RichSellsHomes

Do I have to leave my Annapolis area house when the buyer is conducting a home inspection?

Riarossi — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:50:54 +0000

Have to leave, NO! As a matter of fact, the standard home inspection addendum reiterates your right, as a seller, to stay in the home during a home inspection. After all, it’s your home.

That being said, let’s think about this for a minute. The home inspection is being conducted on behalf of the buyer. The home inspector is working for the buyer, and usually looks askance at anything the home owner, or the listing agent might say. Not you certainly, but there have been plenty of instances where sellers try to hide defects from the inspector. By the way…it usually doesn’t work.

Most importantly though, is that this is likely the first time that the buyer has had any significant amount of time to spend in the house. This is their opportunity to get to know better, the house that will become theirs shortly. They should be able to do that without any interference.

Your listing agent will certainly explain your “right” to remain in the home, but I’m pretty sure they will also make a strong recommendation that you should leave during the inspection. You’ll know soon enough whether the buyers will be asking for repairs.

What are my options since my Annapolis house is under water?

Riarossi — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:46:25 +0000

Annapolis area houses have lost value in the last couple of years, like other communities in the area. Quite a few homeowners, who bought during the height of the market are under water on their loans. We should be thankful though, because the equity loss here in the Annapolis Maryland area has been small compared to other parts of the country. You can see the 5 year trend for the 21401 zip code here.

The first option that you should exercise when your house is under water, and you want to leave, is contacting your mortgage lender and try for a mortgage modification. If you’re able to modify, it may not help your underwater situation entirely, but it may save you money on your monthly mortgage expense. If you’re not able to modify for whatever reason, there are other options available, some good, some bad:

If there are circumstances that warrant, you might try a short sale. This option is not available if there is no hardship, e.g. divorce, job loss, health, etc. I’m not aware of any bank allowing a short sale just because a homeowner is underwater on their current mortgage.
You can just stay in the house and wait for the value to catch up. This could work if your house hasn’t experienced that much loss of equity since your purchase. Again, some areas of the country have experienced equity losses of greater than 50%. It would be a long time to recover from that loss. Historically, real estate increases about 1% higher than inflation per year…assuming that the current market in your area has reached bottom.
You can bring money to the settlement table. A lot of homeowners who have to leave the Annapolis area, and have lost equity in this market, are bringing a check to pay off the mortgage. This hurts, but may be required in certain circumstances.
Renting may be an option for some, while waiting for the equity to catch up. The Annapolis, Bowie and Crofton real estate markets have been experiencing robust rentals for quite some time. If you need to leave the area, you might have to hire a Property Manager for your home, and this will add additional expense. Call me at 443-995-9595 and I can talk you through those expenses.

If you’re not already working with a REALTOR® to buy or sell a home in the Annapolis, Bowie or Crofton real estate markets…I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595.

Do Open Houses Work?

Riarossi — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:49:31 +0000

Of course they do, but certainly not to the degree that most sellers would expect. I’ve seen statistics that selling the target house at an Open House event happens about 1% of the time. Despite the low rate of sale you can drive around Annapolis, Bowie or Crofton on any given weekend and you will see plenty of directional signs pointing you to Open Houses.

Visiting Open Houses seems to be a hobby for some people. For others, it’s a great way to view properties without too much pressure. They get to see homes in all different price ranges, and styles. Maybe even get some snacks while they’re at the house.

One thing to consider when visiting an Open House in Maryland though, is that the agent at the house is representing the seller in any possible transaction. Anything you tell that agent could be used by the seller. Another thing, is that the agent at the Open House is not allowed to solicit you for any other possible homes while he/she is at that house.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, by all means visit Open Houses. This is a great way to see different style homes, in an informal setting.

Who know, you may actually be part of the 1% of buyers who purchase the house they visited at an Open.

If you’re not already working with an agent to buy or sell a home in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, or anywhere in the surrounding area…I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595.

Anne Arundel County Discount Taxi Coupons for Seniors and Disabled Adults

Riarossi — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:52:54 +0000

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities is offering discount taxi coupons for seniors, age 55 and older, and for people age 18 and older with disabilities. S

Vouchers can be used to get to medical appointments, visits with family/friends, as well as getting to work, school and shopping. This service also is available when county van service is not available.everal local taxicab companies are participating in the program. They will be accepting vouchers, in place of cash.

Disabled adults need to provide proof of disability in order to participate. Each voucher book contains $10 worth of coupons and costs the participant only $5. That’s a savings of 50% off of normal fares. A maximum of seven booklets per month can be purchased. That’s $70 worth of transportation for only $35.

Providing taxi coupons for seniors and disabled adults is an excellent endeavor by the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities.

Visit www.aacounty.org/aging/agingservices/taxivoucher.cfm for an application, disability verification form, and list of participating taxicab companies, or call 410-222-4222 for information.

Howard County MD Homes for Sale – New Listings

Riarossi — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:34:32 +0000

Showing properties 1 - 32 of 32. See more Howard County MD - New Listings.
(all data current as of 5/18/2012)

$734,900 : 1770 Heatherwood Way, Sykesville

5 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 5,814 sq ft

Lot size: 3.00 ac

Year built: 1991

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$324,900 : 9314 Katie Ln, Laurel

3 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Lot size: 2 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 0
$394,900 : 5067 Blacksmith Dr, Columbia

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,670 sq ft

Lot size: 8,068 sqft

Year built: 1969

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$634,900 : 3152 Saint Charles Pl, Ellicott City

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,880 sq ft

Lot size: 5,950 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$239,900 : 8157 Aspenwood Way, Jessup

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,632 sq ft

Lot size: 1,524 sqft

Year built: 1985

Days on market: 0
$329,000 : 7276 Calm Sunset, Columbia

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 1,800 sqft

Year built: 2000

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$1,015,000 : 2817 Hunt Valley Dr, Glenwood

5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 2.72 ac

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 0
$525,000 : 2607 Buckingham Rd #78, Ellicott City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,658 sq ft

Year built: 2004

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$349,500 : 8616 Jennifer Ct, Laurel

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 8,581 sqft

Year built: 1988

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 0
$279,900 : 7906 Red Barn Way E, Elkridge

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,820 sq ft

Lot size: 7,402 sqft

Year built: 1984

Days on market: 0
$525,000 : 10834 Vista Rd, Columbia

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 40,293 sqft

Year built: 1976

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$750,000 : 13940 Rover Mill Rd, West Friendship

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 5.18 ac

Year built: 1993

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0
$1,800 : 8696 Pine Tree Rd, Jessup

3 beds, 2 full baths

Lot size: 1.33 ac

Year built: 1985

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$459,900 : 6108 Striker Ct, Columbia

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,068 sq ft

Lot size: 9,844 sqft

Year built: 1987

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$220,000 : 4920 Dorsey Hall Dr #6, Ellicott City

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,210 sq ft

Year built: 1989

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$619,000 : 8308 Governor Ridgely Ln, Ellicott City

5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 4,076 sq ft

Lot size: 17,045 sqft

Year built: 2000

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$289,900 : 8231 Tall Trees Ct, Ellicott City

3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,740 sq ft

Lot size: 1,611 sqft

Year built: 1984

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$2,600 : 6940 Magnolia Ave, Elkridge

3 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Lot size: 7,500 sqft

Year built: 2010

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$1,200,000 : 12126 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City

5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 7,950 sq ft

Lot size: 1.02 ac

Year built: 2007

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 1
$416,900 : 7472 Weather Worn Way, Columbia

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 8,213 sqft

Year built: 1984

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$228,000 : 4870 Dorsey Hall Dr Ne #8, Ellicott City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,210 sq ft

Year built: 1989

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$400,000 : 6954 Newberry Dr, Columbia

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 10,597 sqft

Year built: 1990

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$440,000 : 1979 Woodbine Rd, Lisbon

3 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,378 sq ft

Lot size: 2.00 ac

Year built: 1965

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$725,000 : 6104 Swift Current Way W, Clarksville

4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 3,352 sq ft

Lot size: 14,399 sqft

Year built: 1999

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$425,000 : 2830 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville

4 beds, 1 full bath

Lot size: 4.29 ac

Year built: 1930

Days on market: 1
$310,000 : 7065 Cedar Ave, Elkridge

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 12,000 sqft

Year built: 1922

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$1,200,000 : 13940 Rover Mill Rd, West Friendship

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 10.48 ac

Year built: 1993

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$670,000 : 9737 Treyburn Ct, Ellicott City

5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,500 sq ft

Lot size: 14,052 sqft

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$1,750 : 5844 Wyndham Cir #302, Columbia

3 beds, 2 full baths

Year built: 1992

Days on market: 1
$385,000 : 5910 Great Star Dr #202, Clarksville

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,900 sq ft

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1
$473,592 : 11249-2 Chase St, Fulton

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,700 sq ft

Year built: 2012

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 1
$339,900 : 5052 Southern Star Ter, Columbia

3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Year built: 1990

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 1

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Davidsonville MD Homes for Sale – Harbor Hills

Riarossi — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:06:47 +0000

Showing properties 1 - 6 of 6. See more Davidsonville - Harbor Hills.
(all data current as of 5/18/2012)

$679,900 : 3487 Constellation Dr, Davidsonville

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,990 sq ft

Lot size: 1.37 ac

Year built: 1979

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 10
$1,195,000 : 3451 Merrimac Rd, Davidsonville

4 beds, 2 full, 3 part baths

Lot size: 2.48 ac

Year built: 1976

Days on market: 50
$780,000 : 3463 Constellation Dr, Davidsonville

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,682 sq ft

Lot size: 1.18 ac

Year built: 1973

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 121
$738,000 : 3475 Monitor Court, Davidsonville

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 1.10 ac

Year built: 1976

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 164
$700,000 : 694 America Ct, Davidsonville

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,852 sq ft

Lot size: 1.55 ac

Year built: 1975

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 311
$1,000,000 : 635 Santa Maria Ln, Davidsonville

5 beds, 4 full baths

Lot size: 2.00 ac

Year built: 1984

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 382

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Can you face criminal charges for cutting down a tree in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Zone?

Riarossi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:08:57 +0000

You can if you live on the water, or within 1000 feet of tidal water in Maryland, you had better be aware of restrictions imposed within this Cheasapeake Bay Critical Area. For instance, if you cut that tree down on your property to get a better view of the water, you could face both civil and criminal charges. Yes, that wasn’t a typo…criminal charges.

A homeowner was recently sued by the State for cutting down trees on his waterfront property to get a better view. He was sued simultaneously in both Civil and Criminal Courts.

His fine in Civil Court exceeded $10,000, and he got lucky in Criminal Court with a Probation before Judgement. He is also required to get permits for the work he already did, as well as plant trees and shrubs to replace the missing ones. Along with his legal expenses, this was a very expensive lesson.

Recent State laws now allow for prosecution of offenders in both Civil and Criminal Courts. Anne Arundel County is being particularly aggressive with this stance.

Maryland waterfront homeowners, and any homeowner in the Critical Bay zone, should take heed that any activity involving trees, shrubs and underbrush should be reviewed with the County beforehand.

According to the County website, “Except for routine grass cutting and maintenance of existing garden and landscaped areas, removal of any existing natural vegetation within the Critical Area buffer or protected forests or woodland is subject to prior approval through the Code Compliance Division. Call (410) 222-7441 for information on obtaining a standard Buffer Management Plan or Forest Management Plan.”

Plan to err on the side of caution before making any landscaping changes to your waterfront property…call the County first to see if the work you’re planning on doing is legal.

Are permits required for fences in Anne Arundel County?

Riarossi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:43:34 +0000

Does Anne Arundel Country Maryland require building permits for fences?

Generally speaking, according the the County website, fences under six feet, and located completely within the property lines, do not require a building permit. You should check with the County if the property is located on a corner lot, or waterfront, since some restrictions do apply here.

Keep in mind too that many properties in Anne Arundel County are subject to Home Owners and Condo Association restrictions. At minimum, you should review your HOA or Condo documents, and call the Architectural Committee or Property Manager.

If you have any questions about fences and permits, you should check with Anne Arundel County at their website, or call 410-222-7000.

Trash pickup schedule for Anne Arundel County residents to change in June, 2012

Riarossi — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:53 +0000

The era of two times a week trash collection is coming to an end in Anne Arundel County, MD. Beginning in June, 2012, trash pick-up will be reduced to one day a week. The day where trash and recycling will remain, and the day where trash only was picked up, will be eliminated.
Besides the savings, which is anticipated to be returned to taxpayers, the County also anticipates that recycling will also increase. It seems that many recycled items are thrown in the regular trash, on the trash only day. The County Executive expects that the current recycling rate of 40% will increase with the changes being made in the pick-up cycle.

The slight decrease in convenience for some County residents should be more than offset by the increase in efficiency and recycling.

Crofton, MD Active Listings at Lowest Point in 5 Years

Riarossi — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:43:54 +0000

Crofton remains one of the preferred destination points in Anne Arundel County, MD. We are perfectly situated between the large employment markets of Baltimore and Washington, DC. Ft. Meade, home of the NSA, and a growing military installation, is just minutes away.

I have to say though, unless the Active listings get replenished soon, sales could be affected. The market is robust right now and buyers are out looking. While the reduced inventory is good for sellers at the moment, I believe that most REALTORS® would like to see a few more Active listings added to the inventory.

If you’re looking for a home in Crofton, MD or the surrounding area…I can help. Call me on my cell at 443-995-9595.