Real Estate Information

You've probably heard the old axiom that your home will be the number one monetary expense of your life. When you think about this statement, you most likely think about the purchase price of the home, which is obviously going to be a relatively large number, but there are many more costs associated with home ownership than just the price. Sometimes these additional expenses – energy bills for example – can be shockingly high over time, but like the slow leak of a faucet, they may go unnoticed for a long time. This is where KB Home's ZeroHouse 2.0 swoops in, like the Red Cross does for catastrophe victims, to put a “green” tourniquet on your house's energy-related hemorrhaging.

KB Home is a Fortune 500 home-building company based in Los Angeles. Its ZeroHouse 2.0 (also referred to as a “net-zero” green home), from all outward appearances, looks like an ordinary suburban home. Engineered to actually produce the same or similar amount of energy as it uses, KB Home's ZeroHouse 2.0 is chock full of environmentally friendly, energy-efficient appliances, electrical fixtures and lighting power sources. These renewable energy innovations and money-saving features have earned KB Home's ZeroHouse 2.0 certification from Energy Star and WaterSense.

When you take a closer look at KB Home's ZeroHouse 2.0's interior and exterior aspects, details and attributes, you will likely notice some of the home's cost efficient components, such as solar panels and low-flush toilets. And every one of the home's windows boast with dual-pane construction, an incredibly efficient feature that contributes to your energy and financial savings.

Some of the other built-in amenities common to KB Home's ZeroHouse 2.0 include, but are not limited to, a solar-powered hot water system with an 80-gallon storage tank that is filled via rooftop water collectors, which KB says can save you close to 50,000 gallons of water annually; in addition to low-flush toilets, the ZeroHouse 2.0 offers faucets and shower heads engineered to utilize approximately 2 percent less H2O than their traditional and modern brothers and sisters.

Taken altogether, KB’s ZeroHouse 2.0 signals a new generation of efficiency that can help stem outflow of money that accompanies the outflow of energy!

According to the Sperling's Best Places.net, as of 2011 there were only 18 souls occupying the quiet and quaint rural community of Port Tobacco Village, Maryland, making it the tiniest officially incorporated town in the state. The village is small, there is no question about that, but what it lacks in population, it more than makes up for in stature, lore and legend, and historical significance.

Located in the heart of Charles County, Maryland, the community that would become the Port Tobacco Village of 2012 was initially settled by English colonists way back in the year 1727, which makes it one of the oldest in Maryland. At one time during that era of American history, when it carried the moniker of “Port Tobacco River,” the village was the second biggest river port community in the state of Maryland.

Port Tobacco Village served as the county seat city for Charles County. Its close proximity and easy access to the Port Tobacco River, Chesapeake Bay and subsequently out to the Atlantic Ocean proved a very advantageous one, turning it into a relatively calm water, weather-protected seaport. The village's seemingly charmed existence would not last long, however, as Mother Nature and advances in transportation conspired together to bleed Port Tobacco Village nearly dry of its commerce and consequently its inhabitants.

At some seemingly arbitrary point in the late 1800s or early 1900s, nature essentially cut Port Tobacco Village's umbilical chord by slowly sifting more and more silt from the ocean into the Port Tobacco River. Over time, this and other tidal changes served to eliminate the community's easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and therefore the Atlantic Ocean, making the “Port” in Port Tobacco Village superfluous.

The nearly fatal blow to Port Tobacco Village was delivered by the proliferation of railroad tracks and trains, which at the time served primarily larger communities. The county seat was moved closer to the railroad traffic in La Plata in 1895, thereby causing many of the village's remaining occupants to move away in turn.

One of the village's oldest residents, so to speak, is the Legend of the Blue Dog. Since about 1897, every year at Halloween the tale is told of the ill-fated Charles Thomas Sims, his Blue Dog, Rose Hill and greedy old Henry Hanos. Local myth says that the ghost of the Blue Dog stands guard over the spot on Rose Hill Road at which it and its master, Sims, were murdered by Hanos for Sim's alleged deed to an estate and fortune in gold. So, while Port Tobacco Village is no longer the force it once was, some of its legend still lives on.

Oh sure, Chesapeake Beach Water Park is not the only way to stay cool this summer. There are a lot of different methods you can employ to battle the and tropical rain forest-like humidity that can come along with summertime in Maryland.

Depending on where you live, you could perhaps head to the beaches and relatively cool breezes offered by the Atlantic Ocean, but this option might mean long drives through heavy traffic and may not be that much cooler than your back yard. You could spend all your time indoors, blasting the air conditioning in your face, but you probably don't need to incur the costs associated with turning you house into an igloo.

Here’s another option: Let Chesapeake Beach Water Park cool off you and yours!

Located in the lovely town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Chesapeake Beach Water Park is owned and operated by the good citizens of this fair city. The park's typical hours are (weather permitting) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. The features and amenities offered by the park include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Free parking
• Water slides
• Fountains
• Waterfalls
• A lagoon
• Kids activity pool
• Locker rental
• Certified and EMT trained lifeguards
• Changing facilities and showers

When you pack up your bunch and head on over to Chesapeake Beach Water Park, you will also want to keep these rules in mind:

• No outside food or drink
• No alcohol
• No diving permitted anywhere in the park
• Traditional swimwear required
• All slides require feet-first position
• Kids in diapers required to wear swim diapers

For more information on the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, visit the its official website or call (410) 257-1404.

Lead-based paint is most commonly found in homes built before 1978, when lead-based house paint was banned. Lead-based paint is dangerous when it deteriorates, such as when the paint chips or peels. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for lead-based paint to pose a problem. Simple renovations, normal wear and tear, even the opening and closing of windows and doors can release harmful lead dust into the air. Prolonged exposure to lead can result in harmful side effects and even death. Lead primarily attacks the nervous system. In children, the effects can be learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia, headaches, seizures, coma, and in some cases, death. In adults, reproductive problems, memory lapses, nerve disorders, hearing and vision impairment, muscle and joint problems and high blood pressure, have all been associated with prolonged exposure to lead. Lead is exceptionally dangerous for pregnant women, who can suffer miscarriages and premature births, and their children may suffer fetal brain damage.

Lead exposure is a serious matter, especially for children who are most susceptible to lead poisoning. If your home was built before 1978, there is a strong chance it was painted with lead-based paint. Even if the current coat of paint is lead-free, the layers of paint below may be lead-based, and therefore can be dangerous if uncovered.

If you do suspect your home has lead-based paint, the first crucial step is to have your home properly inspected to determine whether lead paint is present and whether it poses an immediate threat. If you find your paint is lead-based and want to remove it, beware that removing lead-based paint improperly can be just as dangerous as doing nothing at all. Note: the EPA does not recommend removing lead-based paint yourself. Instead, you should consult professionals for the removal of lead-based paint. Click here to find lead dust sampling technicians and lead-certified renovation specialists near you.

When it comes to the safety of you and our family, don’t take chances. If your house was built before 1978, have your house inspected.

As the summer heats up you may be looking for smart ways to cool down. The following are five simple ways to beat the heat, so your summertime fun doesn’t have to take a beating.

1. Become a fan of the fan! If you don’t have an air conditioner, simply fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of a regular room fan. And even if you have an air conditioner, use a room fan to help circulate the cool air even better.
2. Add a little spice to your life! Have you ever wondered why food from hot places—such as India and Mexico—tends to be on the spicy side? It has everything to do with sweat. Hot peppers contain a natural chemical called capsaicin, which signals your body to perspire. And perspiration, as we all know, works to cool your body down as it evaporates on your skin. So, try adding red chili flakes to your favorite dishes. Spaghetti sauce, fried chicken, even salads can benefit from a little kick.
3. Don’t get low on H2O! As you sweat, your body loses the water essential to keeping you hydrated. Dehydration, in turn, causes your temperature to rise. So, it’s crucial to replenish your body’s water supply. Make sure to keep a bottle of water on you at all times. And if you find water too boring, try adding fresh ingredients—such as citrus fruits, berries, or mint—to a pitcher of water for a burst of flavor. But make sure to limit your consumption of beverages that contain alcohol, added sugar and caffeine, which are actually dehydrating.
4. Go barefoot! One of the fastest ways to feel cooler throughout your body is to cool your feet off first. So, go ahead, flick off those shoes and feel the grass between your toes! 
5. Draw those blinds! The sunlight coming in through your windows is a major contributor to the increased temperature of your home. West-facing and south-facing rooms are especially susceptible to this type of heat exchange. Keeping your shades drawn during the sunniest hours can reduce temperatures significantly. Roller shades, which are easy to install, are a relatively inexpensive option, while insulated curtains are a bit more of an investment. However, insulated curtains are also effective at keeping your house warm in the winter, so consider it an investment that pays for itself all year long.

Let’s start by observing that the phrase “pays off” can have various meanings. To some people, the issue is purely financial: will my remodeling expenditures be recouped? For others, recognizing that measuring financial return can be difficult, the issue is whether remodeling efforts cause a house to sell more quickly (or in some cases, at all). In other words, the financial benefit of remodeling may be real, but indirect.

Some remodeling efforts may be entirely visible like new kitchen cabinets, flooring and countertops, while others like renovated plumbing may be less visible yet still important to potential buyers. Depending on the individual home and the market in which it resides, different sellers may opt for different remodeling strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but a skilled, experienced real estate agent can help you determine which remodeling investments are likely to work out best in your specific area.

It’s important to understand and remember at the outset is that in most situations, you may not recover all of the money that you’re likely to spend on a renovation project when it comes time to sell your home, even those efforts that raise the overall value of your home.

The No. 1 way to realize a significant payoff for your remodeling project is to repair any or all of the known problems with your house, such as a leaky roof or archaic plumbing. Depending on the specific repair or repairs, you could actually improve the value of your home and recover most if not all or more of the money spent on the repair(s).

In its annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2011-2012, Remodeling Magazine listed attic bedroom renovation projects as the one with the best chance of paying off. The site shows that in 2012, the average project cost for these jobs in the Washington, D.C., area was $44,843; and the average resale value was $36,148, giving you an 80.6 percent cost recuperation.

Kitchen remodeling projects also tend to pay off on a more regular basis than most others do, even though new appliances, cabinets, countertops, and flooring are unquestionably expensive. Once again, we turn to the good people at Remodeling magazine to take care of the number crunching for us. And they say that the cost recouped on major kitchen remodeling projects over the past year averaged more than 70 percent. Like in the attic bedroom project described above, they recorded the average job cost as $54,426, with an average resale value coming in at $38,709.

The good news is that, while you may not recover all of your remodeling expenditures in strictly financial terms, it’s important to consider the impact that remodeling may have when it comes time to sell your home. If you imagine two comparable homes – one boasting significant remodeling and one which is begging to updated – the renovated home will nearly always sell first. Unless you can afford to have your home sitting on the market for a long time, it pays to remodel and to see your home move more quickly.

Annapolis has long been associated with the love of the arts and creative expression. In fact, AmericanStyle Magazine recently ranked Annapolis among its top 25 arts destinations—a distinction given to U.S. cities exhibiting the highest quality of art galleries, art institutions and art-centered events. In keeping with this art-loving tradition, the third annual Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival is certain to be a big hit this summer. So, clear your calendar for June 9^th and 10^th and head to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for a festival you’d be crazy to miss! 

This weekend-long celebration of fine arts and handmade crafts brings artists and art lovers together, while promoting creativity and community pride. Live music will get you dancing as you peruse the juried paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, wearable art, glass and wood art, mixed media, clay, fabric, metal, leather and much, much more.

Of course, artistic expression isn’t limited to clay and canvas. Indeed, culinary artists from all over the region will be offering up artfully crafted treats—from specialty sauces and dips to gourmet candies and more. This year’s vendors will include Big Kahuna Kettlecorn, The Herb Works Oil and Vinegar, Pretzelphoria and inFused Spreads. Wine tasting is also a huge part of the festival, which features some of the area’s most notable vintners. This year’s festival will include selections from such establishments as Far Eastern Shore Winery, Slack, Friday’s Creek Winery and Gygnus.

The Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival has something for all ages, and children should definitely stop by the KidsArt tent to make some art of their own and get their faces painted by local professional artists. While all ages are encouraged to attend, please note that valid identification will be required for those wanting to taste wine.

Bypass the lines and purchase your tickets online today! The cost of attendance is as follows:

Adults: $8

Youth (ages 12 to 18): $5

Seniors (65 and up) $5

Children (12 and under): FREE

The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located just outside historic downtown Annapolis at 550 Taylor Avenue. For detailed directions from outside of town, click here.

The comprehensive and non-partisan real estate website Trulia published a feature article in March that brashly trumpeted, “Ain’t No Lie, It’s Cheaper to Buy, Buy, Buy.” It’s safe to assume that if the headline were a bit longer, it would end with the words “a home.” That would have thrown off the whole catchy rhyming scheme, but the point is clear: it makes better financial sense, almost everywhere in America, for people to buy a home than to rent one.

The article goes on to report that, according to Trulia’s own Rent vs Buy Index for the winter of 2012, it was less expensive to buy than to rent in 98 of the nation’s 100 major metropolitan areas, including traditionally high-priced cities, such as Los Angeles, New York and Boston. The two exceptions are Honolulu and San Francisco, each of which landed in the next category, “renting and buying offer a similar value.”

After a little bit of research on the Internet, you should have no trouble figuring out if renting or buying is right for you in your individual situation. One simple formula to try is to research the asking price for a variety of rentals in the area in which you want to live and calculate the average. Repeat this process by researching the prices for homes that have sold recently in the same area (do not use listing prices as these are generally higher than the selling price), and then factor in some of the other costs usually incurred by both renters and buyers, such as deposits, insurance, maintenance, and taxes.

For a more immediate comparison, albeit potentially less applicable to your personal situation, there are numerous free rent-vs-buy calculators at your disposal online. Some of the comparatively more trustworthy sites to try include Ginnie Mae, MSN Money and the New York Times.

Of course, in the long run there is another factor to consider which goes beyond simple month-to-month expenses, namely the opportunity to build up equity as a homeowner. Over time, this has traditionally been a key source of wealth accumulation for Americans. Even though the current real estate market nationally continues to face challenges, this is still true today.

The appealing planned community of St. Charles, Md., lies approximately 23 miles southeast of downtown Washington, D.C. near the attractive small city of Waldorf, Md.

This scenic region, home to more than 67,000 people, gets even more attractive, lovely and charming every year during the Sunset Concert Festival and Farmers’ Market. These tasty and harmonious events take place on Fridays from May through August.

The Farmers’ Market is held at O’Donnell Lake and opens for business on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and at 8 a.m. Saturdays. Concerts take place in the O’Donnell Lake Restaurant Park (located adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles). In anticipation of the setting sun and all of its attendant kaleidoscopic natural beauty, the performers typically take the stage at about 7 p.m.

According to the community of St. Charles’ city website, the Farmers’ Market is expanding to include Wednesday afternoons. Additionally, the Farmers’ Market that used to take place at the Festival in Waldorf site is relocating to a spot near St. Patrick’s and Smallwood Drive.

Friday, May 11, 2012, kicked off the outdoor music festival’s fourth consecutive year, serving up live performances from a wide variety of regional bands, playing an equally wide variety of musical genres.  

This summer’s roster of performers pops up when you click here and surf over to the St. Charles community’s website, or you can just peruse the list right here (excluding the May 11^th show):

• May 18 – U.S. Navy Band
• May 25 – BI Richardson & the Black Coffee Experience
• June 1 – Jennifer Cooper & GrooveSpan
• June 8 – USAF Rock Band – Max Impact
• June 15 – Lynn Hollyfield Band
• June 22 – Steve Cavanaugh Band
• June 29 – US Navy – Cruisers
• July 6 – John OLoughlin and the Blarney Stones Band
• July 13 – Jennifer Cutting and OCEAN Celtic Band
• July 20 – Higher Hands
• July 27 – Kajun Kelley Band
• Aug. 3 – Singer-Songwriter Showcase with Matt Silkworth
• Aug. 10 – Deanna Dove
• Aug. 17 – Anthony Swampdog Clark
• Aug. 24 – Karen Collins and the Backroads Band
• Aug. 31 – Eric Scott Band

The state of Maryland has entered into a landmark legal settlement with the nation’s largest mortgage lenders to provide relief to homeowners who were victims of mortgage fraud.  In what is being billed as the largest-ever deal, the settlement could help over a million struggling homeowners in the United States and expects to bring in $1 billion in aid to Maryland.

The mortgage deal settles state and federal findings that the nation’s largest mortgage providers routinely signed Foreclosure documents or “robo-signed” without the presence of a notary or knowing if the facts of the documents were correct.

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler told the Baltimore Sun the settlement was the “biggest thing to happen” since Maryland and other states settled with tobacco companies in 1998 over questionable marketing tactics. He also praised the mortgage settlement and said it is the right move for struggling Maryland homeowners. In exchange for the settlement, Gansler and other state attorneys general will relinquish civil liability claims.

The $25 billion settlement with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Ally Financial was reached with 49 states and will bring much needed assistance to over 40,000 Maryland homeowners who lost their homes to Foreclosure or are still at risk of foreclosure. The deal will mainly focus on partial loan forgiveness but offers up to $2,000 to homeowners who were foreclosed upon during the mortgage crisis. The mortgage settlement sets up four areas of assistance for Maryland homeowners with the exact amounts still being worked out:

• Around $800 million to reduce the principal for homeowners at risk of Foreclosure
• $60 million to reduce interest rates for borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth
• $60 million for the Maryland Attorney General’s office for housing related projects including 10% of that total for paying housing counselors and offering legal assistance to homeowners
• An estimated $25 million to write checks for $1,800 to $2,000 to Maryland homeowners who lost their homes to Foreclosure

As mentioned above, in exchange for the settlement, Gansler and other states attorneys general will give up civil liability claims against banks; however, homeowners who receive a payout from the settlement will still retain the right to sue banks for engaging in inappropriate Foreclosure processes. Federal officials have noted the settlement will not prevent them from investigating the housing bust further.

For more information on the mortgage settlement, contact Contact Maryland HOPE at 877-462-7555 or click on http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/