Homes in  Ocean City, MD are open this weekend for the Ocean City Home and Condo show taking place this weekend.  Check out all the spooky open houses. It sure is "ShoreFun4U" when you visit OCMD.

Rooms and Furniture are being made to Multi-Task these days. Are you living in a small multi-tasking space?

When home office is also laundry room

 

Demand grows for rooms with dual functions  - check out Ocean City MD beach properties for a vacation, investment or retirement home.

 

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OCTOBER 21, 2013

 

 

 

A coffee table with a lift top designed to accommodate working at a computer or eating is part of a growing line of products to help homeowners perform multiple tasks in living rooms.

Photograph by: Handout photo , Universal Furniture

Washing clothes in the bedroom. Sending email from the laundry room.

Busy people are demanding more from each room in the house, and spaces designed for multiple functions are popping up all over floor plans, design blogs and magazine spreads.

Check out homes in Ocean City MD.  Beach home real estate is on the rise; size is a matter of price and location desired.  Check out homes for sale in Ocean City MD with the real estate specialist ShoreFun4U - Susan Antigone with Long & Foster. Long & Foster RE townhome for sale

"People multi-task all the time. There is a definite correlation and carry-over in the home," said Wendy Danziger, owner of Danziger Design in Bethesda, Md. She has helped clients create rooms for eating and watching television; housing guests and working from home; sleeping and doing laundry.

Some homebuilders have added space for seating, desks and charging stations in the laundry room.

"It's happening all over," Danziger said. "There's a lot of strategy that goes on - a lot of compromise."

Furniture manufacturers, too, are helping to make every square inch count, said Pat Bowling, spokeswoman for the American Home Furnishings Alliance in High Point, N.C. Modern pieces include end tables that double as file cabinets, coffee tables with adjustable heights to accommodate working at a computer or eating, and chests with docking stations for electronics.

The portability of laptops, tablets and other devices means you don't need a dedicated home office to work at home. People use electronics in the family room, bedroom and kitchen.

"Today's furniture is multitasking furniture that can help you stay organized, stay connected and keep clutter at bay," said Kim Shaver of Hooker Furniture in Martinsville, Va. "In versatile styles and silhouettes, these pieces fit any room - from the kitchen to the bedroom and from the family room to the entry hall or foyer - and provide multiple functions in each room."

Danziger says a console table with hinged leaves is a good option for a TV room that sometimes needs to become a dining room: When guests come for dinner, just slide the table away from the wall under the television and extend the leaves to create a table that seats up to six people.

Nesting tables - stacking tables of different sizes - also help increase the functionality of a space, she said. She often puts them on wheels so they can easily be rolled to another area of the room for another use.

She has worked with retirees downsizing to a smaller home and with young professionals squeezed into urban apartments.

"Once home offices were the rage," she said. Now, "it is not unusual to see living spaces where people eat, sleep, work and play games just for the sake of living in a city where one can walk to everything, including their office."

Frank Pitman of Frank Pitman Designs in Orange County, Calif., also has seen the trend. He has had a growing number of clients putting laundry facilities in their bedroom closets. "They are already storing the clothing there. Why not wash the clothing right there?"

Some clients like having a room's secondary use come as a surprise: Television or computer screens that seem to "appear from nowhere" are good examples, he said.

Murphy beds, which are stored vertically in a cabinet along a wall, or Murphy desks, which slide out bookshelves, are a way to keep a space's other function hidden.

Often the need to get more use out of a space arises when an elderly parent joins the household, a grown child returns home or a young family hires a live-in nanny, said Amy Albert, editor of Custom Home Magazine

Reducing Air Pollutants with Air Purifiers - do the work?

Do Air Purifiers Really Work?

Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air. They range from dusts to chemicals to radon. Air cleaners are devices that attempt to remove such pollutants from the indoor air you breathe.

The typical furnace filter installed in the ductwork of most home heating and/or air-conditioning systems is a simple air cleaner. This basic filtering system may be upgraded by using another filter to trap additional pollutants or by adding additional air-cleaning devices. An alternative to upgrading the induct air cleaning system is using individual room, portable air cleaners. Air cleaners generally rely on filtration, or the attraction of charged particles to the air cleaning device itself or to surfaces within the home, for the removal of pollutants. The use of "air cleaning" to remove pollutants from the air in residences is in its infancy.

Because many factors need to be considered in determining whether use of an air cleaner is appropriate in a particular setting, the decision whether or not to use an air cleaner is left to the individual. As of yet, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not taken a position either for or against the use of these devices in the home.

Three Strategies (in order of effectiveness) May Be Used To Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants:

1. Source Control eliminates individual sources of pollutants or reduces their emissions, and is generally the most effective strategy. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like combustion appliances, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. Unfortunately, not all pollutant sources can be identified and practically eliminated or reduced.

2. Ventilation brings outside air indoors. It can be achieved by opening windows and doors, by turning on local bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans, or, in some situations, by the use of mechanical ventilation systems. However, there are practical limits to the extent ventilation can be used to reduce airborne pollutants. Costs for heating or cooling incoming air can be significant, and outdoor air itself may contain undesirable levels of contaminants.

3. Air Cleaning may serve as an adjunct to source control and ventilation. However, the use of air cleaning devices alone cannot assure adequate air quality, particularly where significant sources are present and ventilation is inadequate. Air cleaners are usually classified by the method employed for removing particles of various sizes from the air.

There are three general types of air cleaners on the market: mechanical filters, electronic air cleaners, and ion generators. Air cleaners may be in-duct units (installed in the central heating and/or air-conditioning system) or stand-alone portable units.

The effectiveness of air cleaners in removing pollutants from the air is a function of both the efficiency of the device itself and the amount of air handled by the device. A product of these two factors (for a given pollutant) is expressed as the unit's clean air delivery rate (CADR).

Portable air cleaners vary in size and effectiveness in pollutant reduction capabilities. They range from relatively ineffective table-top units to larger, more powerful console units. In general, units containing either electrostatic precipitators, negative ion generators, or pleated filters, and hybrid units containing combinations of these mechanisms, are more effective than flat filter units in removing tobacco smoke particles. Effectiveness within these classes varies widely, however. For removal of larger dust particles, negative ion generators, without additional particle capture mechanisms (e.g., filters), may perform poorly.

Pollutants in indoor air may be divided into three groups: particles, gaseous pollutants, and radon. Some air cleaners, under the right conditions, can effectively remove small particles which are suspended in air. However, controversy exists as to the efficiency of air cleaners in removing larger particles such as pollen and house dust allergens, which rapidly settle on surfaces. Animal dander may settle more slowly, although the surface particles far exceed the amount in the air. Therefore, control of the sources of allergens and ventilation should be stressed as the primary means of reducing allergic reactions.

Some of the air cleaners containing sorbents may also remove some of the gaseous pollutants in indoor air. However, no air-cleaning systems are expected to totally eliminate all hazards from gaseous pollutants and these systems may have a limited lifetime before replacement is necessary. In addition, air cleaning may not be effective in reducing the risks of lung cancer due to radon.

2014 Tax Season to Start Later Following Government Closure; IRS Sees Heavy Demand As Operations Resume

IR-2013-82: 2014 Tax Season to Start Later Following Government Closure; IRS Sees Heavy Demand As Operations Resume

IR-2013-82: 2014 Tax Season to Start Later Following Government Closure; IRS Sees Heavy Demand As Operations Resume

IR-2013-82: 2014 Tax Season to Start Later Following Government Closure; IRS Sees Heavy Demand As Operations Resume

Remember last years delayed filing of tax returns.  Repeat performance this year!
Susan Antigone - ShoreFun4U  - specialist in real estate and taxes keeps you informed on all fronts.

8 Don't Do It's that could negatively affect your purchasing power when buying a home in Ocean City MD. Homes for Sale in OC are varied and available.

Ask your real estate specialist in Ocean City MD.  Susan Antigone - ShoreFun4U. 

Don’t Do It!

September 30, 2013 by Chandra Hall Leave a Comment

You’ve seen lists telling buyers what to do to find the right home but knowing what not to do can be just as important. After finding the right home, negotiating a contract, making a loan application and inspections, buyers, understandably, start making plans to move and put their personal touches on the home.

In today’s tenuous lending environment, little things can derail the process which isn’t over until the papers are signed at settlement and funds distributed to the seller. Verifications are made by a lender at the beginning of the loan process to determine if the buyer qualifies for the mortgage. The verifications are usually done again just prior to the closing to determine if there have been any material changes to the borrower’s credit or income that might disqualify them.

Simply stated:

1. Don’t make any new major purchases that could affect your debt-to-income ratio
2. Don’t apply, co-sign or add any new credit
3. Don’t quit your job or change jobs
4. Don’t change banks
5. Don’t open new credit accounts
6. Don’t close or consolidate credit card accounts without advice from your lender
7. Don’t buy things for your new home until after you close
8. Don’t talk to the seller without your agent

Your real estate professional and lender are working together to get you into your new home. It’s understandable to be excited about one of the biggest decisions you’ll make and that you feel you need to be getting ready for the move.

Planning is smart but don’t do anything that would affect your credit or income while you’re waiting to sign the final papers at settlement.

Ghosts won’t scare away homebuyers if the price is right | Inman News

Biggest factor is to price it  right from the beginning so you don't scare potential buyers away.  Ocean City Md REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST and advisor.  

Ghosts won’t scare away homebuyers if the price is right | Inman News

Ocean City Maryland: Spacious Townhome

http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=3188609&sk=21

Weekly Interest Rate Overview - Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae. Markets in Ocean 'City MD area.

The Markets. Rates increased in the past week, but this data was released before the effects of the budget settlement were factored into the equation. Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending October 17th, 30-year fixed rates increased to 4.28% from 4.23% the week before. The average for 15-year loans also rose slightly to 3.33%. Adjustable rates were mixed, with the average for one-year adjustables falling slightly to 2.63% and five-year adjustables increasing slightly to 3.07%. A year ago 30-year fixed rates were at 3.37%. Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac -- "Rates edged up leading to the federal budget deadline this week. Recent confidence measures depict some of the effects of the government shutdown and uncertainty of the budget impasse. For instance, consumer sentiment in October fell for the second straight month to the lowest reading since January, according to the University of Michigan. Similarly, October's homebuilder confidence fell to a four-month low. However, despite these downturns in confidence, applications for home loans rose for the second consecutive week as of October 11th, elevated by increases in applications for refinancing." Rates indicated do not include fees and points and are provided for evidence of trends only. They should not be used for comparison purposes.

Current Indices For Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Updated October 18, 2013

	Daily Value	Monthly Value
	Oct 17	September
6-month Treasury Security	0.08%	0.04%
1-year Treasury Security	0.13%	0.12%
3-year Treasury Security	0.61%	0.78%
5-year Treasury Security	1.35%	1.60%
10-year Treasury Security	2.61%	2.81%
12-month LIBOR		0.653% (Sept)
12-month MTA		0.144% (Sept)
11th District Cost of Funds		0.956% (Aug)
Prime Rate		3.25%

Fannie Mae has announced that their guidelines are changing pursuant to requirements for "Qualified Mortgages" as outlined in the Dodd-Frank Act. What does that mean for the average homebuyer? While there are many changes included within these new requirements some of the most important adjustments include the end of Fannie Mae's 40-year amortization, interest only and three percent down payment programs. In addition, the requirements for qualification for adjustable rate mortgages have been tightened up as well. The elimination of the three percent down payment option removes an important alternative for those who have limited resources for a down payment and do not want to pay the increased mortgage insurance required of a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage. With the rise in rates this year, 5/1 adjustables have become more popular as well. These new requirements are to go into effect on November 16. If you or your real estate client's are thinking about purchasing and will be considering an adjustable or a low down payment loan, you should consider acting now as applications must be fully executed by this November date. Contact us for an evaluation of the best low-down payment alternative before this option is taken off the table.

The nation's foreclosure inventory continues a precipitous decline, falling 33 percent year-over-year in August, according to CoreLogic’s August National Foreclosure Report. About 939,000 homes were in some stage of foreclosure, down from 1.4 million in August 2012. “The foreclosure inventory continues to improve, as exhibited by these recent numbers,” says Mark Fleming, CoreLogic's chief economist. “A surge in completed foreclosures and a rise in the foreclosure inventory is unlikely given continued house-price improvements and shortages of supply in many markets.” The foreclosure inventory in August represented 2.4 percent of all homes with a loan compared to 3.3 percent in August 2012. Shadow inventory is another threat that is starting to recede. The residential shadow inventory in August fell to its lowest level since August 2008 to 1.9 million homes. That represents a 3.7-month supply and is down 38 percent from its 2010 peak of 3 million homes, according to CoreLogic. "Over the past year, the value of the U.S. shadow inventory dropped by $87 billion, a sign of increased normalcy in the housing market,” says Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “With a year-over-year decrease of 22 percent in July, the shadow inventory has now declined steadily for 10 consecutive months.” In August, the number of completed foreclosures fell 34 percent year-over-year. Completed foreclosures, however, are still high by historical levels. Prior to the housing crisis, completed foreclosures — the total number of homes actually lost to foreclosure — averaged 21,000 per month between 2000 and 2006. In August, they were at 48,000. Since the financial crisis began in 2008, about 4.5 million homes nationwide have been lost to foreclosure. Source: CoreLogic

Sixty-five percent of the millennial generation, ranging in age roughly from 18 to 34, say that their intention to purchase a house has significantly increased in the past year, according to a survey from PulteGroup. “As the economy continues to stabilize, more young adults will wean off of mom and dad and start to live on their own, spurring added economic growth." Nearly 20 percent of men ages 25 to 34 reportedly live with their parents, while 9.7 percent of women that age still live at home. As this generation gains greater financial security, more millennials will begin to embark on their own. A recent article from Barron’s notes that Generation Y could surprise the nation in upcoming years with their spending power and economic growth. The generation is 7 percent larger than the baby boom generation. "Millennials have witnessed the housing boom and bust, but still believe home ownership is a good investment," says Fred Ehle, vice president for PulteGroup. Source: HousingWire

Jane Crawley - Prosperity Mortgage

Learn the Art of Schmoozing for More Business - Real Estate in Ocean City MD, specialist in building the business

Learn the Art of Schmoozing for More Business

Is It Too Late to Get a Good Mortgage Rate?

Is It Too Late to Get a Good Mortgage Rate?

Check out Long & Foster's Prosperity Mortgage to find out about how to make your mortgage work for you.  Ocean City MD beach real estate specialists.

14 Things to Consider Before Buying A Home - Ocean City MD beach real estate specialists

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home

  

Aug 19, 2013

  

By: Realtor.com Team

 

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these 14 tips:
1. Visit at various times of day.
The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.
2. Research recent local news.
You need to look at more than the house: Examine the factors you can’t see. For example, perhaps the municipal water well has high levels of contaminants, or a perhaps a high-voltage power line may soon be coming through your back yard. You can also check with the city or county to see if there are any proposed projects.
3. Talk to neighbors.
How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? What do neighbors say are the pros and cons of the area?
4. Ask if the neighborhood has an association.
“Is there a newsletter for it? How often does the neighborhood get together? Do they have a block party every year?” Levine asks. “The fact that they’re having a gathering says they care about their community, that they want to get to know each other, that they’re willing to socialize that way. People who behave that way are building a community. They’re going to look out for your kids; they’re going to look out for your house.”
5. Quiz the sellers about house problems.
What past problems are the sellers aware of? Even if the issues have been fixed, it’s good to know that the house may be prone to, say, ice dams or water leaks so that you can take preventive measures rather than find out the hard way. If you know that the basement flooding was solved by building up the landscaping in a particular area, you won’t level the ground there.
6. Get a home inspection.
Virtually all houses have defects. Some are obvious, and most are curable. But knowing what needs repair can help you negotiate a lower price — or at least prepare you for costs you’ll soon incur. Strongly consider getting inspections for lead paint, radon and wood-eating pests, too.
7. Get detailed records on past improvements.
This isn’t always possible. But if you’re told the house’s exterior was painted two years ago — and then see a receipt noting the whole project cost just $1,000 — then you’re forewarned that cheaper materials were used and that you may be looking at repainting sooner than you thought.
8. Don’t assume remodeling will be easy.
If you voice your ideas to the sellers, you may glean valuable insights. For instance, perhaps that shower is in an odd location because, when the previous owners remodeled 10 years ago, they discovered a costly structural impediment to putting a shower where it would seem more appropriate.
9. Consider the view.
“So many neighborhoods now have teardowns,” Levine notes. “So look at the two houses on either side of you.” Do the adjacent houses look like they might be candidates for a teardown? Is the next lot empty? Does the neighborhood or town have restrictions about what your prospective neighbors can build there? “They may build some behemoth structure that affects your light or the way your house looks or your view,” Levine says.
10. Ask for utility bills.
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and glass walls in a modern home, but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may not fit your monthly budget. Ditto for the water bills that come with maintaining a pristine landscape.
11. Pay close attention to taxes.
Don’t just ask about the seller’s most recent tax bill; ask the amounts for several recent tax bills. In some areas, houses are re-appraised — and taxed at higher rates — frequently. That great deal and good investment may not seem quite so grand if the property taxes skyrocket year after year. Look at local news and talk to your Realtor about how taxes are used in this area. In some cities, schools are substantially funded through property taxes, which means you can count on yours increasing regularly.
12. Check with city hall.
Look into the property’s and the neighborhood’s zoning, as well as any potential easements, liens or other restrictions relating to your property. The seller should disclose these facts, but it’s better to be proactive. If you’re using a buyer’s agent, they should be able to help.
13. Reconsider the bells and whistles.
Are you sure you can live with a one-car garage, or a detached garage, or on-street parking? The pool may be a nice bonus, but can you afford the upkeep?
14. Explore the surrounding area.
If you’re new to the area, you may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty neighborhood backs up to a dumpy commercial zone or a less-than-savory part of town. If the home is near an airport, fire station, police station, hospital or railroad track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances throughout the day and night. Make sure you’re not too close to an agricultural area that may generate odors or kick up dust or other airborne problems.
Diane Benson Harrington wrote this article.

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home in Ocean City MD or elsewhere. ShoreFun4U - Susan Antigone, REALTOR, Long & Foster

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home in Ocean City MD or elsewhere. 

Buy 

  |  

Aug 19, 2013 

  |  

By: Realtor.com Team

  |  

 

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these 14 tips:

1. Visit at various times of day.
The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.

2. Research recent local news.
You need to look at more than the house: Examine the factors you can’t see. For example, perhaps the municipal water well has high levels of contaminants, or a perhaps a high-voltage power line may soon be coming through your back yard. You can also check with the city or county to see if there are any proposed projects.

3. Talk to neighbors.
How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? What do neighbors say are the pros and cons of the area?

4. Ask if the neighborhood has an association.
“Is there a newsletter for it? How often does the neighborhood get together? Do they have a block party every year?” Levine asks. “The fact that they’re having a gathering says they care about their community, that they want to get to know each other, that they’re willing to socialize that way. People who behave that way are building a community. They’re going to look out for your kids; they’re going to look out for your house.”

5. Quiz the sellers about house problems.
What past problems are the sellers aware of? Even if the issues have been fixed, it’s good to know that the house may be prone to, say, ice dams or water leaks so that you can take preventive measures rather than find out the hard way. If you know that the basement flooding was solved by building up the landscaping in a particular area, you won’t level the ground there.

6. Get a home inspection.
Virtually all houses have defects. Some are obvious, and most are curable. But knowing what needs repair can help you negotiate a lower price — or at least prepare you for costs you’ll soon incur. Strongly consider getting inspections for lead paint, radon and wood-eating pests, too.

7. Get detailed records on past improvements.
This isn’t always possible. But if you’re told the house’s exterior was painted two years ago — and then see a receipt noting the whole project cost just $1,000 — then you’re forewarned that cheaper materials were used and that you may be looking at repainting sooner than you thought.

8. Don’t assume remodeling will be easy.
If you voice your ideas to the sellers, you may glean valuable insights. For instance, perhaps that shower is in an odd location because, when the previous owners remodeled 10 years ago, they discovered a costly structural impediment to putting a shower where it would seem more appropriate.

9. Consider the view.
“So many neighborhoods now have teardowns,” Levine notes. “So look at the two houses on either side of you.” Do the adjacent houses look like they might be candidates for a teardown? Is the next lot empty? Does the neighborhood or town have restrictions about what your prospective neighbors can build there? “They may build some behemoth structure that affects your light or the way your house looks or your view,” Levine says.

10. Ask for utility bills. 
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and glass walls in a modern home, but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may not fit your monthly budget. Ditto for the water bills that come with maintaining a pristine landscape.

11. Pay close attention to taxes.
Don’t just ask about the seller’s most recent tax bill; ask the amounts for several recent tax bills. In some areas, houses are re-appraised — and taxed at higher rates — frequently. That great deal and good investment may not seem quite so grand if the property taxes skyrocket year after year. Look at local news and talk to your Realtor about how taxes are used in this area. In some cities, schools are substantially funded through property taxes, which means you can count on yours increasing regularly.

12. Check with city hall.
Look into the property’s and the neighborhood’s zoning, as well as any potential easements, liens or other restrictions relating to your property. The seller should disclose these facts, but it’s better to be proactive. If you’re using a buyer’s agent, they should be able to help.

13. Reconsider the bells and whistles.
Are you sure you can live with a one-car garage, or a detached garage, or on-street parking? The pool may be a nice bonus, but can you afford the upkeep?

14. Explore the surrounding area.
OR 
If you’re new to the area, you may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty neighborhood backs up to a dumpy commercial zone or a less-than-savory part of town. If the home is near an airport, fire station, police station, hospital or railroad track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances throughout the day and night. Make sure you’re not too close to an agricultural area that may generate odors or kick up dust or other airborne problems.

Diane Benson Harrington wrote this article
.

Ocean City, MD. Consider whether you want a fence for privacy or to keep others out; or do you want a fence to keep the pets and children in and safe?

Pros and Cons of Fences

DATE:OCTOBER 17, 2013 

Ocean City MD - Homes for Sale - Townhomes, Single Family, Condominiums.  Not all will accommodate a fence.  So consider: do you want a fence for privacy to keep others out; or do you want a fence to keep the pets and children in and safe? 

Fences – wood, wrought iron, vinyl or chain link – can be expensive to build and install. Before you make the investment, it’s wise to take time to consider your specific needs and decide whether a fence is worth the cost and energy.

ADVANTAGES OF FENCES

1. Privacy. It can be hard to enjoy dinner on the patio if everyone on the street has a clear view of your back yard.  A six-foot-tall privacy fence can help create a peaceful get-away in nearly any neighborhood.

2. Containment. A fence can help provide a safe play environment for children and pets, keeping them in the yard where you can keep an eye on them and preventing entry from unwanted strangers or animals.

3. Security. A good fence can help protect your family – and your possessions – from those who would enter your yard for the wrong reasons. If you have a swimming pool or playground equipment, a fence can prevent trespassers from putting themselves in danger.

4. Noise reduction. If your house is near a busy street, you may find yourself screaming to be heard over the traffic noise. An 8-foot-high solid fence can knock 6 to 10 decibels off traffic and other ambient noise. Acoustifence is among a handful of products that have traditionally been used to reduce sound along mass transit rail lines and highways. It’s now available for residential use and reports show noise levels are reduced by 60 percent to 85 percent, depending on fence height, elevations and noise frequencies.

5. Design element. An attractive, well-constructed fence can add to your home’s overall appeal. A waist-high fence, such as a picket fence, can both define your property boundary and attract the eye through thoughtful landscaping.

DISADVANTAGES OF FENCES

1. Maintenance. No doubt, fences can provide a decorative element to your landscape, but they can detract if they’re not well cared for. Wood fences, specifically, require occasional cleaning, staining, sealing or painting and can warp and rot over time. Is that how you want to spend your time?

2. Lack of Consensus. Boundary fences can be tricky business – especially if you want one and your neighbor doesn’t. You may both have legitimate reasons for digging in your heels (protecting pets, preserving a view, etc.) but nothing should be constructed until you come to an agreement. You may want to hire an attorney to help negotiate a compromise or you may work through a local community mediation center. Not only do you need to agree to build the fence, you need to decide who’s responsible for costs and maintenance. Is a fence worth damaging neighborhood relationships?

3. Expense. The cost of a fence varies greatly depending upon the materials used, the style, height and length of the fence, number of gates, and the market in which labor is hired and materials are purchased. A wooden privacy fence now averages $17.31 to $23.13 per linear foot – that’s $2,596.50 to $3,469.50 for a 150-foot-long fence.

4. Hassle. Mowing or trimming along a fence is laborious and can do damage to the fence – especially a wood fence. No fence? Mow with abandon.

5. Wildlife. Fences may help protect your property but, for those who live on wooded or rural lots, they also can be barriers and traps for wildlife, causing injury and even fatalities. Animal damage to fences is costly and frustrating for landowners. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks suggests observing wildlife trails and seasonal patterns before building a fence. If you do end up building one, design your fence to allow wildlife to travel through your property to important habitats and to allow easy access to ponds, streams or wetlands.

• Mary Boone is a freelance writer for Zillow Blog. 

 

Buying a House? Know your credit score and get a free credit report. Ocean City MD. Susan Antigone - ShoreFun4U homes for sale.

Topic Summary: For years now consumers have been given the option to obtain their credit report for free from the big three credit reporting agencies.  Recent reports indicate that up to 79% of reports have errors.
1)      Get free reports 
2)       How to fix errors the right way
3)      Where to go when not satisfied
4)      A fantastic site to go to for free tools
We all know that our credit reports are a very important financial tool that credit grantors and employers have to assess an individual's credit-worthiness. The government for years has given consumers a free way to see what is in your credit reports, and now they provide a resource called the Consumer Financial Protection Board to help you if you can't get satisfaction when errors are found.
First up you can get your free credit reports from the three national agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion once every 12 months. The site to get the free reports is www.annualcreditreport.com . Be careful if typing in the web address as here are many sites that look like that address but will try to sell you credit monitoring and other services.
Once you have your reports, dig into every line item and see if all makes sense! Each report tells you what to do to when you think there is an error. The Fair Credit Reporting Act says the agencies have to get back to you in a certain time-frame or the item in question must be deleted

---

 CONSUMER TIP: DO NOT FILL OUT THE DISPUTE FORM ONLINE (see these 7 tips on how to work disputes)

---

If you are still not satisfied, call in "Big Brother"
The Consumer Financial Protection Board was set up a few years ago to be the watchdog for consumers when they engage in the financial services sector. This organization takes on big financial services companies and enforces regulations and administers fines when there are anti-consumer practices. On This Page Here,you can start the formal dispute of a contested item on your credit report. You will be given a case number and progress on the complaint.
A Get It All Done Site We Recommend!www.CreditKarma.com
This site is getting rave reviews for being easy to use and free. There are some ads that come with the service but generally they are not intrusive. Once you register, CreditKarma goes to work monitoring your balances, payments and any warnings are given to you by email.

Highlights

Get Your Free Credit Score

Credit Karma believes that every consumer has a right to access their scores. You'll get four credit scores along with free credit tools to help you better understand what a good credit score is. Even better, you'll receive your free credit score without a credit card.
Get Your Free Credit Report Card
The totally free Credit Report Card is an easy-to-understand summary of your credit report details. Use the Credit Report Card to gain a better understanding of your credit history and how it impacts your credit health.

Enroll in Free Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring can help prevent identity theft and inaccurate information from appearing on your credit report. You'll receive an email when something important changes in your credit report.
Gain Insight into Your Credit Report
Along with your free score, you'll see important details of your credit report for free. In addition to your free Credit Report Card, you can view the details on your individual credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and personal loans. You can use this section to spot any fraudulent or mistaken accounts on your credit report, maintain a record of your reported balance history, keep tabs on your credit card utilization rate, and receive recommendations for new loans and credit cards.

Moving to the Beach? Ocean City MD real estate is a great buy. Repairs Every New Home Buyer Should Make ... at the beach or elsewhere!

Repairs Every New Home Buyer Should Make

By Ilyce Glink – Mon, Aug 26, 2013 2:38 PM EDT
Susan Antigone - ShoreFun4U - Long & Foster Real Estate Market

You've unpacked, painted the walls, and taken care of other small home repair projects. Now it's time to relax, open a bottle of wine and enjoy being a homeowner. Right? Think again.

"I tell my new homeowner customers that you're going to find problems every season for a few years," says Rich Escallier, a handyman in Chicago. "If you can go six months without finding something that raises your blood pressure, you're lucky."

Contractors and remodeling experts agree that new owners shouldn't rest easy after their home purchase. Check out maintenance in Ocean City MD

Starting from the moment they move in, new owners should look ahead to routine maintenance and take care of small home repairs right away to head off potentially costly mistakes. Here's a quick timeline of things to look for.

Move-In Week

Make it a point to turn on all of your major appliances and let them run for a complete cycle, especially if your home is newly built. Believe it or not, contractors and home inspectors don't always test out these devices after installing them. It's easy to improperly connect appliances dishwashers and microwave ovens, says Daniel Cipriani of Kade Homes & Renovations outside Atlanta, Ga.

"If you have a minor leak under the dishwasher, that water leaks into the subfloor and you can't see it," Cipriani says. "But you'll start to notice the hardwood floor buckling."

Repairing the floor after a minor leak goes unnoticed can cost as much as $5,000.

If you're in a new house, be sure to read your warranty -- don't wait until an emergency to start familiarizing yourself with your legal rights and responsibilities.

45 Days

Change the filter on your HVAC system, and vacuum out the air intake vents. Capturing dirt and dust with the right filter can go a long way toward preserving the new home appeal for a few years.

Six Months

During summer months, keep an eye out for invasive animals like squirrels, birds and wasps. These pests look for loose soffits and buckled siding as a way to get into your home. Once there, they can make a nest, raise young and wreak havoc on hard-to-reach areas of your home.

Twice a year in the summer and fall, inspect the exterior of your house to make sure rainwater is draining properly. Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. Construction professionals recommend six-inch gutters and proper landscaping so that rainwater is directed away from your foundation.

"Landscaping should be negatively graded away from the house," Cipriani says. "People don't think it's a big problem, but otherwise water pools against the foundation and doesn't have anywhere to go."

Fixing up your foundation could cost upwards of $10,000. Even one crack in a poured concrete wall could cost $800 to $1,500 per crack, according to the Foundation Repair Network.

"If you can fit a nickel into it, you'll know that it might be an issue," Cipriani says.

Each winter, check to make sure that your pipes are properly insulated against freezing. Consider installing an inexpensive insulating hood over exterior water spigots.

Every Year

Inspect your roof or have a professional roofer conduct an inspection. Look for missing shingles, gaps in the flashing around chimneys and other hazards. Indoors, check your ceiling for water spots. If you see a spot, don't panic -- just trace the spot with a pencil so you can monitor its progress to see if it's still growing. Some minor leaks will clear up without your help, but most don't, so you have to stay vigilant.

Every Two Years

If you have a sewer line or a catch basin, expect to have it cleaned out and inspected by qualified plumbers. They'll check for broken pipes, roots growing through the line and other potential flooding hazards.

Have a professional HVAC contractor inspect your furnace, air conditioner and hot water heater. Often hot water heaters are located close to other major appliances -- and a ruptured reservoir could spill 40 gallons of water in a few hours. Escallier recommends installing an inexpensive water alarm with sensors in the collection pan beneath the hot water heater. A $25 water alarm can head off a potentially disastrous basement spill.

Above all, don't put off little repairs -- that just compounds the problem. The most common thing customers say to Escallier after a big repair job is, "We wish we would have done this sooner."

"You want to enjoy living in your house," he says. "Don't put your head in the sand."

Long & Foster Maintenance Suggestions for Ocean City MD real estate market. 

Want to move to the Ocean City MD beach? Second Home? Retirement? - 4 outside the box ways to sell your home.

4 Outside-the-Box Ways to Sell Your Home

Posted under: Home Selling  |  October 15, 2013 12:43 PM  | 

Real estate people often say that this business is “hyperlocal.”  That’s just another way of saying that whether your market is a buyer’s market, a seller’s market or otherwise can vary state to state, county to county, town to town and even in various neighborhoods in the same town.
But when it’s your own home for sale, “hyperlocal” takes on an all new meaning.  Your perspective on the market zooms all the way in and it can suddenly seem like nothing matters except how many buyers show up to your open house, how long your home has been on the market, whether any offers have come in on your house and, if so, precisely which numbers appear on those digital sheets of paper.

Bottom line: it doesn’t matter how hot the market is or how many multiple offers your neighbor’s house got, unless and until yours sells.  Times might not be desperate overall, but if it’s your house lagging on the market you might need to do something more than just hang a sign in the yard to get your home sold. And the only thing you can control in that process is YOUR actions: your choice of agent, your pricing, your property preparation and your marketing. 

If you’re a seller committed to doing everything within your power to sell your home and it’s not coming as easily or instantly as you’d hoped, here are a few outside-the-box strategies for getting your home sold:

1.  Put your network to work.  Anywhere there are people who know you or know your neighborhood, (sample home in Ocean City MD) there might be the ultimate buyer for your home - or someone who knows them.  In particular, social networks like neighborhood email lists, NextDoor.com and even your personal Facebook feed are great places to make sure you are publicizing your home’s listing. 

If your home is well-located vis-a-vis your workplace, don’t hesitate to also make your colleagues aware of the listing. If you work for a very large organization or institution, you might even go so far as to let your Human Resources team know of the listing: many HR departments actively help new hires relocate and find housing as part of their services.

2.  Offer incentives or inclusions. If you want to distinguish your home above the rest of the homes for sale, you must do what other sellers won’t. On today’s market that might simply mean offering even a modest incentive, which can get your home noticed and turn a looky-loo serious, in short order. Offering a year’s prepaid HOA dues or closing costs when your competition is not making such offers can be magnetic to the buyer who is frugal or tight on cash. 

Similarly, you’d be surprised at how the prospect of including customized furnishings, home electronics, or other high-value items that homes are usually sold without can sweeten the whole package your home presents to buyers. This is highly situationally-specific, though, as it tends to be the most appealing to entry level buyers who otherwise might not be able to afford the included items or very high-end buyers who simply don’t want to be bothered with furnishing a house.  Discuss whether this strategy makes sense for your home with your listing agent.

3. Make a reverse offer.  A lot of what is outside-the-box for today’s market are strategies that get put to use in slower market climates. Speaking of having lots of viewings, but no offers - in a reverse offer, the listing agent calls up the agent from a buyer who has expressed an interest in the home and makes an offer from the seller to the buyer.

If you’ve had a particular buyer who has been to your home more than once but has given the feedback that the price is too high, HOA dues too steep or the necessary repairs too extensive, talk with your agent about making a reverse offer directly to that buyer to sell your home to them at:

• a lower list price
• with an HOA dues credit
• with the agreement to conduct repairs before closing or provide a repair credit.

4.  Write a love letter about your home.  When bidding wars abound, it becomes common for buyers to write what I like to call “love letters” to sellers, counting the ways they love the home (Shakespeare-style) and trying to woo them into letting the buyer become its next owner. But sellers whose homes aren’t moving would do well to channel the Bard themselves.  Buyers appreciate a home that has been cherished, and like to hear the lore of lovely family memories a seller had in the place. I’ve actually witnessed firsthand a buyer walk through a home, deem it “cute” with nonchalance, then warm to the property as they come across a binder full of a seller’s notes about the place, the neighborhood and even local vendors and parks, from the rosy viewpoint of someone who loves them.

In this post, I went into greater detail about how to pen a seller love letter about your home. Make sure you also connect with your agent to gather their experienced input on what matters the most to local buyers, before you write a love letter about your home.

ALL: What outside-the-box home selling strategies have you seen in your area?  Did they work?

PS: You should follow Trulia and Tara on Facebook!